The 11 Best Pod Mods for 2023 (UK)

Updated: September 2023

What are pod mods?

First, there were mods. Then there were pods.

Now… there are pod mods!

While vape mods are usually larger, more powerful and more advanced, pod devices are almost the opposite - more compact, easy to use and (usually) lower powered.

Pod mods meet somewhere between the two.

They are larger, more powerful and sometimes more advanced than a pod system, but more compact, easier to use and (usually) not as powerful as a mod.

Pod mods have become increasingly popular in the last few years. In fact, in our 2021 predictions post, Vaporesso predicted that 2021 would be the year of the pod mod. While it was actually disposable vapes that turned out to be that year’s success story, the combination of power and simplicity means pod mods are likely to sustain their popularity for the foreseeable future.

Contents

• Best pod mods summary
• Best pod mods in-depth
• Who are pod mods for?
• How did we choose the kits?
• Finally...

Don’t want to read through the whole post? Here’s a summary of the devices…

Do note that ‘Style’ here refers to MTL(Mouth-to-Lung), DL(Direct-Lung) and RDL (restricted Direct-Lung) vaping styles. If you don’t know what these terms mean, you can find a full explanation in our post: MTL v. DL.

The Smok Nord Series has produced some of the most popular pod devices over the last few years. But the Nord 4 and Nord 5 devices were the first that could be described as true pod mods - with up to 80 watts of power and larger, 2000mAh batteries. While this is fairly standard in the world of pod mods, what’s impressive is compressing that power into such compact, easy-to-use devices.

Capable of producing dense vapour clouds, the Nord 5 is an exclusively DL device, while the Nord 4 supports both MTL and DL inhales. Both devices also feature adjustable airflow so that you can further tailor your inhale to precisely how you like it.

Featuring the Nord Series’ slimline, pocket-friendly design, you’ll also notice the specially designed duck-billed mouthpiece which makes using them super comfortable on your lips.

What’s to like:

• 80W of power in compact size
• Easy to use
• Comfortable duck-billed mouthpiece

The first thing you’ll notice about Vaporesso’s Luxe X is its eye-catching, futuristic style with a transparent, chipset-exposing design. But there’s much more to this stylish pod device...

Combining a 1500mAh battery that lasts up to 24 hours on a single charge with Vaporesso’s flavour-enhancing COREX coil technology, it provides excellent flavour all day long! In fact, our in-house testers were very impressed with the flavour produced, especially given their compact size.

There are no settings to worry about with this device, as the Smart Power Control function means you simply attach your pod and the device does the work for you.

Using convenient fixed-coil pods in a choice of resistances, the Luxe X gives you the choice of Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) and restricted Direct-Lung (RDL) inhales, which can be tailored further with their adjustable airflow feature.

What’s to like:

• Futuristic style
• Up to 24hrs battery life
• Easy to use Smart Power Control
• Supports MTL & RDL inhale styles

Reviewed by: Emily, ECD Team

The Luxe XR Max is a newer, upgraded version of the Luxe X and its replaceable-coil alternative the Luxe XR. Having used, and being very impressed by, the other Luxe devices in the past, I was excited to see how this new device compared.

Looks-wise, the device is very similar to the originals, and I love the fact this new version lights up! It’s also very light in hand (if a little bit heavier than the others), so would make a good choice for those wanting decent power without a bulky device.

The battery life was VERY impressive on this device - I’m a heavy vaper, yet the battery lasted around a day and a half of use before I had to charge it again.

My favourite thing about this device, however, is the inhale and the flavour. Although I spend a lot of time testing different devices as a long-time Direct-Lung (DL) vaper who has moved back to a Restricted Direct-Lung (RDL) style, I’ve struggled to find a kit to fit this style…with little success. Then I discovered the Luxe XR Max and it suited me perfectly!

The device supports both replaceable and fixed-coil pods, and, when used with a 0.8ohm fixed-coil pod (which can be bought separately from the kit) and nic salts, it provides a perfect RDL inhale with strong flavour.

I also experimented with the 0.4ohm pod - which produced a more airy inhale that would be ideal for DL vapers.

