SMOK is a brand of starter to mid-range products with a long history within the vape industry.
They have built a big reputation for popularity, affordability, and reliability offering a wide range of all types of vapers.
So are they any good? Here are some points to consider
How Good Are SMOK Products?
SMOK is a good vape brand, known for making some of the most popular products in the market aimed at entry-level to mid-market vapers. They are available in most stores and websites for a reason. They have made their products easy to use and functional, with plenty of options for beginners and more advanced vapers.
They have been known to create innovative designs and features. Their coils are easily replicable and their products are easily affordable, typically ranging from $20 – $100.
Their products are readily available in vape shops worldwide, and many have been covered by reviewers.
A Brief History Of SMOK
Smoktech was established in 2010 in Shenzhen China and was one of the first companies to produce a dual coil for an atomizer in 2011. They later rebranded as SMOK
In 2015 was one of their biggest splashes in the industry with their TFV4 tank that combined with the innovation of the Smok X cube ii which had customizable colors changing LEDs and Bluetooth. These made a very big wave in the market.
When SMOK launched their alien mod / Kit, this dual battery sub-ohm kit, it quickly became very popular and made the name even more popular.
Some of the most popular kits in 2019 were the SMOK Prince / p25 Stick and the SMOK Stick V8. This was due to the ease of use, size, and the way that the vape.
They were one of the first to introduce Top-filling tanks, touch screens, bright displays with plenty of features, covering everything from starter kits to single and dual battery devices. They make beginner MTL (mouth to lung ) and higher-powered devices up to 300 watts (sub-ohm vape kits). Their product ranges are not limited to disposables, squonkers, MTL, and Sub-ohm tanks.
Within the year 2021 SMOK has slowed down and is concentrating on smaller kits like the Nord 2 and Nord 4 and generally kits fewer than 100 watts.
Where Is Smok Manufactured?
Smok is manufactured in Shenzhen China. This is known as the manufacturing hub of the world.
However, Smok has a multitude of global partners, covering almost every continent and country, the largest being Europe and North America.
They also have a very large distribution list available on their website. However, a quick google will find Smok products almost anywhere.
Are SMOK Devices Reliable?
Built from aluminum and plastic with CNC machining SMOK produces are built with a clean finish and aesthetic form.
SMOK makes its products for functionality and affordability.
Generally, SMOK is recognized as a reliable brand and their products are well built. However, there have been some customers mentioning quality control issues. The numbers seem to be for older products and depending on the user SMOK products can last you a decent amount of time.
Some of the devices can be flawless and last years without any issues.
As popular as SMOK had some reports of QC (quality control) issues some instances devices stop working, tanks leaking and coils not working.
Nowadays SMOK has slowed down and is now taking a bit more pride with what they make and even making some shock, dust, and waterproof (Arcfox Kit) to make them much more durable.
It would be unfair to categorize that as a typical problem, as there is much to say about user error. As SMOK targets many beginners, setting up and using vape devices correctly is important. You can always visit a local store for help.
It is also possible this is a defect in the manufacturing process initially rather than developing over time.
How Long Do Smok Products Last?
How long products last is a varied question and mainly User dependent. Typically with good use, you can expect anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. A disposable device is not designed to last as long as a starter or advanced vape kit.
Most vapes are made with or use Lion batteries ( long life span). These offer a very long use. It is recommended by battery university that it is a good idea to charge when the indicator tells you to. They can be partly charged or fully charged, not affecting the overall life span.
Temperature use can also play a part. If you vape at high heat and how power, this can wear on the device, especially the battery. The coils will also be affected.
Coils usually can be expected to last 1 – 2 weeks. Liquid type and even using a very long draw and the wrong power setting can cause issues.
Let us not forget extremely hot or cold climates, as well as exposing your device to moisture. That is never a good idea.
Are Smok Products Safe?
There have been no reports of issues regarding safety. Being large that is internationally recognized SMOK ad hears to very standards.
SMOK carries CE Markings. It is important to note this is not a safety certification but it does mean the manufacturer affirms the good’s conformity with European health, safety, and environmental protection standards.
Battery use, especially with using external batteries is important to use the correct charging equipment and take proper care and maintenance of your vapes overall. The correct use of tanks and liquid care is important also.
No know electrical issues, most devices come with regulated PCBs (computer boards) and therefore have plenty of inbuilt safety.
Some concerns about reliability but nothing we can find on safety issues.
How Is The Warranty On SMOK Products?
The warranty on SMOK Devices is six months from the date of purchase however the warrant does not cover tanks ( atomizers), coils, drip tips, and pods. This is typical in the industry.
Smok will provide A replacement product within their warranty period following the terms.
