11 Best Pod Vape Devices for 2025 (UK)
Looking for your perfect pod vape kit?
With a bewildering array catering to different vape styles, experience levels and user needs, there’s certainly a pod kit to suit every vaper. However, this does leave you a little spoilt for choice (and easily overwhelmed) when it comes to choosing the best kit for you.
Luckily, our in-house experts have tried hundreds of devices over the years and know what makes a stand-out pod kit
From no-fuss prefilled pod kits ideal for beginners to high-powered pod mods perfect for cloud chasing, we’ve selected 11 of the very best pod vape kits currently available, with in-depth reviews from our team to help you make your choice.
Contents
- Top picks
- Best closed pod devices
- Best refillable pod devices
- Best pod mods
- At a glance
- How we chose the devices
- Wrapping up
- Related guides
Top Picks
Great flavour delivery | Easy to use | Premium build quality
Best for: Flavour
Read more below
Long-lasting battery | Great flavour | Vibrant display
Best for: Versatility
Read more below
Best closed pod devices
Elf Bar Elfa Pro: Disposable flavour in a reusable device
Reviewed by: Lloyd, ECD Team
If you’re familiar with Elf Bar disposables, the Elfa Pro device has all the convenience and flavour you’d expect - just in a replaceable, prefilled pod format.
The device is easy to use, and similar to disposables, with the main difference being that you can replace the pod when it’s empty. The battery can also be recharged, and the clear RGB indicator light at the bottom lets you know when the battery is running low.
The inhale firing activation is ultra-convenient and I found it very responsive and easy to inhale.
The build quality of this device is excellent and, being made from metal, feels far superior to Elf Bar disposables.
Testing the device using the Blue Sour Raspberry pod, I found the flavour was great and the set airflow produced a surprising amount of vapour for such a compact device.
Using the device straight from the box, I found I had to recharge it before the end of the day (probably due to the battery not being fully charged at first). However, when I’d fully recharged the battery it comfortably lasted a full day.
There are over 30 Elfa Pro pod flavours to choose from and, as an added bonus, the device is also compatible with Elfa and Lost Mary Tappo pods - offering even more options.
What we like:
- Great alternative to disposables
- Strong flavours
- Easy to use
SKE 2400: Innovative alternative to disposables
Reviewed by: Corey, ECD Team
As prefilled pod kits have gained popularity as an alternative to disposable vapes, I was keen to see how SKE’s 2400 compared not only to disposables, but to other offerings from the likes of Elf Bar and Lost Mary.
Prefilled pod kits strike a good balance between the flavour and convenience of disposables, with the cost-saving of a reusable, rechargeable device. But what sets the SKE 2400 apart from similar kits is its ‘Big Puff design with 4 rotating pods. Having 4 prefilled pods means you can get 4 times the e-liquid and mix and match your flavours.
Using the Green Edition kit (citrus and tropical flavours), I found the flavour intense and the inhale very similar to disposables. I think regular disposable users would be satisfied with this as an alternative.
As a moderate to heavier vaper, I found each 2400 pod lasted me most of the day, which is similar to a single disposable vape. However, this would vary depending on how heavy a vaper you are. The battery life was also impressive - with the 950mAh battery lasting me a full day before I needed to recharge it.
Overall, I’m impressed with the SKE 2400 and, with the upcoming ban on single-use devices, I’d definitely recommend it to any disposable users looking to switch to an easy-to-use alternative. It has the same great flavour but at a cheaper cost and with less waste!
What we like:
- 4-pod design
- Disposable-style flavour
- Easy operation
Best refillable pod devices
Vaporesso Xros 4: Best for flavour
Reviewed by: Corey, ECD Team
As a longtime fan of the Vaporesso Xros Series, I had high expectations for the Xros 4 device - and it didn’t disappoint. In my opinion, this is the best pod kit on the market!
The first thing I noticed was the impressive build quality. Being aluminium alloy, this feels a lot more solid and premium than other pod kits.
I always expect great flavour from Xros devices, but the addition of adjustable power levels made it even better with the Xros 4. Using the 0.6ohm Xros pod at output level 3, the flavour was the best I’ve experienced.
This additional power did mean sacrificing some pod and battery life (although the 1000mAh battery still lasted 6 hours of heavy use), so I eventually settled on the middle setting.
I also noticed a big improvement when charging - with a much quicker charging time compared to previous Xros kits. I like that the charging port is situated at the side of the device, which is always more convenient than a bottom-placed port.
Overall, this is a fantastic pod device with some great new features. I’d personally recommend the Xros 4 for vapers of all experience levels. However, if you’d prefer something even more easy to use, there’s always the Xros 4 Mini (see below).
What we like:
- Premium build quality
- Exceptional flavour
- Customisable power
Also see: Vaporesso Xros 4 & Xros 4 Mini: Worth the Upgrade?
Vaporesso Xros Pro: High-quality, fast charging
Reviewed by: James, ECD Team
I’ve long been a fan of Xros devices, so when the Xros Pro came out I was keen to try it.
