Yocan Evolve Plus XL Review

If you appreciate cycling (or any other physical activity) while also enjoying cannabis, the Yocan Evolve Plus XL could meet your needs. I’ll discuss its details, online reputation, and my firsthand experience.

About the Yocan Evolve Plus XL

The Yocan Evolve Plus XL vaporizer features a patented, all-in-one design that allows versatile connoisseurs like you to maximize flavor, vapor density, and overall enjoyability.

Yocan advertises that the XL remains a compact, portable device that fits in the palm of your hand, is pocket-friendly, and allows you to discreetly enjoy vaping, regardless of your location.

Whether you’re a beginner or long-time pro, and whether you vape while cycling or during other physical activities, is the Evolve Plus XL the right tool for you?

I’ll combine my experience with details from the manufacturer, as well as online customer feedback, to help you decide.

How the Yocan Evolve Plus XL Works

Evolve Plus XL’s Quartz Coils

The Evolve Plus XL’s namesake comes from its quad coil technology, which implements four medical-grade quartz rods placed inside a large, high-grade titanium chamber.

According to the company, this configuration allows the XL to reach “extremely high temperatures” and deliver massively clean hits that maintain their original flavor and scent.

Evolve Plus XL Battery, Magnetic Mouthpiece, & Airflow Valve

The XL’s replaceable chamber features a cap to help prevent messy leaks, with 510-compatible threads on the bottom that quickly screw onto the 1400mah battery. When the time comes, you can recharge via the included micro USB cable.

For additional ease of use, Yocan outfitted the Evolve Plus XL with a magnetic mouthpiece that connects between the atomizer tube and base.

The vaporizer’s base also features an adjustable airflow valve that allows you to make subtle changes to flavor, vapor density, and viscosity. For example, if you reduce air intake, you’ll increase flavor but reduce vapor, while increasing airflow decreases flavor but increases vapor visibility.

Hanging Ring & Detachable Silicone Compartment

In between the base and battery is a unique hanging ring that attaches to a lanyard. Together, Yocan indicates this helps keep “your device safe and secure while providing quick accessibility day and night.”

“No more losing it, sitting on it, or forgetting it,” they advertise.

At the bottom of its battery, the Evolve Plus XL features a detachable, dual compartment silicone jar and lid that allow you to conveniently and discreetly store your materials. It’s easily removable when the time comes to clean.

Here’s a quick table outlining everything discussed above:

My Experience With the Yocan Evolve Plus XL

First: Why Review a Cannabis Vaporizer on TreadBikely?

I cycle several thousand miles each year and travel full-time via RV. I’m also a cannabis concentrate enthusiast.

And over the years, I’ve encountered countless individuals who savor regular physical activity and also frequently combine their chosen activity—cycling, in many instances—with cannabis.

Given this, I require a powerful and compact device that allows me to discreetly—and fully—enjoy while I’m on the go.

Yocan’s Evolve Plus XL is easy to find in local shops across the US, so over the past six months, I’ve owned two Silver models and one Black version. For the most part, it suits my unique intersection of needs well.

But, like any product, the XL’s not perfect. Keep reading to learn more.

Is the Yocan Evolve Plus XL Easy to Use?

Using the Evolve Plus XL is a super easy and straightforward process:

1. Unscrew the quartz coil-filled chamber’s cap, add material, and replace the lid and magnetic top.
2. Pulse the capsule-shaped button on the battery’s exterior for 1-2 seconds, which helps ensure the material sets firmly into place.
3. For full-size hits, press the button longer (the battery features a 10-second safety cutoff), and inhale slowly.
4. Based on your preferences, adjust the airflow valve clockwise for more air, or counterclockwise to reduce circulation.
5. Once finished, allow the Evolve Plus XL to cool down, and then repeat the process until you achieve your desired effect.

Locking my Evolve Plus XL is straightforward; I simply press the front button five times consecutively, and the light blinks to confirm. Since the XL’s light is embedded behind the button, I’ve found it’s especially difficult to see during daytime.

Is the Evolve Plus XL’s Quad Coil Technology Efficient?

Over the past six months, I’ve learned that the Evolve Plus XL’s quad coil technology heats quickly and evenly, and efficiently vaporizes most of the material placed inside the titanium chamber.

With a new coil chamber in place, a fully-charged battery, and a wide-open airflow valve (more prominent flavor, smaller vapor), the XL delivers two to three big hits when applying a ~0.1g dab.

How Long Do Evolve Plus XL Coils Last?

According to the Yocan website:

“The lifespan of a coil depends on your vaping habits. Generally, you need to change coils after every 1 to 4 weeks of usage.

If you vape very frequently, you may find that your coil only lasts between five and seven days. If you vape moderately, it may last you a couple of weeks.”

In my experience, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for when you should replace your coil. It usually boils down to a combination of decreased taste quality, less-than-stellar vapor density, and visibly blackened coils.

Yocan includes one replacement quartz chamber with each Evolve Plus XL, which features 510 threading so you can quickly and easily screw it onto the battery.

After replacing, Yocan explains you can sterilize the coils by pressing and holding the power button two to three times consecutively for five seconds each time. Then, allow it to rest for two to three minutes, and enjoy.

How Long Does the Evolve Plus XL’s Battery Last?

