Is the Vaporesso XROS 3 better than the SMOK Nord 5? How do they compare? I’ve used both extensively – here’s my verdict on which is the overall better option
The SMOK Nord 5 is an immensely popular pod vape, but so too is the Vaporesso XROS 3. Most would agree that SMOK’s Nord series is more well known than Vaporesso’s XROS pods.
But is it better?
I’ve used both of these pods extensively over the past 18 months, and I have some pretty clear ideas about which pod is best in which area and why which we’ll get to below.
Overall, one of these pods is the superior option. But there are caveats for both that you need to be aware of before buying.
Here’s everything you need to know about how the Vaporesso XROS 3 compares to the SMOK Nord 5 before you commit to buying either.
Design & Physical Attributes Compared
The XROS 3 and the SMOK Nord 5 are both pods but they’re very different with respect to design and functionality (as you can see in the pictures below)
The Vaporesso XROS 3 has a sleek and slender design that is compact and lightweight, making it highly portable. It measures just 115.1mm x 23.6mm x 13.7mm.
The Nord 5 is slightly larger, with the regular edition measuring 104mm x 25.3mm x 21.5mm and the leather edition at 110.2mm x 25.3mm x 21.5mm. For pure portability, the XROS 3 has a size advantage.
In terms of aesthetics, the Nord 5 offers more striking colors and material options like carbon fiber and leather.
The XROS 3 has a simpler, understated look. For build quality, both are designed well, but the Nord 5’s leather edition is prone to wearing over time.
Vaporesso XROS 3 vs SMOK Nord 5: Which Vape is Right for You?
🔋 Battery and Power
Vaporesso XROS 3:
- 1000mAh battery
- 16W maximum output
- USB Type-C charging (5V/1A)
SMOK Nord 5:
- 2000mAh battery
- Adjustable power from 5W to 80W
- USB Type-C charging (Max 1.2A)
Our Advice:
If you’re a heavy vaper or prefer more power options, the SMOK Nord 5 is the clear winner with its larger 2000mAh battery and wide 5-80W power range. It’s ideal for those who enjoy direct-to-lung (DTL) vaping and want longer battery life. However, if you prefer a more compact device with sufficient power for mouth-to-lung (MTL) vaping, the XROS 3’s 1000mAh battery and 16W output should be adequate for most users.
💧 Pod Capacity and Compatibility
Vaporesso XROS 3:
- 2ml pod capacity
- Compatible with all XROS pods
- Comes with 0.6ohm pod
SMOK Nord 5:
- 5ml pod capacity
- Compatible with SMOK RPM 3 coil series
- Comes with 0.15ohm and 0.23ohm mesh coils
Our Advice:
The SMOK Nord 5 offers a significantly larger pod capacity, which means fewer refills and longer vaping sessions. It’s great for those who use their device frequently or don’t want to carry e-liquid around. The Nord 5 also provides more coil options with its RPM 3 series compatibility. However, the XROS 3’s backward compatibility with all XROS pods offers great flexibility for those already invested in the XROS ecosystem. Choose based on your preferred e-liquid consumption and coil preferences.
🎛️ Features and Controls
Vaporesso XROS 3:
- AXON Chip for consistent performance
- Precise adjustable airflow
- SSS Technology (Anti-Leaking)
SMOK Nord 5:
- 0.69-inch OLED screen
- Dual-side airflow system
- Side filling system
Our Advice:
Both devices offer adjustable airflow, but they cater to different user preferences. The XROS 3, with its AXON Chip and anti-leaking technology, is designed for a hassle-free, consistent vaping experience, ideal for beginners or those who prefer simplicity. The Nord 5, with its OLED screen and wider power range, offers more control and information, making it suitable for experienced vapers who like to fine-tune their experience. Consider your comfort level with vaping technology when choosing between these two.
💨 Vaping Style
Vaporesso XROS 3:
- Suitable for both MTL and RDL vaping
- Ideal for nic salts and high-PG e-liquids
SMOK Nord 5:
- Primarily designed for DTL vaping
- Perfect for freebase e-juice and high-VG liquids
Our Advice:
The XROS 3 is more versatile, offering both MTL and RDL vaping options. It’s great for those who enjoy nic salts or want a cigarette-like draw. The Nord 5, on the other hand, is optimized for DTL vaping and cloud production, making it ideal for freebase nicotine users and cloud chasers. Your choice should depend on your preferred vaping style and the type of e-liquid you typically use.
📏 Size and Portability
Vaporesso XROS 3:
- Size: 115.1 x 23.5 x 13.7mm
- More compact and lightweight
SMOK Nord 5:
- Size: 105 x 32.5 x 23.74mm
- Weight: 107g
Our Advice:
The XROS 3 is slimmer and likely lighter, making it more pocket-friendly and discreet. It’s ideal for on-the-go vaping and those who prioritize portability. The Nord 5, while still compact, is bulkier due to its larger battery and features. It’s a good choice if you don’t mind a bit more weight for extended battery life and advanced features. Consider your daily routine and where you’ll be using your vape most often when making your decision.
