The Top-Rated IQOS Alternatives Right Now
The IQOS is an odd device. It works weirdly, it’s expensive to run, and it tastes well… pretty damn funky. My advice? Stick to what works: a rock-solid pod vape with some decent, UK-made nic salts vape juice. You’ll be far better off and it’ll save you some pennies too. And right now, these are the vapes we recommend instead of getting the IQOS…
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Vaporesso XROS 5
👑 Editor's Pick
The XROS 5 isn’t just the best option to buy now, it is the simplest, the least hassle to live with, and the most reliable and consistant. The OXVA's DNA-powered XLIM vape does more stuff but for most people, the XROS 5 is all you’re ever going to need or even want.
Standout Features & Benefits
I’ve used every XROS pod vape since the OG model landed many, many moons ago now. They’ve always been great but from the XROS 3 series, things went supernova, with respect to flavor and performance.
The XROS 5 isn’t just the best option to buy now, it is the simplest, the least hassle to live with, and the most reliable and consistant. The XLIM Pro 2 DNA does more stuff but for most people, the XROS 5 is all you’re ever going to need or even want.
Here’s what makes it so damn good:
- Flavor Consistency: The CoreX 3.0 mesh coils deliver top-tier flavor, right up to the end of their lifespan. The 0.6Ω pod was the clear standout—no drop-off, no burn, just clean, smooth flavor for weeks.
- Coil Longevity: I got around 18–20 days of solid use from the 0.6Ω CoreX 2.0 pod, and expect similar or better with the new CoreX 3.0. That’s miles ahead of competitors like the Oxva Slim 2 Pro and VooPoo Argus G3, both of which tap out in 7–10 days.
- Battery Life: Battery life is significantly improved over the XROS 4. With moderate use, I got nearly two full days on a single charge. The upgrade to 1200mAh makes a big difference.
- Charging Speed: Super-fast charging is real. I went from dead to ~80% in about 18 minutes using the included USB-C cable and a standard wall plug.
- Build Quality: Sleek, durable, and pocketable. No scratches, no wear, no rattles. The pod magnets are tight and secure. Zero leaks after multiple refills.
- Ease of Use: It’s plug-and-play. You don’t need to adjust settings—but if you want to, the OLED screen and three power modes give you just enough control without overwhelming you.
- Airflow: Airflow adjustment works well. Fully closed gives a tight MTL pull. Open it up, and you can RDTL comfortably with the 0.6Ω or 0.4Ω pod.
- Any Issues? The 0.8Ω pod I tested once had slight condensation build-up after two weeks. Nothing major, but worth noting.
Bottom line: It’s the most dependable pod vape I’ve used all year. If you want simplicity, power, flavor, and longevity, this is the one to beat.
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If you’re a flavor snob who wants to dial things in, or you’re just a sucker for shiny displays and airflow options, the Uwell Caliburn G4 is a beast. The coils are much-improved, the flavor is great (though not quite in XROS 5 terrirory), and it looks and feels great in the hand.
Standout Features & Benefits
If the G3 was already great (and it was), the G4 is like the fully-evolved final form. You get more power, better flavor, and actual customization — but yeah, it’s a bit bigger.
What I Loved:
- Flavor Is Top-Tier: That Pro-FOCS 4.0 coil tech really shows. Everything just tastes more — like crisper, cleaner, deeper.
- Airflow Options Galore: You can slide it, flip it, or do both. Tighter MTL? Done. Looser RDL? Also doable.
- Storm & Wave Modes: Want an intense hit? Storm Mode slaps. Prefer a smooth cruise? Wave Mode’s your guy.
- Great Build Quality: It feels premium in the hand, and the display is actually useful (juice window = 10/10 feature).
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DNA chipsets have always been the top-shelf choice in the mod world, so seeing one in a pod vape is pretty wild. The best part? It doesn’t feel overcomplicated. The Xlim Pro 2 DNA just works—flavour’s on point, dry-hit protection saves your coils, and Replay Mode is surprisingly useful.
Standout Features & Benefits
I spent over two weeks running the Oxva Xlim Pro 2 DNA as my daily driver.
Here’s what stood out during real-world use, and why I think it could be one of the best pod vape releases of the year:
- Battery Endurance: The 1300mAh battery easily lasts a full day, even with heavy RDL use. Lighter MTL vapers might stretch it to two days between charges.
- Flavour Consistency: Thanks to the DNA chipset’s power adjustments, flavour stays locked in from pod start to finish. No weird dips or burnt hits.
