SMOK vs Aspire: Features, Price + More (2024) (2024)

The epic showdown: SMOK vsAspire. We're here to dissect every puff, flavor, and cloud.

But how do they compare against each otherin terms of product range, performance, flavors, value, and more?

Whether you're on team SMOK orrooting for Aspire, this detailed comparison guide is packed with juicydetails!

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A Quick Intro to SMOKand Aspire

Headquartered in Shenzhen, China, SMOK offers a bevy of products including vape pens, starter kits, advanced mods, and disposables. Their products are ideal for the cloud-chasing enthusiast and the discreet, on-the-go user.

One of the global leaders in vape brands, Aspire boasts more than a decade of R&D and manufacturing in electronic atomization products.

Aspire offers a wide range of vaping devices, including pods, tanks, and mods, in over 30 countries, including the USA, through a network of over 150 distributors.

Brand History and Background ofSMOK and Aspire

Let’s look at how the two brands evolved.

Founded in 2010, SMOK is known for its high-quality disposable vapes, mods, pod mods, vape pens, and accessories.

In the Vapouround Global Awards 2021, SMOK’s RPM 4 Kit bagged the award for the Best Pod System.

Early in 2024, the FDA issued marketing denial orders (MDOs) for 22 SMOK e-cigarette products (including devices, pods, atomizers, and cartridges) in the US. In response, SMOK has submitted an appeal in the US Court claiming that the MDO is arbitrary and lacks substantial evidence.

Established in 2010, Aspire traces its origins back to Shenzen, China. It is a brand owned by Shenzhen Eigate Technology Co., Ltd.

The company is famous for developing several of the industry’s first technologies, such as the ‘Capillary System E-liquid Conduction.’

In 2021, Aspire was among the four e-cigarette brands that the US FDA requested social media marketing details from, due to concerns about vape marketing practices targeting youth.

SMOK vs AspireComparison Summary

Take a quick look at the features ofSMOK and Aspire vapes before we get into the details:

Now let’s compare these brands in detail:

1. Design and Aesthetics

SMOK devices have an intuitive interface with LED display, battery life percentage indicator, and touch screens. They usually come in cylindrical or plump shapes and tend to be lightweight and portable. They’re available in various color options.

Aspire vapes are sleek with a modern design, with a focus on sustainability and performance.

For instance, the Raga AIO is built from sustainable nylon ceramic material which is strong, durable, and sports a high-end look and feel. Some Aspire vapes, such as the Hurricane series, feature ergonomic, metal aesthetics with TFT color screens for added visual appeal.

A few drawbacks include the stiffness of the airflow control ring in the Aspire Nautilus 2, which could affect the vaping experience. Also, having to remove the Breeze 2’s mouthpiece for airflow adjustment makes the design less intuitive than it could be​.

2. Performance and Battery Life

SMOK devices offer different battery capacities, catering to the needs of both heavy-duty users and casual vapers. The SPACEMAN TURBO and MINIONE lead with an 800 mAh battery, designed for longer vaping sessions. Whereas MBAR's 280 mAh is the more portable option but won't last as long before needing a recharge.

Aspire vapes offer reliable performance and battery life.

For instance, the Aspire AVP features a 700mAh battery that lasts a full day on medium to high strength nic salts.

The device provides consistent output and charges in about 50 minutes, offering pass-thru vaping while charging. However, some users may find the lack of adjustable airflow a drawback.

Similarly, the Cyber G vape pen comes with an 850mAh battery, offering nearly two full pods of vaping on a single charge, showcasing impressive battery life for its size.

3. Longevity

SMOK’s product lineup includes the high-capacity SPACEMAN TURBO offering up to 15,000 puffs and also the low-capacity model of MBAR with up to 300 puffs.

The longevity is also influenced by battery capacity, ranging from 800 mAh in models like the SPACEMAN TURBO, ensuring extended use, down to 280 mAh in the MBAR, indicating shorter usage intervals. So, while some SMOK models are designed for durability and prolonged sessions, others prioritize compactness and convenience.

Most of the Aspire vapes, like Raga AIO, BP Stik, and Cyber S, offer close to 500 puffs per pod. Similarly, the R1 Refillable Disposable Vape offers up to 3500 puffs per pod.

Aspire coils are designed to last longer than traditional ones, with users reporting extended periods of use before needing a replacement, depending on their vaping habits and type of e-liquid used. With proper care and maintenance, Aspire devices can last between 6 and 24 months.

4. Flavor Selection and NicotineOptions

SMOK disposables and rechargeables come in different flavors, including watermelon, peach, mango, kiwi, mint, blueberry, strawberry, and more.

Aspire offers a diverse range of flavor selections to cater to different preferences and tastes. Some popular flavor categories include fruit, beverages (tea and coffee), tobacco, and menthol.