When I first opened the box, I immediately liked the solid build and premium feel of this device. I also love the way the screen disappears into the device when you are not using it. However, I was a little put off by the protruding front panel which, in my opinion, detracts from the overall look of the device.
While the Xros Pro’s 1200mAh battery capacity is 200mAh larger than any other Xros device, it doesn’t actually last longer as it has more work to do with increased wattage and screen display. If you’re an average user, however, you can still probably expect around a day of use between charges. When it came to charging, I was surprised at how fast this was - just over 30 minutes to go from zero to full.
The other big advantage the Pro has over other Xros devices is the ability to vary the power level. By cycling through the power, you can change the amount of vapour, throat hit and nicotine you get from each inhale. As with most one-button devices, it is a little fiddly to cycle through the wattage levels, and the device does fire up when you click to switch modes - but once you’ve found the perfect wattage you don’t have to change it again.
With the variable airflow set to wide, the Xros Pro delivers a great vape, although I did find that when it was fully closed the airflow was too restricted and hardly any vapour was delivered.
The Xros Pro delivers a decent flavour, better than that of the Xros 3 Mini. It doesn’t quite compare to the superb flavour delivered by Oxva’s Xlim Pro but, on the other hand, the coil did last longer.
Overall, this is another quality addition to the impressive Xros range.
What we like:
- Fast charging
- Easy-fill
- Superb build quality
Also see: Vaporesso Xro Pro v. Ova Xlim Pro
Oxva Xlim Pro 2: Easy to use yet versatile
Reviewed by: Lloyd, ECD Team
The Xlim Pro 2 is a very impressive pod device that provides all the flavour you’d want from a vape kit.
Design-wise, it’s conveniently sized - slim and lightweight with a high-quality metal finish. I even found the included lanyard and charging cable were great quality too!
Using the included 0.6ohm Xlim pod, the flavour produced was great, as I’d expect from the Xlim series (although the rubber bung filling can be a little fiddly).
While easy to use, I like that the device has both adjustable wattage and airflow that allows me to customise my vape.
The 1300mAh battery is larger than you usually get with devices of this size and I was impressed to find 50% battery life remaining after a full day of use (350 puffs) at 22W.
In terms of operating the device, the button click patterns are easy and, if you forget, you can simply hold down the button for instructions. The screen is vibrant with a clean display and I like that you can vape while the device is charging - although I do wish the remaining charging time was displayed on the screen.
Overall, this is a perfect device for those looking for a compact, high-quality pod kit that’s easy to use yet customisable with great flavour and battery life.
What we like:
- Long-lasting battery
- Easy to use
- Great flavour
- Vibrant display
Vaporesso Luxe XR Max: Compact, powerful, easy to use
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 Series 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
Smok Novo 4: Tough design & precise control
Smok's Novo 4 caters to vapers of all experience levels.
Part of the popular Novo Series, It has all the elements needed for a new vaper’s first kit – simple, single-button design, easy filling pods and push-fit coil installation.
While easy-to-use features are great for beginners, an added bonus of this Novo 4 is other aspects such as adjustable airflow and an OLED screen that allow you to start experimenting as you become more familiar with vaping. This helps you progress, discover your preferences and also means there is less need to buy another device as you become more advanced.
One of the standout features is the Novo 4’s easy-to-control airflow wheel. This allows you to precisely control the airflow and experiment with a more airy or restricted inhale.
There’s also the inclusion of a small OLED screen displaying device information. This enables you to keep tabs on the status of the device and learn more about how it is operating.
What we like:
- Airflow control wheel
- OLED screen
- Gives you the chance to experiment
For a similar, more compact version see the Novo 4 Mini.
Smok Nord 2: Reliable, comfortable mouth-piece
I couldn’t write a post about the best pod mods without including a Nord - and in fact, there are two in this roundup!
Both the original Smok Nord and the Smok Nord 2 have proved hugely popular. They’ve also proved highly reliable. In fact, the Smok Nord 2 has an average review rating on E-Cigarette Direct of 4.8/5 from over 200 reviews.
Both the devices come with a duck-billed mouthpiece which has proved part of the key to its popularity. The mouthpiece is designed to fit the contours of your lips, making it one of the most comfortable to vape.
The Nord 2 comes with significantly more power than the original Nord. It can provide up to 40 watts, and can also be used with lower resistance coils. This makes it a great choice for vapers looking to experiment with larger clouds of vapour without blocking the sun out!
What we like:
- Duck-billed mouthpiece
- Reliable performer
- Choice of coils
Best pod mods
Voopoo Drag S2: Great flavour & battery life
Reviewed by: Maya, ECD Team
With the popularity of Voopoo’s Drag Series, as well as my usual preference for powerful mods and large clouds, the Drag S2 had a lot to live up to. However, I was thrilled to discover this compact 60W pod mod more than meets my needs in terms of design, battery, flavour and vapour.
Very lightweight and comfortable to hold (even for my small hands!), the Drag S2 is available in some very nice colour options, with Glow Pink being my personal favourite.
The flavour production of this kit is incredible! Using my favourite Doozy Temptations Strawberry Milk shortfill, it genuinely felt like I was drinking a strawberry milkshake! The PnP X pod also allows plenty of air into the chamber for large clouds.
