Today we are reviewing the Aquios Bar Disposable from Aquios Labs that was kindly sent to us from Innokin to review. If you’ve been following our News Items you will no doubt be aware that Innokin have teamed up with Aquios Labs. The results of this collaboration result in a 30% water based disposable vape and equally as impressive, a 100% recyclable disposable vape.
Interestingly the Aquios Bar Disposable hit the market last year (2022) under the Aquios Labs brand name. We didn’t review it at that time but we have since reviewed Innokin’s Lota Enviro and Lota F600 disposables which use the same 30% water based e-liquid technology.
We’ve been sent 4 different flavors from the Aquios Bar disposable range so we will put these to the test and report our findings here.
Update November 2023: Since writing this review back in April 2023, Innokin/Aquios Labs have updated their design and included 7 new flavors to their range. Innokin have sent us one of these new flavors to try and also sent 3 additional flavors that we didn’t review first time around. In addition, the packaging and the paper wraparound covering the Aquios Bar has changed, the flavor and vapor intensity has improved, and the battery capacity has increased from 450mAh to 500mAh.
While we have kept our original review and findings as is, we have included additional information relating to these changes, showing photos of the newly designed packaging and the paper wraparound. To identify these changes, we will cover this additional detail in Bold/Italics.
Just so you are aware, the Aquios Bar disposable is very similar in terms of appearance, design and technology to the Lota Enviro disposable we reviewed from Innokin. Even though Aquios Labs and Innokin are collaborating together, they are two separate companies and marketed under their own brand names.
If you’ve not come across Aquios Labs before, they have developed an e-liquid that utilizes 30% water which means the content of PG and VG in the e-liquid is reduced, which in turn helps with the de-hydration problems associated with vaping.
Overview
The Aquios Bar is a 600 puff disposable vape, designed and manufactured in collaboration with Innokin and Aquios Labs and is available in 10 different flavors. It’s a closed pod auto-draw activated system measuring 97mm in length and 17mm in diameter. It has an internal 450mAh (Nov 2023: updated to 500mAh) non rechargeable battery and holds 2ml of e-liquid, coming in a nicotine strength of 20mg (2%).
Very similar to the Lota Enviro, the Aquios Bar disposable is made out of compressed cardboard with a paper overwrap, food grade silicone mouthpiece and base which can be fully disassembled allowing for each part to be recycled correctly.
The life-cycle of the disposable vape pod is still a single use device specified to last for approximately 600 puffs before the e-liquid runs out or the battery becomes depleted. Operation is as simple as it comes, just remove from the recyclable packaging, take off the mouthpiece and bottom protectors and use. When it’s finished you simply dispose of (after disassembling it and recycling all the parts of course) and use another one.
There are two small holes in the bottom of the Aquios Bar. One is an auto draw sensor which also conceals a small blue LED that illuminates when you draw on the device. When the device is at its end of life i.e. the e-liquid has all been used or the battery has run out, the little blue LED blinks 10 times to let the user know it’s time to open a new one.
The second small hole is the airflow intake port to the device which provides a semi-restrictive Mouth to Lung (MTL) draw.
An integrated non-replaceable 1.1 ohm mesh coil works perfectly with the 30%-30%-30% ratio of PG/VG/Water providing an output power of approximately 11W which produces both good flavor and vapor.
I would like to thank Alisa at Innokin for sending me the Aquios Bar disposable vapes in 4 (Update Nov 2023: 4 additional flavors) to review. As always this review is completely unbiased and is my honest opinion based on the results I found whilst using the Aquios Bar Disposable. We may receive a small affiliate commission if you click on the buy buttons but at no extra cost to yourselves.
Aquios Bar Disposable Vape Review
Contents
- Overview
- Features and Specifications
- What’s in the Box?
