It’s sometimes difficult to believe that the SMOK Novo series has been around for more than half a decade now. Originally conceived as SMOK’s refillable answer to the pre-filled pod systems that were popular at the time, the Novo series ended up outliving most of those devices and now competes with products of a completely different type: disposable vapes.
Through the years, SMOK has found great success with its Novo devices by always creating products that stick to the core strengths of the series. Novo devices are small and simple to use, and they almost always have pods with built-in coils to eliminate the hassle and mess of coil replacements. Modern Novo devices offer a bit of flexibility in terms of settings and options to please those who prefer not to use one-size-fits-all devices, but they’re always simple enough that you should have little trouble getting started with a SMOK Novo even if you’ve never vaped before.
The Novo Master is one of the latest devices in the Novo series – and like most of the previous entries in the series, it has captured the attention of the vaping community and has become a very successful product. Is it going to be your next vape? To find that out, you’ll have to read our expert review.
View the SMOK Novo Master now. Costing just $19.95, the Novo Master is available in 13 great colors. Also consider the SMOK Novo Master Box, which offers similar capabilities but has a mini box shape rather than a stick shape.
How Much Does the SMOK Novo Master Cost?
The SMOK Novo Master kit costs $19.95 and includes the Novo Master device along with two pods, a USB-C charging cable and an instruction manual. It’s compatible with SMOK Novo pods ($8.50 per box of three), Novo 2 pods ($7.95 per box of three) and Novo 2X pods ($11.49 per box of three). All prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Because there’s always a possibility of burning a pod out prematurely when you’re getting to know a new vaping device, we suggest adding at least one box of replacement pods to your order. The Novo Master kit includes two SMOK Novo pods with resistances of 0.6 and 0.8 ohm.
SMOK Novo Master: Specifications and Features
Let’s start the review with an introduction to the SMOK Novo Master. We’ll begin with a brief listing of this device’s basic capabilities, and then we’ll describe the main features that make it unique compared to other Novo vapes. To learn more about where the Novo Master fits within the entire Novo spectrum, read our complete guide to all SMOK Novo vapes.
Specs
- Battery Capacity: 1,000 mAh
- Power Range: Up to 30 watts; two selectable vaping modes
- Charging Speed: Up to 0.85 amps
- Pod Type: Built-in coil
- Firing Style: Button-based or puff-based firing
- Airflow: Adjustable
Features
- The Novo Master ditches the complex fully adjustable wattage of some of the previous Novo devices in favor of a simpler normal mode/boost mode system that we’ve seen in many of the best disposable vapes. This is a balanced approach that should make most people happy because it gives you some room for increased vapor production if you want it without making the experience overly complicated.
- If you’re an experienced Novo user who thought that the series was starting to get long in the tooth from a visual standpoint, you’ll like the Novo Master’s sleek updated appearance.
- The Novo Master supports both puff-based and button-based firing, whereas most of the previous devices in the series supported puff-based firing only. It has a large airflow slider that allows for a wide range of settings depending on your preferences.
- For the Novo Master, SMOK went back to the design of the earlier Novo devices and has returned to using a pod with a built-in coil. This eliminates the need to perform messy coil changes and means that when a pod start to tastes burnt, you can get a new coil simply by replacing the entire pod.
SMOK Novo Master vs. Novo Master Box
SMOK released the Novo Master and Novo Master Box at around the same time, so you may be curious about how the two devices differ and whether one of them might be a better fit for you. Here’s how the Novo Master vs. Novo Master Box compare.
- The main difference between the Novo Master and Novo Master Box is the fact that the devices have different shapes. The Novo Master has the stick shape used by most Novo vapes, and the Novo Master Box has a mini box shape like many current disposables. The Novo Master Box also has a lanyard loop that allows you to wear the device around your neck if you like.
