Vape Guide
Vaporesso XROS 5 & 5 Mini vs XROS 6 & 6 Mini: What's New and Which Should You Buy?
All four Vaporesso XROS devices are in stock at Krem. The XROS 5 and 5 Mini are the previous generation, proven and still very good. The XROS 6 and 6 Mini are the current generation, and the price gap is small: the XROS 6 is R20 more than the XROS 5, and the XROS 6 Mini is the same R429 as the 5 Mini. Here is what actually changed, with every figure taken from the product pages rather than the marketing.
All four devices at Krem
XROS 5
R529
1500mAh · 0.88in OLED · 3ml pod · COREX 3.0 · 3A charge
In stock at Krem
XROS 5 Mini
R429
1500mAh · no screen · 3ml pod · COREX 3.0 · 2A charge
In stock at Krem
XROS 6
R549
1800mAh · 0.88in TFT colour · VENTURI airflow · SSS 2.0 · 3A charge
In stock at Krem
XROS 6 Mini
R429
1600mAh · no screen · VENTURI airflow · SSS 2.0 · Tidal LED
In stock at Krem
Being straight about the generation gap. It is smaller than most comparisons will tell you. Both Minis run a 1500mAh and 1600mAh battery respectively, so that is a 7 percent difference, not a doubling. The real improvements in the 6 series are the VENTURI airflow path, upgraded SSS 2.0 leak protection, and the 60 second Smart Prime timer. Those are worth having, but if you already own a 5 there is no reason to replace it.
XROS 5 vs XROS 6, full size
| Spec | XROS 5 | XROS 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Price at Krem | R529 | R549, so R20 more |
| Battery | 1500mAh | 1800mAh, about 20% more |
| Rated use | Full day moderate use | Up to 5 days |
| Output | 3-level adjustable, Smart Mode | 3-level adjustable |
| Pod capacity | 3ml | 3ml |
| Pods | Full XROS range, 0.4 to 1.2 ohm | Full XROS range |
| Airflow | Adjustable slider | VENTURI airflow system |
| Charging | 3A, 80% in about 20 min | 3A, a full day's vaping in about 10 min |
| Screen | 0.88in OLED | 0.88in TFT colour |
| Leak protection | SSS anti-leak | SSS 2.0, upgraded |
| Smart Prime | No | 60 second timer |
Note that both the XROS 5 and the XROS 6 have a screen. The difference is mono OLED against full colour TFT, not screen against no screen. The XROS 5 also has Smart Mode, which detects the pod and sets the wattage for you. That is a genuinely useful feature the 6 does not advertise.
Battery, head to head
XROS 5 at R529
1500mAh
3A charging to 80% in about 20 minutes. Adjustable slider airflow. 0.88in OLED with Smart Mode.
VS
XROS 6 at R549
1800mAh
Rated up to 5 days. VENTURI airflow. 3A charging puts a full day back in about 10 minutes.
What the XROS 6 actually adds
- Battery: 1800mAh against 1500mAh, so about 20 percent more for R20 extra. Rated up to five days.
- VENTURI airflow: a reworked draw path. In practice a quieter, smoother pull, most noticeable at mid airflow settings. This is the upgrade you feel.
- Colour screen: 0.88 inch TFT in colour rather than the XROS 5's mono OLED. Same information, easier to read.
- SSS 2.0 leak protection: an incremental improvement on an already decent system.
- 60 second Smart Prime: holds off the first fire on a new pod while the coil saturates. Genuinely saves coils. See priming a new coil.
- Faster useful charge: both charge at 3A, but Vaporesso rates the 6 at a full day's vaping from roughly 10 minutes on the cable.
XROS 5 Mini vs XROS 6 Mini
Same R429 price, so this one is simpler. The battery difference is modest. The feature difference is what decides it.
| Spec | XROS 5 Mini | XROS 6 Mini |
|---|---|---|
| Price at Krem | R429 | R429, same price |
| Battery | 1500mAh | 1600mAh, about 7% more |
| Rated use | Not published | Up to 4 days |
| Screen | None, Tidal Light indicator | None, Tidal LED indicator |
| Heating | COREX 3.0 | COREX 3.0 |
| Airflow | Adjustable slider | VENTURI, precise MTL adjustment |
| Charging | 2A, 80% in about 20 min | Fast charging |
| Leak protection | SSS anti-leak | SSS 2.0 |
| Smart Prime | No | 60 second timer |
At the same R429, the XROS 6 Mini is the one to buy. Not because of the battery, which is only marginally bigger, but because you get VENTURI airflow, SSS 2.0 leak protection and Smart Prime for nothing. If the 5 Mini is the one in stock in your colour, you are not missing much.