- Aquios Bar Disposable Vape Design and Appearance
- Aquios Bar Disposable Vape Performance
- Aquios Bar Disposable Vape Flavors
- Aquios Bar Disposable Vape Disassembly/Disposal
- Aquios Bar Disposable Vape Price
- Aquios Bar Disposable Vape Verdict
- Aquios Bar Disposable Vape Summary
Features and Specifications
- Dimensions: 97mm Height x 17mm Diameter
- Weight: 24 grams
- E-liquid Capacity: 2ml
- Nicotine: 20mg/ml (2%) Nic Salts
- Draw-activated (Up to 600 puffs)
- Battery: Internal 450mAh non-rechargeable battery
- Update Nov 2023: Battery upgraded to 500mAh
- Low Battery Warning: Blue LED flashes 10 times
- Cut-Off Time: 10 seconds (blue LED flashes twice)
- Coil Resistance: 1.1 ohm mesh coil (non-replaceable)
- Output Power: 11W
- Output Voltage: 3.6V
- Construction: Reinforced Cardboard Shell and Food Grade Silicone
- Blue LED indicator at base of device
- Airflow: Airflow intake hole on base
- 10 Different Flavors available
- Update Nov 2023: 7 additional flavors (17 in all)
- 30% Water-Based Vaping
- Recyclable
What’s in the box?
The Aquios Bar disposable vape comes in a recyclable cardboard box measuring 130mm x 28mm x 22mm while the weight of the disposable device including all its packaging is approximately 32 grams.
Each box is individually colored in the matching flavor of the device and highlights the flavor, amount of puffs, ingredients, nicotine strength, battery and e-liquid capacity and the standard nicotine warning. Update Nov 2023: The packaging looks different now and also includes “Made from Cardboard” and “Mesh Coil”.
New Packaging
Inside the cardboard packaging is the Aquios Bar disposable vape pod sealed in a paper sachet. Once you tear open the sachet and remove the Aquios Bar there is a clear silicone rubber bung inserted into the mouthpiece for protection and a clear silicone rubber base protector covering the air intake hole and auto draw sensor/blue LED.
Update Nov 2023: The paper sachet now has the following statements written on the front side…
Also included in the packaging is a detailed warning pamphlet which covers the Low Battery and Cut-Off time indications together with a detailed breakdown of how to disassemble and dispose of the used disposable correctly.
Aquios Bar Disposable Vape Design and Appearance
The Aquios Bar disposable is a 600 puff auto draw device and measures 97mm in length by 17mm in diameter and weighs in at approximately 24 grams. Because it’s a disposable, the internal 450mAh (Update Nov 2023: 500mAh) capacity battery is non-chargeable and non-replaceable.
E-Liquid capacity is 2ml and comes in 10 different (Update Nov 2023: 17 in total) flavors with a nicotine strength of 20mg/ml (2%). The e-liquid is pre-filled and not refillable. Even though the ratios of e-liquid in the disposable are not printed on the packaging, the PG/VG/Water content is around 30% PG, 30% VG and 30% Water.
Again, because this is a disposable, the 1.1 ohm mesh integrated coil is not replaceable. When the Aquios Bar is finished i.e. either the battery has depleted or the e-liquid has run out, it’s simply taken apart and disposed of appropriately (more on this later).
Output power of the Aquios Bar is approximately 11W which is derived from the output voltage of 3.6V and the 1.1 ohm coil. This combination produces the optimum vape experience achieving very good flavor and vapor, even with the reduced PG/VG content.
The mouthpiece of the Aquios Bar is duck-bill styled and made out of white semi-flexible food grade silicone. It has a very slight textured surface to it (similar to the feel of an eraser) and does feel very comfortable when drawing on it.
An oval opening at the end of the mouthpiece measures 7mm in length which then tapers down to an internal circular 3mm diameter channel. This provides a reasonably tight Mouth to Lung (MTL) draw.
On the bottom of the Aquios Bar are two small 1mm diameter pin holes in the white silicone flat base. One of the two holes is the auto-draw sensor which also houses a concealed blue LED. The second hole is the air intake port which derives the tightness of the draw.
Both holes are identical in appearance so you will only know which one is which once you draw on the mouthpiece and it illuminates.
When you draw on the mouthpiece the small blue LED will illuminate and shine through the outer hole. When the e-liquid has run out or the battery becomes depleted, the blue LED will flash 10 times indicating end of life. The Aquios Bar also incorporates a 10 second cut-off so if you take a draw and it exceeds 10 seconds, the blue LED will flash twice (2 times).
