The SMOK RPM 5 and RPM 5 Pro are the latest devices in SMOK’s long-running series of RPM pod mods. Outfitted with high-performance mesh coils and capable of operating at up to 80 watts, the RPM 5 and RPM 5 Pro represent the perfect balance between performance and portability. You’ll be happy with the SMOK RPM 5 if you’re currently using a smaller pod system and want to upgrade to something with a bit more power, and you’ll be equally happy with it if you’re an owner of a larger vape mod and want to step down to something that’s a little more portable but doesn’t sacrifice vapor production.
If you’re a new SMOK RPM 5 owner and want to know how to use the device – or if you’re looking for a new vape and are on the fence about whether the RPM 5 is the right choice for you – you’re going to find this review and instruction manual very useful. In it, we’ll explain everything that you need to know about the SMOK RPM 5 and RPM 5 Pro. We’ll describe how to use the device, and we’ll also walk you through the steps that you should perform if your SMOK RPM 5 isn’t working.
How Much Do the SMOK RPM 5 and RPM 5 Pro Cost?
Here at VapeJuice.com, you can always expect to find vape kits at the best prices. Here are the prices of the SMOK RPM 5 and RPM 5 Pro along with their replacement parts.
- SMOK RPM 5: Costs $38.95. The SMOK RPM 5 kit is available in eight colors and includes the SMOK RPM 5 device along with one pod, two coils, a charging cable and an instruction manual.
- SMOK RPM 5 Pro: Costs $34.49. The SMOK RPM 5 Pro kit is available in eight colors and includes the SMOK RPM 5 device along with one pod, two coils, a charging cable and an instruction manual.
- SMOK RPM 5 Pods: Cost $9.95 per pack. The pack includes three pods without coils.
- SMOK RPM 3 Coils: Cost $12.49 per pack. The pack includes five coils in a resistance of either 0.15 or 0.23 ohm. The SMOK RPM 5 works only with RPM 3 coils and does not work with SMOK RPM coils or SMOK RPM 2 coils.
SMOK RPM 5 vs. RPM 5 Pro: What’s the Difference?
You’ve probably noticed that the SMOK RPM 5 Pro actually costs less than the SMOK RPM 5. That might surprise you until you learn that there’s only one difference between these two devices.
- The SMOK RPM 5 has a built-in 2,000-mAh battery.
- The SMOK RPM 5 Pro uses a removable 18650 battery, which is not included.
The SMOK RPM 5 costs more than the RPM 5 Pro because it includes a battery, while the RPM 5 Pro doesn’t. If you don’t already have a battery, you’ll need to buy one – and in that case, you’ll likely end up paying a bit more in total for the RPM 5 Pro. The benefit of choosing the RPM 5 Pro, though, is that you can replace the battery when it eventually stops holding a charge. When the built-in battery of the RPM 5 stops holding a charge, on the other hand, you’ll need to replace the entire device.
SMOK RPM 5: Features and Specifications
We’ll continue this SMOK RPM 5 review with a brief introduction explaining the device’s specifications and features.
SMOK RPM 5 Specifications
- Battery Capacity: 2,000 mAh (RPM 5 only)
- Charging Technology: USB-C; 1.4 amps
- Wattage Range: 5-80 watts
- Coil Resistance: 0.15 or 0.23 ohm
- Firing Style: Manual fire button
- Filling Style: Top filling
SMOK RPM 5 Key Features
- The SMOK RPM 5 is one of the smallest 80-watt vaping devices on the market.
- For the new RPM 3 coils, SMOK has developed an enhanced mesh coil structure that provides increased vapor production and flavor quality.
- The SMOK RPM 5 pod has a locking tab that ensures a proper fit for the coil.
- The SMOK RPM 5 has full airflow control, which provides for a bit of airflow resistance if you want it and can also give you a very free and easy direct-to-lung hit. In terms of open airflow, the RPM 5 ranks near the top among pod mods.
SMOK RPM 5 vs. RPM 4: What’s New?
In many cases, a popular series of vaping devices doesn’t change much from generation to generation. That means you can often skip a generation if you’re happy with your current device. That’s not the case with the SMOK RPM 5. Compared to the SMOK RPM 4, the RPM 5 is a major update that you won’t want to skip. Here are the major differences between the SMOK RPM 4 and RPM 5.
- The RPM 5 has a modernized and less utilitarian design. The device is now curved rather than square for better ergonomics.
- The maximum power of the RPM 5 is increased from 60 to 80 watts.
- The capacity of the built-in battery has been increased from 1,650 to 2,000 mAh.
- The SMOK RPM 5 Pro uses a removable battery. There is no version of the SMOK RPM 4 that supports a removable battery.
- The SMOK RPM 5 has a round mouthpiece, whereas the RPM 4 pod has a duckbill shape.
- The SMOK RPM 5 supports the improved SMOK RPM 3 coils, whereas the RPM 4 uses SMOK RPM coils and SMOK LP2 coils. Also, the two types of coils for the RPM 4 require different pods, which can be a source of confusion.
How to Use the SMOK RPM 5
If you’re an experienced vaper, you’ll probably find the SMOK RPM 5 basically self-explanatory since it functions much the same as any other vape mod or pod mod. The device does have a few unique quirks, though, which we’ll explain in this section of our instruction manual.
How to Charge the SMOK RPM 5
To charge the SMOK RPM 5, connect it to your computer with the USB-C cable included in the box. When the RPM 5 charges, an animated battery indicator is displayed on the screen. The device is done charging when the indicator reaches 100 percent.
