Vaporesso XROS 5 vs XROS 4: What's New in 2025?

COREX Technology: The Flavour Evolution

Both devices use Vaporesso's COREX technology, but the XROS 5 brings the latest 3.0 version while the XROS 4 uses the older 2.0 pods . I've been testing the same e-liquids in both devices, and the difference isn't subtle.

The COREX 3.0 pods deliver noticeably cleaner, more detailed flavour that lets you pick out individual notes in complex e-liquids. Where the 2.0 pods would sometimes give you a slightly muted taste after a few days of use, the 3.0 pods maintain that crisp flavour right until they're properly done.

• COREX 2.0 (XROS 4): Good flavour, occasional muting after heavy use
• COREX 3.0 (XROS 5): Cleaner taste, better heat distribution, longer-lasting flavour
• Pod lifespan: 3.0 pods typically last 2-3 days longer before flavour drops
• Sweet liquid handling: 3.0 pods resist gunking up from dessert e-liquids better

The secret is in the new "Hive Mesh" structure that distributes heat more evenly across the coil. This means fewer dry hits when your liquid's running low and more consistent performance throughout the pod's life. The improved cotton wicking also handles chain vaping much better – crucial for heavy users switching from disposables.

Here's the clever bit though – COREX 3.0 pods work perfectly in the XROS 4, so you can upgrade your flavour experience without buying a new device. But the XROS 5's power management seems to extract even more from these pods.

Design and Build Quality: Subtle but Meaningful

The Vaporesso XROS 4 wasn't exactly ugly, but the XROS 5 feels like it's had a proper grown-up makeover. The overall footprint is similar, but every surface has been refined for better ergonomics and durability.

The edges are slightly more rounded, making it more comfortable for extended holding. The fire button has a more satisfying click with better tactile feedback. The airflow slider moves more smoothly with less wiggle room, giving you more precise control over your draw.

Both devices have got that same 0.88-inch screen, but the one on the XROS 5 is definitely crisper to look at. You've also got six different theme options to play with compared to the XROS 4's more basic display choices. Not exactly life-changing stuff, but it's nice being able to make it look a bit more your own.

Most importantly, the XROS 5 just feels more solid in daily use. These small refinements add up to a device that seems like it'll handle the inevitable drops and pocket abuse better than its predecessor.

Power Delivery and Control: More Precision Where It Counts

Both devices max out at 30W, but the XROS 5 gives you more control over how that power gets delivered. The XROS 4 uses a simple three-mode system (ECO, NORMAL, POWER) regardless of which pod you're using, which works fine but can feel limiting.

The XROS 5 keeps this user-friendly three-mode system for most pods, but unlocks precise wattage control in 0.5W increments when you pair it with a 0.4Ω pod. This means you can dial in exactly the warmth and vapour production you want rather than settling for preset levels.

• XROS 4: Three power modes only, all pods
• XROS 5: Three modes for most pods, precise wattage control with 0.4Ω pods
• Power efficiency: XROS 5 delivers more consistent performance as battery depletes
• Smart detection: Improved pod recognition and automatic power suggestions

The Vaporesso XROS 5 also seems to deliver power more efficiently throughout the battery's discharge cycle. With the XROS 4, you'd notice weaker hits as the battery got low. The XROS 5 maintains consistent performance right up until it needs charging.

Airflow Refinement: Finding That Perfect Draw

Both devices have adjustable airflow, but the XROS 5's system has been properly refined for more precise control. The XROS 4's airflow was decent but sometimes felt like it jumped from tight to loose without much middle ground.

The XROS 5's slider mechanism has been completely reworked. It moves more smoothly with better tactile feedback, making it dead easy to find and maintain that perfect draw resistance. This is crucial for mouth-to-lung vapers, especially those transitioning from cigarettes or disposables.

• Draw range: Both offer MTL to RDL, XROS 5 has more usable steps
• Adjustment precision: XROS 5 slider offers better control
• Auto-draw sensitivity: XROS 5 responds to lighter pulls
• Consistency: Less variation between different airflow settings

I've found the Vaporesoo XROS 5 can go from a proper tight cigarette-like draw all the way to a loose, airy hit with more genuinely usable positions in between. For new vapers trying to find their sweet spot, this improved granularity makes a real difference.

User Experience: The Little Things That Matter

The Vaporesso XROS 5 brings several small but meaningful improvements to daily usability. The auto-draw activation is more sensitive, responding to lighter pulls that feel more natural for ex-smokers. The puff counter is more accurate, and the menu system feels slightly more intuitive.

Pod detection has been improved too – the XROS 5 instantly recognizes which resistance you've installed and suggests optimal settings. The XROS 4 would sometimes need a pod to be reseated before reading correctly, which was occasionally frustrating.

• Menu navigation: Slightly more intuitive on XROS 5
• Pod detection: Faster and more reliable recognition
• Auto-draw: More sensitive activation, feels more natural
• Overall responsiveness: XROS 5 feels snappier in daily use

These aren't headline features, but they're the kind of refinements that make a device pleasant to use long-term rather than occasionally annoying.

Should You Upgrade from XROS 4?

If you're currently using an XROS 4 and it's working well for you, the decision comes down to what annoys you most about your current setup.

The battery life and charging speed improvements alone might justify the upgrade if you're frequently caught short or always hunting for chargers. The flavour improvement from COREX 3.0 is genuine, though you could get most of this benefit by just buying Corex 3.0 pods for your XROS 4 .

The refined airflow control and build quality are nice bonuses, but probably not upgrade-worthy on their own unless you're particularly fussy about draw characteristics.

For most XROS 4 users, I'd say stick with what you've got unless battery life is a real pain point. The XROS 4 is still a cracking device, especially with 3.0 pods.

Which One for New Vapers?

If you're choosing your first refillable pod vape kit , go straight for the Vaporesso XROS 5. The improved battery life, faster charging, better flavour delivery, and more precise controls make it a more user-friendly introduction to refillable vaping.

At £23.99, it's only slightly more expensive than what the XROS 4 launched at, but you're getting meaningful improvements across the board. When you factor in the long-term savings compared to what disposables used to cost (potentially over £1000 a year), the price difference becomes insignificant.

• XROS 5: £23.99 - Best overall experience, future-proof features
• XROS 4: Now cheaper due to XROS 5 launch - Still excellent, fewer bells and whistles
• XROS 5 Mini: £16.99 - Same improvements in more compact form, no screen

The Vaporesso XROS 5 Mini is also worth considering if you prefer something closer to disposable size. It keeps most of the improvements but loses the screen and some power control features.