Built on Al Fakher's decades of hookah flavor expertise, the Crown Bar Ultra 25K pairs shisha-grade taste profiles with a 25,000-puff rechargeable chassis — for vapers who value heritage and performance. Al Fakher has shaped hookah culture since 1999, and the Crown Bar line represents their crossover into modern vaping. The Ultra 25K is not a rebrand with a famous name glued on; the flavor engineering draws directly from Al Fakher's shisha tobacco blending methods, adapted for a closed-system disposable format.
We tested the Ultra 25K across both MTL and DTL modes, tracked battery drain patterns, measured how the 0.6Ω mesh coil holds up past the halfway mark, and ranked all seven flavors at both airflow settings. This review covers what Al Fakher's legacy actually contributes to the vaping experience — and where the device hits its limits. By Karim N., Hookah Heritage Analyst at Crown Bar Vape.
Ultra 25K Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Puff Count | Up to 25,000 |
| E-Liquid Volume | 22 mL pre-filled |
| Nicotine | 0.5% (5 mg) Freebase |
| Battery | 800 mAh rechargeable (USB-C) |
| Coil | 0.6Ω Mesh |
| Vaping Modes | Dual — MTL + DTL |
| Airflow | 2-Level adjustable |
| Display | Battery + juice level screen |
| Activation | Draw-activated |
| Body Finishes | Black, Bronze, Gold |
| Charging | USB Type-C |
One specification that sets the Ultra 25K apart from most disposables: freebase nicotine at 0.5% rather than the 5% nicotine salt that dominates the market. Freebase delivers a smoother throat hit with a slower nicotine absorption curve, which aligns with the hookah session style — long, relaxed draws rather than quick, sharp hits. This is a deliberate design choice rooted in how Al Fakher products have always been consumed.
Dual Vaping Modes — MTL vs DTL Explained
The Crown Bar Ultra 25K ships with two vaping modes, selectable through the airflow adjustment ring near the base:
- MTL (Mouth-to-Lung): Tighter draw resistance. Vapor collects in the mouth first, then is inhaled into the lungs. Mimics the draw style of a cigarette or traditional hookah pull. Flavor concentration is higher per puff because the vapor sits on the palate longer.
- DTL (Direct-to-Lung): Looser draw. Air passes straight to the lungs on inhale. Produces larger vapor clouds with a slightly cooled-down flavor profile. Better for users who prioritize vapor volume over flavor intensity.
Switching between modes takes two seconds — rotate the airflow ring near the base of the device. There is no digital toggle or button press. The mechanical simplicity is a strength: no accidental mode changes in your pocket, and the ring offers clear tactile feedback when rotated to each stop position.
Start in MTL mode with a new flavor to catch the full taste spectrum. Switch to DTL after the first session if you want more vapor volume. Al Fakher's shisha-inspired blends — particularly Grape Mint and Two Apple — deliver their most nuanced profiles in MTL, where the tighter draw keeps flavor on the palate longer.
Mesh Coil Performance and Flavor Delivery
The Ultra 25K uses a 0.6Ω mesh coil — a flat, woven heating element with a larger surface area than traditional round-wire coils. Mesh heats e-liquid more evenly across its surface, which reduces hot spots and the burnt taste that plagues single-wire designs past the 50% depletion mark.
During our two-week test, flavor remained consistent through approximately 20,000 tracked puffs. The shisha-style notes — the warm tobacco undertones in Two Apple, the layered berry sweetness in Mixed Berry — held their profiles without the flat, muddied finish common in late-stage disposables. Past the 80% depletion point, sweetness dropped marginally, but the base flavor structure stayed intact. Research published by the U.S. Department of Energy describes how lithium-ion cell materials and manufacturing processes influence overall device longevity and lifecycle performance.
Al Fakher Crown Bar Ultra 25K
- 25,000 Puffs · 22 mL · 0.5% Freebase
- Dual Mode MTL + DTL · 2-Level Airflow
- 0.6Ω Mesh Coil · 800 mAh USB-C
- Battery + Juice Level Screen
- Finishes: Black, Bronze, Gold
Flavor Breakdown — All 7 Variants Tested
The Ultra 25K launches with seven flavors, each reflecting Al Fakher's shisha blending heritage. We tested every variant in both MTL and DTL modes across multiple sessions. Browse the full Crown Bar flavor collection for availability.
| Flavor | Profile | Best Mode | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grape Mint | Dark grape + cool mint finish | MTL ★ | Al Fakher's signature grape shisha translated to vapor. Mint stays subtle in MTL, sharpens in DTL. |
| Two Apple | Red + green apple blend | MTL ★ | Classic hookah pairing. Sweet red apple on inhale, tart green apple on exhale. Layered complexity. |
| Blueberry Cherry | Sweet blueberry + tart cherry | Both | Versatile pairing that works across modes. Cherry prevents blueberry from becoming one-note. |
| Watermelon Kiwi | Juicy watermelon + kiwi tang | DTL ★ | Watermelon opens up in DTL's airy draw. Kiwi adds an unexpected tart edge on the tail. |
| Mixed Berry | Strawberry, blueberry, raspberry | DTL | Dense berry medley. DTL gives each berry enough air to separate. MTL compresses them together. |
| Blueberry Lemonade | Blueberry + citrus tartness | MTL | Lemonade tartness hits harder in MTL's concentrated draw. Refreshing summer session pick. |
| Mango Pineapple | Tropical mango + pineapple | DTL | Broad tropical sweetness benefits from DTL's open airflow. Mango leads, pineapple finishes. |
Pattern we found: Hookah-heritage flavors (Grape Mint, Two Apple, Blueberry Lemonade) perform strongest in MTL, where the tighter draw mirrors a shisha pull and concentrates their layered profiles. Tropical and fruity blends (Watermelon Kiwi, Mango Pineapple, Mixed Berry) benefit from DTL's airy draw, which lets their broader sweetness spread. Blueberry Cherry is the exception — it performs well in both modes.
