Uwell Caliburn G5 Review: 3 Pods, 1600mAh, and a Question of Value

The Uwell Caliburn G5 is a pod system with the largest battery in its class (1600mAh) and a real competitive advantage in pod longevity thanks to the GPP Alpha coil — a measured 1400-2000 puffs versus the category standard of 800-1200. At $32, it costs $4-6 more than the Vaporesso XROS 5 and OXVA XLIM Pro 3 without delivering better flavor. You are paying for battery life and pod lifespan, not value per puff.

Pod kits are cheap. The pods aren’t. Replace them every two weeks, and suddenly your “affordable” pod system costs more per month than a pack-a-day cigarette habit. Uwell knows this. With the Caliburn G5, they’re doing something about it, throwing three pods in the box, including a new long-life Alpha pod that supposedly doubles the puffs. Three pods in the box sound like a deal. Whether it actually saves you money depends on whether the Alpha really delivers.

Now, I’ll be honest: after three weeks with the G5 as my daily driver, I’ve got a clearer picture. It’s not quite the one Uwell’s marketing paints.

What You’re Getting

Spec	Caliburn G5	What It Means
Battery	1600mAh	Biggest in this class, full day+ of MTL, easily
Max Output	35W	Plenty for MTL/RDL, same ceiling as the G4
Charging	5V/2A USB-C	~40 min full charge, decent, not the fastest
Pod Capacity	3mL (US) / 2mL (UK/EU)	Standard refillable
Pods Included	3 (0.4Ω GPP + 0.6Ω GPP + 0.6Ω GPP Alpha)	Most kits give you two, three is generous, and one is the long-life Alpha
Pod Compatibility	Full GPP platform (G3/G4/G5 pods)	Wide availability, you’ll never struggle to find replacements
Control	Smart Triple-Tap + draw/button fire	Tap the device to switch modes, when it works
Display	Small screen with animated UI	Battery %, wattage, puff count, readable outdoors
Airflow	Adjustable slider	MTL to loose RDL, and it stays put this time
Dimensions	118.65 × 28.85 × 16.8mm	Slim pen-style, pocket-friendly
Weight	65g	Light. No complaints there.
Mouthpiece	Soft-touch TPU	Comfortable against the lips, standout detail
Price	$31.99 (US) / ~£24.99 (UK)	Mid-range for a premium pod kit

Three pods in the box is the G5’s headline play. Most kits give you one pre-installed and one spare. The G5 gives you three, and one of them is the new GPP Alpha pod (0.6Ω) that Uwell claims delivers significantly longer coil life. Whether that claim holds up? I tested it.

First Impressions

Out of the box, the G5 looks like a Caliburn. Used the G3 or G4? You know the shape, slim, pen-style, aluminum body with a matte finish. Uwell hasn’t radically changed the design language, and I’m on the fence about whether that’s a good thing. The G5 feels familiar, which is comfortable. It also feels like the third year of the same design, which is the third year of the same design. Some days I think “fine” is good enough at $32. Some days I don’t.

What is new: the screen. Previous Caliburns either had no screen or a tiny LED. The G5 has a proper (if small) display with animated transitions, battery percentage, wattage, and puff count. It’s readable outdoors, and the animations add a nice touch without being distracting. The soft-touch TPU mouthpiece is surprisingly comfortable, not a feature I expected to notice, yet here I am mentioning it. It’s one of those little details that leaves a big impression.

Airflow slider on the side works smoothly, tight MTL at one end, loose RDL at the other. Firmer click than the G4’s slider, which is a welcome improvement. The old one had a tendency to drift; this one stays put. Simple. Effective. Done.

Features That Actually Matter

Smart Triple-Tap Control

Uwell’s big innovation for the G5: triple-tap anywhere on the device body to cycle through modes, adjust screen brightness, or change settings. No buttons to hunt for. No menus to navigate.

It works. Sometimes. I’ll admit, when your hands are dry and you tap with purpose, it’s truly convenient. When your hands are wet or you’re tapping too softly, it ignores you. I’d say the hit rate is about 80% on the first attempt. Not bad. Not great either. After three weeks, I defaulted to using the fire button for most adjustments and only used triple-tap for screen brightness. It’s a clever idea that could use another iteration.

