VAPORESSO ARMOUR G2 vs GS2 Hands-On Review: Compact Power or Easier Control?

It took me about ten minutes to learn the ARMOUR G2. That sentence tells you almost everything about the difference between VAPORESSO’s two new ARMOUR devices.

The compact G2 is the one I would rather carry in a pocket. The larger GS2 is the one I understood more quickly. After carefully testing both devices side by side, the choice is less about which one is “better” and more about whether you prefer built-in-battery convenience or the flexibility of a replaceable 18650.

This is a hands-on review, not a long-term battery-cycle or durability test. I used both devices with three YTOO Halloween e-liquids—Witch’s Caramel Apple, Sour Cherry Cola and Pumpkin Cookie Cream—and focused on handling, controls, battery fit and everyday flavour consistency.

ARMOUR G2 vs GS2: the short answer

Choose the ARMOUR G2 if you want the smaller, more pocket-friendly device, a built-in 3400mAh battery and faster 3A charging. Its 60W ceiling is lower than the GS2’s, but in normal use it still feels close to the same class of power.

Choose the ARMOUR GS2 if you want more intuitive controls, up to 80W and the freedom to replace the 18650 battery. Just pay attention to battery shape: the button-top 18650 I tried was too long and stopped the battery door from closing. A suitable flat-top high-drain 18650 is the practical choice. Never force the battery door.

Key specifications

The coil combinations above are the ones printed on the DTL kit boxes I tested; package contents can vary by pod option or market.

Both devices support the GTX coil platform, top filling, top airflow and MTL-to-DTL adjustment. The important practical differences are physical height, battery format, maximum wattage and how quickly the controls make sense.

G2 wins on size and pocket comfort

The G2 is noticeably shorter. On paper the difference is 13 mm, but it feels more meaningful in the hand because the two devices share the same 39 × 28 mm footprint. The G2 has a dense, compact shape that sits naturally in the palm and takes up less vertical space in a pocket.

The GS2 is still portable, but the removable 18650 architecture makes it taller. Its advantage is obvious for users who prefer carrying spare cells rather than waiting for an internal battery to recharge.

I also like that the G2 does not feel dramatically weaker. The GS2 can reach 80W while the G2 tops out at 60W, yet the G2 remains powerful enough to feel like a proper ARMOUR-family device rather than a reduced miniature.

GS2 controls are easier to understand

This was the clearest result of my test. Adjusting wattage and understanding the lock behaviour felt more intuitive on the GS2. I could pick it up and get where I wanted without spending much time thinking about the menu structure.

The G2 was different. The dedicated lock button needs five presses to lock or unlock the device, while the fire/power button needs five presses to turn the device on or off. Those are separate actions, and the distinction matters.

It took me around ten minutes to find and understand several functions on the G2: changing the display theme, clearing the puff counter, switching between Pulse and ECO modes, and working out the Smart Lock behaviour. None of these features is useless—the opposite is true—but the interface asks for a short learning period.

Once learned, the G2 offers a surprising amount of control for such a small device. Still, if someone wants the easiest out-of-box experience, I would point to the GS2 first.

See the ARMOUR G2 and GS2 in action

This short hands-on video gives you a closer look at both devices together, including their size, controls and overall design.

Watch ARMOUR G2 & GS2 on YouTube

The GS2 battery detail you should know

The GS2 uses one external 18650 battery, which is not included. During testing, I found a fit issue worth highlighting: a button-top 18650 with a protruding positive terminal was too long, so the battery door would not close properly.

A suitable flat-top 18650 fitted the intended battery format much better. This is not a reason to improvise with cells. Use a reputable high-drain battery that meets the device and coil requirements, inspect the wrap for damage, observe the polarity marking, and never force the door shut. If a cell does not fit normally, stop and use the correct battery.

Flavour test: consistent, with caramel apple standing out

Both devices delivered good, consistent flavour in my test, in line with what I expect from the ARMOUR series. I did not notice one device producing a clearly inferior result; coil choice, wattage and airflow remain part of the equation.

The standout e-liquid was YTOO Witch’s Caramel Apple. The apple note tasted especially natural and enjoyable, with the caramel adding sweetness without hiding the fruit. Sour Cherry Cola came through brighter and livelier, while Pumpkin Cookie Cream gave a warmer, fuller profile.

I would credit the result to the combination of the devices and the e-liquids rather than pretending the hardware alone created those flavours. What the G2 and GS2 did well was keep delivery stable from puff to puff.

Top airflow and GTX flexibility

Both kits use a 5 ml pod with top filling and top airflow. That layout is convenient in daily use and helps keep the fill port and airflow control accessible without removing the pod. The adjustable airflow and included drip-tip options let the kits cover a broad range from tighter MTL-style draws to looser DTL use, depending on the coil and setup.

The GTX platform also gives both devices a familiar coil ecosystem. One compatibility detail matters: the GS2 kit includes the 0.15Ω GTX Dual Mesh coil, while that coil is not intended for the lower-powered G2. Follow the resistance and power guidance shown by VAPORESSO and on the coil.

Which one would I choose?

For everyday pocket use, I lean toward the ARMOUR G2. It is smaller, comfortable in the hand and almost as powerful for the way I tested it. The built-in 3400mAh battery also removes the need to buy and manage a separate cell.

For easier controls and replaceable-battery flexibility, I would choose the ARMOUR GS2. It is faster to understand, reaches 80W and lets an experienced user swap a suitable 18650. The battery-fit detail is the one thing buyers should check before use.

The G2 has the steeper learning curve, but it rewards that effort with a compact, feature-rich body. The GS2 is the more straightforward tool. Both produced enjoyable flavour, and neither felt like an obvious loser.

FAQ

What is the main difference between ARMOUR G2 and GS2?

The G2 is shorter and uses a built-in 3400mAh battery with a 60W maximum. The GS2 is taller, reaches 80W and uses a replaceable 18650 battery.

How do you lock and power the ARMOUR G2?

Press the dedicated lock button five times to lock or unlock. Press the fire/power button five times to turn the device on or off.

Can the ARMOUR GS2 use a button-top 18650?

The protruding button-top 18650 used in this test was too long and prevented the door from closing. Use a correctly specified flat-top high-drain 18650 and never force the battery door.

Which device is easier for a first-time ARMOUR user?

Based on this hands-on test, the GS2 controls are more intuitive. The G2 took longer to learn because several display, puff-counter, mode and Smart Lock functions were not immediately obvious.

Test note: Both devices were tested hands-on. This review reflects the tester’s actual experience. Product specifications were checked against VAPORESSO’s official materials.

Official product links

• VAPORESSO ARMOUR G2 official product page
• VAPORESSO ARMOUR GS2 official product page