Overview
The Cartisan Slim Button 280 goes the opposite direction from feature-loaded batteries. No display. No variable voltage. No RGB lighting. Just a button that fires a cartridge.
What We Tested
Our hands-on testing methodology
Unit Tested
Slim Button 280 (Black)
Testing Period
7 days of use
Voltage
Fixed 3.7V
Cartridges Tested
4 different carts
Battery Life
280mAh capacity
Simplicity
Zero learning curve
At $10, this is Cartisan's cheapest battery. It's not trying to impress you. It's trying to work. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by 4 voltage modes and a preheat function you don't understand, the Slim Button 280 was made for you.
Design & Build Quality
Classic pen battery shape. Slim cylinder, fits next to a lighter, looks like it could be a pen. Nothing new here, and that's intentional.
Form Factor
Pocketable as they come. Slide it in your pocket and forget about it. The slim profile won't bulge or attract attention.
136g, so lightweight but not flimsy. The build quality matches the price. It's plastic, it's basic, and it doesn't pretend otherwise.
Button Placement
Single button on the side, right where your thumb naturally lands. LED around the button tells you battery status and confirms it's firing.
Color Options
Rainbow, Silver, and Black. Nothing fancy.
The Simplicity Philosophy
What defines this battery is everything it doesn't have:
- No variable voltage: Fixed 3.7V output
- No display: LED indicators only
- No preheat mode: Standard firing only
- No settings to learn: Just on/off and fire
Some people see that list as a problem. Others see it as the point.
Who Wants This
First-time users confused by voltage settings. Older folks who just want something that works like pens always have. People buying a backup to toss in a drawer. Minimalists who hate paying for features they ignore.
Fixed 3.7V Output
3.7V sits in the middle of most variable voltage ranges. Not perfect for anything, but fine for most things:
- Thin oils: Vaporizes a bit fast, but works
- Standard cartridges: Good
- Thick distillates: Might need a few draws to warm up
If you already like 3.7V on your other batteries, you'll get that same experience here without touching any buttons.
Performance
Reliability
Does what a simple battery should: fires every time. Button activation means no guessing whether the auto-draw sensor picked up your inhale. Click the button, get vapor.
We ran 4 different cartridges through it over a week. No misfires, no connection issues, no surprises. It just worked.
Battery Life
280mAh is small. Really small by today's standards:
| Usage Level | Daily Puffs | Battery Life |
|---|---|---|
| Light | 10-15 | 1-2 days |
| Moderate | 25-40 | About a day |
| Heavy | 50+ | Half a day |
Light users and backup situations? Fine. Heavy daily use? You'll be charging a lot, maybe twice a day.
Charging
USB charger included. One catch: keep the charger under 1A output. Fast chargers can damage the battery. That old phone charger in your drawer is perfect. Your 30W fast charger is not.
Limitations
No Preheat
Thick oils on a cold day? You'll be taking a few primer puffs to warm things up manually. No preheat button to help you out.
Resistance Requirements
Needs cartridges at 1.0ohm or higher. Sub-ohm cartridges (some concentrate setups use these) won't fire right. Standard 510 carts are almost always 1.0ohm+, so this won't matter for most people.
No Customization
Your cart works better at 2.4V? Too bad. Prefer 4.0V for thick distillate? Can't help you. 3.7V is what you get, every time.
Value Proposition
It's $10. Set your expectations there. Here's what a few more dollars gets you:
| Battery | Price | Voltage | Battery | Display |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slim Button 280 | $10 | Fixed 3.7V | 280mAh | LED |
| Cartisan Atom | $12 | 1.8-4.2V | 550mAh | LCD |
| Button VV 900 | $13.50 | 3.4-4.0V | 900mAh | LED |
$2-3 more gets you variable voltage and double (or triple) the battery. The Slim Button 280 only makes sense if you want absolute simplicity or absolute minimum spend.
Who Should Buy This
Good fit if you:
- Hate settings and just want to press a button
- Need a cheap backup to keep in the drawer
- Are buying for someone who struggles with tech
- Want a $10 battery that works
Skip it if you:
- Like dialing in the perfect voltage
- Use thick oils that need preheat
- Need all-day battery without charging
- Want any features beyond "fires cartridge"
The Bottom Line
The Cartisan Slim Button 280 is a $10 pen battery. Nothing more. It fires cartridges, and it does that reliably.
If you're buying a backup, shopping for someone who hates technology, or just want the cheapest thing that works, here it is. But spend $2-3 more and you get way more capability.
$10 and "it works" is sometimes all you need.
Looking for more Cartisan products? Visit our Cartisan brand page for the full lineup.