Product intro and specs
Lovers of pod vapes are probably feeling pretty spoiled right now. Just a few weeks ago, the Caliburn G4 and G4 Mini hit the market, and now, the VAPORESSO XROS 5 and XROS 5 Mini are about to debut. A new series from the two biggest juggernauts in the pod game within a month! I suppose the pressing question is: which one should you buy? Although I won’t answer that directly (it’s a tight race!), perhaps my experiences and insights will guide you in the right direction.
So, what’s the fifth generation of the XROS family got to offer? The full-sized version features a color screen and an advanced menu, and both versions house a substantial 1500 mAh battery. That’s a strong start, but probably the most exciting innovation is the new series of COREX 3.0 pods. If they can outshine COREX 2.0 tech, we’re all in for a treat.
The XROS series has an impeccable track record, but that streak is bound to come to an end eventually... Did VAPORESSO finally drop the ball? Who am I kidding?! You’ve already seen the scores; these kits are amazing. Keep reading to find out what makes them so special.
XROS 5 Price: $26.99 (at Element Vape)
XROS 5 Colors: Cosmic black, lavender purple, coral red, grey silk, blue silk, violet silk, opal pink, opal white, jade green, carbon stripe
XROS 5 Mini Price: $19.99 (at Element Vape)
XROS 5 Mini Colors: Black, purple, sky blue, titanium silver, pastel crystal, rose red, flowing blue, flowing green, flowing pink, carbon black
Build quality and design
The inaugural device in every XROS generation has always spoken my language. The designs tend to be simple, clean, and mature, and the XROS 5 is no exception. The paint finish is beautiful, resilient, and fingerprint-resistant (although this may not be true for every colorway). The button also feels great, and the airflow slider has excellent tension.
Despite the familiar look and feel, there are a couple of deviations from the norm here. First, the XROS 5 features a color screen with various themes, animations, and other modern bells and whistles. Second, VAPORESSO moved the button and airflow slider to the concave sides of the device. They essentially sit in small ditches, minimizing the likelihood of accidental adjustments or firing. I suspect this change may take some getting used to for longtime fans of the series.
The XROS 5 Mini has the same form factor as the full-sized version; it’s just a bit shorter and lacks a screen and a button. The basic style is also similar, but the unit I received has front and back panels rather than a seamless body. The panels were executed well—a little flashy, but not over the top. However, because they are glossy, they do attract some fingerprints.
Getting started
Getting started with the XROS 5 Mini couldn’t be simpler. Fill the pod (which features the classic XROS top-fill design), insert it into the device, and vape. A discreet four-stage battery indicator is hidden on the front of the device, displaying after you take a puff or insert a pod.
There are no power adjustments, but you can adjust the airflow via the slider on the side. I appreciate that some manufacturers are incorporating adjustable airflow into affordable, beginner-friendly products. Everyone has different preferences, so this tiny enhancement caters the device to a much broader market.
Using the XROS 5 may not be as intuitive as the Mini, but it’s not complicated. VAPORESSO even included a cheat sheet sticker (removable) on the device, so you can skip the manual and dive right in.
- One click to fire (if button-firing is selected)
- Two clicks to change themes
- Three clicks to change the power
- Four clicks to enter the menu (screen lock, animations on/off, puff clear, button on/off)
- Five clicks to power on/off
Note: most menu options require you to hold the button to lock in your selection. If you simply wait, you’ll be brought back to the home screen without any changes applied.
Like several devices in the XROS 4 series, most of the pods are limited to a three-level power system: Eco, Normal, and Power. Adjustable wattage is only possible with the 0.4-ohm pods (not included). While I appreciate the simplicity of low-medium-high options, there isn’t a huge difference between them. I only say this to temper expectations. Ultimately, the ranges seem ideally suited to the pods, so I believe most users will be satisfied with them.
