Since its introduction, the Novo series from SMOK has competed head-on with the Uwell Caliburn series for the title of the most popular refillable pod vape on the market. The Novo devices have enjoyed a high level of popularity because for many people, they simply hit the sweet spot in terms of offering ample power and satisfaction while also being compact, stylish and extremely simple to use.
The Novo series has been around long enough that it’s now in its fifth generation, and the new SMOK Novo 5 is unquestionably the best Novo vape yet. What makes this device special – and more importantly, should you spring for the upgrade if you already own an older Novo device? To learn the answers to those questions, you’ll have to read our expert review.
The SMOK Novo 5 is the latest major hit in SMOK’s long-running series of refillable pod vapes. Buy yours now.
How Much Does the SMOK Novo 5 Cost?
The SMOK Novo 5 costs just $21.50 and is available in 14 great colors. The kit includes the SMOK Novo 5 device along with two Novo 5 pods, a charging cable and an instruction manual. We suggest adding at least one box of replacement pods to your cart before checking out to ensure that you won’t run out of pods unexpectedly. SMOK Novo 5 pods cost $8.50 for a box of three. The average transit time on orders from VapeJuice.com is just 2-5 business days, so it’s almost as quick as shopping for a SMOK Novo near you – and it’s much cheaper too.
What Are the Features That Make the SMOK Novo 5 Stand Out?
Let’s continue this review by looking at the SMOK Novo 5’s most attention-grabbing features.
- It has fully adjustable power and works within a range of 5-30 watts.
- It has a high-capacity 900 mAh battery.
- It has an adjustable airflow ring.
- It supports both puff-based and button-based firing.
- The pod has a sub-ohm mesh coil for excellent vapor production.
- The pod fills from the top, so you can refill it without removing it from the device.
- It has an OLED screen that shows the device’s current wattage, battery life and puff count along with the resistance of the installed pod.
- The impressive array of 14 colors includes options with luxury materials like stabilized wood and leather.
SMOK Novo 5 vs. Novo 4: Is It Worth the Upgrade?
If you currently own an earlier SMOK Novo device like the Novo 4, you already know that the Novo 5 is going to provide an upgrade over your current device. Will it be enough of an upgrade, though, to justify splurging on a new vape? Here are the key differences between the Novo 4 and the Novo 5.
- The Novo 4 supports inhale-based firing only, and the Novo 5 supports both inhale-based and button-based firing.
- The Novo 4 has a maximum power of 25 watts, and the Novo 5 goes up to 30 watts.
- The Novo 4 has a battery capacity of 800 mAh, and the Novo 5 has a 900-mAh battery.
- The charging port for the Novo 4 is on the front of the device, and the charging port for the Novo 5 is on the bottom.
The biggest difference between the SMOK Novo 4 and Novo 5 is that the Novo 4 has a pod with a replaceable coil, and the Novo 5 has a pod with a built-in coil. These designs both have benefits and drawbacks. Having a pod vape with a built-in coil is simpler, but it can also be more expensive over time since you have to replace the entire pod when you need a new coil. The increased cost of a built-in coil especially comes into play if you’re constantly dealing with the burnt taste of coil gunk because you like to use heavily sweetened e-liquids.
While having replaceable coils may make the Novo 4 cheaper to operate, this system does come with some drawbacks. Replacing the coil can get a little messy, for instance, and you’ll often get a little e-liquid on your hands. Also, replacing an old coil is significantly less convenient than simply installing a new pod.
The SMOK Novo 5 can’t use Novo 4 pods, and Novo 5 pods don’t work with the Novo 4.
How to Use the SMOK Novo 5
Now that we’ve given you an overview of how the SMOK Novo 5 works and what makes it unique, it’s time to dive into the nuts and bolts of using this device. Here’s a brief overview of how to get started with the Novo 5.
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Charging the Novo 5:
- Connect the Novo 5 to your computer and watch the animated battery icon on the screen. When the battery meter is full, the Novo 5 is charged.
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Turning the Novo 5 on and off:
- Press the fire button five times.
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Filling the Novo 5 pod:
- Place your finger and thumb on the pod’s mouthpiece and rock it back and forth until it comes off. Add your e-liquid through the red color-coded filling hole. To prevent leaking, don’t overfill the pod; leave a little air bubble at the top. When you use a new pod, always wait a few minutes before you start vaping.
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Using the Novo 5:
- To vape, inhale through the Novo 5’s mouthpiece. You can also use the fire button to vape. Try both vaping styles and see which one you prefer. Some people prefer the simplicity and convenience of inhale-based firing, but button-based firing can produce bigger clouds since you can press the button to start vapor production before inhaling.
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Changing the Novo 5’s wattage:
- Press the button under the screen three times to enter the Novo 5’s adjustment mode. While in this mode, the power will increase by 5 watts each time you press the button. You can confirm your selection by pressing and holding the button or by waiting for the adjustment mode to time out.
How to Fix Issues with the SMOK Novo 5
While you use the SMOK Novo 5, you may encounter small issues from time to time. Thankfully, they’re usually easy to fix. Here are a few troubleshooting tips to help ensure that you’ll have a smooth experience.
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Novo 5 isn’t charging:
- Try using a different USB cable. It’s possible that the cable you’re using is damaged or worn out. If that doesn’t work, check the Novo 5’s charging port for lint and remove it with a thin object like a toothpick. Don’t try to charge the Novo 5 with a high-speed charger for a phone or tablet.
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Novo 5 is leaking:
- Don’t overfill the pod. Always leave an air bubble at the top. That way, the pod will form an internal vacuum that helps to keep the e-liquid in its place. When you use the puff-based firing mode, puff just hard enough to make the device work. If you puff too hard, you could force e-liquid out of the pod.
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Novo 5 isn’t hitting:
- Press the fire button five times to confirm that the Novo 5 is turned on. Make sure that the battery is charged. Remove the pod and check for a leak. If the pod has leaked, dry the pod and device thoroughly and try vaping again. If the Novo 5 still isn’t hitting, replace the pod.
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Novo 5 tastes burnt:
- Lower the device’s wattage and make sure that the pod isn’t empty. If the pod is full, you’re probably getting a burnt taste due to e-liquid residue. In this case, it’s time to start using a new pod.
SMOK Novo 5: Our Expert Thoughts
The fact that the Novo 4 used a pod with a replaceable coil was a bit of an experiment on SMOK’s part. In the past, SMOK Novo devices always had pods with built-in coils, while the more expert-oriented SMOK Nord devices had replaceable coils. Given the fact that SMOK returned to using built-in coils for the Novo 5, it seems clear that the experiment wasn’t successful; Novo users obviously demand devices that are powerful but simple and user friendly.
Overall, the SMOK Novo 5 is a great return to form for SMOK and is a complete success. Between the sub-ohm coil and the 30-watt power range, the Novo 5 definitely offers ample power for even the most demanding vapers. With the 900-mAh battery, though, you won’t have to worry about this device running out of power unexpectedly. Between the technical excellence and the superb color selection, it’s clear that SMOK has a hit on their hands with this device.
Pros
- Superb technical features and plenty of power in a device that’s straightforward and easy to use
- New Novo 5 pod is better than ever and has incredible flavor quality
- Large color selection with something for everyone
Cons
- Novo 4 users may miss having a pod with a replaceable coil, but that feature is still available in the SMOK Nord series