VOOPOO DRAG S3 & X3 Review: The Iconic Pod Mods Are Back!

Product intro and specs

The DRAG X/S series has been a fan favorite since its launch in 2020. The concept was a portable, AIO platform for VOOPOO’s PnP coils, which were industry staples at the time. In 2023, the follow-up devices offered moderate design refinements and unveiled the new series of PnP X coils. And that brings us to the present day, and the release of the new VOOPOO DRAG S3 and X3. No, we’re not getting a new series of coils this time around, but there are plenty of other things to get excited about.

Let’s talk upgrades. The S3 has seen a substantial increase in battery capacity and includes new coil options for RDL and MTL. The X3 features a large touchscreen, an innovative battery compartment, and support for 21700 batteries. Both devices also have an updated interface and a capacitive unlock sensor.

I have to give props to VOOPOO. After five and a half years, we could easily be looking at the sixth generation of these devices. But they seem to be taking their time, aiming to add value rather than churn out indistinguishable sequels.

Was it worth the wait? Do the S3 and X3 take the series to another level, or is it just more of the same? Keep reading to find out.

S3 Price: $33.99 (at Element Vape) 

S3 Colors: White, pink, green, blue, brown, metal gray, spray black 

X3 Price: $33.99 (at Element Vape) 

X3 Colors: Champagne golden, glow pink, aurora purple, sky blue, moss green, gray metal, spray black 

Build quality and design

Starting with commonalities, both devices feature durable zinc alloy frames accented by vegan leather stickers (panels). Although the dimensions differ (mainly, the X3 is much taller), they share the same core design and feel equally good in the hand. The firing buttons also appear identical, as do the strong magnetic contacts for the tank/cartridge (I’ll refer to it as a “tank” from now on).

Moving on to the S3. It’s larger than the S2, but not by much. The minor size increase is likely due to the larger battery, which we’ll discuss later. It features two adjustment buttons below the screen and a protective rubber pad on the bottom. The upgraded color screen looks great; however, I feel like VOOPOO made a common mistake here. In every theme, the wattage font is huge, while the other info (battery percentage, puffs, ohms, vape time) is tiny. A better balance would be preferable.

The included MTL tank has a removable 510 drip tip and tighter airflow settings than the DTL version. However, don’t let “MTL” mislead you; it’s as capable of RDL as most modern pod vapes.

The X3, on the other hand, has undergone more extreme changes; three in particular. Firstly, the display has been upgraded to a gorgeous 1.66-inch touchscreen. Secondly, it’s now compatible with 21700 batteries (I’m sure this will be a big selling point). Finally, a removable battery compartment has replaced the previous C-frame design. This might be the device’s most fascinating feature. Just click a button, and the entire battery compartment slides off—latches, magnets, and a rail system hold it together.

Unlike the S3, the DTL tank included with the X3 prioritizes high-wattage vaping. It can be as airy as most sub ohm tanks, and the removable drip tip is 810-sized (the style with O-rings).

One minor complaint regarding the design is that the tank doesn’t lock into a fixed position. Yes, the magnets are strong, but the tank spins freely. This requires you to secure it with one hand while adjusting the airflow with the other. A simple locking notch would easily remedy this issue.

I should also report that one of my DRAG S3 devices was defective. It has occasional screen glitches, the adjustment buttons don’t always work, and I’m unable to select certain menu items. Thankfully, this didn’t impair my ability to use the device; it just limited the experience and added a bit of frustration.

We informed VOOPOO of the S3 screen issues, and they responded that "these specific issues have been resolved and will not be present in the mass-production batches".

Getting started

Between the two devices, there’s a lot to cover! However, the included tanks function the same, so let’s start there.

The coils are press-fit from the bottom and easy to remove thanks to handy cutouts on the tank. When installing, ensure the coil’s flat sides align with the tank’s flat sides, and press into place (it should not protrude from the bottom). To fill, turn the tank upside down and open the rubber tab. If it’s a new coil, allow the e-liquid to saturate for 5-10 minutes before vaping (it’s also recommended to prime the coil with a few drops of e-liquid).

DRAG S3: This device lacks a touchscreen, so navigating the menu feels more familiar and straightforward. Here’s a brief rundown:

Lock settings:

I did find one oversight in the menu. If you click the “puff clear” option, that’s exactly what happens! It’s deceptive because you’d expect to go into a submenu, or, at the very least, be asked to confirm. Nope! If you accidentally click that button, your puff history is instantly erased.

DRAG X3: In contrast to the S3, the X3 has a large touchscreen, eliminating the need for adjustment buttons. It’s primarily operated via swipes, rather than clicks:

Lock settings:

This interface also has a few quirks. Firstly, some settings require manually backing out of the menu (after making a selection) to return to the homescreen. For example, after changing the animation, you need to swipe right twice to get back to the homescreen. This can be tedious. Ideally, the firing button would be used to confirm selections.

Secondly, you can’t lock the swipe-down gesture for the menu. The top of the screen is just below the button, so it’s easy to accidentally swipe down and enter the menu after taking a puff. A physical switch or a left swipe would have been more efficient.

