If you have spent any time looking at refillable pod systems, two names come up again and again: the Uwell Caliburn and the Vaporesso Xros. Both have earned a loyal following among UK vapers who want something pocket friendly, simple to refill and satisfying to use every day. When people ask our friendly advisers to settle the caliburn vs xros question, the honest answer is that there is no single winner. The right one for you depends on how you like to vape.

Both are compliant, reusable pod kits, which matters now that single-use disposables are no longer sold in the UK. The table below gives you the headline differences at a glance, and the sections that follow go dimension by dimension.

Both ranges include several models, so treat the table and the notes below as a general guide to the families rather than to one specific device. Loved by our customers: the Uwell Caliburn G Kit holds 4.5/5 from 4 reviews.

Design and feel in the hand

Both kits are built around the same idea: a slim, light device that slips easily into a pocket or bag and disappears until you need it. There are no menus to scroll through and no settings to second guess, which is a large part of why both have stayed so popular.

The Caliburn range has a reputation for feeling reassuringly solid. The casing has a quality weight to it without ever becoming heavy, and the rounded edges sit comfortably between the fingers. Newer versions have introduced a small button option alongside the original draw activation. The build has been tried and tested by many vapers over the years.

The Vaporesso Xros tends to be a touch more compact and lighter still, with a flatter profile that some people find tidier to carry. The magnetic pod connection clicks into place neatly, and later models added a refined airflow adjuster and a clearer battery indicator. Both kits use a transparent or semi transparent pod so you can keep an eye on your e-liquid level at a glance, a small but genuinely useful touch in daily use.

In short, this is less about one being better made and more about preference. If you like a device with a little reassuring heft, the Caliburn appeals. If you want the slimmest, lightest option, the Xros has a slight edge.

The draw and airflow

For most people making the switch from cigarettes, the draw style matters more than almost anything else. Both kits are designed primarily for a mouth to lung draw, which mimics the tighter, more controlled inhale of a cigarette. That makes them a comfortable fit for anyone focused on their wellbeing who wants a familiar feel rather than large clouds.

The Uwell Caliburn is often praised for a smooth, consistent mouth to lung draw straight out of the box. The original models keep airflow simple with no adjustment, which many vapers prefer because there is nothing to fiddle with. Some later Caliburn devices added adjustable airflow, letting you tighten or loosen the draw to taste.

The Vaporesso Xros has built much of its appeal around adjustable airflow on most recent models. A small dial or slider lets you move between a tight, cigarette like draw and a slightly airier one, which is welcome if you enjoy experimenting or share a kit with someone who likes a different draw. Both kits pair well with nicotine salt e-liquids, available up to the UK maximum of 20mg, which suit the tighter mouth to lung style and deliver a smooth throat hit. Our advisers are happy to talk through e-liquid strengths so you land on something that feels right.

Pods and coils

This is where a pod kit comparison really earns its keep, because the ongoing experience of any pod system lives or dies on how good its pods and coils are. Both the Caliburn and the Xros use refillable 2ml pods, so you fill them with the e-liquid of your choice rather than buying sealed cartridges, which is kinder on your budget over time.

The Caliburn uses pods with coils that are either built in or, on certain models, replaceable. The flavour they produce is widely regarded as clean and true, and the pods have a track record for lasting reasonably well when looked after. Filling is straightforward through a side or top port depending on the version.

The Xros uses its own pod system, again with options across the range, and has a strong reputation for flavour and for relatively quiet, even wicking. Vaporesso has kept a degree of cross compatibility across parts of the Xros family, which can make finding the right replacement pod simpler as the range grows.

One practical point applies to both: pods and coils are consumables, and how long they last depends on your e-liquid, how often you vape and how well you prime a fresh pod before first use. Keeping a spare or two to hand means you are never caught out. If you would like to understand how these refillable systems work before you commit, our explainer on what pod systems are is a helpful starting point, and our team can confirm which pods fit your model if you are unsure.

Battery and everyday use

Neither of these kits is built to be an all day powerhouse, and that is rather the point. They are designed to be light and discreet, with a battery sized to see a moderate user through the day and to top up quickly when needed.

The Caliburn and the Xros sit in a similar bracket for capacity, and both charge over USB-C on current models. Exact battery life always depends on how heavily you vape, the resistance of your pod and the strength of your e-liquid, so treat any figures as a general guide rather than a promise. A lighter vaper may go a full day on a charge, while a heavier user might top up around midday.

For everyday use, both are about as fuss free as a device gets. You fill the pod, you vape, and you charge it when the indicator tells you to. The Xros has, on some models, a slightly clearer battery readout, while the Caliburn keeps things minimal. If a prefilled pod would suit your routine better than refilling by hand, you can also read about how prefilled pods work.

Value for money

Both kits represent excellent value, which is a big reason they remain so widely recommended. The starter kits themselves are among the more affordable options in refillable pod systems, and the real saving comes from refilling your own e-liquid rather than relying on pricier alternatives.

When you work out the true cost of either kit, look beyond the price of the device and think about the running cost: replacement pods, coils where applicable, and the e-liquid you get through. It is also worth factoring in the new vaping duty of £2.20 per 10ml, which applies from 1 October 2026 and affects the ongoing cost of your e-liquid whichever device you choose. Because both ranges are popular and well established, replacement parts are easy to find and sensibly priced. You can browse the full range of refillable pod kits to compare these against other devices.

Neither kit asks you to commit to an expensive ecosystem, and that accessibility is what makes them such a comfortable recommendation for someone making the move to vaping without wanting to overspend.

Who each kit suits

Rather than crowning a winner, it helps to match each kit to the kind of vaper who gets on best with it.

The Uwell Caliburn suits you if

• You want a device you can pick up and use with no thought, no settings and a consistent draw every time.
• You like a device with a bit of reassuring weight and a tactile, quality feel.
• Clean, true flavour from a simple pod matters more to you than tinkering.
• You are early in your vaping journey and want something tried and tested that simply works.

The Vaporesso Xros suits you if

• You want the slimmest, lightest kit to carry discreetly.
• You like the freedom of adjustable airflow to fine tune your draw.
• A clearer battery indicator and a modern look appeal to you.
• You appreciate a range with helpful pod compatibility as your needs change.

Our balanced verdict

So, after weighing up caliburn vs xros across design, draw, pods, battery and value, where does that leave you? Pleasingly, with two genuinely good choices rather than a clear loser. Both are tried and tested, both are excellent value, and both have kept countless UK vapers happy.

Choose the Uwell Caliburn if you value simplicity above all, enjoy a reassuringly solid device and want a consistent draw with nothing to adjust. Choose the Vaporesso Xros if you want the lightest, slimmest carry, the flexibility of adjustable airflow and a slightly clearer battery readout. If you are sharing with a partner who likes a different draw, the Xros and its airflow control may settle the matter.

Whichever way you lean, the best device is the one that fits your habits. Vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking, though not risk free, and both of these compliant refillable kits give you a steady, everyday way to make the switch. Nicotine is an addictive substance and these products are intended for adults aged 18 and over. If you would like a look at our own-brand pod options too, our QOne pod kit range sits comfortably alongside both. Whatever you decide, take it at your own pace, and remember our friendly advisers are only ever a conversation away.