I used to have a love/hate relationship with SMOK tanks. Now it’s leaning more towards dislike/hate. But that’s OK – there are plenty of SMOK tank alternatives out there right now!
I’ve tested and owned a whole bunch of SMOK tanks.
On the whole, they’ve all been OK(ish).
The TFV8 was probably my favorite, simply because it seemed to have the most consistent coil performance.
The TFV12 and the SMOK TFV12 Prince, however, were another story entirely – the coils SUCKED.
And this, for me, was the nail in the coffin for my relationship with SMOK sub ohm tanks.
SMOK Tank Alternatives – What’s Good Right Now?
HorizonTech Falcon Legend Sub-Ohm Tank
DTL vapers and flavour fiends will love the Falcon Legend. It’s perfect for high-wattage vaping with maximum cloud output.
The HorizonTech Falcon Legend continues the Falcon series’ legacy of big clouds and intense flavour. With its easy-fill design, bottom-to-top airflow, and new M6 and M8 coils, it’s a DTL dream tank.Editor’s Notes
PROS
- Quick 1/4 turn cap makes refilling simple.
- Bottom-to-top airflow improves vapour density.
- Compatible with all Falcon coils, with new M6 and M8 coils for better longevity.
- Tough stainless steel and glass construction.
CONS
- Airflow can get noisy, especially when fully open.
Coil Longevity
The M8 0.15Ω coils are champs, lasting up to 10 days at 60W. Expect 60-100ml of e-liquid per coil, depending on your juice and settings.
Aspire Nautilus 3S Tank
A great tank for MTL enthusiasts or those exploring RDTL vaping. It’s also fantastic for flavour chasers who like adjustable airflow.
Aspire’s Nautilus 3S Tank is a step up for MTL and RDTL vapers. With a 3.75ml capacity, a honeycomb-patterned protective tube, and compatibility with all Nautilus coils, it’s versatile and beginner-friendly.Editor’s Notes
PROS
- Smooth top-fill sliding mechanism for mess-free refills.
- Seven airflow options give you precision control over your draw.
- Works with all Nautilus coils – flexibility at its best.
- Press-fit coil system and e-liquid shutoff valve simplify coil changes.
CONS
- 3.75ml capacity might still feel small for chain vapers.
Coil Longevity
You can expect 2-3 weeks of coil life with proper priming and maintenance. E-liquid matters and it can and will affect the lifespan. Make sure you use good-quality stuff that doesn't gunk up your coils.
Freemax Maxus Pro Tank
The Maxus Pro is perfect for DTL vapers who want big clouds and exceptional flavour. It’s especially ideal for those who appreciate premium materials and cutting-edge coil tech. If you're a fan of stylish designs and stable performance, this tank is for you.
The Freemax Maxus Pro Tank is where style meets performance. With its sleek combination of resin, metal, and a honeycomb glass design, this tank doesn’t just look good—it delivers top-tier vaping. Featuring a 5ml e-liquid capacity (non-TPD), military-grade SS904L mesh coils, and tea fibre cotton for clean, flavourful hits, this tank is built to impress. Throw in the slide-to-open top-fill system and three steel balls for added stability, and you’ve got a tank that ticks all the boxes for sub-ohm vaping.Editor’s Notes
PROS
- Slide-to-open top-fill design makes refilling quick and mess-free.
- Three steel balls in the top cap reduce leaks and ensure a secure seal.
- High-quality SS904L mesh coils and tea fibre cotton deliver unparalleled flavour and vapour.
- 5ml e-liquid capacity is perfect for long vaping sessions (in non-TPD regions).
- Compatible with 510 threading and comes with an 810 drip tip for versatility.
CONS
- The 2ml TPD version is limiting for chain vapers.
- Larger size might look bulky on smaller mods.
- Friction from the steel balls can be a bit stiff at first.
Coil Longevity
Equipped with the 904L M mesh coil series, the Maxus Pro Tank is all about longevity and performance. These coils can easily handle 40-110W power, with users reporting a lifespan of 80-100ml of e-liquid per coil. Proper priming and avoiding excessively sweet e-liquids can extend their life even further.
Geekvape Z (Zeus) Fli Tank
DTL fans and cloud chasers, this one’s all yours. If high-wattage, leakproof performance is your thing, the Z Fli won’t disappoint.
The Geekvape Z (Zeus) Fli Tank brings some serious upgrades, with a flip-top cap for easy refills and leak-free top airflow. This sub-ohm beast is tailored for DTL vaping and pairs beautifully with the Z Series coils, including the long-lasting XM mesh coils.Editor’s Notes
PROS
- Flip-top cap simplifies refills – no mess, no stress.
- Leakproof design, thanks to its top airflow.
- Z Series coils, including XM mesh coils, deliver longer-lasting flavour.
- Adjustable airflow lets you fine-tune your draw.
