REVIEW: Early Bird Stubby V2

If you’ve ever wanted a boro setup that slips into your pocket without making you give up the fun stuff, the Early Bird Stubby V2 is worth a look. Boro devices have a loyal following for good reason, but they can get bulky fast. The Stubby II is built to shrink that footprint while keeping the flexibility people love. I’ve pulled together the specs and what Early Bird says it’s designed to do, so here’s the full rundown.

The Stubby V2 is a compact all-in-one boro kit. It runs on a single 18650 battery (sold separately) and is engineered to be 10% smaller than the original. It also isn’t locked into one way of vaping. It’s a Boro-compatible AIO platform that supports squonk, RDTA, RDA, and coil-head setups. That means you can start with one style and change course later without buying a whole new device.

Size: 70mm by 43mm by 30mm

Power: 1W-80W

Chipset: Navigator 80

Battery: Single 18650 Battery - Not Included

Charging: USB Type-C

Build: Aircraft Aluminum | 316L Stainless Steel; CNC Machined

Colors: Black Widow | Dark Devil | Purple Dream | Quicksilver

The kit includes the Stubby V2 itself, plus a magnetic boro adapter, a Tallboy V2 tank, a flush nut, a standard panel set, and a 510 tip. In other words, you can get going right out of the box, as long as you bring a battery and favorite juice. The extra 510 tip and flush nut are a nice touch if you want to experiment with different atomizers down the road.

An 80W ceiling in a body this size gives you plenty of room to work with. Whether you’re dripping, running an RDTA, or squonking, the boro platform lets you switch things up when the mood strikes. And with a range of 1W to 80W, you can dial in anything from a gentle, flavor-focused setup to something with more punch. Though it is technically only 10% smaller than its predecessor, you can really feel the difference while holding it in your hand. 

One retailer notes that Early Bird rates it at around 40% better battery efficiency than the original Stubby, so you get more vaping from a single 18650. For anyone who has run a one-cell device dry halfway through the day, that’s a nice upgrade. Pair that with USB Type-C charging and topping off is simple. 

If you already own original Stubby tanks, the V2 is backwards compatible with them, so you don’t have to start your accessory collection from scratch. If you’re upgrading from the first Stubby, that’s a big win for your wallet.

The V2 was designed by Early Bird alongside vape reviewer Vaping Bogan and Orca Vape, which tell you it was shaped by people who actually vape and tinker. That kind of input often shows up in the little details, like layout, usability, and what’s included in the box. 

The mix of aircraft aluminum and 316L stainless steel, all CNC machined, is the kind of material list that suggests durability. For a device that’s meant to ride in a pocket or bag, that matters. And with four finishes to choose from, there’s a look for just about everyone, from the bold Purple Dream to the sleek Quicksilver.

• Vapers who love boro or squonk setups but want something more pocketable

• Original Stubby owners looking for a refresh that still works with their tanks

• Rebuildable fans who like having RDTA, RDA, and coil-head options in one device

• Anyone who wants a solid on-the-go device with real wattage headroom

If you like a plug-and-play experience, this isn’t the one. It’s a rebuildable-friendly platform, and you’ll need your own 18650 and a bit of comfort with how boro setups work. If you want lots of power in a single device, 80W is plenty for most people, but dual-battery fans may want something bigger. And if you’re brand new to vaping, a simpler pod system might be a gentler starting point. 

Since the Stubby V2 uses a single 18650 that isn’t included, make sure you pick up a quality cell from a reputable source, like here, at Element Vape, and use a proper charger or the device’s USB Type-C port as intended. It’s a small step that goes a long way for safety and performance.

The Early Bird Stubby V2 packs a lot into a small frame: adjustable power up to 80W, a flexible boro platform, solid materials, and compatibility with the original Stubby tanks. At $148.99 at Element Vape, it’s a strong pick for anyone who wants a small, customizable setup that can grow with them.

Ready to check it out? Head over to the Early Bird Stubby V2 AIO 80W Boro Kit page at Element Vape and pick your color.