Overview
Most 510 batteries look the same. Black cylinder, maybe a button, done. The Lookah Snail 2.0 goes a different direction with its shell-shaped design. It's weird, but it works.
What We Tested
Our hands-on testing methodology
Unit Tested
Snail 2.0 (Purple)
Testing Period
7 days of use
Voltages Tested
2.4V to 4.0V range
Cartridges Tested
5 different carts
Battery Life
350mAh capacity
Features Tested
Preheat, 5 voltages
The Snail 2.0 fits in your palm and has five voltage settings, a preheat function, and zinc-alloy construction. At under 2 inches tall, it's one of the smallest full-featured 510 batteries you can buy.
The design also keeps cartridges mostly upright, which helps prevent leaking. Good luck losing this one in a drawer full of generic pens.
Design & Build Quality
The shell shape wraps around the battery and 510 connection. It's compact and fits naturally in your palm. The cupped design holds cartridges at a slight angle, so oil stays in contact with wicks instead of pooling at the top.
The zinc-alloy body feels solid. It handles drops and daily abuse without creaking or flexing like cheaper plastic batteries. Still light enough for pocket carry, though.
One button controls everything. Power, voltage, preheat. Click patterns are standard, so you won't need the manual. The LED on top shows your current setting through color coding.
Colors include black, blue, green, grey, orange, purple, red, and yellow. Between the shape and the color options, your Snail 2.0 won't look like anyone else's battery.
Features
Five Voltage Settings
Most compact batteries give you three voltage options. The Snail 2.0 has five:
| Setting | Voltage | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2.4V | Maximum flavor, thinnest oils |
| 2 | 2.8V | Flavor-focused, thinner oils |
| 3 | 3.2V | Balanced performance |
| 4 | 3.6V | Thicker oils, more vapor |
| 5 | 4.0V | Maximum vapor, thick distillates |
The extra settings help if you switch between cartridge types. Live resin users can stay low to preserve terpenes. Distillate users can crank it up for bigger clouds.
Triple-click cycles through settings. The LED shows which one you're on.
10-Second Preheat Function
Preheat warms your oil before you draw:
- Triple-click to activate
- LED alternates between green and blue
- 10-second cycle runs
- Oil thins for better wicking
Useful in cold weather or with thick distillates. Instead of a harsh dry hit from cold oil, you get a smooth draw right away.
Universal 510 Compatibility
Standard 510 threading fits most cartridges up to 1ml. The design keeps carts relatively upright, which reduces leaking. Resistance range is 1.0-9.99 ohm, so it works with basically any 510 cart you'll find.
Safety Features
Built-in protections:
- Auto-cutoff (over-time running protection)
- Short circuit protection
- Open circuit protection
- Over-wattage protection
- Overcharge protection
Standard safety stuff, but good to have.
Performance
For a battery this small, performance is solid. The five voltage settings let you dial things in for specific cartridges instead of just picking "low, medium, or high."
Flavor at 2.4V is good. Terpy live resin carts taste better here than at a generic 3.2V. The 0.4V increments help you find your sweet spot without overshooting.
Higher settings handle thick distillates well. No burnt taste from the battery struggling with viscous oil.
The 350mAh battery gets you 30-40 uses on a charge. That's enough for moderate daily use, but heavy users will need to charge midday. The upside: it only takes 30 minutes to charge via Micro-USB.
Button feel is good. Positive click feedback. The click patterns are standard (5 clicks on/off, 3 clicks for voltage/preheat), so you'll pick it up fast.
Pros & Cons
The good: it looks different, has more voltage options than most compact batteries, and feels well-built for the price. Preheat is a nice touch. At under $20, it's a real upgrade from generic pen-style batteries.
The bad: 350mAh doesn't last heavy users all day. Micro-USB feels outdated when everything else is moving to USB-C. And the LED sits on top, so once you screw in a cartridge, you can't see it without removing the cart first. Minor annoyance.
Who Is This For?
People who want something different: The snail shape stands out.
Cartridge switchers: Five voltages work across different oil types.
Pocket carriers: It's tiny. Real portability.
Moderate users: 350mAh handles a typical day.
Budget buyers: Solid features under $20.
If you vape heavily or need USB-C, look at bigger batteries instead.
The Bottom Line
The Snail 2.0 looks weird and works well. That's a good combo. Five voltage settings beat the typical three, preheat is useful, and the build quality feels right for the price.
At under $20, you're getting more features and more personality than generic batteries offer. The small battery won't satisfy all-day heavy users, but moderate users will be fine. Quick charging helps either way.
Worth trying if you want a compact 510 battery that doesn't look like every other one. For more recommendations, check out our best 510 thread batteries guide.
Related: Lookah Snail 2.0 Manual