Summary of Key Points:
- The UWell Caliburn AK3 features a 520 mAh rechargeable battery, USB-C fast charging, and a 13W fixed power output. It’s compatible with A3 pods and 1.0 ohm coils, making it ideal for tighter MTL draws.
- The AK3 has a sleek, minimalist look with an LED indicator light on one side and a curved metallic edge on the other that makes it easy to hold.
- As an open pod system, you can fill the pods for your AK3 with any e-liquid you want—but since it’s not a sub-ohm device, we recommend e-juice with a 50/50 VG/PG split or with a slightly higher VG concentration.
- We strongly recommend the AK3 for anyone looking for a casual everyday pod system geared towards MTL vaping. If you’re seeking a dedicated DTL experience, try the GK3 as an alternative.
UWell is a brand that we’ve stocked for years here at U Vape, and with good reason. Their products have a well-deserved reputation for being convenient, reliable, and practically designed. The Caliburn AK3 is a relatively new addition to the lineup, featuring the same square design that originated with their popular Koko Prime model (and the GK series that followed). But is it more than just an update? We got our hands on one to find out.
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Key Features of the UWell Caliburn AK3
The AK3 keeps with UWell’s tradition of straightforward, user-friendly design. This is a brand that tends to avoid fancy features if they don’t add real value to the user, which is probably what’s allowed them to make such high-quality pod systems at a relatively modest price point for so long. In this particular model, you get:
- An integrated rechargeable 520mAh battery
- A chassis made from aluminium alloy
- Fixed power output at 13W
- 2ml pod capacity
- Compatibility with UWell Caliburn A3 Pods and 1.0 ohm meshed coils
- USB-C fast charging
What does all this mean? It means you get a low-wattage, relatively high-resistance device that seems to be geared towards users who prefer a tight MTL style of vaping. We’ll show you how that works out later on in this review—but for now, let’s talk about the unboxing!
First Impressions of the UWell Caliburn AK3
Look & Feel
Here’s what we noticed right out of the box:
For all their practicality, UWell’s square pod systems do tend to look a little sleeker and more futuristic than their pens. No, the AK3 doesn’t have an OLED screen per se (which makes sense since it’s a draw-only, fixed-wattage device and there just isn’t that much info the user needs to see while vaping)—but it does have a nifty little LED light on the side of the device which lights up and spells “Caliburn” in different colours when charging or using the device.
Apart from that, you get a metallic texture on each device (thanks to the aluminium alloy chassis) that curves nicely on the side opposite the LED indicator. This helps you cradle the AK3 in your hand and makes holding it feel extremely natural.
Also of note? The lanyard that comes with the AK3 lets you wear it around your neck like a whistle around the neck of a football ref. We’re not exactly sure we’d do that—most people want to keep their vapes discrete—but maybe this is useful if you’re the kind of person who misplaces your device often.
At a Glance:
- LED light is useful and stylish
- The device shape sits easily in the hand
- The metallic finish feels high-quality
- Comes with a lanyard for portability
Ease of Use
The AK3 uses top-fillable A3 pods, which lots of users tend to find convenient. Honestly, we find top-filling these pods to be a little tricky—getting the mouthpiece off can be a mild hassle, and the nozzle of your e-liquid bottle can’t be any wider than 3mm in diameter or it won’t fit.
But the addition of an air vent port removes the need for airlocks, and magnetic contact points hold the pod in place once you’ve filled it—so there’s certainly more good than bad here.
When it comes to charging the device, though, UWell hits a home run. USB-C fast-charging technology means you can charge the AK3 up in—get this—just 15 minutes. That’s fast, and a very good reason on its own to consider making this your go-to casual pod system.
At a Glance:
- Top-fillable pods are snug and secure but a little tricky to fill
- USB-C fast charging lets you fill the AK3’s battery in just 15 minutes
Using the AK3
Flavour Profile & Strength
The AK3 is an open-pod system, so you’re pretty unlimited in terms of your e-liquid choice. Bear in mind though that the AK3 only comes with 1.0 ohm coils—so you probably want to opt for e-liquids with a 50/50 VG/PG split or err slightly higher on the VG side.
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Draw Quality
We were right—the AK3 really hits its stride when you use it for tighter MTL draws. It’s certainly versatile enough that you can take a DTL hit out of it, but if that’s really your thing then you’ll probably be happier with a sub-ohm system.
Our recommendation? Keep the simple and portable AK3 on hand as your everyday device and have a sub-ohm device in reserve for those days when you feel like cloud-chasing.
Longevity
Because it’s a fairly low-wattage device, the 520 mAh battery on the AK3 actually does a pretty good job of lasting all day. But if you run out of juice, who cares? You can be back up and running in 15 minutes, thanks to that sweet, sweet USB-C fast charging feature.
At a Glance:
- Use 50/50 VG/PG e-liquids or a VG-heavy concentration
- The AK3 works best for tighter MTL draws but has the versatility for DTL hits
- Expect around a day’s worth of use from the 520 mAh battery
Should You Buy the AK3?
We won’t tell you that the AK3 should be the first and last pod system that you’ll ever need—and to be honest, that’s not really how it works with vape devices. If you vape seriously, you probably want to have a few different devices that each excel at different things. When it comes to the AK3, it’s great at MTL vaping for those who prefer a tighter draw. Simple as that.
If you want more control and the ability to move into sub-ohm territory on a similar pod system, we recommend checking out the Caliburn GK3. But for what it is, the AK3 won’t steer you wrong.
To learn more about using and maintaining this device, check out our Caliburn AK3 FAQ or reach out and Contact U Vape directly to speak with an expert. Vaping is what we do best, and we’re always happy to talk about it with fellow enthusiasts.
