SMOK vs UWELL: Features, Price + More (2024)
The epic showdown: SMOK vs UWELL. We're here to dissect every puff, flavor, and cloud.
But how do they compare against each other in terms of product range, performance, flavors, value, and more?
Whether you're on team SMOK or rooting for UWELL, this detailed comparison guide is packed with juicy details!
And stick around, because we've got a twist for you – nicotine-free vapes from Cyclone Pods. Safer, smoother, and even more satisfying.
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Further Reading: Explore these resources: Explore these resources: |
A Quick Intro to SMOK and UWELL
Headquartered in Shenzhen, China, SMOK offers a bevy of products including vape pens, starter kits, advanced mods, and disposables. Their products are ideal for the cloud-chasing enthusiast and the discreet, on-the-go user.
UWELL, a Shenzhen, China-based company, offers a large line of innovative vape products, from sleek and discreet pod systems to robust and stylish pod-mod vapes – all packed with new tech. With products marketed in over 80 countries, UWELL has quickly established itself as a leading global vape brand focused on innovation and optimizing user experience. Some of its popular products include the Caliburn series, the Crown series, and the Nunchaku series.
Brand History and Background of SMOK and UWELL
Let’s look at how the two brands evolved.
Founded in 2010, SMOK is known for its high-quality disposable vapes, mods, pod mods, vape pens, and accessories. In the Vapouround Global Awards 2021, SMOK’s RPM 4 Kit bagged the award for the Best Pod System. Early in 2024, the FDA issued marketing denial orders (MDOs) for 22 SMOK e-cigarette products (including devices, pods, atomizers, and cartridges) in the US. In response, SMOK has submitted an appeal in the US Court claiming that the MDO is arbitrary and lacks substantial evidence.
UWELL, established in 2015, became well-known in the vaping world after launching its Caliburn vape kits in 2019. These kits are designed to provide varied vaping experiences and feature advanced technologies like Pro-FOCS to improve the taste. The company has been recognized for its technological innovations and awarded with designations like "NATIONAL HIGH-TECH ENTERPRISE" and "SHENZHEN HI-TECH ENTERPRISE" in China. It received a warning from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2010 against selling products with stealth pockets that can conceal e-cigarettes.
SMOK vs UWELL Comparison Summary
Take a quick look at the features of SMOK and UWELL vapes before we get into the details:
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SMOK |
UWELL |
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Product Range |
SPACEMAN TURBO, MAVIC S9000, NOVO BAR B600, RAINBOW BAR 5000, AL6000, ETO BAR, RAINBOW BAR, STICK BAR, MINIONE, NORD BAR, MBAR, VVOW, MBAR PRO, and NOVO BAR (Disposable) ISPEED, IGEE, and IGEE PRO (Closed systems) NOVO PRO, NORD GT, NOVO MASTER BOX KIT, NOVO MASTER KIT, PROPOD GT KIT, NORD C KIT, NOVO 2C KIT, NOVO 5 KIT, SOLUS G-BOX, SOLUS G, PROPOD, IGEE A1, and more (Pods) tech 247, RPM C KIT, RPM 25W, RPM 4, and more (Pod mods) MAG SOLO KIT, MORPH 3 KIT, MAG-18 KIT, FORTIS KIT, and more (Advanced mods) VAPE PEN V2 KIT, STICK 80W, VAPE PEN NORD 19 & 22, STICK PRINCE, and more (Vape pens) |
Crown, Caliburn, Kalmia, Sculptor, Cravat, Whirl, Popreel, Valyrian SE, Tripod (Pod Vapes) Crown (M & D), Nunchaku, Havok V1 (Pod Mods) Crown IV, Valyrian 2 & 3 (Mod Kits) (Note: Availability differs by country)
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Nicotine-free options available? |
Yes (SMOK NOVO 2 KIT, SMOK NOVO BAR, SMOK NOVO 5 Pod Kit, and more) |
No |
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Device Quality & Build |
Innovative design, incorporating high-quality materials like zinc alloy and stainless steel |
High-quality, rugged, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, and plastic construction |
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Battery Capacity |
SPACEMAN TURBO, MINIONE: 800 mAh AL6000, ETO BAR: 650 mAh NORD BAR, NOVO BAR: 600 mAh RAINBOW BAR 5000, STICK BAR: 550 mAh MAVIC S9000, NOVO BAR B600, VVOW, MBAR PRO: 500 mAh RAINBOW BAR: 400 mAh MBAR: 280 mAh ISPEED, IGEE, and IGEE PRO: 400 mAh |