The batteries on my three Evolve Plus XLs have always arrived half-charged out of the package. I typically recharge mine every night, which seems to take three to four hours, as advertised on the Yocan website.

When you plug the battery in, a red light illuminates behind the XL’s button to indicate that charging is taking place. It’s quick, easy, and mostly works well.

So far, the only battery-related issues I’ve encountered were with my second XL, which featured an out-of-alignment micro USB port. Fortunately, it initially worked fine, other than some finagling required when lining up the cable.

However, after just a couple of months, the light stopped turning red after plugging in the cable, and it eventually lost its ability to hold a charge. Since several local shops carry the vaporizer, I was luckily able to quickly and inexpensively replace it.

What About the Evolve Plus XL’s Portability?

With its 1400mah battery, the Evolve Plus XL isn’t exactly a small vaporizer, although I’ve found it’s fully storable for all of my cycling (jersey pockets, saddlebags, etc.) and daily (pants pockets, backpacks, etc.) needs.

However, because the XL’s chamber and lid create a closed environment, it’s possible for the material inside to unknowingly fall off a quartz coil and onto the “floor” beneath, where less-than-optimal vaporizing can occur.

This is especially the case when working with fluid concentrates like sauces or more particulate ones like crumbles.

Eventually, this unvaporized residue accumulates to a point where it negatively affects the taste and overall vaping experience. At that point, I clean the coils or replace them altogether (more soon).

Does the Evolve Plus XL Leak?

Although the XL’s lid allows for portability and prevents spillage in most circumstances, its central hole can still leak concentrate if you turn it at extreme angles immediately after vaping (such as when placing it in your pocket).

Furthermore, while the Yocan website points out that the Evolve Plus XL’s mouthpiece is magnetic, the chamber’s lid still features internal threads that can become sticky with reside, even if no spilling occurs.

I’ve never utilized the XL’s hanging ring or lanyard, although several shop owners I’ve spoken with frequently rave about these combined features.

What About the Evolve Plus XL’s Onboard Storage?

In addition to its magnetic mouthpiece, another unique XL feature is its dual compartment silicone storage jar that threads onto the battery’s bottom, which I think is a nice touch.

It’s also cool that Yocan includes a small dab tool with each Evolve Plus XL, which you’ll obviously need to carry with you, depending on your chosen concentrate, of course.

I think it would be helpful for Yocan also to make their dab tools magnetic, so the tools could also automatically attach to the XL and, thereby delivering an all-in-one on-the-go package.

Is the Evolve Plus XL Durable?

Except for the eventual battery issue noted above, all three of my three XLs have performed flawlessly.

Cosmetically, though, I’ve found that the Silver model’s exterior quickly shows wear and tear (scratching and chipping in the finish), although the Black version shows no indication, as of this writing.

How Do You Clean the Evolve Plus XL?

When the time comes, Yocan recommends cleaning the XL’s quartz rods—not the battery!—with alcohol and water. After soaking mine for a couple of hours, followed by a brief rinsing, I’ve found that I can boost their lifespan by roughly 10 percent.

However, unlike many traditional dry herb options, I eventually must replace the coil altogether if I want to maintain maximum performance and enjoyability.

My Bottom Line About the Yocan Evolve Plus XL

What I Like About the Evolve Plus XL

After six months using Yocan’s Evolve Plus XL, I think there’s a lot to like about the concentrate vaporizer, whether you bicycle or enjoy any other physical activity: It can accommodate shatters, waxes, crumbles, and thick oils (e.g., sauces), it’s lid keeps concentrate (mostly) inside, it’s discreet, and its powerful battery and quad coil technology help ensure the best vaping experience possible.

Yocan also adds several nice-to-have accessories to the Evolve Plus XL’s packaging, including a thread-on silicone storage compartment, lanyard attachment, an extra coil chamber, and a small dab tool.

Furthermore, the vaporizer seems to come with mostly positive online feedback from customers.

Where the Evolve Plus XL Falls Short

Perhaps the XL’s biggest drawback, in my opinion, is that it doesn’t feature temperature control. And while its quartz rods work well, they don’t continuously burn concentrate as cleanly as ceramic, and they’re not reusable.

Along these lines, if you’re like me and use the Evolve Plus XL as your daily rig, and you’re also a moderate-to-heavy vaper, it’s worth pointing out that buying replacement coil chambers can quickly add up.

For example, replacing coils every six days means that a five-pack from Yocan ($28.99) will last me about a month. Over the course of a year, this means I’d spend $348 on coils alone, which puts my expenses in the realm of a much higher-end—although nowhere near as portable—vaporizer like the Puffco Peak.

Does the Evolve Plus XL Work Well For Athletes?

Still, with this caveat in mind, I’d recommend Yocan’s Evolve Plus XL as a reliable way to enjoy cannabis concentrate while enjoying cycling, or the physical activity of your choice.

Pro tip: The Evolve Plus XL’s MSRP on YocanOnline.com is a whopping $85, while it’s slightly more reasonable at $60 on YocanVaporizer.com. However, I’ve frequently found them at local shops for $30–$40, so it could be worth your while to call around before placing an online order.

What do you think about the Evolve Plus XL? Did you have good experiences, or did you find something that better meets your needs? Talk about it by leaving a comment below and rating up top!

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