Versed Vaper TeamIn the past year more and more people have been shying away from using vape tanks and vape mods. Instead, vapers have been gravitating towards more simple and portable pod vapes. These vapes are compact, easy to vape with and use refillable pods. They make vaping as hassle-free as can be, all while providing great flavor and great battery life as well.
With the increasing popularity of pod vapes the market has been flooded with new devices almost daily. This makes it hard to pick out the ones that are good and the ones that are just a waste of money. To make things easier we’ve put together this list of the best pod vapes in 2020. These devices have all been selected based on their ease of use, portability, flavor, and vapor quality so that you can get the most bang for your buck.
Best Pod Vapes 2020: The Best All-In-One & Refillable Pod Systems
#1. Smok Nord 2
The Nord 2 is the follow up to one of the most popular nicotine salt vapes of all time. The biggest change from the original Nord is that the Nord 2 features a 0.69” OLED display as well as adjustable wattage up to 40W.
Its compact size and weighted feel make it comfortable to hold, while the curved mouthpiece keeps it comfortable to use. The Nord 2 includes two pods as well as two coils: a 0.8ohm coil that is suited for MTL-draw users and nicotine salts, and a 0.4ohm coil for DTL vapers and regular nicotine ejuices.
The Nord 2 is one of the most leak-resistant pod vapes around. It’s also extremely simple to fill; there’s a side port which is secured by a rubber plug to prevent leaking. The Nord 2 pods will hold up to 4.5ml of ejuice.
Plus, the Nord 2 houses a massive 1500mAh built-in battery that will definitely get you through a day of heavy vaping. Available in nine different designs, including resin & stabwood panel options, the Nord 2 is the ultimate combination of good looks and performance. Although relatively new, the SMOK Nord 2 has already solidified its place as one of the best pod vapes of 2020.
PROS
Excellent flavor
Super long battery life
Comes with 2 pod and 2 coils
No leaking
Great throat hit with nic salts
CONS
Pod is hard to remove
Puff counter resets when you remove pod
#2. Lost Vape Orion Plus
The Lost Vape Orion Plus is the successor to the Orion of mid-2018 and this time it’s better than ever. It still uses the DNA GO chipset but now it has five different power levels and a 2ml pod that uses improved longer-lasting, replaceable coils.
In addition to the different power levels the Orion Plus also has an adjustable airflow ring. This allows you to tailor the draw to exactly the way you prefer.
The Orion Plus has a small and compact all-in-one design that is comfortable to use and super portable. Lost Vape are a brand that are known for their build-quality and the Orion Plus is no exception. The device is very well put together and feels premium to hold.
The Orion Plus comes with a 0.25ohm mesh coil as well as a 0.5ohm regular coil. Unlike its predecessor, these coils are replaceable. The 0.5 ohm regular coil is perfect for nicotine salts while the 0.25ohm coil is great for regular nicotine ejuices. The device is easily refilled and packs a large 950mAh battery for long, all-day usage.
The Orion Plus will fire at a maximum output wattage of 22W and is the perfect low-powered device to use with nic salts. Its stainless steel body is durable and made to last and its performance is above what you would expect from a pod device. All things considered, the Orion Plus is certainly one of the best new pod vapes in 2020.
PROS
Beautiful panels
Excellent flavor
DNA chipset
Five wattage levels
Airflow control
Long coil life
CONS
Pricey
#3. Aspire AVP Pro
The Aspire AVP Pro is a reliable and portable pod vape that is available in four different colors. Unlike many pod vapes that function at one set wattage, you have the option of using three different wattage outputs with the 1.15ohm coil: 14W, 12W or 10W. The wattage can be changed by clicking the single button twice. It also packs a long-lasting 1200mAh battery that can be recharged quickly via Type-C charging.
The Aspire AVP Pro uses replaceable coils and comes with a 0.65ohm mesh coil as well as a 1.15ohm coil. The 1.15ohm coil is perfect for MTL and works great with nicotine salt eliquids. The 0.65ohm coil is best used with regular nicotine ejuices. The pod is easy to fill and holds a maximum of 4ml of eliquid.
