Maximum Potential

The new FEELM Max line has the potential to make a significant difference if it’s given a chance.

By Mike Huml

In this second edition of our two-part series on FEELM, a subsidiary of Smoore International, the FEELM Max line introduces the first ceramic coil disposable device to the market. FEELM Max refers to an entire potential range of new disposables using FEELM technology, but this review will focus on the two primary designs. To keep things simple given these two products have not officially been named, they’ll be designated the Large and Small for the remainder of this review.

Keep in mind that what’s happening within these devices is the important part—aesthetics are important too, but FEELM ceramic coil technology can be incorporated into many different future designs.

That being said, let’s talk about the differences in shape and size between the Large and Small as the vape experience is, for all intents and purposes, identical. Obviously, the Large is larger than the Small. It’s longer by roughly a centimeter and about 50 percent wider in terms of diameter. The Large features a flat plastic mouthpiece while the Small makes use of a round silicone mouthpiece that allows for biting and hands-free vaping.

Both devices are cylindrical with an anodized aluminum body that’s resistant to fingerprints. Overall, the Large is comparable to a short cigar and the Small is just small enough to be handled like an analog cigarette. The Large would be better suited to a vaper looking to maximize their puff count, and the Small would be more appealing to those who prioritize the familiar hand feel of a traditional cigarette.

In terms of auxiliary features, neither the Large nor the Small have any. Being disposable devices, adjustable airflow, adjustable juice flow and the ability to refill and recharge are nonexistent. There is also no manual switch, and both devices are 100 percent draw activated, and the tips illuminate white when a draw is taken. That isn’t to say that extravagant features are needed here. The fact that disposable devices such as the FEELM Max line represent the fastest-growing segment of the vapor market should say something about the convenience factor of being able to remove a vapor device from the packaging and begin using it immediately.

What really sets FEELM Max apart from other disposable devices is the overall vape quality and consistency. Each puff is exactly the same from start to finish, and the flavor is very clean without any residual taste from machine oils, imperfect coil construction or inadequate wicking. Disposables have historically been synonymous with low quality, but that isn’t the case for FEELM Max. These devices can hold their own against any mouth-to-lung device available, and that includes rebuildables.

While the customization factor is naturally nowhere to be found, the vast majority of nicotine users want something that they can pick up in a store as they would a pack of cigarettes and begin using right away without any fuss. Many people have been turned off from e-cigarettes over the years simply because the best vapes were too complicated and the most convenient vapes suffered from too many drawbacks. The FEELM Max line puts punctuation on many years of refinement for disposable devices.

There are several factors contributing to the outstanding vape quality of the FEELM Max, the first being the ceramic heating element. Known colloquially as the “coil,” this ceramic heating element is rough and porous, which yields an enormous amount of surface area in a small package. More surface area translates into smaller aerosolized particles that are smoother on the throat and more quickly absorbed into the lungs.

Satisfying the nicotine craving more quickly is always a good thing, but the benefits of ceramic heating elements don’t end there. A larger surface area means that heat isn’t concentrated at a single point and is instead spread out for more uniform heating. This produces a more consistent vape experience and eliminates potential hotspots and burning.

The FEELM Max takes it one step further and features “terraced” temperature that accentuates certain flavors at different points. This means that each type of flavor profile (menthol, fruit, etc.) performs differently at different temperatures. FEELM’s Flavor-Lock technology incorporates heating elements with separate zones of temperature so that each flavor can be experienced optimally. To put it in layman’s terms, the flavor is crisper and more consistent with FEELM heating elements compared to traditional coils, especially those found in most other disposables.

FEELM ceramic coils also increase efficiency. Each puff consumes less e-liquid while at the same time producing an equivalent amount of or more vapor. Along with an efficient battery, this means that when compared to any other disposable of equal size using traditional coils, the FEELM Max will flat-out last longer. As is clearly demonstrated by the Large and Small, this increased level of efficiency can be incorporated into smaller devices to make them more viable and convenient or into a normal-sized device to boost the lifespan.

The Large will last for a full day with extremely heavy use, three to five days for the average user, and upward of a week for light users. Surprisingly, the Small isn’t far behind with an approximately 25 percent shorter lifespan compared to the Large. The average user can expect at least a full day’s use out of the Small and likely more than that, which is impressive for a device smaller than the original eGo. Remember, it wasn’t that long ago that a battery the average size of a cigarette couldn’t last more than an hour or two of consistent use.

Surface area is also the best way to increase vapor production, and the FEELM Max line produces the perfect amount of satisfying vapor. More than that, the vapor is easily produced, which can’t be said for so many other disposable devices. Often, disposables can be anemic in terms of vapor production and harsh on the throat for an assortment of reasons.

