The Caliburn A2 is the latest addition to Uwell’s pod system collection, serving as a successor to the original and highly popular Caliburn. In fact, it is the third variant in the Caliburn series, with the Caliburn G released last year, signifying a distinct Caliburn sub-line.
So, let’s delve into what the Caliburn A2 offers. This pod system is designed with beginners in mind and utilizes replaceable pods that can hold up to 2 mL of juice. These pods come with a newly developed 0.9-ohm built-in coil. The device is equipped with both draw and button activation, a 520 mAh battery, and a Type-C charging port, although the kit does not include a cable.
My experience with the original model was somewhat mixed due to its uncertain position in terms of draw. I found myself using it for restricted direct lung (RDL) vaping, though there were better alternatives in that category. However, I was quite fond of the Caliburn G, so it’s interesting to see how the A2 compares to its predecessors.
Design and Build Quality
uwell caliburn a2 review
Before discussing the A2’s design, it’s important to briefly examine the Caliburn’s lineage. The Caliburn A2 is a direct successor to the original Caliburn, belonging to the ‘A’ line, while the Caliburn G, released in 2020, has its own unique line. The term ‘A’ is derived from the Greek letter alpha, which symbolizes products designed to be easy to use and cater to beginners. Conversely, ‘G’ represents ‘Great’ or ‘Grand’, denoting products with more customization options and advanced features.
The A2 closely mirrors the original Caliburn in size but is slightly smaller than the G. Its dimensions are 110.1 mm x 21.3 mm x 11.7 mm, and it weighs 33 grams with a full pod. Though not the most compact pod vape, the A2’s overall size is practical, easily fitting into a pocket.
The A2 is available in six vibrant colors, with the bright orange and iris purple variants being notable standouts. Two significant design upgrades from the original are the Type-C charging port and a large window on the front for checking juice levels. A minor drawback of the window is that it is only located on one side, requiring a bit of light to view the juice level.
The A2’s mouthpiece has also been redesigned. It’s much thinner than the G’s mouthpiece and bears a similar but smoother shape to the original Caliburn’s mouthpiece. In essence, “smooth” describes the A2 perfectly, given Uwell’s choice to remove the textured edges and provide the A2 with a modern look and a pleasant feel in hand.
Getting Started
uwell caliburn a2 review
The Caliburn A2, being part of the user-friendly ‘A’ line, is simple to operate. Uwell has retained the practical top fill design from previous Caliburn models. The user only needs to slightly push the mouthpiece on its flat side to detach it. Then, using the juice bottle’s nozzle, insert it into the red-marked hole at the top of the pod and fill it. After replacing the mouthpiece, let the device rest for five minutes, and it’s ready to use.
Activating and deactivating the device is a matter of five clicks. With the A2 offering both button and draw-activation, users have the flexibility to choose between pressing the button for a warmer vape or simply inhaling on the mouthpiece. The coils are built into the pod, and new pods come with their own mouthpiece. So, once the coil begins to produce an odd taste, or after a week’s use, you can recycle the mouthpiece and dispose of the rest of the pod.
Performance
uwell caliburn a2 review
The A2’s pods have been redesigned, making them incompatible with the original or G pods. The device only supports one type of pod, which comes with 0.9-ohm coils and incorporates Uwell’s Pro-Focs technology, designed to enhance flavor. The details of this technology are sparse on Uwell’s website, but it certainly delivers.
The flavor generated by the A2 is clean, crisp, and rivals what I’ve experienced with the Innokin Zlide. Pod systems have come a long way in recent years, and the A2 is among the top performers in terms of flavor, particularly with 50/50 juices. It can also handle 75VG juice with ease.
Regarding coil life, I noticed a bit of juice in my mouth after six or seven refills, but it didn’t affect the flavor. Around the tenth or eleventh refill, the coil started to deteriorate, prompting a replacement. This equates to more than 20 mL of juice, which is quite impressive for a device with built-in coils.
An observation I made is that the A2’s sensor occasionally required me to use a slight lung draw. When using auto-draw, the vape felt slightly tighter than the airy mouth-to-lung (MTL)/tight RDL vape I experienced with the original. But when using the button, it delivered a warm, comfortable MTL vape with a pronounced throat hit.
Battery Life and Charging
The Caliburn A2 uses a Type-C port for charging, situated at the base of the device. A full charge took me about 52 minutes, but Uwell asserts that the device can achieve a 90% charge in just 35 minutes.
Expect the battery to last for roughly one and a half pods per charge, equating to about 3 mL. This capacity is around the industry standard for compact vapes, if not slightly more.
An LED light near the bottom front of the device serves as a battery indicator, displaying:
Green: 60-100% battery life
Blue: 30-60% battery life
Red: 0-30% battery life
Conclusion
While the Caliburn A2 doesn’t revolutionize the vaping scene, it certainly stands out as a reliable vape. Its airflow design took me by surprise, as I anticipated Uwell to maintain the mixed MTL-RDL airflow that was popular with the original Caliburn. However, the button mode on the A2 provides one of the most flavorful and warm MTL vapes I’ve experienced with a pod vape.
If the original Caliburn’s draw was too airy for you, the A2 might be exactly what you’re looking for. It’s an excellent choice for beginner vapers or anyone seeking a dependable pod system. The A2 is virtually leak-proof, features robust coils, and boasts a simple yet elegant design.
