WP40 Wire Pull Smoke Grenade Review: Is It Worth It?
Published Last updated
Last updated
The WP40 Wire Pull is the best-selling Enola Gaye grenade at Shutter Bombs, and the reason is simple: at roughly 90 seconds it burns longer than anything else in the 40mm family, which buys you time to actually work a scene instead of chasing a cloud that vanishes in 20 seconds. But longer is not automatically better for every job. This review covers the real specs, what 90 seconds of output looks like on camera, and how the WP40 stacks up against the EG25, Twin Vent II, and TP40 so you can decide which one belongs in your kit.
WP40 Specifications at a Glance
| Spec | WP40 |
|---|---|
| Burn duration | ~90 seconds |
| Ignition type | Wire-pull (friction striker, spark-free) |
| Vents | Single top vent (directional plume) |
| Colors available | 9 (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, black, white) |
| Body material | Steel canister |
| Safety certifications | CE Approved (EU) and ATF Compliant (US) |
| Smoke formula | Non-toxic, cool-burn dye compound (no open flame) |
| Shelf life | 10+ years stored cool and dry |
| Price | $13.00 per single can |
| Ships from | Pahrump, NV warehouse via certified hazmat ground |
Output Quality: What 90 Seconds Actually Looks Like
The WP40 produces a directional, dense plume from its single top vent. In still air a single can will build a cloud roughly 8–12 feet high and 6–8 feet wide at its widest spread — enough to envelop one subject completely or lay down a substantial atmospheric backdrop behind a couple. In wind the smoke disperses faster but streaks dramatically, which can work in your favor for motion-heavy frames.
Color density peaks during the first 30–40 seconds and tapers gradually as the charge depletes; by second 75–80 the output thins out. That is normal for every smoke grenade — plan your most color-critical frames for the first 60 seconds. Because the WP40 sustains output longer than the 25-second cans, you get a real working window instead of a single burst.
Tip
Plan your 90-second shot list before you pull the ring. Call out shot types to your subject — "wide, move through the smoke… medium, stop and hold… tight, turn to the light" — and you can reliably capture 4–5 distinct compositions from one can. Have an assistant hold the grenade by the base 2–3 feet from the subject at hip height, vent angled slightly away from camera, so the smoke fills the background without obscuring the face.
WP40 vs. EG25: Which Do You Need?
| Factor | WP40 | EG25 |
|---|---|---|
| Burn duration | ~90 seconds | ~25 seconds |
| Output density | High — very dense, sustained cloud | Medium — quick, lighter burst |
| Best for | Portrait sessions, music videos, film | Events, gender reveals, high-volume bursts |
| Per-can price | $13.00 | $8.00 single / $70.00 for a 10-pack |
| One can per shot? | Yes — 90s covers a full shot sequence | Often 2–3 per setup for sustained coverage |
| Smoke spread style | Sustained, directed plume | Quick burst, thinner spread |
Choose the WP40 if you shoot professional portraits, need sustained cloud coverage, or want maximum impact from a single can.
Choose the EG25 if you want to experiment with multiple quick bursts, need several pop moments at an event, or are working a tighter budget — the 10-pack is the best per-can value in the lineup. New to smoke? Our EG25 Micro review breaks down the starter can in detail.
WP40 vs. Twin Vent II: One Vent vs. Two
| Factor | WP40 | Twin Vent II |
|---|---|---|
| Vent count | 1 — directional plume | 2 — vents from both ends at once |
| Burn duration | ~90 seconds | ~25 seconds (dumps the full charge fast) |
| Smoke pattern | Sustained, aimable column | Instant, dense, wide — the "hero shot" can |
| Best subject count | Solo or tight couple | Couple to small group |
| Best for wide shots | Moderate | Yes — fills wide compositions instantly |
| Price | $13.00 | $14.50 |
| Ignition | Wire-pull | Wire-pull |
This is the key tradeoff: the WP40 spends its charge slowly over 90 seconds, while the Twin Vent II vents from both ends and dumps everything in about 25 seconds for the densest, widest instant cloud you can get from one can.
Choose the WP40 if you need a working window and precise control over smoke direction — useful for placing smoke behind or beside a subject without obscuring the face.
Choose the Twin Vent II if you want a single explosive cloud for a hero frame, are shooting couples or small groups, or need to fill a wide composition instantly.
WP40 vs. TP40: Wire-Pull vs. Top-Pull
The TP40 burns about 60 seconds — shorter than the WP40's ~90 — and its real differentiator is ignition style: a top-pull cap you yank straight up rather than the WP40's side-pulled wire ring. That top-pull cap is the more one-hand-friendly mechanism, which is why the TP40 is favored for fast one-handed redeploys between takes and is popular with airsoft and milsim operators working in gloves. The WP40, by contrast, wins on burn duration and pre-staging — you can rig it in position and pull the ring when the moment lands. For sustained portrait and video work the WP40 is the more versatile choice; for rapid-fire takes where you reload constantly, the TP40 cap earns its keep. We go deeper in the wire-pull vs. top-pull guide.
Best Use Cases for the WP40
- Engagement and couples photography — 90 seconds to shoot wide, medium, and close without rushing.