- The Novo Master and Novo Master Box are virtually identical from a technological standpoint except that the Novo Master Box has a faster battery charging speed of up to 1.4 amps. The charging speed of the Novo Master, meanwhile, is up to 0.85 amps – so while the Novo Master charges in a little over an hour, the Novo Master Box should charge in a little under an hour.
SMOK Novo Master vs. Novo Pro
The SMOK Novo Pro is a little newer than the Novo Master, and it features essentially the same radical redesign that the Novo Master and Novo Master Box have been given. The two devices have a few technical differences as well.
- The main difference between the Novo Pro and Novo Master is that the Novo Pro has fully adjustable power up to a maximum of 30 watts. The Novo Master, meanwhile, uses a simpler two-level mode/boost mode interface.
- The Novo Pro has a slightly higher battery capacity of 1,300 mAh compared to the 1,000-mAh capacity of the Novo Master.
- Both devices are designed to work with the same array of pods, so you can expect them to be similar in terms of their vapor production and flavor quality.
Ultimately, your choice between the Novo Master vs. Novo Pro should come down to whether you prefer maximum simplicity or maximum flexibility. You should go with the Novo Pro if you want fully adjustable wattage. If you’d rather keep things a bit simpler, grab the Novo Master.
How to Use the SMOK Novo Master
SMOK does a pretty good job with their printed manuals, but you may still find it helpful to have a brief introduction explaining how to use the device. Here’s an overview of what you need to know about using the SMOK Novo Master.
- Charging: To charge the Novo Master, connect it to your computer using the USB cable included in the box. As the device charges, the indicator light changes from red to blue and eventually to green to indicate the current status of the battery. When the light changes to solid green or turns off, the battery is fully charged.
- Filling: To fill the pod, wiggle the mouthpiece until it comes off. Since the Novo, Novo 2 and Novo 2X pods are all top filling, you can do this while the pod is in the device. Place the tip of your e-liquid bottle in the red filling hole and add vape juice until the pod is full. Replace the mouthpiece.
- Vaping: To use the SMOK Novo Master, you can either just puff on the mouthpiece or puff while holding the fire button.
- Adjusting Settings: To toggle the Novo Master between normal mode (green light) and boost mode (red light), press the fire button twice. Adjust the airflow by moving the slider on the side of the device.
- Replacing the Pod: When your Novo Master begins to taste burnt, it’s time for a new pod. This device is designed for pods with built-in coils, so you can simply discard your current pod and start using a new one.
SMOK Novo Master Review: Our Expert Perspective
If you enjoy using a vaping device with a high level of visual appeal, we think you’ll really like the look of the SMOK Novo Master – especially if you’ve been using Novo vapes for a while and find that the recent devices have begun to look a bit stale. We also like the fact that the Novo Master is the first device in the Novo series to offer multiple vaping modes without requiring manual wattage adjustments. For most people, the normal mode/boost mode system will offer ample flexibility without making the Novo Master feel overly complex like a vape mod.
On the other hand, it’s also worth noting that the Novo Master doesn’t add a new pod to the Novo lineup and definitely isn’t the first device to work with Novo, Novo 2 and Novo 2X pods. If you’re already using a recent Novo vape that works with these pods, you’re probably going to find that the Novo Master isn’t significantly different in terms of vapor production or flavor quality. SMOK tends to iterate on its ideas gradually, and the visual overhaul is the main thing that the Novo Master brings to the table. If it’s important for you to buy a new vape that offers dramatic upgrades in the technical department, you can always wait for whatever SMOK adds to the Novo series next.
Best Points
- Having two vaping modes allows the Novo Master to offer a good balance between flexibility and ease of use.
- The Novo Master works with Novo, Novo 2 and Novo 2X pods, giving you a wide variety of options.
- The Novo Master supports both puff-based and button-based firing, whereas most of the previous devices in the Novo series only allowed puff-based firing.
- The new design gives the Novo series a long-needed visual overhaul.
Could Be Improved
- Some people might prefer a pod system with replaceable coils and/or fully adjustable wattage, but those are conscious design choices rather than design shortcomings.