SMOK Novo Review — Pod Vape Starter Kit

The SMOK Novo All-in-One pod mod is a perfect starter vape. This new pod vape is draw-activated, meaning no buttons to press or complicated settings to adjust. This sleek, stylish device is surprisingly capable for its size and class, sure to impress even the most ardent vaping connoisseur with its power and functionality.

Table of Contents

• Smok Novo Pod Vape Kit Package
• Features of the SMOK Novo AIO Pod Vape
• Internal Build Quality
• Performance Review
• Smok Novo Charge Time
• The SMOK Novo vs. Novo 2
• Competitors
• SMOK Novo Specifications
• Pros and Cons
• Final Word

What Comes with the SMOK Novo in the Kit?

Like all good vape starter kits, the Novo Kit includes everything you need to get vaping immediately. The pod vape comes in one of eight colors with a snakeskin designs.

Two 2ml Novo Pod cartridges are provided ready to fill with favorite e-juice, as well as a USB charger and a user manual.

The USB cable is very short, but the Novo vape charges via a simple micro-USB connection, so vapers can easily find a longer cable if want to vape while charging.

Pod Vape Overview

As the name suggests, the Novo pod vape system is an all-in-one vape, one of the most accessible and convenient methods of vaping available on the market today.

The mod looks like a whistle and is available in eight eye-catching colors to suit all styles — Black, Red, White, Rainbow, Auto Pink, Royal Blue, Blue, and Green.

The first thing that strikes about the pod mod is its minuscule size. It is smaller than the average palm of a hand, so the pod mod is comfortable to hold and easy to conceal in a pocket or a small bag.

It features an LED indicator that lights up each draw and flashes when the battery is getting low, plus a micro-USB port for charging.

The pods are transparent, allowing the user to see how much e-juice remains — although you need to remove the pod from the mod to do so — and include a rubber plug to prevent leakage.

The SMOK Novo pod vape is simple to operate thanks to its draw-activated firing mechanism. Drawing on the ergonomically designed mouthpiece automatically heats the coil and delivers a satisfying nicotine hit within seconds.

It is one of the most straightforward and compact vapes we have ever tried, so we were surprised to find there was a decent amount of power under the hood.

Features of the SMOK Novo Pod Vape

The SMOK Novo is one of the smallest vapes we’ve seen at 88mm high, 24mm wide, and 14mm thick. It is also one of the lightest, weighing in at 40 grams.

Despite its small stature, this pod vape still manages to pack in a 450mAh battery. Which allows producing vapor for a decent time. It’s not exactly a powerhouse compared to heavier-duty vapes, but it is certainly not the lowest-capacity battery available in this product class.

The Novo outputs at a wattage range of between 10W and 16W, which is mightily impressive for such a little unit. Its input voltage falls between the range of 3.3V and 4.2V, easily competing with kits far larger and heavier than itself.

The pre-installed pod includes an atomizer with a resistance of 1.2 ohms, although the newly redesigned Novo Pods feature a 1.5-ohm coil.

Vaping aficionados will know that means the device is best suited to mouth-to-lung vapers, although it is marketed as a versatile vape that can be used as a direct-lung vape too.

Both resistance options are available to purchase separately, so you can keep a supply of replacement tanks with the coil type that works for you.

Internal Build Quality

When we examined the internal production and craftsmanship that goes into producing the Novo vape, we were impressed.
That quality extends to how the device feels when holding it. Many vapes of this type can feel cheap or poorly constructed, but the device feels well-made.

The lack of a protective membrane between the air hole and the tank does mean the possibility of getting some condensation building up on the battery, but we did not notice it caused any leakage, so it is hardly a deal-breaker.

SMOK is using quality materials and components for this device, which is undoubtedly reflected in its impressive performance.

Smok Novo’s Performance Review

Though we always go into a review managing our expectations of how a device will perform based on its size and class, we found the Novo vape worked well overall. Its vapor production surprised with a large cloud of vapor and delivers a decent flavor.

It takes a little while to fire the draw-activated atomizer up to a point where you can get a decent hit, but those used to these types of devices will probably expect that. You can prime the device by taking a few short puffs before you draw properly.

How Do You Know if Smok Novo Is Fully Charged?

