EG25 Micro Smoke Grenade Review: Is THE STARTER Right for You?
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Yes — the EG25 is a true starter grenade, and it is sold both as a single can ($8.00) and as a 10-pack ($70.00). Each can is a compact, wire-pull, ~25-second smoke unit from Enola Gaye, available in all 9 colors. It is the smallest and lowest-cost can we carry, which makes it the obvious entry point for anyone new to smoke photography. This review covers what the EG25 actually does, who it fits, how it stacks up against the longer-burning WP40-D, and how to pull it correctly.
EG25 Specs and Pricing at a Glance
| Spec | EG25 Micro |
|---|---|
| Single can | $8.00 |
| 10-pack | $70.00 (~$7.00 per can) |
| Burn time | ~25 seconds (Enola Gaye spec) |
| Ignition | Wire pull (ring, pull to the side) |
| Colors | 9 (black, blue, green, orange, pink, purple, red, white, yellow) |
| Size class | Compact / micro — smallest can we carry |
| Vent | Single, top |
The math is the whole pitch: buying the 10-pack drops the per-can cost to about $7.00, the cheapest colored smoke in the lineup. A single can lets you try one color before committing. For the full size and burn-time breakdown across every model, see the smoke bomb size chart and the complete grenade comparison guide.
Who the EG25 Micro Is For
- Beginners: the lowest-cost can to learn the wire-pull, see how a color reads on camera, and practice timing before you spend on bigger units.
- Teams and group pulls: hand one can to each person in a group photo and ignite together — the 10-pack is built for this.
- Test shots: a cheap way to check wind direction and color saturation before burning a longer WP40 or WP40-D on the keeper frame.
- Quick bursts: set choreography before you pull. With ~25 seconds you get one strong moment, not a minute of repositioning.
It is not the right pick as your only can for a deliberate portrait session where you want to walk a subject through smoke for a full minute. For that, reach for the 60-second WP40-D or TP40, or the 90-second WP40.
Single Can vs the 10-Pack
Both are the same physical can — the only difference is quantity and per-unit price.
| Single can | 10-pack | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $8.00 | $70.00 |
| Per can | $8.00 | ~$7.00 |
| Best for | Trying one color; a single shot | Group pulls, practice volume, multi-shot sessions |
If you already know you want colored smoke and plan more than one shot, the 10-pack is the better value. If you just want to test the format, grab a single can first.
EG25 vs WP40-D
The most common upgrade question is whether to start on the EG25 or jump straight to a WP40-D. Here is the honest side-by-side.
| EG25 Micro | WP40-D | |
|---|---|---|
| Burn | ~25 seconds | ~60 seconds sustained |
| Price | $8.00 single / $70.00 per 10 | $12.50 each |
| Size | Compact / micro | 40mm standard |
| Best for | Bulk, teams, color tests, quick bursts | Portraits, weddings, walk-through plumes |
Tip
Most photographers end up carrying both: EG25 Micros for practice, group moments, and color checks, plus a few WP40-D or WP40 cans for the deliberate keeper frames where you need a full minute or more of smoke.
Where TP40 and Twin Vent II Differ
The EG25 is not interchangeable with the other 40mm cans — each does something distinct:
- TP40 — a 60-second, single-vent grenade with a top-pull cap (pull the cap straight up). Same sustained window as the WP40-D, but the top-pull is faster for one-handed redeploys between takes.
- Twin Vent II — a ~25-second can that vents from both ends at once for a dense, wide instant cloud. It matches the EG25 on duration but not on shape; the EG25 is a single-vent compact can, the Twin Vent II is the "hero shot" double-output can.
If you are weighing ignition styles specifically, the wire-pull vs top-pull guide breaks down which is easier in the field.
How to Use a 25-Second Unit
With only ~25 seconds of output, planning beats reacting. Set the frame before you pull:
- Pre-stage everything. Position the subject, set focus and exposure, and agree on a verbal countdown.
- Pull the wire ring firmly to the side — never straight up. A decisive side-pull (roughly 5–8 lbs of force) ignites the can cleanly.
- Hold by the base or toss it onto non-flammable ground. The smoke is cool-burning, but the can body gets hot during and after the burn.
- Shoot the first 10–15 seconds. Output is densest early, so capture your primary moment before the plume thins.
Safety
Use EG25 Micros outdoors, hold by the base, and place or toss on non-flammable ground. If a can does not ignite, set it down on a non-flammable surface, wait at least 60 seconds, and never re-pull or open it. Read the full safety and legal guide before your first pull.
For a deeper look at how each model's runtime affects your shoot, see how long smoke bombs last.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a single EG25?
Yes. The EG25 Micro single can is a live product at $8.00. You can also buy the EG25 10-pack for $70.00, which works out to about $7.00 per can.
How long does each EG25 burn?
Approximately 25 seconds per can, per Enola Gaye's manufacturer specification. Output is densest in the first 10–15 seconds, so capture your main frame early.
Is the EG25 a good grenade for beginners?
Yes — it is the most affordable and easiest can to learn on. At $8.00 a single can, it is a low-cost way to practice the wire-pull, test how a color reads on camera, and dial in your timing before moving up to a longer-burning WP40 or WP40-D.
Should I start with the EG25 or the WP40-D?
Start with the EG25 if you want cheap volume to practice pulls and test colors, or if you shoot quick group bursts. Choose the WP40-D ($12.50) when you need one ~60-second sustained plume to walk a subject through for portfolio-grade portraits.
What colors does the EG25 come in?
All nine core colors: black, blue, green, orange, pink, purple, red, white, and yellow. Pick a color that contrasts with your background — see the color guide for pairings.
How do I ignite an EG25?
Pull the wire ring firmly to the side — never straight up — with roughly 5–8 lbs of force. Hold the can by the base or toss it onto non-flammable ground, since the body gets hot during the burn.
Ready to Get Started
Grab a single can to test a color, or the 10-pack for the best per-can value. Need a full minute of sustained smoke? Step up to the WP40-D.
Shop the EG25 Micro Single ($8.00) Shop the EG25 10-Pack ($70.00)
Step up to the WP40-D Browse all mini smoke bombs