Today I’m going to be taking a look at the Smok Nord 5 Kit, this is the latest addition to the Nord range of pod kits from Smok!
Like all of the devices in this range, this kit is low-maintenance and easy-to-use, it’s a pocket-friendly little sub-ohm kit!
Smoktech is part of Shenzhen IVPS Technology who are better known as “Smok”. A China-based e-cigarette designer/manufacturer who over the years have brought us a very impressive range of kits and atomisers!
One of those ranges is the Nord range which includes the original Nord pod kit, the Nord 2, Nord X, Nord 4, Nord pro kit, Nord 50w and the Nord Cube.
What Can We Expect From the Smok Nord 5 Pod Kit?
Two series are available for this kit with a total of 12 colours!
Regular series
Red Grey Dart, Blue Grey Dart, Green Blue Dart, 7-Colour Dart, Fluid Black Grey, Black Dart, Blue Pink Dart and White Dart.
Leather Series
Black (under review), Beige White, Grey and Brown!
Ever since reviewing the original Nord and the Nord 2 back in 2020, I have been watching the evolution of the Nord range with great interest.
This is the 6th version to bear the name Nord, 7th if you include the Nord Cube!
The Nord 5 features a built-in 2000mAh battery. It takes advantage of the existing Smok RPM3 coils that deliver a cloudy direct-to-lung vape!
The output is adjustable from 5-80W plus you have an airflow adjustment lever to tailor the airflow to your preference.
An 0.69in OLED screen is provided to view all your vaping data plus an LED indicator.
The device has a substantial feel with a nicely balanced weight.
In The Box
- Smok Nord 5 Device
- Nord 5 pod
- RPM3 Meshed 0.15Ω coil (installed)
- RPM3 Meshed 0.23Ω coil
- USB Type C cable
- User manual
Smok Nord 5 Specifications
- Size: (Regular) 105×32.5×23.7mm, (Leather) 106×32.5×24.8mm
- Output: 5-80W (0.5-4V)
- User Modes: VW
- Battery: 2000mAh (internal)
- Display: 0.69in OLED Screen and LED indicator
- Resistance range: 0.15-2.5Ω
- USB Type C port – (Regular) 1.2A charge rate, (Leather) 1.5A charge rate
- 1 hour 40 minutes charge time
- Refillable pod/Replaceable coils
- RPM3 coil range
- Capacity: 2ml (TPD) or 5ml (Standard)
- Adjustable slide airflow
- Coil locking system
- Side fill port
This sample kit was sent directly by Smok for review!
As always my thoughts and views are my own after a considerable testing period.
Design and Build Quality
This review is based on the standard 5ml black leather version with red stitching.
The kit comes displayed in a card draw box along with a USB Type C cable and a spare coil.
Smok has released 2 different pod sizes – 5ml standard and 2ml TPD!
Smok Nord 5 Pod Tank Overview
This tank is made from PETG material and has a dark smoky appearance and the tank measures roughly 35mm tall with a width of around 30mm.
The pod has a side fill port that is covered by a Black silicone plug and the mouthpiece is wide making this pod ideal for sub ohm vaping.
There is a red plastic coil lock, which holds the coil in place improving its protection against leaks!
Coils
The pod tank takes advantage of the existing RPM3 coils, two of which are included with the kit.
- RPM3 Meshed 0.15Ω coil (installed) 40 to 80W
- RPM3 Meshed 0.23Ω coil 20 to 45W
Smok Nord 5 Mod Overview
Chunkier than the earlier versions I own, the Leather Nord 5 device measurements are approximately 80mm tall (100mm with the pod in place) it has a width of 32mm.
The chassis is zinc alloy with padded faux leather panels.
From the top
As normal for this type of mod, it has a pod bay that contains 2 gold plated connection pins. The bay is sealed so no liquid can enter the inner workings of the device!
Looking around the outside of the pod bay, the front of the device has been printed with “Smok®“ in white and each side of the bay has a wide airflow slot.
On the rear of the pod bay is a step-less slide that operates the airflow.
For comfort the edges of the chassis have been bevelled, the back and front panels of the Nord 5 are leather padded.
The back panel has been embossed with “Nord 5” along with the relevant safety marks.
Design info is on the side.
At the top of the front panel is the action/fire button that illuminates white when the device is fired!
Smok Nord 5 Workface
Located on the right side of the device, is an 0.69” OLED screen along with a pair of small adjustment buttons!
Smok Nord 5 Bottom
Looking at the bottom of the mod you will see a USB Type C charge port.
The leather edition has a charge rate of 1.5amps, where the regular edition charges at 1.2amps! The internal 2000mah battery takes up to 1hr 40m to fully charge!
I’m impressed with the overall presentation of this kit, the quality and design are very good.
Quick Start Guide
Smok Nord 5 Pod Tank
Choose one of the two coils that come with the kit.
- Prime the coil with e-liquid on all exposed cotton and press fit the coil into the pod tank. Remember to flip the lock into place.
- Open the silicone side bung to reveal the fill port and fill it with your liquid.
- Place the tank into the pod bay
Let the device stand for about 3 minutes before firing so the cotton can soak up more liquid!
Smok Nord 5 Device
While the kit does come with some charge it’s always advisable to fully charge it before 1st use.
Functions
- Click the fire button 5 times fast, to turn the device on and off.
- To lock and unlock the wattage, press both adjustment buttons together.
- Completely lock and unlock the device, press the fire button 3 times rapidly.
- To adjust the output use the adjustment buttons.
