Today we’re bringing you our review of two new devices from Voopoo, their Drag S3 and Drag X3 pod mod kits. After running for 2 very successful years, the earlier Drag S2 and Drag X2, which we reviewed back in 2023, now come with a face lift and some new design changes and feature improvements.
As we did back in 2023, we’ve combined the new Drag S3 and Drag X3 devices into one review. Apart from a few differences between these two devices, the main one’s are the Drag S3 is powered by an internal 3000mAh battery while the Drag X3 uses an external 18650/21700 battery and has an HD touch-screen display.
Where there are differences between the Drag S3 and Drag X3 we’ll highlight these and also point out any design upgrades from the earlier Drag S2 and Drag X2 devices so you can see what changes have been made.
Having used the earlier Drag S2 and Drag X2 kits for the last two years we can say without doubt those were and still are great devices and the performance from the PnP X coils takes a lot of beating.
Overview of the Drag S3 and Drag X3 Kits
Both the Drag S3 and Drag X3 still continue with the semi-tubular style and the unmistakable leather hide wrap around on the sides and back of the devices. The Drag S3 is shorter than its counterpart as it’s powered by an internal 3000mAh capacity battery, increased from 2500mAh on the Drag S2 and reaches a maximum wattage of 60W. The Drag X3 is taller because it now utilizes an external 18650/21700 battery (Drag X2 was only 18650), and can reach a maximum wattage of 80W.
At the heart of the Drag S3 and Drag X3 is Voopoo’s Gene chipset which provides 3 different modes of operation; “SMART”, “RBA” and “ECO”. Both these new Drag’s now include different themes with an animated graphics display which we will cover in more detail later in the review.
The User Interface (UI) information is displayed, together with the range of safety prompts and protections on a 0.96 inch TFT colored display on the Drag S3 (not too dissimilar from the Drag S2) whereas the Drag X3 now comes with a much improved 1.66 inch colored touch activated screen.
Gone is the older C-Frame battery cover we saw on the Drag X2 as the Drag X3 now incorporates a lockable and removable back section that houses the replaceable 18650/21700 battery. The whole housing latches and locks into the Drag X3 body with the length of the housing held securely with additional bar magnets.
Another new addition to the Drag S3 and Drag X3 is a multiple lock function which includes Captive Touch Activation to prevent accidental firing, button lock and maintain unlock.
The Drag S3 and Drag X3 devices utilize the PnP X cartridges (pods) with replaceable PnP X mesh coils. Both pods have a 5ml standard /2ml TPD e-liquid capacity with side fill and top airflow. The Drag S3 comes supplied with the MTL PnP X pod and the Drag X3 comes with the DTL PnP X pod.
I would like to thank Siren at Voopoo for sending us the Drag S3 and Drag X3 pod kits for the purpose of this review. As always this review is completely unbiased and is my honest opinions based during my time using and reviewing the products.
Contents
- Overview of the Drag S3 and Drag X3
- Features and Specifications
- What’s in the Box?
- Preparing to Use the Drag S3 and Drag X3
- Drag S3 and Drag X3 Kit Design and Appearance
- – Drag S3 and Drag X3 Pod Mod
- – PnP X Pod
- Drag S3 and Drag X3 Functionality
- Drag S3 and Drag X3 Performance
- Drag S3 and Drag X3 Battery Performance
- How do I Fill the PnP X Pod?
- How do I Change the Coil in the PnP X Pod?
- How do I Charge the Drag S3 and Drag X3?
- Drag S3 and Drag X3 Kit Price
- Drag S3 and Drag X3 Kit Review Verdict
- Drag S3 and Drag X3 Kit Review Summary
Features and Specifications
Drag S3 and Drag X3
- Drag S3 Dimensions: 84.4mm (H) x 28mm (W) x 33.4mm (D) (excluding pod) – See Note 1
- Drag X3 Dimensions: 99.2mm (H) x 28mm (W) x 35.7mm (D) (excluding pod) – See Note 1
- Weight: Drag S3= 131.3 grams, Drag X3= 126.15 grams (excluding pod & battery) – See Note 1
- Construction: Zinc Alloy + Leather
- Charging: Type-C USB 5V 2A
- Charging Time: Drag S3 = 70 Minutes, Drag X3 = Battery Dependant
- Output Wattage: Drag S3=5W-60W, Drag X3=5W-80W
- Resistance Range: 0.1 ohm – 3.0 ohm
- Battery Specification: Drag S2=Internal 3000mAh, Drag X2=External 18650/21700
- Output Voltage: 3.2V – 4.2V
- Display: Drag S3=0.96inch TFT Colour Screen, Drag X3=1.66inch HD Touch Screen
- Mode: Smart, RBA and Eco Modes
- Animation: 3 different animations and On/Off
- 3 Different Themes
- 3 Different Lock Options
- Puff Counter
- Vape Time Duration
- Firing Mode: Push Button
- 7 Colors Available
- 6 Safety Features
PnP X Cartridge (Pod)
- Dimensions: 33mm High (excluding drip tip) x 26mm Diameter
- Weight: 21 grams (including coil and drip tip)
- Pod Material: PCTG
- E-liquid Capacity: 5ml / 2ml (TPD) Pod
- Filling Method: Concealed Side Fill
- Coil Types: PnP X Coils
- Drip Tip: 510 MTL or 810 DTL (Note 2)
- Airflow: Adjustable Dual Slot Top Airflow
- Connection: Magnetic Base
- 3 Colors Available
Note 1: The combined height of the Drag S3 and 5ml PnP X MTL pod is 124mm and the Drag X3 with the 5ml PnP X DTL pod is 132.5mm. The combined weight of the Drag S3 mod and 5ml PnP X MTL pod, including the coil is 151.6 grams and the Drag X3 with the 5ml PnP X DTL pod is 200 grams including the coil and an 18650 battery. A 21700 battery will slightly increase the overall weight.