PRO-FOCS 4.0 + GPP Alpha Pod

PRO-FOCS 4.0 is Uwell’s latest flavor optimization tech. I can’t tell you exactly what it does differently from PRO-FOCS 3.0. Uwell’s marketing? Vague on the specifics. What I can tell you is that flavor from the GPP pods is spot-on. The 0.6Ω standard pod in particular delivers warm, rich MTL draws with nic salts that compete with anything from Vaporesso’s COREX 3.0 or OXVA’s dual-mesh setups.

GPP Alpha pod (0.6Ω, included in the kit) is the real story here. Uwell claims “ultra long-life” with significantly more puffs than standard GPP pods, and for once, the hype is backed up by the data:

Pod	Resistance	Puffs Before Flavor Drop	Puffs Before Burnt	Verdict
GPP Alpha	0.6Ω	~1400 puffs	~2000 puffs	Genuine improvement
Standard GPP	0.6Ω	~600 puffs	~900 puffs	Par for high-wattage MTL
Standard GPP	0.4Ω	~500 puffs	~800 puffs	Expected for RDL wattage

The Alpha pod does last noticeably longer, roughly 70-80% more puffs than the standard 0.6Ω pod. That’s not quite double, yet it’s meaningful. Here’s the catch: the Alpha pod trades some flavor intensity for that longevity. Not bad, just not as punchy as the standard 0.6Ω. Flavor-first vapers will prefer the standard pods and accept shorter life. To be fair though, you can’t have everything.

At roughly $9-13 for a 2-pack of standard GPP pods and $18-24 for a 4-pack, the savings from switching to Alpha pods are real. Factor in that you’re replacing pods less often, and the math starts looking pretty interesting for heavy vapers. It’s a winner in my books if pod longevity is your thing.

Full GPP Compatibility

G5 works with every GPP pod: G3, G4, and G5 cartridges. Side-fill, top-fill, standard, child-lock, all of them. That’s a genuine advantage over Vaporesso’s XROS platform, which doesn’t cross-compatible between all generations. Versed Vaper specifically noted this as a strength: “finding pods won’t be an issue.” Easy to find replacements at any vape shop or online retailer. Check the official Uwell Caliburn G5 page for the full pod compatibility chart.

G5 Family: Choosing Your Variant

One thing that creates confusion: the Caliburn G5 isn’t a single device. It’s a family. Here’s the breakdown:

• Caliburn G5 (this review): 1600mAh, 35W max, triple-tap control, full screen, the flagship version.
• Caliburn G5 Lite: Smaller battery, stripped-down feature set, cheaper (~$9-15). Uses the same GPP pods. Spot a bargain-bin Caliburn G5, this is probably it.
• Caliburn G5 KOKO: Square form factor, same screen and features, just shaped differently for those who prefer a boxier feel.
• Caliburn G5 Pro: Rumored bigger battery variant, not fully confirmed at launch. Worth tracking if battery life is your obsession.

Reddit’s full of confusion about these variants, people grabbing a G5 Lite thinking it’s the full G5, then wondering why the battery’s smaller. The G5 Lite isn’t bad for what it is, just not the same product. Make sure you’re buying the right one.

A Word on the 0.4Ω Pod

That 0.4Ω pod in the box is Uwell’s RDL option. It runs at roughly 25-30W, produces noticeably more vapor than the MTL pods, and is best suited for freebase nicotine (3-6mg) or very low nic salts. Full disclosure: I focused my testing on the MTL pods (0.6Ω standard and 0.6Ω Alpha) because that’s where most G5 buyers live. Coming from a sub-ohm tank and want a compact device that still chuck respectable clouds, the 0.4Ω pod delivers, just know you’ll burn through juice and battery faster. Pod life is shorter too (~500 puffs before flavor drops), which is expected at these wattages.

Test Results

Test Item	Claimed	Measured	Notes
Battery runtime (0.6Ω, 20W)	Up to 6 days	~2 days heavy, ~3.5 days moderate	6 days only with ultra-light use
Battery runtime (0.6Ω Alpha, 18W)	N/A	~4 days moderate	Lower wattage = longer life
Charge time 0→100%	N/A	~42 minutes	5V/2A, consistent draw
Alpha pod lifespan	“Ultra long-life”	~1400-2000 puffs	~75% longer than standard GPP
Standard 0.6Ω pod lifespan	N/A	~600-900 puffs	Category average
Leak test	N/A	Minimal condensation only	3 weeks pocket carry
Triple-tap accuracy	“Effortless”	~80% first-attempt success	Context-dependent
Draw activation	Instant	Consistent, no misfires	Button and draw both work

Battery life is solid. That 1600mAh gives you a comfortable day and a half to two days of moderate MTL vaping. That “up to 6 days” claim? Take that with a grain of salt. Maybe for someone taking ten puffs a day. For anyone reading this review, plan on 2-3 days between charges. That’s still good, best in class, actually. No complaints here.

