Posted by Pure E-Liquids on 27th Apr 2026
This review is based on published specifications, independent reviewer testing, and hands-on customer feedback from multiple sources. We stock the SMOK Novo 6 Ultra at Pure E-Liquids.
The Novo 6 Ultra is what happens when SMOK take a device that already worked and ask themselves what a meaningful upgrade would actually look like. The answer they came up with is a 1.65-inch TFT touchscreen, haptic vibration feedback, and dual mesh pod technology that lets you switch between an MTL draw and a looser RDL hit from the same pod without changing anything else. Whether those additions justify the upgrade over the standard Novo 6 depends entirely on how you vape - which is exactly what this review will work through.
If you are brand new to vaping and this is your first kit, our Vsavi Classic Starter Kit is a simpler starting point. The Novo 6 Ultra has enough features and modes that it rewards vapers who already know what they prefer. Come back to this one after a few weeks of vaping and you will get far more out of it.
What Makes the Novo 6 Ultra Different from the Standard Novo 6?
Three things separate the Ultra from the regular Novo 6, and it is worth being precise about what they are because the marketing around SMOK's pod range can make everything sound like a significant leap when the reality is more specific.
The touchscreen. The standard Novo 6 has a 0.96-inch screen with physical button controls. The Ultra has a 1.65-inch TFT touchscreen - noticeably larger - with swipe-and-tap navigation and no separate adjustment buttons. The difference in day-to-day use is real: the touch interface is faster and the screen is clearer, particularly in good light. The haptic vibration adds a satisfying physical confirmation when you change settings and also alerts you if something is wrong with the device - low battery, short circuit, pod not seated properly. It sounds minor and then becomes something you miss when you go back to a button-operated kit.
The dual mesh pods. This is the more interesting upgrade and the one that changes the actual vaping experience. The Novo 5 Dual-Ohm pods included in the kit have two mesh coil strips inside rather than one. By default the pod fires at 0.8 Ohm in single mesh mode, which gives a tight MTL draw ideal for nic salts. One tap on the touchscreen switches it to dual mesh mode at 0.4 Ohm, bringing both coils live for more vapour and a looser RDL hit. It is the same pod, same e-liquid, fundamentally different character. Most people will settle on one mode and stay there - but for vapers who like to shift their style through the day, a tighter morning vape and a fuller evening session for example, this is a practical and well-executed feature.
Three output modes. Norm (smart auto-adjust), Smooth (cooler, better for MTL), and Boost (immediate ramp-up, better for RDL with the dual mesh active). These are accessible from the touchscreen and most people will find their preference quickly and not change it much. Norm is the sensible starting point for anyone who is not sure.
How Does It Actually Vape?
The 1700mAh battery and 5-40W output are identical to the standard Novo 6 - SMOK carried those specifications over unchanged, which is the right call because they work. In single mesh mode at 12-15W in Smooth or Norm, you get a compact, satisfying MTL draw that delivers nic salts efficiently and quietly. Nothing flashy, nothing to overthink. The kind of vape you do not notice until you are without it.
Switch to dual mesh at the recommended 20-25W in Boost mode and the character changes considerably - warmer, more vapour, a draw that opens up into RDL territory. The flavour takes on more depth at the higher wattage; fruit profiles in particular come through with more body than single mesh mode offers. The coil technology is good here. Pod life is solid - reviewers and users consistently report 10-14 days on a single pod with regular use, which is above average for SMOK's Novo range historically and a genuine improvement.
The airflow slider sits on the side of the device and works across a smooth stepless range. Fully closed to near-closed gives you that cigarette-tight draw. Open it gradually for something airier. Combined with the dual mesh pod mode switching, this is probably the most adjustable compact pod kit at this price point.
One thing worth flagging: the PEL product page lists 2ml pod capacity, which is the UK TPD-compliant version. The global version comes with 3ml pods. Our stock here is the 2ml UK version throughout.
The Touchscreen in Practice
SMOK's touchscreen implementation on the Novo 6 Ultra is better than most of the touch interfaces on pod kits because they kept it to a very small set of functions. You are not navigating a complicated menu - you swipe up from the home screen to access the mode selection, tap your choice, and you are done. The home screen itself shows battery percentage, wattage, coil resistance, and your current mode readout at a glance. The four animated themes (Moon, Kaleidoscope, Melody, Minimalism) are cosmetic but the Minimalism option gives you a clean, uncluttered display that is easy to read in any lighting. That is the one most people end up on.
