SMOK NOVO 2 VS SMOK NOVO 3 VS SMOK NOVO X

SMOK NOVO VERSUS SMOK NOVO 2 VERSUS SMOK NOVO 3 VERSUS SMOK NOVO X

REFILLABLE VAPE POD KITS
Refillable vape pod kits are one of the easiest ways to vape and provide big savings compared to prefilled vape pods and disposable vapes. While vape pods provide a mouth-to-lung vaping experience similar to the original generation of cigalikes, refillable vape pod kits do not have standardized threading. This means that every manufacturer’s vape pod kits only works with their brand of compatible vape pods.

Refillable vape pod kits come in all shapes and sizes. There are a huge number of form factors, battery sizes and power outputs. 

NIC SALT EJUICES
Refillable vape pod kits owe their popularity to potent nic salt eliquids. These higher nicotine formulas require less vapor to provide a satisfying experience. If you have any questions about this type of nicotine, check out our feature: Intro to Nic Salts. This means that less battery power needs to be expended per puff, less ejuice is burned each time you fire your device and fewer puffs provide a satisfying experience.

While the initial vape pod kits were prefilled, the top vape juice manufacturers began to turn out high quality nic salts. Sold in eliquid bottles containing 30ml, nic salt vapers can save big by switching to a refillable vape pod kit. 

SMOK NOVO VAPE POD KITS

If vape pods are to be judged on a sliding scale of simple to complex, the Novo family is firmly planted on the simple and user-friendly side. For fans of easy to use prefilled vape pods or disposables, as well as smokers looking to switch to vaping, this makes the Smok Novo vape pod kits an ideal entry point into refillable vapes.

The appearance of the Smok Novo has not changed much over the years but the performance has been enhanced considerably. What has remained consistent is that all the Novos are autodraw devices with a 2ml ejuice capacity and a very compact shape. All four of the Smok Novos we are reviewing today are less than 3.5 inches long and about an inch wide. If you are looking for a change of pace, the full array of Smok vape pod kits is quite impressive. The Novo family is popular due to simplicity, flavor and reliability.

The design of the tapered mouthpiece has remained basically identical. In all cases, the Smok Novo family uses swappable pods. Once the pod is spent, you swap out the whole thing. There are no replacement coils. In all cases, the pod snaps snuggly into place and will not fall out on its own. This makes it a perfect vape pod to tote around for everyday use. Now it is time to deep dive all four of Novos to spotlight the differences and find which one is right for you or if you should upgrade to one of the newer models.

SMOK NOVO

The original Smok Novo was a perfect answer to the popular Juul device. With a tight autodraw, great flavor and countless nic salt eliquids to fill it up with, savvy vapers quickly shifted from prefilled pods to devices like the Smok Novo.

It is a design that simply works but it is beginning to show its age compared to its younger siblings. The original Smok Novo has a 450mAh battery and a peak output of 16w. Visibly, it is almost indistinguishable from the Novo 2 and Novo 3.

The main difference being that the charging port is located on its side. Any size difference is not easily detected by the naked eye and measured in the tenths of millimeters. But if you are a current Smok Novo vaper, the greater output, improved pods and larger battery of its brethren may mean it is time to upgrade the gear. As you get two new pods with the Novo kit, the expense is partially offset.

It is a design that simply works. The fill port on the pods is easy to use and mostly leak proof. The design is mostly unchanged and here is an image of how to fill a Novo 2.

SMOK NOVO 2

Our opinions have not changed since our comparison last summer: Smok Novo versus Smok Novo 2. If you are a fan of the original Novo, the Novo 2 offers real performance upgrades in a package that is nearly identical in size. In fact, apart from the charging port being moved to the bottom, the Novo and Novo 2 have a virtually indistinguishable exterior.

