Specifications:
Materials: Zinc alloy, polycarbonate
Dimensions: 78mm*43mm*22.5mm
Battery capacity: 1x external 18650
E-liquid capacity: 2.7ml/2ml (TPD edition)
Power output: 4 variable levels
Charging: USB-C
AIOs are officially the market mover of 2020 and as someone who’s tested hundreds of vaping devices, I couldn’t be happier. Pod systems certainly have their place but an AIO can provide vastly improved battery life, more headroom for power output and increased coil versatility, while still remaining pocket friendly. Dotmod launched their first AIO in the middle of 2019 with the DotAIO and the DotAIO SE is a very similar device, with a lower price point and different aesthetic.
Construction, fit and finish of the SE is fantastic. With an RRP that’s almost half of the original model, I had honestly expected some corners to be cut for this edition but Dotmod has been clever with their manufacturing. In lieu of the original’s milled aluminium body and panels, the SE is cast from zinc alloy, with polycarbonate panels, keeping costs down. As a result, the SE is actually heavier than its more expensive sibling and this increase to weight is something I enjoy. The internals are very clean, buttons have a satisfying click and the two panels snap into place securely. This device feels very premium.
I would be remiss not to mention the elegant looks of this device. In short, I think it’s the prettiest mainstream AIO on the market right now, with a clean, minimal style and beautifully engraved doors. Small details like the laser etched internals only add to this. It’s also the smallest 18650 AIO that I’m aware of.
In terms of user experience, the DotAIO SE is simple but provides a good level of user adjustment. You can toggle through four levels of power adjustment with a small button towards the bottom of the device. The specific power outputs will change depending on the resistance of your coil, which is a nice touch. The 2.7ml internal tank is easy to remove and so are the press-fit coils. A large fill port on the side of the tank means re-fills are mess-free and quick.
The device is supplied with two coils as standard. The first is a 0.7Ohm mesh build. This coil could be used for MTL or RDL vaping, though I feel it really shines as an MTL coil. I enjoyed it most with the airflow turned all the way down and the power set to “medium”, which in this case corresponds to 18w. With these parameters, the result is a smooth, flavourful and restricted MTL vape that competes with the best MTL stock coil tanks on the market. Coil longevity is notable, too, as I was able to run 35mls of moderately sweet nicotine salt e-liquid through the coil before it needed to be replaced, which translates to approximately two weeks of use in my case.
The second coil is a 0.3Ohm mesh build. With a wider bore and higher power ceiling, this coil is better suited to restricted direct lung vaping. I enjoyed this coil most with the airflow set to 2/3 open and the power set to “strong”, which uses the maximum 35W the device is capable of for this coil. With these settings, the DotAIO SE produces a warm, flavourful RDL vape that competes well with smaller subohm tanks, such as the Uwell Nunchaku.
In addition to the coils supplied with the device, there’s also an Aspire Nautilus adapter in the box. This means you will never be hard-pressed to find a compatible coil for the DotAIO SE and I’m very glad that this decision was made because it’s consumer-friendly and allows you to choose from the wide variety of Nautlius coils currently available.
Enthusiasts need not worry either, since there are currently two RBAs for the device, including Dotmod’s DotRBA and Atmizoo’s Dotshell. We will be covering the Dotshell in a separate review, since it has plenty of features, but rest assured it’s a worthy addition.
In summary, I thoroughly recommend the DotAIO SE to anyone looking for a compact all in one device. It ticks all the boxes, with great build quality, aesthetics, functionality, and aftermarket RBAs, all while being substantially less expensive than the original model. At the time of writing, there’s also a huge variety of custom panels, buttons, and tips, so you can really personalise this device. This might be Dotmod’s best offering to date.
Pros:
- Build quality
- Ease of use
- Highly customisable
Cons:
- 35W power ceiling may be too low for some
