The Smoko e cigarette is very much aimed at the new vaper making the switch from smoking. They are a UK based company that we first reviewed back in 2012. So definitely a company that knows what they are doing based on time in the market.
As mentioned, they are very much focused on the new vaper with just two products in their range. We recently carried out the SMOKO Vape Pen review and although it looks simple (which it is to use) it provided an excellent plug and play vape.
What Can We Expect From The SMOKO E Cigarette?
This is what the vaping world like to call a ‘cig-a-like’. Self explanatory really 🙂 They are small, cig shaped and while not for everyone definitely have a place and a job to do when it comes to making the switch from smoking.
So it’s all very simple. It comes in two parts, a battery and a refill cartridge. The latter of which houses the e-liquid. All you do is screw them together and you’re vaping.
This kit was sent to us free of charge for the purposes of review. As always our views are our own.
In The Box
The presentation packaging is solid and the branding clean. Inside we have the following:
- Metal carry case
- 2 Batteries (This will depend on the kit you purchased)
- 5 Cartomizers (This will depend on kit purchased)
- USB Charger
- Info card
Design and Build Quality
The Smoko e cigarette is designed to look like a real tobacco cigarette, or as near as you can get with a metal tube and cartridge.
It’s very good quality wise and feels solid in the hand. If you are used to holding a cigarette it may take a bit of getting used to the weight change but it won’t be noticeable after a few days of vaping.
There are no buttons to press, simply take a draw and the e cig does the rest. Easy stuff.
The kit includes a nice metal carry case that you can hold one battery, 2 refill cartridges and a USB charger. Nice touch that keeps things neat and tidy if taking out and about.
The only negative from me is subjective one. I’m not a huge fan of the big branding on the side. Not a big thing I know and you can also hold your finger over it if it bothers you. No.. Only me? Thought so! Moving on.
How Does The SMOKO E Cigarette Perform?
Not much to say here in terms of performance as this is a very basic vape, and I mean that in a good way. It’s incredibly simple to use. Remove a refill cartridge from the pack. Screw it onto a charged battery and it’s ready to vape straight away.
Charging/Battery Life
I can’t find any info on the battery capacity but from what I’d say is gentle/average use, I was vaping from 10am – 6pm before I found a recharge was needed.
This will of course change for you depending on how much you vape.
If you are a heavy smoke/vaper then you could expect battery life to be reduced by quite a bit. More on how to overcome that below.
Charging time is OK. Around 1.5-2 hours. Which brings me to my next important point!
What I always recommend with this type of e cigarette is to get at least two batteries and use them in rotation. This cannot be vaped whilst charging either so you will be thankful for that spare.
SMOKO do offer a kit with two batteries so no need to be hunting the site for spares.
SMOKO offer a 14 different flavours, five of which are tobacco/menthol. They vary in nic strength but all offer what would be a good strength to give a good nic hit to the ex-smokers. They are also made in the UK so comply with all current TPD regulations. Each refill cartridge comes wrapped and sealed with a ‘made on’ and use by date.
When buying refills they come in packs of 5. We will checking out a select few of their flavours.
Cherry
They Say
Cherry! Full of succulent and sweet cherry flavours, this will become an instant best seller!
I Say
This is very much a straightforward cherry flavour. The flavour is subtle on the inhale but on the exhale is where the cherry flavour stands out. It does linger a few minutes after vaping.
It’s on the sweeter side rather than a ‘real berry’ flavour but still pretty good. Throat hit is smooth but you know it’s there and the vapour volume follows the same path.
Overall a good flavour, not one I’d personally vape all day but that’s personal preference and when testing e-liquids it really is a personal thing.
Mint Breeze
They Say
Our ever popular Mint Breeze flavour is a cool and refreshing celebration for your taste buds! A powerful hit and fresh flavour, if you smoke a menthol cigarette then this is the E-Cigarette flavour for you.
I Say
Again, this does what it says on the tin. Not overly ‘breezy’ as a vape, but there is that slight cooling sensation mixed in with the mint. It’s all on the subtle side so good for those that don’t want that full on menthol hit.