The AVP Pro features an airflow adjustment slider that can be opened or closed to adjust the airflow. The AVP Pro is also draw-activated for added ease of use and simplicity. It’s the ultimate combination of high performance, portability and simplicity that come together to make a great all-in-one pod vape.
PROS
Premium look & feel
Excellent flavor
Great throat hit
Tight MTL draw
Type-C charging
CONS
Small airflow adjustment range
No wattage adjustment with 0.65ohm coil
#4. SMOK Novo 2
The Smok Novo 2 is a simple, no-fuss pod vape. It’s small, light, and comes in over 18 different designs including opalescent and resin-like patterns. It’s an easy device to use because there are no buttons or settings to adjust; just inhale on the mouthpiece to vape.
The Novo 2 comes with two pods: a 1.4ohm pod and a 1.0ohm pod. Both pods work great for nicotine salts or regular ejuices. However, the 1.0ohm pod will deliver a stronger throat hit while the 1.4ohm pod is more reserved.
Additionally, each pod will provide a different draw. The 1.4ohm pod delivers a restricted mouth to lung draw while the 1.0ohm pod is a looser MTL vape. No matter which pod you use, the Novo 2 delivers excellent flavor and vapes like a champ.
If you’re worried about leaking, don’t be; the Novo 2 is designed to be leak-free. The pods are side filled for extra security and are built in a way that leaves nowhere for ejuice to leak from. The pods will hold up to 2ml of eliquid and are clear so it’s easy to see your ejuice level.
Compared to the original Novo, the Novo 2 packs almost double the battery at 800mAh. This translates into 2-3 days of heavy vaping or longer if you’re a moderate vaper. For anyone seeking a user friendly pod vape, the Novo 2 is an excellent choice.
PROS
Superb flavor
Pods wick great
Nice draw
Long battery life
Long pod life
Small & Portable
CONS
Device doesn’t stand up
Can’t replace coils (disposable pods)
#5. SMOK RPM80
The RPM40 was a great device but the new RPM80 is even better. The RPM80 has a large 0.96” screen with adjustable user interface options as well as a puff counter, battery life indicator, coil resistance, voltage and wattage. The wattage on the RPM80 can be set all the way up to 80W using the adjustment buttons.
The RPM80 comes with two cartridges and two coils: a 0.4ohm coil and a 0.17ohm coil. Both coils are excellent for regular nicotine ejuices. While the 0.4ohm coil can be used with nicotine salt ejuices, it’s only good for under 25mg. Both coils are excellent and produce some of the best flavor you can get from a pod vape.
A highlight of the RPM80 is its 5ml pod. It’s nearly double the capacity of most other pod vapes so you’ll be able to vape for much longer without refilling. The 3000mAh battery is equally as impressive and will net you over two days of usage at mid-wattages with the 0.4ohm coil. The RPM80 is one of the most versatile, powerful and flavorful pod vapes around.
PROS
Adjustable wattage
Beautiful display
Huge 3000mAh battery
Large 5ml pod capacity
CONS
Not for high strength nic salts
#6. Lost Vape Lyra
The Lyra is the latest pod vape from Lost Vape, the same company behind the Orion line of devices. It’s sleek, ultra-portable and it comes in a variety of beautiful colors and designs. It packs a 1000mAh battery and uses a 2ml pod with replaceable coils.
The Lyra has three power output levels but it will fire at different wattages depending on the coil that you use. The 0.6ohm coil it will fire at 16, 18 or 20W. It delivers a nice DL draw with just a touch of restriction. This coil is perfect for use with regular nicotine ejuices and the flavor is on-point.
The 1.2ohm coil it will fire at 9, 10, or 11W. It’s a loose mouth to lung vape and the warmth of the vapor is just right. The throat hit with a 35mg nicotine salt is spot on and this coil also wicks like a charm.
