OXVA VPrime 2 Pod Kit Black Carbon

Overview

The OXVA VPrime 2 Pod Kit Black Carbon by Oxva in Black Carbon at 0mg. Free UK delivery over £20, same-day dispatch on weekday orders before 4pm.

OXVA VPrime 2 Pod Kit: What It Is and Where It Fits

OXVA VPrime 2 Pod Kit is a refillable pod vape from OXVA, a hardware-focused brand that built its name on coil-based pod systems rather than sealed single-use sticks. It is the second generation of the VPrime line and it is sold as a starter kit, meaning the device, a pod and the charging cable arrive together and you supply the e-liquid. That one detail shapes almost everything about how the kit behaves in daily use, from running cost to flavour choice to how much control you have over the vape.

The category matters here. Since the UK ban on single-use vapes that came into force on 1 June 2025, a refillable device like this is the normal route for anyone who wants a rechargeable, long-lasting setup. A pod kit keeps the battery and electronics for the long term and only swaps the cheap, consumable parts: the pod, the coil and the liquid. Compared with the old disposable habit of buying a new plastic unit every few days, that is less waste and, over a few months, usually less money.

The VPrime name sits in OXVA's range alongside its Xlim family, and it is best read as a kit for people who want a little more hardware character than a plain draw-activated stick. It is not a sub-ohm monster and it is not a pen-style beginner toy. It lives in the middle, where most adult vapers who have moved on from cigarettes end up settling.

• Type: refillable pod system with a built-in rechargeable battery
• Charging: USB-C, as is standard for current pod hardware
• Pod size: 2ml, which is the maximum tank capacity allowed for vape hardware sold in the UK
• E-liquid: any compatible nicotine salt or freebase liquid in a legal 10ml bottle
• Variants in this family: 7 listed options, which on a hardware kit are colourways rather than flavours

Exact wattage ranges, battery capacity and coil resistances can differ between production batches, so treat the specification table on this page as the authority and use this guide for the practical picture of what the kit is like to live with.

Performance and Vapour Delivery

Performance on a pod kit is not one number. It is the combination of how quickly the coil heats, how much liquid it can feed, how the airflow is tuned and how steady the battery output stays as it drains. The VPrime 2 is built around a replaceable coil pod and a regulated battery, which means the output should feel consistent from a full charge down to the last quarter instead of fading noticeably, a common complaint with cheaper unregulated sticks.

In practice, a kit in this class delivers a warm to moderately warm draw with a clean, quick ramp-up. You press or draw, the coil is up to temperature within a fraction of a second and the first pull tastes like the tenth. Vapour density sits in the middle of the market. It is noticeably fuller than a basic mouth-to-lung starter pen, yet it will not produce the huge clouds associated with open-system sub-ohm tanks, and that is deliberate. A pod system is meant to be discreet enough to use sensibly and satisfying enough that you do not reach for a cigarette instead.

The more useful way to think about performance is by draw style.

• Mouth-to-lung (MTL): a tighter airflow and a higher-nicotine salt liquid give a throat feel close to a cigarette. This is the style most ex-smokers start on and stay with.
• Restricted direct-to-lung (RDL): a looser airflow with a lower nicotine strength gives a bigger inhale and more vapour. Not every pod suits this, so check the coil you choose.
• Short, frequent puffs: the classic cigarette-replacement pattern. The kit handles this well because there is no long warm-up between draws.

One honest caveat. Performance claims on pod kits depend on the coil installed and on the liquid, particularly its VG to PG ratio. A thick, high-VG liquid can starve a small coil and cause dry or burnt hits, while a thinner 50/50 or 40/60 blend wicks faster and gives a smoother result. If the kit seems underpowered, the liquid is the first thing to look at, ahead of the hardware.

Expect a lower puff count per refill than the marketing numbers printed on disposables. With a 2ml pod and a typical nicotine salt liquid, most users report getting through a pod in roughly a day of moderate use, depending on how often they vape and how hard they draw.

Flavour Delivery and What to Put in the Pod

The VPrime 2 does not come with a built-in flavour, because it is a hardware kit. Flavour comes entirely from the e-liquid you choose, and the quality of the coil determines how faithfully that liquid is reproduced. Coil-based pods tend to give a cleaner, more defined flavour than cheap cotton-wicked sticks, partly because a fresh coil is easy to swap in when the old one starts to taste tired.

The seven variants in this family are cosmetic options, so pick the colour you like and spend your thinking time on the liquid. Here are the flavour profiles that tend to work well in a pod system of this type, and what to expect from each.