- Music video production — the directional vent lets you place smoke precisely along the frame edges.
- Sports portraits — team colors, athlete action shots, and celebratory imagery.
- Cosplay and editorial shoots — sustained cloud for complex, multi-angle costume coverage.
- K-9 and military simulation training — reliable 90-second obscuration for tactical scenarios.
For a full rundown of camera settings, color choice, and composition, see our complete smoke bomb photography guide and the wedding photographer's guide.
Pack Size and Value Breakdown
The WP40 is $13.00 per single can. For photographers running regular client shoots, buying in volume is the smart move — a single 90-second can covers a full lighting setup, so a working kit of 4–6 cans across 2–3 colors comfortably handles a one-hour portrait session with a spare in the bag. Wedding shooters often carry more so they can match smoke color across ceremony and reception setups.
The easiest way to mix colors and quantities is the build-your-bundle tool, which lets you assemble exactly the colors you need. Stocking up for a busy season? The bulk smoke bombs collection is built for volume buyers, and ordering in quantity lowers your effective per-can hazmat shipping cost since the flat hazmat fee is charged per order, not per can. If long burn is your priority, browse the full long-lasting smoke bombs and wire-pull lineups.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the WP40 actually burn in real use?
The WP40 Wire Pull delivers a consistent ~90-second burn, the longest in the 40mm family. In real outdoor conditions burn duration tracks closely to that figure, though wind can speed oxidation and trim a few seconds, while temperatures well below freezing can slow the reaction and extend it slightly. For planning purposes, build your shot sequences around 90 seconds: that gives you time to position your subject, fire the can, let the cloud establish (typically 5–8 seconds), and capture multiple frames before output fades. Budget one can per major lighting setup and you will rarely be caught short. For full burn-time numbers across every model, see our duration guide.
Can you hold the WP40 while it burns?
Holding the WP40 for a full 90-second burn is not recommended. The can gets hot during and after the burn, so keep fingers well clear of the vent at all times and hold by the base if you must hold it at all. The person igniting it should wear gloves and eye protection. If a composition calls for a subject to hold the can, keep it brief, grip the lower portion away from the vent, and use gloves. For most shoots, placing the grenade on the ground or a non-flammable surface produces cleaner, safer results than hand-held compositions. Full handling steps are on our safety and legal guide.
Is the WP40 the same unit sold by other retailers?
Yes — the WP40 is an Enola Gaye product built to a single global spec: single vent, ~90-second burn, 9 colors. The formulation and construction do not change by sales channel. What differs is fulfillment. Shutter Bombs ships from a US warehouse via certified hazmat ground to the contiguous US (excluding Massachusetts). Overseas importers sometimes list the same cans slightly cheaper, but international shipping adds days or weeks and customs headaches that make the difference irrelevant for time-sensitive shoots. Buying domestic also means Shutter Bombs' 100% Product Guarantee applies directly.
Does WP40 color look the same in photos as it does to the eye?
Not exactly, and the gap is worth planning around. In backlit conditions colors generally photograph more vivid and saturated than they look live. Warm tones — red, orange, yellow — respond especially well to golden-hour backlight and often render richer on sensor. Cool tones — blue and purple — tend to lose some vibrancy in photos, particularly in flat or overcast light; a slight positive exposure compensation (+1/3 to +2/3 stop) helps recover that saturation in camera. White photographs cleanly and reads as a neutral, versatile backdrop. Always test your specific color in your actual shooting environment before a paid session. Our color guide covers what works for each scene.
How many WP40 grenades do I need for a photo shoot?
For a standard one-hour portrait session, 4–6 cans of the WP40 across 2–3 colors gives comfortable coverage. Each 90-second burn produces roughly 3–5 distinct usable frames at a relaxed pace, so a 5-can kit yields 15–25 hero images — plenty for a focused session. For video, music videos, or any work requiring multiple takes of the same shot, budget 8–12 cans per half-day, since each take consumes a can and continuity demands consistent color and density. Use the build-your-bundle tool to dial in your exact mix.
What is the WP40's shelf life?
The WP40 carries a 10+ year shelf life when stored cool and dry. Enola Gaye stamps a manufacture date on each unit — there is no hard expiration, because properly stored composition stays stable for years. Keep stock in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight and temperature extremes. The WP40's sealed steel canister is a real advantage here: steel resists moisture far better than cardboard-body formats, and moisture is the main cause of premature degradation. For anyone buying in volume and drawing down inventory across seasons, that stability makes bulk purchasing practical.
Where can I buy the WP40 Wire Pull Smoke Grenade?
The WP40 is available directly from Shutter Bombs in all 9 colors — black, blue, green, orange, pink, purple, red, white, and yellow — as single cans ($13.00) and in multipacks via the bundle builder. Orders ship via certified hazmat ground to the contiguous US (excluding Massachusetts). Every purchase is backed by the 100% Product Guarantee: faulty or underperforming cans are made right with your choice of store credit or refund.
Ready to Get Started?
For most photographers, the WP40 is the smart default — 90 seconds of dense, directional smoke from one $13.00 can. Pick your colors, or compare every model side by side before you commit.
Shop the WP40 ($13.00) Shop Smoke for Photography