Smok Nord 50W Review: A Versatile New Kit for the Ages
An in-depth review of the Smok Nord 50W Pod Kit.
Note: This product has been discontinued. We have a large collection of current vape kits available.
The new Nord 50W pod kit by Smok is the latest in the Nord series, boasting new and improved features and fifteen beautiful finishes to choose from (including, yes, leather).
Confused vapers, look no further: I know the kit might seem daunting, but hopefully this review helps answer your questions.
Without further ado, let’s dive into the kit’s features and my experience with the device as a whole.
Smok Nord 50W Pod Kit
Features:
- Up to 50W adjustable wattage
- 1800mAh Battery
- Adjustable airflow valve
- Single button operation
- OLED Display
- Compatible with Nord Coils & LP2 Coils
- Compatible with RPM Coils (Sold separately)
- 2ml E-Liquid capacity
Included in the Box:
- 1 x Smok Nord 50W Mod
- 1 x Smok Nord Pod – 2ml
- 1 x Smok LP2 Pod – 2ml
- 1 x LP2 Meshed Coil 0.23Ω
- 1 x Nord Coil 0.6Ω
- 1 x USB-C Lead
- 1 x User Manual
Design & Appearance
The Smok Nord 50W pod kit is a pocket friendly device that comes in fifteen stunning finishes, including marble and wood patterns as well as leather (I, too, gasped aloud). Naturally, I went for the red leather finish.
The kit itself is hardy and small, with an ergonomic design so it sits comfortably in your hand. The stitching on the leather series adds an element of luxury to the kit’s chassis, complimented by the sleek metal.
The adjustable airflow valve is on the back of the device, with the two airflow holes on either side of the device. The charging port (USB Type-C) is located on the bottom.
The mouthpiece has a duckbill design with added curves, so it fits perfectly between your lips. Truthfully, there’s nothing I’d change about the Smok Nord 50W kit’s design.
Smok Nord 50W vs. Smok Nord 4
At first glance, the Smok Nord 50W looks strikingly similar to the Smok Nord 4 Pod Kit, with a few major differences.
Aside from the different battery capacities, the Nord 50W’s power output—you guessed it—goes up to 50W, whereas the Nord 4’s power output allows for up to 80W variable wattage.
Perhaps most importantly, the Smok Nord 4 supports both MTL and DTL vaping straight out of the box, with both an RPM and an RPM2 coil included with the kit so vapers can decide between MTL and DTL vaping (P.S. If you’re unsure about the difference, check out our blog post: What is MTL and DTL Vaping?).
This is where the Smok Nord 50W gets it wrong: even though the Nord 50W is compatible with MTL vaping, vapers who want to enjoy the Nord 50W via MTL vaping have to purchase separate pods and coils because they aren’t included with the kit. Bummer.
Thankfully, I was set up with three different pods and coils to try, including the LP2 Meshed 0.23Ω DL coil, the Nord Regular DC 0.6Ω coil, and the RPM Meshed 0.4Ω coil (this one wasn’t included in the kit).
The Pod
The pods feature easy side-filling via a small rubber latch on the side, and the material is translucent so users can easily identify how much liquid is left in their pod.
Thankfully, the pods needn’t be replaced often as they use plug-and-play coils. The only time you might need to replace a pod is if the pod becomes cracked, leaky, or if the coil doesn’t stay firmly in place anymore. If you take good care of your pods, they should last you a long while.
With over a dozen coils to choose from, this kit surpasses others as far as versatility is concerned. The kit can be used in a variety of ways, from low-wattage MTL vaping to higher-wattage DTL vaping and variations thereupon (you can even use the kit with CBD and 100% VG E-Liquids, which we recommend using in conjunction with compatible ceramic coils).
How to Change the Coil on a Smok Nord 50W
Because of the breezy plug-and-play coil system on the Nord 50W, changing your coil takes only a few brief steps.
First and foremost, make sure you’re using the correct coil for the pod you have. This is a common mix-up that can lead to an incorrect purchase, if you’re not careful. Each pod is compatible with one of Smok’s coil ranges, and they’re easily labelled so you don’t mix them up. On the rubber side latch of each pod, you’ll see the range the pod is compatible with. We’ve included some photos here for reference.
Before you insert your new coil, make sure you prime it first to avoid accidentally burning the brand new coil (we’ve all done it and learned this the hard way). If you’re unsure about priming coils, check out our guide on how to prime your coil!