• Tobacco and tobacco blends: the most common starting point for people moving off cigarettes. Light Virginia styles are smooth, while darker tobacco-and-caramel blends give a richer throat feel.
• Menthol and mint: a cool, crisp inhale. Menthol-forward liquids can numb the throat slightly at higher strengths, so go lighter on nicotine.
• Blueberry and blue raspberry: sweet and slightly tart, a popular all-day fruit profile.
• Strawberry and watermelon: bright and juicy. These pair well with a little cooling, so look for ice variants if you want a refreshing finish.
• Mango and tropical blends: thicker, sweeter fruit notes that show off a well-seated coil.
• Cola and energy-drink styles: a fizzy, sharp profile that reads clearly even at lower power.
• Bakery and custard: rich dessert profiles. These are heavier on VG, so use them with care and watch for coil gunk building up faster.

A practical rule is to keep one flavour in the device at a time and flush the pod when you switch. Mixed residue from two liquids muddies both. If you rotate between a fruit liquid and a tobacco liquid, a second pod is a cheap way to keep each one clean.

Sweeteners deserve a mention. Heavily sweetened liquids caramelise on the coil faster than light ones, which shortens coil life. If a flavour starts to taste flat or slightly burnt after a few days, the coil is usually the culprit and a swap will bring it back.

Design and Build Quality

OXVA hardware generally follows a compact, pocketable layout, and the VPrime 2 keeps to that. It is a pod kit meant to live in a jacket pocket or a bag without needing a case. The body is a hard-wearing shell with a pod that clicks in from the top or front, a charging port on the base and a draw or fire control that responds immediately.

The things that actually matter about build quality in a device like this are fairly specific, so it is worth knowing what to check when yours arrives.

• Pod seat: the pod should click in firmly with no wobble. A loose pod is the usual cause of leaking and of an intermittent connection.
• Magnetic or friction contact: the electrical contacts between pod and body should be clean and dry. Wipe them with a dry cloth if liquid gets near them.
• Finish: painted or coated shells pick up marks over time. A colourway with a soft-touch finish hides fingerprints better than a high-gloss one, but all of them will scuff if they share a pocket with keys.
• Weight and grip: a kit with a built-in battery has some heft. It is not heavy, but it is noticeably more solid than a plastic stick, which most people read as a sign of better construction.
• Fill port: a well-designed silicone fill bung seals cleanly and does not pop out when you squeeze the bottle.

On the colour question, with seven variants in the family there is a spread from understated dark finishes to brighter ones. The choice makes no difference to performance, so go on appearance, and bear in mind that darker shells show dust and lighter shells show liquid stains.

Pod material also deserves a look. Most pods in this class are made from a durable, food-contact-grade plastic with a clear window so you can see the liquid level. Do not use harsh solvents or alcohol wipes on the pod, because some plastics craze or crack when exposed to them. A damp cloth and then a dry one is enough.

Finally, the kit is built to last for months of regular use, not years of heavy abuse. Dropping it onto a hard floor from a height can crack a pod or loosen the battery connection. A pocket with nothing else in it, or a small carry pouch, is a sensible and cheap precaution.

Battery Life and Charging

The VPrime 2 has a built-in rechargeable lithium battery that charges over USB-C. Because the cell is internal, you cannot swap it for a spare the way you could with a vape using removable 18650 cells. In exchange you get a slimmer body and fewer ways to damage the battery by mixing mismatched cells.

Battery capacity in this class of pod kit commonly falls somewhere in the region of 1,000 to 2,000mAh, and the exact figure for your variant is in the specification table on this page. As a rule of thumb, a battery in that range comfortably covers a full day of moderate vaping for most people, and heavy users will want a top-up in the afternoon or a charge during the evening.

Real-world battery life depends on four things.

• Power setting: higher output drains the cell faster. Dropping the power a notch is the simplest way to stretch a charge.
• Draw style: long, hard draws pull more current than short, light ones.
• Coil resistance: a lower-resistance coil draws more power from the same battery.
• Temperature: lithium batteries lose capacity in the cold. A device left in a car overnight in winter will not last as long.

Charging is simple. Use the supplied USB-C cable or a decent-quality alternative, and plug it into a standard phone charger or a computer port. A 5V charger rated between 1A and 2A is perfectly adequate. Avoid cheap unbranded chargers with no safety markings, because they can deliver unstable voltage.

Some safe-handling habits go a long way.

