Innokin Coolfire Z80, Zenith II or NEX vs Zelos X80

Two kits carry the Innokin Coolfire Z80 name, and the shared 80 W headline hides differences that show up in use. The original comes with the Zenith II tank, the newer one with the Zenith NEX and a simplified screen, and the UK edition of that newer kit swaps its tank again. Which one should you pick, and does either beat the Aspire Zelos X80, its direct rival? We compare the tank, the settings, charging and the cell before giving a verdict by profile.

Innokin Coolfire Z80 Zenith II, Z80 NEX or Zelos X80, the answer

For a first step into mouth-to-lung vaping, the Innokin Coolfire Z80 in its Zenith II kit is the best of the three. Its tank is built for MTL, the tight mouth-to-lung draw, and the kit arrives with a 0.8 ohm MTL coil alongside a 0.3 ohm coil for a looser restricted draw. Its FØ and Refresh modes have no equivalent on the Zelos X80.

The Z80 NEX keeps the same 6 to 80 W box running on an 18650 cell but simplifies everything, with a pared-back screen, a slide lock and a single ring for filling and airflow. The Aspire Zelos X80 is aimed at experienced vapers, thanks to its temperature control and its bypass and CPS modes.

The comparison table, from Innokin and Aspire

Both makers’ product pages supply the values. In the UK, the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 limit refillable tanks to 2 ml, so the capacities below are those of the international versions.

Point	Coolfire Z80 Zenith II	Coolfire Z80 NEX	Aspire Zelos X80
Cell	One 18650, not included	One 18650, not included	One 18650, not included
Output	6 to 80 W	6 to 80 W	5 to 80 W
Listed modes	FØ, Refresh, voltage from 1 to 7.5 V	Wattage, simplified screen	Wattage, voltage, bypass, temperature control, CPS
Tank	Zenith II, 26 mm across	Zenith NEX (Zenith M in the UK), 26 mm across	Nautilus GT II, 24.8 mm across
International capacity	5.5 ml	5 ml	4.5 ml
Filling and airflow	Twist top cap, airflow from MTL to RDL	One ring for filling and airflow	Top fill, adjustable bottom airflow
Lock	Not detailed by Innokin	Manual slide switch	Locks fire and adjustment buttons
USB-C charging	5 V and 1.7 A	5 V and 2 A	2 A
Height with tank	131.75 mm	134.82 mm	136 mm
Best suited to	MTL beginners	Vapers on the move	Experienced tinkerers

On the choice matrix on our home page, all three kits belong to the single-battery box family, which balances battery life, power and size.

Innokin Coolfire Z80 Zenith II against NEX, what really changes

Innokin presents the NEX as an update, yet the two kits do not target quite the same use. Three differences deserve a closer look.

The tank and the airflow

The Zenith II is a mouth-to-lung tank that opens up to RDL, a restricted direct-lung draw. Innokin supplies it with a 0.8 ohm coil rated at 15 to 18 W and a 0.3 ohm coil at 30 to 40 W. The Zenith NEX moves to top airflow and puts the fill port and the air inlet on a single ring, handled with one twist.

UK buyers should note one detail. Innokin states that the UK version of the Z80 NEX ships with a Zenith M tank, while the global version gets the Zenith NEX, so the NEX column above describes the global kit.

The box settings

The Zenith II kit highlights the FØ mode, which drives the coil with alternating current, and the Refresh mode, which fires the coil at 40 % of the set wattage to improve wicking. It also lets you set the voltage from 1 to 7.5 V and the cut-off time from 3 to 18 seconds. The NEX page focuses instead on a simplified screen, shaped according to Innokin by user feedback.

Charging and locking

The NEX charges faster, at 5 V and 2 A against 5 V and 1.7 A, and adds a manual slide switch that locks the fire button in a bag or pocket. It stands 3.07 mm taller with its tank fitted.