Performance
Both the XROS 5 and 5 Mini include upgraded pods (backward compatible with all XROS devices) with COREX 3.0 tech. The COREX 2.0 pods were fantastic, so the notion of improving on perfection is intriguing. However, claims like “increased performance stability” and “30% more flavor delicacy” sound like marketing mumbo jumbo. Do these new pods actually perform better? Let’s find out.
0.6-ohm pod: Sometimes, things are so good that it’s difficult to elaborate. Imagine taking a bite of the best dessert you’ve had in your life and then being asked to describe it. Your response might be reduced to a few awkward sighs of satisfaction. That’s how I feel as I’m writing this. These pods are “wow,” and that’s as eloquent as I can put it. They deliver phenomenal flavor, the draw is smooth, and I haven’t experienced any wicking issues (50/50 e-liquid). All praise; no complaints.
Just to be sure this wasn’t premature enthusiasm, I put the same e-liquid in a 0.6-ohm COREX 2.0 pod. And, yes, there is a distinct difference between the two. However, I wouldn’t say it’s a mindblowing upgrade. The older 2.0 pods still hold their weight; the COREX 3.0 pods just round out the flavor profile more.
0.8-ohm pod: Different pod; same story. It’s exceptional. I don’t think I could choose a favorite between the two.
Although estimating longevity is challenging during a two-week testing period, I have plenty of confidence in these pods. They’ve already seen 24-28 mL of action, and neither is slowing down.
Battery life and charging
Aside from the new COREX 3.0 pods, the most significant upgrades with the VAPORESSO XROS 5 and 5 Mini are the battery capabilities. Both kits feature 1500 mAh batteries paired with 2A (Mini) and 3A (full-size) charging. That’s impressive, considering the XROS 4/4 Mini only offered 1000 mAh and 1-2A charging, and the size differences are negligible.
While I can’t report on the usable capacity and actual charge rates, the battery upgrades are definitely noticeable. The XROS 5 takes just 26 minutes to achieve a full charge. That’s incredible! In fact, it’s the fastest I’ve ever tested. The Mini requires 40 minutes due to 2-amp charging, but that’s still respectable. Either way, there’s not much downtime with these kits. Plus, you can burn through roughly 7.5 mL per charge, which is more than I could ask for from compact devices like these.
Although this category is overwhelmingly positive, I do have one criticism. The four-stage battery indicator on the Mini is a bit deceptive. After vaping a full pod (3 mL), the display still has four bars remaining. After a second pod, it shows two bars. But after just 1.5 mL more, the device is dead. This makes it difficult to gauge your remaining vaping time, so I’d recommend relying on e-liquid consumption instead (2.5 fills per charge).
(Note: this was also one of my complaints with the Caliburn G4. It’s possible that this is a common issue that I’m just now starting to notice. It’s worth mentioning, nonetheless.)
Pros / Cons
Gallery
Verdict
Believe it or not, the most challenging part of this review was finding cons. VAPORESSO ticked almost every box with these devices. They’re undoubtedly relying on user feedback as they continually refine the series. And the word “refine” is key. The XROS 5 and 5 Mini are not groundbreaking; there’s nothing new or exciting here. These are traditional pod vapes, but they’re crafted to near perfection.
My cons list may be lonely, but I’ll briefly address it (and I’ll start by standing on my soapbox). This trend of only including one pod with entry-level devices (i.e., the Mini version) continues to aggravate me. These types of kits are designed with beginners in mind, making a backup pod even more crucial. It’s time to set a new standard.
My other cons are relatively insignificant. Although there may not be a substantial difference in the power modes, the performance from all three is excellent. Additionally, the battery life indicator on the Mini is somewhat misleading; however, its overall longevity (7.5 mL per charge) is still commendable.
Ultimately, the VAPORESSO XROS 5 and 5 Mini represent everything I want from a pod vape: clean designs, user-friendly, high-quality manufacturing, and outstanding performance. Still, if you’re content with an older XROS model, upgrading your device isn’t crucial. But I’d highly recommend looking into the new COREX 3.0 pods. They could go head-to-head with the NeXLIM pods, which had been my favorites of 2025.
Highly recommended for all pod users.
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