• Do not leave the device charging unattended overnight on a bed, sofa or any soft surface.
• Unplug once it reaches full charge rather than leaving it on the cable for days.
• Never charge a device that is hot to the touch, visibly swollen or damaged.
• Keep the USB-C port dry and free of lint. A cocktail stick wrapped in a little tissue clears pocket fluff safely.

When the battery eventually fades, which for a built-in cell is typically after a few hundred full charge cycles, do not put the device in your household bin. It contains a lithium battery and falls under UK waste electrical rules. Take it to a household recycling centre or a retailer drop-off point that accepts small electricals, and it will be handled properly.

Coil and Pod Technology

The coil is where the vapour is actually made, and it is the part of a pod kit that you will replace most often. The VPrime 2 uses OXVA's replaceable coil pod design, where the coil head and the liquid reservoir work together as a consumable unit or as a pod that accepts coil heads, depending on the pod you buy. Check the pod listing you choose to see which approach applies.

Coils in this class are generally one of two types.

• Mesh coils: a flat sheet of fine metal mesh gives a large heating surface. They warm up quickly, produce even flavour and tend to give more vapour per puff. Their larger surface area also means they can burn out if you chain-vape on a nearly empty pod.
• Standard round-wire coils: a thin wire wrapped around cotton. They are simple, forgiving and usually suited to tighter mouth-to-lung draws, with a slightly more muted flavour than mesh.

Resistance is the other number to understand. Lower resistance (around 0.4 to 0.8 ohm) gives a warmer, airier draw and uses more battery. Higher resistance (around 0.8 to 1.2 ohm and above) gives a tighter, cooler draw with better battery economy, and it is what most nicotine salt users want.

Getting a long life from a coil comes down to a few habits.

• Prime it properly. After fitting a fresh pod, fill it, then wait five to ten minutes before the first puff so the cotton can saturate. Skipping this is the number one cause of burnt coils.
• Do not run it dry. Refill when the liquid hits the bottom third of the window, not when it is gone.
• Match the liquid. Very thick, high-VG liquids can choke small wicking holes. Use a 50/50 or 60/40 PG-leaning blend if you notice gurgling or dry hits.
• Take smaller, spaced puffs. Rapid back-to-back draws do not give the cotton time to re-wet.

Expect a coil to last somewhere between one and three weeks of regular use, a bit less with sweet or dessert liquids and a bit more with clean tobacco or menthol. When flavour turns dull, smoky or slightly bitter, that is the signal to change it. Replacement pods are inexpensive relative to the device, and fitting one takes under a minute.

Nicotine Strength Guidance

Choosing the right nicotine strength is the single biggest factor in whether a pod kit works for you or leaves you reaching for a cigarette. Because the VPrime 2 is a refillable device, the strength is determined by the liquid you buy, not by the hardware, which gives you far more flexibility than a fixed-strength disposable.

UK rules cap nicotine e-liquid at 20mg/ml, which is 2%, and limit bottle sizes to 10ml for nicotine liquids. Those caps apply to the liquid you pour in, not to the device. The common strengths you will see on shelves are 3mg, 6mg, 12mg and 18 to 20mg.

Nicotine type changes the picture as well.

• Nicotine salts (nic salts): a smoother throat hit at higher strengths, absorbed quickly. These are the usual choice for pod kits and for people stepping down from cigarettes.
• Freebase nicotine: a harsher throat hit that is tolerable at low strengths only. Better suited to bigger, airier devices than a tight MTL pod.

As a starting guide, matched to how much you smoked or vaped before:

• Ten or more cigarettes a day, or a long-term smoker: start around 18 to 20mg nic salt. It satisfies cravings without a heavy hit.
• Five to ten cigarettes a day: 10 to 12mg nic salt is a reasonable middle ground.
• Occasional or social smokers: 3 to 6mg is usually enough, and 0mg is available if you want the habit without the nicotine.
• Moving off disposables: UK disposables carried up to 20mg, so someone used to a 20mg stick will probably want 18 to 20mg nic salt in a pod, at least to begin with.

Signs you have picked the wrong strength are fairly clear. If you are chain-vaping and still craving, step up. If you feel dizzy, queasy, get a pounding heartbeat or a harsh throat burn, step down. Many users find they naturally lower their strength over several months once the cigarette urge fades.

A practical tip is to buy two bottles in different strengths rather than one large batch. You can then adjust without committing, and you can even mix them in the pod for an in-between strength. Nicotine is addictive and this kit is for adult smokers and existing vapers only. If you do not smoke or vape already, this is not a product for you.

