The SMOK Nord 2 Pod Kit aims to improve on the success of the original Nord, which was massively successful and helped usher in a new breed of pod vapes that aimed to move out of the shadow of the Juuls.
If you have been vaping for some time, you’ve no doubt come across the SMOK name since it is known as one of the best manufacturers today and is responsible for a number of popular mods and pod kits over the years.
With the Nord 2, will SMOK replicate or even surpass the success of its older brother? Or will it suffer the curse of the sequels?
PRICE (US): ~ $30.00
PRICE (UK): ~ £20.00
NORD 2 SPECS
- Size: 95 x 30.5 x 20mm
- Capacity: 4.5ml / 2ml(TPD-UK)
- Battery Capacity: 1500mah
- Output Power: 1 – 40W
- 69inch OLED screen
- Resistance Range: 0.3 – 3.0Ω
- Nord DC 0.8Ohm MTL Coil
- RPM Mesh 0.4Ohm DTL Coil
- Wattage Adjustment with A Click：1W – 40W
- 9 Available Colours: Red, Black Cobra, 7-Color Oil, Gold, 7-Color Cobra, White Cobra, 7-Color Resin, Black Stabilizing Wood, Red Stabilizing Wood
KIT CONTENTS
- 1 x Nord 2 Device
- 1 x Nord 2 RPM Pod Cartridge
- 1 x Nord 2 Nord Pod Cartridge
- 1 x USB Cable
- 1 x User Manual
PACKAGING & DESIGN
Compared to the original Nord, the Nord 2 is just a smidgen thicker and taller at 95mm x 30.5mm x 20mm.
Made from a combination of plastic and zinc alloy (although with a resin-looking design), the device and pods are well-built and exude quality. The overall design is pleasing to the eye, and the ergonomics are superb.
Up top is the pod bay where you will find the contacts as well as notches on the side to help the pods click into place. Below the device is the micro USB port which charges the internal 1500mah battery.
On one side are markings that tell you the name of the device, the battery capacity and other information.
It may sound like it’s a mess of letter, but it’s actually not. The OLED screen is located on one of the thinner sides and displays the current power, coil resistance, voltage, battery life, and puff counter. Pretty much everything you need to know.
The fire button is situated on one side and is situated in a nice convenient spot where it’s easy to press when you’re ready to vape.
The Nord 2 comes in several colors: Red, 7-Color Oil, 7-Color Cobra, Gold, Black Cobra, White cobra, 7-Color Resin, Red Stabilized Wood, and Black Stabilized Wood.
It comes in a standard box and inside you will find the Nord 2, two Pod Cartridges, a USB Cable, and a User Manual.
FUNCTIONALITY
Being a pod device, the Nord 2 is pretty simple to operate.
After charging it you simply press the fire button five times in quick succession to turn it on or off. Three clicks will make the wattage display flash, indicating you can now adjust the power.
Since there is no up or down buttons, to adjust power, you’ll need to hold the fire button down, which then adjust the power up, cycling back to 1 when you go past 40 watts. It’s not the quickest of way to adjust the wattage, but it is a nice solution to keep the design simple and uncluttered.
The puff counter will reset itself after every pod change, which can be handy to help you keep track of how many puffs you are getting from each refill.
As per usual, there are a number of safety protections in place in the Nord 2 including pod Detection, 8-Second Cut Off, Low Voltage, and Short Circuit for piece of mind.
BATTERY
The battery of the Nord 2 is a 1500mah internal battery that is charged via a micro USB port located at the bottom of the device.
Though the mah may seem impressive, I found the battery life a little lack luster, barely getting me through an entire day. I appreciate that the pods are using sub-ohm coils which do tend to drain your battery, but if you want to use this all day and you’re a regularly ‘puffer’ then you may want to carry your charger just in case.
To make matters worse, the NORD 2 doesn’t have pass through charging, which means you can’t vape on it whilst it charges. Maybe this was an oversight, but it would have been much more viable as an all day device with this function.
PODS / COILS
The pods that come with the kit are made of high quality PETG with tanks that let you check the e-liquid level.
It has side holes for refilling and the coils are replaceable. There are quite a number of coils available that can fit these pods giving you a wide range of options if ever you feel the included ones are not up to your taste or standard.
The two coils in the kit are the RPM Mesh 0.4 ohm DTL coil which is best used at around 25 watts, while the Nord DC 0.8 ohm MTL coil is rated for up to 16 watts.
Filling the pods are easy. If it’s a new coil, be sure to remove the coil from the pod (for the pre-installed one) and add a few drops straight to the coil first to prime. Insert the ‘press fit’ coil into the pod then remove the fill hole’s rubber stopper and fill the tank with your choice of e-juice. Replace the plug and leave it alone for about 5 to 10 minutes to let the ejuice seep in so you avoid any dry hits or burning out the coils.
PERFORMANCE
As a pod, be sure to temper your expectations that this will never match the performance of a proper mod and tank. That said, vapour production and flavour isn’t bad at all for what it is.
HOW MUCH DOES THE SMOK NORD 2 COST?
The Smok Nord 2 Pod Kit will set you back around £20.00 in the UK, and about $30.00 in the US via VapeSourcing who usually offer their products at a discount.
These prices are in line with other pod kits with similar features, but with the Nord 2, you are also getting the reputation of Smok with the price you pay.
Add to that the ability to swap out coils without throwing the pods away, the vast range of available coils to use, and the ability to adjust the power make the Nord 2 kit comes in at a respectable value for the price.
DISLIKES
- Can’t see e-liquid level without removing the POD
- Battery size doesn’t provide an ‘all day vape’ for a regular user
- No airflow control
LIKES
- Larger batter (compered to original NORD)
- Ergonomic
- Good vapour
- Great flavour
- Adjustable power
- OLED screen
- Simple to use
- RPM or Regular NORD Coil Compatibility
CONCLUSION
If you are in the market for a great performing pod, look no further than the Smok Nord 2 Pod Kit.
The price is affordable, and you get awesome flavor and vapor, adjustable power, excellent coil selection and coil life, all in a nice looking, ergonomic device.
Whether you are new to vaping, or a veteran looking for a stealthier option, the Nord 2 is one kit you should seriously consider. It is, without a doubt, a worthy successor to the excellent original Nord.
The battery is larger and will last longer than the previous model, but if this is your daily driver you may find yourself running out of battery throughout the day so keep this in mind. Other than this, it’s a great little pod.