TL;DR – Is The Upends UP9 50K Better Than The L&A Tank 58K?
The L&A Tank 58K wins for most people. But the Upends is no slouch in the flavor and performance department. Both are decent, so it kind of comes down to what you’re looking for.
Here’s the short version:
- L&A Tank 58K is the better all-round pick — up to 58,000 puffs in Eco mode, a dead-simple two-mode setup, and a clear display that keeps you informed without overwhelming you
- Upends UP9 50K is the one to grab if you care about tuning your vape; it comes with three wattage levels (15W, 20W, 25W) that gives you genuine control over warmth and flavour intensity
- Both carry 20ml of 5% nic juice and hit comparable price points, but the L&A stretches that liquid further in everyday use
- If you’re new to vaping or just want something that lasts, go L&A. If you want a disposable that feels like a small regulated mod, go UP9
The Basics: What You’re Actually Getting
Both devices pack 20ml of juice at 5% nicotine and come loaded with screens, adjustable airflow, and USB-C charging. On paper they look almost identical. In practice, they’re built for different types of vapers.
The L&A runs on a single 900mAh cell. The Upends UP9 uses a split dual-battery design totalling 1080mAh, which gives it a bit more staying power when you’re hammering the higher watt setting.
L&A Tank 58K: What It Does Well
The 58K’s whole pitch is longevity, and it delivers. In Eco mode I got through a solid week and a half without needing to think about it which is exactly what you want from this kind of vape product.
The coils held up very well too, with little to no flavor drop off on all the models I tested.
Switching to Boost tightens up the vapour and punches the flavour harder, and the jump between the two is noticeable without being complicated.
You don’t need to know what wattage does what either, it’s fairly simple to use and understand: Eco is “go easy,” Boost is “go harder,” full stop.
The colour display shows juice level, battery, output mode, and power at a glance. Combined with the transparent tank window, you’re never guessing how much is left.
Pros
- Up to 58,000 puffs in Eco — genuinely one of the longest-lasting disposables on the market right now
- Two-mode system keeps it simple without being boring
- Transparent tank plus colour screen means you always know where you stand
- Explicitly beginner-friendly, draw-activated, no button faff
Cons
- Only two power options — if you want granular control over warmth or throat hit, you won’t find it here
- Single 900mAh battery means more recharge cycles during heavy Boost use compared to the UP9
- Flavour profile is broad and consistent rather than tailored — great for reliability, less exciting for flavour chasers
Upends UP9 50K: What It Does Well
The UP9 gives you three actual wattage settings: 15W for a smooth, relaxed draw; 20W for a balanced everyday vape; and 25W when you want full-on warmth and cloud output.
I could taste the flavour shift climbing from 15W to 25W on the fruit profiles.
The 270° wraparound 3D screen is genuinely impressive for a disposable, and the dual-battery setup earns its keep at 20–25W where a smaller cell would struggle.
It looks great and gives it a premium aesthetic that the L&A simply cannot match. If looks are important, the Upends wins hands down.
Pros
- Three distinct power levels give you real control — not just “more” or “less”
- 1080mAh total battery handles sustained high-watt use better than most single-cell competitors
- Fruit and tropical flavours (Pina Colada, Strawberry Watermelon, Summer Peach Ice) come alive at 20–25W
- The split pod/battery design and big screen give it a premium feel compared to most disposables
Cons
- Real-world puff count at 25W is closer to 30,000 — the 50K figure only holds at the lowest watt setting
- Using 15W to chase the puff count defeats the purpose of buying a three-watt device
- Slightly more to think about than a two-mode setup, which can feel unnecessary if you just want to vape
Specs at a Glance
| L&A Tank 58K | Upends UP9 50K | |
|---|---|---|
| E-liquid | 20ml | 20ml |
| Nicotine | 5% | 5% |
| Battery | 900mAh | 1080mAh (dual) |
| Puff Rating | Up to 58,000 (Eco) | Up to 50,000 (15W) |
| Power Modes | Eco / Boost | 15W / 20W / 25W |
| Display | Colour screen | 270° 3D screen |
| Airflow | Adjustable | Adjustable |
| Activation | Draw | Draw |
The Flavor Story
The L&A Tank 58K is a long-haul device, so the flavours that work best are ones you can actually live with for weeks.
- Watermelon Ice is the standout: clean, juicy, and consistent across both Eco and Boost without turning syrupy.