With the exception of the mouthpiece and base, the disposable body is wrapped in paper and colored with the color corresponding to the individual flavor of the device. Each flavored disposable has the “flavor name”, “Aquios Bar” and the “Aq 30” logo printed around its diameter.
Update Nov 2023: The branding on the new wrap is “Flavor Name”, water droplet “Logo”, “Water Based”, Made from Cardboard” and the “CE markings”. The white section of the paper wrap is also longer than that on the original Aquios Bar.
Construction of the Aquios Bar is made out of food grade silicone for the mouthpiece and base while the remainder of the body is manufactured out of compressed cardboard. This makes the Aquios Bar completely recyclable once it’s dismantled into its individual pieces.
For those of you that have read my Lota Enviro review, I stated at that time it was the first ever disposable that’s been designed with 100% recycling in mind. Because the Aquios Bar was first introduced before the Lota Enviro came out then the Aquios Bar has to take this accolade.
Aquios Labs have detailed in the included pamphlet and on their website, how to dismantle and dispose of the Aquios Bar properly. We have included a section on this and also dismantled it ourselves with photos showing each stage of the process in the How To Dismantle section later on in this review.
Overall we cannot fault the design concept regarding the innovation towards a recyclable disposable. Equally the advancement of 30% water based vaping in our opinion really does work. Yes the results are a subtle vape with average vapor but in all honestly, the majority of disposables in the marketplace are over-flavored and over-sweetened and don’t reflect the normal e-liquid that we use.
Update Nov 2023: Aquios Labs have improved both the strength of the flavors and increased the amount of vapor production.
Aquios Bar Disposable Vape Performance
Simply take out of the packaging, remove the silicone mouthpiece bung and base protector and vape. It’s a very smooth and very quiet slightly airy MTL draw.
Each of the 4 favors (Update Nov 2023: 8 flavors) we sampled produced a crisp clean and pure realistic taste. They are not overpowered, they are not loaded with sweeteners and the ice content doesn’t burn the back of your throat. If you want a disposable that you can happily vape all day long then look no further.
We found that the 20mg nicotine strength was spot on and despite the 30% water content and lower PG level, the throat hit on each draw was very good. The addition of ice in some of the flavors was perfect with just a hint of coolness.
I’ve sampled many different disposables in my time and I do enjoy a cool fresh intake on some ice flavors but after vaping some of them for 10 minutes, my throat is either burning or numb. As I mentioned earlier, I am happy vaping these ice ones all day long so credit to Aquios Labs.
Vapor wise they are discreet. You won’t be blowing huge clouds but they do produce enough vapor that I would say is no less than you would get from a traditional cigarette.
Update Nov 2023: Flavor and Vapor production has increased and is now on par with other non-water based disposables.
The draw activation worked every time and we found that the tightness of the draw was a slightly airy semi-restricted MTL style vape.
Each disposable lasted me around 6-7 hours of average vaping. The stated “puffs” of up to 600 is a little ambitious as the recorded count on my mechanical clicker was a fair bit lower. Over the 4 samples we tested we were getting between 300 and 400 puffs.
This is subjective and does depend on the duration of each draw. To clarify, the up to 600 puffs figure is gauged on a 1 second draw, so my 2-3 second draw is going to fall short of this figure.
What I have noticed, certainly with the 4 we’ve tested, the battery appears to run out of charge before the e-liquid is finished. I say this because the flavor is always present right up to the point the LED flashes 10 times. The 450mAh battery could do with being a slightly larger capacity.
Update Nov 2023: Innokin/Aquios Labs have increased the battery capacity to 500mAh. With the 4 additional flavors we received, and of course their updated spec, we found that our puff count increased. Over the 4 new disposables we sampled, we achieved between 490 and 560 puffs.
Aquios Bar Disposable Vape Flavors
Innokin were kind enough to send us 4 of the Aquios Bar flavors out of the 10 available flavors (Update Nov 2023: 8 out of the now 17) to try and we’ve given a brief description of each flavor we received and what we thought.