Varies between 500mAh to 1500mAh, depending on the device Caliburn Explorer: 1000mAh Valyrian Pod: 1250mAh |
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Pod Capacity, Nicotine Strength |
SPACEMAN TURBO: 5% (16 ml) MAVIC S9000: 18 ml NOVO BAR B600, VVOW, MBAR PRO, NOVO BAR: 2% (2 ml) RAINBOW BAR 5000: 20 mg nicotine (13 ml) AL6000: 13 ml RAINBOW BAR: 3% (2.5 ml) MINIONE: 4.5 ml NORD BAR: 5% (8.5 ml) MBAR: 20 mg (1.3 ml) IGEE, IGEE PRO: 2.5 ml |
Disposable range: 4-20ml, come with 20-50mg nic salt vape juice Reusable pod vapes: typically 2-4ml, recommended to be used with 5mg - 20mg nic salt vape juice |
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Number of Puffs per Pod |
SPACEMAN TURBO: 10,000-15,000 MAVIC S9000: 9000 NOVO BAR B600, RAINBOW BAR, VVOW, NOVO BAR: 600 RAINBOW BAR 5000: 5000 AL6000: Up to 6000 ETO BAR: 8000 STICK BAR: 1000 MINIONE: 1600 NORD BAR: 4000 MBAR: Up to 300 MBAR PRO: 550 |
Caliburn Bar: 12,000 puffs |
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Charging Time |
ISPEED, IGEE, and IGEE PRO: 40 mins |
Caliburn GK3, A3, AZ3 Grace, GZ2: 15 mins (2A fast charging) |
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Safety Features |
Low voltage detection, short circuit detection, LED indicator, age verification on website |
Childproof, leak prevention, temperature regulation, auto-shutoff |
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Device and Pod Cost |
SMOK SPACE MAN TURBO: $11.50 SMOK IGEE AI KIT: $23.99 SMOK NOVO 5 KIT: $39.99 SMOK RPM 100 KIT: $57.99 SMOK MAG-18 KIT: $99.99 VAPE PEN 2 KIT: $34.99 |
Caliburn range: $17 - $44.99 Crown X Pod Kit: $44.99 Whirl: $17.99 Gabriel BF8000: $17.99 (Prices from online retailers) |
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Customer Support and Warranty |
6 months |
6 months |
Now let’s compare these brands in detail:
1. Design and Aesthetics
SMOK devices have an intuitive interface with LED display, battery life percentage indicator, and touch screens. They usually come in cylindrical or plump shapes and tend to be lightweight and portable. They’re available in various color options.
UWELL vapes are designed to have a minimalistic aesthetic. Most of UWELL’s products contain translucent shells that display LED lights when in use and side-mounted fillings for easy refills. To add a playful twist to their collection, their Valyrian range was created as a tribute to the hit TV series Game Of Thrones, with the design resembling the sigil of House Stark.
2. Performance and Battery Life
SMOK devices offer different battery capacities, catering to the needs of both heavy-duty users and casual vapers. The SPACEMAN TURBO and MINIONE lead with an 800 mAh battery, designed for longer vaping sessions. Whereas MBAR's 280 mAh is the more portable option but won't last as long before needing a recharge.
The battery life of UWELL products varies depending on the specific model and usage patterns. For instance, the UWELL Caliburn GK3 features a 900mAh internal battery, with reviews indicating it can last through a day of moderate vaping. Conversely, the UWELL Crown X Pod Kit offers a 1500mAh battery capacity designed for long-lasting use that can potentially extend over a day for heavy vapers. Moreover, some UWELL devices, like Caliburn Tenet, feature a built-in rechargeable battery, while others, like Crown 5 Tank, require external batteries that can be replaced as needed.
3. Longevity
SMOK’s product lineup includes the high-capacity SPACEMAN TURBO offering up to 15,000 puffs and also the low-capacity model of MBAR with up to 300 puffs. The longevity is also influenced by battery capacity, ranging from 800 mAh in models like the SPACEMAN TURBO, ensuring extended use, down to 280 mAh in the MBAR, indicating shorter usage intervals. So, while some SMOK models are designed for durability and prolonged sessions, others prioritize compactness and convenience.
UWELL implements multiple quality control systems to ensure consistent product reliability. This is done per their commitment to providing long-lasting, high-performance vaporizers.
4. Flavor Selection and Nicotine Options
SMOK disposables and rechargeables come in different flavors, including watermelon, peach, mango, kiwi, mint, blueberry, strawberry, and more.
