Vaping Vibe | VOOPOO DRAG X3 & S3 Review: Same DNA, Different Personalities

From Vaping Vibe | Marc Panayiotis November 6, 2025

What You Need To Know

Product Description

The VOOPOO DRAG X3 and DRAG S3 represent the latest evolution of VOOPOO's flagship pod mod series, and are successors to the 2023-released DRAG X2 and DRAG S2.

The DRAG X3 positions itself as the performance-oriented option, featuring external 18650/21700 battery compatibility, a substantial 1.66-inch touchscreen interface, and power output reaching 80 W. Its design emphasizes modularity and high-power capabilities, making it suitable for cloud chasers and DTL enthusiasts who want room to grow. The innovative sliding battery door system allows users to choose their preferred cell type for optimal runtime or carry spare batteries for extended use.

The DRAG S3 takes a different approach, prioritizing convenience and portability with an integrated 3000 mAh battery, compact dimensions, and a maximum 60 W output. This configuration targets vapers seeking reliable daily performance without the complexity of external batteries.

Both devices utilize the PnP X platform, offering compatibility with an extensive range of coils from 0.15 Ω to 1.0 Ω, enabling everything from tight MTL draws to wide-open DTL vaping. At approximately $35 each, they deliver premium features and build quality at accessible price points.

Design & Build Quality

These two devices couldn't feel more different in hand, despite sharing the same DNA.

The DRAG X3 is a proper statement piece – at 132.7 mm tall with substantial weight when loaded with a 21700. The leatherette work is absolutely gorgeous with genuine stitching along the edges. When you run your fingers along those seams, you can feel the quality craftsmanship.

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The X3's sliding battery door system initially seemed gimmicky, but after weeks of daily battery swaps, I'm completely converted. Press the back button and the whole thing splits into two pieces with a satisfying click. Magnetic alignment is spot-on, so you're never fumbling to get everything lined up.

That 1.66-inch touchscreen is stunning. The colors are vibrant, touch response is immediate, and reading in bright sunlight isn't the struggle you'd expect.

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The capacitive unlock on the fire button works flawlessly on both devices – touch with your skin and it springs to life, automatically locking when you let go. Although to make adjustments on the X3 you still need to slide up on the screen to access settings.

The DRAG S3 tells a different story. It's compact, understated, and designed for people who want their device to just work. Build quality matches the X3 – same zinc alloy construction and beautiful leatherette – but everything's shrunk for maximum pocketability. At 124 mm tall, it disappears into pockets.

The S3's smaller 0.96-inch display and physical buttons feel more familiar for quick adjustments.

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Sometimes you just want to bump the wattage up 5 W without swiping through menus. The buttons have lovely tactile clicks, and the screen displays everything clearly without feeling cramped.

Both share that signature DRAG aesthetic with premium materials. The zinc alloy feels rock-solid with zero flex, and the chunky stainless steel 510 connections inspire confidence. The only minor gripe is tinted displays can be harder to read in direct sunlight.

Features

Both devices run on the GENE.TT 2.0 chipset with instant firing and zero lag – a massive improvement over some sluggish devices I've tested recently.

All the essential safety features are present: overcurrent protection, short circuit protection, and temperature monitoring.

They both feature VOOOPOO's usual 3 firing modes:

• SMART mode – automatically detects coil resistance and sets optimal wattage to prevent burning (perfect for beginners or new coils).
• RBA mode – gives full manual control up to 80 W (X3) or 60 W (S3).
• ECO mode – reduces power output to extend battery life when running low.

The capacitive unlock system is absolutely genius. Touch the fire button with your skin and it unlocks, let go and it locks automatically. No more five-click sequences or pocket firing from keys. It only responds to skin contact, so fabric or objects shouldn't trigger it.

However, there's an important limitation with the X3 – you cannot disable the capacitive unlock feature, while the S3 offers traditional button unlocking as an alternative. This means if you're wearing gloves or have very cold fingers, the X3 becomes essentially unusable, whereas the S3 gives you the flexibility to switch between capacitive and traditional unlocking methods.

The X3's 1.66-inch touchscreen is responsive and intuitive – swipe up to unlock, then navigate like a smartphone. Adjusting wattage is as simple as tapping and holding the power reading, then sliding up or down. It sounds gimmicky, but it is natural in practice.

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The S3 keeps things traditional with physical buttons. Three clicks enters the menu, up/down buttons handle adjustments. It's immediate, tactile, and you can operate it without looking – perfect for quick adjustments on the go.

USB-C charging is properly fast at 2 A with pass-through vaping support. The X3's external battery capability really shines for heavy users – hot-swap cells or carry spares for all-day vaping without being tethered to cables.

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PnP X Cartridges & Coils

The PnP X platform is genuinely one of the most versatile coil ecosystems I've used.

Both devices come with the same 5 mL PnP X cartridge, but the X3 is a DTL cartridge/pod, and the S3 has an MTL variant.