With the FEELM Max, a comfortable drag will produce vapor nearly instantly with satisfying volume. There’s no fighting with the device whatsoever, and the importance of this point can’t be overstated. Many potential vapers have given up on vaping after a short time simply because they can’t be bothered. Cigarettes are easy, familiar and don’t require prior knowledge to get them to work correctly. Having easy access to a device that’s actually easier to use than a cigarette and that performs so well right out of the box could very well be a game changer.

Airflow is also a huge factor with any device when it comes to flavor, vapor production and throat hit. Too much airflow and the flavor becomes diluted and the draw is uncomfortable. Too little airflow and the throat hit becomes too harsh, and the risk of spitback increases. Not only does the FEELM Max line have the perfect amount of airflow but also the perfect airflow feel.

The term “turbulence” is often used to describe how the airflow feels, and a turbulent airflow path leads to a “scratchy” sensation when vaping. The level of turbulence experienced with the FEELM Max is minimal. It’s smooth and nearly silent, contributing significantly to that easy and relaxed overall vape experience.

When it comes to vaping, it’s always been a double-edged sword. There is a level of patience required that many people are unwilling or unable to devote to vaping. The more you learn about different devices, features, etc., the more likely you are to enjoy vaping since it’s easier to make informed choices and develop a genuine interest. The level of patience needed has been receding over time, but it’s understandable that many people aren’t looking for a new hobby.

The enthusiast vaper will gladly ensure that the mod is held upright at all times, that at least 120 mL of juice is on hand 24/7 and that two extra batteries are securely stowed in the overhead compartment. It’s a constant struggle of worrying about juice running out, batteries dying, tanks leaking and even pants falling down because the mod is too heavy for the pocket. But the performance is worth it.

Not to mention that toward the beginning of the cloud-chasing era, vaping in public was largely greeted with curiosity and wonder rather than scorn when done with an ounce of common sense and decency. However, it wasn’t unjustified. Disposables and even pod systems just didn’t hit the spot like the good stuff, so that’s what it took to stave off the cigarettes for good for many vapers.

The popularity of vaping is now hitting a fever pitch—the easy and convenient devices such as disposables can be just as good as hobbyist-level devices. That in itself will retain new adopters, but even for longtime vapers there can be a sense of relief knowing that when the occasion calls for it, they can take a disposable out for the day and enjoy vaping without having to worry about anything.

That’s really the key to the popularity of pod systems and disposables. There is a certain point that varies for every person where the value of convenience outweighs the promise of performance rather than vice versa. As disposables continue to be improved, innovated and refined, more and more people will find themselves switching off of analogs because they like vaping better than smoking and not necessarily because they’re trying to quit.

Convenience plays an enormous role in the switch from smoking to vaping; there’s likely an alarming number of people who gave up on e-cigarettes because their first starter kit didn’t work correctly, and when the cravings kicked in, it was easier to pick up a pack of smokes. Disposables have been neglected for too long, and for the sake of harm reduction and public health, it’s about time a manufacturer like Smoore gave them the attention they deserve.

The FEELM Max finally bridges the gap between quality and convenience. All the improvements are clearly more than the sum of their parts and don’t necessarily require detailed explanation for the target market. The end result is a worthy vape experience that anybody can pick up, even with no patience or time investment. There’s no airflow ring to fiddle with. There’s no button that powers or fires the device. There’re no graphs or meters or temperature settings. It’s a tube to puff on until it stops puffing.

It works like a cigarette that you don’t have to light. Spitback? Dry hits? Those are antiquated inconveniences—words of a time past. It really gets no simpler, and the FEELM Max satisfies the cigarette craving consistently.

For experienced vapers, there’s no longer a reason to sacrifice performance for convenience. The hobby aspect of vaping will always be there, but now the choice to put it down every now and again is real. Instead of putting up with a cheap disposable while pining for the Kayfun, either can be used without sacrifice, and rebuilding can be done when it’s wanted instead of when it’s needed.

The FEELM Max line has the potential to make a significant difference if it’s given a chance. Disposables have developed a bad reputation and mostly for good reason up until now. This isn’t a “fool me once” situation. This is the fruit of nearly two decades of labor. Many people put everything on the line for vaping and harm reduction so that one day, anybody can easily switch away from smoking by choosing the colorful tubes at the gas station instead of the small stinky ones.

No matter which design, Smoore has something special with the FEELM Max line. It may not look like much, but the trick is to not think about it and just enjoy it. It may feel like a betrayal to lay praise upon a disposable with seemingly nothing to it, but it’s easy to forget that this was always the endgame. Modding, rebuilding, DIY—the impetus for these things was the need to push vaping to be as good or better than smoking. The quality and simplicity of the FEELM Max has reached that point. From here, it’s just diminishing returns.