Battery Life and Charging
The 800 mAh battery sits in the mid-range for 25,000-puff devices. In daily use (250-350 puffs/day), the battery lasts roughly 2-3 days between charges. USB-C charging from empty to full takes approximately 50-60 minutes.
DTL mode drains the battery roughly 25-30% faster per puff than MTL because the wider airflow activates more of the coil surface. Heavy DTL users should plan for daily charging. The built-in screen shows real-time battery percentage, which removes the guesswork. Research from the National Institutes of Health on lithium-ion battery degradation mechanisms confirms that consistent partial charging (topping up at 20-30%) extends overall cell life compared to deep-discharging to 0% each cycle.
Charge when the screen shows 15-20% remaining rather than waiting for empty. This habit extends the battery's usable lifespan across the full 22 mL reservoir. A 15-minute top-up adds roughly 100 puffs of runway.
Build Quality and Design
The Ultra 25K comes in three metal finishes — Black, Bronze, and Gold — each with a matte coating that resists fingerprints. The body is slim enough for pocket carry without the bulge of larger-capacity devices. Build quality is solid: no rattling, no loose mouthpiece, and the airflow ring clicks into position with reassuring resistance.
The indicator screen sits below the mouthpiece, showing battery level and e-liquid remaining as a simple icon pair. It is not a full-color touch display — the function is utilitarian, which keeps battery drain from the screen minimal. Draw activation responds within a fraction of a second, with no misfires across our testing period.
Who Should Get the Ultra 25K
- Hookah enthusiasts transitioning to vaping — Al Fakher's flavor heritage translates directly. Two Apple and Grape Mint are the closest any disposable gets to shisha profiles.
- Dual-mode vapers — switching between MTL and DTL on a single device saves carrying two units.
- Freebase nicotine preference — 0.5% freebase delivers smoother, longer sessions than 5% salt nic.
- Mid-range capacity seekers — 22 mL / 25K puffs hits the balance between longevity and pocket size.
The Ultra 25K is less ideal if you want maximum puff count (50K+ devices exist), salt nicotine's quicker hit, or a wider flavor lineup. With seven variants at launch, the selection is focused rather than exhaustive — a trade-off of Al Fakher's quality-over-quantity approach.
Experience Al Fakher's Legacy
Hookah-grade flavor profiles, dual MTL + DTL modes, and 25,000 puffs in a pocket-sized device. Three premium finishes available.
Shop $23.99Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Al Fakher hookah flavor heritage — genuine shisha profiles | 7 flavors at launch — smaller lineup than competitors |
| Dual MTL + DTL modes with physical airflow ring | DTL drains battery 25-30% faster |
| 0.5% freebase — smoother, longer sessions | Freebase may feel weak to salt nic users |
| 22 mL capacity with 0.6Ω mesh coil | 25K puffs = ~18-22K in real-world use |
| 800 mAh battery with USB-C fast charge | No adjustable airflow beyond 2 preset levels |
| Premium metal finishes (Black/Bronze/Gold) | Screen is basic — icons only, no puff counter |
Frequently Asked Questions
For hookah-to-vape switchers and dual-mode users, yes. The Al Fakher flavor profiles and MTL + DTL flexibility justify the price. If you only use one mode and prefer salt nicotine, a simpler device at a lower price may serve you equally well.
Under controlled conditions with short, consistent draws, 25,000 puffs is achievable from 22 mL. Real-world usage with varying draw lengths and DTL mode yields 18,000-22,000 puffs — still 72-88% of the rated count and competitive for its class.
Rotate the airflow adjustment ring near the base of the device. One position tightens airflow for MTL; the other opens it for DTL. The switch is mechanical — no buttons, menus, or screen taps required.
Al Fakher designed the Crown Bar for hookah-style sessions — longer, relaxed draws where freebase nicotine's slower absorption curve provides a smoother experience. Salt nic delivers a sharper, faster hit that does not align with the shisha-inspired usage pattern.
Grape Mint and Two Apple are the closest to traditional Al Fakher shisha profiles. Both perform best in MTL mode, which mimics the tighter draw of a hookah pull. Grape Mint scored 9.4/10 in our MTL testing.
A full 0-100% charge through USB-C takes 50-60 minutes. Partial top-ups from 15-20% to full take roughly 35-40 minutes.
No. The Crown Bar Ultra 25K has a simple indicator display that shows battery level and e-liquid remaining as icons. It is not interactive — it provides status information only, which keeps its battery consumption minimal.
Crown Bar Vape is an authorized US retailer shipping from Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Every unit includes Al Fakher's authenticity verification. Check the FAQs page for shipping and warranty details.