On the inside is a different story. The Novo 2 has a much larger battery at 800mAh (versus 450mAh) and an output that has been bumped from 16w to 25w. There are new pods available, including an amazing 1.0ohm meshed Novo 2 pod. The fill ports of the Novo 2 pods are also slightly larger, although since the pods are compatible with all the Novos except the Novo X, this isn’t a huge deal.

The second pod is the Novo 2 1.4ohm MTL pod, a tight drawing pod ideal for vaping higher potency nic salts.

One of the biggest improvements found in the Smok Novo 2 is easy to miss at first glance. Grooves have been added around the electrode to keep condensation from getting trapped beneath the pod. This can be a big deal, as the liquid at the base of the pod could adversely impact the autodraw functionality and firing of the device. As there is no OLED on the Novo 2 (or the Novo or Novo 3 for that matter), a single light keeps you apprised of the battery life situation. 

If you are a fan of the original Novo, we do not hesitate to recommend the Novo 2. It is the same size but comprehensively superior. It is also a perfect option for fans of prefilled devices and disposables who are looking for an easy to use device that is designed for nic salt vaping. It is also a great starter device as it has no additional features or buttons to make the process of vaping confusing. Just charge, fill and inhale. The Smok Novo 2 comes with a 1.0ohm Meshed pod and 1.4ohm DC pod.

SMOK NOVO 3

The advantages of the Smok Novo 2 over the original Smok Novo make for a slam dunk case. Bigger battery, more reliable, improved airflow and better performance. But it turns out the Novo 2 was close to the perfected article, at least for a device with a footprint as small as the Novo 2. The differences between the Smok Novo 2 and Smok Novo 3 are much more subtle.

The Smok Novo 2 and Smok Novo 3 are nearly identical in size and layout. They both have 800mAh batteries and an output of between 6 and 25w. But there are some improvements under the hood. The autodraw activation and airflow have been totally revamped. This results in quicker firing time and improved flavor.

The Smok Novo 3 0.8ohm mesh coil is simply outstanding. As good as the 1.0ohm Novo 2 pod is, the Novo 3 pod is better still. The flavor generated is intense and it takes full advantage of the improved autodraw system. If you have a Novo 2, there is probably no need to rush out and get a Novo 3. They are pretty similar. But if you are looking to switch to refillable vape pod kits, want a second Novo device or are upgrading from the original Novo, it is well worth jumping to the Novo 3.

SMOK NOVO X

The Smok Novo X is the outlier of the Novo family. Whereas the Smok Novos 1, 2 and 3 have cross compatible pods, the Smok Novo X only works with Smok Novo X pods. This is not a bad thing, however.

The Novo X pods are slightly larger. The duo of 0.8ohm Novo X pods are simply fantastic and generate ludicrously precise flavor and in my experience lasts a bit longer than the already long-lived Novo 2 pods. The 0.8ohm dual coil operates between 12 and 25w, and is great for mouth-to-lung (MTL) vaping. Smok cryptically claims the 0.8ohm MTL pod produces the greatest degree of “flavor restoration".

The 0.8ohm Meshed DL has a recommended wattage of 10 to 15w. It operates at lower wattage but has a larger surface area than the mouth-to-lung pod. This means it ramps up quickly and delivers gorgeous tasting vapor. While not interchangeable experiences, both Novo X pods work great with nic salts.

And while the battery size and peak output of the Smok Novo X is the same as the Smok Novo 2 and 3, only the Smok Novo X has adjustable wattage. It accomplishes this through the use of a gorgeous and easily navigated 0.49 inch OLED display. Whether you want to count puffs or monitor battery life, the addition of this feature is a welcome one.

A bit more upscale and unique, the Smok Novo X clearly shares its lineage with the other Smok Novo vape pod kits but stands above its stablemates in terms of performance. If you have a pod you already love with one of the previous Novo vape pod kits, it might not be worth switching to a device that is not compatible the rest of the Novo pod line. But if you love the form, function and practicality of the Novo but are looking for a performance upgrade, making the switch to the Novo X may be just the ticket.