SMOK Species Kit Review (2026): Is This Old Touchscreen Mod Still Worth Buying?
Updated 2026-07-20 — Originally published 2018-10-02
Editor’s Note: The SMOK Species Kit! Touch Screen Vape Mod! TFV8 Baby 2 Tank review covers newer alternatives worth considering. This review covers the original model, which remains available through some retailers.
A 1.45″ touchscreen and a redesigned tank made the SMOK Species kit a name to know when it launched years back. It’s old tech now. SMOK has released plenty of newer mods since, yet it still shows up in searches and on clearance shelves. So let’s figure out whether it’s worth grabbing in 2026 or whether you should just spend your money elsewhere.
Short answer: it still works. Fine, even, as a budget dual-battery mod — but you’re buying old tech at this point. Here’s the full breakdown.
Key Takeaways
- The SMOK Species kit pairs a 230W dual-18650 mod with the TFV8 Baby V2 tank, holding 5ml of e-liquid.
- Its 1.45″ touchscreen was ahead of its time in 2018 but feels dated next to today’s pod mods and pocket devices.
- Coils are proprietary to the Baby V2 tank and won’t fit other SMOK Baby-series tanks — a common source of buyer confusion.
- Best flavor and coil life come from running the mesh coil around 100-110W, not the rated maximum.
- You’ll likely only find this kit through discount retailers or secondhand listings in 2026.
| Retailer | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| SmokstoreBest price | $44.90 | Check price |
| Smokstore | $62.90 | Check price |
Design
Nothing about the Species screams for attention. That’s kind of the point. SMOK dialed back the flashy styling here and leaned into function over flash — a smart move that’s aged reasonably well.
You’ll still find it in a handful of colors including black, red, gold, blue, white, and green, though stock varies a lot depending on where you shop. One function button sits below the screen, with a USB port underneath for charging and firmware updates. A long fire button runs down the side. It’s the signature design SMOK has reused across dozens of mods since.
A spring-loaded latch handles the battery door, a genuine improvement over friction-fit doors from that era. The tank comes with a bubble glass section pre-installed and a spare straight glass in the box, both rated for 5ml.
Size-wise, the whole unit measures about 135mm tall with the tank attached, 49mm wide, and 30mm deep. Compact. That’s impressive for something running dual 18650 batteries, and it’s still one of the better-proportioned mods in its class even now.
TFV8 Baby V2 Tank
The Baby V2 tank kept the features vapers liked from earlier SMOK tanks: a slide-top fill cap with a locking button, a gold-plated 510 connector, and the same general shape. It’s rated for 5ml, though in testing you can squeeze in a bit more before it’s actually full.
Here’s the catch that trips people up. These coils are NOT compatible with the original Baby tank or other SMOK Baby-series tanks. SMOK probably should have given this tank a different name entirely, because “Baby V2” implies backward compatibility that just isn’t there.
Two coils ship with the kit — a single mesh coil and a dual coil with a netted build designed to keep resistance workable. Both perform noticeably better than the coils from older SMOK tanks, with more stable flavor over a longer coil life.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tank Capacity | 5ml (holds slightly more in practice) |
| Included Coils | V2 A1 0.17-ohm mesh single, V2 A2 0.2-ohm dual mesh |
| Coil Compatibility | TFV8 Baby V2 only — not compatible with original Baby tank |
| Mod Wattage | 1-230W |
| Battery Setup | Dual 18650, sold separately |
| Mod Dimensions | 135mm x 49mm x 30mm (with tank) |
The SMOK Species Mod
Two 18650 batteries push this mod up to 230W, and you’ll need to buy those separately — we’d point you toward our guide on choosing the right batteries if you’re unsure what to grab. It uses the standard 5-click on/off pattern, plus an age confirmation screen that pops up on startup, a regulatory-driven feature that’s now standard across most vape hardware.
Wattage, coil resistance, voltage, dual battery indicators, vaping mode, puff counter, and a menu button all show up on the screen itself. It’s a lot of information crammed onto a 1.45″ display, but the layout keeps it readable.
Three clicks of the fire button lock the whole device. A quick press of the screen button turns the display on and off, while holding it down locks just the screen while still letting you fire the device. The menu covers puff limits, resetting counters, switching between wattage and temperature control modes, adjusting coil resistance, changing screen standby time, and tweaking screen color.