Who the VPrime 2 Suits and Who Should Skip It

No device suits everyone, and being straight about that saves returns and frustration. Here is a plain breakdown.

It is a good fit if you:

• are an adult smoker or a current vaper wanting a rechargeable alternative to disposables, now that single-use vapes are banned in the UK
• want more control over liquid, strength and flavour than a prefilled device allows
• like a compact, pocketable kit and do not want to manage tanks, wire and cotton yourself
• are happy to refill a pod and change a coil every week or two
• want a lower long-term running cost, since a 10ml bottle covers a lot of vaping
• care about reducing the amount of electrical waste you generate

You should look elsewhere if you:

• want a pure push-and-go experience with zero refilling, in which case a prefilled pod system with sealed cartridges may be less hassle
• are chasing very large clouds, since a sub-ohm kit with a larger tank is the right tool for that style
• do not already smoke or vape. Nicotine is addictive, and vaping is intended only as an alternative for adult smokers
• are under 18, as it is illegal to sell nicotine vaping products to anyone below that age in the UK
• dislike any maintenance. Leakage, priming and coil changes are part of owning a refillable device, even a well-made one
• need a battery you can hot-swap, since the cell is built in

For first-time refillable users the learning curve is small but real. The two habits that matter most are priming a new pod and not letting it run dry. Once those are second nature, the kit is straightforward to live with.

One more consideration is fit with your routine. If you spend long hours away from a charger, such as on site work or long travel days, think about a pocket power bank and a spare filled pod. A second pod pre-loaded with your usual liquid takes a few seconds to swap and covers most heavy-use days without any fuss.

How to Fill, Activate and Use the Kit

Setting up the VPrime 2 takes about ten minutes, most of which is waiting for the coil to saturate. Follow the steps in order and the first puff will taste clean.

• Step 1, unbox and check. Confirm the device, pod and cable are all present, and inspect the pod for cracks.
• Step 2, charge the battery. If it is not already full, give it a first charge over USB-C so you are not interrupted mid-session.
• Step 3, open the fill port. Pull back the silicone bung or slide the pod cover, as designed for your pod.
• Step 4, fill the pod. Tilt the pod slightly and run the bottle tip down the inner wall to avoid trapping air. Fill to just below the maximum line, which is 2ml. Do not overfill, and keep liquid away from the central air tube.
• Step 5, close and seat. Press the bung firmly into place and click the pod into the device.
• Step 6, wait. Leave it upright for five to ten minutes so the cotton fully wets. This is the most important step in the whole process.
• Step 7, first puffs. Take two or three gentle, unforced draws before settling into normal use.

Turning the device on and off follows the control scheme of your variant. Many kits in this class use either draw activation, where you simply inhale, or a fire button, which you hold while you draw. Rapid button presses, usually five clicks, typically lock or unlock the device, which stops accidental firing in a bag or pocket. Check the manual in the box for the exact sequence, because it can vary.

Day-to-day care is minimal. Keep the device upright when you can, wipe the mouthpiece and contacts occasionally and store it somewhere cool. Do not leave it on a sunny windowsill, in a hot car or in a freezing one. Heat thins the liquid and causes leaking, while cold slows wicking and drains the battery.

Use the kit only where vaping is allowed. Many UK workplaces, trains, pubs and public buildings have their own rules, and it is always polite to check before you start.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Most issues with a pod kit have a quick fix. Work through the likely cause before assuming the device is faulty.

• Burnt or harsh taste: the coil was either not primed or has run dry. Replace the pod or coil, and prime the new one for the full five to ten minutes. If you were vaping a very sweet liquid, the coil may simply be gunked up and due a swap.
• Weak or muted flavour: the coil is tired, or the liquid is the wrong thickness. Try a fresh pod, then try a thinner liquid.
• Gurgling or spitting: too much liquid has pooled in the airway, or condensation has built up in the mouthpiece. Blow gently back through the mouthpiece to clear it, and dab with a tissue.
• Leaking from the pod: usually an overfilled pod, a poorly seated bung or a cracked pod. Refill to a lower level, press the bung in fully and look for hairline cracks.
• Device does not fire: check the charge level first, then make sure the pod is properly seated. Clean the contacts with a dry cloth. If it uses a fire button, check that the device has not been locked by the multi-click sequence.
• Dry hit with plenty of liquid in the pod: the wick is not getting enough liquid. This usually means a liquid that is too thick, a pod that was not primed or too many rapid puffs. Slow down and wait a minute between sessions.
• Device gets hot: if it is warm after heavy use, that is normal. If it is uncomfortably hot, stop using it, unplug it and let it cool. Persistent overheating is a reason to contact us.
• Short battery life: lower the power, check for cold storage and consider that the battery may be ageing if the device is many months old.
• Charging does not start: try a different cable and a different charger. Clean lint out of the USB-C port with a wooden cocktail stick.

