Vaporesso have gone back to basics with the new XROS Mini Retro, a compact pod kit that keeps things simple with inhale activation and no screens, buttons or settings to worry about. Powered by a 1000mAh battery with a maximum output of 18W, it's designed primarily for mouth-to-lung (MTL) vaping and works with most Vaporesso XROS replacement pods.
If you remember the original XROS Mini, the idea behind the Mini Retro will feel very familiar. Vaporesso haven't tried to turn it into a completely different device. Instead, they've kept much of what made the original Mini so straightforward to use while bringing it up to date with newer XROS technology, including COREX 3.0 pods, SSS 2.0 leak-resistant technology and a new four-LED battery indicator.
In this blog, we'll take a closer look at what's changed since the original XROS Mini, how the Mini Retro performs as an everyday pod kit, which XROS pods you can use and whether its back-to-basics approach makes it the right XROS kit for you.
Back to Basics With the XROS Mini Retro
While some of the newer XROS kits have introduced larger batteries, screens and more control over how you vape, the XROS Mini Retro takes a much simpler approach. There are no menus to navigate or power settings to adjust. Simply fill your pod, insert it into the device and inhale through the mouthpiece to vape.
The Mini Retro is completely inhale activated, so you don't even need to press a button when you want to use it. There's also no adjustable airflow, with the draw instead determined largely by the XROS pod you choose. This means you can still change how the device feels to vape without having to adjust any settings on the kit itself.
This simplicity is really where the XROS Mini Retro makes sense. It isn't trying to offer the same level of control as some of the more advanced XROS kits. Instead, it's designed for vapers who want a compact refillable device that's straightforward to set up and use, while still giving you the choice of several different XROS pod resistances.
The XROS Mini, Then & Now
If you used the original XROS Mini, you'll notice that Vaporesso haven't changed the basic formula too much with the Mini Retro. Both devices feature a 1000mAh battery, 1A charging and the same simple inhale-activated design, so the Mini Retro isn't necessarily about adding more power or complicated new features.
Instead, most of the changes are focused on bringing the original Mini up to date. The Mini Retro now benefits from Vaporesso's newer COREX 3.0 pod technology and SSS 2.0 leak-resistant design, while the original single LED battery light has been replaced with a four-LED indicator that gives you a clearer idea of how much charge you have remaining.
The design has also changed considerably. The original XROS Mini had a more textured and distinctive finish, while the Mini Retro has a cleaner, more modern appearance. Despite these changes, Vaporesso have kept the straightforward approach that made the original XROS Mini so easy to use.
1000mAh Battery: Is It Enough?
The XROS Mini Retro is powered by a 1000mAh built-in battery, which may sound relatively small compared with some of the newer XROS kits. However, with a maximum output of just 18W, the Mini Retro doesn't require the same amount of power as a higher-wattage device, so there isn't really a need for a huge battery. Keeping the capacity at 1000mAh also helps the device remain small and lightweight, which is an important part of what makes the Mini Retro so convenient to carry around.
How long the battery lasts will depend on how often you vape and the XROS pod you're using, with higher-resistance pods generally requiring less power. When it does need charging, the Mini Retro uses USB-C 1A charging, while the new four-LED battery
Choosing the Perfect Pod for the XROS Mini Retro
The XROS Mini Retro is compatible with most Vaporesso XROS replacement pods, giving you a few different options depending on how you prefer your vape to feel. Unlike some of the more powerful XROS devices, the Mini Retro is not compatible with the 0.4Ω XROS pod. Instead, you can choose between 0.6Ω, 0.8Ω, 1.0Ω and 1.2Ω pods.
At the lower end, the 0.6Ω pod provides a warmer and airier vape with more vapour. It's a good choice if you prefer a slightly more open draw, while still keeping the straightforward experience the Mini Retro is designed around.
The 0.8Ω pod sits nicely in the middle and provides a balanced MTL vape without feeling particularly tight. If you're new to the XROS range and aren't sure which resistance to choose, 0.8Ω is a good place to start before deciding whether you'd prefer something warmer or tighter.
For a tighter MTL draw, the 1.0Ω and 1.2Ω pods are the better options. The 1.0Ω provides a noticeably tighter inhale than the lower-resistance pods, while the 1.2Ω offers the tightest draw of the compatible range. These higher-resistance options also operate at lower power, which can help you get more from the Mini Retro's 1000mAh battery between charges.
What E-Liquid Should You Use?
The XROS Mini Retro is designed primarily for mouth-to-lung (MTL) vaping, so we'd recommend using thinner e-liquids such as 50/50 vape juice and nicotine salts. These are well suited to the lower-powered XROS pods and wick easily through the coil.
Your choice of e-liquid can also depend on which pod resistance you're using. The 0.8Ω, 1.0Ω and 1.2Ω pods are particularly well suited to 50/50 nic salts and freebase e-liquids. If you're using the lower-resistance 0.6Ω pod, which produces a warmer vape and more vapour, you may prefer a lower nicotine strength as you'll generally inhale more vapour with each puff.
If you're completely new to the XROS range, a 50/50 nicotine salt paired with the 0.8Ω pod is a good all-round starting point. From there, you can experiment with the other compatible pod resistances depending on whether you'd prefer a warmer, airier vape or a tighter MTL draw.
Who Is the XROS Mini Retro For?
The XROS Mini Retro is best suited to vapers who value simplicity over extra settings. It’s compact, inhale activated and easy to use, making it a particularly good option for newer vapers, anyone moving away from disposable-style devices, or existing XROS users who want something straightforward for everyday use. If you'd prefer a larger battery and the option of adjustable airflow while keeping the compact XROS format, the XROS 6 Mini is worth considering instead.
Is the XROS Mini Retro right for you?
If you want an easy-to-use refillable pod kit without screens, menus or power settings, this is where the Mini Retro makes the most sense.
A good fit if you want:
Probably not for you if you want:
Our Thoughts on the Vaporesso XROS Mini Retro
What we like most about the XROS Mini Retro is that Vaporesso haven't tried to make it more complicated than it needs to be. There are more advanced XROS kits available if you want adjustable power, airflow controls or a screen, but not everyone needs those features. The Mini Retro focuses instead on being small, simple and easy to use, while still benefiting from the pod technology found across the newer XROS range.
We also think the XROS pod compatibility is a big part of its appeal. Being able to choose between several pod resistances gives you some control over how your vape feels without adding settings or menus to the device itself. Pair that with the 1000mAh battery, inhale activation and four-LED battery indicator, and you've got a practical little kit that covers the essentials well.
For us, that's where the XROS Mini Retro fits into the range. It isn't the XROS we'd choose for someone looking for lots of features or higher-power vaping, but for newer vapers, existing XROS users wanting a simple everyday device, or anyone who just doesn't want to mess around with settings, there's a lot to like. If simplicity is what you're looking for, the XROS Mini Retro is an easy kit for us to recommend.
