Kiwi 2.0 review, pen and power bank after weeks of use

A pen the size of a cigarette, slotted into a magnetic case that recharges it four times over. The Kiwi 2.0 from Kiwi Vapor looks like no other pod on the market, and that singularity divides as much as it charms. After several weeks of exclusive use, two cartridge colours and a full daily commute, our verdict is more nuanced than the product listings would have you believe.

Does the Kiwi 2.0 earn its place

On mobility, yes. The pen carries 400 mAh and the magnetic power bank 1800 mAh, enough to recharge the pen up to four times in a row without a socket, for a 1.8 ml cartridge and a 105 g aluminium set, according to Kiwi Vapor.

On everything else, it is more debatable. The format imposes a proprietary cartridge, a fixed draw and a consumption you pay for in cartridges. It is an object designed for one precise use, not a replacement for a versatile device.

For British readers, the 1.8 ml cartridge sits under the 2 ml ceiling that the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 set for tanks and cartridges used with nicotine e-liquid. That says nothing on its own about whether a given version has been notified to the MHRA, so read the listing before you buy.

Who this pod is really made for

Button-free ergonomics and magnetic storage draw a very particular profile. Two kinds of user will feel at home, and a third will simply waste their money.

The vaper on the move all day

This is the object’s reason to exist. The pen comes out of a pocket, works without a button, goes back into the power bank and recharges without you thinking about it. No socket and no cable during the day.

The vaper who wants something discreet and understated

The machined aluminium body and the elongated format go unnoticed. Placed on a table, the set looks more like a case than a vaping device.

The vaper who likes to tune their setup

Steer clear. There is no wattage, no airflow and no coil to choose. The draw is the one the manufacturer decided, and that is the end of it.

That lack of adjustment has a direct consequence on your choice of liquids. Since nothing compensates for a liquid that is too thick or too thin, the bottle has to suit the device and not the other way round. Vapers used to correcting a result by turning an airflow ring lose their main lever here.

What genuinely works in daily use

Four things work clearly better than on most cartridge pods. On their own, they are enough to justify the existence of the format.

Vibration feedback

The device vibrates when it fires, which confirms that it has detected your draw. On an object with no button and no screen, it is the only feedback possible, and it saves you from puffing into nothing.

The e-liquid level alert

An indicator warns you when the cartridge is running low, before the cotton heats up dry. Few pods of this format offer that kind of monitoring.

Charging you never think about

The pen charges as soon as it goes back into the power bank, with no handling, no button and no plug. After a week the gesture becomes automatic, and the question of battery life simply disappears.

The ratio between the two batteries explains that comfort. There are 1800 mAh in the case for 400 mAh in the pen, around four pen recharges by the maker’s count, with the real charging efficiency unknown. The pen therefore always runs on a fresh charge, which avoids the weak end of day familiar from single-battery pods.

A body machined from solid aluminium

The set weighs 105 g, which is heavy for a pod, but the material does not mark the way glossy plastic does. After several weeks of pockets and keys, it still looks respectable.

What starts to grate after a few weeks

The Kiwi 2.0 pays dearly for its choices, and four faults end up weighing on daily use. Each one follows directly from the concept.

A 1.8 ml cartridge that empties fast

With heavy use, the capacity means refilling twice a day. That is not much next to a conventional tank, and the bottle has to follow you everywhere.

A system closed to other consumables

Cartridges and tips are specific to the brand. If your retailer runs out, there is no stopgap, unlike a device with a standard thread.

Two pieces you must not lose

The pen and the power bank separate, and that is the whole point of the concept. It is also its weak spot, since leaving the power bank at the office leaves you with 400 mAh to finish the day.

The magnet holds well, but the pen readily slips into a pocket on its own. After a few weeks, the discipline is to put the two pieces back together every time before putting them away.

The entry cost of the full kit

The pen and power bank set costs noticeably more than a conventional pod of similar capacity. You pay for the concept and the machining, not for vaping performance.

Our Kiwi 2.0 verdict, 14.4 out of 20

Our in-house grid breaks it down as endurance 5 out of 5 (30%), flavour 3 out of 5 (25%), handling 4 out of 5 (15%), leak resistance 3 out of 5 (15%) and perceived value 2 out of 5 (15%). Battery life rescues the score, while flavour and cost drag it down.

We rate it as decent. The heaviest criterion here is endurance, the one area where the device clearly outclasses its competitors. Readers for whom flavour comes first should look instead at a tank with interchangeable coils, which plays in another league on that front.

Frequently asked questions

Five frequent questions, on aspects the review above leaves untouched.

Can you use the pen without the power bank?

Yes, it also charges directly over USB-C. The power bank nonetheless remains the heart of the concept.

Does the kit include a spare tip?

The boxed set includes a polycarbonate tip and a cotton tip, as well as the cartridge and the cable.

Does the device contain allergenic metals?

The manufacturer states that it contains nickel, which may cause allergic reactions in sensitive people.

How long should you keep a cartridge?

The manufacturer quotes around fifteen refills before replacement. Beyond that, the flavour gradually deteriorates.

How long is the warranty?

According to the manufacturer, twelve months by default, extended to twenty-four months if you register the product within ninety days.

What to remember before buying a Kiwi 2.0

This pen is a thing apart, brilliant on mobility, average on the vape itself and costly both to buy and to run. It is aimed at people who want a device that fades into the background all day, and who accept a closed system in exchange.

For any other use, a device with standard consumables stays more flexible and less dependent on a single supplier, which is the trade-off to weigh before choosing the Kiwi 2.0.

Our iStick Pico review, the exact opposite with its replaceable battery and settings
The Justfog Q16 Pro Plus after weeks of use, an all-in-one with consumables that are easier to find
Our Aspire Nautilus review, to see what adjustable airflow brings

This review is intended for adults. Vaping products can contain nicotine, which is highly addictive, and cannot be sold to under-18s in the United Kingdom. It is editorial content with no commercial tie to the brand and not a buying recommendation.