Overview
The Vessel Helix is the brand's most ambitious 510 battery yet. It introduces a patent-pending double helix air pathway that changes how vapor travels from cartridge to mouthpiece. At $65, the Helix sits in the ultra-premium tier, aimed at vapers who want innovation along with quality craftsmanship.
What We Tested
Our hands-on testing methodology
Unit Tested
Helix (Gunmetal)
Testing Period
12 days of use
Voltages Tested
2.4V, 2.8V, 3.2V, 3.6V
Cartridges Tested
8 different carts
Vapor Cooling
Temperature compared
Spiral Airpath
Cooling effect verified
Most premium batteries focus on materials and looks. Vessel took a different approach. They asked: what if the airpath itself could make vaping better? The result is a spiral channel that nearly triples the distance vapor travels, cooling it before it hits your lips. Add in the textured grip and Vessel's four-voltage system, and the Helix offers something you won't find anywhere else in the 510 market.
Design & Build Quality
The Helix stands out immediately. That spiral exterior isn't just for show. The pattern follows the internal air pathway, so you're looking at the engineering itself. At 38 grams and 4.2 inches long, it feels substantial. Purposeful.
Vessel used precision-machined brass for the body. It's durable and has a premium heft that tells you this isn't a cheap device. The textured grip isn't an afterthought either. Diamond-pattern knurling gives you a secure hold without feeling aggressive or uncomfortable during longer sessions.
Finish Options
The Helix comes in five finishes:
- Gunmetal - Sophisticated, dark metallic gray with subtle depth
- Rose Gold - Warm, elegant copper-pink that catches light beautifully
- Sierra - Earthy copper tones inspired by desert landscapes
- Maritime - Deep navy with subtle metallic undertones
- Black - Classic matte finish for understated elegance
Each finish shows Vessel's attention to detail. The anodized coating resists scratches and fingerprints, so it keeps looking good with daily use.
The Spiral Air Pathway Revolution
This is the Helix's signature feature. When you take a draw, vapor doesn't travel straight from cartridge to mouthpiece. It spirals through an elongated channel, covering nearly 3x the distance. That extended journey through the brass body does a few things:
- Cools vapor significantly before it reaches your lips
- Filters out microscopic debris through the spiral motion
- Smooths the draw by eliminating turbulence
- Enhances flavor clarity by reducing harshness
You can feel the difference immediately. Vapor arrives cooler, smoother, and more refined than from any standard 510 battery we've tested.
Textured Grip
Vessel understood that a premium battery shouldn't be slippery. The Helix has a textured grip zone covering the main contact area, using a precision-machined diamond pattern. Whether your hands are dry or damp, this thing stays secure.
Features
Four-Stage Voltage Control
The Helix uses Vessel's proven four-voltage system:
- 2.4V - Ultra-low for maximum flavor with thin oils
- 2.8V - Balanced setting for most cartridges
- 3.2V - Enhanced vapor with maintained flavor
- 3.6V - Maximum production for thick concentrates
These voltages run lower than many competitors. That's intentional. Vessel knows quality cartridges perform best at measured temperatures. The 2.4V option is especially valuable for live resin and high-terpene extracts where heat kills flavor.
Wide 510 Crown
The Helix features Vessel's signature wide crown connection. It accommodates cartridges of all diameters without the wobble, overhang, or poor connection you get with narrower batteries. Your cartridge sits flush and secure, regardless of size.
3-LED Indicator System
The triple-LED display gives you clear feedback for:
- Voltage level - Displayed when cycling settings
- Battery status - Shown during operation
- Charging progress - Indicated while connected to power
Simple to learn. Gives you at-a-glance info without the complexity of digital displays.
USB-C Charging
Modern USB-C charging means compatibility with current chargers and faster charging speeds. The included cable gets you started right away, and the reversible connector means no fumbling in low light.