Overall, I LOVED this device. It fits my vaping style perfectly, has great flavour, impressive battery life and looks great - everything I would want from a vape kit

What’s to like:

• Futuristic style
• Long-lasting battery 
• Easy to use Smart Power Control
• Supports MTL & RDL inhale styles 

Reviewed by: Corey, ECD Team

While I’d usually use a mod and tank kit for Direct-Lung vaping, I was surprised to find the Geekvape E100 pod mod matched the performance of many DL mods I’ve tried in the past.

This kit has the solid water, dust and shockproof IP68 design you’d expect from Geekvape yet, even with the battery installed, it is still super lightweight - which is great for those wanting a DL device without carrying a bulky mod kit around.

I found the included pod and tank provide a smooth DL vape with good flavour and plenty of clouds, plus adjustable airflow that allowed me to tailor my inhale to my preferences.

The 100W mod is powered by a single 18650 battery, which lasted me most of a day’s use at 60 - 70W on a single charge. I do think the device could have benefited from a 21700 battery option to extend battery life but this would mean a trade-off with the lightweight design of the kit.

The E100 has a choice of modes to suit different experience levels - including standard variable wattage, a choice of Temperature Control, Smart and Boost options.

The Smart Mode option auto-sets the mod’s output based on the coil being used - which is a great option for less experienced users who don’t want to fuss with settings. I found using ‘Max W’ mode really increased the power output compared to Smart Mode, although I found it slightly irritating that the wattage wasn’t actually displayed in this mode.

Overall, this is a great device for those who want a tough, intelligent Direct-Lung device without having to use a bulky mod kit.

What’s to like:

• Tough yet lightweight design
• Smooth inhale with rich flavour & vapour
• Choice of modes to suit different experience levels  
   

While we’re always impressed with Voopoo’s Drag devices, the Drag E60 stood out to us in testing.

Firstly, the power and battery life is notable for its compact size - with up to 60W, and an impressive 2500mAh battery. The battery life can also be further enhanced by the newly-introduced, energy-saving ECO mode, which will keep you vaping longer.

For added versatility, while the kit’s included coils support DL vaping, the compatible PnP coils’ range of resistance means it can support an MTL inhale too. The user-friendly Smart Mode means you don’t need to be an expert to use this device as it takes the guesswork out of power settings.

Finally, another thing that stood out to us was the device’s unusual design. While the E60 retains the Drag Series’ stylish metal and leather aesthetic, it is more square-shaped than most pod mods, particularly in contrast to the usual cylindrical Drag devices.

What’s to like:

• Impressive power & battery life
• Supports MTL & DL vaping
• Battery life-enhancing ECO Mode
• User-friendly Smart Mode

Part of Voopoo’s popular Drag Series, both the Drag S Pro & Drag X Pro devices provide great performance, taste and modes to cater to all experience levels.

But with many great pod mods to choose from, it’s the aesthetics that made these devices stand out to us. Fusing metal and leather, these devices are both great to look at and comfortable to hold.

The difference between the two is the battery. The Drag S Pro comes with a fixed 3000mAh battery (which is pretty good for a pod device). If you want a little more battery life, or the ability to switch the batteries when one runs out, choose the Drag X Pro which takes an external 18650 or 21700 battery.

The Smart Mode option in these devices does two things - it sets a maximum limit for the wattage you can use, but it also recommends the best wattage settings.

I think that’s great for less experienced users (although I would never recommend a pod mod for a new vaper), as it reduces the chance they will burn the coil out. More experienced users can switch into RBA mode so they can abuse their coils as they wish!

(RBA stands for rebuildable atomiser, but the mode doesn’t require an RBA coil to be used.)

Both kits come with the Voopoo TPP X pod and TPP coils for Direct-Lung vaping, but if you prefer an MTL vape style, you can always purchase the alternative PnP-X pod which supports higher-resistance coil options.

What’s to like:

• Great performance
• Choice of fixed or replaceable battery
• Smart mode great for less experienced users

Named after its IP67 rating (waterproof, dustproof and shockproof) and 80W output, the Smok IPX80 is a super-tough pod mod perfect for outdoor use.

Powered by a long-lasting 3000mAh battery, this is a versatile device that works with RPM and RPM2 coils for both MTL and DL vaping styles.

