The SMOK Novo Pro looks like a small pod kit, but it has the kind of power range and battery size that can change how it feels across a day. I reviewed it because, on paper, it sits in a crowded “daily pod” slot and still claims real adjustability. Airflow range matters here. Pod resistance and wattage choices also move the experience fast.
What is the SMOK Novo Pro?
The SMOK Novo Pro is a refillable pod system with adjustable wattage, a small OLED screen, and both draw and button activation. Its core promise is flexibility in a pocketable device: swap pod resistances, adjust airflow, and tune power without moving up to a larger mod. Main risks are practical and device-focused: condensation in the mouthpiece, leaking if the fill plug is not seated, and harsh or burnt hits if power is pushed too high for the pod. It fits adult users who want a compact refillable with room to dial in MTL to restricted DL.
Why choose the SMOK Novo Pro?
It’s a good fit if you like a looser MTL or a restricted DL pull and you want to adjust airflow instead of living with a fixed draw. It works well for people who change liquids often and want a simple refillable that still lets wattage shape sweetness, cooling, and throat hit. It also suits anyone who cares about battery headroom in a slim device, since the battery is listed at 1300 mAh.
Skip it if you need an ultra-tight MTL draw, or if you hate any mouthpiece moisture and you won’t wipe condensation. It’s also a mismatch for cloud-focused users who want sustained high-output airflow, or commuters who need a zero-fuss setup and never want to refill a pod. The kit price is often in the low $20s online, which can be a deal or not, depending on how much you value adjustability.
How We Tested It
We used the SMOK Novo Pro for 3 days, rotating between normal carry and heavier sessions, landing around 100–300 puffs per day depending on workload and commute. I focused on airflow behavior, flavor accuracy, puff-to-puff consistency, heat stability, and condensation/leak risk. Marcus pushed higher output and longer chains to check heat and flavor drop-off. Jamal treated it like a real pocket device, tracking comfort, carry wear, and how often moisture built up on the mouthpiece. The device itself is a 5–30W pod kit with a 1300 mAh battery and 3 mL pod capacity, so wattage and pod choice were the main levers.
Performance Scores of the Vape
Test duration: 3 days, mixed carry and heavier sessions, roughly 100–300 puffs per day.
Scoring rubric: airflow behavior, reliability, and leak/condensation were judged by repeated use; flavor and throat hit were scored as lived, repeatable experience across multiple liquids.
Device baseline: 5–30W adjustable pod kit with 1300 mAh battery and 3 mL pods.
| Metric | Score | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Flavor | 4.2 | Clean, defined notes when wattage matches the pod; sweetness can turn flat if pushed too warm. |
| Throat Hit | 3.8 | Easy to tune from soft to sharp with airflow and power, but it can get edgy when chain-vaped on lower resistance. |
| Vapor Production | 3.7 | Strong for a compact pod, still not a “big air” device in sustained output. |
| Airflow/Draw | 4.0 | Adjustable range covers loose MTL to restricted DL; it doesn’t lock into an ultra-tight cigarette-style pull. |
| Battery Life | 4.1 | The listed 1300 mAh capacity showed real headroom; higher watt use shortened the gap fast. |
| Leak Resistance | 3.9 | No messy failures in our run, but mouthpiece condensation showed up and needs routine wiping. |
| Build Quality | 4.0 | Body felt solid in pocket use; pods are the more fragile part of the setup. |
| Ease of Use | 4.3 | Filling and day-to-day use stayed simple, and switching between draw/button use felt straightforward. |
| Portability | 4.2 | Slim profile carries well; height is noticeable but still pocket-friendly. |
| Overall | 4.0 | A flexible, daily-capable pod kit that rewards basic upkeep and sensible wattage choices. |
Our Testing Experience
Our Testing Results
I carried the Novo Pro like a daily pod: front pocket, desk sessions, and short car trips. The body held up well to pocket friction, and the device didn’t feel flimsy in hand, which tracks with the zinc-alloy build listed for this model.
Across the 3-day run, I stayed mostly in the mid range of power and treated the airflow control as the real “feel” dial. With the lower-resistance pod, the vape warmed up quickly during longer pulls, and Marcus flagged the same thing when he did back-to-back chains. Jamal’s notes were more about carry: the device stayed comfortable, but he had to wipe the mouthpiece once or twice a day when condensation collected. Charging was consistent, with no odd heat spikes during normal USB-C charging, and battery life felt meaningfully stronger than smaller Novo devices we’ve used in the past, which lines up with the 1300 mAh spec.