Performance

One of the things I appreciate about the VOOPOO DRAG S3 and X3 is the mindful inclusion of specific PnP X coils. Each kit is tailored to a unique user subset. Fans of sub ohm tanks will feel right at home with the low-resistance coils included with the X3 (0.15 and 0.3 ohm).The S3, on the other hand, seems directed at pod users, as it offers the familiar RDL and MTL options (0.6 and 0.8 ohms).

As a lover of all vaping styles and a fan of the PnP X line, I was excited to give all four options a careful evaluation. Here are my impressions of each:

0.15-ohm coil: When it comes to mesh sub ohm coils, I think this one is right up there with the best—clouds for days and incredibly saturated flavor without any dryness. If you’re a fan of traditional box mod kits, this coil paired with the X3 might become your new favorite combo. 

0.3-ohm coil: I’ve enjoyed this coil before, and it got off to a great start. Wonderful flavor without requiring excessive power (32-40W)—that’s precisely what I want from an AIO kit. Sadly, it nosedived at around the 10 mL mark. I probably just got a dud; it happens. 

0.6-ohm coil: This resistance usually falls into a grey area between MTL and RDL, so I initially opted for the former. Learn from me: this is a terrible MTL vape; don’t even bother. However, after switching to a more appropriate e-liquid and an open draw, the skies parted, and I saw the light. It’s comparable to many RDL pods; I wouldn’t put it at the top of the pile, but it ain’t no slouch. 

0.8-ohm coil: I might have raved about the 0.15-ohm coil, but this one proved to be my favorite of the bunch. In fact, it’s one of my favorite MTL coil heads from the past few years. I filled it with a tried-and-true 50/50 nic salt e-liquid, and the flavor was as good as ever (after a short break-in period). If you want an MTL pod-substitute, I would recommend starting here. 

The longevity of sub ohm coils tends to be a mixed bag, and that might be the case with the PnP X series as well. One coil died at 10 mL and another at 25 mL, but the two others are approaching 30 mL, and the flavor is still solid.

Battery life and charging

I’m omitting the X3 from this topic because it uses an external battery, so runtime and charging time will vary.

Looking exclusively at the S3, the runtime is impressive. Although it’s challenging to gauge liquid-per-charge, as you can’t vape the tank completely dry, I estimated around 10-11 mL. What’s really interesting, though, is that it felt like twice that. I was vaping the 0.8-ohm coil like a madman, and I was charging every 3-4 days. Maybe it’s all in my head; I don’t know. Regardless, if I were leaving town for the weekend, I would have absolute confidence that the battery would last until I returned.

As for charge time, I consistently clocked it at around 67 minutes, which is excellent for a 3000 mAh battery. My only gripe is that it’s not actually 3000 mAh. Not even close. My testing showed a usable capacity of 2201-2209 mAh. Sure, every battery falls short of its stated capacity, but this one was outside of the acceptable range (80%+). A 2700 mAh rating would have been more realistic claim.

Pros / Cons

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Verdict

The VOOPOO DRAG S3 and X3 are solid successors to previous generations. They offer a familiar feel, style, and performance, but also introduce some welcome upgrades.

I love the revamped S3 concept. It’s no longer just the smaller, internal-battery version of the X; it’s more of a pod vape on steroids. It includes 0.6 and 0.8-ohm coils, the two most common resistances found in modern pod kits. But it raises the stakes with a massive battery, 5 mL capacity, 60-watt output, replaceable coils, and 510 drip tip compatibility.

As for the X3, the sliding battery compartment is brilliant. It’s nice to see that VOOPOO is thinking outside of the box and trying new things. Also, the shift to 21700 compatibility gives the device a considerable bump in power and runtime. Lastly, the large touchscreen is gorgeous and snappy.

Although there is plenty to rave about, there’s still room for improvement. The S3 has an overrated battery, some fonts are way too small, and one of my units was defective. The X3, on the other hand, could benefit from refinements to the interface; I’m just not a big fan of the functionality.

Still, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with these devices, especially when paired with the 0.15- and 0.8-ohm PnP X coils. The DRAG S3 and X3 are proficient in RDL, MTL, and everything in between, which is a rarity. I wouldn’t give them my highest recommendation, but if you’re looking for a flavorful and versatile AIO kit, I doubt you’ll be disappointed.

VOOPOO DRAG X3

4

Buy now

Compared to its predecessor, the VOOPOO DRAG X3 brings some significant upgrades to the table. It now features a 1.66-inch color touchscreen, an innovative battery compartment, and supports 21700 batteries (18650 adapter included). The kit includes a DTL cartridge and two high-wattage PnP X coils (0.15 and 0.3 ohms).

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VOOPOO DRAG S3

4

Buy now

The VOOPOO DRAG S3 may closely resemble the S2, but it’s been revamped to accommodate lower-wattage vaping. It includes an MTL cartridge and two PnP X coils: 0.6 ohm (RDL) and 0.8 ohm (MTL). The internal battery has also been increased from 2500 to 3000 mAh, and the device features a “smart touch unlock” button.

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