Original Tobacco
They Say
Our Original tobacco flavour E Cigarette Refills taste as close to a major brand of cigarette as you can get! With a hint of vanilla, the Original is our most popular flavour – bold, full-bodied and smooth tobacco flavours – what more could you ask for?
I Say
As a non tobacco vaper I’ve got to say this is a very easy vape for me. By that I mean that it’s not an in your face tobacco flavour, more of a ‘light’ version of a cigarette. I personally used to smoke Marlboro Lights so this sits well with me.
For me the tobacco is subtle and the vape smooth. If you are looking for something a little more robust then you’d likely be best off with their Virginia flavour or the Havana for the cigar smokers out there.
Havana
They Say
Rich, complex and with lots of depth, our Havana flavoured electronic cigarette refills are something really special. Reminiscent of the best in Cuban cigars, the taste is a blend of whole leaf Havana cigar, a subtle hint of cinnamon and smooth finish that you will find hard to put down.
I Say
Now and then, I like a sneaky cigar. This sends that all too familiar flavour rolling around the mouth and the exhale ensures it lingers for a few minutes.
If you are a cigar smoker or simply missing the odd cigar now and then since you switched to vaping then this is a very good version
Blackcurrant
They Say
Introducing our newest flavour – BLACK CURRANT! A sweet and fruity tasting e-cigarette. Black Currant with a hint of Blueberry – if you like something scrumptious and satisfying – for those who want different kind of vape!
I Say
This is more of a Blackcurrant Squash flavour rather than the sharpness of the real thing.
Not a bad thing, the slightly sweeter edge (not too sweet) makes it a very easy vape for me and one that I enjoyed. My personal favourite of the bunch although I am primarily a fruit flavoured vaper.
Vanilla
They Say
A sweet and delicious dessert tasting e-cigarette. Scrumptious and satisfying – for those who want different kind of vape!
I Say
As vanilla goes this is very realistic. There is a slight sweetness but not so much that it turns into a sickly vape. On the exhale we are left with a faint vanilla wafting around the tastebuds. A good version although not one I could personally vape all day. For the vanill fans out there it’s definitely worth a try.
Menthol
They Say
A clean and refreshing flavour, our Menthol flavour E Cigarette refills are even better than the taste of a menthol cigarette. Each refill will leave you wanting more of this cool mint flavour, we think it’s the best in the market!
I Say
This is a menthol that doesn’t blow your socks off. In my book that’s a good thing. You still get that all familiar cooling and with the hint of tobacco coming through in the background it makes for a good alternative to the real thing.
Final Verdict
The Smoko electronic cigarette was actually a nice little surprise that took me back to my early vaping days where I began with cig-a-likes.
Of course, this is aimed at the new vaper that still wants that familiar look and feel to a cigarette rather than a larger vape pen style kit or box mod.
It’s up there with the easiest e cigs to use so perfect for the no nonsense vaper. It’s also not bad on the price front either making it a low risk option to try.
Would I buy the Smoko E Cigarette again?
As someone who is quite far along in my vaping journey the answer would be no. But if I was a new vaper and this type of device ticked the boxes for me then the answer would be yes, without doubt.
Have you used, or did you buy the SMOKO e cig? We would love to hear your thoughts or questions in the comments below.
This review seems to have different packaging then what I am used to with SMOKO, maybe this is an old review?
I have used their product for a few months now and I love it, the customer service great but the flavours are where this product really shines.
In the last month I have started using the cola flavour with caffeine it tastes just like cola sweets and it gives me a little caffeine boost through the day.
I have now quit smoking and I just use my Smoko instead I feel better healthier and my clothes don’t stink now 🙂
Simple design, nice tin with it, with regards to the flavours they are very adventurous Even producing roast chicken! but not really my cup of tea, i prefer apple, havana, virginia and original (tastes slightly vanilla but its lush) have no had any problems with my smoko yet, It’s made me cut down from 40 to 5, highly recommend there are pretty good deals on the website, if you get a friend to buy with your reference then they get a starter kit for £15 and you get £% in credits, ideal!
