Vaporesso XROS 5 vs XROS 4: What's New in 2025?
Torn between upgrading from your reliable Vaporesso XROS 4 to the brand new XROS 5? Or perhaps you're wondering which one to pick up as your first refillable vape now that the disposable ban is in full effect?
We've spent the last few weeks with both devices, putting them head-to-head to see how they stack up.
The great news is that Vaporesso hasn't simply slapped a new number on an old device. The XROS 5 boasts some genuinely worthwhile improvements that make a tangible difference to day-to-day vaping, though whether they justify the upgrade depends entirely on your priorities.
Here, we'll break down precisely what's new, what's carried over, and help you decide which device is the right one for your cash.
Battery Life & Charging: A Real Step Up
The most significant upgrade is the boost in battery capacity, from 1350mAh in the XROS 4 to a more robust 1500mAh in the new XROS 5. While that might not seem like a huge leap on paper, in real-world use, it's the difference between all-day confidence and suffering from 'charger anxiety'.
With heavy use, the XROS 4 could often be crying out for a charge by late afternoon. The XROS 5, by contrast, comfortably lasts from the morning commute right through to the evening, even when being vaped heavily.
But the truly impressive part is the charging. The XROS 5 features new 3A super-fast charging that leaves the XROS 4's standard speed in the dust. You're looking at an 80% charge in a mere 20 minutes, compared to well over an hour for the older model.
- XROS 4: 1350mAh capacity, standard 1A charging
- XROS 5: 1500mAh capacity, 3A rapid charging
- Real-world difference: A full day of heavy use vs. a comfortable day and a half.
- Emergency Boost: A quick 10-minute charge provides hours of vape time.
For anyone with a hectic schedule, this charging speed is a lifesaver. Forgotten to charge it overnight? A quick ten-minute plug-in while you get ready provides enough power for hours. It's the kind of practical upgrade that significantly improves the user experience.
COREX 3.0: A Noticeable Flavour Upgrade
While both kits utilise Vaporesso's COREX coil technology, the XROS 5 introduces the new COREX 3.0 pods, an evolution from the 2.0 version found in the XROS 4. When testing the same e-liquids side-by-side, the improvement is immediately apparent.
The COREX 3.0 pods produce a distinctly cleaner and more detailed flavour, allowing the nuances of complex e-liquids to shine through. While the 2.0 pods could sometimes taste a little muted after a couple of days, the 3.0 pods hold their flavour intensity for much longer.
- COREX 2.0 (XROS 4): Solid flavour that can fade after a few days of heavy use.
- COREX 3.0 (XROS 5): Crisper flavour, improved heat consistency, and superior longevity.
- Pod Longevity: Expect the 3.0 pods to last significantly longer before the flavour starts to drop off.
- Sweeter E-Liquids: The 3.0 pods are much better at handling sweeter juices, resisting coil gunk for longer.
The innovation lies in the new 'Hive Mesh' coil structure, which provides more even heat distribution. This results in fewer dry hits as the e-liquid level gets low and a more consistent vape from start to finish. The enhanced wicking is also far more capable of keeping up with chain vaping, which is vital for those moving away from disposables.
Here's the clever part: the new COREX 3.0 pods are fully backwards compatible with the XROS 4. This means you can get a flavour upgrade without needing a new kit. However, the refined power delivery of the XROS 5 does seem to get the absolute best performance out of them.