To change your coil, remove the pod from the battery. Ensure that you have the correct replacement coil by checking the rubber latch on the side of the pod (for Nord coils, the latch says Nord; for LP2 coils, the latch says LP2, and so on).
Flip the pod over. Underneath, you’ll see the bottom of the coil. Now, based on which coil type you have, you have only two or three steps to go!
How to Change Smok Nord Coils
The Smok Nord Replacement Coils are fairly straightforward. All you have to do for this one is pull the old coil out, discard it, and pop your new (and hopefully primed) coil into the now-empty slot. Easy-peasy!
How to Change Smok LP2 Coils
The Smok LP2 Replacement Coils are straightforward too—there’s just one teeny tiny extra step (which I may or may not have struggled with myself the first time around).
The only tangible difference in the pods here is that the LP2 coil has a small tab on the bottom of the pod which secures the coil in place—so, if you’re like me and you can’t figure out why the coil won’t come out, you’ve probably missed this detail. Don’t worry—we’ve included some pictures so you won’t make the same mistake yourself.
To change the LP2 coil, simply pull the tab outward. From here, you can slip out the old coil, discard it, and replace it with your fresh, newly-primed replacement coil. Ta-da!
The Battery
The Smok Nord 50W kit has an integrated 1800mAh battery, which is pretty impressive for a device with a 50W maximum power output. The battery will last most of the day (or, in my case, up to two days) if you keep the wattage below 45W.
It’s chargeable via the USB Type-C port on the bottom of the device (the device comes with the cable, but not the wall plug). The Type-C connection means that the device charges very quickly compared to older kits with a Micro USB connection.
The OLED Interface
The OLED interface displays the wattage, battery life, electrical resistance of the coil (ohm Ω), and puff counter with white text on a black background, so it’s easy to read both in high- and low-light situations.
When turned on, the OLED screen shows the Smok logo—and, much to my delight, when powered off, the device bids you farewell. Adorable.
I don’t want to belittle the power in this kit, however: it may be small, but it is mighty.
8-Second Automatic Cut-Off
The Smok Nord 50W features an automatic 8-second cut-off, which may not feel revolutionary, but it’s excellent.
Why? Let me tell you a brief story.
Picture this: I’m standing in a queue to meet someone at a Drag Queen convention. For about 20 minutes, my friend and I keep smelling this horrible, chemical-y, burnt plastic smell. It’s a convention centre, and everyone’s wearing wigs. Someone’s probably on fire. Big whoop. Fast-forward ten minutes after my fateful photo op: I open my tiny handbag and a cloud of smoke pours out. I’m terrified the venue’s security is going to be on top of me at any second.
My vape… she betrayed me.
Or, better put, I must’ve turned it on inside my bag and leaned on the button. I (obviously) burned the coil and left my designer bag smelling like chemical warfare. Even the leather cleaner had a tough time getting the smell out of the material.
So, needless to say, this 8-second automatic cut-off is a excellent feature for idiots like me. It’s already come in handy with the Smok Nord 50W more than once.
The Puff Counter
I’ve been informed that I’m an anomaly: I actually use my puff counter.
Historically, I’ve had issues with overdoing it when it comes to sub-ohm vaping. Before I realized that I wasn’t using a high enough nicotine strength in my E-Liquids, I would reset my puff counter every day so I could keep track of my intake. Otherwise, I’d puff constantly, all day. Now, I’m not in the same position anymore—I vape nic salts when I’m craving a cigarette, and I switch to my DTL coil when I don’t need the nicotine.
Still, I’m somewhat perturbed that I can’t reset the puff counter on the Smok Nord 50W. Why have one if, A, most people don’t use them, and B, if you can’t actually reset it? It feels more like an odometer on a car, measuring the device’s total mileage, than it is an actual metric for the user’s benefit.
Overall Impression
The Smok Nord 50W pod kit produces a great, flavourful vapour when used correctly, and I haven’t experienced a single burnt coil or leaky pod thus far.
The device is super versatile when considering the sheer volume of coils to choose from, and its ergonomic build is definitely a step up from previous boxy vape kit designs. It’s sleek, easy-to-hold, and once you get the hang of it, it’s easy to use, too.
My only complaints are that the puff counter cannot be reset, and that the kit doesn’t come with MTL coils included. Also, it’s strange having a firing button which also functions as the setting adjustment button, but once you get used to how the interface works, it’s not an issue in the slightest.
Overall, I’d definitely recommend this vape, particularly for those who prefer different vaping styles and who want these options at their fingertips. It’s a great, handy little device with endless possibilities, delivering a handy-dandy vape experience like no other.