This is clearly a money making machine that is almost catching up with the price of normal ciggs. Equivalent to 200 ciggs NOT. It took me 3 weeks or so to get through 200 giggs and I find it only takes 2 to 3 days to get through this so called packet of 200 ciggs and find I am spending £14.00 every 3 days. Alarm bells started ringing. The first few pulls are quite satisfying then start to weaken. I also believe they are designed to be in your mouth all day to get satifaction where when smoking normal ciggs would never be the case for them I’d smoke 1 or 2 an hour so with this you go back to the smoko stand a lot faster. The battery is unpredictable, could take 30 mins to charge and sometimes 3 hours and does not last long at all. When I went back with complaints I just got fobbed off and fed with a load of bull and its like it was my fault. I had a battery problem where after a few days of purchasing it failed to charge, took it back and again was fobbed off and was told I’d have to pay £5 for a new battery. I refused to leave until it was replaced for free as I did threaten them with trading standards and of course a new battery was instantly in my hand which after 2 months is now failing. I am thinking of getting trading standards to look into this money making machine and would advise anyone not to purchase this product. which I feel is clearly a rip off. I purchased the atomiser that seems to be so much better and lasts a lot longer with no issues..Yet.
Smoko are great. They stopped me and my wife at the mall and showed us how the product works and what it is. My wife bought me an E lite once from a petrol station which was awful, absolutely crap! So therefore I was very skeptical. However after having 3 puffs I was converted. The girl on the stand was so helpful and showed my wife and I everything we need to know.
I usually buy the refills from the store but one day I was sick so I ordered over the phone, and it was as easy as going in to the shop. The parcel arrived next day and was free because I spent £40.
However the battery could last longer, but in smoko defense I do leave it on charge over night which according to them drains the battery.
Over all I will recommend smoko to any one! its local and you got someone to talk to.
The product that ecig click reviewed is the older stock that smoko used to do. and their new stuff is fantastic. I am an older fella that struggles with online orders and the fact that smoko is the only company that I found to have retail stores is a great plus!
The staff is amazing and regularly give us help and support when ever we go to buy refills.
My daughter orders online from them, and she always receive free samples with every order she makes. Only once she had an issue with a delivery that took a day longer, and she was given a free box of refills sent out to her.
I read the other comments and I think they are not really genuine considering that smoko is one of the only companies to make their liquids in the UK and not in dirty China.
I hope that people really ignore the bad reviews and try it for themselves because smoko is the only product that worked for me.
Don’t buy these, customer service treat you like you are lying and their false claims that each filter is equivalent to 40 cigarettes is ludicrous! At best they are equivalent to ten but recently only lasting a day. I am fed up with complaining and getting fobbed off. Someone needs to report them to trading standards and Asa for false advertising.
Good appearance, and despite reports, the battery has been fine. the taste of the original flavour is good, and I’m not bothered about the fancy flavours. However at £14 for five, cartridges are ridiculously expensive!!
Some cartridges will give about 40 fags, but others nearer 20. I’ve had no duds as yet though.
If you like the cigarette looking e-cigs;
Recommendation: go for 10 motives instead. Available at loads of shops and about £7 for 5 cartridges which last as long with a better taste.
When I first got the Smoko device with the “old stock” cartomizers (white packs), all was good and I did get the equivalent of 30-40 cigs from each cartomizer. However, since Smoko changed their manufacturers, I get less bang for my buck. Packs cost £2 more and I only get 20 cigs equivalent now. Did contavt Smoko about this but never heard back from them 🙁 Now going to try alternatives as a result.
Switched to this product after VIP cartomizers went downhill (from a maximum of one a day to one every few hours). All fine, then they swtiched to UK flavours and increased price, and hey presto, lasted less time and were not the same quality.
Tried to contact support, and nothing. Age of communication, I do not think. I even left a negative review – just ignored and left my original good review when cartomizers worked!
NOT a happy shopper
They are too heavy as well in the long run your fingers will ache worst is the flavor specially (the original) and the customer service they just want to sell what they can and get rid of you, they find lots of excuses not to sort any problems, vapor production is not bad it is solid but heavy, starter kit may look cheap £20 that is how they convince you but be careful 5x refills are £14 twice as Jac Vapour 5x refills £6.79 which I’ll order a second kit today. And thanks to ecigclick.co.uk for informing me to find whats best for me. After the reviews I ordered Jac Vapour and it’s the best so far.
A fair substitute for a cigar, without the nasty stuff