Overview
The Vessel Core is a $35 pen-style 510 battery that wants to be more than just functional. It wants to look good doing it.
Vessel built its name on making vape batteries that don't look like vape batteries. The Core fits that mold. At 3.3 inches with eight color options, it could pass for a nice pen. And that's kind of the point.
What We Tested
Our hands-on testing methodology
Unit Tested
Vessel Core (Navy)
Testing Period
5 days daily use
Cartridges Tested
6 brands, various diameters
Voltages Tested
All 4 settings (2.4V-3.6V)
Wide Crown Tested
Slim to wide CCELL carts
Carry Tested
Pocket and purse daily carry
Design & Build Quality
The Core weighs 23 grams and measures 0.55 inches across. It feels solid without being heavy. Slides right into a pocket or the optional Rover carrying case.
Vessel went all-in on color options:
- Black - Classic, hard to go wrong
- White - Clean and modern
- Navy - The one we tested, looks sharp
- Merlot - Deep wine red
- Soleil - Warm gold tone
- Dusk - Purple-grey that shifts in light
- Blush - Soft pink
- Stone - Earthy grey
The finish holds up. No cheap plastic feel, no rough edges, no wobbly buttons. Everything clicks and fits like it should.
The Wide Crown Advantage
Here's a feature that matters more than you'd think: the wide 510 crown. Lots of batteries create an awkward overhang with larger cartridges. The Core handles slim carts and chunky CCELLs equally well. Your cartridge sits flush. No wobble. No weird gaps.
Features
Four-Stage Voltage Control
Four settings give you real control over your sessions:
- 2.4V - Low and slow for thin oils. Maximum flavor.
- 2.8V - Light vapor, great taste. Good for most carts.
- 3.2V - More vapor without killing flavor. Solid middle ground.
- 3.6V - Bigger clouds for thick concentrates.
That 2.4V option stands out. Most batteries start around 2.8V or higher. If you care about terpene profiles, the lower settings make a difference. For more about voltage and vaping technique, see our beginner's guide.
3-LED Indicator System
Three LEDs tell you two things: current voltage and battery level. Takes a minute to learn the patterns, but then it becomes second nature. Simple beats complex here.
Exceptional Airflow Engineering
Vessel put thought into how air moves through this thing. Draws feel smoother than budget batteries. You notice it most on lower voltage settings where restricted airflow can ruin the experience.
USB-C Charging
USB-C with the cable included. Charges faster than micro-USB and the connector goes in either way. Small detail, but you appreciate it when you're topping up before heading out.
Performance
We ran the Core through five days of daily use with six different cartridge brands. Here's what we found.
At 2.4V, the draws were smooth and flavorful. Live resin carts shined here. If you've got quality oil, this setting lets you taste it.
2.8V became the daily driver. Good vapor, good flavor, works with basically everything.
3.2V bumped up vapor production without harsh hits. Nice for thicker oils that need a bit more heat.
3.6V pushed decent clouds. Not the biggest you'll find, but enough for most people.
The wide crown worked exactly as promised. Every cartridge we tried fit properly and connected without issues. That includes a mix of slim pens and wider CCELL variants.
Battery Life
The 260mAh battery is the Core's weak spot. Light users taking 15-25 puffs daily can stretch it to two days. Heavy users need to charge daily.
USB-C helps. A full charge takes 60-90 minutes, and the LEDs let you know where you stand. The small size means a small battery. That's the tradeoff for something this portable.
Who Should Buy This?
The Vessel Core makes sense for:
- People who care about aesthetics and want a battery that doesn't look like one
- Flavor chasers who want those lower voltage options
- Anyone frustrated with cartridge compatibility on other batteries
- Gift buyers looking for something that feels premium
Skip it if:
- Budget is tight and you just need something that works (see our best cheap 510 batteries)
- You vape heavily and don't want to charge daily
- You want tech features like digital displays or app control
The Bottom Line
The Vessel Core costs $35. For that, you get a well-built battery with four voltage settings, excellent cartridge compatibility, and a design that won't embarrass you in public.
Cheaper options exist. But the Core feels like a product someone actually thought about. The wide crown solves a real problem. The low voltage options serve a real purpose. The color selection gives you real choice.
The six-month warranty (with registration) backs it up. Our testing suggests it'll last longer than that.
If you see your battery as part of the experience rather than just a power source, the Core delivers.
Looking for more Vessel products? Check out our Vessel brand page for reviews of their full lineup.
Related: Vessel Core Manual