Draw Experience
For a bright fruit salt, I used a Blue Razz Lemonade profile. At a moderate wattage on the mid-resistance pod, the inhale stayed crisp and the sour edge didn’t smear into candy. After a longer session, sweetness built up on the tongue, and the best fix was lowering power slightly rather than tightening airflow.
For a Cool Mint liquid, the device made cooling feel more “top of mouth” than throat-heavy. When Marcus ran the lower-resistance pod warmer, the cooling turned sharper and started to crowd out mint detail.
For a Virginia Tobacco salt, the Novo Pro did better with a calmer wattage. The draw felt smooth, and the aftertaste stayed dry enough to avoid that syrupy finish some pods produce when they run too warm.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Adjustable wattage makes it easier to match different liquids and pod resistances. | Airflow range doesn’t satisfy users who demand an ultra-tight MTL pull. |
| Battery capacity is strong for the size, and it held up across real daily carry. | Lower-resistance use can warm up fast during chain sessions. |
| Dual activation lets you use auto-draw or button firing depending on situation. | Mouthpiece condensation appears and needs routine wiping. |
| 3 mL pods reduce refill frequency compared with smaller pods. | Pod plastics feel like the weak point if you’re rough on gear. |
| Solid in-hand feel and pocket carry comfort. | Flavor can flatten if wattage is pushed too high for sweet liquids. |
| Side-fill is quick once you get the plug seated cleanly. | Users who want zero-maintenance “grab and go” may resent refilling and upkeep. |
Key Specs
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Device type | Refillable pod system |
| Output range | 5–30W |
| Battery capacity | 1300 mAh |
| Charging | USB-C; commonly listed as up to 1.6A |
| Display | 0.42-inch OLED |
| Pod capacity | 3 mL (standard listings) |
| Fill method | Side fill |
| Activation | Draw and/or button |
| Pod resistances (common) | 0.6Ω / 0.8Ω / 1.0Ω options are widely sold |
| Chassis material | Zinc alloy |
| Typical online kit price | Often around 21.99 (varies by seller) |
SMOK Novo Pro Vs. Alternatives
Choose the Novo Pro if you want a slim refillable pod with real wattage control, a larger listed battery, and a 3 mL pod format. It also fits users who switch between draw activation and button firing depending on where they are.
If you want a simpler, widely praised flavor-forward MTL pod, the Vaporesso XROS 4 is a direct alternative with a listed 1000 mAh battery and 3 mL pods. If you want another 5–30W stick-style pod option with 3 mL capacity and a 1000 mAh battery, the VOOPOO Argus G2 is a strong comparison point.
Pro Tips for SMOK Novo Pro
- Let a freshly filled pod sit a few minutes before the first real session, especially with thicker liquids.
- Start lower on wattage, then step up in small jumps until flavor opens without turning hot or sharp.
- Treat airflow and wattage as a pair: tighten airflow before you crank power, not after.
- If the mouthpiece starts to feel damp, wipe the underside and the chimney area instead of just the lip.
- For the cleanest flavor, keep sweet, heavy liquids out of the “too warm” zone; that’s where flattening shows up.
- If you want a calmer throat feel, open airflow a bit and shorten pull length rather than forcing very low power.
- When you refill, press and re-check the fill plug; incomplete seating is where most slow leaks begin.
- Avoid long chain sessions on the lower-resistance pod unless you want warmth; short breaks keep it steadier.
- Use a consistent charger and cable; if the device ever feels unusually warm while charging, stop and swap the power source.
FAQs
Does the Novo Pro work better for MTL or restricted DL?
It leans toward loose MTL through restricted DL. Ultra-tight MTL fans will likely want a different airflow range.
What pod resistance felt most balanced in daily use?
The mid-resistance option felt easiest to live with. The lower-resistance pod hit warmer and punished chain use faster.
Does the 3 mL pod meaningfully reduce refills?
Yes. In normal daily patterns, it cut down on “top-off” refills compared with smaller pods, especially with frequent short sessions.
Is mouthpiece moisture normal on this device?
Condensation showed up in our run. A quick wipe once or twice a day kept it under control and prevented gurgly pulls.
Is the kit price reasonable for what you get?
If you want wattage control and a larger listed battery in a slim pod, the usual low-$20 pricing often makes sense.
About the Author: Chris Miller
