SMOK RPM 25W Pod Mod Review – Keep Changing The Vape Experience

Today I’m taking a look at the SMOK RPM 25W Pod Mod.

SMOK are one of the most familiar vaping brands in the world. There won’t be a single intermediary vaper that hasn’t heard of them.

Back in the day it was all about their TFV range of tanks and most memorably, the ever increasing number of coils crammed in a single prebuilt. I think of the Cloud Beast tank and the TFV 8 containing octuplet coils, banging out anything up to 180W of power.

It certainly evokes memories of when cloud chucking competitions were a thing..

Then all of a sudden pod kits started gathering momentum to fill the void between the new and intermediate vaper. For a short while at least, things seemed to calm down.

Many a vaper will have heard of the SMOK Nord pod kit. What’s that got to do with this review you may be thinking?

When SMOK released their ‘Real Pod Mod’ RPM 40 they included one of the sealed pods of the Nord by way of transitioning to the new range.

Since then we’ve endured the compatibility confusion oft associated with SMOK. We certainly can’t accuse them of never changing the vape experience!

The RPM range covers a vast spectrum of devices from the RPM2 to the RPM160. Even the advanced vaper has been catered for with the release of the RPM80 RGC RBA coil.

..No one seems to know what happened to the RPM3 though.

They’ve now released the RPM 25W Pod Mod with the newer or casual vaper in mind. As is often the case with vaping, things seem to have gone full circle.

Let’s check it out.

What Can We Expect From The SMOK RPM 25W Pod Mod?

Simplicity is the key with the SMOK RPM 25W pod mod. It utilises a minimalistic design and feels as light as a feather. The leather side and rear fuselage is embellished with colour stitching, surrounded by a simple metal frame.

Airflow is controlled by rotating a dial 360 degrees and SMOK suggest aligning the rubber fill port with the dial to ensure optimal flavour and vapour production.

There’s already an LP1 0.9ohm mesh coil available but this time it’s gone all turbo. The mesh is designed to increase the area of contact while reducing any risk of burning.

So we should expect a stronger and more stable vape. A smoother taste, accompanied by a richer quality vapour.

The coil is fitted with three silicone rings designed to reduce the likelihood of leakage.

Simplicity, as stated really is the focus of the SMOK RPM 25W pod mod. Since the device relies entirely on auto draw, one button is all that’s needed to operate the very basic functionality of the device.

The output wattage is variable and you can select between 5 to 25W to suit the coil you have installed.

A clear single colour 0.69in OLED screen is located on the side of the mod to display all of your vaping data.

It’s available in four leather colour schemes. Expect to find it in Brown, Grey, Black and Beige White (under review).

Although it’s available outside the EU as well as being TPD compliant, both versions are identical.

Huge thanks to Vapeclub for sending this out for the purposes of review. As always it’s very much appreciated.

What’s In the Box?

It comes in an easy to remove slip case with the pod mod, USB cable and spare coil (unsealed) in three separate foam trays.

• RPM 25W device
• 2ml RPM 25W Pod (LP1 mesh 0.9ohm coil installed)
• Spare LP1 mesh 0.9ohm coil
• Type C USB charging cable
• User manual
• Warranty card
• Charge warning card

Smok RPM 25W Pod Mod – Specifications

• Size: 20.5 x 23.2 x 110mm
• Weight: 56G
• Display: 0.96 OLED screen
• Battery capacity: 900mAh
• Output wattage: 5 – 25W (VW)
• Output voltage: 1.5 – 4.0V
• Resistance range: 0.6 – 2.5ohm
• Charging current: Max 0.87A
• Pods: Refillable, removable coils
• Capacity: 2ml
• Coils: LP1 coil range
• Adjustable airflow
• Draw activation
• Side fill port

SMOK RPM 25W Pod Mod – Design and Build Quality

There’s no doubt it’s been designed with the newer, transitioning vaper in mind. As light as they come, the tubular SMOK RPM 25W pod mod will fit very comfortably in a shirt or trouser pocket.

Functionality is as simple as it comes too and again perfect for the new vaper.

Mod Section

The leather effect making up most of the exterior provides texture and additional grip. The ‘RPM’ and ‘SMOK’ etchings are likely to collect dirt and grime over time but no doubt the material is washable.

The frame of the device is probably made from Aluminium Alloy which no doubt helps to keep the weight down.

A recessed type C USB charging port is located on the underside of the Mod so there’s no chance of vertical charging with the kit. SMOK have also left out any form of venting for the battery.

That’s always a pet hate of mine..

It takes five clicks of the single menu button (located at the base of the Mod) to fire the device up. The review model came with 69% charge straight out of the box.

Although we get a monochrome 0.96 inch OLED display there’s a lot of wasted space below and above. What information there is runs vertically down the spine of the display.

From top to bottom there’s a remaining battery strength icon and percentage indicator, current wattage, resistance of the installed coil and a three digit puff counter.

Although the display is crisp and clear it’s not that great in direct sunlight.

Airflow to the coil is adjusted by way of a rotary dial situated at the top of the Mod. It can be tuned to suit individual preference and rotated through 360 degrees.

Pod Section

When attached, the Pod looks deceptively dinky. That’s because the majority is hidden deep inside the Mod section.

..Cue numerous times removing it to check remaining juice levels.

It’s comprised of the usual tough PCTG material with a smoked appearance. That may make viewing juice levels difficult in certain lighting arrangements.

The moulded mouthpiece tapers inwardly to provide a 5mm opening for that MTL vape.

Dual fixed airflow slots are incorporated into the base of the pod. Align either one of these up against the rotary dial on the Mod section.