5. Vaping Experience

With several fruit-flavored e-liquids and nicotine strengths as high as 50mg, SMOK offers a vaping experience that meets the satisfaction levels of heavy smokers looking to switch and casual vapers seeking to try different flavors. It offers a range of products featuring mesh coils – key to enhanced flavor production and vapor output.

Aspire vapes have innovative coil technologies like the BVC (Bottom Vertical Coil) and mesh coils, which lead to efficient e-liquid absorption and heating. So, you get a consistent and satisfying vaping experience.

In terms of throat hit, Aspire vapes cater to diverse preferences, offering options for mouth-to-lung (MTL), direct-to-lung (DTL), and restricted direct-to-lung (RDTL) vaping.

But, there are a couple of issues too. The limited 2ml capacity of the Nautilus 2 might frustrate heavy users due to frequent refills. The Aspire AVP is often criticized for lacking adjustable airflow and difficulty in filling with thicker nozzles, and so on.

6. Health and Safety Concerns

SMOK, like other vaping products, comes with health implications — from potential nicotine addiction to exposure to substances like vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol. However, the vapes with higher nicotine content, especially the 5% options, pose a significant addiction potential.

The brand also provides nicotine-free vapes for those looking for a less risky vaping experience in the UK and South Africa.

Aspire claims to conduct rigorous safety checks to ensure a safe vaping experience. However, most of their products are recommended to be used with nicotine e-liquids. And nicotine is known to be a highly addictive stimulant that can harm respiratory and cardiovascular health.

7. Regulatory Compliance andLegal Issues

The FDA issued marketing denial orders (MDOs) for 22 SMOK e-cigarette products (including devices, pods, atomizers, and cartridges) in 2024. The federal agency claims that SMOK failed to provide adequate data related to “product stability and product abuse liability”. SMOK has challenged these MDOs by submitting an appeal in the US Court.

Aspire has faced some regulatory compliance and legal issues in the US market. For instance, the FDA raised concerns about Aspire importing new tobacco products, such as Aspire Breeze, without premarket authorization.

In the UK market, Aspire vape pods were found non-compliant with certain vape regulations that mandate tanks with a maximum of 2ml capacity, nicotine strength under 20mg/ml, and display of manufacturer details and health warnings.

Note: Consumers must also verify adherence to the latest local laws prior to any purchase of devices from these brands.

8. Nicotine ContentPotential

SMOK vapes offer a range of nicotine levels, from 2% in devices like the NOVO BAR B600 and MBAR PRO, up to 5% in the SPACEMAN TURBO and NORD BAR, catering to varying user preferences for nicotine intake. Nicotine delivery is also varied, with pod sizes ranging from 1.3 ml in the MBAR to 18 ml in the MAVIC S9000 – quite a broad spectrum of vaping durations and intensities to choose from.

Most Aspire vapes are recommended to be used with nicotine salt e-liquids ranging from 5-20mg in strength. Some of Aspire’s sub-ohm devices, such as Revvo Mini Tank, are more compatible with low nicotine e-liquid.

But, vape pods, such as Cobble and Breeze 2, with high ohm ratings and low wattage, can also be used for low-nicotine e-liquids.

9. Compatibility with OtherProducts

SMOK’s refillable pod systems like SMOK NOVO 2, NORD 2, RPM40, and POZZ X can be paired with any high-quality e-liquid of your choice. The brand recommends nicotine salt liquids for optimal performance.

Many Aspire are compatible with third-party pods and accessories, allowing you to customize your vaping setup according to your preferences.

10. Availability andAccessibility

SMOK products can be bought in their official website store and are available in more than 50 countries. However, none of the disposable products are for sale in the US. Further, location-based restrictions can apply due to regulations on vaping products, affecting availability and shipping.

Aspire vapes are easily available online and in local vape stores in the US, UK, and other regions.

While location-based restrictions may apply in other areas, Aspire products are generally accessible to vapers worldwide through authorized retailers and online platforms.

11. Cost vs. Quality

The pricing of SMOK products, ranging from $11.50 for the SPACEMAN TURBO to $99.99 for the MAG-18 KIT, cater to various budgets and preferences. The brand offers options for entry-level vapers looking for affordability and seasoned users seeking advanced features. SMOK is priced higher than some competitors, especially for their feature-rich kits.

Aspire balances cost and quality, providing durable and reliable products at competitive prices. For example, devices like the Aspire Minican and the AVP series, are well-known in the vaping community for their reasonable prices and reliable performance.

However, users must note that Aspire warranty coverage may not include coils or accessories, which may lead to additional replacement costs.

Pros and Cons of SMOKand Aspire

To summarize, here are the benefits anddrawbacks of both these brands:

In short, both SMOK andAspire stand out in the vaping market with their unique strengths andofferings.

However, both SMOK and Aspire are not without their regulatory challenges.

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