- Tough build quality with universal 510 threading.
CONS
- 2ml TPD capacity is annoying for chain vapers.
- Reports of spitback and leakage with some units.
- O-rings could be tighter – watch out for this on early use.
Coil Longevity
Geekvape’s new XM coils are marketed as lasting twice as long as regular ones. Real-world tests show 60-80ml per coil before the flavour starts to fade – impressive, especially if you’re running at mid-to-high wattage (65-75W).
VOOPOO Uforce-X Tank
Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned cloud chaser, this tank ticks a lot of boxes. The Uforce-X shines in DTL vaping, delivering big clouds and strong flavour.
The VOOPOO Uforce-X Tank brings versatility and ease to sub-ohm vaping. With its TPD-compliant 2ml capacity, top-fill system, and adjustable airflow, it’s designed to suit a wide range of vapers. Pair this with PnP-X coil compatibility, and you’ve got a tank that can handle MTL, RDTL, and DTL vaping styles like a champ.Editor’s Notes
PROS
- Slide-to-fill top-fill design makes refilling clean and quick.
- Fully adjustable 360° airflow for tailored hits.
- Compatible with a variety of PnP-X coils for ultimate flexibility.
- Durable stainless steel and glass construction.
- Universal 510 threading, making it compatible with most mods.
CONS
That 2ml e-liquid limit will have heavy vapers constantly topping up. Coil quality makes or breaks its performance – hit or miss, depending on what you’re using.
Coil Longevity
This tank’s coils hold their own when treated right. A 0.15-ohm coil lasted through 60ml of e-liquid and 578 puffs at 64 watts for one user. However, coil life can tank (pun intended) if you’re not careful with priming, wattage settings, or the type of e-liquid used.
SMOK Tanks in 2025: Same Old Story?
Let me take you back for a second. When SMOK’s TFV8 tank first dropped, I was all over it. That thing was a beast—it could handle ridiculous power and churn out clouds so thick you’d need a fog light to navigate.
Sure, it guzzled e-juice like a muscle car on a freeway, but back in the day, it was the sub-ohm tank to beat.
But, oh man, the coils? They were a total gamble. Some worked great, others barely made it past 48 hours.
That was back in 2016, and you’d think by now SMOK would have fixed its quality control issues, right? Nope.
Fast forward to today, and it’s the same old song.
What’s Going On With SMOK Coils?
I’ve tested nearly every SMOK tank to hit the shelves, and the one constant has been the inconsistency of the coils.
One batch might last you a week, the next might burn out faster than your favorite binge-worthy series.
For a company as big as SMOK, it’s a baffling oversight.
They’ve got the resources to dominate the market, but it feels like they’re too busy pumping out new products to focus on the basics—like making coils that actually last.
And listen, it’s not just SMOK. VooPoo’s coils have had their own struggles, especially in their UFORCE tanks. So, this isn’t me picking on one brand—this is me calling out an industry-wide issue.
Mesh Coils: A Ray of Hope?
When mesh coils started becoming the norm, I had high hopes. Mesh tech is supposed to be the future: better flavor, longer lifespan, fewer dry hits.
And yeah, when it works, it works really well.
SMOK’s mesh coils, when you get a good one, deliver stellar flavor and clouds that’ll make you the envy of any vape lounge.
But—and it’s a big “but”—you still get those dud coils. The ones that burn out in a day or don’t work right out of the box.
It’s frustrating, especially when a pack of coils costs upwards of $15. That’s not pocket change, especially if half of them are dead on arrival.
2025 and Beyond: Any Hope for Change?
So, here we are in 2025, and not much has changed. SMOK still pumps out flashy tanks and mods, but the coil quality lags behind.
It’s not that the tech isn’t there—it is. The SMOK TFV18, for instance, when its coils are playing ball is utterly immense. But AGAIN the coils are just too unpredictable and inconsistent in my experience.
You’ll get a good one, then one that doesn’t prime properly no matter what you do, and then another that just burns out instantly.
It’s not a cheap sub-ohm tank and this is not good enough.
Other brands like Vaporesso and GeekVape have shown that consistent coil performance is possible.
Vaporesso has nailed it with their pod systems. Their coils last longer, deliver insane flavor, and don’t leave you wondering if you’ve just wasted your money.
If SMOK—and other brands—want to stay relevant, they need to address this. Vapers are savvier than ever. We know when we’re being sold hype instead of quality, and we’re not afraid to jump ship for something better.
Wrapping Up…
Coil quality can make or break a vape tank (or a pod system), and for big brands like SMOK, it’s high time to step up.
If you’re tired of the coil roulette, maybe it’s time to explore alternatives.
Brands like Vaporesso and GeekVape have set a new standard, and if SMOK doesn’t catch up soon, they might find themselves left in the dust.
Leave a Reply