Which one should you buy?
- Best value compact: XROS 6 Mini at R429. Same price as the 5 Mini with better airflow, better leak protection and Smart Prime. The default recommendation for a first pod system.
- Best all-rounder: XROS 6 at R549. For R20 over the XROS 5 you get 300mAh more battery, a colour screen, VENTURI airflow and Smart Prime. Easy call if you are buying new.
- Still considering the XROS 5? At R529 it is a genuinely good device with a 1500mAh battery, an OLED screen and Smart Mode pod detection. The 6 is better, but the 5 is not the stripped-down device some comparisons imply.
- Want more battery or more power? The XROS PRO 2 at R599 steps up to 2000mAh, 5W to 30W and a 0.96 inch colour screen. The complete Vaporesso guide covers the whole range.
- Upgrading from an XROS 3 or 4? Either 6 is a real step up in airflow and battery, and your existing COREX pods carry straight over.
Every XROS device here takes the same Vaporesso XROS Replacement Pods, 4-pack at R279, available from 0.4 ohm through 1.2 ohm. If you upgrade from a 5 to a 6, your pods carry forward. More in pods and coils.
Replacement pods at Krem
XROS Replacement Pods, 4-pack
R279
Fits every XROS 5 and XROS 6 device, and the XROS PRO 2. Available in 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 ohm, with 1.2 ohm for the XROS 5.
In stock at Krem
Which resistance?
0.8 ohm vs 0.6 ohm
0.8 ohm: cooler, tighter MTL draw, closest to a cigarette. Best with 50mg salt nic.
0.6 ohm: warmer, more vapour. Better with 20mg or freebase. See draw styles explained.
0.6 ohm: warmer, more vapour. Better with 20mg or freebase. See draw styles explained.
Frequently asked questions
Is the XROS 6 worth it over the XROS 5?
If you are buying new, yes. R20 more buys 300mAh of extra battery, a colour screen instead of mono, the VENTURI airflow path and Smart Prime. If you already own an XROS 5, no. It is a good device with a screen and Smart Mode, and the 6 is not a big enough jump to justify replacing a working one.
Is the XROS 6 Mini worth it over the XROS 5 Mini?
At the same R429, yes, buy the 6 Mini. But be clear on why: the battery is only 1600mAh against 1500mAh, which you will not notice. What you get is VENTURI airflow, SSS 2.0 leak protection and the 60 second Smart Prime. Worth having for free, not worth upgrading an existing 5 Mini for.
Are XROS 5 pods compatible with the XROS 6?
Yes. The whole XROS pod family works across the XROS 5, 5 Mini, 6, 6 Mini and PRO 2. If you upgrade, your existing pods carry forward, which is one of the better reasons to stay inside the XROS line.
What is VENTURI airflow?
A reworked internal draw path designed to reduce turbulence. In use it means a quieter and smoother pull with more consistent flavour, and it is most noticeable in the middle airflow positions rather than fully open or fully closed.
What is 60 second Smart Prime?
A countdown that starts when the device detects a new pod, holding off the first fire while the coil soaks. It reduces dry hits and extends coil life. It is not a replacement for waiting a few minutes after filling, but it is a useful backstop.
Does the XROS 6 Mini have a screen?
No. Both Minis are screen-free by design, with a Tidal LED battery indicator instead. The full-size XROS 6 has the 0.88 inch TFT colour screen, and the XROS 5 has a 0.88 inch mono OLED.
Where can I buy the Vaporesso XROS in South Africa?
All four XROS devices plus the XROS PRO 2 are in stock at Krem Vape Studio. Order online at kremvape.co.za with nationwide delivery across South Africa, or visit our Pinelands shop at 29 Union Avenue, open Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00. Krem products are also carried by independently run partner stores in Kuils River, Plumstead and Lansdowne.
Shop all XROS at Krem
For adult use only (18+). Contains nicotine, an addictive substance. Not intended for non-smokers, pregnant women or persons with cardiovascular conditions.
