The Best Refillable Pod Vape in the UK | Guide

Jakub Olszewski
 

With so many options out there it can be difficult to figure out which pod vape kit is the best one to use. To help you sift through the sea of choices I will compile a list of the best devices for each kind of user.

This list of the best refillable pod vapes available in the UK includes: The Uwell Caliburn G5 Lite, SMOK Zrex RF, Xlim 3 Ultra, OXVA Vprime and Vaporesso Xros 5. Each of these devices fills a role that will suit different preferences, and have each been tested and hand-picked for this guide.

Best Pod Vape for Beginners

If you’re right at the start of your adventure into refillable vaping then I recommend checking out Uwell’s Caliburn G5 Lite. The reason this particular kit sets itself apart from others when it comes to offering beginners a good experience is simplicity.

All you need to do to operate this device is to first fill it with e-liquid then inhale on the mouthpiece. It will automatically begin producing vapour due to its draw-activated design.

The G5 Lite uses Uwell’s GPP Pods that are easy to snap open and fill, producing satisfying flavour. There are no buttons to adjust wattage, or power modes, and no screen to customise.

That’s not to say this kit is lacking in features that matter, it has a large battery capacity of 1600mAh, which in this relatively low powered kit, can last users a few days (depending on usage).

The Caliburn G5 Lite serves as a great introduction into the world of refillable pod vapes without overwhelming the user.

Uwell Caliburn G5 Lite Specs:

  • Battery Capacity: 1600mAh
  • Dimensions: 112.2mm x 30.2mm x 18mm
  • Output Power: Up to 35W
  • E-Liquid Capacity: 2ml
  • Filling Method: Top-Fill
  • Airflow: Adjustable (MTL to RDTL)
  • Activation: Draw-activated
  • Charging: USB-C 1A
  • Display: LED battery level indicator
  • Pod Compatibility: Caliburn GPP / G3 pods

Best Pod Vape for those on a Budget

If you’re the kind of person that loves to save money and want a refillable vape that just works, then consider the SMOK Zrex RF.

For less than the price of a pint in Manchester, you get a compact kit with a good quality pod system that’s cheap to buy and cheap to run.

In terms of performance the Zrex won’t be winning any awards, it has a small battery capacity of 500mAh and fixed wattage.

However where this kit separates itself from a lot of the cheap tatt out there is its pod system and SMOK’s decade’s long experience in producing vape devices.

The flavour you get out of the Zrex RF pods is comparable to what you would get from a higher end ranges like Xros or Xlim. When I first tried some Ultimate Nerd Salts out of this kit I was surprised how clean it tasted, coming out of pods that only cost £1.66 each!

Considering its low price the Zrex punches above its weight in terms of performance and design. This earns it the top spot for best refillable budget pod vape.

SMOK Zrex RF Specs:

  • Battery Capacity: 500mAh
  • Output: Fixed wattage
  • Charging: USB-C
  • Pod Capacity: 2ml
  • Filling Method: Side-fill port
  • Activation: Draw-activated
  • Pod Connection: Magnetic fitting
  • Dimensions: 96 × 20 × 15 mm
  • Material: Stainless steel chassis with metal finish

Best Pod Vape with Advanced Features

Modern pod kits are increasingly coming out with new ‘bells and whistles’ to entice customers with, well the Oxva Xlim 3 Ultra does this properly and elegantly, pushing the envelope of what a pod vape can be.

Besides its already impressive core functions like a 1500mAh battery, 5-30W output and 2A fast charging the Xlim 3 Ultra features a 2.2 inch touchscreen display. This opens up a whole new world of possibilities that couldn’t be achieved even in devices that feature a standard screen.

Through the touchscreen menu you can adjust the power output, customise themes and animations and access the puff tracker. This puff tracking feature keeps a record of how much you’re vaping each day and displays it in a graph for you to better understand your habits.

What I like about the Xlim 3 Ultra’s touchscreen is the ease of navigation. Going through all of these menus and sub menus, is much easier than using the one-button navigation present on most other devices.

All of these advanced features are housed inside a stylish chassis with the choice of 8 colours and multiple finishes. I find the design of the Xlim 3 Ultra stylish with the screen being framed nicely around slim bezels.

The casing is a blend of zinc alloy and PCTG that’s feels ergonomic and is reasonably durable. The touchscreen has a 3H surface hardness which makes it good at repelling scratches, when I carried this kit in my pocket with my keys rubbing against, I didn’t notice any scratches afterwards, which was a concern for me initially.

If you want to be at the cutting edge of refillable pod vaping then the OXVA Xlim 3 Ultra should be a welcome addition to your collection.

