Originally released within a few months of each other, the SMOK Novo and SMOK Nord devices have always been companions to a certain extent. Devices in both series are very small and portable, and they even look somewhat similar to one another. The main difference between Nord and Novo devices, though, is that SMOK Novo vapes are typically a bit friendlier for new vapers. When you buy a SMOK Nord, you’re typically getting a device with a replaceable coil and adjustable settings. SMOK Novo vapes, on the other hand, are typically simpler – just charge the device, fill the pod and vape.
There are exceptions, of course – which is exactly why we’ve written this complete guide to every Novo vape.
If you’re a newer vaper and are ready to upgrade from disposable vapes to a refillable device – or you want to skip the disposables entirely and enjoy maximum freedom in choosing the flavor and nicotine strength of your vape juice – you’ll probably be very happy with a SMOK Novo. The only question is which device to choose. Even though the Novo series is now a little over five years old, most of the devices in the series are still in production and still available. That’s because the devices have subtle differences from one another, making each one a valid choice for a vaper with the right needs or requirements.
So, which SMOK Novo should you buy? We’re going to list them all in this comprehensive guide.
SMOK Novo
- Pods: SMOK Novo Pods
The original SMOK Novo is the device that helped to make SMOK a major player in the refillable pod segment. It was a substantial hit when it was released. It’s also one of the few Novo vapes that you can’t really buy anymore, which is unsurprising given its age. The SMOK Novo established the design conventions, though, that SMOK continues to use for almost all Novo devices to this day. Small, simple and stylish, the Novo had an automatic puff-based firing sensor and used a single indicator light to communicate the device’s status. The pods had built-in coils, so you could get a new coil whenever you liked simply by changing your pod. The original SMOK Novo had a battery capacity of 450 mAh and operated within a power range of 10-16 watts depending on the resistance of the installed pod. It had a micro-USB charging port.
SMOK Novo 2
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Pods: SMOK Novo 2 Pods
Very soon after the release of the original Novo, SMOK set about improving the device’s shortcomings and adding new features for the Novo 2. The SMOK Novo 2 has an improved battery capacity of 800 mAh, and it operates at up to 25 watts to take advantage of the new pod with a mesh coil. Compared to the original Novo, the Novo 2 also has improved airflow characteristics along with a new groove in the pod chamber that collects condensation from the pod instead of letting it leak out of the device.
SMOK Novo 2S
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- Pods: SMOK Novo 2 Pods
The SMOK Novo 2S is virtually the same as the Novo 2, with two exceptions: It has a USB-C charging port, and it also has a slightly reduced maximum output power of 20 watts rather than 25 watts. It’s still compatible with all Novo 2 pods.
SMOK Novo 3
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- Pods: SMOK Novo 3 Pods
The SMOK Novo 3 seems to have been released slightly before the Novo 2S, which might explain why it appears to be a step back to a certain extent. The Novo 3 has a micro-USB charging port rather than a USB-C port. It also has the 25-watt power range of the Novo 2. SMOK often releases new devices in rapid succession, and their naming and numbering conventions sometimes defy explanation. This is definitely one of those cases.
SMOK Novo 4
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- Pods: SMOK Novo 4 Pods
- Coils: SMOK LP1 Coils
- Expert Review
The SMOK Novo 4 represented the first major departure for the Novo series, which might explain why the simplified Novo 2S was released shortly afterwards. The major feature of the Novo 4 is that it’s the first Novo vape with manually adjustable power, operating at up to 25 watts. The Novo 4 also features a maximum charging rate of 0.74 amps, which allows the device to charge slightly faster than previous devices in the series. The Novo 4 has an adjustable airflow ring at the top, allowing some flexibility for those who want a tighter or looser draw. The really big news with the SMOK Novo 4, though, is that it has a pod with replaceable coils. That’s a significant break with tradition. At the time of the Novo 4’s release, it blurred the lines between the Novo series and the Nord series, which had always allowed for coil replacements. The potential cannibalization between product lines might explain why SMOK returned to a built-in coil for the Novo 5.
