The SMOK Nord Pod System is a small hybrid pod device that has the added bonus of not only having a refillable pod but replaceable coils!
Smok is a prolific e-cigarette manufacturer based in China; So they need no introduction to the wider vaping community.
Update: There have been a number of Nords released since this review. Take a look at the latest below:
Smok has quite a few pods on the market and in their back catalogue including the Novo 2, the excellent Mico and the Infinix.
Can The SMOK Nord Kit Pod System be the One?
How did we find the Nord Pod? Was it a case of oh lord not another Pod kit? Or is it redeemable in our eyes? Let go take an up and close look at it and find out……………..
This kit was sent to us by Smok for the purpose of this review. As always my thoughts and views are my own after considerable testing.
Hands On SMOK Nord Video Review
In The Box
- 1x Smok Nord Mod
- 1x Nord Pod
- 1×0.6ohm sub ohm coil
- 1×1.4ohm MTL coil
- 1xUSB cable
- User manual
Main Specs/Features
- Size: 94x30x18.8mm
- Battery: 1100mAh (internal)
- Output: 10-15W
- E-liquid capacity: 3ml (standard) / 2ml (EU)
- Coils: 0.6Ω Mesh and 1.4Ω regular
- Colours available: black, gold, green, red, rainbow and black/white
Design and Build Quality
The Nord Pod System comes well displayed in a small card box with a paper over sleeve.
I’ve got to mention that Smok have included their new anti counterfeit sticker on the box.
The SMOK Nord has been designed well with a great quality of manufacture, the device measures 94mm in height, 30mm in width and just 18.8mm in depth with the pod attached and weighing in at around 80g.
The device is made, primarily, of a zinc alloy with the pod being made of plastic. As extras you get a very short micro usb cable and 2 different types of coil.
Nord
It’s a very well made pod, it has plastic face panels that have a honeycombed pattern the rest of the body is a zinc alloy that holds an 1100mAh integrated battery.
The front has a central fire button that has an Led light that indicates the battery state/usage.
Branding is at a minimum with “Smok” on the front, the back has “Nord” as well as the normal safety marks.
Inside where the pod sits you will see 3 contact points.
The bottom of the device houses the micro USB charge point.
The sides of the Nord have been rounded off for a comfortable feel in the hand.
Pod
Made of 2 tone plastic it will hold 1 of the 2 supplied coils in the clear section.
The fill port is located on the side of the pod under the mouthpiece section and is covered with a rubber bung.
The mouthpiece, by the way, is super comfortable and feels a lot more durable than the rest of the pod.
My pod is the standard 3ml while in the EU they will be 2ml in size.
The pod is pressure held into the device, with no movement or wobbling. When the pod is full and in position in the mod you have a little window so you can check out your liquid level although it is difficult to get a good view as the window is so small.
Coils
There are two coils that come along with the kit, DTL 0.6Ω mesh coil and a MTL 1.4Ω round wire coil.
There is no mention of what material the coils are made from! My best guess would be Kanthal as I’ve had no adverse reaction in using either of them!
Basic Quick Start Guide
Please ensure the Mod is fully charged before first use.
Tip: Empty any remaining liquid before changing coils or you will make a mess!
Filling etc
- Choose which coil suits you best
- Pre wick the coil by dropping a little liquid onto the coil and cotton
- Insert coil into the pod
- Unplug the fill port and fill with a liquid of your choice and re plug!
- Re assemble the pod into the Nord mod and leave for a few minutes so the cotton can soak up more liquid
- 5 quick clicks of the fire button will turn the Nord on and off
Enjoy your new Nord Pod system.
Battery lights
- Low power = Red
- 30 and 70% = Orange
- 70 and 100% = Green
- After a full charge the light will go out
- Firing the mod the light will be white
- To check your battery state press the fire button twice
How Does the SMOK Nord Pod System Perform?
For this review I tested both the DTL 0.6Ω coil and the MTL 1.4Ω coil.
I filled the pod with Double Drip 80/20 coil sauce “Crystal Mist” after I’d tipped in a 20mg Salt Nic 10ml shot (leaving the liquid to steep for a few days) making my 50ml short fill bottle 60ml with approx 3.5mg of Nicotine.
I can honestly say I’ve never really been a huge fan of Pod systems even though I have tested many of them in the past. I’ve always tried to be as objective as I could but I personally prefer to vape on something that has a bit more weight and a higher wattage than a pod system can produce.
I find most pod systems are mouth to lung (MTL) with low vapour production and a tight draw (not my style). Many pod systems also have tiny batteries, which frustrates the heck out of me lol, that’s not to say it’s all bad with a pod system far from it, most of them give a better than average flavour production; with being a flavour chaser myself is right up my alley.
Read more about what Mouth to Lung (MTL) vaping is here.
MTL Coil – 1.4Ohm
Starting with the 1.4Ω coil, I can truthfully say in the 8hrs I used the coil the flavour was extremely good!
However, as I said the tightness of the coil (while not super tight) did lead to me being frustrated with the draw lol. To give you point of reference years ago I used the Nautilus mini with the 1.6Ω bvc coil on an Innokin itaste VV/VW V3, while the draw was ok, the flavour was out of this world especially with the liquid I used to use back then “T-Juice, Red Astaire”.
The flavour from the Nord with a 1.4Ω coil is comparable if not better with the e-liquid I am using today, while the vapour production (MTL) from the Nord was a little disappointing for me personally although it was still, nevertheless, pretty good.
DTL Coil – 0.6Ohm Mesh Coil
Now this is where the fun began for me.
