MarkTen XL Review: Rechargeable Kit (Menthol)

Battery life: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Taste: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Draw: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Vapor production: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

MarkTen has made a decent improvement over their original device with the newer XL.  MarkTen created a decent buzz out of their device when they first came out with aggressive marketing via coupons for free devices to consumers.  As far as electronic cigarettes from the big tobacco industry, MarkTen XL would be my second choice (Blu takes first place there).  "Cig-alikes" is a term often used by vapers (electronic cigarette and vape device users from beginners to the most advanced) to describe electronic cigarettes that are shaped or somewhat shaped like traditional tobacco cigarettes (as you can see in the picture above).  The MarkTen XL that I am reviewing here is a cig-alike.

I first tried vaping when cig-alikes were the only electronic cigarette around (now we have eGos and box mods).  Most vapers have gotten into the vaping world with a cig-alike from one brand or another.  I use a Joytech eVic VT as my regular vaping device, but I decided to embark on a journey of trying different cig-alikes out of curiosity and to try and find the one I could use regularly when hitting the bars (or if it's an emergency).  Both my partner and I received coupons in the mail when a gas station near us started carrying the MarkTen XL.  The coupon was for getting a device kit and a pack of refill cartridges for $1 total.  I went and redeemed both coupons and got both device kits in menthol, along with one pack of winter mint flavor cartridges and one pack in fusion flavor cartridges.  Both device kits came with a coupon inside for $3 off a pack of MarkTen XL refill cartridges.  Both coupons were redeemed for menthol cartridge packs.

In this review, we did not get the original (tobacco flavor) XL cartridges because we had tried that flavor previously with the original standard MarkTen electronic cigarette, and found the flavor so disgusting, we refused to try it again.  On that note, while I have made a couple of comparisons between the original device and the XL, I will not be reviewing the original MarkTen device itself because they are being phased out and retailers are replacing those with the new XL.  The device kit comes in classic (tobacco) or menthol flavors to start with.  Each kit contains one cartridge, one battery, and one USB charger.  It is a bare bones kit (which is acceptable for a $10 kit).  The only difference between the two kits you'll see on the shelf is the flavor of the cartridge contained in that kit.

The top things e-cig users look for in these devices are battery life, taste/flavor, draw (how much resistance the user is met with in sucking on the thing), and vapor/cloud production.  I found the battery life on the XL to be good (the original device battery needed charging every 30 to 60 minutes, while the XL battery lasts most of the day).  The average price is $10 for a device kit, and I wasn't expecting much.  But MarkTen took me by surprise with the XL.  I could vape for about 2/3 of the day on this with medium-heavy use.  I give battery life 4 out of 5 stars.

The taste/flavor of this is decent.  Out of all the convenient bare bones e-cig kits I have tried, MarkTen does not let you down with flavor (that is if you don't mind being limited to four flavor options, which is more than what MarkTen offered in the past).  The ratings for each flavor is as follows:

Classic: 1 out of 5 stars (does not really taste like a tobacco flavor)
Menthol: 4 out of 5 stars (refreshingly cool and minty, with a hint of tobacco flavor in the mix)
Fusion: 3.5 out of 5 stars (blend of domestic and imported tabacco, but some flavor notes are muted.  If you prefer tobacco flavor and decide to go with MarkTen XL, the fusion flavor is recommended over their classic flavor)
Winter Mint: 3.5 out of 5 stars (while slightly sweet and a little minty, it's a bit muted.  The sweetness and the mint could both be amplified.  This would be recommended if you want some mint present but feel their menthol flavor is too strong for you).
OVERALL FLAVOR RATING/SELECTION: 3.5 out of 5 stars

The draw, another thing e-cig users look for, is average.  On this one, the draw is even but could be smoother.  You are met with some resistance, but it's not a hard draw either.  Drinking a milkshake through a straw has more resistance than the MarkTen does.  Just don't be surprised to find that the draw is not as smooth as a tobacco cigarette would have.  To the draw, I give a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Vapor production is another topic not to be ignored in this review.  What I mean by vapor production is how much vapor this produces per average drag.  I've found vapor production from this thing to be okay.  It's very consistent (with very few drags lacking) in production.  Its vapor production is equivalent to the smoke production you get when taking a drag on a light cigarette.  I give 3.5 out of five stars to the vapor production of this device, only dinging a star and half off of this rating because I feel this device should produce more vapor in order to bring more satisfaction to the overall vaping experience.

The average price is $6 for a two-count pack of cartridge refills, which seems expensive (still cheaper than Vuse!), but it still cheaper than buying disposables all the time.  The device kit is about the average price of a disposable e-cig, but where the savings add up is with the cartridges.  If you don't have a coupon or a good in-store sale, the initial cost of buying a kit plus a pack of cartridges can cost you a little more than a disposable.  But you'll see the savings add up, especially if you regularly buy disposable e-cigs.

With a decent battery life and good flavor for cheap e-cigs, this is one cig-alike device kit to keep among the top of your options, especially if you're on the go for a night on the town.  This also serves a good option for intermediate to advanced vapers who find themselves in an emergency situation and need a temporary solution (out of juice or atomizers and the vape shop is closed, or dead battery and no charger, etc.).  My overall rating for this product is 3.5 out of 5 stars.