Please note that unlike some of the other 'best' compilations where the site gets paid to list the product or revenue for traffic, the vaping.com lists only include the best products our experts have tested for our online vape shop. We keep our best guides right up to date, so if a product comes to market that kicks ass, it goes straight into our list.
When it comes to discrete and stealthy vaping, few devices can compare to some of the new pod systems on the market - especially those that we’ve named on our Best Pod Systems list. Vapers are falling in love with the small size and portability that pod systems offer - and while we love our huge powerful sub-ohm devices, sometimes a small on-the-go device is exactly what we need in the moment.
If your located in Europe pod systems are definitely a very good option. Having a 2mL pod capacity becomes less of an issue when you can vape high strength nic salts. If you're in the UK we've added links to versions you can buy online in our UK vape shop.
While vaping pod systems are still growing in popularity, vapers of all levels have been increasingly adding them to their collections. Not familiar with pod vapes, or curious about what the best pod systems are? No worries - in this article, we’re going to cover everything you need to know!
What is a Pod System?
A vaping pod system is a device that is a step above a basic e-cigarette, but not as advanced as some of the larger full-sized personal vaporizer options. People who are new to vaping, and those who may be transitioning from smoking, may find personal vaporizer devices to be too large, too confusing, or too unfamiliar. However, they may find that a basic e-cigarette is too limited and doesn’t allow them enough control over their experience. For these people, vaping pod systems are the answer.
Pod systems are called “pod” systems because they accept pods - small refills of e-liquid made specifically for the device. Most of these pods come pre-filled with a chosen flavor, although some newer models have refillable pods that allow you to use whatever juice flavor you desire. These refillable pod mods are a good middle step between cigalikes and advanced vape systems. Pod systems are all about simple vaping, stealth and compactness. Below we go through the best pod mods currently available with their pros, cons, and pricing. Take a look through and find the right pod device for your needs.
SMOK Novo 2
PROS
✅ Good clouds
✅ Stealthy if you need it to be
✅ Draw activated
✅ Battery level indicator light
✅ Instantly switch flavors with different pods
✅ Good battery life
CONS
❌ Difficult to see juice levels
❌ Refilling slot quite small
Introducing the amazing SMOK Novo 2. The original Novo has consistently been our best selling pod system of 2019. Our customers love its small size and portability. However, some vapers experienced some operational issues over time. SMOK listened to the feedback and has upgraded nearly everything on the SMOK Novo 2.
It's very slightly larger and heavier but you won't notice as it's only a tiny increase. When we examined them both side by side we couldn't see any difference at all.
The battery is the main upgrade, the 450mAh on the original has been upgraded to an 800mAh battery in the Novo 2. Battery life has also been optimized, a larger wattage range (6-25W) means you get a better long-lasting vaping experience.
One complaint with the original was the lack of a battery indicator light. SMOK has addressed this with a LED light which shines when charging or vaping. Having the indicator light on when vaping is an excellent feature, now you can see battery levels with every draw.
With the Novo 2 you get to choose from the whole family of replacement SMOK Novo pods. There are 3 new SMOK Novo 2 pods to choose from including a brand new Quartz coil which heats up super fast. It's also worth mentioning that if you want the ultimate in ease and simplicity you can now buy pre-filled SMOK Novo pods, which are refillable! Pod capacity is the only thing which remains unchanged, still 2mL.
There has been a new groove added around the battery connection so that any condensation generated by vaping can easily escape. This avoids a condensation issue which some vapers experienced with the original. In a similar design to the excellent SMOK Nord there are new airflow slots on the side of the Novo 2. A new feature which draws more air through the coil and helps generate more vapor. The only fault that we could find with the Novo 2 is that the vape juice viewing window, a small clear bit of plastic beneath the mouthpiece, doesn't work very well. Not a major issue as you can simply pop off the pod to check.
Last but very much not least is warranty. SMOK is so confident in the quality control and manufacturing of the SMOK Novo 2 that they've given it an industry-leading 12-month warranty.
Suorin Edge
PROS
✅ Stealthy
✅ Great looks
✅ Two batteries a nice concept
✅ Draw activated
✅ Easy to use
✅ USB-C Fast Charge
CONS
❌ Small juice capacity
❌ Small battery capacity
The latest pod system from the leading manufacturer of pod vapes, Suorin. After the massive success of the Suorin Air V2 and the Suorin Drop they listened to the feedback they got from customers. While users loved the small sizes of both those devices they wanted more juice capacity and better battery life.