- Replay Mode: One of those features you didn’t know you needed until you try it. Set your favourite puff and just let it repeat—no fiddling.
- AI Dry-Hit Protection: It genuinely works. No more surprise burnt hits when your pod runs dry.
- Build Quality: Solid, premium-feeling device with a comfortable mouthpiece. The TFT screen is clear and easy to read without looking cluttered.
- Ease of Use: Despite the DNA chip, setup is simple. Pods snap in, settings adjust easily through the menu, and airflow control is smooth.
- Charging: USB-C rapid charging is efficient—full charge in about 40–45 minutes.
- Pod Variety: The new SS pods seriously improve heat control and coil lifespan. Flavour is noticeably sharper compared to standard mesh pods.
Bottom line:
If you’re after a pod kit that delivers serious mod-level performance without turning into a science project, the Oxva Xlim Pro 2 DNA is one of the best all-round options available in 2025. It’s smart, compact, and genuinely elevates flavour to the next level.
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I love that you can do MTL and DTL on it, and everything in between. I like the touchscreen for the adjustment buttons (when I remember they’re there) and I love the flavour from the GTX coils, especially the 0.2 dualmesh one.
Standout Features & Benefits
After putting the LUXE XR MAX 2 through its paces, I’ve gotta say—it’s a bit of a beast in disguise. The battery lasts ages (I easily get a full day out of it), the vapor production is on point, and the flavor from the GTX coils? Solid. Especially with the 0.2Ω dual mesh—that coil slaps.
The touchscreen buttons threw me off at first (yep, I forgot they were there), but once you get used to them, they’re responsive and feel kinda futuristic. Bonus points for the RGB effects and how easy it is to swap between MTL and DTL pods depending on your mood.
The LUXE XR MAX 2 feels premium in the hand—those leather-textured panels give it a classy vibe—and the smart wattage setting is perfect if you don’t want to fuss around with tuning things manually.
If you’re new to pod mods, this’ll be easy to figure out. If you’re more seasoned, there’s enough customization here to keep you entertained. It’s versatile without being fiddly—and that’s rare.
- ✅ 3200mAh ultra-high-density battery (longest-lasting in the LUXE X family)
- ✅ 5–80W adjustable power range
- ✅ Dual mesh GTX coils = awesome flavor + long lifespan
- ✅ Fully compatible with all GTX coils
- ✅ 0.96″ color TFT display with dynamic RGB lighting
- ✅ Precise airflow control for MTL, RDTL, and DTL
- ✅ AXON chipset with Pulse, Eco, and Smart modes
- ✅ Touchscreen adjustment buttons + physical lock switch
- ✅ Fast USB-C charging
- ✅ Pods hold up to 5ml (or 2ml in TPD regions), easy bottom-fill
- ✅ Stylish design with leather-style grip and theme customization
Why We Don’t Recommend The IQOS
The IQOS is a weird and rather strange device. I got myself one when it first arrived in the UK to see what all the fuss was about.
My initial and subsequent impressions after attempting to use it for a week were not great: it was pretty bad in every conceivable way.
- The flavor? Kind of like damp, burnt tobacco.
- The vapor production? Hardly anything.
- The cost of running it? Expensive.
And then there’s its battery life which, like JUUL, is fairly appalling. Essentially, it doesn’t do anything very well at all.
Add in the fact that it is made by a big tobacco company, and one could easily argue that perhaps the IQOS’ only purpose is to push people back to cigarettes, to make people think: well, if this is what vaping is like, I might as well continue smoking cigarettes.
I have news for you, though: the IQOS isn’t what vaping is meant to be like: traditional vape devices are NOTHING like the IQOS.
The options we’ve listed up top are designed for new, beginner vapers, so they’re easy to use and draw just like a cigarette. Ideal, if you’re trying to quit.
The IQOS isn’t even really a vape in the traditional sense; it has more in common with a weed vaporizer.
That’s why, whenever anyone asks me about whether the IQOS is any good, I tell them straight: you’re going to be a lot better off with something else entirely because the IQOS, well… it’s just plain weird. And it does not taste good.
What do I recommend? The best option right now for most people would be either the Vaporesso XROS 5, it’s the simplest and most reliable pod vape on the market, or the OXVA XLIM Pro 2 DNA if you want something a little fancier with more capabilities and settings.
Want to vape on easy mode with zero headaches, market-leading flavour, and coils that last for 3-4 weeks between changes? Get the Vaporesso XROS 5. It’s the only pod system I’ve used for the past 12 months and it is just superb in practically every way.
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