What You Need To Know

The SKE Bar has landed right when UK vapers need it most. With disposables getting the boot on June 1st, SKE has essentially taken their massively popular Crystal Bar and given it a sustainable makeover. What you get is a device that looks and feels virtually identical to the original Crystal Bar, but with a removable battery and replaceable 2ml pods – brilliant timing, really.

I’ve been using the SKE Bar alongside my SKE 600 Pro for weeks now, and it’s fascinating to see how SKE has approached the same problem with slightly different solutions. Where the 600 Pro goes compact and sleek, the SKE Bar maintains that classic Crystal Bar aesthetic with its distinctive transparent housing and crystal-style design. It’s like they’ve taken the disposable everyone loved and just made it… well, not disposable.The concept is dead simple: 500mAh removable battery, 2ml prefilled pods with 20mg nic salts, and up to 600 puffs per pod. The real clever bit is how they’ve managed to keep that familiar Crystal Bar experience while making it compliant with the new regulations. For anyone who was gutted about losing their favorite Crystal Bar flavors, this is essentially the same vape in a more responsible package.

Design & Build Quality

Right, let’s talk about how this thing looks and feels, because honestly, it’s like holding a Crystal Bar that’s been to the gym – slightly bigger, but unmistakably the same DNA.

The first thing that hits you is the familiarity. SKE has kept that signature crystal-style transparent housing that made the original Crystal Bars so recognizable, but they’ve had to beef it up to accommodate the removable battery and pod system. We’re talking about 30mm taller and 8mm wider than the original Crystal Bar, which sounds like a lot on paper but feels natural in hand. It’s still compact enough for pocket carry, though noticeably chunkier than my SKE 600 Pro.

The build quality feels solid without being heavy at 33g. That transparent housing isn’t just for show – you can see the internal components, which adds to that premium disposable aesthetic SKE is known for. The crystal-style design catches light beautifully, and I’ve got to say, it still looks the business after weeks of daily use.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting compared to the 600 Pro. The SKE Bar uses a completely different approach to pod connection – instead of the magnetic system on the 600 Pro, you’re physically slotting the pod into the device housing. It’s more mechanical, which some people will prefer for that secure feeling, though it’s not quite as satisfying as the magnetic click you get with the 600 Pro.

SKE includes a manual to show you remove the battery and replace the prefilled pod. There’s also a QR code that takes you to the SKE website to show you.

The removable battery is a game-changer for sustainability. You hold down two buttons/clips at the base simultaneously and pull the battery compartment out – simple enough, though it feels a bit more involved than just swapping pods on the 600 Pro. The 500mAh capacity is decent (100mAh more than the 600 Pro), and I love that you can properly recycle it when it’s done.

The USB-C charging port sits at the base with a white LED that illuminates during vaping and charging. It’s basic but functional – no fancy battery level indicators like you might want, but then again, this is meant to feel familiar to Crystal Bar users who never had that anyway.

What really impresses me is how SKE has managed to maintain that authentic Crystal Bar experience while making it compliant with new regulations. The form factor is instantly recognizable, the feel is right, and the transparent housing still has that premium appeal that made the originals so popular.

Flavors

SKE has absolutely nailed it with the flavor lineup here – we’re talking 35 different options, and I’ve had the pleasure of testing 14 of them. The mesh coil technology really shines through, delivering consistent flavor from first puff to last.

Having tried these alongside the 600 Pro flavors, I can confirm the taste profiles are virtually identical, which is brilliant news for anyone switching between the two systems.

Here’s my take on the ones I’ve tested:

Sour Pineapple Ice

This one’s an absolute winner in my book. You get that gorgeous candied pineapple sweetness on the inhale, followed by a sophisticated sour kick that sweeps in with a proper refreshing chill. The balance between sweet, sour, and cool is spot-on – it’s not your typical pineapple ice that gets boring after a few puffs. Already on my reorder list.

Cola Ice

SKE has absolutely smashed this flavor. It tastes like proper cola – not some artificial approximation, but genuine cola with that distinctive spiced sweetness. The ice element adds a lovely crisp finish that makes it feel like sipping an ice-cold cola. One of the most authentic cola vapes I’ve tried.

Blue Razz Lemonade

Classic combo executed perfectly. The blue raspberry brings that sweet-tart foundation while the lemonade adds a brilliant citrus kick on the exhale. It’s well-balanced without being too sweet or too sharp – exactly what you want from this flavor profile. Proper refreshing summer vape.

Watermelon Strawberry

I’ll be honest, the watermelon feels a bit flat here, but the strawberry absolutely saves it. That lovely strawberry sweetness dominates the blend, which suits me fine since I’m not the biggest watermelon fan anyway. The strawberry carries the show and does it well.

Fruit Medley

Despite usually avoiding overly sweet blends, this one won me over completely. It’s like a vibrant tropical fruit cocktail with a refreshing citrus edge cutting through the richness. The individual fruits blend seamlessly rather than competing, creating something genuinely moreish.

Cherry Ice

Rich, authentic cherry that doesn’t taste like artificial candy. The cherry flavor is beautifully candied and syrupy, while the menthol finish adds a crisp edge without overwhelming the fruit. Similar to the Fizzy Cherry but with cooling instead of effervescence.

Berry Ice

This one’s absolutely bursting with flavor – almost too much. You get a proper forest fruit explosion led by raspberry with hints of blackberry, but there’s an aggressive sourness on the exhale that can be a bit much. Dense flavoring that’s impressive but not entirely balanced.