The X3's DTL version obviously has wider airflow holes and ships with the following coils for DTL enthusiasts:

• 0.15 Ω = DTL 60-80 W
• 0.3 Ω = DTL & RDL 32-40 W

The S3's MTL version has smaller airholes and comes with the following MTL coils:

• 0.6 Ω = MTL 18-23 W
• 0.8 Ω = MTL 12-16 W

There's also an integrated coil cartridge available separately with non-removable coils in 0.3 Ω (DL), 0.8 Ω (MTL), and (MTL) resistances for those who prefer simplicity.

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We also had the 1.0 Ω MTL version for testing.

Both cartridges are brilliantly designed, with side-fill via a generous port and a perfect sealing plug that's covered when the pod is connected to the device.

On the cartridges, VOOPOO's patented 4-layer leak-proof design separates the airway, heating zone, air cavity, and tank into distinct layers, virtually eliminating leaking.

The 5 mL capacity hits that sweet spot for all-day use without being unwieldy. Build quality feels substantial, and the magnetic connection is rock-solid with zero wobble.

The 0.15 Ω coil in the X3 is absolutely brilliant at 70 W – massive, flavorful clouds without harshness. The mesh construction heats evenly with excellent wicking that keeps up during chain vaping. I'm over 40 mL through the first coil, and the flavor still tastes like day one.

The 0.3 Ω coil is more versatile and probably my favorite. At 35-40 W with slightly restricted airflow, it delivers fantastic flavor with manageable vapor production.

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On the S3, the 0.6 Ω and 0.8 Ω coils excel at their intended MTL use. The 0.6 Ω at 20 W gives lovely warm MTL hits ideal for higher nicotine, while the 0.8 Ω provides cooler, cigarette-like draws at 12-15 W. Both have excellent flavor concentration.

Coil installation is dead simple – push into the cartridge bottom until it clicks. No threading or frustration. VOOPOO claims 100 mL+ per coil, and I'm easily seeing 50-60 mL before any flavor degradation.

The only minor complaint is that slightly tinted cartridges make e-liquid levels harder to see, especially in darker lighting.

Performance

After several weeks testing both devices, they've exceeded expectations in ways that surprised me. These deliver consistently excellent performance as genuine daily drivers.

The X3 is an absolute beast when you want power. With a 21700 and that 0.15 Ω coil at 70 W, it produces massive clouds with outstanding flavor clarity. The GENE.TT 2.0 chipset fires instantly with rock-steady power delivery even as battery voltage drops.

What really won me over is the X3's versatility. With the 0.3 Ω coil at 35 W and airflow partially closed, it transforms into a fantastic restricted DTL that's perfect for all-day vaping. Battery life with this setup easily gets me through a full day of moderate use.

The S3 delivers completely different performance, and that's exactly right. That 3000 mAh internal battery provides incredible endurance – three days straight of MTL vaping at 20 W without charging. That's genuinely impressive.

The flavor from higher-resistance coils is surprisingly intense. The 0.8 Ω coil at 15 W gives lovely tight draws perfect for salt liquids, while the 0.6 Ω opens things up for modern MTL that works with both salts and freebase.

Both devices handle temperature beautifully. Even during extended sessions, cartridges never get uncomfortably warm. The magnetic pod connections are spot-on – secure enough to survive pocket abuse but easy to remove for refilling.

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Battery life varies dramatically between devices. The X3 with 21700 and higher wattages manages about a day and a half of heavy use. The S3 easily does two to three days of moderate MTL vaping. Charging is super fast on both at 2 A, and there's pass-through vaping.

The only issue I've encountered is the X3 touchscreen in very cold weather – capacitive unlock doesn't work with cold fingers or gloves. Not massive, but worth noting for colder climates.

Verdict

After weeks of testing both devices, I'm genuinely impressed with what VOOPOO has achieved here. These aren't just incremental updates – they're thoughtfully designed devices that cater to distinctly different vaping styles while maintaining the quality and reliability that made the original DRAG series so popular.

The build quality on both is exceptional, the PnP X platform delivers outstanding performance, and at $35 each, they offer flagship features at accessible price points.

The DRAG X3 is the clear winner if you want cutting-edge features and maximum versatility. That sliding battery door system is well-executed, the touchscreen interface feels appropriately modern, and the 80 W power ceiling gives you room to explore demanding DTL setups.

It's perfect for vapers who want the latest tech, don't mind carrying a larger device, and appreciate the flexibility of external batteries. The X3 feels like a glimpse into the future of pod mods.

The DRAG S3 takes a different approach that's equally valid – it prioritizes convenience, reliability, and compact size over bells and whistles. That 3000 mAh internal battery delivers incredible endurance, the physical buttons are immediate and foolproof, and the smaller form factor makes it ideal for daily carry. If you want a dependable MTL device that just works day after day without any fuss, the S3 is absolutely brilliant.

Both devices have earned spots in my current rotation, which says everything you need to know. Whether you're drawn to the X3's tech-forward approach or the S3's practical simplicity, you're getting a quality device that delivers on its promises. At these prices, it's hard to go wrong with either choice – just pick the one that matches how you actually vape.