MLV Phix Vape Review: Cool Features in a Simple Design

Now, this is what I’m talking ‘bout. The vape gods have heard my endless incantations to deliver onto me a stylish looking, closed loop vape that leaves out all the fuss and muss of buying vape juice, filling (and sometimes spilling) tanks and another endless drudgery that took out all the fun of vaping (at least, for me).

The Phix is the definition of a slick-looking, attractive device with an elegant ceramic finish that is a joy just to hold. There’s a 1.5ml pod pre-installed in the mod that holds juice with a 5% nicotine content made specifically for this device. This might be a little too much for some who don’t regularly vape with nicotine, and there was a noticeable throat scratching after a few vapes, but that’s to be expected.

Table of Contents

• MLV Phix Vape Box Contents
• What Stands Out
• Phix: The Intake
• A Closer Look

MLV Phix Vape Box Contents

Everything about this product impressed me, right down to the packaging that features a see-through panel so you can marvel at the beauty of the mod. It also features a few diagrams explaining some of the key features of the mod, including its featherweight size and the USB charging.

What you get in the box is straightforward:

• One Original Tobacco Blend pod in a blister pack
• The PHIX battery
• USB magnetic charging cable

What Stands Out

As I already mentioned, the Phix is a great-looking device, just how I like them. When I saw it I immediately thought of the obelisk in 2001: A Space Odyssey and I reacted in almost the same way that the early humans reacted when they saw the obelisk.

Taking the device out of the box you immediately notice the smooth ceramic feel of the mod, and it’s a pleasure to touch and feel. There are also ceramic coils inside that have a resistance of between 1.4 and 1.5 ohms.

All you need to do to get started is to open the blister pack, install the pod into the device, which attaches magnetically with a satisfying “click” and start pulling. The device is activated when you start pulling. So, in addition to being gorgeous to look at, the Phix is also easy to use.

Some other cool features:

• The magnetic charger secures the device into place (although you can’t charge and vape at the same time)
• It’s an incredibly portable device
• The battery is a decent 280 mAh which can translate to around 220 puffs per charge
• For each cartridge, you get somewhere between 400-440 puffs
• The cartridges have a 1.5ml capacity
• The Phix already comes with an Original Tobacco flavor cartridge. But MLV sells the replacement cartridges in a 4-pack that can either be a mix of different flavors, like strawberry, butterscotch, ice (similar to menthol) and spearmint.

Phix: The Intake

The Phix is a simple device targeted to ex-smokers so if things like cloud size and quality matter to you, then something a little more powerful or high-tech might be better for you. With that said, the tobacco flavor delivered a semi-intense throat hit that just skirted the line between harsh and smooth.

I realized that the longer you draw, the more intense flavor you get, so that was something that took me by surprise. I also saw that the LED indicator light in the center of the device lights up every time you take a hit, although there is no sign for when it needs to be recharged.

I like that MLV manufactures its juices specifically for these cartridges. They have a salt-based nicotine inside and while there might not be much variety in flavor possibilities, the flavors available hit the spot for me.

A Look at the Competition

Phix vs Juul

The Juul is a closed-system pod device that uses pre-filled pods containing a specially formulated, nicotine-salt solution that is unique to the Juul. The only flavors available for Juul, currently, are tobacco and menthol.

The Juul runs on a tiny, internal 250mAh battery and it is draw-activated so it features a buttonless design. Users can either tap or shake the device to see their current power level via the small, pinhole LED on the device’s front. The Juul has a small, portable frame with a square form-factor unlike the Phix’s diamond-shaped chassis.

Juul has a proprietary charger that comes with each device as well as your option of a four-pack of Juul pods.

Phix vs Myle

The Myle has a similar design to the Juul and Phix, as it is a closed-system pod device that uses pre-filled, proprietary pods. The pods are filled with a unique nicotine salt formulation that features a nicotine content of 5% in each pod or 50mg nicotine salt much stronger than either the Juul or Phix.

There are several flavors available for the pod device, surpassing the flavor options for the Juul and Phix, but selection may be limited in your area. Users can choose from flavors like Iced Mango, Tobacco, Iced Mint, Pink Lemonade.

The pods can hold up to 0.9ml of liquid, which is larger than the 0.7ml Juul pod. The Myle has an internal battery that can last for up to 240 puffs, which is around the same lifespan of the battery for the Juul and Phix.

Positives and Negatives

A Closer Look

The Phix’s closest rival for the type of mod that it is – a closed loop, pod mod – is the Juul. The Juul also has a 5% nicotine content for its pods, although the Phix has a bigger capacity at 1.5ml. The Juul is smaller than the Phix, so its does scores points for sleekness. But then again the Phix’s larger size and greater e-juice capacity, makes it both easier to hold and lasts longer.

Again, the above cons didn’t bother me. I would have no problem shelling out a few extra bucks for the Phix given its quality and appearance. And compared to the Juul (which retails at $50; the Phix at $34), the Phix wins in the price category also.

I think I’ve found my favorite new vape pen. I love the portability; I love how it feels in my hand. It’s easy to use; the magnetic cartridges just snap into place and you start taking draws to turn it on, so there’s no triggering device.