Uwell Caliburn Vape Kits & Pods

Why the Caliburn series became the default MTL pod kit

The original Caliburn launched in early 2019 with a simple proposition: a slimline, draw-activated pod kit with sealed coils that produced noticeably better flavour than the competition at the same price. At a time when most budget pod kits used heating elements more suited to vape pens, the Caliburn's coil design gave it a cleaner, more consistent flavour profile that matched what vapers experienced with higher-end hardware.

The GPP platform, now the standard across the G3, G4 and G5 series, builds on this. GPP pods use Uwell's PRO-FOCS (Professional Focusing Chipset) 4.0 technology, which reads the resistance of the inserted pod and automatically adjusts the device's power output to the correct wattage range. On draw-activated kits like the G5 Lite, this means no manual wattage setting — the device calibrates itself. On button-activated kits with screens like the G4 Pro, you can override this but the auto-wattage mode works well out of the box.

The GPP cross-compatibility is the other practical advantage. If you have a G3, a G4 and a G5 kit at home, the same pods fit all of them. The same pods fit the KOKO compact variants too. Buying replacement pods once covers your whole Caliburn setup, which simplifies the consumables logistics considerably.

Uwell Caliburn range at VapeCity

Current Uwell kits stocked at VapeCity, from entry draw-activated to touchscreen pro.

All kits use GPP pods (cross-compatible across G3, G4 and G5 series).

Caliburn G5 Lite: the draw-activated entry point

The Caliburn G5 Lite is the most straightforward Uwell kit in the current range, priced at £7.99 at VapeCity. No buttons, no screen, no settings. Fill the GPP pod, insert it, draw. PRO-FOCS 4.0 reads the pod resistance and sets the wattage automatically: lower resistance pods get more power, higher resistance pods get less. The result is a device that works correctly with any GPP pod without any adjustment from the user.

The 1,600 mAh battery is larger than many comparable draw-activated kits at this price. At moderate MTL use, most vapers will get through a full day without charging. USB-C charging supports the current standard for cables. The translucent dual-layer shell design is available in eight colour options — the clear housing shows the e-liquid level without removing the pod.

The Caliburn G5 Lite SE (£8.99) is the same device in a leather-textured shell with a dual-tone finish. It accepts the same pods, has the same battery and the same PRO-FOCS 4.0 chipset. The choice between the two comes down to aesthetics: translucent G5 Lite or leather-look G5 Lite SE. Both work identically.

Uwell Caliburn kits at VapeCity

A quick guide to the main Uwell kits, who each suits, and what they cost.

The Caliburn G4 Pro: when you want a screen and wattage control

The Caliburn G4 Pro at £19.99 adds a 2.51-inch touchscreen to the Caliburn format. Six UI themes, six colour options for the display, and custom power curves that let you set different wattage levels for the first, middle and final portions of each draw. The practical utility of the power curve feature is debatable for most users, but the screen itself makes the device more intuitive to navigate and easier to check battery and wattage at a glance.

The 1,800 mAh battery is 200 mAh larger than the G5 Lite. The G4 Pro charges via USB-C at 5V/2.5A, which is slightly faster than the G5 Lite's 5V/1A charging. At 35W maximum, the G4 Pro covers the same wattage ceiling as the G5 Lite, so the coil and pod behaviour is consistent between the two if you use the same GPP pod resistance.

The Caliburn G4 Pro Koko (£22.99) puts the same chipset and touchscreen into the compact KOKO shell — a wider, shorter form factor that fits differently in the hand compared to the taller Caliburn stick design. Both take the same GPP pods. The choice between them is purely ergonomic and aesthetic.

GPP pods: running costs and lifespan

GPP pods from VapeCity are available in Top Fill XL Cartridge 4-pack format or Side Fill XL Cartridge 3-pack format. The side-fill pods cover 0.4Ω, 0.6Ω and 0.9Ω; the top-fill pod is the 1.2Ω variant. Each pod typically lasts around 8 to 12 refills before flavour quality drops enough to warrant replacement. At moderate vaping, that is one to two weeks per pod.

For MTL use at 20mg nic salt with the 0.9Ω or 1.2Ω pod, a 3-pack of side-fill GPP pods at VapeCity covers roughly 3 to 6 weeks of use depending on how often you vape. The A3S Replacement Pods (4-pack) are also available at VapeCity for those using A-series Caliburn kits at £22.99 for the pack.

Sweetened e-liquids — particularly dessert and candy profiles — shorten coil life on any mesh pod, including the GPP range. Running unflavoured or lightly flavoured nic salts extends pod life noticeably. The AlphaCore pods included with the Caliburn G5 kit use an updated coil architecture that extends flavour consistency across more refills than the standard GPP pods; if coil life matters, the G5 AlphaCore pods are the premium option.

Setting up a Uwell Caliburn G5 Lite for the first time

1. 1

   Charge to full before first use

   Connect via USB-C and charge to 100% before vaping. The LED indicator on the G5 Lite shows charge level through a 4-bar display. No buttons needed — just plug in and charge.

2. 2

   Choose your GPP pod resistance

   0.9Ω or 1.2Ω for tight MTL vaping with 20mg nic salt. 0.6Ω for a looser MTL or light RDL draw. 0.4Ω for restricted DTL. The pod included in the G5 Lite kit is 0.6Ω.

3. 3

   Fill the pod before inserting it

   Side-fill pods: push the silicone flap to the side, fill with e-liquid, reseal. Leave a small air gap at the top. Top-fill pods: open the port on top, fill, close firmly. Wait 5 minutes before the first draw.

4. 4

   Insert the pod — orientation matters

   GPP pods can be inserted in either orientation on most G5 Lite kits. One orientation gives a tighter draw, the other gives a slightly looser draw. Try both and stick with whichever feels right for you.

5. 5

   Draw to activate

   No button, no settings. Just inhale from the mouthpiece. PRO-FOCS 4.0 reads the pod resistance and sets the wattage automatically. You will not need to adjust anything.

Uwell Caliburn vs other MTL pod kit brands

The Caliburn G5 Lite at £7.99 competes directly with the Geekvape Sonder Q2 (£7.99), Aspire Gotek X3 (£8.99) and the Oxva Xlim Go 2 (£7.99). All four are draw-activated MTL pod kits with similar battery capacities. The Caliburn's PRO-FOCS 4.0 auto-wattage and the GPP platform's cross-kit compatibility give it a practical edge; Oxva's UniTech 2.0 dual-mesh coil gives the Xlim Go 2 a flavour edge at the same price point. At entry level, all four are solid choices — the difference is in which coil ecosystem you want to be buying replacement pods for going forward.

At the mid-range, the Caliburn G4 Pro at £19.99 competes with the Aspire PockeX AIO (£17.99) and the Geekvape Wenax Q2 (£16.99). The G4 Pro's 2.51-inch touchscreen is the largest display in this price class. The Wenax Q2 has a leather grip panel and more conventional button controls. All three are capable daily devices; the G4 Pro appeals most to users who actively want to engage with settings and UI customisation.

Uwell has a stronger coil reputation among MTL vapers than most brands at this price point, largely built on the original Caliburn's consistent performance. The G3 and G4 generations continued that, and the G5's AlphaCore pods extend it further. If flavour consistency is the priority, Uwell is a reliable choice.