SMOK Novo 4 Mini
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- Pods: SMOK Novo 4 Mini Pods
- Coils: SMOK LP1 Coils
The SMOK Novo 4 Mini is essentially a variation on the Novo 4 with a slightly reduced feature set. The Novo 4 Mini keeps the replaceable coils and adjustable airflow of the Novo 4, but its wattage is regulated automatically rather than being manually adjustable. The Novo 4 Mini also has a battery capacity of 900 mAh, which is slightly higher than the 800-mAh capacity of the Novo 4.
SMOK Novo 5
Released in 2023, the SMOK Novo 5 is the last release in the main Novo series to date – but don’t worry because that’s not where the story ends. SMOK has continued to expand the Novo series with flanking devices. The Novo 5 returns to the original Novo pod design and uses a pod with a built-in coil. Otherwise, though, it retains many of the features of the Nord 4 including adjustable wattage and adjustable airflow. Like the Novo 4 Mini, the Novo 5 also has a battery capacity of 900 mAh. The Novo 5 also adds a manual fire button to the mix, although it still supports puff-activated firing like the previous devices in the series.
SMOK Novo X
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- Pods: SMOK Novo X Pods
Released after the SMOK Novo 2 but before the Novo 4, the SMOK Novo X is a bit like the halfway point between those two devices in a way. The Novo X has the adjustable power of the Novo 4 and operates at up to 25 watts. The pods have built-in coils, though, and the airflow isn’t adjustable. The Novo X has several different pods available and is designed to provide an excellent mouth-to-lung vaping experience.
SMOK Novo 2X
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- Pods: SMOK Novo 2X Pods
Here’s another case where SMOK’s product naming conventions start to get a bit tricky. Based on the name, you might assume that the SMOK Novo 2X is specifically intended to be an update to the Novo X. It’s actually more accurate, though, to think of it as an update to the Novo 2S. It has the same simplified design, with non-adjustable power – although the airflow is adjustable. The Novo 2X pods are also top filling, which is a bit of a difference from the usual side-mounted filling holes of the Novo pods.
SMOK Novo 2C
You can think of the SMOK Novo 2C as something of a refresh to the SMOK Novo 2/2X lineage. It has an updated appearance and supports a wide variety of pods. The wattage and airflow aren’t adjustable. The Novo 2C has an 800 mAh battery and features a USB-C charging port.
SMOK Novo Master
At this point in the evolution of the SMOK Novo, we’re getting to the latest and greatest devices in the series. The SMOK Novo Master is inspired by the dual-coil disposable vapes that are so popular right now and features two vaping modes – a normal mode and a boost mode – in lieu of fully adjustable wattage. It also features a snappy new visual design that looks much more modern compared to the previous devices in the series. The Novo Master has adjustable airflow, and it supports both puff-based and button-based firing. It has an upgraded battery capacity of 1,000 mAh and a maximum power of 30 watts.
SMOK Novo Master Box
The SMOK Novo Master Box is another device that’s inspired by the world of disposable vapes and features the same type of mini-box design that many of the best disposable vapes are now using. Otherwise, it has basically the same features and capabilities as the Novo Master except that the maximum charging rate has been increased from 0.85 to 1.4 amps.
SMOK Novo Pro
Released in the first half of 2024, the SMOK Novo Pro essentially gathers the best features of all previous Novo devices in one place and probably could have been called the SMOK Novo 6 instead. The Novo Pro has a nicely updated look and the biggest battery capacity – 1,300 mAh of any Novo device except the Novo GT Box described below. It supports both button-activated and puff-activated firing, and the power goes up to a maximum of 30 watts. When you switch pods, the Novo Pro automatically detects the resistance of the new pod and switches to an appropriate wattage for that pod. The airflow is also adjustable.
SMOK Novo GT Box
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- Pods: SMOK Novo Pods, SMOK Novo 2 Pods, SMOK Novo 2X Pods
The SMOK Novo GT Box was released in the second half of 2024, and it’s probably the first Novo device that really qualifies as a full-blown pod mod. One look at the device’s big screen with its animations and stylized interface, and the inspiration from disposable vapes is immediately obvious. The animations might not be for everyone, but this is definitely an extremely stylish device in any case. SMOK has given the Novo GT Box a bump in battery capacity – 1,700 mAh – and the device’s maximum power is 30 watts. This is also the first SMOK Novo vape with separate buttons for changing the voltage. The Novo GT Box has adjustable airflow and supports both button-based and puff-based firing.