The 10 different flavors available in the Aquios Bar range are:
Original Flavors
- Mango Passion Ice *
- Blueberry Bubblegum *
- Grape Ice
- Sour Apple *
- Iced Cosmic
- Tropical Fruit Ice (Update Nov 2023: *)
- Peach Ice (Update Nov 2023: *)
- Sunrise Ice
- Blueberry Ice (Update Nov 2023: *)
- Watermelon Ice *
New Flavors
- Strawberry Watermelon *
- Cherry Lemonade
- Pink Lemonade
- Classic Tobacco
- Vanilla Custard
- Sour Berries
- Lemon Tart
Interestingly, the flavor range of the Aquios Bar disposables are identical to the flavor range on the Innokin Lota Enviro. Because we only received 4 of the flavors to test, we will only comment on those 4 flavors. (Update Nov 2023: received 3 further additional original flavors and 1 new flavor). However, if you want an insight into the other available flavors, then please take a look at our Lota Enviro review where we detailed all of the flavor profiles.
Mango Passion Ice
If ever I choose a flavor to try, mango will always be my first choice. On the intake I could straight away taste the flavor tones of mango mixed in with a slightly less prominent passion fruit flavor. It’s not what I would call a sweet ripe mango but nevertheless it’s really nice.
The coolness on the intake was really subtle and just added to the overall flavor profile and vape experience. Having the combination of the two different flavors together make this a strong favorite of mine.
Blueberry Bubble Gum
This flavor was spot on with the description. A really nice blueberry taste and surprisingly a lingering bubble gum aftertaste. I didn’t detect any coolness in the inhale but then again the flavor title didn’t mention Ice.
I could feel a hint of sweetness on my lips afterwards which really was quite nice. I really enjoyed vaping this flavor and would be more than happy puffing away on this all day long.
Sour Apple
I struggled with this one a little when I sampled it in the Lota Enviro. I liked the flavor and really enjoyed vaping it and I feel the same vaping it this time. Despite the flavor title, I’m struggling to detect or pinpoint a sweet or sour tasty apple.
What I can say though is I really like the flavor and am really enjoying vaping it, I just can’t put my finger on what the flavor is.
Watermelon Ice
Another great flavor and another favorite of mine. An authentic watermelon taste, not too strong but enough flavor to really enjoy. Vaping this one really does make your mouth feel moist. The slight coolness of the ice additive complements the freshness of the flavor.
This is definitely one you could happily vape on day after day.
Update Nov 2023: Flavor profile on the 4 additional flavors we received.
Strawberry Watermelon
Being a lover of a good watermelon and also really enjoying chomping on a juicy strawberry, I was excited to try this flavor. Unfortunately after several draws I’m left in two minds about this one.
Firstly, I really enjoyed the overall flavor but alas, I struggled to pinpoint either strawberry or watermelon. After several minutes trying to detect any one particular flavor tone and racking my brain for an answer, I could only come up with a vanilla cheesecake with a difference.
I say cheesecake because I could just detect a very slight biscuit base flavor on the inhale. Other than that, I am at a loss to put my finger on the flavor other than to say I liked vaping it.
Tropical Fruit Ice
A lovely refreshing tropical fruit flavor, bursting with multiple mouth-watering flavors that just leaves you wanting more. I gave up trying to pick out individual flavor tones from this one, other than to say it reminded me of the old fashioned Fruit Salad sweets.
Again a flavor you’d be happy vaping on all day and despite “Ice” in the title, it’s very subtle and just adds to the overall enjoyment.
Peach Ice
A lovely ripe, juicy, peach flavor with just that slight coolness on the draw intake and a slightly sweet lingering after effect. I felt a light sweetness on the lips afterwards which just accentuated the nice taste. Not only did it taste delicious, it smelt good too.
I loved this one and even though it sounds silly, I could sense I was holding a fresh fluffy peach in my hand while vaping it.
Blueberry Ice
Blueberry is usually one of my go to flavors. Sometimes I find them synthetic yet others come through as very true to the original flavor. This one is spot on with the one exception that it didn’t have that slightly tart taste but a gorgeous slightly sweet feel to it.
This is one of the loveliest blueberries I’ve tried with the flavor coming through with every draw. The strength of flavor was perfect and the addition of ice was subtle.
Flavor Summary
Of the 4 (Update Nov 2023: 8) different flavors we tried, they all seemed very smooth, flavorsome without being overpowering and true to their flavor name with the exception of the Sour Apple. (Update Nov 2023: and Strawberry Watermelon).
