Vaporesso XROS 5 Review & XROS 5 Mini Review

TL;DR

The Vaporesso XROS 5 and XROS 5 Mini finally deliver a proper battery upgrade alongside improved mesh coils, a sleeker chassis, and better usability. While they don’t reinvent the XROS series, they add enough flavour, power, and quality-of-life improvements to make them worthy upgrades.

Introduction

I’ve been using the Vaporesso XROS since its first iteration back in 2020, and aside from improvements to the mesh coils and minor cosmetic differences, it was often hard to tell the difference from one version and the other.

Until now.

The XROS 5 Series delivers upgrades that advance your experience beyond the aesthetic. For starters, the increase to the battery capacity has been a long time coming and I’m excited to see what the other changes bring.

Product Specs Comparison

What’s in the Box?

XROS 5 Kit:

• 1 × XROS 5 Device

• 1 × 0.6Ω Corex 3.0 Pod (preinstalled)

• 1 × 0.8Ω Corex 3.0 Pod (spare)

• USB-C Cable

• User Manual

XROS 5 Mini Kit:

• 1 × XROS 5 Mini Device

• 1 × 0.6Ω Corex 3.0 Pod (preinstalled)

• USB-C Cable

• User Manual

Vaporesso XROS 5 Kit Review

Design & Build Quality

The brushed aluminium body gives the XROS 5 a premium, gadget-like feel. It’s slightly heavier than earlier models, but the weight feels reassuring rather than cumbersome. The 10 new colourways add a stylish edge.

Battery Life

The 1500mAh battery is a solid move in the right direction, pushing the XROS 5 into true all-day vaping territory. Saying that, if you chain vape like I do, then you may to have to charge the kit again halfway through the day. But for vapers who use theirs as frequently as they would take a cigarette break, it should get you through a working day on a single charge, and definitely see you through a night out on the town.

Most pod kits in this range have batteries in excess of 1000mAh and it was about time that Vaporesso upped their game in this department. The XROS 5 uses 5V/3A USB-C charging which got me from 10% charge to 100% in just under 30 minutes. If you’re like me, and charge once your battery level is under 50%, then you can expect a full charge in about 10 minutes - which is astounding.

Display

Buttons

Adjustments are achieved using the function button located on the side of the device, and a series of quick clicks will get you access to various levels of customisation. The display is another long overdue feature that gives you accurate battery readings at a glance, a puff counter and lets you select between 3 power modes. (PWR) Power, a flavour and vapour boost, (NOR) Normal, a balance between flavour and battery conservation, and ECO that favours the battery and is great for prolonging battery life or eking out the most juice from a low charge.

I feel that presets coupled with a display are a bit of a cop out as they could be managed with an LED and what I really want with a display is incremental wattage control, which is only achievable when using the 0.4Ω pod. You can also choose from 6 background theme options. You can use the button to activate the kit or lock it and let the auto-draw feature work for you.

Coils & Flavour

The Corex 3.0 technology introduces Hive-Mesh heating and new nano cotton. While Vaporesso claims better flavour and coil longevity, the improvement is subtle. Honestly, I think Vaporesso XROS pods have delivered one of the most flavoursome and dependable vaping experiences for a number of years now, and it's hard to notice much of a difference.

The kit comes with a 0.6Ω Corex 3.0 pod, which produces a rich and dense vapour production, but I find that the smoothness of the draw comes from the Pulse vaping feature that has been standard in all chips since the XROS 3. There is a 0.8Ω pod included with the kit, which I prefer because it strikes a balance between flavour and vapour.

Airflow

Who is the XROS 5 Vape Kit Best For?

The Vaporesso XROS 5 vape kit is perfect for all vapers who want a versatile, customisable pod system without overcomplicating things. It’s ideal if you’re after a device with a colour screen, adjustable power modes, and precise airflow control, all wrapped in a sleek, pocket-friendly chassis. Whether you're upgrading from a disposable or looking for more control over flavour and vapour, the XROS 5 delivers a solid balance of power, usability, and polish.

What do our customers say about the XROS 5?

XROS 5 Setup Video

Vaporesso XROS 5 Mini Kit Review

If compact and fuss free is more your style, the XROS 5 Mini delivers straightforward flavour with the addition of an airflow control slider that adds a simple level of customisation.

Design & Build

The XROS 5 Mini is an example of doing more with less. It’s compact, featherlight at just over 65g, and wrapped in the same brushed aluminium shell as the full-size model. No screen, no buttons, just an auto-draw pod system with an airflow slider on the back. It’s as minimalist as a pod kit gets without sacrificing build quality or performance.

