Kangertech KBOX 160 Review
KBOX 160
$44.95
Pros
- TC with multiple coil types
- Updated resistance monitoring
- 160 Watts of power
- Stunning good looks
Cons
- No charging cable included
- Only one color available
If you get the feeling of deja vu while reading this review it’s understandable, especially if you’ve read the Seven Report review of the Kangertech KBOX 200. The Kangertech KBOX 160 is very similar to its slightly higher powered brother. Except for the maximum wattage and available colors it functions identically. But Kangertech has upgraded some aspects of the firmware in the KBOX 160, giving temperature regulation that monitors the resistance of the attached coil 1,000 times per second.
The Kangertech KBOX 160 will fire Nickel 200, Titanium, Stainless Steel and Nichrome coils in temperature control mode, handling coils with a resistance of 0.05 ohm or higher.
The KBOX 160 has a wattage range of 7 – 160 watts that you can adjust in 0.1 watt increments. In temperature control mode the ranges are 200° F – 600° F and 100° C – 315° C with adjustments in single degree increments.
Two 18650 batteries (not included) power the KBOX 160 and you can charge them while they’re in the mod via the micro USB on the front of the device. Kangertech does not include a charging cable.
There are three buttons on the front of the KBOX 160, the fire button and the “+” and “-” buttons. You turn the mod on and off with five clicks of the fire button. The “+” and “-” buttons aren’t marked, the top one is “+” and the bottom is “-”.
Attach a tank to the KBOX 160 on the spring loaded 510 connector. If it’s the first time you’ve used that coil on the mod you’ll prompted via the LCD display to choose if the coil is new or not. Choosing “yes” will calibrate the resistance. If you don’t get that prompt and it’s the first time you’ve attached this particular coil to the mod, take the tank off, hold in the fire button until the display reads “Check Atomizer” and then put the tank back on the mod.
Click the fire button three times to cycle through the mode options; temperature control using a Nickel coil, Titanium coil, Nichrome coil or Stainless Steel coil, or variable wattage mode. Then adjust temperature or wattage using the “+” and “-” buttons.
Flip the display by 180° by holding in the “+” and “-” buttons. You can also change the backlight of the display by pressing the fire and “+” buttons simultaneously. And you can lock or unlock your settings by holding all three buttons in at the same time.
The display will show a battery meter, resistance, maximum wattage (160 watts), temperature setting and the type of coil you’ve selected in temperature control mode. In variable wattage mode the LCD displays the battery meter, resistance, volts and your selected wattage.
What’s In The Box
- 1 X KBOX 160
- 1 X User’s manual
Performance: The KBOX 160 performs excellently, as well or slightly better than the KBOX 200, thanks to that new design PCB resistance monitoring system. I’ve found that when using a Nichrome coil in temperature control mode the KBOX 160 is a little more consistent than it’s bigger brother. It also seems to recognize when I’ve attached a new coil a little more regularly.
Features: The Kangertech KBOX 160 features have all been packed into the mod itself, and they’re stellar. Temperature control with four different types of coils (to use a Kanthal coil in TC mode select Nichrome), 160 watts, temperature adjustments in single degree increments and the ability to flip the display and change the backlight are all solid positives.
About the only negatives in the area of features are the little extras that Kangertech didn’t pack into the box, like a charging cable and limiting color options (for now at least) to one, Metallic Silver.
The KBOX 160 has all of the standard safety features; short and open circuit protection, cell reverse and temperature protection, 10 second overtime protection and cell capacity protection.
Quality: Kangertech continues to market high quality devices in the KBOX family, and the KBOX 160 is as good as any of them. Its zinc alloy casing is solid and sturdy. And the new resistance monitoring system provides an extremely consistent vape. The LCD display is crisp and bright and easy to read even in outdoor light.
Looks: This is a very attractive mod. That Metallic Silver gives the KBOX 160 a very modern look and the silver buttons keep that look consistent. The lines are sleek and the little lip at the top of the mod gives it a very distinctive vibe. The KBOX 160 logo is boldly etched into the top of the mod and the Kangertech logo is a little more subdued on the side, both are striking.
Price/Value: Kangertech lists the KBOX 160 for $57.90, which is a decent price for a mod with this much power and the ability to fire this many types of coils in temperature control mode. DirectVapor has the Kangertech KBOX 160 for $44.95, which makes it an extremely good buy.
I’ve been using the Kangertech KBOX 160 for almost three weeks and it’s quickly becoming my go to, daily device. I’ve used it with the SMOK TFV4 tank, the Kangertech Subtank Plus Black Edition and the Kangertech Protank 4 and it’s fired each them without any problems.
If you’re in the market for a temperature control mod with consistent performance, good power output and stunning looks, the Kangertech KBOX 160 should jump to the top of your list.
Kangertech provided the KBOX 160 for the purpose of this review.
Order the Kangertech KBOX 160 from DirectVapor.
(For details on Seven Report review methodology click here.)