This can also be found on the Smok Warranty website page.
However, you may have an extended warranty or additional guarantees depending on which store or site you have purchased from. It is also worth checking local state and country.
Warranty does not cover:
- Coils ( atomizers)
- Accessories ( Due to being consumable products)
- Misuse, damage, or other failures caused other than manufacturing
Can You Still Buy Old SMOK Accessories?
Yes, you can in some cases. SMOK likes to make lots of different formations of their tanks, devices and change the coil designs so after a few years they slow down the production of the previous generation of coils and parts to make way for the new ones.
Take the Smok TFV4 coils for example. They no longer make them but you can still find places that still stock them in limited supply. So you may want to look into newer tanks every few years one pro with this is that some other companies like Horizon tech use different wicking materials which last longer in some cases.
What Are The Most Popular SMOK Products?
Smok offers 4 main categories of products:
4 Main Categories –
- Starter kits
- Intermediate Kits
- Tanks
- Accessories.
Are Smok Products Good For Beginners?
- Starter kits such as disposables, pen-style kits, Pod systems. The Nord being their most popular. Typically ranging from 10w – 80w and selling under $60. The Solus is a new release for 2021 and aimed at those looking to stop smoking.
Are Smok Products Good For Intermediate Users?
- Intermediate kits. Often with a larger form and a bigger battery to carry much more power and vapor. The Alien and M80 being their most popular
- A wide selection of MTL and Sub-ohm tanks. The most popular is the TFV4 – TV8 series of tanks and the famous Baby beast tank. They make good sub-ohm tanks and have a large following.
- Coils (atomizers) for tanks. These also include RBA decks (Rebuildable atomizer)
The SMOK Novo 2 and Nord Kits are small and relatively easy systems to use but they have made a few different models in the last few years and with that came coil changes. The SMOK Nord 2 and the Nord 4 are now their best sellers and come with interchangeable RPM coils.
With the Nord 4, you get the boost of more power and more of a hit with it too with a max power limit of 80 Watts but you can still have full control with the power setting and all the different coil options. An extremely popular kit worldwide.
In the past, the SMOK Stick Mod was very successful and proved very popular with many different people. This was due to their size and usability. With that, the competitor’s realized this very quickly and soon there were a lot of different options on the market like the Freemax twister kit, Eleaf I just 3 kits, and the Vaporesso GTX go 8o Kit.
Which Brands Produce Similar Products To SMOK?
As a manufacturer of both entry-level and mid-tier SMOK, SMOK has a lot of competition.
Here are 2 competitors that offer similar products at near the same price.
Voopoo is very well known for its Drag series kits. They more recently launched their Da Vinci series also, aiming at a more compact starter market. Nearly all these devices now come with their PNP tank and are more universal than Smok. So if you have a drag X and a Drag is the same tank/pod and coil. Smok argues their large variety of coils allows for a better vape experience.
Geek Vape is another competitor. They launched the Aegis series devices (Waterproof, shockproof, and dustproof). SMOK got into the market with their similar device called the Mag P3 back in 2019. Although a solid and great mod it never took off as much as the Geek Vape Aegis line and SMOK Is still making some of their devices waterproof and more durable for everyday use. Geek vape also has the Boost series which aims to compete with both the Vooopoo da Vinci and Smok Nord kits.
What Do Reviewers Say About Smok Products?
Generally, being so recognized worldwide, Smok has a good reputation. Most reviewers on social media have covered a very wide range of their products. From Grimm Green, vapnfagan, suckmymod, and Mike vapes… most agree Smok is a good entry brand for vapers.
We checked the reviews on three different online stores:
- elementvape.com (1336 reviews at 4.5 stars)
- Amazon.com
- www.ecigclick.co.uk
We found 100’s of reviews on Amazon for the three most-sold SMOK products and 1336 reviews on elementvape.com for SMOK Nord. On average, the review sites more recently rate SMOK products at 4.2/4.5 stars, and customers rating Smok Nord on elementvape.com at 4.5 stars.
There are some criticisms over SMOK previously Pump new products and coils, QC on products and coils not lasting. This was also expected as we’re dealing with one of the most popular vape brands and one that lots of professionals and customers trust.
Final Thoughts
Smok has earned its reputation as one of the best vape brands on the market.
There are lots of options you can take with their devices to fit your best needs, either be it quitting or just casual vaping you can be covered.
While not everyone agrees that they are the best, there is no question that they are sleek designed, have good functionality, and are one of the best-known vape brands on the market.
The bottom line is that if you are looking for a good, affordable Vape, Smok is an option you should seriously consider.
Resources
https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/smok-rpm-4-review/
https://www.smoktech.com/support/warranty