One thing missing that you’ll find on newer mods: power curves. If you like fine-tuning ramp-up behavior, this device won’t give you that option.
✓ Pros
- Compact for a dual-18650 mod
- Bright, well-organized touchscreen
- Coils last longer and taste better than older SMOK Baby coils
- Spring-loaded battery door beats old friction designs
- Often available at a steep discount now
✗ Cons
- Proprietary drip tip — no swapping to your favorites
- Coils don’t fit other SMOK Baby tanks
- Loud, turbulent airflow even half-closed
- No power curve adjustment
- Increasingly hard to find new in 2026
Performance
The V2 A1 0.17-ohm mesh coil gets oversold on its wattage ceiling. Running it at 120W is too hot. You’ll get harsh, burnt-tasting hits. Stick to 100-110W, though, and the flavor turns smooth, stable, and genuinely impressive for a coil this old.
Airflow needs adjusting too. Wide open, it’s way too airy for most vapers, and even half-closed it’s louder than you’d expect from a tank this size. Minor gripe. Still worth knowing before you buy.
Build quality holds up. The mod feels solid in hand, and firing response is snappy with no noticeable lag. For a device from this era, there’s honestly not much to complain about mechanically — the flaws are mostly in the coil compatibility and drip tip situation, not the core mod itself.
Should You Buy It in 2026?
Here’s the honest take: the SMOK Species kit isn’t a bad device, it’s just an old one. If you can find it heavily discounted and don’t mind using proprietary coils and drip tips, it still delivers solid flavor and decent battery life for a dual-18650 setup.
Shopping fresh in 2026, though? You’ve got better options. Newer kits offer better battery efficiency, more coil compatibility, and features like power curves that the Species never had. Check out our roundup of the best vape mods for current picks, or browse best beginner vape kits if you’re newer to sub-ohm vaping and want something more modern and less fiddly.
Already own a Species that’s still kicking? No urgent reason to replace it. Just budget for the V2 coils since they’re the only ones that fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where's the cheapest place to buy SMOK Species in the US?
The lowest price we’ve found is $44.90 at Smokstore (as of 20 Jul 2026), the cheapest of 2 US retailers we track. See the full price comparison in this review.
Where can I buy SMOK Species in the US?
SMOK Species is available from 2 US retailers we track, including Smokstore and Smokstore, from $44.90. See the full price comparison in this review.
Is SMOK Species available in the US?
Yes — SMOK Species is stocked by 2 US retailers we track, priced from $44.90 to $62.90.
Is SMOK Species in stock in the US?
Yes — SMOK Species was in stock at all 2 US retailers we track as of 20 Jul 2026. We re-check retailer stock daily.
Does the SMOK Species kit still work well in 2026?
Yes, mechanically it still performs fine — the mod fires reliably and the TFV8 Baby V2 tank still produces good flavor when run at 100-110W. The main downsides are age-related: no power curve settings, a proprietary drip tip, and coils that don’t cross over to newer SMOK tanks.
Can I use other SMOK coils in the TFV8 Baby V2 tank?
No, the TFV8 Baby V2 tank only accepts its own V2 A1 and A2 coils. Coils from the original Baby tank, Baby Beast, or TFV12 series won’t fit, which catches a lot of buyers off guard given the similar naming.
What wattage should I run the SMOK Species mesh coil at?
Run the V2 A1 0.17-ohm mesh coil around 100-110W for the best flavor and coil longevity. The coil is rated higher, but pushing it to 120W or beyond produces harsh, burnt hits rather than better vapor production.
Is the SMOK Species kit still available to buy new?
Availability has gotten spotty. Some discount retailers and marketplace sellers still carry old stock, but SMOK has moved on to newer mod lines, so don’t expect to find it at most major vape shops anymore.
What batteries does the SMOK Species kit need?
Two 18650 batteries, sold separately from the kit. Check out our guide to choosing the right battery for your mod if you need help picking a safe, high-amp option for a 230W device like this.
Is the SMOK Species a good first vape mod?
It’s not the best pick for beginners today. The setup is more involved than a simple pod system, and the proprietary coil situation adds confusion new vapers don’t need. Our best beginner vape kits guide points to simpler, more current options.