If you have tried the obvious fixes and the problem persists, do not keep forcing it. Stop using the device and contact us with your order number and a short description or photo of the problem. Do not attempt to open the casing or the battery compartment, because internal lithium cells are hazardous when damaged.

And a quick reminder on safe disposal. Faulty or worn-out devices, batteries and used pods should not go into household rubbish. Take them to a household waste recycling centre or a retailer take-back point that accepts small electricals and batteries.

Value for Money and Running Costs

The sticker price of a pod kit is only part of the story. What matters over time is the total cost of ownership: device, replacement pods and coils, and e-liquid. Comparing that with the real cost of the alternatives gives a much clearer picture than comparing shelf prices.

Consider the three main cost lines for the VPrime 2.

• Upfront cost: the kit includes the device, a first pod and a cable. You also need at least one bottle of liquid, which is a separate purchase.
• Consumables: a replacement pod or coil every one to three weeks, depending on use and liquid choice.
• E-liquid: a 10ml bottle commonly lasts a moderate vaper somewhere between four and seven days, and a heavier user a little less.

Compared with a smoker spending several pounds a day on cigarettes, a refillable setup typically costs a fraction of that per week. Compared with the old disposable habit, where a person might buy a new stick every two to four days, the refillable route usually works out cheaper from the second month onward because you are only replacing the cheap parts. Since disposables are no longer sold legally in the UK, the realistic comparison is now between different reusable setups.

Things that improve value:

• buying liquid in multi-bottle bundles when you have settled on a flavour you like
• keeping a spare pod so you can rotate and extend coil life
• using a lower power setting to protect the battery and the coil
• storing liquid in a cool, dark place so it does not degrade

Things that quietly waste money are the opposite: chain-vaping on a dry coil, overfilling and leaking, and buying a high-strength liquid you then cannot finish because it is too harsh. Get your strength right on the first bottle and you avoid most of that.

Overall, this is a sensible mid-priced hardware choice for someone who plans to vape regularly for months, not days. If you only want to try vaping for a weekend, a cheaper entry kit would cost less up front.

How It Compares With Other Pod Kits

It helps to see where the VPrime 2 sits against the other kits adult vapers commonly consider. These are general comparisons about type and style, not claims about any specific model's numbers, which change between generations.

Against OXVA's own Xlim kits. The Xlim family is OXVA's simpler, slimmer entry line, built around easy draw-activated use. The VPrime line aims at users who want a bit more hardware character and control. If you want the most straightforward experience possible, the Xlim style is worth a look. If you want more adjustment, VPrime is the more natural fit.

Against Vaporesso XROS-type kits. Vaporesso's XROS pods are a very common choice in the UK and are widely available, with a large selection of replacement pods. They are a fair rival in size and price. Pick on feel in the hand, the pod ecosystem you prefer and which colourway you like. Neither is a bad pick.

Against Smok Novo-style kits. Smok's Novo line is another widely stocked pod family with a broad range of pods. They tend to be easy to find and easy to refill. The practical difference comes down to coil availability and how each handles the liquids you favour.

Against Geekvape Wenax-style kits. Geekvape's pod kits are known for sturdy construction and good coil flavour. A fair alternative if you want a hard-wearing build and are comfortable with its pod design.

Against closed prefilled pod systems. Sealed cartridges you swap and bin are simpler and have no priming or refilling. The trade-off is a higher running cost per millilitre and a limited choice of flavours. A refillable kit like this wins on flexibility and cost, and loses on convenience.

Against larger sub-ohm tank kits. If you want big vapour and a loose draw, a sub-ohm kit will outperform a pod kit. It also uses more liquid, more battery and more attention. Most people moving off cigarettes find a pod kit suits them better.

A fair summary is that the VPrime 2 is a competent middle-of-the-road refillable kit. Its strengths are a compact format, steady output and a coil system that gives consistent flavour. Its weaknesses are shared with every refillable pod: it needs priming, the occasional leak is possible and coils are a recurring cost. Weigh those against the convenience and choose what fits your habits.