How to Fill the SMOK RPM 5 Pod
The SMOK RPM 5 pod has a sliding top cap. Push the cap in the direction of the arrow to reveal the filling hole, which has a silicone cover to help prevent leaking. Squeeze the vape juice into the pod until the pod is almost full. If you’ve never filled the RPM 5 pod before or have just installed a new coil, let the pod stand for a while to ensure that the coil is fully saturated.
How to Replace the SMOK RPM 5 Coil
The procedure for replacing the SMOK RPM 5 coil is a little different than with other devices because the underside of the pod has a swinging lever to ensure a secure fit. Pull the lever out to unlock the coil, and then you can remove the coil by gripping the base with your fingernails and pulling the coil straight out. Push the new coil all the way in and return the lever to its original position.
How to Vape with the SMOK RPM 5
The most important thing to know about using the SMOK RPM 5 is that because the pod comes with a coil pre-installed, there’s a sticker on the bottom of the pod to isolate the coil from the device. After filling the pod for the first time, peel the sticker off and discard it. If the RPM 5 isn’t already on, turn it on by clicking the fire button five times. Hold the fire button to vape. Press the adjustment buttons at the bottom of the screen to change the wattage.
You should also be aware of these other important functions as you use the SMOK RPM 5.
- Move the sliding tab near the top of the RPM 5 to adjust the device’s airflow.
- Press the fire button three times to lock or unlock the device.
- Press both adjustment buttons simultaneously to lock the device’s wattage.
- Press the fire button and the “-“ button simultaneously to reset the puff counter.
How to Fix Problems with the SMOK RPM 5
If your SMOK RPM 5 isn’t working as it should, this is the section of our instruction manual that you’ll find most useful. In it, we’ll discuss what to do about all of the most common problems that you might experience with the RPM 5.
SMOK RPM 5 Error Messages
Before you begin troubleshooting a SMOK RPM 5 that isn’t working, the first thing that you should do is check the device’s screen to see if it’s displaying an error message. We’ll explain what the error messages mean before going into further detail about how to troubleshoot them.
- Wattage Locked: Press both adjustment buttons simultaneously to unlock the device’s wattage.
- Power Locked: Press the fire button three times to unlock the device.
- Atomizer Short, No Atomizer, Ohms Too High or Ohms Too Low: All of these errors indicate a problem with the coil or the way the coil is installed. We’ll discuss all of these issues under “SMOK RPM 5 Not Hitting” below.
- Battery Low or Power Off: These errors indicate that the battery’s remaining charge is too low for continued caping. Charge the device.
- Time Over: Take shorter puffs. The SMOK RPM 5 has an eight-second automatic puff cutoff.
- PCBA Too Hot: This error indicates that the SMOK RPM 5 has overheated. Move the device to a cooler location and wait a while before using it again.
SMOK RPM 5 Not Turning On
Why is your SMOK RPM 5 screen not turning on? If your device isn’t working at all, you should first make sure that the battery is charged. If you’re using the RPM 5 Pro, you should also make sure that the battery is installed with the positive terminal facing up and that the battery door is fully closed. Click the fire button five times to turn on the device.
If your SMOK RPM 5 still isn’t turning on after you’ve followed all of the steps above, it’s possible that a pod has leaked and contaminated your device’s internal electronics. Scroll down to “SMOK RPM 5 Leaking” below to troubleshoot the issue further.
SMOK RPM 5 Not Hitting
If your SMOK RPM 5 is turning on but isn’t hitting when you press the fire button, try these steps to fix it.
- Check under the pod to see if the original sticker is still in place. Remove the sticker and discard it.
- Charge the SMOK RPM 5 fully. Make sure that the device is turned on (five clicks of the fire button) and unlocked (three clicks of the fire button).
- Make sure that the coil is pushed in all the way and that the locking lever is fully closed. If the issue continues, install a new coil.
- Check under the pod for a leak. If you see e-liquid in the chamber at the top of the SMOK RPM 5, scroll down to “SMOK RPM 5 Leaking” below to troubleshoot that issue.
SMOK RPM 5 Not Charging
If you don’t see the battery indicator on the screen when you connect your SMOK RPM 5 to a power source, try these three things to resolve the issue.
- Try charging the SMOK RPM 5 with a different cable.
- Charge the SMOK RPM 5 only by connecting it to your computer.
- Use a toothpick to remove dirt and lint from the SMOK RPM 5’s charging port.
SMOK RPM 5 Leaking
Leaking is probably the most common problem that SMOK RPM 5 owners report – and it’s a major issue because if e-liquid contaminates your device’s internal electronics, the RPM 5 may stop working entirely. To prevent that from happening, we recommend doing the following things.
- Don’t overfill the pod. If a pod is overfilled, it may leak out the bottom when you close it.
- Remove the pod and place it on a paper towel when storing the SMOK RPM 5 overnight.
- Check under the pod for a leak every time you refill the SMOK RPM 5 or replace the coil. If you see e-liquid in the device’s chamber, dry it with a paper towel.
- Don’t puff too hard when using the SMOK RPM 5. If the device is spitting e-liquid into your mouth, puff more gently and increase the wattage slightly. Push a folded paper towel down the mouthpiece to absorb any e-liquid in the center air channel.
- Make sure that the coil is pushed all the way in and that the locking lever is fully closed.
- If your SMOK RPM 5 is already not working because of a severe leak, try placing the device in a bag with desiccant packets for a few days. If the leak hasn’t caused permanent damage, this may get the device working again.