Note 2: The Drag S3 device we received to review comes with a Mouth-To-Lung (MTL) PnP X pod which has a narrow bore 510 drip tip. The Drag X3 device we received to review comes with a Direct-To-Lung (DTL) pod with a wide bore 810 drip tip.
What’s in the Box?
| Drag S3 | Drag X3 |
| Drag S3 Device (3000mAh Battery) | Drag X3 Device (18650/21700 Battery) |
| PnP X Pod MTL (5ml / 2ml EU) | PnP X Pod DTL (5ml / 2ml EU) |
| PnP X 0.6 ohm Mesh Coil (pre-installed) | PnP X 0.15 ohm Mesh Coil (pre-installed) |
| PnP X 0.8 ohm Mesh Coil | PnP X 0.3 ohm Mesh Coil |
| Narrow Bore Drip Tip | Wide Bore Drip Tip |
| Type-C USB Cable | 18650 Battery Adaptor |
| User Manual | Type-C USB Cable |
| User Manual |
We received the standard versions of the Drag S3 and Drag X3 which include the larger 5ml PnP X Pod but TPD regions will be limited to the 2ml capacity pod.
Packaging
The Drag S3 and Drag X3 come in identical boxes with their overall dimensions measuring 144mm x 93mm x 39.2mm. They are a standard draw type cardboard box with a slide off outer sleeve. This sleeve is now colored yellow with the famous “00” chain link from the Voopoo name in silver.
On the front of the sleeve is a photo of the Drag S3 or Drag X3 in the color of the included device. Printed on the front of the sleeve is “Voopoo” and “Drag S3” or “Drag X3” in large black lettering above the photo.
The left side of the outer sleeve has “Voopoo” in large black lettering and a small “QR Code about Voopoo”.
The right side of the sleeve has the company and device name printed at the top, the main points of each device as detailed below, an “Authentication Sticker”, two Barcodes and the “Color” of the included device:
- Drag S3 has “Touch to Unlock”, “Compact Body”, “3000mAh Battery” and “60W Max Output”
- Drag X3 has “1.66 inch Touch Screen”, “18650 or 21700 Battery” and “80W Power Output”
On the reverse side of the sleeve are detailed the package contents, the manufacturer’s details and the relevant safety and warning statements.
Once the outer sleeve is removed, a thin cardboard wallet which contains the user manual sits on top of a foam insert tray which houses the Drag S3 or Drag X3, spare PnP X coil in a sealed silver sachet and the Type-C charging cable. The PnP X Pod is attached to the Drag device with one of the PnP X coils pre-installed.
Preparing to Use the Voopoo Drag S3 and Drag X3
When you first unbox your Drag S3 or Drag X3 kit, the PnP X pod comes attached to the Drag S3 and Drag X3 which is pre-fitted with the PnP X coil (0.6 ohm for Drag S3 and 0.15 ohm for Drag X3). Before you can use your device, take off the PnP X pod and remove the thin film coil protector from the base plate of the coil.
Once removed, take the coil out of the PnP X Pod and prime your coil by dripping a few drops of e-liquid into each of the wicking ports. Insert the coil into the base of the pod and fill the PnP X Pod with e-liquid through the e-liquid filling port behind the black silicone rubber stopper. Leave the PnP X Pod to stand for approximately 10-15 minutes before you fire it.
We have written a guide on How to Prolong the Life of your Coil which you may find worthwhile reading.
The Drag S3 comes with a nominal charge so it can be used straight away but we do recommend fully charging the device before you first use it. The Drag X3 uses an external 18650/21700 rechargeable battery so you will have to remove the battery section and fit your fully charged 18650/21700 battery before it will power up. If using an 18650 battery, you will have to place this battery in the 18650 battery adaptor first before inserting it into the Drag X3 body.
Powering the Drag S3 and Drag X3 is easy; simply click the fire button 5 times and the device(s) will turn on. I would suggest taking a few draws with the wattage set to its minimum to slowly bed the new coil in. Increase the wattage in 1W increments, each time taking a draw until you reach the wattage that gives you your ideal draw.
We’ve covered the navigation of the menu structure of the Drag S3 and Drag X3 device(s) in the Functionality section of our review so jump to that if you need help adjusting any of the different menus.
Voopoo Drag S3 and Drag X3 Kit Design and Appearance
Voopoo Drag S3 and Drag X3
As we’ve highlighted earlier, the Drag S3 and Drag X3 are similar in design, look and feel with the major difference being the Drag S3 operates from an internal 3000mAh capacity rechargeable battery providing a maximum power output of 60W. The Drag X3 is larger in length by approximately 8mm and powered by an external 18650 or 21700 battery giving a maximum power output of 80W.