UWELL offers a diverse range of e-liquid flavors and products designed to enhance the vaping experience. Some of the flavors available for UWELL products include:
5. Vaping Experience
With several fruit-flavored e-liquids and nicotine strengths as high as 50mg, SMOK offers a vaping experience that meets the satisfaction levels of heavy smokers looking to switch and casual vapers seeking to try different flavors. It offers a range of products featuring mesh coils – key to enhanced flavor production and vapor output.
UWELL vapes are highly regarded for their excellent flavor experience and vapor production. Several UWELL products boast the patented “Pro-FOCS Flavor Technology” - a feature that promises a pure and consistent vaping experience.
6. Health and Safety Concerns
SMOK, like other vaping products, comes with health implications — from potential nicotine addiction to exposure to substances like vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol. However, the vapes with higher nicotine content, especially the 5% options, pose a significant addiction potential. The brand also provides nicotine-free vapes for those looking for a less risky vaping experience in the UK and South Africa.
The UWELL brand's official website and product pages are upfront about the addictive qualities of nicotine, making it clear that their offerings are strictly for adult users. It's important to note that nicotine use is widely associated with addiction, nausea, breathing difficulties, and cardiovascular issues.
7. Regulatory Compliance and Legal Issues
The FDA issued marketing denial orders (MDOs) for 22 SMOK e-cigarette products (including devices, pods, atomizers, and cartridges) in 2024. The federal agency claims that SMOK failed to provide adequate data related to “product stability and product abuse liability”. SMOK has challenged these MDOs by submitting an appeal in the US Court.
In 2020, The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to UWELL regarding a few products, including the Caliburn, stating that they did not have proper marketing authorizations and were thus considered adulterated and misbranded. As a result, UWELL has faced regulatory actions and has had to address these violations to remain compliant with US laws. Since then, legal scrutiny has eased up, and UWELL continues to sell its products in line with legal regulations.
Note: Consumers must also verify adherence to the latest local laws prior to any purchase of devices from these brands.
8. Nicotine Content Potential
SMOK vapes offer a range of nicotine levels, from 2% in devices like the NOVO BAR B600 and MBAR PRO, up to 5% in the SPACEMAN TURBO and NORD BAR, catering to varying user preferences for nicotine intake. Nicotine delivery is also varied, with pod sizes ranging from 1.3 ml in the MBAR to 18 ml in the MAVIC S9000 – quite a broad spectrum of vaping durations and intensities to choose from.
UWELL’s disposable vapes pack a punch with 20-50mg nic salt vape juice in 4-20ml capacities, catering to those who prefer a stronger nicotine hit with the convenience of disposability. Their reusable pod vapes, holding 2-4ml, are best paired with 5mg to 20mg nic salt vape juice, offering a customizable nicotine delivery to suit your vaping style.
9. Compatibility with Other Products
SMOK’s refillable pod systems like SMOK NOVO 2, NORD 2, RPM40, and POZZ X can be paired with any high-quality e-liquid of your choice. The brand recommends nicotine salt liquids for optimal performance.
UWELL’s proprietary design limits its cross-compatibility with other pods. However, UWELL devices are compatible with third-party e-liquids. UWELL makes replacement pods that may be compatible with more than one UWELL product range.
10. Availability and Accessibility
SMOK products can be bought in their official website store and are available in more than 50 countries. However, none of the disposable products are for sale in the US. Further, location-based restrictions can apply due to regulations on vaping products, affecting availability and shipping.
UWELL's products are widely available in most vape store chains across the US and available online.
11. Cost vs. Quality
The pricing of SMOK products, ranging from $11.50 for the SPACEMAN TURBO to $99.99 for the MAG-18 KIT, cater to various budgets and preferences. The brand offers options for entry-level vapers looking for affordability and seasoned users seeking advanced features. SMOK is priced higher than some competitors, especially for their feature-rich kits.
UWELL vapes offer a variety of high-quality options across different price points. For example, the UWELL Caliburn A3 and AK3 are priced at approximately $30 and $32, respectively. Other UWELL products, such as the Caliburn X, are more expensive due to additional features like an OLED screen and adjustable wattage. Across the board, UWELL maintains a reputation for producing reliable and well-designed e-cigarettes, making them a popular choice among vapers.
Pros and Cons of SMOK and UWELL
To summarize, here are the benefits and drawbacks of both these brands:
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Pros of SMOK |
Cons of SMOK |
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Pros of UWELL |
Cons of UWELL |
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In short, both SMOK and UWELL stand out in the vaping market with their unique strengths and offerings.
However, both SMOK and UWELL are not without their regulatory challenges.
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