The haptic feedback is worth mentioning separately because it makes the device feel more premium than you would expect at this price. Tapping the screen and getting a physical pulse back is the kind of touch that distinguishes a device someone made with thought from one that was assembled to hit a spec sheet. It also helps when you are not looking at the screen - the vibration alert for a pod not seated properly catches the problem before you take a dry hit.
Battery Life: Good, Not Exceptional
The 1700mAh battery on Boost mode with dual mesh active will not get a heavier vaper through a full day. In that configuration you are looking at six to eight hours of regular use before you need a charge, which is fine for most people but worth knowing before you buy. In single mesh mode in Smooth or Norm, the battery stretches considerably further - most moderate vapers will comfortably get a day out of it without thinking about the charger.
USB-C charging via 5V/2A gets you back to full in around 45 minutes, which is fast enough that even the heavier users will not feel particularly inconvenienced. The bottom-mounted charging port means it cannot stand upright while charging - the same limitation as the XROS 5 Nano and most other pod kits. A flat surface with the cable running out is the practical solution.
Who Is the Novo 6 Ultra Actually For?
The honest answer: vapers who want an everyday pod kit with a bit more flexibility than the standard Novo 6 offers, without stepping up to a larger, more complex device.
If you have been on a basic draw-activated pod kit for a while and find yourself wanting more control - the ability to switch your draw style, adjust wattage meaningfully, or just have a device that feels more considered - the Novo 6 Ultra delivers that without asking much of you in return. The touchscreen is not intimidating. The dual mesh pod switching is one tap. The three output modes are named things a person can understand without reading a manual.
Vapers who want absolute all-day battery without compromise should look at the Vaporesso XROS 5 Nano at 1600mAh, or the Vaporesso Xros Pro 2 at 2000mAh. If the touchscreen and dual mesh features interest you but battery life is the priority, the Xros Pro 2 is probably the better fit.
For former disposable users who want something familiar but more capable, the Novo 6 Ultra is a strong choice. The Novo platform has a loyal following for a reason - it gets the fundamentals right consistently - and the Ultra adds features that actually change the experience rather than just ticking specification boxes.
FAQ
Is the SMOK Novo 6 Ultra worth upgrading to from the standard Novo 6? If you use the Novo 6 regularly and find yourself wishing for more draw flexibility or better screen visibility, yes. If you are happy with button controls and a simple MTL experience, the standard Novo 6 does that job well and costs less. The dual mesh pod switching is the upgrade that actually changes the experience - the touchscreen and haptic feedback are nice but not transformative.
What e-liquid works best in the Novo 6 Ultra? In single mesh mode (0.8 Ohm, 10-20W): 20mg nic salts or 50/50 freebase. In dual mesh mode (0.4 Ohm, 20-25W): 50/50 freebase or slightly higher VG up to 60/40. High-VG shortfills are not suitable for either pod - they are too thick for the coil and will produce dry hits and uneven wicking. Our nic salt range works well across both modes.
Does the Novo 6 Ultra take the same pods as the Novo 5 and Novo 6? Yes. It is compatible with the full SMOK Novo 5 pod range - the 0.6 Ohm and 0.7 Ohm single mesh Novo 5 pods work in the Ultra alongside the new Dual-Ohm pods that come in the box. If you already have Novo 5 pods from a previous device they will work straight in.
Can you use the device while it is charging? Yes, pass-through vaping is supported. The USB-C port is on the bottom of the device, so it will lie flat while charging rather than standing upright.
How does the Novo 6 Ultra compare to the Vaporesso XROS 5 Nano? Both are strong compact pod kits in a similar price range. The XROS 5 Nano has a larger 1600mAh battery, COREX 3.0 pods with notably longer pod life, and a touchscreen that sits in the same ballpark. The Novo 6 Ultra has the dual mesh pod switching which gives more draw flexibility from a single pod. If pod longevity is the priority, the XROS 5 Nano edges it. If draw versatility in a compact kit matters more, the Novo 6 Ultra makes a strong case.
Last updated: May 2026 Vaping products are for adult smokers and existing vapers only. Not suitable for non-smokers or those under 18.