The Voopoo Drag S3 and Drag X3 are constructed out of zinc alloy and leather. Their shape is rectangular in design with a flat front face which accommodates the two different displays (0.96 inch colored TFT on the Drag S3 and a 1.66 inch touch screen on the Drag X3), a circular 12.25mm concave on/off/fire button, a 14mm by 14mm up/down rocker control button on the Drag S3 only as the Drag X3 is touch activated, and the Type-C USB charging port.
Voopoo are continuing to use the colored leather hide that’s inset into the colored zinc alloy frame on the sides and curved back of the Drag S3 and Drag X3. This leather hide includes detailed stitching with slightly different designs and patterns for each different color kit.
The base of the Drag S3 and Drag X3 are both flat so there are no issues with being stood upright. Comparing the two devices side by side highlights a difference between the Drag S3 and Drag X3 models which was exactly the same we saw on the earlier Drag S2 and Drag X2. The Drag S3 has a rubber insert into the sculptured base so it provides a soft non-slip cushion whereas the Drag X3 doesn’t have this rubber base.
At the top of the Drag S3 and Drag X3 devices is the circular pod recess which is 9.5mm deep that leads down to an enclosed chrome flat metal plate. This plate incorporates 2 countersunk star screws that hold the plate in situ and 2 gold plated spring loaded coil connecting pins. These coil pins locate with the bottom of the PnP X coils when the PnP X pod is fitted and held securely in place by the magnets on the pod base.
Because the pod housing is completely circular, its orientation is not important and fits anyway round.
Airflow on the Drag S3 and Drag X3 is controlled from the PnP X pod therefore we will cover this in the following PnP X Pod Design section.
One major difference between the Drag S3 and Drag X3 is the battery configuration. The Drag S3 has an internal battery so can only be charged using the supplied cable connected into the USB port. The Drag X3 uses either an external 18650 or 21700 battery which is fitted within a locked and removable battery frame section that’s secured by the locking latch and 4 rectangular magnets.
Releasing the locking latch is done by pressing the rectangular button on the back of the Drag X3 and sliding the battery frame down and away from the remainder of the Drag X3 body. Once removed, the battery slides in and out of this housing with the orientation of the battery, “+” and “-” signs, shown on the flat side of the housing.
When an 18650 battery is being used, this battery fits inside the plastic 18650 battery adaptor to convert the overall size to that of a 21700 battery. If using a 21700 battery then the adaptor is not required.
Both the Drag S3 and Drag X3 have the same 5V/2A Type-C charging ports on the bottom front face of their bodies. With the Drag X3 you have the option of charging your battery in the mod itself or removing the battery and using an external battery charger (recommended).
With regards to the branding, it’s very subtle. I believe it changes slightly between different colored designs but on the two we have for review, the Drag S3 has “Drag S3” on the back stitching with “designed by Voopoo and Spark your life” on the rubber base.
The Drag X3 has “Drag X3” branded into the leather in small lettering on the right hand side towards the bottom of the device with “designed by Voopoo and spark your life” around the concealed positive battery terminal when the battery housing is removed.
On the base of the Drag S3 and Drag X3 is the “CE” markings and the “Crossed Bin” icons.
At the heart of both the Drag S3 and Drag X3 is the Gene chip-set with controls all the user information on the 0.96 inch TFT display and 1.66 inch touch-screen display respectively and also ensures the multitude of safety features are being maintained, such as:
- Check Atomizer (no resistance detected)
- Overtime protection
- Output over current protection
- Low battery protection
- Max power protection
- Over temperature protection
- Overcharge protection
- Atomizer short-circuit protection
The Drag S3 and Drag X3 main display shows all the user information and operating parameters as follows:
- Remaining battery % reading (Drag X3 also has a battery icon)
- Selected mode (Smart / RBA / Eco)
- Large numerical wattage level
- Lock / Unlock icon
- Coil resistance reading
- Puff counter
- Vape time duration (see Note)
- Animation (when turned on)
- Real time clock (Drag X3 only)
Note: The vape time duration in seconds is not displayed on THEME 2 of the list of 3 options on the Drag S3 but is displayed on its animation. It’s also only present on the Drag X3 in the 2nd THEME in the list of 3 options.
Because the Drag X3 has the bigger display screen, the above user information is displayed in a larger font making it easier to read. The Drag S3 however, because of the smaller screen size is harder to see.
Three different modes of operation (Smart, RBA or Eco) can be selected using a combination of the + and – control rocker button together with the fire button on the Drag S3 or activating the touchscreen on the Drag X3. These 3 modes are available when selecting the MODE menu and scrolling through the different options.
SMART mode will auto detect the coil being used and set the optimum wattage value for that coil. RBA mode allows you to fully adjust the wattage from the devices minimum and maximum values and ECO mode where the battery power is optimized to conserve power drain.
There are also three different screen display layouts that are selected from the THEMES menu, an ANIMATION screen (3 on the Drag X3) that can be turned on/off, a three function LOCK setting, a PUFF CLEAR option and a real TIME clock display (Drag X3 only).
A full explanation of these different modes and the operation of the control buttons/touchscreen are explained in the Functionality section in this review.