Even though the Lyra doesn’t have a way to alter the airflow, the coils deliver drastically different draws. This isn’t a device for tight MTL vapers but if you want either a loose DL or a loose MTL then you’ll like what the Lyra has to offer.
PROS
Solid throat hit
Flavorful coils
Doesn’t leak
Good coil quality
Stunning designs
CONS
No pass thru charging
Wicking holes are placed too high
#7. Uwell Caliburn Koko
The Caliburn Koko is the successor to the original Caliburn and it’s even better than the original. The Koko delivers the same loose MTL draw as the Caliburn and has a similar maximum wattage output of 11W. Where the Koko excels is with its new 1.2ohm pods that deliver incredible flavor and a warmer draw than the original Caliburn.
The pods don’t take long to break in at all and after the first few puffs you can already taste the flavor popping through. Using a 35mg nicotine salt is perfect with the Koko and delivers smooth vapor with a pleasant throat hit that is really on-point. The Koko will also work just as well with a 3-12mg regular nicotine ejuice.
PROS
Nice throat hit
Loose MTL draw
Ultra light
Warm, smooth vapor
Nice design
CONS
Average battery life
Fill cap can be a pain to remove
#8. Vaporesso Degree
Ultra compact, sleek and stylish, the Vaporesso Degree is a great choice for a pod system. It’s got truly adjustable wattage from 5-30W and a 0.69inch OLED display. It’s also got dry hit protection that throttles down the power when your coil is getting dry. The aggressiveness of the dry hit protection can adjusted to your preference.
The Degree houses a large 950mAh built-in battery and comes with two, 2ml replaceable pods. These pods are easily refilled using a leak-proof, push-to-fill port. You can change the airflow on the Degree using the airflow control ring on the drip tip and the airflow is adjustable to a DL or MTL draw.
The Degree produces excellent flavor that you wouldn’t expect from such a small device and it has better customizability and more features than most. The Vaporesso Degree is a top pick for the best pod vapes in 2020.
PROS
Excellent flavor
Airflow adjustable to DL or MTL
Throat hit is on-point with nic salts
Dry hit protection works beautifully
Instant firing
CONS
Drip tip isn’t swappable
Magnets on the back panel are weak
Outdated looking screen
#9. Voopoo Drag Nano
The Drag Nano is like a miniaturized version of the Drag 2, only it’s a pod vape. It’s just as good looking as Voopoo’s other mods and the small form factor and lightweight make it their most portable device yet. The Drag Nano comes in seven different resin options with a shiny mirror-finish on the back, complete with the familiar DRAG logo that we’ve all come to know and love.
For such a small device, it still packs a 750mAh battery and is powered by Voopoo’s renowned GENE chip. The Drag Nano also features something called “Cold Boot Mode” to keep the flavor and draw consistent. Plus, it uses draw-activated firing to keep it easy to use.
The pods will hold a maximum of 1ml of ejuice and contain a 1.8ohm coil that is perfect for regular and nicotine salt ejuices. While the pod capacity is a little on the small side, the Drag Nano sips ejuice so a single fill will last for quite a bit of vaping. The draw is smooth and the flavor is great; there isn’t much to complain about with the Drag Nano.
PROS
Stunning design
Great flavor
Consistent draw
Ultra small & portable
CONS
Small fill port
Not a true MTL draw
1ml pod capacity
Only includes 1 pod
#10. Smok Mico
The SMOK Mico is one of the nicest looking and most compact pod vapes on the market. It comes in beautiful multi-colored resin panels and functions at ultra-low wattages of 10-26W. In terms of portability the Mico is one of the best. It’s less than 2.5inches tall and this makes it easy to throw in your pocket and take around with you all day. Plus, the 700mAh battery is huge for a device of this size and this means you’ll get all day usage without having to worry about the device dying.
