The Smok Nord C is the latest pod vape kit in the series that offers a compact and intuitive device that’s lightweight with a unique set of features. Known for their style and panache, the Nord series continues to evolve as the desires and needs of a vaper looking to quit smoking or continue their nicotine cessation journey build year by year.
Firing up to 50W of power (which can be adjusted), with smart coil recognition technology, an impressive new design and plenty of coil options from the Smok RPM2 range, it could appeal to so many.
In this review, we take a look at what makes this device stand out, contrasting with previous models from the collection and highlighting any potential hiccups that may not make the Smok Nord C the right fit for you.
How Does it Compare to the Others in the Smok Nord Series?
Since 2018 we have seen plenty of devices from the Smok Nord range (12 at the time of writing), ranging from the very first Smok Nord pod kit, which was ideal for mouth-to-lung smokers, seeking something easy and compact to quit cigarettes, to the latest Smok Nord 5 for Sub-Ohm vaping.
The Smok Nord C is not your typical pod kit from the leading brand because the pods feature a new top-fill design. This is to ideally help with any leaks that may have happened from previous devices, which you can find in social interaction groups among Smok fans, hoping for a minimal fuss transition from smoking.
In addition to a better pod design, the Smok Nord C has a revamped fresh look, a large 1800mAh battery built-in and one of the first in the collection which works best as a restrictive direct lung (RDL) vape.
Despite what you may read elsewhere, we can assure you the Smok Nord C is fantastic for RDL vaping and does not perform very well mouth-to-lung, despite one coil option for this style.
Key Specifications
- Top fill pods
- Large internal 1800mAh battery capacity
- Smart coil detection
- 5-50W of power output
- Tailored for restrictive direct lung vaping
- OLED display screen
- Compatible with all RPM2 coils
- Fire button activation only
Appearance and Build Quality Overview
We love how the Nord C looks. While some of the previous devices in the Nord range from the Smok Nord 2 to the Smok Nord X deliver great results as a stand-alone device, if you lined all of them up and didn’t know the names of each, you could easily confuse one from another.
However, as we’ve come to expect from recent Nord kits, the two-tone colour highlights Smok does have a nice eye for detail, with nine different schemes to pick from. Matte white and pink aside, the rest of the seven are two-tone with lovely colour mixtures, to suit any preference, by designing with a ‘lateral colour arrangement’, as described by Smok themselves.
Perhaps the best new feature is the top-fill design of the new pods to accompany the Nord C. As you can see from the image below, the pods are even easier to fill and less likely to leak, which is always welcome with a Smok device.
Top tip: There shouldn’t be any leaks, but following testing, we recommend always keeping the pod at least half full and adjusting the wattage to roughly 25W (half its power), or matching the recommendation on the coil suggestion, labelled on the accessory. This gave us good results while vaping.
The build quality is excellent, combining the finest materials with a comfortable shape that’s compact to hold and carry around when not in use. There is an easy setup, with only a fire button to activate the device. Some may question why auto-draw isn’t included, but the fire button clicks well and is easy to press.
There is a 0.69-inch OLED display on the side of the device, which is a nice touch, and an airflow inlet in the same area. On the opposite side of the fire button is the airflow switch.
How to Use the Smok Nord C: Simple Setup Guide
- The coils slot into place within the bottom of the pod with ease, using a push-fit system.
- To refill the pods with e-liquid, snap the top of the pod and place the e-liquid dropper in the top fill port.
- Switching on the device is standard with five clicks of the fire button to turn it on and off.
- Goes up in 1-watt increments up to 50W by pressing the up button.
- The display highlights the wattage, puff counter, Ohms reading, and battery percentage indicator.
A very simple device to use, which is ideal for beginners, although as stated earlier this device is aimed more at those who want a looser draw and prefer to puff bigger clouds, by using a Sub-Ohm coil.
What are the Advantages of the Smok Nord C?
- A welcome top-fill pod from Smok Nord!
- Lightweight and feels nice on the hand
- Large battery for a very compact device
- Wide mouthpiece for more cloud
- Nice build quality and a more stylish design than previous models in our opinion
- Great for RDL vaping with fantastic flavour
- Ideal for those who want a compact cloud-chasing device
Are There Any Disadvantages With This Pocket-Friendly Pod Kit?
- Not great for MTL vaping, as there is too much airflow unless you hold the airflow slots on either side of the device
- Difficult to see e-liquid levels through the pod
Verdict
For restrictive direct lung and direct lung vaping, this is a fantastic little device. It looks great in the hand, feels easy to use and is available for a great price with a welcome two coil options to get you started Sub-Ohm vaping. The colour schemes and overall design are brilliant and the flavour is top-notch. Providing it doesn’t leak and you like to vape more cloud, the Smok Nord C will be right up your street.
But if you’re a strictly mouth-to-lung vaper who has recently switched from smoking and prefers a very tight draw, because of the mouthpiece and coil options, this might not be the right device for you (although it’s customisable).
To summarise, the device is perfect if you need something small and discreet to chuck out bigger clouds of tasty e-liquids. Instead of carrying around a big mod, that needs charging all the time, the Nord C delivers just what’s needed.