The flavor strength for me was ideal; the Aquios 30% water based e-liquid mimic normal everyday e-juice and not the overpowered, over-sweetened liquid that we too often see in most disposables now days.
My only caveat to this being if you prefer the sweetened disposables with heightened flavor then the Aquios Bar’s are probably not for you.
Update Nov 2023: The 4 additional Aquios Bar’s we received, following Aquios Labs update on their flavors, have definitely increased the overall flavor strength. This has resulted in some of the best disposables we’ve have the pleasure of trying.
Aquios Bar Disposable Vape Disassembly/Disposal
Aquios Labs include a description of how to dismantle and dispose of the Aquios Bar on the included pamphlet within the packaging. Obviously to check this we dismantled one to see how easy it was to do and to see exactly what it looked like inside.
When the Aquios Bar is completely finished i.e. the battery is drained, remove both the silicone mouthpiece and the silicone base.
From the mouthpiece end (top), push the battery and e-liquid reservoir out through the bottom of the compressed cardboard body. Pull the battery from the e-liquid reservoir.
Each of the individual components can then be disposed of appropriately as follows:
- Lithium Ion Battery :- Battery Recycling Center
- E-Liquid Reservoir :- Dispose of
- Paper Card Body :- Widely recycled
- Silicone Mouthpiece and Base :- Check for Silicone Recycling
Do ensure you tape up any exposed battery terminals so when it’s disposed of there is no danger of them shorting out.
Now admittedly, this does rely on the user being conscientious and disposing of each part responsibly. Whether in practice this will happen is another matter but at least Innokin/Aquios Labs have implemented the concept and made it possible.
The environmental issues around disposables is becoming a major concern due to the rise in popularity of these devices so for Innokin/Aquios Labs to make this giant step forward in implementing a 100% recyclable disposable is credit to them.
Aquios Bar Disposable Vape Price
We’ve seen several vape shops selling the Aquios Bar’s from anywhere between 4 for £20 or between £4.50-£5.50 each.
Considering the environmental advancements of the Aquios Bar, coupled with the 30% water based e-liquid, then these are a great purchase.
Aquios Bar Disposable Vape Verdict
Update Nov 2023: Updated Review Verdict below for the upgraded Aquios Bar Disposables
Pros
- Comfortable to hold
- Simple and easy to use
- Lightweight and fits easily into a pocket
Good flavor and performance- (Update Nov 2023: Great flavor, vapor and performance)
- (Update Nov 2023: Increased battery life)
- A smooth and quiet draw
- 30% Water based e-liquid
- Reduced PG/VG content
- 100% Recyclable
Cons
Overrated Puff count- Update Nov 2023: Puff count has increased
Aquios Bar Disposable Vape Summary
Flavor wise we couldn’t fault them, all the flavors we tested were really nice. The draw activation worked every time and the draw was very smooth and quiet. The flavors are not overpowering, they are not over-sweetened and the ice content provides just a hint of coolness.
The Aquios Labs water-based e-liquid worked really well. The 30/30/30 mix of PG/VG/Water produced very good results. I would definitely use these again. Folks that use the more typical disposables that are over-flavored and full of sweeteners may find these on the subtle side.
I’ve been known to have a little moan about disposables, especially around the environmental impact but I have to say the Aquios Bar is most definitely a step in the right direction. I don’t know any other manufacturer, other than Innokin that is attempting to make a difference.
Update Nov 2023: I am really pleased to report that since Aquios Labs have updated their flavor range and made improvements to the flavor and battery capacity, the performance from the 4 additional flavors has improved no end. Where I commented on the flavors being subtle and having discrete vapor, this is no longer the case.
Also the reduced puff count I identified during our earlier review has now increased to somewhere near the specified puff count.
I found the strength of the flavoring to be perfect and very flavorsome with the vapor produced matching that of the non-water based disposables. Hats off to Aquios Labs/Innokin for listening to the comments and taking the time and effort to improve upon a very good device and make it better.
Hope you enjoyed this review on the Aquios Bar disposable vape and found it helpful and useful. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave us a comment below.
If you do purchase any of these, please do drop us a line with your thoughts and views on them.