Fizzy Cherry

Absolutely brilliant execution here. The cherry is vibrant and candied with a beautiful balance between sweetness and tartness, but what elevates it is that playful effervescent tickle on your tongue. It genuinely captures that fizzy drink sensation – proper clever flavor work.

Menthol

Straightforward and effective. Clean, crisp menthol that delivers exactly what it promises without any messing about. Perfect balance between minty essence and invigorating chill – ideal for menthol lovers who want purity over fruity distractions.

Lemon & Lime

This hits you with an immediate citrus punch reminiscent of frozen ice lollies. The lemon dominates with bright, sharp notes, though it can get a bit syrupy sweet. The lime struggles to assert itself against the dominant lemon, but it’s still a refreshing chill-out vape.

Strawberry Burst

Pure, clean strawberry that tastes natural rather than artificial. It’s like biting into a ripe strawberry with that smooth, almost pillowy delivery. Sometimes simple flavors done well are the best, and this proves that point beautifully.

Blueberry Cherry Cranberry

The cranberry absolutely dominates this blend – it’s dry, tart, and overpowering to the point where the blueberry and cherry barely register. There’s a slight cooling sensation, but this is essentially a sour cranberry vape with very little else coming through.

Blueberry Sour Raspberry

This one’s dangerously good – I found myself chain-vaping it without realizing. The sour element is potent and dominates in the most delightful way. You get juicy blueberry leading into a thrillingly sharp middle, finishing with sweet raspberry. Simple profile, flawless execution.

Strawberry Raspberry

A straightforward blend of two classic flavors mixed together nicely. The strawberry brings that chewit-sweet candy styling, while the raspberry adds tart, sour notes. Nothing groundbreaking, but solid and reliable.

Performance

Right, let’s talk about how this thing actually vapes, because performance-wise, the SKE Bar is virtually identical to the 600 Pro – and that’s absolutely brilliant news.

The mesh coil technology delivers exceptional flavor from the very first puff. There’s no break-in period or weak initial hits like you sometimes get with other systems – you’re getting full flavor intensity straight away. The 1.2Ω mesh coil setup provides that perfect cigarette-style mouth-to-lung draw that Crystal Bar users will instantly recognize.

Draw activation is spot-on and responds immediately every time. I haven’t had a single misfire during weeks of testing, and it’s not overly sensitive either. The MTL draw is beautifully calibrated – tight enough to feel satisfying but not so restrictive that you’re fighting for vapor. It’s exactly what you’d expect from a quality disposable experience.

Battery life with the 500mAh cell is good. I’m consistently getting a full day of moderate to heavy vaping before needing to charge, which is exactly what most users need. The extra 100mAh compared to the 600 Pro does make a noticeable difference – I can push through longer vaping sessions without worrying about the battery dying. USB-C charging takes about 45-50 minutes from completely dead, which is perfectly reasonable.

The 600 puff count per pod is fairly accurate in my testing. I’ve tracked several pods and consistently hit between 540-620 puffs, depending on draw length. More importantly, the flavor remains strong and consistent throughout the pod’s entire lifespan. I’ve not experienced any burnt hits or flavor drop-off, even when pushing pods to their absolute limit.

Vapor production is exactly what you want from an MTL device – satisfying clouds without being antisocial. The throat hit from the 20mg nic salts is smooth and satisfying, giving you proper nicotine satisfaction without harshness. It’s that perfect balance that made Crystal Bars so popular in the first place.

What really stands out is the consistency. Every single pod I’ve tested has performed identically – same draw resistance, same flavor intensity, same longevity. That’s proper quality control, and it gives you complete confidence in the product. Compared to the 600 Pro, the performance is essentially identical, just in a different form factor.

Verdict

The SKE Bar is a triumph for anyone mourning the loss of Crystal Bars after the UK disposable ban. SKE has managed to capture everything that made the originals so popular – the look, the feel, the flavors, and crucially, the performance – while making it fully compliant with new regulations.

Having used both the SKE Bar and the 600 Pro extensively, I can honestly say they’re equal performers. The flavor quality is identical, the battery life is solid, and the overall vaping experience is spot-on. Where they differ is in approach and form factor. Personally, I prefer the simplicity of the 600 Pro for switching pods – that magnetic connection is just so much more satisfying than the mechanical slot system on the SKE Bar. But that’s personal preference, and I know plenty of people will prefer the more secure feel of the SKE Bar’s pod system.

The SKE Bar is perfect for former Crystal Bar users who want that exact same aesthetic and experience, UK vapers adapting to the post-disposable landscape, anyone wanting authentic Crystal Bar flavors in a sustainable format, and people who prioritize familiar design over compact size. The timing couldn’t be better – it’s like SKE saw the disposable ban coming and had the perfect answer ready.

If you’re after the most compact option or prefer magnetic pod connections, go for the 600 Pro. If you need adjustable airflow, variable wattage, or different nic strengths, look elsewhere entirely. But for everyone else, especially those who loved their Crystal Bars and want that exact experience in a more responsible package, the SKE Bar delivers brilliantly.Yes, you’re locked into SKE’s flavor ecosystem, but with 35+ options including absolute bangers like Sour Pineapple Ice and Fizzy Cherry, that’s hardly a hardship. At this price point, with this level of performance and flavor quality, the SKE Bar is an easy recommendation for anyone transitioning from disposables.