One thing worth calling out: the G5 uses 5V/2A USB-C charging. That’s ~40 minutes to full, which is decent. The Vaporesso XROS 5, however, supports 3A charging, getting to 80% in about 20 minutes. If fast charging matters to you, that’s a real advantage for the XROS 5. It’s a bit of a letdown that Uwell didn’t push this further.

Flavor & Coil Evaluation

0.6Ω Standard GPP Pod — The Flavor King

Best flavor in the kit. Warm, satisfying MTL draw at 18-22W with nic salts (10-20mg). With Nasty Juice Bad Blood (blackcurrant): deep, dark berry sweetness on the inhale, cooling exhale with no artificial aftertaste. Vapor production is generous for MTL. Not cloud-chasing territory, yet noticeably more than you’d expect from a tight draw. Pod life is the tradeoff: about 600 puffs before flavor starts fading, 900 before you want to swap. For flavor chasers, this is the one. No question.

0.6Ω GPP Alpha Pod — The Marathon Runner

Same resistance as the standard, completely different personality. The Alpha pod is for people tired of replacing pods every two weeks. It delivers on longevity, roughly 1400 puffs of clean flavor, pushing to 2000 before it starts tasting burnt. That’s about 2-3 weeks of moderate use from a single pod. The tradeoff is real though: flavor is noticeably thinner than the standard 0.6Ω pod. Not bad, just less exciting. It’s like listening to your favorite song at a lower volume: you still recognize it, you still enjoy it, yet something’s missing.

Nicotine-focused vapers who prioritize pod longevity over peak flavor intensity: this is your pod. Flavor chasers: stick with the standard 0.6Ω.

0.4Ω Standard GPP Pod — The RDL Option

The 0.4Ω pod runs at 25-30W with a looser draw, it’s a legitimate restricted direct-lung experience. Flavor is solid, warmer than the MTL pods, and vapor production is impressive for a pod this size. Your best use case: freebase nicotine at 3-6mg, or very low nic salts. The downside? Battery drain is noticeably faster, and pod life drops to about 500-800 puffs. It’s a nice option to have in the box, just don’t expect the same longevity as the MTL pods.

The Competition

Caliburn G5 vs G4: Worth the Upgrade?

Already on a G4? Here’s what changes:

Feature	Caliburn G5	Caliburn G4	Upgrade?
Battery	1600mAh	1300mAh	+23% capacity
Pods included	3 (incl. Alpha)	2	One extra pod
Screen	Color animated UI	Simple display	Nicer, not essential
Control	Triple-tap + button	Button only	Mixed bag (80% accuracy)
Mouthpiece	Soft-touch TPU	Standard plastic	More comfortable
Charging	5V/2A	5V/2A	Same
Price (US)	~$32	~$25	$7 premium

That 300mAh battery increase is the real upgrade, you’ll notice it. Three pods versus two is a value play that matters on day one. The triple-tap and animated screen? Nice to have. Not worth upgrading for. Reddit users consistently put the G4 and XROS 5 as top picks; the G5 hasn’t displaced either yet. Happy with your G4? Wait. Buying new? The $7 premium for more battery and an extra pod is a reasonable deal.

Caliburn G5 vs Other Pod Kits in 2026

VapeBeat ranks the OXVA XLIM Pro 3 as the top open pod system, with the Caliburn G4 in the lineup. Versed Vaper’s top pick is the OXVA NeXLIM. Here’s how the G5 stacks up against the two most cross-shopped alternatives:

Feature	Caliburn G5	Vaporesso XROS 5	OXVA XLIM Pro 3
Battery	1600mAh	1500mAh	1500mAh
Max Output	35W	30W	30W
Pods included	3 (0.4Ω, 0.6Ω, 0.6Ω Alpha)	2	2
Screen	Color animated	0.88″ TFT	1.05″ HD Color
Airflow	Slider	Slider	Slider
Pod range	4 resistances (0.4-1.2Ω)	5 resistances (0.4-1.2Ω)	3 resistances
Pod cross-compat	G3/G4/G5	Full XROS range	XLIM range
Charging	2A	3A	2A
Price (US)	~$32	~$25.99-$26.99	~$32

Where the G5 wins: Battery to 1600mAh is 100mAh more than either competitor, and you’ll feel it over a full day. Three pods in the box is the best value proposition in this price range; nobody else does it. Alpha pod longevity is a genuine advantage for heavy vapers who burn through pods. Full GPP backward compatibility means pods are easy to find anywhere.