🏁 Final Verdict: Which Vape Should You Choose?
After comparing both models, here’s our quick guide to help you choose:
- Choose the Vaporesso XROS 3 if:
- You prefer a compact, lightweight device
- You enjoy both MTL and RDL vaping styles
- You use nic salts or high-PG e-liquids
- You want a simple, user-friendly device with anti-leaking technology
- Opt for the SMOK Nord 5 if:
- You need more power and a larger battery
- You prefer DTL vaping and cloud production
- You want a larger pod capacity for less frequent refills
- You enjoy customizing your vaping experience with adjustable wattage and airflow
Both devices offer excellent features for their respective target users. The XROS 3 is perfect for those seeking simplicity, portability, and versatility in vaping styles. The Nord 5, on the other hand, caters to vapers who want more power, larger capacity, and advanced customization options. Consider your vaping preferences, lifestyle, and experience level when making your choice. Whichever you choose, both devices represent quality options in the vaping world.
Diving Deeper: My Experience Using The SMOK Nord 5 & Vaporesso XROS 3
Coils
A key advantage of the XROS 3 is the longevity and consistency of its pods and coils. They run rings around SMOK’s coils.
The patented COREX heating system extracts every bit of flavor from e-liquids and prevents a drop-off in performance even after weeks of use. Nord 5 coils average around a week before needing replacement.
The XROS 3 also provides both a 1.0Ω MTL and 0.6Ω loose MTL pod in the kit, while separate RPM coils must be bought for the Nord 5 to switch between tight and loose draws. This gives the XROS 3 more flexibility.
But the longevity and flavor of Vaporesso’s XROS coils is what really sets it apart from the rest of market – nothing else comes close right now.
Battery Life
The Nord 5 has a higher 2000mAh battery capacity compared to the 1000mAh of the XROS 3.
The Nord 5 can and will output at higher wattages and this will affect battery life. The lower you run it, the longer the battery will last.
With the XROS 3, you’re limited to low wattage vaping, so the battery performance – while not quite as good as the SMOK Nord 5’s – is more than enough for a day’s worth of vaping.
Heavy users, like myself, will need to top of the XROS 3 mid-way through the day. But this is a fact of life for most pod vapes and the main reason why a lot of vapers stick with vape mods.
Both pods run USB C charging, so you can charge them up pretty quickly. On paper and in practice, the SMOK Nord 5 has the better battery performance.
But I’d still go with the XROS 3 because it has the Nord 5 whipped in every other area.
Performance
In terms of vapor production, the Nord 5 puts out noticeably more clouds, which is expected given its higher power output.
However, when it comes to flavor accuracy, the XROS 3 pulls ahead noticeably. Its heating technology optimizes flavor, producing layered, nuanced profiles.
The Nord 5 lags slightly behind both in flavor quality, coil longevity, and coil consistency, whereby you can have one coil that lasts 8 days and another from the same pack that lasts 3 days.
With Vaporesso’s XROS coils, performance and longevity are consistant and reliable. I’ve been using XROS coils for 18+ months now and I’ve yet to encounter a dud.
They always last a minimum of two weeks, most of the time much, much longer.
Ease of Use
The XROS 3 keeps things simple, with no screen and just straightforward button controls. The Nord 5 has a more sophisticated output adjustment and OLED screen, but this added complexity could be less suitable for beginners.
Both devices are easy to fill and maintain, however the XROS 3’s pods are transparent so you can view juice levels without removing the pod. This gives it an edge in convenience.
Best Overall
The SMOK Nord 5 isn’t a bad pod vape. It’s actually really rather good. But this is predicated on the fact that you haven’t used the Vaporesso XROS 3 which, save for battery life, is a vastly superior pod vape in every regard.
The MTL draw on the XROS 3 (and the XROS Pro) is currently the market-leader. The coils are phenomenal, lasting weeks between changes and delivering, once again, market-leading flavor.
The XROS 3 is simple to use, perfect for current smokers looking to switch over to vaping, compact, and really well engineered. My first XROS 3, bought over 12 months ago, is still working flawlessly.
And for this reason, it is the one we recommend out of these two – and it now costs WAY less than before.
I’ve since updated to the Vaporesso XROS Pro and the difference is significant: it has all the best attributes of the XROS 3, killer MTL draw, insane flavor, simple to use, just with a hugely extended battery life and adjustable wattage.
And you now also have the Vaporesso XROS 4 and LUXE X Pro to consider.
But its all academic at this stage; if you’re using a Vaporesso pod vape, regardless of the model, you’re basically winning at vaping – Vaporesso is so far ahead of the competition these days it’s almost laughable.
There’s a reason why Vaporesso XROS PRO has been sat at the top of VapeBeat’s best pod vape guide for over 12 months. And you just learned it. The damn thing is more or less flawless.
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