- Cool Mint and Miami Mint are the other safe bets; mint resists flavour fatigue better than almost anything else, and it cuts through vaper’s tongue when you’re deep into a 20ml tank.
- White Gummy Ice and Blue Razz Glacier are the picks for Boost mode specifically.
The extra warmth brings out the candy note on the Gummy without making it cloying, and Blue Razz holds its definition at higher power instead of collapsing into generic sweet fruit.
Eco mode softens flavours slightly, so stick to bolder profiles: mints, icy fruits, and sharp berry blends.
Subtler or “soft” flavours get washed out at lower power and you’ll notice it after a few thousand puffs.
Because you’ve got three wattage settings to play with, the best Upends Up 9 flavors are ones that actually change as you climb from 15W to 25W.
- Blue Razz Ice is the hero pick here; it’s sharp, punchy, and genuinely different at 20–25W compared to 15W.
- Sour Apple Ice works the same way; the acidity keeps it interesting at higher power where sweeter profiles can start feeling thick.
- Orange Slush is worth calling out as the sleeper hit. The citrus angle prevents palate fatigue, and the slushy ice profile pairs well with the UP9’s denser output at 20W and above.
Watermelon Ice crosses over from the L&A lineup and works well at 15–20W as an easy all-day option. Push it to 25W for a fuller, slightly sweeter profile.
Quick flavour guide by user type:
- New to vaping or want something to last? Go Watermelon Ice or Cool Mint on the L&A — lowest fatigue risk over 30–58K puffs
- Buying the UP9 for its power settings? Go Blue Razz Ice, Sour Apple Ice, or Orange Slush — these are the flavours where the wattage difference is most obvious
- More experienced and want something fun? White Gummy Ice (L&A in Boost) or Sour Apple Ice (UP9 at 25W) both reward the extra power
Fun Fact: The world’s first commercially successful e-cigarette was created in 2003 by Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik, who developed it after his father died of lung cancer. His original design used ultrasonic technology rather than the heating coil method used in virtually every modern vape.
Who Should Buy Which
Buy the L&A Tank 58K if:
- You want the longest-lasting disposable on the market right now
- You’re new to vaping and don’t want to manage wattage settings
- You commute, travel, or just hate thinking about your vape
- Value-per-puff matters more to you than performance ceiling
Buy the Upends UP9 50K if:
- You already understand wattage and want it in a disposable format
- Flavour intensity matters more to you than maximum puff count
- You vape heavily at high wattages and need a battery that keeps up
- You want a disposable that feels closer to a regulated mod
Wrapping Up
The L&A Tank 58K is the smarter everyday choice for most vapers because it lasts longer, asks less of you, and delivers consistent results without any learning curve.
Again, the flavors are solid but nothing to write home about. I liked all the ones I tested but I wouldn’t say there’s anything special about the quality of them.
The Upends UP9 50K is the better device for the vaper who wants control, but you have to actually use that control to get your money’s worth.
For flavor, I think the Upends has the slight edge here: the flavors, across its range of power settings, are just punchier and taste like they have more going on.
Again, it’s not like night and day, but I’d probably go with this one over the L&A in this context.
If you want one recommendation:
FAQs
Does the UP9 actually deliver 50,000 puffs? Not at 25W — at full power you’re looking at around 30,000 puffs. The 50,000 figure applies at the 15W setting, which is the lowest and smoothest option. If you vape at 20–25W regularly, expect significantly fewer puffs.
Does the L&A Tank 58K’s Boost mode make a noticeable difference? Yes, it does. Boost mode produces denser vapour and noticeably stronger flavour compared to Eco. The trade-off is you’ll go through the 20ml faster and recharge more often — though still less frequently than most disposables on the market.
Are both devices rechargeable? Yes, both use USB-C charging. Neither is a single-use throwaway — you recharge and keep vaping until the juice runs out.
Which is better for nicotine satisfaction? Both carry 5% (50mg/ml) nicotine salt, so satisfaction level is roughly equal. The UP9 at 25W delivers a slightly stronger throat hit due to the higher power output, which some switchers from cigarettes prefer.
Are these suitable for beginners? The L&A Tank 58K is the better beginner option — it’s draw-activated, has a simple Eco/Boost toggle, and gives you clear visual feedback. If you’re just getting started with vaping, check out our New Vaper’s Guide — it’s 15+ years of experience packed into one free PDF.
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