Where competitors win: The XROS 5 is noticeably cheaper ($26 vs $32) and offers 3A fast charging to 20 minutes to 80% versus the G5’s 40 minutes for a full charge. It also has 5 pod resistances to the G5’s 4, giving you more options to dial in your draw. Its COREX 3.0 pods deliver slightly cleaner tight-MTL draws. The XLIM Pro 3 matches the G5 at $32 but brings a larger 1.05″ HD Color screen and OXVA’s proven dual-mesh flavor performance that VapeBeat called “industry leading.” Both have had more time to build a reputation.

Don’t get me wrong, the G5 is a solid kit. It just doesn’t clearly beat either competitor on flavor or experience. The XLIM Pro 3 edges it on flavor intensity and has a long track record. The XROS 5 wins on value and pod ecosystem breadth. The G5’s best card is pod longevity and pack-in value, and for some vapers, that’s enough. For a deeper dive into how these pod systems compare, VapeBeat’s pod vape rankings offer another perspective worth checking.

The Math

For a moderate vaper using about 4mL of nic salt per day:

Setup	Daily Cost	Monthly Cost
Disposables (Elf Bar 600 = ~2 days)	~$3.75/day	~$112
G5 + pods + juice	~$1.00/day	~$30

At $31.99, the G5 pays for itself in about 9 days versus disposables, same as any decent refillable pod system. The Alpha pod is where this gets interesting. If each Alpha pod lasts ~2000 puffs versus ~900 for a standard 0.6Ω pod, you’re replacing pods roughly 55% less often. At $9-13 per 2-pack of standard pods, switching to Alpha-compatible usage saves you roughly $30-40 a year. Not life-changing, yet real. At roughly 40 cents per day in pod costs (assuming 2000 puffs per $9 Alpha pod), you’re looking at about 2 cents per 100 puffs, compare that to roughly 50 cents per 100 puffs on disposables or $2.00 per 100 puffs on cigarettes. The savings add up fast.

Who This Is For

Buy it if: You burn through pods fast and want the Alpha pod’s extended life. You value three pods in the box, one less trip to the vape shop. You’re already on the Caliburn/GPP platform and want the biggest battery in the class. You’re tired of disposables’ cost and want a refillable that doesn’t compromise on battery life.

Skip it if: You want the absolute best flavor at the lowest upfront price, the XROS 5 delivers both for $5 less. You need fast charging to 3A on the XROS 5 is a real advantage. You’re already on the XROS or XLIM platform and don’t want to switch ecosystems. The G5 is solid, but it doesn’t give you a compelling reason to jump ship if you’re happy where you are. At this price? You’ve got options.

Quick Start Guide

Filling: Pull the pod out, lift the fill cap, top-fill design, wide hole, no needle-tip needed. Fill slowly to avoid air pockets. Wait 2-3 minutes for a fresh pod to prime. Don’t rush this part.

Vaping: Draw-activated out of the box, or press the fire button for manual firing. Both work consistently. Airflow slider on the side, slide toward the mouthpiece for tighter MTL, away for looser draw.

Triple-Tap: Tap the device body three times to cycle modes or adjust brightness. Works best with dry hands and a firm tap. Don’t expect 100% reliability, plan on about 80%.