There are a total of 7 available colors in the Drag S3 and Drag X3 range and when purchased as a kit, the PnP X pod will be one of 3 different colors depending on the color kit you choose:
| Drag X3 | Drag S3 |
| Spray Black / Black PnP X DTL pod | Spray Black / Black PnP X MTL pod |
| Grey Metal / Grey PnP X DTL pod | Grey Metal / Black PnP X MTL pod |
| Sky Blue / Grey PnP X DTL pod | Blue / Silver PnP X MTL pod |
| Aurora Purple / Black PnP X DTL pod | Green / Silver PnP X MTL pod |
| Glow Pink / Silver PnP X DTL pod | Pink / Silver PnP X MTL pod |
| Champagne Golden / Silver PnP X DTL pod | White / Silver PnP X MTL pod |
| Moss Green / Grey PnP X DTL pod | Brown / Grey PnP X MTL pod |
If you’ve not already guessed, the two colors we received and showing throughout this review are the Drag S3 in Spray Black and the Drag X3 in Moss Green.
Voopoo PnP X Pod
The PnP X pods come in two different variants; the Drag S3 kit includes the MTL PnP X pod whereas the Drag X3 comes with the DTL PnP X pod. They both accept the Voopoo range of PnP X coils and both pods can be used in the Drag S3/X3 as well as the earlier Drag S2/X2, Doric 60 Pro and Argus Pro 2 devices.
There are slight differences between the two pods; The MTL PnP X pod has a 510 narrow bore removable mouthpiece (drip tip) and adjustable dual Cyclops top airflow slots that have 3 small air intake holes per slot. The DTL PnP X pod has an 810 wide bore removable mouthpiece (fixed on the earlier PnP X DTL pod) and adjustable dual Cyclops top airflow slots with a large single slot air intake.
Each PnP X pod is manufactured out of opaque black lightweight PCTG material with a rotatable top airflow ring. This tint is very subtle making the level of e-liquid visible even in poor light conditions. The PnP X pod is circular and measures 26mm in diameter where the height is 49.2mm for the MTL pod and 43.5mm for the DTL pod.
Unlike the majority of standard tanks, these PnP X pods do not dis-assemble into several parts for cleaning and once they get damaged or broken they will need replacing. I’ve been using the earlier PnP X DTL pod for the last two years with the Drag X2 and Drag S2 and still not had to replace them.
E-liquid capacity is a very impressive 5ml (2ml TPD variant) and has a pretty large filling port (6mm) on the side of the pod that’s hidden when inserted into the Drag S3 and Drag X3. The fill port opening is concealed by a black silicone rubber flap and when filling is required, is simply unplugged then re-inserted when filling is completed.
This silicone rubber flap sits flush against the side of the pod so it can be inserted into the Drag pod recess. If it’s not reseated correctly it won’t fit into the mod. The rubber flap opens from the bottom of the pod side as indicated by the little arrow indented on the rubber flap and a fingernail slot in the base of the pod. The other end is connected to the pod and remains attached so it doesn’t get misplaced.
On the base of the PnP X pod are four circular magnets that do a very good job of holding the pod in place when fitted to the Drag S3 and Drag X3. The coil opening is slightly recessed below the pod base which gives finger access to aid removing the coil.
Important: There are two flat sides in the coil opening (opposite sides to the indented finger access point). The PnP X coils also have two flat sides on the base plate of the coil. It is imperative that these flat sides line up with the flat sides in the base of the pod so when the coil is fitted, the base plate of the coil sits flush against the base of the pod.
Branding on the PnP X pod is very subtle; the outer diameter of the top cap has “Voopoo” and “PnP X” printed into the rotating ring. On the top of the pod are the words “Compatible with PnP X Coils” and “PnP X DTL or MTL” cartridge depending on which one you have.
The Drag S3 kit with the PnP X MTL pod comes supplied with the 0.6 ohm and 0.8 ohm coils and the Drag X3 with the PnP X DTL pod comes supplied with the 0.15 ohm and 0.3 ohm coils.
Currently there are 7 different PnP X coils that are available; 0.15 ohm, 0.2 ohm, 0.3 ohm, 0.45 ohm, 0.6 ohm, 0.8 ohm and 1.0 ohm which are compatible with the Drag S3 and Drag X3.
Voopoo have introduced 3 new fillable PnP X cartridges (pods) that have integrated coils (non-replaceable) and come in 0.3 ohm, 0.8 ohm and 1.0 ohm. These are perfect if you don’t want to faff around with replacing coils and just want to fill and vape.
Voopoo Drag S3 and Drag X3 Functionality
The Voopoo Drag S3 and Drag X3 while having similar functionality and menu structures do have some major differences as to how they operate:
- The Drag S3 has an internal 3000mAh battery, its power range is 5W – 60W, the display is a 0.96 inch TFT screen and uses a combination of the fire and +/- rocker button to access the different menus.
- The Drag X3 uses an external 18650 or 21700 battery, its power range is 5W – 80W, the display is a 1.66 inch HD touch-screen and accessing the menus is done from the touch-screen.
They are both variable wattage pod mods with 3 different MODES of operation; “SMART” coil detection which auto selects the optimum wattage for the coil you’re using, “RBA” which allows you to adjust the wattage over the min/max power levels that the Drag S3 and Drag X3 can deliver and “ECO” which conserves the battery power level.
