The Eleaf iStick Pico Plus Kit with Melo 4S Tank is a compact single-18650 box-mod kit built for DL/RDL vaping, aiming to deliver modern USB-C convenience and clean flavor at a budget-friendly $59.99—strong on portability and day-to-day usability, weaker if you want long battery endurance at higher wattages or a truly leak-proof bottom-airflow setup.
Product Overview
| Device | Overall Score | Pros | Cons | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eleaf iStick Pico Plus Kit with Melo 4S Tank | 4.2/5 | Compact feel, solid flavor, simple controls | Single-18650 limits runtime, bottom airflow can collect condensation | DL/RDL users who want a small daily kit |
Final Verdict
The Pico Plus kit feels like a “get on with it” daily driver: small in the hand, easy to set, and surprisingly satisfying for flavor when you keep the Melo 4S in its comfort zone. The 75W ceiling is plenty for the included coils, and USB-C 2A charging is genuinely convenient. Where it loses points is the unavoidable reality of single-18650 runtime and the little maintenance chores that come with a bottom-airflow tank (condensation and occasional seepage if you’re sloppy with filling).
Who It’s For
- DL/RDL vapers who want a compact kit that doesn’t feel toy-like
- People who like straightforward wattage vaping without menu overload
- Anyone who values quick top-fill routines and easy coil swaps
Who It’s Not For
- Chain vapers who hate swapping 18650s mid-day
- MTL purists looking for a tight, cigarette-like draw
- Users who want “set it and forget it” leak behavior in a pocket
How We Tested It
We ran the kit for a week across commutes, desk work, and evening sessions, rotating the EC-A 0.5Ω and 0.3Ω coils at their intended wattage ranges and logging Flavor, Throat Hit, Vapor Production, Airflow/Draw, Battery Life, Leak Resistance, Build Quality, Ease of Use, and Portability. Nicotine products are for adults only (not for minors, pregnant people, or anyone who doesn’t use nicotine), and all experience notes are subjective—not medical advice. Dr. Adrian Walker reviewed our draft to keep health claims out and to keep the focus on performance and handling.
Our Testing Experience
Day one, I set the EC-A 0.5Ω coil around 32W, airflow half open, and the first few pulls were exactly what I want from a small kit: warm but not harsh, a clean midrange flavor, and a draw that doesn’t feel “whistly.” By midweek I switched to the 0.3Ω coil at 44–46W; the vapor got denser and the mouthfeel turned silkier, with sweeter notes popping first and the darker notes lingering on the exhale. Marcus—broad-shouldered, big hands, and a habit of long DL pulls—pushed it harder and ran the tank near wide open; he got the biggest clouds, but he also hit the battery ceiling fastest. Jamal—lean, always moving, quick 2–3 puff sessions—liked how pocketable it stayed, but he flagged that bottom-airflow tanks demand a quick wipe if you toss them in a bag. I saw the “dry-hit protection” behavior once when the liquid got low: output softened before the coil tasted scorched, which I’ll take in real life.
What we liked
- Smooth, saturated flavor at moderate wattage
- Compact feel with a stable, grippy firing position
- Straightforward daily operation and refills
Who it is best for
- DL/RDL users who live around 25–50W
- Commuters who want a small kit that still hits properly
- Anyone okay swapping 18650s instead of chasing huge onboard batteries
Where it falls short
- Heavy use drains a single 18650 quickly at 45W+
- Bottom airflow can collect condensation over the day
- Outdoors in bright sun, the small screen isn’t the easiest glance-read
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Clean flavor at 20–50W on included coils | Single-18650 runtime caps heavy-use endurance |
| Compact kit footprint for a DL/RDL setup | Bottom airflow can pick up condensation/seepage |
| Simple wattage vaping, minimal fuss | Small screen can be harder to read in bright light |
| USB-C charging with 2A input | Battery and charger are on you (not included) |
| Tank accepts easy top-fill routines | Needs routine wiping if carried pocket/bag daily |
Details
- Price: $59.99
- Device type: single-18650 box mod kit with sub-ohm tank (DL/RDL oriented)
- Power modes: VW/Power, TC, Bypass; TC range 100–315°C
- Output: 1–75W; supported resistance output range 0.3–3.5Ω
