Smok Novo 2
9.5
PROS
- Superb Flavor
- Pods Wick Great
- Nice Draw
- Long Battery Life
- Pod Longevity
CONS
- Device Doesn't Stand Up
The Novo 2 is the successor to the immensely popular Novo of 2018. It’s almost identical in size but packs nearly double the battery capacity at 800mAh vs the 450mAh of the original Novo. It comes with a 1.0ohm pod for regular ejuices as well as a 1.4ohm pod for nicotine salts, both of which will hold 2ml of ejuice.
The original Novo was a great device but battery life was a downside. It looks like Smok listened to the community when making the Novo 2 so I’m excited to see how it performs. Could this be the pod vape we’ve all been waiting for?
Smok Novo 2 Review: A Better Pod Vape than the Nord?
Box Contents![Smok Novo 2 Box Contents](https://versedvaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Smok-Novo-2-Kit-Review-02.jpg)
- 1 x Novo 2 Device
- 1 x 1.0ohm Mesh Pod
- 1 x 1.4ohm Dual Coil Pod
- 1 x USB Charging Cable
- 1 x User Manual
Specifications
- 88.3mm x 24.5mm x 14.5mm
- Weighs 43g
- 2ml Eliquid Capacity
- 6W-25W Output
- 800mAh Battery
- Draw Activated
Design & Build Quality
The Novo 2 is basically the same size as the original Novo. It’s 88.3mm tall, 24.5mm wide and 14.5mm thick. It’s a really small device! I can almost completely conceal it in my palm which makes it a super discreet vape. I like the size and the rounded body is comfy to hold. As a bonus, it’s light too; it weighs only 43 grams!
You can get the Novo 2 in 18 different designs and some of them are really cool. There are 8 resin-like designs like the black & white resin that I’m using, 6 opalescent/iridescent designs, and 4 other designs. One of my favorites is the “KEEP CALM and VAPE ON” skin. I’m probably going to order that one myself!
It’s worth mentioning that the resin designs aren’t real resin. They’re actually just plastic panels that look like resin. It still looks good though and I don’t mind it at all.
SMOK is printed on the front panel and Novo 2 is printed on the back panel. There’s no other branding or writing though. The Novo 2 has a simple and clean design that just looks good.
The bottom of the Novo 2 is rounded and so it won’t stand up on its own. This gives you no other option but to lay the device flat on its side. While not a performance issue, I’m still going to count this as a design flaw.
This is a draw activated vape so you just have to inhale on the mouthpiece to vape. There’s no physical fire button or buttons of any sort. It’s a very easy to use device. The draw activation works great too and requires little effort to vape.
Pods
The Novo 2 pods have a curve to them that fits your lips perfectly. The mouthpiece is made of a smooth, black plastic. The pod itself is completely clear though so it’s very easy to see your eliquid level.
When connected to the device, there’s a thin transparent portion of the pod that is visible. This design is similar to the Aspire Breeze NXT and allows you to see your eliquid level without removing the pod; just turn the device sideways.
The Novo 2 comes with two pods: a 1.4ohm dual coil pod and a 1.0ohm mesh coil pod. The coils are built in and non-removable. The 1.4ohm pod delivers a restricted MTL draw while the 1.0ohm pod is more of a loose MTL.
Smok recommend the 1.4ohm pod for nicotine salts and the 1.0ohm pod for regular nicotine ejuices but I found them to both be good for either. The 1.0ohm mesh pod will deliver a slightly stronger throat hit but it’s still perfectly fine for use with nic salts.
I tested the Novo 2 pods with the following ejuices:
- 80VG/20PG regular nicotine ejuice
- 70VG/30PG regular nicotine ejuice
- 60VG/40PG nicotine salt ejuice
- 40VG/60PG nicotine salt ejuice
No matter what I threw at them, both pods wicked well. They didn’t struggle at all, even on long draws I never even got close to a dry hit. They’re great pods. They haven’t leaked a bit either. The bottom of the pods have had a bit of condensation but nothing out of the ordinary and the pod connection inside the device has also remained dry.
These pods are backwards compatible with the original Novo. There are also 5 other pods that you can purchase separately (also compatible with the Novo). I haven’t been able to test these but if I get my hands on them I’ll update this review right away
Airflow
The Novo 2 has what Smok call a “U-Shaped” airflow. There’s an airflow hole on each side of the pod that draws air in through the sides of the device, through the hole in the bottom of the pod, and through the coil to the mouthpiece.
You get a different draw from each of the included pods but it’s a small difference. The 1.4ohm pod is a tight mouth-to-lung draw. The 1.0ohm pod is a looser MTL draw. If you like a tighter draw you’ll probably prefer the 1.4ohm pod but if you like a draw that is a little more airy you’ll like how the 1.0ohm pod hits.
There’s no way to adjust the airflow on the Novo 2 so you’ll have to live with what the pods provide. But in my opinion they’re great for MTL vapers and aren’t so restricted that you have to struggle, but also aren’t too loose and airy. Each pod has a nice draw resistance.
Battery![Smok Novo 2 Battery](https://versedvaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Smok-Novo-2-Kit-Review-06.jpg)
The most impressive part of the Novo 2 might just be its battery. As I mentioned earlier, it’s the same size as the original Novo but somehow has a battery nearly twice as large. That’s an impressive feat of manufacturing.
The 800mAh battery lasted me two and a half days of very consistent and heavy vaping. That’s really good for such a small vape. Battery life is definitely a strong point with this one.