I found the included new PnP X coils perform even better than the previous PnP versions and a single coil lasted me a full seven days of use.
For such a compact device, the performance is also amazing, with the 2500mAh battery lasting me 2 days between charges. There’s also the option of ECO mode to extend battery life further. In terms of operation, the Smart mode is very convenient as it automatically sets the best wattage for your coil and the buttons are also very easy to manage.
The pod’s bottom-positioned filling bung meant having to remove it to refill, so I did feel a top-filling port would have been more convenient. However, the filling port is a very good size and easily accommodated my 100ml e-liquid bottle.
Overall this is a great pod mod that I’d recommend to any Direct-Lung (DL) vaper looking for an alternative to bulky mods while still wanting great clouds and flavour.
What we like:
- Great flavour
- Long-lasting battery
- Smart Mode for no-fuss power selection
Smok Nord 4: Choose between restricted or airy vape
While the Nord 2 was a step up from the Nord, the Nord 4 is a different beast altogether. The device can output up to 80 watts of power, putting it firmly in the Pod Mod category.
Combine that power with low resistance coils (especially the 0.16Ω RPM2 coil) and you can produce thick, dense clouds of vapour.
The Nord 4 is not just for clouds though. Switch to the 1.2Ω quartz coil and dial down the airflow and wattage to get a restricted vape with more intense flavour.
I also like the airflow adjustment. This is controlled by a wheel-like control, which makes it easy to get better accuracy.
(You may be wondering why there isn’t a Smok Nord 3!? Smok told us that they regard the Smok Nord X as the third in the series, which is why this device is called the Nord 4, despite there being no Nord 3.)
What we like:
- Most powerful Nord device yet
- Choose between MTL or DL vaping
- Great airflow control
Voopoo Argus Pro 2: Fantastic flavour & vapour
Reviewed by: Corey, ECD Team
An upgraded version of the popular Argus Pro, The Argus Pro 2 is another impressive Voopoo pod mod that ticks all the boxes for a sub-ohm vaper.
Design-wise, this is everything I’d expect from a Voopoo device - fantastic build quality with a high-quality leather and metal finish and solid, tactile buttons.
Using the included 0.15ohm coil with high-VG e-liquid, I found the flavour and vapour production fantastic. There’s also the newly-added Boost/Turbo mode option which can be used to further increase vapour production.
The device can output up to 80W and I found the built-in Smart mode a handy feature as it automatically set the optimum wattage for my coil. However, if you prefer to manually control your wattage you can switch to RBA mode.
As a heavier vaper, I was also impressed that the 3000mAh battery lasted most of a day of use even at the highest wattage.
The only small downside was the pod’s side-filling design - meaning you need to remove the pod from the device to refill.
This one, very picky, flaw aside, this is a great overall device perfect for sub-ohmers who value quality and flavour.
What we like:
- High-quality design
- Handy Smart mode
- Great flavour & vapour
Pod devices at a glance
In this post you’ll find we also refer to MTL (Mouth-to-Lung), DL (Direct-Lung) or RDL (Restricted Direct-Lung) inhale. You can find an explanation of what these terms mean in our MTL v. DL guide.
| Device | Pod type | Inhale style | What’s special? |
| Elf Bar Elfa Pro | Closed pod | MTL | Easy to use, disposable flavour |
| SKE Crystal 2400 | Closed pod | MTL | Rotating 4-pod design |
| Vaporesso Xros 4 | Open pod | MTL/RDL | Best for flavour |
| Vaporesso Xros Pro | Open pod | MTL/RDL | High-quality, fast charging |
| Oxva Xlim Pro 2 | Open pod | MTL/RDL | Customisable settings, long-lasting battery |
| Vaporesso Luxe XR Max | Open pod | MTL | Futuristic design, all-day battery life |
| Smok Novo 4 | Open Pod | MTL | Tough design, precise control |
| Smok Nord 2 | Open pod, replaceable coils | MTL/RDL | Uber-popular, reliable, duck-billed mouth-piece |
| Voopoo Drag S2 | Pod Mod | MTL/DL | Great flavour & battery life, compact DL |
| Smok Nord 4 | Pod Mod | MTL/DL | Choose between tight or airy vape |
| Voopoo Argus Pro 2 | Pod Mod | MTL/DL | Fantastic flavour & vapour |
How we chose the devices
To select the kits here we’ve used a combination of our own ratings, the popularity of the devices, both in terms of sales and ‘on the scene’, as well as taking into account customer feedback. Occasionally we’ll add a just-launched kit to the list – but only if we are seriously impressed in testing.
All the kits here are made to UK standards and are compliant with EU and UK regulations.
Wrapping up
While we’d love to provide a definitive ‘best’ pick here, it’s important to remember that different devices suit different people. For example, someone who loves blowing clouds of vapour might not like a Mouth-to-Lung pod device other vapers love.
The devices listed here each have their own special features, and what suits another vaper might not suit you.
Ultimately, it all comes down to what fulfils your personal needs - whether that’s battery life, flavour, size or ease of use, it’s best to look for a device based on the features you deem most important.