Performance
After extensive testing, the Helix showed why its $65 price makes sense. The spiral air pathway isn't marketing fluff. It actually transforms how vaping feels.
Temperature Testing
Using identical cartridges on the Helix and a standard 510 battery at matching voltages, we measured vapor temperature at the mouthpiece:
- At 3.6V, the Helix delivered vapor 15-20% cooler than the standard battery
- At 2.8V, the difference was even more pronounced, with smoother draws
- At 2.4V, the ultra-cool vapor approached room temperature, preserving delicate terpenes
Flavor Enhancement
Cooled vapor doesn't just feel smoother. It tastes better. Lower temperatures preserve volatile compounds that higher heat destroys. Across multiple cartridge brands and extraction types, the Helix consistently delivered:
- Richer flavor profiles
- Greater terpene expression
- Reduced throat irritation
- Cleaner finish without harsh aftertaste
Voltage Performance
Each setting performs as expected:
2.4V produces whisper-light vapor with exceptional flavor clarity. Perfect for high-quality live resin or when you want to taste every terpene.
2.8V became our daily driver. It offers the ideal balance of flavor and visible vapor. Most users will land here.
3.2V increases vapor production while the spiral pathway maintains smoothness. Great for standard distillate cartridges.
3.6V delivers substantial clouds. Even at max output, the Helix produces smoother hits than competitors at lower voltages.
The Textured Grip Advantage
The diamond-pattern grip proved invaluable during testing. Unlike slick pen-style batteries that can slip, the Helix stays secure in any position. That matters given the device's weight. You want confident handling.
Battery Life
The 350mAh lithium-ion battery is a meaningful upgrade over Vessel's pen-style offerings. Expect:
- Light users (10-15 puffs/day): 3-4 days between charges
- Moderate users (25-35 puffs/day): 2-3 days between charges
- Heavy users (50+ puffs/day): Daily charging required
USB-C charging takes about 90-120 minutes from empty. The larger capacity compensates for the spiral pathway's slightly higher power needs, giving you better endurance than the Core series.
Who Should Buy This?
The Vessel Helix is ideal for:
- Flavor enthusiasts who want the smoothest, coolest vapor possible
- Premium cartridge users who invest in quality concentrates
- Comfort seekers who find standard vapor too harsh
- Design appreciators who want their battery to make a statement
- Gift buyers seeking an impressive, memorable vaporizer
- Vessel fans upgrading from Core or Compass models
It may not be ideal for:
- Budget-conscious buyers who can't justify the $65 price
- Minimalists who prefer small, lightweight batteries
- Stealth users who need ultra-compact devices
- Tech enthusiasts wanting app connectivity or digital displays
Comparison to Other Vessel Batteries
| Feature | Helix | Core | Compass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $65 | $35 | $80+ |
| Battery | 350mAh | 260mAh | 550mAh |
| Spiral Airpath | Yes | No | No |
| Textured Grip | Yes | No | No |
| Voltage Settings | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Form Factor | Premium cylinder | Pen | Box |
The Helix sits in a unique spot. It offers spiral cooling technology you can't get elsewhere while keeping a reasonable form factor and price between the Core and premium Compass series.
The Bottom Line
The Vessel Helix brings real innovation to a category where most competitors just tweak the aesthetics. The double helix air pathway isn't a gimmick. It measurably cools vapor, enhances flavor, and changes the cartridge experience. Combine that with the textured grip, premium brass construction, and Vessel's four-voltage system, and you get something no other 510 battery can match.
At $65, the Helix asks for a premium. But if you've felt the difference between a $5 gas station battery and a quality device, the Helix takes that leap even further. It's the first 510 battery that actually improves vapor quality rather than just delivering it.
If smooth, flavorful draws matter to you and you don't mind the investment, the Vessel Helix sets a new standard for what a 510 battery can do.
Looking for more Vessel products? Check out our Vessel brand page for reviews of their full lineup.
Related: Vessel Helix Manual