The 450mAh battery charges to full capacity reasonably in a short time of an hour. The light turns off on/ changes from red to white when done charging also you can vape while the device is plugged in. However, you will need to source a much longer micro-USB cable than the one you get in the box if you want to do so.

The draw is medium — not too tight, not too airy — presumably to walk the line as a device for both mouth-to-lung and direct-lung vapers. The vapor airflow is not adjustable, which is not ideal for those who prefer a particularly open or narrow draw.

Pods

The Novo vape features refillable, interchangeable, and replaceable e-liquid pods, available with 1.2-ohm or 1.5-ohm atomizers built-in.

They can each hold 2mls of e-juice and are best suited to liquids with a 50/50 VG-to-PG ratio. Anything thicker may not absorb into the cotton wick properly, causing unpleasant dry hits and potentially damaging the atomizer.

The pods are affordable and incredibly simple to change or replace when the atomizer wears out. The simplicity of swapping out pods also helps users to avoid tainting the flavor of their favorite juice by mixing them in the same cartridge.

There is a slight drawback to the device’s compact nature. The liquid cartridges are transparent and slot into the device, clicking into place rather than attaching via a magnet. That’s perfectly fine, except only the very top of the tank is exposed during use.

That means you need to fully detach the pod from the device to see how much juice is remaining. It takes seconds, but a small window in the device allowing you to check the liquid level would help to avoid dry hits and damage to the atomizer.

How long do Smok Novo pods last?

These pods are very durable. They last at least one-two week, depending on how often it is used.

The SMOK Novo vs. Novo 2

The SMOK Novo made a splash when it first landed with its air-activated pods and button-free design. Users noted some drawbacks with the original (lackluster battery life, confusing LED flashes, auto-firing), which SMOKTech, to their credit, kept in mind when designing the follow-up, SMOK Novo 2.

Now that the SMOK Novo 2 is here, users will find a higher-capacity battery, easy-to-understand LED patterns, and increased airflow, among many other improvements. The Novo 2 is not entirely new, as it keeps the same physical dimensions of the original – 88.3mm tall, 15mm wide – as well as, having 2ml pods.

The Novo 2 pods, though, come in many styles, with different wick and wire material to offer users a unique vaping experience. Users can also take advantage of the redesigned auto-draw feature. A common complaint about the original was that the sensor would go off when not in use.

SMOK changed the location of the sensor and raised it so that the sensor only activates when air passes through, not when it is jostled by movement or something else. Apart from the technical changes, the SMOK Novo 2 colors are also expanded, as they number over thirty different options, with such wide-ranging choices as resin, cobra skin, and stabilized wood.

A more in-depth comparison follows so users can find out all the different ways that the SMOK Novo 2 improves upon the original.

Bigger Battery

The SMOK Novo 2 improves upon the original Novo in several ways. The Novo 2 has a higher-capacity cell than the first, which had a 450mAh battery and could only output 16W. The Novo 2 doubles battery capacity to 800mAh and can reach a maximum output level of 26W, which is well above the first Novo’s limit of 16W.

SMOK Novo 2 Pods

The pods for the Novo 2 also offer more variety than the original Novo pods. The SMOK Novo 2 kit caters to both mouth-to-lung and direct-lung vapers, as it comes with an above-ohm pod and a sub-ohm cartridge. The coil type is also new on the Novo 2 pods. Users can choose from the mesh-style, 1.0ohm pod, or the dual-coil, MTL, 1.4ohm cartridge.

There are also several wick material options for the new Novo 2 pods. Users can try quartz and ceramic coils, as well as above-ohm or sub-ohm resistances for the new pods. The e-liquid capacity is still the same, as the Novo 2 pods can hold only 2ml of e-liquid.

Appearance

There are no significant changes to the Novo 2’s exterior, other than the myriad color options available for the new version. The chassis is still zinc alloy, and the Novo 2 is still an air-activated device like the first Novo. The SMOK Novo 2 colors include 38 options in total, with stab wood, resin, and cobra styles all available.

Performance

The SMOK Novo 2 offers more variety than its predecessor. With the inclusion of another pod in the kit – there are other pods available with several resistance ratings and wick materials – users can switch up their vaping experience from a mouth-to-lung vape to a direct-lung style. The pods use the same fill-style – side port – as the original Novo pods.

The new Novo 2 also has an updated airflow design. The unit has air intake grooves along the sides of the pod that allow air to flow inward and upward through the coil.