The Mico uses refillable and replaceable pods that will hold up to 1.7ml of eliquid and because of its low wattage output your juice will go a long way. The Mico comes with a 0.8ohm mesh coil that is amazing for flavor and also comes with a 1.0ohm regular coil. For added convenience, the Mico has draw-activated firing that works great — it doesn’t require any buttons to fire. Just take a draw on the mouthpiece and you’re good to go!
PROS
ON/OFF switch
E-Juice viewing window
Consistent
Easy to fill
Good flavor
CONS
Mesh pod spits back thin ejuices
Not MTL; It’s a restricted DL
What Is A Pod Vape?
Pod vapes are small, portable and ease to use devices that are made up of two main parts: a refillable/replaceable pod & a battery. The pod usually has the coil built-in. In this case, all you have to do is fill up the pod, wait for it to soak, and you’re ready to vape! Some vapes like the SMOK Nord use replaceable coils for their pods but it’s more or less the same process; you just have to replace the coils every once-in-a-while instead of the entire pod.
Pod vapes are perfect for beginners, but advanced vapers love them too. They make a great backup device for when your main device is charging. They’re also low-profile and light for those times when you don’t want too much on your person.
Pod vapes come in all different shapes and sizes but they’re all very compact and light. This makes them easy to carry around or slip into a pocket as opposed to an entire box mod and tank. For this reason, more and more vapers are gravitating towards pod vapes. Why bring around a mod and tank when you get get great flavor from a device less than half the size and weight?
Pod vapes are usually draw-activated, meaning you just have to pull on the mouthpiece to produce vapor. This adds to their ease of use and convenience. However, some pod-vapes use a single button to fire but they are still super easy to operate.
The Different Types of Pod Vapes
As with all devices, pod vapes come in a few different varieties:
Open System, Refillable Pods: In pod vapes with refillable pods you have the option of using your own ejuice. You just unplug the stopper and fill up your favorite ejuice. Open systems give you much more freedom but they also require a little more work as you have to buy your own ejuice and fill it up yourself.
Closed System, Pre-Filled Pods: Pod vapes with pre-filled pods are the most simple to use. These vapes have pods that are prefilled with eliquid so you don’t have the option of using your own ejuice. This makes them super easy to use and you won’t have to use your own ejuice. Instead, you can choose from the flavors that the manufacturer makes and simply pop them into your device and begin vaping.
Draw Activated: Draw activated pod vapes will produce vapor as soon as you pull on the device. Simply inhale and the device will begin to produce vapor, much like a cigarette.
Button Activated: Button activated pod vapes require you to push a button while you draw for it to begin to produce vapor.
Benefits of Using a Pod Vape
There are multiple benefits to using a pod vape over a traditional tank and mod:
- Easy To Use
- More Affordable
- Portable
- More Discreet
- Lighter
- Convenient
Disadvantages of Using a Pod Vape
There are also some disadvantages to using a pod vape as opposed to a vape tank and mod:
- Less Flavorful
- Less Powerful
- Shorter Battery Life
- No Airflow Adjustment Option
- Less Vapor Production
How To Use A Pod Vape
Using a pod vape is easy. You’ll want to start by filling up the pod that comes with the device. To do this, locate the fill port. It’s usually located on the side of most pods and sealed with a rubber stopper. For other pods, you may have to remove the drip tip to access the fill port.
Once you’ve found the fill port take your bottle of ejuice and fill the pod nearly to the top, leaving just a little bit of space inside. This will ensure the best performance of the coil and pod.
After filling, allowing the pod to sit for at least 10 minutes before starting to vape. This is so that the coil can soak and so that you don’t burn the coil inside the pod. You’ll want to be very careful not to burn the coil — most pods have the coil built in so if you burn the coil, the entire pod will have to be thrown out.
Once the coil has been allowed to sit and prime you can attach the pod to the device. If it’s a draw-activated vape you can simply inhale on the mouthpiece to start vaping. If it’s a button activated pod vape you’ll want to press the button as you inhale. Voila! That’s all there is to it!
