Redcig’s RED Starter Kit is an entry-level vaping kit intended to help people make the initial switch from cigarettes. In this review I evaluate it to help you decide whether this kit is the right choice for your needs.
- Assembled e-cig looks and feels like a traditional cigarette
- Vapor volume is satisfying to most users
- Kit comes with two pre-filled tobacco-flavored cartridges
- Contains an equivalent of 100 cigarettes
- 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
PACKAGING & DESIGN
One of the appealing things about this kit is that it makes the experience as close to traditional smoking as possible. The package (which doubles as a carry case) is similar in size and appearance to a cigarette pack, and the e-cig design replicates the cigarette look as well, with a white battery that screws to a yellow cartridge. The assembled e-cig is only slightly larger than a cigarette, but while holding it you will notice it’s a lot heavier in your fingers than a tobacco cigarette.
KIT CONTENTS
- 1 x Extended Life Freedom Battery
- 2 x Premium Quality REDCIG Cartridges
- 1 x USB Stick Electronic Cigarette Charger
VAPOUR PRODUCTION
The amount of vapor is impressive given given the small size compared to many other e-cigs/vaporisers. Cig-A-Like e-cigs don’t produce any where near as much vapor as many of the larger vape pens and MODs. But if we compare the vapor production from this to other e-cigs in the same category then this is one of the best we’ve come across.
FUNCTIONALITY
You really can’t get much easier than this kit, which is what makes it ideal for beginners. Since the cartridges are pre-filled, you don’t even need to add e-liquid; it’s literally just screwing the cartridge to the battery and inhaling.
CARTOMISERS
The cartridges (or cartomisers) with this kit are pre-filled. Once they’ve been used, they need to be disposed of – something that I don’t like about this kit. It would be nice if you could buy your own e-juice and refill them once they run out, but unfortunately this isn’t possible. You’ll have to order new ‘refill’ cartridges when you finish the two that come with the kit, and they will set you back at least £9.99 a time.
This may sound expensive, but when you compare it to the cost of buying normal cigarettes, it’s actually pretty cheap. Each cartridge is equivalent to around 30 cigarettes so you’ll get the equivalent of 150 cigarettes for £9.99.
The fact that you have to buy refills does limit your customisability when it comes to flavors. REDCIG currently offer 9 refillable flavors: Light Tobacco, Regular Tobacco, Menthol, Cherry, Apple, Bold Tobacco, Coconut, Coffee & Vanilla.
It’s not the worse selection of flavors we’ve come across, and most of them taste pretty good, but it’s always better when you have the freedom to buy your own e-juice from a supplier of your choice and use this to refill your cartridges.
There are cig-a-like e-cigs available that have refillable cartridges. Since this isn’t an option here you will have to hope that you like at least one of the flavors on offer if you plan to continue using this kit.
This kit comes with two Classic Tobacco cartridges, one regular-strength and one light. Unfortunately you’re not given the option to swap these flavors for anything else, which is another downside to buying this kit. I much prefer fruity flavors and would have loved to have had the option to try the apple and cherry without having to buy replacements right away.
BATTERY DETAILS
Only one battery is included in the RED Starter Kit. It’s an extended-life battery, though, so you should be able to use it all day and re-charge at night. I got a day’s vaping out of it, but I’d recommend getting a spare for numerous reasons. One, your battery could malfunction at any time, and it’s always safer to have one on charge while using the other.
Batteries do drop in performance over time so while a single battery may last a full day at first, it probably won’t in 6 – 12 months time. I haven’t tested the battery long enough to be able to give you an idea of when it does start dropping in performance. I’ve been using it on and off for around 2 months and it still lasts as good as when I first got it. You can pick up a spare for £6.99, which is’t too bad considering the starter kit is under £20.
PRICE & SHIPPING CHARGES
At only £19.99, this kit is definitely one of the cheaper options out there, and it’s a great way to give vaping a test-run. When you’re budgeting, make sure to take into account your smoking habits and anticipated need for cartridge refills (one cartridge is equivalent to about 30 cigarettes).
Shipping is affordable, and Redcig offers free shipping if the order is above £40. Since you’ll need to order more cartridges eventually anyway, you could always just add them to the initial order to push you over the mark (5 cartridges are about £10 and will provide the equivalent of around 150 cigarettes).
WARRANTY & GUARANTEE
Redcig’s 1-year warranty only covers defects in the USB charger. The battery is considered a “consumable item” (it will eventually need to be replaced) and is only warranted for 30 days. The cartridges, as is typical of most companies are not eligible for warranty at all.
Redcig do offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, but this only applies to unused products in unopened packaging, so it’s more of a protection against accidental orders (or mind changes) than against dissatisfaction.
LIKES
- Good Value for Beginners
- Simple & Easy to Use
- Rechargeable Battery
DISLIKES
- Non-Refillable Cartridges
- Limited Flavors
OVERALL PURCHASE SATISFACTION
Overall I was satisfied with this kit for the price. Based on the reviews the majority of customers that bought this also liked it and found it similar to smoking real cigarettes – this can be a positive or negative for some!
I have to agree with some of the customers that felt that the included regular and light nicotine strengths did not provide a satisfying hit. The 11mg regular tobacco wasn’t too bad of a hit but it’s not a flavor I particularly like, and the 6mg light cartridge really didn’t feel like I was getting much nicotine at all.
I found myself vaping the 6mg light tobacco more frequently to satisfy my cravings. Now, it is fair to say that the 6mg may be just fine for anyone that isn’t or wasn’t a heavy smoker in the first place, but this wasn’t the case for me.
Ultimately, Redcig’s RED Starter Kit isn’t a bad option for beginner vapers who are trying to quit smoking and want the look, feel, and taste of a traditional cigarette at a reasonable price.
I’d recommend getting a spare battery with this kit and some refill cartridges picking flavors that you think you’re more likely to enjoy vaping with. If you do get this kit or you’ve tried it already, share your experience in the comments below – we’d love to hear what you think!