Unique adjustable airflow wheels on each side of the pod offer a smooth and easy way to precisely tailor the air intake between airy or restricted and the duck-billed shape of the mouthpiece means it fits comfortably to the contours of your lips.

What's to like:

• Super tough
• Long-lasting battery
• Supports MTL & DL

Great flavour doesn’t have to mean a super high-powered and complicated device. We recently tried Vaporesso’s Gen PT60 and Gen PT80 S pod mods and were impressed with both the ease of use and the flavour they produce.

Available in 60W fixed battery (PT60) and 80W replaceable battery (PT80 S) versions, both devices are lightweight and easy to use - suited to those with some experience but you don’t need to be an expert. The Smart Mode function makes them super easy to use by automatically detecting your coil resistance and setting the best power output for you. (We’d prefer Smart Mode to be automatically selected, though, to make it even easier for beginners.)

The impressive flavour comes from Vaporesso’s flavour-enhancing Corex technology, combining a ‘Morph-Mesh’ coil design and cumulus cotton wicking for even heating and a stronger, more consistent taste from your vape juice.

Both kits work with the full GTX range, supporting both MTL and DL vape styles. The included X tank also has a top adjustable airflow ring so that you can tailor the inhale and create a more restricted or airy vape style.

What's to like:

• Great flavour
• Easy to use Smart Mode
• Lightweight design

The Voopoo Argus Pro combines both impressive features AND an impressive look.

A combination of leather and metal along with the device’s rounded shape gives this compact pod mod both a stylish aesthetic and comfortable grip.

The Argus Pro uses the Voopoo PnP pod and supports both MTL and DL vaping styles. An innovative infinite airflow design means you can also precisely tailor your airflow to exactly how you like it - very airy, very tight or anywhere in between.

With an adjustable output of up to 80W paired with a 3000mAh battery, the Argus Pro provides long-lasting power and a choice of user modes that cater to different experience levels. Newer vapers or those who want less fuss can choose the easy-to-use Smart Mode, which provides automatic coil recognition and wattage selection. There’s also RBA mode for more experienced users who like to build their own coils.  
 

What's to like:

• Great aesthetics
• Different modes for different experience levels
• Infinite adjustable airflow

One of the advantages of pod mods is they suit a wide range of experience levels.

I always advise anyone starting out vaping to use a lower-powered starter kit. However, most vapers with some experience (or a friend to help out!) should be able to use these devices.

Really, for most pod mods the only thing you need to know is:

• how to prime the coil correctly
• the right wattage for the coil you are using

Many pod mods help out here by providing a smart mode. Depending on the device, this will suggest a power setting, set a maximum/minimum wattage, or both.

If you’re not yet an expert vaper, smart mode is a real bonus because it simplifies using the device and can help extend the life of your coils.

While most pod mods don’t come with advanced vape modes, we are starting to see them emerge with newer devices. This makes the devices suitable for advanced vapers looking for a back-up device.

This leads to another advantage for pods mods.

When you start with a simple starter kit, you often only have one mode of vaping to enjoy. But some pod mods have the ability to grow with you. For example, you might start using a pod with smart mode, which takes some of the guesswork out of vaping, and end up using the more advanced modes as you become more experienced.

One thing to take into account when choosing a pod mod is your preferred inhale.

Some pod mods cater exclusively for Direct-Lung or Mouth-to-Lung vaping. But an increasing number of Pod Mods cater for both styles. This flexibility makes them a great choice for vapers who like to switch between different styles of vaping.

We’ve used three criteria for selecting the kits in this post:

• initial testing
• popularity of the device
• feedback.

Before we put a device on sale, we receive a sample for initial testing. I generally get a good idea of how good it is by how soon it gets to me – if our product manager keeps hold of the sample, it generally means it’s really good!

We also take into account feedback from customers. As we sell thousands of kits every month, this is quite rapid. In fact, unless we are blown away by a new device, we don’t usually list it until we have had plenty of feedback from our customers.

After all, sometimes a device can shine in initial testing but fail to withstand the test of time.

There’s sure to be more pod mods released in the coming weeks and months so we’ll keep an eye open for more top-notch devices, and add the best ones here as the year goes on.

What’s your favourite pod mod so far, and why? Do let us know in the comments!