OXVA Xlim 3 Ultra Specs:

  • Battery Capacity: 1500mAh
  • Output Power: Up to 30W
  • Display: 2.2-inch full HD touch screen (220 × 700 px)
  • Charging: USB-C, 5V / 2A fast charging
  • Dimensions: 121.9 × 28.9 × 16.5 mm
  • Weight: 90g
  • Material: Zinc alloy body with PCTG pod
  • Pod Capacity: 2ml
  • Resistance Range: 0.3Ω – 3.0Ω
  • Airflow: Adjustable side airflow
  • Activation: Auto-draw and button fire

Best Pod Vape for DTL Vaping

For cloud chasers who want a DTL (direct-to-lung) device combined with the convenience of a pod vape then the OXVA VPRIME might just be the answer.

OXVA have developed this device to support their range of VPRIME sub-ohm pods designed for DTL. The mouth piece on these pods is wider than usual to accommodate for DTL. Additionally the airflow can be adjusted on the side of the device.

The VPRIME pod kit comes with a massive 2600mAh battery which will be necessary to power its 60W max power output.

Although it doesn’t deliver the full bore power of purpose built sub-ohm mods (which typically exceed 100W) it will be plenty for day to day DTL vaping.

Another reason that the VPRIME shines is its price, costing about half of what you’d expect to pay for a high end mod. Another bonus is the fact that it comes with an internal battery rather than requiring you to purchase additional 18650 batteries, which can be expensive.

If you’re looking for compact DTL device that doesn’t require the faff of building your own coils or carrying around a massive mod then the OXVA VPRIME will be worth the drop in power output.

OXVA VPRIME Specs:

  • Battery Capacity: 2600mAh
  • Output Power: 5–60W
  • Pod Capacity: 2ml
  • Display: 0.96-inch colour screen
  • Charging: Type-C USB, 5V/2A
  • Dimensions: 105.5mm (H) × 37.8mm (W) × 23.45mm (D)
  • Weight: 116g
  • Material: Zinc Alloy with IML or Leather finish
  • Airflow Control: Side adjustable slider
  • Activation Modes: Auto-draw and button-activated
  • Coil Resistances: 0.2Ω (DL), 0.4Ω (RDL), 0.6Ω (RDL)

Best Overall Pod Vape

Though it was a tough choice, the best overall pod vape kit has to be the Vaporesso Xros 5. This kit has a lot of features that will suit most preferences all in a well-designed package.

It has a 1500mAh battery which is enough for daily use, and it can be recharged in around 20 minutes using a 3A input. The Xros 5 comes with a 0.88” display to cycle through power modes, themes and settings.

Although it doesn’t offer the same breadth of settings as the Oxva Xlim 3 Ultra, for most people the options available with the Xros 5 will be enough. The Xros 5 supports both MTL and RDL vaping with adjustable airflow and use of Xros pods that go from 0.4Ω to 1.2Ω.

I used this kit primarily for MTL with the included 0.8Ω pods and the flavour was explosive. The COREX 3.0 pods produce a lot of flavour and vapour, working best with 50/50 nic salt e-liquid.

In terms of function the Xros 5 is by far the most versatile pod vape kit available right now. Then in terms of form, the Xros 5 sticks to Vaporesso’s minimalist aesthetic with an aluminium housing giving this kit a premium look and feel.

The Xros 5 is a pod vape that I can recommend to anyone, it’s simple enough for beginners to pick up and feature packed enough to satisfy more advanced users all without breaking the bank.

Vaporesso Xros 5 Specs:

  • Battery Capacity: 1500mAh
  • Output Power: Up to 30W
  • Charging: USB Type-C, supports 3A fast charging
  • Display: 0.88-inch HD Screen
  • Pod Capacity: 2ml
  • Compatible Pod Resistances: 0.4Ω, 0.6Ω, 0.8Ω, 1.0Ω, 1.2Ω
  • Pod Compatibility: Vaporesso XROS Series Pods
  • Dimensions: 120.8mm x 24.5mm x 14.5mm
  • Weight: 73.7g
  • Activation: Auto-draw and button-activated
  • Airflow: Adjustable for MTL to RDTL
  • Output Modes: Power, Normal, ECO

Summary

So there is the list of the best vape pod kits available right now on the UK market. I hope that this guide has helped you find the right device for your needs.

If you still need help picking out a device from the many options available feel free to get in touch and our support team will be more than happy to help.

Author: Jakub Olszewski
Lead Content Writer

Hi, I'm Jakub, the lead content writer here at UK Vape Scene. I'm relatively new to the vaping industry, having joined the company in early 2023.

That being said, I've been a vaping enthusiast for much longer (around 7 years) which has allowed me to pick up a lot of expertise and product knowledge along the way.

Like so many others, vaping has helped me kick smoking — a nasty habit I picked up as a teenager. Currently, I'm using the Caliburn G4 Pro with our very own Ultimate Nerd Salts (Pineapple Ice is the best!)

Outside of work I enjoy going to the gym, playing PC games and DIY. At the moment I'm also getting into brewing mead, so who knows - maybe "UK Mead Scene" is coming soon?!

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