The Suorin Edge has a healthy 1.5mL vape juice capacity which is impressive given the size of the device and the tiny replacement pods. The real innovation for a pod vape is the introduction of two batteries in one kit.
Once one battery has run out of charge simply switch it with the other one to continue vaping. You even get a battery sleeve to store the extra battery. Thanks to its Type-C connector a battery can be fully charged in 30 minutes. Even vapers who chain vape are going to struggle to drain a battery in that time.
And of course with any Suorin kit you know the build quality is going to be excellent. Just make sure you pick up some replacement Suorin Edge Pods when you buy the kit as they're sold separately.
Customer Review: “I bought the Juul before, and it was okay, once I was finally able to get ahold of it. In my opinion, PHIX is a much better product. It’s more reliable, gives better flavors, has a better battery life and doesn’t leak.”
SMOK Nfix-mate
PROS
✅ 3mL juice capacity
✅ Large 1100mAh battery
✅ Super small form factor
✅ Dust caps
✅ Lanyard
✅ Good pod options
✅ Draw activation
CONS
❌ Non replaceable coils
❌ Not the best looking device on this list
SMOK Nfix-mate is the one of the smallest pod systems on our list. Similar to the Caliburn Koko Prime it's a box style pod vape but doesn't have replaceable coils. Instead you have a choice of 3 pods. There are two pods in the kit, 0.8Ω DC (dual coil) for immense flavor and a 0.8Ω pod for dense vapor clouds. For those who are looking for a stronger throat fit you can also buy separately a 1.0Ω SC (single coil).
The pods have a 3ml juice capacity (2ml TPD) and you can easily see the juice levels due to the transparent pod, held strongly in place magnets there is not rattle or play at all. Refill slots are on the side of the pod
Wattage is adjustable thanks to the button on the side and your data displayed on the 0.69inch screen on the front. For vaper who are looking for a pod vape as a backup or even as their main go to, the Nfix-mate has great power (25W), good juice capacity and a very generous 1100mAh battery.
What sets the Nfix-mate apart from others on this list is the portability and functionality really stand out. In the kit comes a silicone dust cap with a lanyard and a SMOK lanyard so that you can hang it around your neck.
Aspire Breeze 2
PROS
✅ Awesome clouds
✅ Good battery life
✅ Great build quality
✅ Good juice capacity
✅ Draw or button fired
✅ Adjustable airflow
✅ Good AIO
CONS
❌ Coil change not the easiest
❌ Not the best flavor
The Breeze 2 from Aspire is another massive favorite in the vaping.com office. From its awesome box all the way to the cool little coils this is a device that's 100% winning. Once you stop admiring it in its box and start to put in the vape coils you immediately feel the brilliant build quality. You get two coils in the box, one 1.0 Ohm U-Tech coils and one 0.6 Ohm coil, which are specifically designed to use with nic salts. The filling is super easy, simply eject the pod cartridge by pressing the two button on the side and open the tight-fitting silicone seal. To adjust the airflow, there is a knurled airflow ring which when adjusted can create a huge difference to the vaping experience. This is an awesome mouth to lung pod system, a no brainer for our best of the pod systems compilation.
Customer Review: “Great device, cheap and awesome.”
SMOK Nord 2
PROS
✅ Excellent AIO pod vape (DL & MTL)
✅ Amazing flavor
✅ Changeable coils
✅ Crazy number of coil options
✅ Huge 4.5mL capacity pods
CONS
❌ No Juice window
❌ Not draw activated
New SMOK Nord 2 is here and it's an amazing improvement in all areas. Pods are now side fill to minimize leaking and have a massive 4.5mL capacity. Unlike most other pod vapes on this list you can change the coil instead of the pod. This minimizes waste and maximizes value. With 12 coil options to choose from there is a coil to suit any style of vaping.
The battery has been upgraded to 1500mAh giving it one of the largest capacities of any pod vape let alone this list.
There are two significant additions to the SMOK Nord 2. There's an 0.69" OLED screen on the side which displays your settings and how long it will take to charge (when plugged in). Coil resistance is automatically detected and using the firing key you can adjust wattage to anything from 1-40W. SMOK have a great habit of taking popular pod vapes and giving them massive upgrades.
If you loved the original or are looking for a new pod vape you struggle to find a better one than the SMOK Nord 2. Buy it and come back to tell us and the vaping community how much you love it.
