Vaporesso XROS 5: Your Beginner's Guide to Refillable Pods
Nothing spoils your day quicker than being stuck with the same three fruit-ice flavours when there's a whole world of proper vape juices out there waiting to be discovered.
Now that the disposable ban is here, you've essentially got two choices: stick with prefilled pod vape kits, which are just disposables in disguise, or take the plunge into refillable pod vape kit systems and unlock access to every single flavour from brilliant UK manufacturers and international brands.
After testing literally thousands of vape kits since we started IblazeVape back in 2015, I can tell you the Vaporesso XROS 5 is genuinely the best starting point for refillables. You're not just getting a device here – you're getting your ticket to proper dessert custards, complex tobacco blends, authentic bakery flavours, and every other taste profile you've been missing.
Whether you're moving on from disposables or you've been using prefilled pods and fancy stepping up your game, this guide will sort you out in no time. No technical jargon, just straight advice from someone who's helped thousands make this exact switch and discover what they've been missing.
Unpacking Your XROS 5: What You're Looking At
When you crack open the box, you'll find the Vaporesso XROS 5 device itself (which is the battery bit with the screen), two pods (a 0.6Ω and a 0.8Ω), a USB-C charging cable, and the instruction booklet (which most folks never read, let's be honest).
First off, I'd suggest giving everything a quick check to ensure nothing's damaged. Then, give the device a full charge before you start using it, even if it probably has some charge in the battery already.
If you've opted for the Vaporesso XROS 5 Mini instead, setting it up is even simpler. It features the same 1500mAh battery as the standard model, but it has no screen and is more compact overall. It's spot on if you want something closer to the size of a disposable.
The Big Switch: From Disposables or Prefilled to Refillables
If you've been using disposables or prefilled pod vape kits until now, this might seem like a significant change. Loads of our customers are making the switch with the disposable ban, and they're always surprised by how straightforward refillable pods actually are – and absolutely thrilled about the flavour options they've been missing.
The main difference you'll notice is that instead of being stuck with whatever flavours the big companies decide to make, you can choose from thousands of different e-liquids. The flavour is miles better, it works out much cheaper in the long run, and you're no longer adding to the mountain of waste.
- Access to thousands of flavours from UK and international manufacturers
- Miles better flavour quality than disposables or prefilled pods
- Massive cost savings long-term
- Better for the environment
For those who prefer the feel and simplicity of disposables, the Vaporesso XROS 5 Mini might be your best bet. It's closer in size and weight to a disposable, with that same fuss-free auto-draw firing. No screens or buttons to faff about with if you don't fancy them.
For those of you who've been using prefilled pods, the XROS 5 is your natural next step. You'll get access to proper artisan flavours, better performance, and save a packet on those expensive prefilled cartridges. The XROS 5 even accepts the Deliciu prefilled pods if you want a halfway house while you get comfortable with refilling.
Filling Your Pod: No Leaks, No Mess
This is where many beginners get a bit anxious, but trust me, it's dead easy with the XROS 5. Take one of the pods out of the box (I'd recommend starting with the 0.8Ω if you're new to vaping), look at the top of the pod and you'll see a black mouthpiece. Pull up the mouthpiece to reveal the fill hole. It's properly obvious once you've got the top bit off.
Get your e-liquid bottle and put the nozzle into the fill hole, then squeeze gently until the pod is nearly full, but leave a small gap at the top. Pop the mouthpiece back on and make sure it clicks shut. Don't worry about getting the liquid in the middle hole, that's the airflow, and it's meant to stay dry.
- Pull up the black mouthpiece to reveal fill hole
- Insert e-liquid nozzle into fill hole
- Squeeze gently until nearly full (leave small gap)
- Pop mouthpiece back until it clicks shut
The filling process is identical on both the XROS 5 and the XROS 5 Mini. They use the exact same XROS Corex 3.0 pods, which is a massive bonus if you end up owning both devices.
A quick tip: after filling, leave the pod to sit for about 5 minutes before using it. This gives the liquid time to soak into the cotton inside. Rushing this step is how you end up with burnt pods and a nasty taste, so have a cuppa while you wait.
What Juice Should You Use?
This is really important. Using the wrong type of e-liquid can mess up your experience and potentially knacker your pods. For the XROS 5, you want to stick with either 50VG/50PG e-liquids (the standard ones) or nic salt e-liquids (which tend to be smoother at higher strengths). These thinner liquids work best with the pods. If you try using high VG liquids (like 70% VG or higher), they're too thick and won't soak into the coil properly.
If you're just switching from disposables, I'd recommend starting with nic salt vape juices at roughly the same strength as your disposable was, usually 10-20mg. That way, you'll get a similar hit to what you're used to. If you were on prefilled pods, check what strength you were using and match it as closely as you can.
We've got loads of customers who swear by dessert flavours in the XROS 5. Things like custards and bakery flavours come through properly nice. Fruit and menthol ones work a treat too. The beauty of refillables is you can try loads of different flavours without buying a whole new device each time.