In addition to this, there are different THEME display layouts, 3 selectable ANIMATIONS (fixed on Drag S3), LOCK functions (Button and/or Screen on Drag X3, Touch Lock and Button Lock on Drag S3), PUFF counter clear and a real time CLOCK display/menu on the Drag X3.
A Quick Start Guide of the functions are:
Drag S3:
- Fire button pressed 5 times turns the device On and Off
- Fire button pressed 3 times accesses the Menu options
- When in Menu mode, Up/Down rocker button scrolls through options
- + button will increase the wattage in 1W steps
- – button will decrease the wattage in 1W steps
Holding down either the + or – button will alter the wattage value quicker. There is no round robin on the buttons so once it reaches the maximum or minimum value you will have to use the other button to change the value.
When the maximum wattage is reached on the Drag S3 in RBA mode (60W), the display will show “Max Power”. If you’re in SMART mode, “Max Power” will be displayed when you reach the maximum recommended wattage for the particular coil you’re using.
Drag X3:
- Fire button pressed 5 times turns the device On and Off
- When Clock is displayed, swipe up to unlock
- When Main screen is displayed, swipe down to access the Menus
- When Menus are displayed, swipe right to go back to Main display
- When Main screen is displayed, touch and hold the Wattage value to adjust the wattage
- When in Menu screen, touch each Menu option to access that menu
When adjusting the wattage on the Drag X3 in SMART or ECO mode, the numerical slider menu will only show the numerals from 5W (minimum) to the maximum wattage for each coil type. When in RBA mode, the numerical slider will show the range of 5W through to 80W.
When you’ve selected your desired wattage value, swipe the touch-screen to the right and it will return to the main display screen with the amended wattage value. Alternatively, it will switch to the main display after 5 seconds with the set wattage.
Each of the PnP X coils have the following maximum allowable wattage that the Drag S3 and Drag X3 will operate at. This wattage can be overridden above their maximum when the Drag S3 and Drag X3 are set to RBA mode but be aware that too higher wattage above the maximum recommended could destroy the coil.
- 0.15 ohm: 80W Max (Drag X3 only)
- 0.20 ohm: 60W Max
- 0.30 ohm: 40W Max
- 0.45 ohm: 32W Max
- 0.60 ohm: 23W Max
- 0.80 ohm: 16W Max
- 1.0 ohm: 13W Max
Included on the 0.96 inch TFT display (Drag S3) and 1.66 inch touch-screen (Drag X3) are all of the read-out information as follows:
- Remaining battery % reading (Drag X3 also has a battery icon)
- Selected mode (Smart / RBA / Eco)
- Large numerical wattage reading
- Lock / Unlock padlock icon (turns red when locked)
- Coil resistance reading
- Puff counter reading
- Vape time duration (seconds)
- Real time clock (Drag X3 only)
When accessing the Menu settings; 3 clicks of the fire button on the Drag S3 or swipe down the touch-screen on the Drag X3 will bring up the following menus:
- Mode: SMART / RBA / ECO
- Theme: 3 different themes
- Puff Clear:
- Lock: 3 different options
- Animation: Drag X3=3 options, Drag S3= On/Off
- Time (Clock): Drag X3 only
- Back
Status notifications of the Drag S3 and Drag X3 are:
- Charging
- Check Battery
- Max Power
- Low Power
- Temp High
- Time Out (8 seconds)
- Atomizer Short
- Check Atomizer
Safety protections of the Drag S3 and Drag X3 are:
- Overtime protection
- Output over current protection
- Low battery protection
- Over temperature protection
- Overcharge protection
- Atomizer short-circuit protection
Screen Timeout: During normal use, after the fire button has been pressed, the display will remain illuminated at full brightness for 15 seconds. After this time, the display will dim to half-light for another 15 seconds and then extinguish until the button is pressed again.
Clock Function: When using the Drag X3, because it has a real time clock function, when the fire button is depressed after the display blanks, the clock is displayed with a flashing chevron with “unlock” underneath. The device fires but to access the main display you’ll have to swipe the screen upwards to bring up the main display.
Captive Touch Activation: When TOUCH LOCK on the Drag S3 is activated, the Captive Touch function becomes operative but it’s always active on the Drag X3. The display will show the red locked padlock symbol and only unlocks when the fire button is touched or pressed when using your finger. Once the fire button is released, the device automatically locks itself until the next button press.
Touching or pressing the fire button through material or if its pressed when in your pocket or bag, the device remains locked and won’t fire. This really is a fantastic method of auto-locking the fire button to stop accidental firing.
Note 1: Surprisingly the Captive Touch function (on the Drag X3 only) cannot be disabled. Irrespective which lock/unlock setting is selected, it remains active. This is not an issue unless you happen to be wearing gloves as it’s only activated by the resistance of your skin.
Note 2: Touching the fire button on the Drag S3 in this mode will illuminate the display. On the Drag X3 the display remains blank unless the fire button is fully pressed.
Airflow Control: Variable airflow on the Drag S3 and Drag X3 is carried out by rotating the top ring on the pod while it’s in situ in the pod recess to open or close the dual rectangular airflow slots. The resistance of this airflow ring is quite tight so you will have to hold the pod while you adjust the airflow otherwise the pod will rotate on the pod magnets in the pod recess.
