OXVA Xlim Pro 3 1500mAh Pod System

Product Introduction:

When it comes to build quality, the XLIM PRO 3 and XLIM 3 ULTRA do not disappoint. They’re among the most impressive pod vapes I’ve used this year. Both are expertly crafted, have beautiful screens, and the airflow sliders and buttons have excellent tension. It’s hard to complain here; the design, components, and finishes are almost flawless.

The XLIM PRO 3 retains many of the stylistic aspects of the PRO 2; however, there are some distinct differences. First, it’s heavier and taller, due to the new 3 mL pods and larger battery. Second, the button has been moved from the side to the front, and it also functions as a firing button in this version. Third, the airflow slider is now in a horizontal orientation and provides a small MTL pinhole when fully closed. Lastly, the screen is almost double the size of its predecessor and offers more features.

Although the dimensions and specs are similar, the XLIM 3 ULTRA is a bit larger and heavier than the PRO 3. This is likely due to the addition of a 2.2-inch HD touchscreen. It’s a gorgeous and snappy display that rivals some of the best. It has a noticeably tighter draw (in all configurations), which is something to consider if you’re debating between these kits. Also, don’t make the mistake of thinking “ULTRA” means “higher quality.” Both feel equally premium; the main difference is the screen.

There is something important to note here. Both devices are available in a variety of styles, so your design impressions may vary. For example, the “pro carbon” and “ultra carbon” colorways are extremely glossy, almost appearing as if made of glass. They look stunning in the box, but quickly accumulate fingerprints, dust, and scratches with use. The textured “sky blue” PRO 3, on the other hand, still looks brand new after two weeks. Those are the only three options I’ve tried, so I can’t comment on the others.

Getting started

The XLIM PRO 3 is the simpler of these devices, so let’s start there. It still features a single-button interface, but the menu has undergone significant changes. Here are the basics:

• One click to fire or wake up the screen
• Two clicks to enter the menu
• Three clicks to enter wattage-adjustment mode
• Four clicks to lock or unlock button-firing
• Five clicks to power on or off

Within the menu, you‘ll find three options: theme, light (settings), and puffs (puff clear). Click the button to scroll, and long-press it to make selections.

A word of caution. Much like the VOOPOO DRAG S3, pressing the “puffs” option in the menu clears your puff count without prompting for confirmation. I don’t like this approach at all; it’s too easy to accidentally clear puffs, and that may be valuable info for some.

The XLIM 3 ULTRA has a large touchscreen, so it’s a much different world. But despite its complexity, it’s easy to operate after you roll through everything once or twice:

• Use the side-mounted switch to lock or unlock button-firing
• One click to fire or wake up the screen
• Swipe up to unlock the touchscreen
• Press and hold the screen to change the theme
• Swipe right to enter wattage-adjustment mode (or to return to the previous screen)
• Swipe left to view puff history
• Swipe up to change animations
• Swipe down to access the menu (eco mode, set up, language, screen, guide, general)
• Five clicks to power on or off

Features and settings:

• Changeable themes and animations
• Adjustable brightness and screen timeout
• Multiple languages
• Vibration feedback
• Regular and Eco modes
• Day, week, and month puff logs

I should note that, while the puffs also reset with a single press, the button clearly says, “puff clear,” reducing the risk of accidental clearing.

As for filling, most of you know the drill. Aside from the capacity, these are the same XLIM pods we all know and love. Lift the rubber plug on the side, fill, and wait 5-10 minutes before vaping (if it’s a new pod). To vape, press the firing button (must be unlocked) or inhale.

Performance

The XLIM 3 ULTRA and PRO 3 include upgraded 3-mL pods. Yes, you heard that right: 3 mL! For me, this was one of the most exciting facets of these kits, as I’m always reluctant to leave the house with a tiny 2 mL pod. Sometimes, small changes can make a massive difference. I’m glad that OXVA finally levelled up.

The included pods (in both kits) are 0.6 and 0.8 ohms. I assumed that these were identical internally to previous versions, and my experiences seem to confirm this:

0.6-ohm pod: Using a 50/50 freebase e-liquid, this pod impressed me immediately. Incredible flavor! I was previously using the same liquid in another device, which I also thought was very good, but the difference was undeniable. In the XLIM, the flavor was sweeter, richer, and the subtleties were more pronounced. These pods are in another league.  

0.8-ohm pod: I was worried when I first started vaping this one, as I experienced extreme gurgling after the first fill (50/50 nicsalt). But then it occurred to me that this had happened before. The 0.8-ohm pods just wick extremely fast! Thankfully, after clearing the initial gurgling, it never returned. The flavor, as expected, is phenomenal. These kits include two incredible pods; I couldn’t possibly pick a favorite. 

Regarding longevity, I’ve only put 20-22 mL through each pod so far, but there hasn’t been any drop in performance. Previous XLIM pods have lasted 35+ mL, so I’m confident that these will be long-term players as well.

 Battery life and charging

Both the XLIM 3 ULTRA and the PRO 3 have 1500 mAh batteries. While it’s fair to assume they’re identical, my testing revealed discrepancies. The PRO 3 had a usable capacity of 1245 mAh and provided a little over 6 mL per charge. Not bad. In contrast, the ULTRA only yielded 1130 mAh and 5 mL. It’s possible that I was just unlucky and received a subpar battery, so it might not affect everyone, but I can’t say for sure. Regardless, the ULTRA fell short of expectations here.

The charge rate is also a little below average. Both devices averaged around 1.2 amps and took 55-67 minutes to achieve a full charge. That’s not dreadfully slow, but there’s room for improvement.