SMOK SLM Review: The Ultimate On-the-Go Vape

avatar

by James Bickford

Updated: September 17, 2021

Smok SLM Review

Review Score: 86/100

Price Range:
$13 - $20
Color:
black, blue, red, stainless steel
Dimensions:
112 x 12 x 9.5mm
Vape Juice Capacity:
0.8mL
Battery Capacity:
250mAh
Works with:
  • Eliquids icon

Pros

  • Portable and lightweight
  • Fast recharging
  • Good build quality

Cons

  • Some issues with spit back
  • Poor vapor quality

Starting Price: $ 13

The SMOK SLM is a pen-style pod device that features automatic air activation with an internal battery rated for 250mAh. The Slm features a pocketable exterior and form factor that makes it the ideal on-the-go vaping device.

It has no buttons and users need only plug the pod into the battery section, and start inhaling from the mouthpiece. The pod can hold up to 0.8ml of e-juice and has a convenient side fill-port. The device takes USB charging from the charging port at its base.

A Quick Look at the SMOK Slm Starter Kit

The SMOK Slm follows a design laid out by many air-activated pod systems like Juul or the Phix. It has a slim, angled form factor but is more cylindrical than other flatter devices. It has a round bottom, where the USB port is located and the pods fit into the top section, where there is a rounded opening as well.

The device has a glossy paint job and has a little LED indicator on its center to show battery life. It also lights up when the device is in use. There is a small USB port on the bottom of the device that users can engage to charge the internal battery. The battery has a capacity of 250mAh. It has a limited power range that goes from 10-16W.

smok slm pod

The battery acts on direct voltage output so it does not have variable voltage settings. The battery and pod are air-activated so users need only draw from the mouthpiece to create vapor. The pods are removable and refillable. There are two pods in the kit and they can hold up to 0.8ml of e-liquid, preferably nic salt e-juices, as the coil is specifically for low-nicotine options.

What’s in the Box

The SMOK Slm pod kit features refillable pods but does not use replaceable coils. Users will get a SLM replacement pod in their starter kit along with everything else they need to keep the device running. Here’s what you can expect when you get the SMOK Slm pod kit:

SMOK-slm-pod-kit-image

  • One x SMOK SLM Battery
  • Two x SMOK SLM Pods
  • One x MicroUSB Cable
  • One x Instructional Manual

The Look and Feel of the Device

The SMOK Slm is a regular pod, a vape pen style device that copies the design of many other similar units. The entire device is quite long as well, as it measures over 100mm long (112mm to be exact or 4.4”). The pod is responsible for this elongated look, as it has a longer shape than typical, square pods.

It has a thin, lightweight cylindrical design along with a tiny LED on its front that lights up when using the device and shows battery level. The top section of the battery is where users need to install their pods.

The bottom section features the USB port for users to recharge the battery. The Slm is air-activated so there are no buttons to press or work with as there are no settings for users to adjust or change. The device is made mostly of plastic, which gives it its slim and lightweight feel.

How Long the Battery Lasts

The Slm battery has a capacity of 250mAh and works on direct voltage output. The battery has the same capacity as batteries in disposable devices so it can also last the same time, which is about 200-300 puffs. If users vape a lot then the cell would need a quick, midday charge to keep it working for the rest of the day. With the small battery capacity though, the battery can recharge in under one hour

How to Get the SLM Working

Users can get the SMOK SLM working very quickly. The elongated pod has a side-fill port that is stopped by a silicone grommet so they need to first fill the pod. It has only 0.8ml capacity so it does not take a lot of e-juice. The SLM is recommended for a high-nicotine salt e-juice so users can get the most out of a small amount of e-juice.

SMOK-SLM-pods-image

The fill port is small. Users can try filling it with a standard e-juice bottle tip like a Unicorn bottle. A syringe-tipped bottle might make the filling and refill a little easier, but make sure to turn the pod as you are filling it as the pod will fill up quickly and may spill out if left on its side. After letting the coil steep for about 5 to 10 minutes, users can install the pod and start vaping.

Vapor Quality

The SLM is an MTL pod system designed for flavor-chasers more than cloud-chasers. There’s not much information on the coil type inside, but it is an above-ohm coil, maybe around 1.3ohms or 1.4ohms based on the cloud production and the 16W maximum power output. The SLM performs on par with what it is capable of, with these specs in mind.

The pod makes a good connection with the battery and the draw resistance is tight. The mouthpiece has a good, ergonomic shape to it and is not uncomfortable. The pod does need to be broken in so that the coil can start pumping out the vapor. The first few draws may not be satisfactory, but once the coil and pod get going, the vapor quality is good.

The cloud size is not so big, but it is consistent with what the device can do. The flavor output is good, especially with nicotine salts e-juices. There is an issue with spit-back, especially if you are just starting to use the pod. Try taking some dry hits before filling the pod so the airway is clear when you do fill the pod.

The Competition

Smok SLM vs Juul

The Juul is the premier pod-based device but it comes with pre-filled, 0.7ml pods that use a proprietary nicotine salt e-juice.

juul-starter-kit-image

The e-juice comes in only two flavors, after Juul Labs pulled their other offerings, like Mango and Creme Brulee, after the publicity surrounding underage vaping. The Juul is also air-activated and uses a rechargeable, internal battery that has a similar capacity of 250mAh as the SLM.

Smok SLM vs SMOK Infinix

The SMOK Infinix is another pod-based system from SMOK that shares a lot with the SLM. The Infinix also has an air-activated battery with a capacity of 250mAh. It users a refillable 2ml pod (larger than the SLM) and can output a maximum of 16W.

SMOK infinix colors

The Infinix is also as long and wide as the SLM with its height reaching about 112mm (or 4.4”). The Infinix has a shape similar to the Juul, though, with its flat and square body.

SMOK Slm Pod Kit Specifications

SMOK SLM Pod Kit
Dimensions: 112 x 12 x 9.5mm
Vape Juice Capacity: 0.8mL
Battery: 250mAh Integrated Rechargeable
Output Wattage: 10-16W
Design: Ultra Slim & Lightweight
Pod System: Fillable
Cartridge: Replaceable

Pros & Cons

  • 0.8mL Pod capacity
  • Refillable pod
  • Works with nicotine salts
  • Portable and lightweight
  • Fast recharging
  • DTL vape style
  • Stealth vapor
  • Small battery capacity
  • Only for Nic Salts (as coils are of 1.8 ohm or 1.4 ohm)

Conclusion: An MTL Pod Device for Salt Nic Lovers

The SMOK SLM is an open-system pod device that is adequate for portable, on-the-go vaping, and absolute beginners, even though beginners might benefit from pre-filled pods. The SLM has easy usability for users who want to try their e-juice. But the specs of the device require a high-nicotine salt e-juice for mouth-to-lung users so that they can get the most out of the device.

While the SMOK SLM has some good features, there is nothing else about it that stands out, as even SMOK has other devices that are more appealing. The vapor quality is inconsistent sometimes, as the narrow chimney can sometimes get blocked and result in some unfortunate spit-back. The Slm is for new users who want to try a pod device or for users who want to fill the tank with their e-juice and use a pod device instead of a different device.

Published: August 6, 2020Updated: September 17, 2021
avatar

James Bickford

My way of understanding the significance of vaping came not only through the disruption of smoking but its effects on society as a whole. Now I bring people to vaping and bring vaping to people. I love using new gear, writing in-depth reviews and generally nerding out about vaping to like-minded people.


Comments

Leave a comment