Overview of Modes
Smart Mode
Smart mode on the Drag S3 and Drag X3 will auto detect the type of coil fitted, register the coil resistance and set the optimum wattage for that coil. This is only a guide as you can adjust the wattage up or down. What the Smart mode does though is limit the maximum wattage you can go up to depending on the coil type you’re using.
You won’t be able to increase the wattage beyond the maximum wattage specified for the type of coil that’s in the pod. In the case of the different PnP X coils, the maximum wattage available before the display indicates “MAX POWER” is:
- 0.15 ohm: Auto detect = 65W. Max wattage = 80W
- 0.20 ohm: Auto detect = 50W. Max wattage = 60W
- 0.30 ohm: Auto detect = 35W. Max wattage = 40W
- 0.45 ohm: Auto detect = ?W. Max wattage = ?W
- 0.60 ohm: Auto detect = 20W. Max wattage = 23W
- 0.80 ohm: Auto detect = 15W. Max wattage = 16W
- 1.0 ohm: Auto detect = ?W. Max wattage = ?W
Note: We didn’t have the 0.45 ohm and 1.0 ohm PnP X coils so couldn’t verify the auto detect wattage or the maximum wattage the Drag S3 and Drag X3 would go up to.
Smart mode is an ideal setting for those people who are unsure what wattage level they should be using to vape at. One word of caution though, the auto detected optimum wattage level for each coil type, certainly for my vaping style is quite high.
In all cases, I would recommend setting your wattage to its lowest value and taking a draw. Increase the wattage level by a couple of watts each time until you find your sweet stop that gives you your ideal vape.
RBA Mode
RBA mode is basically the standard power (variable wattage) mode. In this mode you are able to adjust the wattage level for ANY coil you’re using between the minimum and maximum wattage levels that the Drag S3 and Drag X3 are capable of providing.
The only caution in this mode is applying too much power, increasing the wattage above the maximum recommended, especially when using the higher resistance PnP X coils as this could prematurely burn the coil and end its useful life.
Eco Mode
Eco mode will conserve battery power enabling you to achieve more vaping time (10% +) from a single charge. I do struggle with this mode as I am unclear just how this actually works in practice. Switching between RBA and ECO mode doesn’t appear to make any difference in terms of display intensity or reduced function so how it helps with increased vape time is a bit of a mystery.
Voopoo Drag S3 and Drag X3 PnP X Pod Performance
We’ve been using these PnP X coils for a couple of years now in other Voopoo compatible devices and can’t fault them. Flavor, vapor and longevity are all very good and in our opinion really are some of the best stock coils in the vaping industry at this time.
4 different PnP X coils are supplied with the Drag S3 and Drag X3 pod mod kits. The Drag S3 includes the 0.6 ohm and 0.8 ohm coils, while the Drag X3 includes the 0.15 ohm and 0.3 ohm coils.
Each of the PnP X coils has the coil resistance and the minimum and maximum recommended wattage range stamped on the coil casing. Voopoo claim that each coil is able to sustain a minimum 100ml of e-liquid cycled through the coil and provides 4 times more vaping pleasure than other coils.
All of the PnP X mesh coils are a push fit type, use Thermo-Stable cotton as the wicking material and have a patented 4-layer leak-proof design. Each of the coils have 4 sealing O-Rings that are color coded for each resistance type and really do provide a very good seal.
Even though I’ve included what each of the coil’s wattage values are set to in Smart mode, I always bed my coils in initially at well below the minimum recommended wattage levels so not to stress the coils too quickly and to improve their longevity.
It’s worth pointing out these PnP X coils perform great at well below the minimum wattage specified for each coil type. Using them around the wattage I’ve described in the following sub-sections for each coil type will produce great results but also help in increasing their lifespan.
PnP X 0.15 ohm Mesh Coil – Black O-Rings
Voopoo state the recommended wattage for the coil is between 60W-80W and it provides a DTL vaping style. Recommended e-liquid through this coil is 50%-70% VG.
When using your device in Smart mode, the wattage of this coil is automatically set at 65W on the Drag X3. Note: If you use the 0.15 ohm coil in the Drag S3, the wattage will be set at 60W which is the maximum the Drag S3 will go up to.
My ideal power setting for this coil is around 18W – 20W.
PnP X 0.3 ohm Mesh Coil – Red O-Rings
Voopoo state the recommended wattage for the coil is between 32W-40W and it provides a DTL and RDL vaping style. Recommended e-liquid through this coil is 50%-70% VG.
When using your device in Smart mode, the wattage of this coil is automatically set at 35W.
My ideal power setting for this coil is around 12W – 15W.
PnP X 0.6 ohm Mesh Coil – Blue O-Rings
Voopoo state the recommended wattage for the coil is between 18W-23W and it provides a RDL and MTL vaping style. Recommended e-liquid through this coil is 50%VG.
When using your device in Smart mode, the wattage of this coil is automatically set at 20W.
My ideal power setting for this coil is around 12W – 15W.
PnP X 0.8 ohm Mesh Coil – Blue O-Rings
Voopoo state the recommended wattage for the coil is between 12W-16W and it provides a MTL vaping style. Recommended e-liquid through this coil is 50%VG.
When using your device in Smart mode, the wattage of this coil is automatically set at 15W.