Suorin Air Plus
PROS
✅ Stealthy
✅ Great capacity
✅ Stunning looks
✅ Good battery life
✅ Draw activated
✅ Easy to use
✅ USB-C Fast Charge
✅ Battery level lights
CONS
❌ Have to change pods not coils
❌ Not the best for flavor
It's finally here! The 3rd version of the amazingly popular Air series of pod vapes. Suorin has modelled the Air to be like a modern-day smartphone. Thin, sleek and feels great in the pocket the Suorin Air Plus is the future of vaping. It's super simple to use, just put it to your lips and draw. The packaging is like a cell phone too. Inside you'll find the Suorin Air Plus, with a pod already installed and a spare pod. Unlike some of the other pod mods on this list you can't change the coils, which is only a slight con given that Suorin Air Plus replacement pods only cost $4.49.
In the kit the two pods have different resistances depending on how you prefer to vape. For regular vape juice there is the sub-Ohm 0.7 Ohm coil and for those who love MTL vaping for salt nic a 1.0 Ohm coil. But the very best thing about the Suorin Air Plus is the increase in the pod capacity. In the previous version you could only fit 2mL of juice, in the Air Plus you get to fill it up to 3.5mL. Now that's a lot of nic salts if that's what you like to vape.
Not only do you get a larger vape juice capacity you also get a massive improvement in battery life. Forget about the 400 mAh battery in the Air V2, in the Air Plus you get an integrated 930 mAh monster. That's enough to keep most vapers vaping all day long. You can easily monitor battery life thanks to the 5 LED indicator lights on the side, when you get down to one you'll know its charging time. Another awesome feature of the Suorin Air Plus is the USB-C faster charger. So even when your Air Plus runs out of charge you can get it back firing super fast.
Buying a Pod System and Making The Right Choice
Pod systems are great, but the key to any happy vaping experience is picking the right mod to suit your vaping profile. It is important to know what you expect from a mod before you shop so that you can better assess whether a certain mod will give you the best vaping system and the experience that you are looking for.
How long do refillable vape pods last?
The quick answer is 3-5 days but in reality it depends on how much you vape. If you always chain vaping it's going to reduce the lifespan of the coil in your pod much faster. It's important to keep track of how much you have been using your pod to know exactly when to change it. If you have a preference for sweet vape juice then this could have an effect on the length of time your pod works at an ideal level. The main factors to keep aware of are the amount of vapor that your pod is producing and the quality of the flavor reproduction.
A good way of monitoring how much your vaping is how often you refill your pod. After a few pods you'll begin to know how many refills you'll get before the flavor and vapor reduce. It's crucial to stay aware of your vaping supplies so that you don't run out at a crucial time. No vaper ever wants to run out of vape juice or have their vape not working as it should.
Another factor to consider is your location or circumstances. If you're at work you're unlikely to be vaping on a very regular basis. But if you're at home or in your car you can vape as much as you want. All these factors can make a considerable difference in how much your vaping and the life of the pod.
Once your pod is nearing the end of its lifespan the reduction in flavor should be the first thing you notice. This should be your trigger to review how much vapor you pod system is producing with each vape. If you continue to vape despite these hints you can reach a point where the vape begins to taste burnt or you get a dry hit.
How do I avoid a dry hit?
If you keep an eye on the amount of vape juice in your pod you should help keep the cotton wick well saturated. If it's not when the coil heats up it's going to burn it. If you chain vape, not taking enough time between hits you might give enough time to the wick to become saturated with vape juice. Waiting a little bit of time between hits can make a big difference to the life of your coil and pod.
Frequently Asked Questions?
Which pod vape is best?
The best all round pod vape is the SMOK RPM80. Because of its size, draw activation, battery life, pod life, ease of use and cost. We love it, our customers love it and we're confident you will too.
How much is a pod vape?
Pod vapes usually range from $10 to $30 but more technologically advanced pod mods with OLED screens can cost up to $50. It's always worth checking how much replacement pods or coils cost to gain an understanding of ongoing costs.
What is a pod vape?
A pod vape is a small and portable vape kit which stores the vape juice or nic salt in a pod. Once pod performance declines you simply replace the pod. Some pods can have replaceable coils so you don't have to purchase new pods, just the coil.
What is the difference between POD and vape?
A vape kit is normally made from a box mod, vape tank and replaceable coils. Pod vapes and vape pens are designed to be much smaller and more portable. Modern pod vapes and vape pens can match the performance of big bulky box mods.