The Innokin Coolfire Z80 against the Aspire Zelos X80, box against box

Mod against mod, the Zelos X80 is slightly more compact, 84 x 36.5 x 26 mm against 83.55 x 38.3 x 27.6 mm for the Coolfire Z80 without its tank, so 1.8 mm narrower and 1.6 mm slimmer. It also covers more modes, temperature control included, and its screen offers eight brightness levels.

Its Nautilus GT II tank takes the whole Nautilus range, from the 1.6 ohm BVC rated at 7 to 11 W to the 0.3 ohm Mesh at 23 to 28 W. The Zenith II on the Coolfire keeps the edge for the finest tight draw, thanks to Z-Coils developed with two well-known names in vaping, Phil Busardo and Dimitris Agrafiotis.

The 18650 cell, the shared point to watch

All three kits run on a removable 18650 cell, not included. Choosing it is up to you, and it governs safety at full power.

At 80 W, a nearly flat cell at around 3.2 V behind a circuit running at 90 % efficiency draws 80 ÷ (3.2 × 0.9), roughly 27.8 A. Choose a cell whose continuous discharge rating, published by its maker, covers that figure, or stay lower. With the 0.3 ohm coil set to 40 W, the same sum drops to 13.9 A.

Innokin also publishes a maximum output current of 28.5 A for the Zenith II kit. That figure describes what the circuit sends to the coil, not what it draws from the cell, so it does not replace the sum above when you choose your 18650. Carry the spare in a plastic case and replace it as soon as its wrap is damaged.

Our verdict by profile

These three kits share a cell type and a power ceiling, but not the same audience. Here is who we recommend each one to.

Beginners

The Innokin Coolfire Z80 with the Zenith II tank and its 0.8 ohm coil. Its tight draw is the most polished of the three, and the Refresh mode, according to Innokin, helps the coil cotton soak up e-liquid.

Experienced vapers

The Aspire Zelos X80, for its temperature control, its bypass and CPS modes and the Nautilus range. The Z80 NEX suits the experienced vaper on the move who wants to fill and set airflow in a single gesture.

High-wattage direct-lung vapers

None of the three. These kits serve the tight draw and a moderate RDL. Beyond that, look at our comparison of the Vaporesso Gen Max and dual-battery mods, which are built for higher wattage.

FAQ

The questions Coolfire Z80 owners ask most often after buying one.

Which e-liquid suits the Coolfire Z80?

For a tight draw on the 0.8 ohm coil, a thinner 50/50 e-liquid wicks well. The 0.3 ohm coil, used for RDL, handles e-liquids with more vegetable glycerine. In the UK, nicotine e-liquid is capped at 20 mg/ml and sold in bottles of 10 ml or less.

How do you adjust the wattage on the Coolfire Z80 NEX?

The NEX moves in 0.5 W steps between 6 and 20 W, then in 1 W steps up to 80 W. Start at the bottom of the range suggested for your coil, then work up gradually until the vape suits you.

Does the Coolfire Z80 take a 21700 cell?

No. Both kits are designed for an 18650 cell and Innokin lists no other size. A larger cell will not fit in the battery bay.

How many Z-Coils are compatible?

Innokin lists eight coils in the Z-Coil range, all compatible with both kits. That leaves room to adjust the draw without changing tank.

Can you replace the glass on the Zenith II?

Yes. Innokin dropped the automatic e-liquid shut-off of the first Zenith so that the glass section could be changed on the Zenith II. A cracked tank section no longer means replacing the whole tank.

Innokin Coolfire Z80, the most accomplished single-battery kit for a tight draw

Between its two versions and against the Zelos X80, the Coolfire Z80 does not win on every count. The NEX charges faster and is simpler to handle, while the Zelos X80 offers finer adjustment and a slightly smaller box.

For a vaper looking for a well-crafted tight draw on a removable cell, the Innokin Coolfire Z80 in its Zenith II kit remains the reference of this match-up. The single-battery format keeps its place between pods and dual-battery mods, for anyone who wants battery life without carrying a bulky box.

More match-ups

Written for adult readers only. Most vaping products contain nicotine, which is highly addictive, and nicotine vaping products may not be sold to anyone under 18 in the UK. This match-up places kits side by side and is not a buying recommendation.