My ideal power setting for this coil is around 8W – 10W.
Voopoo Drag S3 and Drag X3 Battery Performance
Because we’re writing about two different devices, battery performance on the Drag S3 is easier to gauge as it uses an internal 3000mAh capacity battery. The Drag X3 however uses an external 18650 or 21700 (also 20700) battery so the vape time between charges varies greatly and depends on the capacity of the battery you’re using.
Other factors that can influence the length of vape time between charges are:
- Your vaping style
- Type of coil you’re using
- Capacity of your battery (mAh)
- Age and condition of your battery
- Power level (wattage) you vape at
I will mainly focus on the Drag S3 as the battery is fixed at 3000mAh. Any capacity battery, within reason, can be used in the Drag X3 as long as you ensure the Continuous Discharge Rating (CDR) of the battery you’re using is capable of providing the current for the wattage you’re vaping at.
If you want to try different capacity batteries, you can use our Battery Amp Drain Calculator to determine the most suitable batteries for your vaping requirements. If you’re unsure what batteries are available and best suited for this pod mod, take a look at our Best 18650 Battery Guide.
Irrespective of which device you’re using, the battery percentage in the top right corner of the display gives a real time status of the remaining battery charge. As the battery discharges the percentage value will count down. The Drag X3 also includes the familiar battery icon that will reduce and change color when the battery approaches the battery cut-off voltage.
Once the battery is nearing its discharge condition, a message “Check Battery” will be displayed when the Drag S3 and Drag X3 requires charging. At this point you will have to recharge your battery (Drag S3) or swap out for another fully charged battery (Drag X3) as we’ve detailed in How do I Charge the Drag S3 and Drag X3 section in this review.
Interestingly, when the battery percentage value approached 5% remaining on the Drag S3, the “Check Battery” prompt appeared and I had to recharge once it reached 3%. On the Drag X3, as the battery percentage approached 10% remaining, the “Low Power” prompt came up. I reduced the wattage and got a little more vape time until the remaining battery charge reached 3% and I had to swap it out for a new battery.
For reference, while using the Drag S3 with the 0.6 ohm coil set to 12W, I was achieving on average nearly 2 days vaping from a fully charged battery. The intensity of the vape remained the same throughout the discharge cycle of the battery, only stopping once the low battery cut-off was reached.
Another big plus on both the Drag S3 and Drag X3 is they have pass-thru vaping so you can vape while it’s being charged.
How do I Fill the Voopoo PnP X Pod?
The PnP X pod incorporates a concealed side fill port so the pod will have to be removed from the pod recess of the Drag S3 and Drag X3 to gain access to this port.
Once removed, you will see the black silicone rubber flap on the side of the pod. Gently pull this flap open from the bottom end of the rubber stopper as shown by the little directional arrow. There is also a small fingernail slot between the rubber flap and the base edge of the pod which aids removal for those with no fingernails.
Place your e-liquid bottle tip into this 6mm oval opening and fill with e liquid. To get the maximum amount of e-liquid into the pod you will have to tilt the pod on its side.
Once complete, replace the black silicone rubber flap ensuring it’s securely fitted and re-insert the pod back into the Drag S3 and Drag X3 pod recess.
Quick Tip: If you are filling the pod for the first time, drip a few drops of e liquid onto the wicking ports of the coil first. Push the coil into the base of the pod then fill the pod and leave to stand for approx. 10-15 minutes before you start to vape. Also keep the wattage low initially and take a few draws to pull e-liquid through the coil. Slowly increase the wattage in small steps, each time taking a few draws until you reach your desired setting. This will help saturate the wick fully in e-liquid and prolong the life of your coil.
How do I Change the Coil in the PnP X Pod?
When the coil you’re using shows an “Atomizer Short” or “Check Atomizer” on the display screen, or your e-liquid starts loosing its flavor or producing a burnt taste it’s time to replace your coil with a new one.
Remove the PnP X Pod from the Drag S3 and Drag X3 pod recess. Because the Voopoo coils are a push fit type, simply pull the old coil out from the bottom of the pod and replace with a new one.
Do note if the pod has e-liquid in it while you’re removing the coil, e-liquid will spill from the pod. The best method to avoid this or to keep e-liquid spillage to a minimum is to hold the pod upside down (drip tip pointing downwards), place your finger tightly over the opening of the drip tip and then remove the coil.
Replace with a new coil while still holding your finger over the drip tip. Turn the pod the right way up and take your finger off the drip tip.
Fill the pod up with your e-liquid using the procedure outlined in How Do I Fill The PnP X Pod?
Do ensure your new coil is primed and when filled, left to stand for 15 minutes so the e-liquid fully saturates the wick. See our guide on Prolonging the Life of your Coil.
I would recommend when first using a new coil to lower the wattage for the first few draws and slowly increase the wattage in increments, taking a few draws at each level until you reach the wattage your happy with. This will help to bed the new coil in preventing premature ageing.
How do I Charge the Voopoo Drag S3 and Drag X3?
Both the Drag S3 and Drag X3 have Type-C charging ports. Obviously the Drag S3, because of the internal battery, has to be charged using this port but you have the option with the Drag X3 to use the charging port or remove the battery and charge in an external charger (recommended).