Charging: USB-C, 5V/2A, ~40 minutes full charge. Pass-through charging supported, which is a nice touch if you need to vape while plugged in.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 1600mAh battery: biggest in this class, hands down
• Three pods in the box, including the long-life Alpha pod. Best pack-in value at this price
• Alpha pod longevity: ~75% longer than standard GPP pods, verified in testing
• Full GPP backward compatibility: G3/G4/G5 pods, all work. Never struggle to find replacements
• Soft-touch TPU mouthpiece: surprisingly comfortable, standout detail
• Airflow slider stays put: improved over the G4, no more drift
• Solid flavor from standard 0.6Ω pod: warm, rich, competitive with COREX and dual-mesh

Cons

• No 3A fast charging: the XROS 5 hits 80% in 20 minutes; the G5 takes 40 for a full charge. This matters.
• Triple-tap control works ~80% of the time: not “effortless” as advertised. Gets frustrating fast when your hands are wet
• Alpha pod flavor is thinner than standard pods: you trade intensity for longevity. Real sacrifice
• “Up to 6 days” battery claim is fantasy for normal vapers: plan on 2-3 days. Still class-leading, just be honest about it
• Design hasn’t meaningfully changed since the G3: familiar is comfortable, yet three years of the same silhouette feels recycled
• Same $32 price as the XLIM Pro 3: the value argument used to be “cheaper with more pods.” Now it’s just “more pods”

What Users Are Saying

Scrolling through Reddit and vape forums, the Caliburn G5 conversation has a theme: confusion. The G5 Lite vs G5 confusion is real, people grabbing the Lite thinking they’re getting the full G5 experience, then posting about the smaller battery. The variant naming doesn’t help. The general sentiment? Positive on pod longevity, mixed on whether it’s a meaningful step up from the G4. Most recommendations still default to the XROS 5 or XLIM Pro 3 for first-time buyers. The G5 is seen as a smart buy for existing Caliburn users who want more battery, less of a leap for new vapers.

Final Verdict

The Caliburn G5 is a good pod kit that solves one specific problem better than anything in its class: pod longevity. The Alpha pod’s extended life is real. I measured it. It works. Three pods in the box is a value play that matters on day one. The 1600mAh battery is easily the best in this class. It doesn’t translate into a better daily experience than an XROS 5 that costs $5 less and charges faster, or an XLIM Pro 3 that matches the price and delivers industry-leading flavor.

I keep coming back to this: pod longevity your pain point? G5 solves it, it’s the only kit that actually does. Looking for the best-tasting pod vape under $35?, the XROS 5 and XLIM Pro 3 both give you more for your money in different ways. But if you’re tired of swapping pods every week and want a kit that gives you three out of the gate, including one that actually lasts, the G5 is the one.

At $32, it’s not a bargain. It’s a focused product that delivers on its promise. Your call whether that promise matches your problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many pods come with Caliburn G5?

Three pods: a 0.4Ω GPP standard pod (RDL), a 0.6Ω GPP standard pod (MTL), and a 0.6Ω GPP Alpha long-life pod (MTL). Most kits in this class give you two, three is honestly generous.

Is Caliburn G5 better than G4?

Three real upgrades: 1600mAh battery (up from 1300mAh), three pods instead of two (including the Alpha long-life pod), and a color animated screen. The triple-tap control is new too, though it’s hit-or-miss. Worth the $7 premium if battery life matters; skip it if your G4 still works fine.

How long does Caliburn G5 battery last?

In real-world testing: about 2 days of heavy vaping, 3-4 days moderate use on the 0.6Ω Alpha pod at lower wattage. Uwell’s “up to 6 days” claim assumes minimal use. Plan on 2-3 days between charges, still the best battery life in this class.

Does Caliburn G5 support 3A charging?

No, the G5 supports 5V/2A charging, which gives you a full charge in about 40 minutes. The Vaporesso XROS 5 supports 3A charging, reaching 80% in roughly 20 minutes. If fast charging matters to you, that’s a real advantage for the XROS 5.

Is Caliburn G5 worth it?

At $32, the G5 is a fair price for what you get, especially with three pods in the box and the Alpha pod’s extended life. It’s worth it if pod longevity and battery life are your priorities. If you want the best flavor or fastest charging at this price, the XROS 5 or XLIM Pro 3 serve you better.

Related Articles

• Best Pod Vapes 2026: our full ranking of the top pod systems
• Best MTL Pod Devices: tight draw specialists compared
• MTL vs DTL Vaping, which inhale style fits you?
• How Long Does a Vape Last?: real-world lifespan data by puff count
• Caliburn G4 Review: how the predecessor compares
• FDA Authorized Vapes List: legally available products in the U.S.

Disclaimer: All nicotine products carry health risks and are intended for adults of legal age only. These products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Not for sale to minors.