The silicone fill tab is quite small but still easy enough to negotiate. An arrow indicates where to pull it open.

The opening is better suited to those smaller 10ml bottles or chubby bottles with needle nose tips.

Connectivity to the Mod is provided by two magnets but it also clips into place so their importance is somewhat diminished.

Quick Start Guide

I have to begin by stating that the SMOK instruction manual isn’t that concise. It’s also a little confusing so let me address a couple of printed anomalies.

Firstly, it’s not possible to adjust wattage by simply pressing the menu button once.

• Press the menu button three times to adjust wattage.
• Use the menu button to increase the value in single watt increments up to a maximum of 25W. Press it again to reset the value to 5W.

Secondly, the puff counter registers a maximum number of 999 puffs before resetting. The instruction manual states 9999 puffs. Neither does it reset itself when powered off.

It’s also possible to manually reset the puff counter – this isn’t mentioned in the instruction manual.

• Press and hold the menu button for three seconds to reset the puff counter.

Other than the usual five clicks of the menu button to power on or off, that’s it for functionality.

How To Install a Coil and Fill the Pod

The device comes with a coil installed but eventually you’re going to need to replace it with the spare that comes included.

• Remove the pod from the Mod section
• Carefully pull the existing coil out of the pod. Be mindful of residue e-liquid sitting within
• Push the replacement coil up into the pod chamber ensuring the flat edges line up

• Locate the arrow on the fill tab and lift it from the stopper
• Gently pour e-liquid into the pod chamber making sure not to overfill

• Push the fill tab back into position ensuring an adequate seal

When fitting a coil for the first time let the e-juice soak into the cotton for around five minutes before vaping.

How Does The SMOK RPM 25W Pod Mod Perform?

It’s a shame we only get two LP1 0.9ohm turbo mesh coil with the kit. Since there’s already a 0.8 and 1.0ohm MTL coil available it would’ve been nice to have tried one of those.

If any of these terms are over your head – have a read of our handy guides below!

• VG and PG in E-liquid – all you need to know
• Beginners guide to E-liquid
• MTL and DTL Vaping Styles

LP1 0.9ohm Turbo Mesh Coil (Best 17W)

I used Monster Vape Labs Killer Lemon Tart to test the coil. It’s a 50VG/50PG juice ratio with 20mg salt nicotine content. I vaped at the recommended setting of 17W throughout.

Wow! This coil produces good flavour! Every single aspect of the profile is included. That surprises me for such a low powered MTL coil. I wasn’t expecting such clarity from the bakery notes.

Flavour components are highly pronounced throughout the duration of exhale. The fruit is zingy, creamy with just the right amount of sweetness. The Lemon curd sits perfectly on top of a freshly baked pie. Even the texture of the crust escapes mid vape.

The texture, depth and tones are all present and correct. Excellent flavour replication.

Cloud production is as expected being suitably stealthy. It mimics the draw from a cigarette so the newer vaper will feel perfectly at home.

Rotary Airflow Dial

Initially I set the airflow dial wide open and that was fine for a MTL draw – maybe a little on the loose side because I still had the option of a very restricted direct lung vape.

A slight increase in restriction is possible by turning the dial 45 degrees. This is where I feel the best MTL experience can be obtained. At no expense to flavour or cloud quality.

When turning 90 or 180 degrees either way, a very small pinhole is exposed. The vape feels the same in either position. It’s a more restrictive MTL vape but also gets the job done.

So from what I can gather there are three restrictions available. Slightly loose, classic or restrictive MTL vape.

Battery Performance

Quite impressive in my opinion. I squeezed 11 hours out of a single charge. The puff counter was registering 312 and I’d vaped around 3ml e-liquid.

To be honest I spent most of the time vaping with airflow wide open in a restrictive lung manner. That’s always my go to style of vaping if I can get away with it.

This meant that each draw was much longer than the average MTL vape. So there’s every chance battery life can be extended further.

If you’re a casual MTL vaper I think the Smok RPM 25W pod mod will last a good few days before recharging.

As far as type C USB charging was concerned, the device lived up to its speedy reputation. It took one hour to bring the battery back to 100% charge. The display does switch off while charging but a simple press of the menu button will let you know how much time is left in minutes.

Pass through charging is possible but keep the device on if you become desperate for a vape.

Pros

• Completely leak free
• Fantastic flavour and cloud production from the LP1 turbo mesh coil
• Comfortable mouthpiece
• Decent MTL vape
• Simplified functionality with self locking
• Reliable auto draw
• Extremely lightweight and pocket friendly

Cons

• Can be difficult to remove the pod
• Unable to view entire contents of pod (subjective)
• Inability to charge in a vertical position
• Difficult to read display in direct sunlight
• No battery venting (subjective)

Final Review Summary

There’s not really a great deal to fault with the SMOK RPM 25W pod mod. As a MTL device offering a consistently good vape, it delivers – every time.

The 900mAh integrated battery held up well given that I was chain vaping most of the time.

The 0.9ohm LP1 turbo mesh coil also delivered a strong, powerful performance given it was only running at 17W throughout the test phase.

It’s not often I state a coil to be completely leak free either. Not a single drop of condensate or weeping from the base. Great stuff!

Simplicity is the key and that also applies to the adjustable rotary dial. I only noticed three MTL airflow restrictions but that’s enough for any self respecting newbie.

If I had to be picky (and it is being picky) I wouldn’t have included the clips on the side of the pod. They make it difficult to remove for the purposes of refilling. The two magnets are more than enough to secure it into place.

Overall SMOK have presented us with a very effective MTL product which dare I say, is one of the better ones I’ve tried in quite a while.

Have you bought or tried this kit? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!