If you’re an experienced vaper, you probably had an intuitive understanding of what the term “pod mod” meant as soon as you heard it for the first time. If you’re a new vaper, though, it might be a slightly different story. In the spectrum of the different types of vapes, pod mods basically sit at the halfway point between pod vapes and vape mods, and they offer some of the benefits of both.
- Like a pod vape, a pod mod holds its vape juice in a push-in plastic pod rather than a threaded glass tank. This allows the device to be small and light like a traditional pod system, and it also makes coil replacements easy. Instead of disassembling a tank, you can simply pull the coil out of the bottom of the pod and push in a new one.
- Like a vape mod, a pod mod has adjustable wattage and can operate within a wide range of power levels. Most pod mods are capable of producing very large clouds, and some are adapted for the direct-to-lung inhaling style that you’d use with a vape mod. A few pod mods even have replaceable batteries.
So, a pod mod is partly a pod system and partly a vape mod, and many people find that pod mods offer an ideal combination of portability and power for low-nicotine vaping. Many people also find them very visually appealing, which is a huge bonus.
With that intro out of the way, you should have a much better idea of whether a pod mod is the right vape for you. If you’re looking for something a little smaller, read our list of the best pod vapes – and if something a little more powerful would be more up your alley, check out our roundup of the best vape mods.
If a new pod mod sounds like the right choice, though, you’re in the right place. These are the best pod mods on the market today.
Voopoo Argus G2
The tiny but mighty Voopoo Argus G2 is such a good all-around vape that we have no trouble recommending it for just about any vaping scenario. Ideally suited for medium and high nicotine strengths, the Argus G2 won’t create your own personal weather system, but it will generate much larger clouds than your average disposable vape or stick-shaped pod vape. The best part, though, is that it’s just as small as a traditional pod vape but has fully adjustable power up to a maximum of 30 watts. You’re not likely to find another vape that’s so small but capable of doing so much.
One of the reasons why we’re completely comfortable recommending the Argus G2 to new vapers is because it’s compatible with the full range of Voopoo Argus pods, many of which have built-in coils. So, if you want a powerful vape but don’t want to go through the hassle and mess of coil replacements, you’re going to love the Argus G2. Voopoo has updated its recent pods with an improved coil that lasts up to 30 days, so you’re going to enjoy some excellent pod longevity with this device.
Uwell Crown X
Clearly inspired by recent pod mods like the Argus G2, the Uwell Crown X takes some of the design principles of that device and adapts them to create something geared a little more toward expert vapers. The Crown X has a power range that goes all the way up to 60 watts, and it also has a removable coil for those who like to save a little money by reusing their pods as many times as possible. Uwell Crown X coils cost just $11.49 per pack of four. The coil lasts up to 30 days, and the massive pod holds 5.3 ml of vape juice – that’s more than many vape tanks. The 1,500 mAh battery capacity of the Crown X is also impressive, and the device supports 2-amp fast charging to prevent long waits when the battery dies.
The flavor quality of the Uwell Crown X is one of its biggest selling points. When Uwell designed its first series of pod vapes – the Uwell Caliburn series – the company’s primary goal was to develop a very small pod system with the same flavor quality as a full-sized vape mod. That resulted in the creation of Uwell’s Pro-FOCS flavor technology, which is featured in every small Uwell device including the Crown X. If you’re a serious connoisseur of the best vape flavors, you’re definitely going to be very happy with this pod mod.
SMOK Nord C
If you’re looking for a pod mod that stands out a little, the brightly colored SMOK Nord C might be just the ticket. Featuring fully adjustable power up to a maximum of 50 watts, the Nord C is easily one of the most colorful devices in the entire SMOK Nord series. It’s designed for SMOK RPM2 coils, which sell for $11.89 per pack of five. The Nord C features one of the highest battery capacities of any SMOK Nord device – 1,800 mAh – and it has a top-filling pod that you can refill without removing the pod from the device. Just wiggle the mouthpiece until it comes off, and you can add your vape juice directly to the pod through the filling hole. The Nord C also features 1.5-amp fast charging, but the real story here is the flashy and unique look of this device. Many people have mentioned that the Nord series has begun to look a bit dated, and the Nord C gives the series a really nice visual update. It’s also been a huge hit with collectors who simply must own everything that SMOK puts out.
Oxva Xlim Pro SQ
What does the “SQ” in the Oxva Xlim Pro SQ stand for? Maybe it stands for “squashed,” because this must be the smallest vaping device ever created with a 30-watt power range. Just like the Argus G2 described above, the Xlim Pro SQ blurs the lines between a pod mod and a traditional pod system because it offers the adjustable wattage and impressive vapor production of a pod mod in a package that seems almost impossibly small.
You’d think a device as tiny as the Oxva Xlim Pro SQ wouldn’t offer much in the battery department, but this device defies the odds with a battery capacity of 1,200 mAh and really illustrates how far lithium-ion battery technology has come over the years. It also offers a smart vaping mode in case you don’t want to bother with wattage adjustments and simply want the device to configure itself. With 2-amp fast charging support, the Xlim Pro SQ only needs about 45 minutes to charge. Replacement pods are sold in packs of three for $9.99.
Vaporesso Luxe XR Max
Although it’s certainly fun to have a pod mod that’s around the same size as a traditional pod vape, that’s not what everyone is looking for. Some people would rather have something that’s a little bigger but offers greatly increased power, and that’s exactly what you’ll get with the Vaporesso Luxe XR Max. Featuring a 2,800 mAh battery and operating at up to 80 watts, the Luxe XR Max offers the kinds of capabilities that you’d only have gotten with a full-sized vape mod just a few years ago. It also features a fun modernized design that makes part of the circuit board visible through a clear window, which we think is a lot of fun.
The Luxe XR Max gives you plenty of flexibility in that it works with both Luxe X pods – which have built-in coils – and Luxe XR pods, which have removable coils. The Luxe XR pods are compatible with Vaporesso GTX coils. Whatever your preferences might be for your nicotine strength and inhaling style, the Luxe XR Max can definitely give you exactly the experience you want.
Geekvape Aegis B60
The Geekvape Aegis B60 bears a closer resemblance to a traditional vape mod than anything else on our list of the best pod mods – but you’ve definitely never seen a vape mod this sleek before. It features some of the same design cues as the recent Geekvape Aegis vape mods, including a large color screen and a side-mounted switch that allows you to instantly lock and unlock the device. You'll also enjoy an advanced level of environmental protection that makes the Aegis B60 seem almost indestructible.
The Aegis B60 features IP68 ingress protection, which means that it’s water resistant at moderate depths for up to 30 minutes and completely impermeable to dust. It’s also shock resistant, which means that it’ll survive most accidental drops without incurring damage. The Aegis B60 has adjustable power up to a maximum of 60 watts, and the built-in battery has a capacity of 2,000 mAh. The Aegis B60 works with Geekvape B Series coils, which cost $12.95 per pack of five.