Quick answer: The SMOK Nord 5 is a compact 80W pod kit with a 2000mAh built-in battery, a 2ml UK pod and RPM 3 mesh coils. It's built for direct-to-lung (DTL) vaping, gives big flavour for its size and lasts a full day for most users. If you want mouth-to-lung (MTL) or you're brand new to vaping, there are gentler options.

The Nord series has been one of SMOK's most recognised pod lines for years, and the Nord 5 is the most powerful model in it. It matters more now than it did at launch. Since the UK banned disposable vapes on 1 June 2025, every vape sold in Great Britain must be rechargeable, refillable and have a replaceable coil. According to ASH/YouGov survey data, among UK adults who vape, the share mainly using disposables dropped from 24% in 2025 to 8% in 2026. That's a lot of people looking for their first refillable kit.

Below, we break down where the Nord 5 shines and where it falls short. This SMOK Nord 5 review covers specs, performance, battery, pros and cons, and who should buy one.

SMOK Nord 5 specifications

Want to compare it with other kits in the range first? Browse our full SMOK collection for pod kits, coils and spare pods.

Design and build quality

The Nord 5 feels solid in the hand. The chassis is zinc alloy, and at 107g it has some weight without being heavy in a pocket. SMOK sells it in two styles: the Regular series and a Leather series with a stitched leather wrap, which is slightly larger (106 × 32.5 × 24.8mm) and heavier at 118.5g.

The pod sits on a magnetic connection and fills from the side through a rubber plug, so there's no need to pull the coil out to refill. A coil-lock design holds the RPM 3 coil in place, which helps with leaks. The 0.69-inch OLED screen shows your wattage, battery level and coil resistance. It's small, but easy to read.

Airflow is controlled by a slider on the pod. It's stepless, so you can dial anywhere from fairly tight to wide open rather than clicking between fixed settings.

Performance: flavour and vapour

The Nord 5 is a sub-ohm, DTL device first. Both stock coils are low-resistance mesh coils, and that's where the kit does its best work.

• 0.15Ω RPM 3 mesh (40–80W): the cloud coil. Around 50–60W with the airflow open, it gives dense vapour and full flavour, closer to a small tank than a typical pod.

• 0.23Ω RPM 3 mesh (20–45W): the flavour-and-economy coil. At 25–35W it's smoother, warmer and uses less liquid, which makes the 2ml pod last longer.

Mesh coils heat evenly, so flavour stays consistent from the first puff to the last few drops in the pod. Pair either coil with a high-VG e-liquid (70/30 or 80/20) and lower nicotine strength, such as 3mg or 6mg freebase. High-strength nic salts at 50W+ will be harsh for most people.

Can it do MTL? Only loosely. With the airflow closed down and a higher-resistance RPM 3 coil, you get a restricted DTL draw, not a true tight MTL pull. If you want a cigarette-style draw, a lower-power pod kit is the better fit.

Battery life and charging

A 2000mAh battery is large for a pod kit. At 25–35W on the 0.23Ω coil, most vapers will get through a full day. Run the 0.15Ω coil at 60W+ and expect to top up by the evening.

Charging is via USB-C. The Regular series charges at 1.2A and the Leather series at 1.5A, with a full charge taking around 1 hour 40 minutes. That's not the fastest on the market, so charging overnight or at your desk works best. Built-in protections include short-circuit protection, low-voltage protection and an 8-second firing cut-off.

Pros and cons

Pros

• 80W output and a 2000mAh battery in a pocket-sized body

• Dense vapour and strong flavour from the RPM 3 mesh coils

• Stepless airflow slider and simple side-fill

• Coil-lock design helps reduce leaks

• Wide RPM 3 coil range and cheap replacement pods

Cons

• 2ml UK pod needs frequent refills at higher wattage

• Not a true MTL device

• Charging takes around 1 hour 40 minutes

• Menu and button controls take a few minutes to learn for first-timers

Who should buy the SMOK Nord 5?

The Nord 5 suits adult vapers who want sub-ohm clouds and flavour without carrying a box mod and tank. It's also a natural next step for anyone who used a big-puff disposable and now needs a refillable kit.

It's less suited to smokers making their first switch who want a tight, cigarette-like draw. For them, a lower-power MTL pod kit is easier to get on with, and prefilled pods skip bottles and coil changes altogether.

SMOK Nord 5 FAQs

Is the SMOK Nord 5 legal in the UK after the disposable ban? 

Yes. It's rechargeable, refillable and uses replaceable coils, which is exactly what UK rules require. The UK version comes with a 2ml TPD-compliant pod.

What coils does the Nord 5 use? 

SMOK RPM 3 coils only. The kit includes a 0.15Ω mesh coil (40–80W) and a 0.23Ω mesh coil (20–45W). It is not compatible with SMRT PnP rebuildable coils.

How long does the Nord 5 battery last? 

Most users get a full day at 25–35W. Heavy use at 60W+ may need a mid-day or evening top-up.

How long does it take to charge? 

Around 1 hour 40 minutes from empty via USB-C.

Can I use nic salts in the Nord 5? 

You can, but at sub-ohm wattages high-strength salts are harsh. A high-VG freebase liquid at 3–6mg suits this kit better.

Will vaping get more expensive in the UK? 

E-liquid will. From 1 October 2026, a new Vaping Products Duty adds a flat £2.20 per 10ml of vape liquid, with or without nicotine (GOV.UK). A thirsty sub-ohm kit like the Nord 5 will feel that more than a low-power MTL pod.

Final verdict: is the SMOK Nord 5 worth it?

Yes, if you want DTL performance in a pod. The Nord 5 combines 80W of power, a 2000mAh battery and good-quality mesh coils in a body that still fits a jeans pocket. The trade-offs are the small 2ml UK pod and higher liquid use, which matter more now that e-liquid duty is in force.

For adult vapers moving on from disposables, or anyone who wants tank-style clouds without the bulk, it remains one of the best-value sub-ohm pod kits you can buy in the UK.

Shop the SMOK Nord 5 kit, replacement Nord 5 pods and RPM 3 coils at vape4world. All our products are UK compliant and for adults 18+ only.

Vaping products contain nicotine, which is an addictive substance. Vaping is intended for adult smokers and ex-smokers.