- Battery/charging: 1×18650 (not included), USB-C 5V/2A
- Tank: Melo 4S, top fill, bottom adjustable airflow; capacity 4ml (2ml variant exists)
- Coils: EC-A 0.5Ω (20–40W) and EC-A 0.3Ω (30–50W) included; EC-A 0.15Ω (40–70W) available separately
- Size: 47mm × 25mm × 115mm
Review Score
| Metric | Score | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Flavor | 4.2 | Best in the midrange; saturated without feeling syrupy |
| Throat Hit | 4.1 | Smooth at moderate wattage; gets sharper if pushed hot and dry |
| Vapor Production | 4.3 | Dense clouds on the 0.3Ω coil at ~45W with open airflow |
| Airflow/Draw | 4.2 | DL/RDL flexibility; wide open is comfortable, mid setting is my sweet spot |
| Battery Life | 3.9 | Single-18650 reality: fine at 30–40W, noticeably shorter at 45W+ |
| Leak Resistance | 4.0 | Generally stable, but bottom airflow collects condensation over a long day |
| Build Quality | 4.3 | Feels solid; buttons and battery cap handling stayed consistent all week |
| Ease of Use | 4.4 | Simple daily flow: fill, set wattage, go; coil swaps are straightforward |
| Portability | 4.1 | Compact for a DL kit; still requires mindful pocket/bag handling |
| Overall | 4.2 | Strong compact performer if you stay realistic about single-battery limits |
How to Choose the Eleaf iStick Pico Plus Kit with Melo 4S Tank?
Choose it if you want a small, uncomplicated DL/RDL kit and you’re happy living in the 25–50W zone. Skip it if you hate carrying spare 18650s or you need a tight MTL draw. Prioritize it when your checklist is: compact size, simple wattage control, quick refills, and consistent flavor.
If you’re rough on gear or outdoors a lot, the Geekvape S100 Aegis Solo 2 Kit makes more sense for durability and “throw it in a bag” confidence.
If you want a more modern UI and a bigger, more cloud-ready platform, the Vaporesso Gen 80S iTank 2 kit is a strong alternative.
Limitations
This kit is easy to like, but it’s not trying to be everything.
- Single-18650 runtime drops fast when you push 45–60W sessions
- Bottom airflow means condensation can build up with daily carry
- Small screen and compact controls aren’t ideal for constant outdoor use
Eleaf iStick Pico Plus Kit with Melo 4S Tank vs. Alternatives
Why choose these models
- Compact single-battery kit that still feels “real” for DL/RDL use
- Coils are tuned for practical wattage ranges, not gimmicky extremes
- USB-C 2A charging and straightforward daily operation
Alternatives to consider
- Geekvape S100 Aegis Solo 2 Kit: better ruggedness and protection for outdoor/daily abuse
- Vaporesso Gen 80S iTank 2: more modern feature set and a “bigger kit” feel with strong flavor focus
- Lost Vape Thelema Solo 100W Starter Kit: a step up in power headroom if you prefer more flexibility
Pro Tips for Eleaf iStick Pico Plus Kit with Melo 4S Tank
- Start with the EC-A 0.5Ω coil in the low-30W range to learn the tank’s airflow sweet spots
- Keep the airflow slightly more open than you think; it smooths the throat hit on longer pulls
- Don’t overfill: leave a small bubble at the top to reduce pressure seepage in a warm pocket
- If you carry it daily, do a quick base wipe once mid-day—bottom airflow tanks appreciate it
- Swap 18650s before they’re fully dead; performance feels steadier above ~25–30% charge
- If flavor dulls, check the coil seating and O-rings before blaming the liquid
- Prime coils patiently (a few drops + a full soak) to reduce early “scratchy” hits
- For a warmer vape, increase wattage first before choking airflow—less turbulence, cleaner taste
- Treat USB-C onboard charging as convenience, but use a quality external charger for routine cycles
FAQs
Does it work better for DL or RDL?
It leans DL, but the airflow ring lets you tighten it to a comfortable RDL draw without feeling choked.
What wattage felt best on the included coils?
The 0.5Ω coil was happiest in the low-to-mid 30W range; the 0.3Ω coil came alive around the mid-40W zone while staying smooth.
Is it pocket-friendly for daily carry?
Yes for size, but bottom-airflow tanks can collect condensation—pocket carry works best if you’re willing to do quick wipe-downs.
Does the kit feel complicated for newer users?
It’s simpler than most modern multi-mode kits: set wattage, fill, vape. The only “learning curve” is getting your airflow and wattage balance right.
About the Author: Chris Miller