There’s an LED light on the front of the device that is barely noticeable. It’s just a small dot. When you vape on the Novo 2 it lights up to signal your battery charge level. The colors are:
Green: 70% and above
Orange/Yellow: 70 to 30%
Red: Under 30%
When the battery life is under 30%, the draw gets noticeably weaker. I would suggest charging your Novo 2 when it’s at the red level to save yourself the weak and unsatisfying draws.
Performance![Smok Novo 2 Performance](https://versedvaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Smok-Novo-2-Kit-Review-05-Cropped.jpg)
Vaping with the Novo 2 has been awesome. The pods take a fill to break in but once they do they’re amazing. I’m particularly impressed by the 1.0ohm pod. The mesh produces accurate and full flavor that is surprising to get from a pod vape. It’s not on the level of an RDA (no pod vape is) but it’s definitely good. The draw is a little looser than I prefer but the quality of vapor makes up for it big time.
The 1.4ohm pod is the less flavorful of the two, but only slightly. It makes up for this with its tight draw though so it’s tough to pick a favorite pod. I like the draw better from this pod but the flavor is better with the mesh pod.
I refilled each pod at least 6 times and they’re still going strong. That’s over a week and a half of use with each one and they’re just as good as the first fill. No muting or dulling of the flavor yet and for a Smok product, that’s really saying a lot.
The experience I got from the Novo 2 is as good as any pod vape I’ve tried and in many aspects it’s better. It never leaked, it wicked properly with no gurgling, spitback or popping, and the battery life is super. I wouldn’t replace my box mod and tank setups for it (no pod vape can make me do that!) but it does make a nice backup device.
Verdict![Smok Novo 2 Review](https://versedvaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Smok-Novo-2-Kit-Review-01.jpg)
The Novo 2 is Smok’s best pod vape yet. it’s also one of the best pod vapes of the year, hands down. The pods are superb and deliver excellent flavor while also wicking whatever type of ejuice you throw at them with ease. Battery life is another big pro. When it comes to pod vapes it’s certainly up there with the greats. If you’re looking for your next pod vape to purchase or even just for your first device, the Novo 2 is a choice you won’t regret.
Im not at all pleased with the novo 2 as the battery will not charge, only having this device for a little over a week. I would not recommend unless you can get a guaranty that if this issue happens you can get your money back or a replacement.
They’re ok when they work. I haven’t been able to get this one to work at all in several days. I’ve only had this one for about 4 months and now it won’t work. Maybe it won’t charge? I don’t know. Whatever the problem, it’s pissing me off and I really do regret buying it..
I am very please with the Novo 2. The battery charge last 2-3 days. It charges relatively fast. With the pods before first use I would recommend giving at least 15 minutes for the juice to wick up before first use. Great product so far in first week!!
Purchased a novo 2 1 month ago and it quit won’t charge. Took back to shop where purchased and was told to notify manufacturers. I dont have box anymore.
Not sure about prior comments but the NOVO 2 rocks!
Beats the pants off Juul, Vuse, and Njoy. Costs less too.
Had it for months now still works like a charm. Battery life crushes any other true pod setup (less than 25Watts, NOTHING over that should be considered a pod system, hell, nothing over 15W should be).
I have killed entire 30ml bottles of 50vg/50pg, 2.5% to 5% ejuice with
ONLY ONE pod with NO PERFORMANCE LOSS. They’re EXCELLENT coils/mesh. I think alot of people try to use 70vg/30pg juice and above and that shit gums up above 1ohm coils and kills them alot faster.
This is the best for exsmokers looking for a more premium style vaping experience that “gas station vapes” just can’t touch. NOT FOR vapers wanting to become human smoke machines. If that’s you than go grab a 40W or above set up with subohm heating.
Best true pod so far. I wouldve posted earlier but you need to try a product like this over time. And best draw. The Nord is definitely more of an AIO. So many companies are trying to cash in on the pod craze and defining more powerful devices with variable power, screens, high wattage, and removable coils as pods-its horsepucky. I keep a wide rubberband on mine and slide it up over the airhole on the right side when I want a tighter hit as the hits get just a hair looser as the pod empties. This also prevents the device from sliding of a smooth surface if the charging cable is hanging down. Even mensioning an RDA in a review of a pod setup is silly. If you use high VG juice-anything above 50/50 is bad and stupid as it’s designed for 50/50 and the pods won’t last nearly as long. Had mine for 4 months now and still works flawlessly. Ive only gone through 7 pods and a lot more ejuice- around 20 bottles!! The pods last forever if you fill them before they are empty and don’t chain hit them. THIS DEVICE ROCKS FOR XSMOKERS. Not vapers (human smoke machines) looking for a potable device.
My pods like I take a hit and they really tase burnt I can’t figure out why
How long have you been using the pod for? Forgive me if you’re already doing this, but make sure that you are allowing enough time for the cotton to saturate after you fill it up. I didn’t have a problem using high VG eliquids but if you’re using something close to 80VG then I would try something closer to a 50/50.
Novo 2 is my 1st pod system and it works like a charm!
Have to applause for it’s battery life! One charge can last couple of days.
However, the Novo 2 is known as leakage king, whenever I carry this little cute thing around me, the ejuice will always be leaked to everywhere I go. It’s just such a mess.
Also it got heat up pretty quick. Few vape and it is hot like a volcano.
But I do like the draw feels, now it’s time to look for my next vape pod