For just about as long as refillable pod vapes have existed, the Vaporesso XROS series has topped nearly everyone’s list of favorite products. Every time Vaporesso comes out with a new device, they manage to come up with at least one new feature compelling enough to convince everyone to upgrade.
The XROS Mini series also holds a special place in many vapers’ hearts. While each new device in the mainline XROS series is a bit more complicated than the last, the XROS Mini vapes continue to add new features while still offering a stripped-down experience. Feature creep is a real thing in the vaping industry, but Vaporesso has never lost sight of the reasons why so many people love XROS Mini vapes. Whether you’re new to vaping or just want an experience that’s as straightforward as possible, you’re probably going to be a huge fan of the XROS Mini series.
The new Vaporesso XROS 5 Mini has all of the qualities that have made the XROS Mini series so popular, and it adds a couple of great new features that will make the upgrade very worthwhile if you’re currently using one of the previous devices in the series.
Here’s what you need to know.
View the Vaporesso XROS 5 Mini now. You can also browse our full collection of Vaporesso vapes if you want to see everything that’s available from this brand. Also, take a look at our comprehensive guide to all XROS vapes.
How Much Does the Vaporesso XROS 5 Mini Cost?
The Vaporesso XROS 5 Mini kit costs a very affordable $16.99 at the time of writing, which is actually less than some of the older devices in the XROS series. The kit comes in 10 different colors, and we can attest to the fact that each one of them is gorgeous.
For the XROS 5 Mini, Vaporesso kept the cost of the starter kit as low as possible by including just one pod with the kit. The kit does include a charging cable, though, which is a nice bonus considering the fact that many low-cost vape kits aren’t including cables these days. Since the kit only includes one pod, though, we strongly recommend adding at least one box of extra pods to your order.
The XROS 5 Mini works with all Vaporesso XROS pods, but you’ll want to get the latest COREX 3.0 pods if you want to take advantage of Vaporesso’s latest flavor enhancements. They cost $12.88 per pack of four. If you’d like to save a little money, COREX 2.0 XROS pods cost $10.99 per four-pack and still taste great.
Vaporesso XROS 5 vs. XROS 5 Mini: What Are the Differences?
As we explained in the introduction, the Vaporesso XROS 5 Mini is essentially a smaller, simpler and less expensive version of the Vaporesso XROS 5, which costs a bit more at $24.95. Which one is the right choice for you? Here’s how they differ.
- The XROS 5 has adjustable power. Depending on which pod you’re using, you can either select your exact wattage or choose from three pre-set power levels. The XROS 5 Mini configures itself based on the installed pod and doesn’t have adjustable power. Both devices, however, operate at up to 30 watts.
- The XROS 5 has a color display. The XROS 5 Mini, meanwhile, uses a simple system of four indicator lights to show the battery’s charge level.
- The XROS 5 supports both puff-activated and button-activated firing. The XROS 5 Mini supports puff-activated firing only.
- The XROS 5 and XROS 5 Mini both have battery capacities of 1,500 mAh. The XROS 5 has a maximum charging speed of 3 amps, however, whereas the XROS 5 Mini charges at up to 2 amps.
- The XROS 5 and XROS 5 Mini both work with all Vaporesso XROS pods.
Vaporesso XROS 5 Mini Specifications
- Device Type: Refillable pod system with built-in coil
- Battery Capacity: 1,500 mAh; battery supports 2-amp fast charging and charges fully in a little under an hour
- Pod Capacity: 2-3 ml, depending on which XROS pod you’re using
- Vaping Modes Supported: Device configures itself automatically based on the resistance of the XROS pod that’s installed
- Maximum Power: Up to 30 watts
- Firing Style: Supports puff-activated firing only
- Smart Display: No; device uses indicator lights to communicate the battery’s status
- Adjustable Airflow: Yes
Vaporesso XROS 5 Mini Features
Better Battery Life and the Same Stripped-Down Experience You Love
The big selling point of the XROS 5 Mini is the fact that it has better battery life and a faster charging speed compared to the previous-generation XROS 4 Mini. While the XROS 4 Mini has a 1,000-mAh battery and charges at a maximum rate of 1 amp, the XROS 5 Mini has a battery capacity of 1,500 mAh and charges at up to 2 amps. With those changes, the XROS 5 Mini doesn’t just last longer on a charge – it also charges more quickly when the battery dies.
The XROS 5 Mini also has some subtle styling refinements compared to the previous model, and we think you’ll agree that it looks much more modern. We particularly appreciate the design of the battery indicator lights, which are hidden inside the device’s shell and appear when you puff.
Otherwise, Vaporesso didn’t attempt to fix anything that wasn’t broken with the XROS Mini series. They created a new XROS Mini device that looks more modern and has a new feature that everyone wants: more battery life. At the same time, though, they didn’t succumb to the feature creep that has made simple and straightforward pod systems harder and harder to find over the years.
New COREX 3.0 Platform
The XROS 5 series also represents the debut of Vaporesso’s new COREX 3.0 pod platform. One of the things that we like the most about the XROS vapes is that every device in the series works with every pod that bears the XROS name, so you can use the new pods if you have a previous device in the series. If you want to buy a vape that comes with the latest pods, though, you’ve got to buy an XROS 5 or XROS 5 Mini.
What’s new about the COREX 3.0 platform? As you’d expect, the new platform delivers the things that everyone wants in a pod system: bigger clouds, bolder flavors and fewer pod replacements. Here’s how Vaporesso accomplished those things.
- They developed a new mesh coil shape that increases the total wick-to-wire surface area, promoting more consistent heating and improved cloud production.
- They changed the coil’s alloy from a blend of nickel and chrome to a new blend of iron, chrome and aluminum. The new alloy heats more evenly and rapidly, delivering bigger clouds with less waiting.
- They changed the shape of the pod’s chimney to provide smoother airflow.
- They switched to a new nano-microfiber material for the pod’s wick, providing greater surface area for faster e-liquid absorption. This reduces burnt flavors and also means that you don’t have to wait as long for the wick to refresh itself between puffs.
- They used heat-resistant materials throughout the pod, which means that you’ll be able to vape longer between pod replacements.
Vaporesso XROS 5 Mini Review: Our Expert Perspective
If we had to boil our XROS 5 Mini review down to a one-line summary, we’d say that it improves noticeably on the XROS 4 Mini without losing any of the things that have made the XROS Mini series famous for so long. The biggest upgrade over the XROS 4 Mini is the increased battery life, of course, and you’ll also be happy for the fact that the XROS 5 Mini even charges more quickly than its predecessor despite having a 50-percent larger battery.
We also like the fact that the XROS 5 Mini looks even nicer than the XROS 4 Mini, which is a tall order since the devices in the XROS 4 series looked great already. The new touches are subtle – some attractive new colors and a new hidden light bank for showing the battery’s status – but they’re noticeable.
Mostly, though, the XROS 5 Mini is great because it has the same features that have made the XROS Mini series famous from the beginning. It’s small and pocketable but surprisingly powerful. Since it has adjustable airflow and supports the full range of XROS pods, it gives you some room to customize your experience without bogging you down in options and settings. It’s straightforward but satisfying – exactly as the XROS Mini series has always been.
Best Points
- Battery life increased by 50 percent and maximum charging speed doubled compared to the XROS 4 Mini
- Hidden battery indicator and other subtle design refinements add up to a device that looks markedly more modern
- Adds new features without sacrificing the simplicity that has won the XROS Mini series so many fans
Could Be Improved
- Only includes one pod, so buying an extra box of pods is highly recommended