There is also a groove along the battery connectors to protect the connection from any e-juice build-up or condensation. With increased battery capacity – while maintaining the unit’s lightweight feel – the new Novo 2 can last much longer than the original.

New LED Patterns

With a full battery, users can expect up to 200 puffs a day. Another improvement SMOK made to the Novo 2 is the intelligent LED indicator light on the front. On the previous Novo, the LED did not show colors; rather, it flashed 15 times to show low battery life.

Is Novo 1 Better Than Novo 2?

• The Novo 2 kit has a longer battery life, improved airflow, and more pod/coil options.
• It comes in several new color options and features a redesigned sensor array to protect against auto-firing.
• SMOK is so confident in the unit’s performance that it has extended its warranty on the device to twelve months so if any problems arise they will replace it for free.

If that is not enough to sway people to try out the new Novo 2, then nothing is.

Competitors

Innokin EQ All-in-One Starter Kit

The Innokin EQ All-in-One pod vape is remarkably similar to the new Novo pod, bar a couple of key differences. For one, it packs in an 800mAh battery, so it should last longer than the Novo, which could be beneficial for heavier users.

It utilizes high-quality 0.5-ohm Plexus mesh coils, so this is a device that is targeted at direct-to-lung vapers. Innokin has decided to do one thing and do it well, while SMOK has at least attempted to make the Novo accessible to all types of vapers.

The EQ outputs at 13.5W in normal mode and 15.5W in “boost mode,” falling within the same 10-16W range as the Novo.



The only thing you could describe as an advantage of the EQ over the Novo is the larger battery, but you pay for the privilege. Most retailers are selling the Innokin EQ for 30-40% more than the SMOK Novo.

Finally, we much prefer the Novo’s design over the EQ’s simplistic look. It’s not a horrible-looking device by any means — it’s just a bit plain.

Aspire Breeze 2 All-in-One Starter Kit

This successor to the popular Breeze pod vape from Aspire, one of the most established brands in the business, is undoubtedly an impressive offering. The Aspire Breeze 2 is compatible with two different coil types — an 0.6-ohm atomizer for freebase e-liquids and a 1.0-ohm variant for nic salt juices — so both mouth-to-lung and direct-to-lung vapers are catered for.



Where the Aspire Breeze 2 excels is its battery and pod size, more substantial than many of its competitors at 1,000mAh and 3ml respectively.

However, the device is also larger, so it sacrifices some of its compact design to appeal to more prolific vapers. It also seems to be more prone to leakage and coil flooding than the Novo and the Innokin EQ, which isn’t ideal.

Like the EQ, the Aspire Breeze 2 is more expensive than the SMOK Novo.

SMOK Novo Specifications

Battery Capacity:	450 mAh
E-juice Capacity:	2 mL
Resistance Options:	1.2 ohms and 1.5 ohms
Power Range:	10-16W
Input Voltage:	3.3v-4.2v
Dimensions:	88.3 mm X 24.3 mm X 14.3 mm
Colors:	Black, Blue, Diamond Blue, Green, Pink, Rainbow, Red, White
Price:	$17.99

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Sleek, stylish, and small enough to carry with you anywhere
• A wide range of colors available to match all styles
• Easy to use thanks to its draw-activated firing mechanism
• One of the lowest-priced AIO pod vapes currently available
• Refillable cartridges are more environmentally friendly
• Surprising battery life and power for its size
• Perfect for beginner vapers or as a back-up device

Cons

• Checking how much juice is left can be a bit of a pain
• Non-adjustable airflow may not impress vapers
• Included the world’s shortest micro-USB cable in the box

Final Word

In conclusion, the new Smok Novo kit is a worthy addition to the reasonably well-saturated line-up of all-in-one pod vapes. It sets itself apart from the competition by marketing itself to both mouth-to-lung and direct-to-lung vapers.

While some might consider it a jack-of-all-trades and a master of none, those who aren’t too concerned about having an especially open or narrow draw should have a good time with the device.

Like the majority of pod vapes, the Novo isn’t going to replace your souped-up box mod, but it’s perfect for a light vaper or a mod user who wants something smaller and lighter to carry around as a backup. Let us know about your experience with Novo. How do you like the hit? Is it that stealth in day-long usage as we noticed?