- To clear the puff count, press the fire and either one of the adjustment buttons together.
- This device will fire from 5 to 80W.
Protections
This Nord 5 has 4 built-in protections.
How Does the Smok Nord 5 Kit Perform?
For this example, I will use the installed 0.15Ω coil and for e-liquid I’ll be using Kwik Vape wild cherry with 3mg freebase nicotine liquid.
Smok Nord 5 Kit – In Use
As I said earlier I have been watching the evolution of this range and I am amazed by the technology that has been packed into such a small chassis.
Yes in many ways the Nord 5 is a reboot of the Nord 4, albeit with a slightly redesigned body and pod tank.
I got confused there for a while because the Nord 4 uses RPM 4 coils yet the Nord 5 uses RPM3 coils and to add confusion to my tiny addled brain the RPM 5 also uses RPM3 coils lol.
Airflow and Vape Production
With the airflow open fully this device is very airy, the vapour production is thick, and gives a fairly good flavour!
Mainly I have been using the 0.15Ω coil at 50/65W and DTL vape style. The coil on average lasts me 4 days of constant use!
The 0.23Ω coil I have been using as a more restricted direct to lung coil, between 15 and 40W with the airflow set at about a ¼ open. The flavour was a touch better for me than the 0.15Ω.
Smok Nord 5 Device
The screen is bright and clear it contains info more like an advanced device would have. However the screen font size is not very friendly to those of us that are sight challenged, I found myself reaching for my reading glasses quite a lot during testing.
Does The SMOK Nord 5 Leak?
One of my biggest questions was does the pod tank leak?
Because let’s face it earlier models did leak and in some cases quite badly! A quick answer would be “No” however, I found when chain vaping the device the coil gets really hot and some liquid seepage into the pod bay does occur, but in the 2 weeks I have been testing the kit I haven’t had any major floods!
Battery longevity
With a full charge and using a restricted direct-to-lung style at 25/30W, the battery lasted me most of a full day.
Pros
- Quality and Design
- Fair coil life
- Acceptable flavour
- Great vapour production
- Comfortable in the hand
- Easy to fire in either hand
Cons
I don’t have any big concerns with this kit except maybe the screen fonts and that’s just me trying to find a fault lol.
Final Review Verdict
When I was first sent this kit I was convinced it was going to Pee liquid all over the place lol, after 2 weeks, I was surprised to find I had no leaking apart from a little condensation or slight seepage due to chain vaping and a very hot coil!
I’m more than happy to carry this around as a backup to my normal travel mod/s, I was very surprised by the quality and the function it has been consistent with a cloudy fair flavour and good battery life.
Would I recommend the Smok Nord 5 Kit?
I’d recommend the Nord 5 kit to those who are ready to make the leap from MTL to sub ohm devices and as a possible 2nd device for those with more experience.
Would I buy this kit again due to loss or damage?
“Yes” I can see myself replacing this kit should the unthinkable happen!
I just bought my second smok 5. Both stopped working within a day—confused by this glowing review
I like the devices, too. However, Cons I would say are: device is made of a low quality material, so if you drop it on the ground, big marks will be left on the device. Make sure you dont place it with the keys in your pocket, it is very easy to scratch the display. My Nord 5 was scratched at the first 2 days of using.
I don’t have big experience with vapes so i am not sure.. maybe all of them have that issue.
anyone having trouble refilling theirs – the silicone part just snaps back into place immediately?
SMOK used to be decent, especially the RPM 2. Not so much now. The mouthpiece plastic on the nord 5 is a joke…comes apart, breaks down and cracks if it gets knocked over. The RPM 2 has changed the design of the mouthpiece, and of course the coils for the original don’t fit into the old mouthpieces that last for a couple of years. I have 2 nord 5s, only bought a 2nd one, because I have lots of coils. Neither work unless they are plugged in after less than 1000 puffs!! I’m done with SMOK!
Idk I’ve had my nord 5 for over a month and have dropped it atleast a dozen time on a hard tile floor and it had held up just fine to my surprise I’m wondering if yours maybe was defected give it another try cause I have found it to be a solid unit.
My nord 5 battery is not charging.. how to fix it
I just bought one the other day I love it. I still have a Nord 2 for back up.
Best Device iver ever owned I love this device I recommend this Device to everyone
Had two Nor 5s now, both sent back because the battery lasts 120-130 puffs and is dead. I have lots of other cheap pods that last many times longer including disposables. I don’t know if this was just a bad batch or is a common complaint. I will not be getting another, a shame as the flavour was great.
Was it difficult getting a new one.. I have emailed them everything they needed and they keep coming back with re-sending everything twice..
Worst SMOK product ever had ! Leaking, poor design. Broke after 5 days of using. It works only when is connected to the charger.
My leaking too, have you have problems getting a new one
So ive been vaping with Smok novo x for a little over a year now and I’ve went through 2 units. They just stopped firing and I tried everything to fix them. So I just recently bought the Argus Air with the pod/coil system and im not liking it. Is there an adjustment period of transition from pods with pre-installed coils to pods you have to place a coil in yourself? I also only vape regular tobacco flavor liquid at pretty low wattage compared to my husband(I’m usually 4.5 to 5.5 & he’s 5.5 and higher). He’s now using the Argus and I’m using his novo, but im worried it’ll just break like my others(I was so careful with my 2nd unit)
4 days of coil life is decent? Are you joking me?
To be fair dude we are talking about Smok coils here, 4 days of hitting the 0.15Ω coil at 50/65W to me is decent!