When you first receive your Drag S3 it does come with a nominal charge but we recommend fully charging the device before first using it. With the Drag X3, you will need to insert a fully charged 18650 or 20700/21700 battery.
If charging via the Type-C USB port, plug the supplied charging cable into the USB port on the Drag S3 or Drag X3 and connect the other end into a suitable power source (typically 5V2A). Do note if you use a lower current power source (1A) it will take a little longer for the battery to fully charge.
When you put the Drag S3 and Drag X3 on charge, the main display screen will illuminate. After approximately 5 seconds the display will switch to a battery charging screen showing the real time percentage charge value and time remaining to fully charge the battery.
After approximately 10 seconds the screen brightness will dim to half brightness and a further 10-15 seconds later the battery charging screen goes blank. At this point there is no visual indication the battery is being charged. To see the charge status of your battery, you will have to press either the fire button or the +/- control button on the Drag S3 (fire button on the Drag X3) to bring up the display. Unfortunately the screen will only stay illuminated for another 15-20 seconds.
Full charge is achieved when the battery percentage value indicates 100% with 0 minutes time remaining. The Drag S3 and Drag X3 do stop charging when full charge is reached but again there is no display indication that lets you know this unless you press a button.
Voopoo use this method of charging display on several of their pods/mods as we’ve seen before. While it’s not a problem, I DO prefer to have a visual indication of the battery being charged throughout the charging cycle.
The Drag S3 and Drag X3 have pass-thru so you’re able to vape while it’s being charged.
Charging time from full discharge to full charge on the Drag S3 took approximately 70 minutes when using a standard 5V/2.1A source. The Drag S3 body did remain cool to the touch while it was being charged.
I did charge the Drag X3 using the Type-C USB port and the charging display operates the same for the Drag S3. I was using an 18650 Samsung 30Q (20A/3000mAh) and the charging time also took 70 minutes to reach full charge.
However, as with any external battery pod mod (Drag X3), we always recommend using a good reputable external charger to charge your battery rather than using the supplied cable and internal charge circuit on the pod mod. This will help improve the cycle life of your battery and provide a safer charging environment. For further information on battery chargers, check out our Best 18650/21700 Battery Charger post.
As with any vape device, ALWAYS charge the pod/mod resting on a non-flammable surface and NEVER leave your pod/mod unattended whilst charging.
Voopoo Drag S3 and Drag X3 Kit Price
The Drag S3 and Drag X3 have only just been released and a quick search revealed they are both retailing around the £30 – £35 price mark. We did see a couple of sites offering these for as little as £27.
Considering the high quality of the Drag S3 and Drag X3 devices and performance of the PnP X pod and coils that come with the kits, this is a very good price. Whether you’re after an internal or external battery option, these two new Drag S3 and Drag X3 devices are a perfect choice.
Voopoo Drag S3 and Drag X3 Kit Review Verdict
Pros
- Great build quality
- Leather hide looks and feels good
- Touch-screen color display on Drag X3
- Smart wattage/coil detection
- Captive Touch Activation
- Different Themes and Animations
- Internal and external battery option
- 2A charging; 70 minutes charging time
- Good battery life
- Battery Housing (Drag X3 only)
- Pass-through vaping while on charge
- E-liquid level visible in the pod.
- Pod fits and held securely
- 5ml (2ml TPD) e-liquid capacity
- Incredible flavor and vapor production
- Fully adjustable top airflow control
- Really good PnP X coils
- Very good coil life
- Coils perform very well at low wattage
Cons
- Display info on Drag S3 is a little small
- Display(s) don’t remain illuminated during charging
- Touch-screen on Drag X3 is easily activated
- Captive Activation cannot be turned off on the Drag X3
Voopoo Drag S3 and Drag X3 Kit Review Summary
Irrespective if you’re a MTL or DTL vaper, prefer internal or external batteries, the Voopoo Drag S3 and Drag X3 have you covered. Quality, performance, functionality and cost effectiveness come hand in hand when discussing Voopoo products and the Drag S3 and Drag X3 are no exception.
The Drag S3 and Drag X3 have come on leaps and bounds since the original Drag S and Drag X pod mods and the last incarnation of the Drag S2 and Drag X2 kits of two years ago. The PnP X pod(s) and PnP X coils have been the go to in replaceable coils, providing exceptional flavor and dense vapor with great coil life too.
Both these upgraded kits can be used with the DTL PnP X pod (supplied with the Drag X3), the MTL PnP X pod (supplied with the Drag S3) or if you want to, the integrated coil PnP X pod. These offer a true MTL/DTL vaping experience from a top notch solid performing pod mod.
Having used both the Drag S3 and Drag X3 for the last 3 to 4 weeks while we’ve put them through their paces, they look the part, have a high-end quality feel, include plenty of functionality and perform exceptionally well.
The design changes we’ve listed earlier on in our review; improved battery capacity on the Drag S3 and battery option of 18650 or 21700 in the lockable battery housing on the Drag X3, captive touch activation, different themes and animations with a large 1.66 inch touch-screen display on the Drag X3 make these upgrades very effective and worthwhile.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reviewing and using the Drag S3 and Drag X3 devices and certainly recommend both kits, even if you already own the earlier Drag S2 or Drag X2.
I hope you enjoyed reading our review on the Voopoo Drag S3 and Drag X3 kits and found it helpful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave us a comment below.