Battery Life

You get the same 1500mAh battery, which is really solid for a device this size. For moderate use (say 2-4ml a day), that’s a full day of vaping. It charges via USB-C at 5V/2A, getting from 0 to full in around 45 minutes. There’s a simple 4-bar LED to let you know when it’s time to top up, and I didn’t find myself caught short during testing.

Flavour & Pods

Like the larger XROS 5 kit, the Mini uses Corex 3.0 pods with Hive Mesh tech. Vapour is smooth, flavour is clear, and coil longevity is impressive. You’ll get a 0.6Ω pod in the box, ideal for a restricted direct lung (RDL) draw, and it’s compatible with the full XROS Corex 2.0 pod range from 0.4Ω to 1.2Ω. I found the 0.8Ω pod hit the sweet spot for MTL: smooth airflow, bold flavour, and minimal liquid consumption.

Airflow

A big win here is that the XROS 5 Mini finally includes the upgraded airflow slider, a missing feature on earlier Mini models. It gives you more control over your inhale, whether you prefer a tight MTL or a breezier RDL draw. Once set, the slider stays put and feels surprisingly premium for a pod this affordable.

Who is the XROS 5 Mini Best For?

The Vaporesso XROS 5 Mini is designed to keep things simple without compromising flavour. It’s beginner-friendly, travel-ready, and tough to beat for £16.95. No screen, no fire button, just a dependable draw and great taste in a stealthy, stylish shell.

What do our customers say about the XROS 5 Mini?

XROS 5 Mini Setup Video

Corex Pod Resistance Options

0.4Ω - This is for direct to lung (DTL) vaping and allows for incremental wattage adjustment with higher VG vape juice.

0.6Ω - Corex 3.0 pod, preinstalled in both XROS 5 & XROS 5 Mini - very airy restricted direct lung (RDL) vape.

0.8Ω - Corex 3.0 pod, delivers airy mouth to lung (MTL) vape perfect balance of flavour and vapour - included as a spare with the XROS 5

1.0Ω - For a tight mouth to lung draw and good flavour.

1.2Ω - Traditional wire coil, trade flavour for accurate cigarette like pull.

Kit Comparison Table Vaporesso XROS 5 vs Oxva Xlim Pro 2 DNA

Price Comparison Table (vs 5 Competitor Kits)

XROS 4 vs XROS 5: What’s Actually Different?

Battery & Charging

• The XROS 4 runs a 1000mAh battery with 2A USB-C charging, which gets the job done but isn’t particularly fast.

• The XROS 5 ups the ante with a larger 1500mAh cell and 3A fast charging, you’re looking at around 80% charge in just 20 minutes. For anyone sick of mid-day top-ups, that’s a game-changer.

Pods & Coil Tech

• The XROS 4 uses COREX 2.0 pods. Flavour is decent, but over time it can drop off slightly, especially with heavy use.

• The XROS 5 introduces XROS COREX 3.0 pods with Hive Mesh tech and upgraded cotton. Flavour is smoother, coil life lasts longer, and wicking is more consistent. You can use these pods on the XROS 4 too - but the XROS 5 squeezes more performance out of them thanks to its newer internals.

Power Modes & Display

• Both devices offer three preset modes: Eco, Normal, and Power. But only the XROS 5 lets you adjust power more precisely with 0.5W increments, but that feature only works with the 0.4Ω pod.

• The XROS 4 sticks with a basic LED battery indicator. The XROS 5, on the other hand, gets a crisp 0.88" colour screen that shows power mode, battery percentage, puff count, and even how long it’ll take to fully charge. It’s clean, easy to navigate, and a real quality-of-life upgrade.

Quick Comparison: XROS 4 vs XROS 5

So… Should You Upgrade?

If you’re after faster charging, longer battery life, a screen, or tighter flavour control, the Vaporesso XROS 5 kit is 100% worth the upgrade.

If you’re happy with LED indicators, don’t care about a display, and just want a simple pod kit that works, the XROS 4 still holds its own, especially if you pop in the new COREX 3.0 pods.

XROS 5 Series Accessories and Bundles

• Corex 2.0 Pods - 4-Pack

• Charging Cable - USB-C 5V/3A

• XROS 5 Bundle Kit: Includes 1 XROS 5 Kit, 1 pack of Corex pods and 3 bottles of nic-salt e-liquid

• XROS 5 Mini Bundle: XROS 5 Mini, 3 RAD Salts, 1 Pod Pack

*Top Tip: The XROS 5 and XROS 5 Mini are perfect with bar nic salts like Elfliq. We've reviewed the Top 10 Elfliq flavours that would work great in these kits.

Take a look at our Vaporesso Brand Overview, if you'd like to know more the brand.