I was totally surprised at the quality and vapour production that the 0.6Ω coil gives, ok so while the SMOK Nord pod with the 0.6Ω mesh coil installed is never going to be a major cloud chucker the volume was very acceptable as was the flavour production.
The only other hybrid pod system I have ever been somewhat satisfied with that gave me similar results was the Aspire Breeze 2 apart from the battery life that is lol.
The Nord Airflow was a little on the loose side but not overly so, I would have like to see an option to alter the AF but hey this is a pod system it’s meant to be simple and foolproof right!
The coil prices at my local B&M store were a little on the expensive side for a 5 pack, however the kit price is nice and cheap and well worth the punt.
Battery/Life
The Smok® Nord has an integrated internal battery of 1100mAh that produces up to 15w of power, the device can be used as a pass-through. In other words you can vape the Nord while it’s on charge! Which I found totally impossible with the tiny charge cable. I mean check it out 🙂
I managed a full 8 hrs vape time with the MTL coil, however with the DTL coil the battery lasted just under 4hrs, still very good for a unit with this sized battery. The recharge can take up to 2hrs from flat which in my mind is rather slow for such a small battery.
Pros
- Well designed
- Good quality
- Very comfortable to hold
- Good flavour production
- Acceptable vapour production
- Great MTL battery life
- Acceptable DTL battery life
- 2 different coils to test
- Acceptable airflow
- Cheap kit price
Cons
- Very short micro USB cable
- Charge time
- Coil material not mentioned
- 5pk coil price expensive
Final Review Verdict
The Smok Nord Kit pod system was a pleasure to test and even more so to use! I said earlier in this review that I’ve never personally been a huge fan of pod systems; the Nord has made me sit up and evaluate my statement somewhat – well at least with this pod system lol.
I think that with the inclusion of replaceable coils a refillable pod and a fairly decent sized battery has endeared this kit to me.
This is one of the best pod vape systems I have used and comes highly recommended by me as an all level vape.
Would I buy the SMOK Nord kit again should mine get damaged or stolen? That would be a BIG yes good buddy, in fact I am so impressed by it that I’m using the Nord as a 2nd carry around mod, if you do the same make sure you turn it off before putting it in your pocket lol.
Which do you like more, the Nord or the Freemax Onix pod kit? I can’t decide which to get!
To be honest Rachel I prefer the Smok Nord, I have 2 that I carry all the time in my bag, switched off of course lol
and one I use purely for CBD.
I don’t own an Onnix but have used one to be fair while I think its a great pod kit, I personally didn’t like the length of the device!
Preference is very much of a personal thing I would suggest you find a local store and ask to hold each of them if they have both in stock.
Hi, I’m trying the Nord for the first time. Could you tell me is it supposed to make a crackling noise whenever you press the button to vape? I have set it up according to the instructions but not sure if the noise is normal.
Hi
Yes crackle noise occurs after fill-up of juice. Don’t worry. It also makes a pop sound,don’t worry.
The smok pod usually suffers with leaks. The Nord kit rarely leaks,yay. A good no nonsense vaper is the Nord. Yup I have one. Oh my current coil/0.6 has lasted just shy of a month
Just started using the Smok Nord today, I generally use an Aspire Nautilus AIO but fancied a change like you do. I was surprised how good it was with Salts using the 1.4 coil, not really a cloud chaser so the 0.6 sub ohm vaping is not something I do, so the Nord suits me down to the ground, I took the advice about letting the coil soak for a while and the Berries Nic Salt tasted way better in the Nord compared to the Nautilus which I absolutely love I might add. Great review I really enjoyed it.
I’ve got issues with leaking, flavour inconsistency and pretty fast occ coil burn..
Can u clear me that can i use free base nic juice ( for ex. 6mg tobacco juice) or only nicsalt juice in this pod system?
Yeah for sure you can use freebase e-juice too 🙂
Hi, just wanted to ask if there is any difference in the coils for the US version and the EU version. Can you use coils for EU in a pod from the US?
Thanks,
the pod I used for this review was the 3ml standard version, the EU version is 2ml, I’ve got both now and the coils are universal.
How long does 2ml of liquid last in this thing?
I am interested in getting something easy to carry in my pocket for work and that I can easily substitute cigarettes for.
I have a few larger vapes at home, but they aren’t really work friendly or pocket friendly.
Hey Luca,
It’s difficult to say as we all have different vaping styles and some vape more than others.
Out of the two coils the 1.4Ohm coil will see you filling a little less often.
I personally always carry bottle of juice around with me when I’m out and about, even if it’s just 10ml. Which, if you are a moderate vaper, should be more than enough as back up for the day. Better still, if you vape Nic Salts in this then that should satisfy that nicotine urge in less drags than if you were using a standard freebase e-liquid.
Sorry couldn’t be more specific, maybe Kevin, who reviewed the Nord, will jump in and share his thoughts!
Cheers
hi Luca, for me 2ml of liquid with the 1.4 coil will last about 2 hrs the 0.6 coil under an hour or quicker lol, I’m a heavy vaper so I get through liquid very quickly, as Jonny suggested carry a bottle with you.
what is the proper way to fill the coil with juice, do you enter it from the top or the sides where the cotton shows through the holes?
To prep the coil:- Drop a few drops of e liquid in through the top and moisten the wick slots on the side!
Don’t over pre wick.
Place the coil in to the pod and fill through the side port.
At Last
Told you it was a Good Un 😀
haha.. It was indeed Mark 🙂