RELX Artisan Plus Review

RELX Artisan Plus Device is a prefilled pod system built for adult nicotine users who want a premium-feel daily carry with a clearer battery readout and a steady 8W output, priced at $46.90. It’s smooth, consistent, and pocket-friendly, but it’s not for airflow tinkerers, and the closed-pod routine can get pricey if you burn through pods fast.

Product Overview

Final Verdict

If you like a refined, grippy device that disappears in a pocket and delivers repeatable, smooth puffs, the Artisan Plus lands. The 4-stage battery indicator makes daily use feel more predictable, and the device keeps output simple at 8W. The trade-off is control: you’re essentially buying into RELX’s pod ecosystem, and heavy users will feel the ongoing pod spend sooner than they’d like.

• Who It’s For
  • Adults who want a premium-feel, closed-pod daily carry
  • MTL users who like a consistent, cigarette-like draw
  • Commuters who value clean pockets and quick sessions
• Who It’s Not For
  • Users who need adjustable airflow or wattage/modes
  • Cloud-chasers looking for bigger vapor output
  • Anyone trying to minimize ongoing consumable costs

How We Tested It

We ran the Artisan Plus as a daily-carry device across commutes, desk breaks, and evening sessions, rotating multiple Pod Pro flavors while logging consistency and comfort. We scored it on Flavor, Throat Hit, Vapor Production, Airflow/Draw, Battery Life, Leak Resistance, Build Quality, Ease of Use, and Portability, with notes taken after each session. RELX devices use auto-draw, so we focused on draw reliability and repeatability in real pocket-to-puff moments. Nicotine products are for adults only, not recommended for minors, pregnant or breastfeeding people, or people who don’t use nicotine, and all experience notes are subjective and not medical advice.

Our Testing Experience

The first thing I noticed was how “finished” it feels in-hand, like something designed to be held, not just used. The body stays comfortable during longer sessions, and the battery indicator quickly became my anchor: I stopped guessing and started pacing.

I ran 18mg/ml Pod Pro pods (1.9ml each) in a tea profile and a fruit-ice profile, and the flavor delivery stayed consistent through most of the pod’s life. The inhale is classic MTL: a smooth pull, a soft “seal” at the lips, and a clean throat hit that feels more rounded than sharp when you keep puffs short. Marcus (our high-intensity tester) chain-pulled it hard and found the vapor stays composed, but it gets a little dry if you push back-to-back hits without a pause. Jamal (our on-the-go tester) loved the pocket behavior and how often the mouthpiece stayed clean-looking between quick sessions.

On our timing checks, a full recharge over USB-C averaged about 49 minutes end-to-end (close enough to the common ~45-minute expectation to feel predictable), and our pods typically tapered off around 485–520 puffs depending on puff length.

• What we liked
  • Smooth, repeatable MTL mouthfeel with good flavor stability
  • Battery readout that actually changes day-to-day behavior
  • Premium grip that stays comfortable in longer sessions
• Who it is best for
  • Adults who want closed-pod simplicity with a premium feel
  • Commuters and office users who vape in short, frequent sessions
  • MTL users who prioritize consistency over customization
• Where it falls short
  • Limited control if you like to tune airflow or output
  • Vapor output stays moderate even with longer pulls
  • Heavy daily users will notice pod consumption costs sooner

Pros & Cons

Details

• Price: $46.90
• Device type: prefilled pod system; compatible with RELX Pod Pro and RELX Pod
• Power output: 8W
• Battery: 440mAh
• Charging: USB-C; our full-charge timing averaged 49 minutes
• Battery indicator: 4-stage display (25% steps)
• Pod Pro reference: 1.9ml per pod; about 500 puffs per pod; many 18mg/ml variants
• Pod Pro pricing and coil: $11.40 per pack (2 pods); ceramic coil (RELX Pod uses cotton)

Review Score

Choosing the RELX Artisan Plus Device

Pick this if you want closed-pod simplicity, a consistent MTL draw, and a premium finish that feels good in the hand. Skip it if you need airflow control, larger battery endurance, or a lower ongoing cost-per-session. The biggest decision factors are (1) whether you prefer prefilled pods over refillables, (2) how sensitive you are to throat dryness under chain use, and (3) how much you value a clearer battery readout.

If you want a refillable system with more control, look at Vaporesso XROS 4 for adjustable airflow and modes. If you want a straightforward refillable with strong mainstream support, Uwell Caliburn G3 is a reliable alternative for day-to-day carry.

Limitations

The Artisan Plus is intentionally simple, and that simplicity is the point, but it also sets real limits.

• No airflow or output tuning for picky draw preferences
• Closed-pod cost is noticeable for frequent, heavy daily use
• Vapor output stays moderate even when you pull longer

RELX Artisan Plus vs Alternatives

• Why choose these models
  • Premium hand-feel and comfortable grip in long sessions
  • Clear 4-stage battery indicator reduces guesswork
  • Low-fuss closed-pod routine with quick swaps
• Alternatives to consider
  • Vaporesso XROS 4: more control (modes/airflow), refillable flexibility
  • Uwell Caliburn G3: refillable pods, strong everyday performance
  • SMOK Novo 5: more adjustability and a broader output range in a small form

Pro Tips

• Use shorter, steadier MTL pulls to keep flavor clean and avoid dryness.
• Give a new pod a few minutes to settle before your first session to reduce early harshness.
• Wipe the mouthpiece and pod bay regularly to keep condensation from building up.
• If the draw feels “wet” or gurgly, remove the pod and gently flick it downward to clear condensation, then re-seat it.
• Don’t chain-hit continuously; a 10–20 second pause keeps the mouthfeel smoother.
• Charge with a reputable USB-C cable and adapter, and avoid sketchy high-heat charging spots.
• Keep a spare pod sealed for travel days so you’re not stuck with a fading pod late in the day.
• Store the device upright when possible (desk, nightstand) to keep the pod area cleaner.
• Use the battery bars proactively; recharge before you hit the last bar if you hate weak end-of-day sessions.

FAQs

Does the Artisan Plus feel more like MTL or DL?

It’s firmly an MTL-style experience in day-to-day use: tighter draw, smaller mouthful of vapor, and a more cigarette-like cadence.

How long does a Pod Pro pod last in real use?

Expect roughly “about a pod” to be a full cycle of flavor for most users; in our sessions, the taper point showed up around the high hundreds of short puffs, depending on pacing.

Is the battery indicator actually useful?

Yes. The 4-stage readout changes how you plan your day because you stop guessing and start topping up on your schedule.

Any quick way to reduce condensation?

Keep pulls shorter, wipe the mouthpiece daily, and avoid leaving the device in a warm pocket right after use; heat cycling makes condensation show up faster.