UWell Caliburn G5 and G5 Koko Review

Summary:

The UWell Caliburn G5 and G5 Koko are refillable, draw-activated pod vapes that run on identical hardware, with a few subtle differences. Each one has a 1600 mAh battery, max wattage of 35W, two intensity modes called STORM and WAVES, and pods that are fully compatible with the GPP system. The G5 is taller and more pen-like with a 0.85" HD screen, special Triple-Tap control feature, and comes with a total of three pods. The Koko comes with just one and is much more compact with simpler features.

UWell Caliburn G5 and G5 Koko Review

The Caliburn G5 and G5 Koko look like two completely different vapes at first glance, but the difference in appearance is actually a bit deceptive. Although one is a tall, slim pen and the other is more boxy and square, they're actually both running on very similar hardware under the surface.

Our past experiences with UWell's Caliburn line have all been really positive, so when these landed in the shop, we knew we were in for a treat. There's plenty to like, especially if you're the type of vaper who enjoys a little flash or the kind of upgrades that let you customize performance on every draw.

Find out what we liked and what didn't live up to the hype below.

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Pros:

• Ultra-precise 1W adjustable wattage
• Screen displays the battery level, wattage, and mode
• Compatible with all GPP pods across the G3, G4, and G5 series
• Both are made with premium materials (aluminum for the G5, leather for the Koko)

Cons:

• No charging cable in either box
• The G5's triple-tap sensor stays off until you enable it
• More complex than your average disposable
• Both are pricier than the G5 Koko Lite

Ratings

• Build Quality and Design: ★★★★★ (5/5)
• Value: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
• Battery and Charging: ★★★★★ (5/5)
• Usability: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Key Features:

First Impressions

Both the G5 and the G5 Koko arrived safe and sound tucked away in their respective packages. It was immediately clear that these are different products, but the designs on the front are similar enough to make it obvious that they're from the same brand.

We slid the G5 out of the box first and found that it was partially charged, which instantly made us want to start fiddling with it right away. Of course, you can't actually take a draw from it until you fill the pre-installed pod, but that only takes a few seconds of your time.

The G5 Koko was next on our list, and it won us over in a completely different way. While it's definitely smaller, the soft leather is pleasant to touch, and the starlit animation is just a lot of fun to zone out to. We found ourselves constantly picking it up just to hold it, even between draws.

In the Box (Caliburn G5):

• 1 x Caliburn G5 Device
• 1 x 0.4Ω 2 mL GPP Cartridge (top refill)
• 1 x 0.6Ω 2 mL GPP Cartridge (top refill, pre-installed)
• 1 x 0.6Ω 2 mL GPP Alpha Cartridge (long-life, top refill)
• 1 x User Manual

In the Box (Caliburn G5 Koko):

• 1 x Caliburn G5 Koko Device
• 1 x 0.6Ω 2 mL GPP Integrated Coil Cartridge
• 1 x User Manual

Using the Device

Charging and Setup

Setting both of these vapes up only takes a few minutes of your time. Both are sold with top-fill GPP-compatible pods, which many of you have told us are easier to fill than side-fill pods. All you have to do is pull the pod out, open the fill port beneath the mouthpiece, and top it up to about 80 or 90 percent.

Once you're done filling it, getting ready to use it is as simple as putting the mouthpiece back on and taking a draw. If you aren't in a rush, we strongly recommend waiting five or 10 minutes for the coil to saturate before you proceed, because you'll get better flavour.

The generous 1600 mAh battery takes less than an hour to charge, and it lasts some people up to almost a week. That means you should never be out of service for long with either one.

Draw Quality and Taste

We loaded up Blackwood's Blue Diamond for the sake of testing, as it's always a favourite here in the shop. The coils on both vapes responded right away as soon as we took a draw. Starting out with the 0.6Ω pod gave us a clean MTL pull with a comforting warmth that felt perfect for laid-back sessions.

There are two main modes to choose from: STORM and WAVES. Each one delivers a slightly different experience. The first cranks up the intensity big-time for a bold throat feel that's just shy of hot, but not uncomfortable. The second is much smoother, so if you like softer draws, start there first.

The G5's additional 0.4Ω pod runs a little hotter and airier, which is great if you're cloud-chasing or just want a looser, more open draw. The Alpha pod leans the other way completely: it's designed to help you get more life out of your e-juice with flavour that stays steady long-term.

Performance

Both the G5 and G5 Koko top out at around 35W, but that's plenty of power for the average vaper. You can adjust the wattage by as little as 1W at a time. For us, the 0.6Ω operated best at around 13 to 25W, but we had to open the 0.4Ω up to the full 35W to get the performance we wanted.

For everyday MTL vaping with nic salts, you're rarely going to need to go beyond 20 to 25W anyway, so you have plenty of wiggle room. UWell's Alpha pod is rated to last for around 25+ refills, and with the brand's PRO-FOCS coil tech behind it, you get more flavour and more mileage out of every fill.

Controls

The G5 has UWell's Smart Triple-Tap feature, which stays off unless you manually toggle it on. It lets you flip between modes, themes, and brightness levels in seconds without having to dig through menus or do a lot of fiddling around with the vape itself.

The Koko keeps it simple with one side button that lets you navigate the same menus as well as the display. Neither setup took us much time to learn, but we did notice that it's very easy to accidentally set off the G5's Triple-Tap feature. If that happens to you, you can just turn it off.

Pro Tips for Vapers

• Modes: Use STORM for bigger, bolder vapour and WAVES for smoother flavour.
• Daily Vaping: The G5's Alpha pod will help you stretch out your e-juice more effectively.
• Best Practices: If you're getting dry, burned hits on a filled pod, the coil may be dying.
• RDL and DTL: Open the airflow up on either vape for everything other than MTL.
• Flexibility: Don't toss your GPP pods out just yet. They're still compatible with both vapes!

Should You Buy It?

This was a tough call. We liked both the G5 and G5 Koko so much that it was tough to pick a real winner from the pair. What you'll need to consider first is what matters more to you: the shape and portability of the device, how many pods you get with it, or just how premium it looks when you use it.

There's no wrong answer here. Every vaper is different, and if flash is your thing, both are pretty nice to look at. Value-wise, though, you're definitely getting more for your money with the G5.

Buy Either If:

• You're stepping up from disposables and want more control
• You like being able to switch draw intensity or cloud-chase on the fly
• You already have a G3 or G4 and want to reuse your existing pods
• You appreciate a clear screen for battery, wattage, and mode

Main Use Cases

• All-Day Vaping
• MTL and RDL Vaping
• Travel & Portability

Price and Value

You can expect to pay around $52.99 for the Caliburn G5 and $32.99 for the G5 Koko. That's a little more expensive than most disposables and some other pod-based systems, but still really reasonable because you get what you pay for with UWell's products.

Wondering how? It's all about reliability. All of the brand's vapes are solidly built to perform well and last a decent amount of time for the vast majority of people. With disposables and some other cheaper systems, you'll pay less upfront but end up replacing them much more often.

G5 Vs. G5 Koko: Which is Best?

If we had to keep just one, we'd reach for the G5, purely because those extra pods mean less downtime between refills. That said, the Koko was definitely the one we kept pulling out to show customers and our friends. Explore our full range of pod systems today to find your perfect match!

Frequently Asked Questions About the G5 and G5 Koko

What's the difference between the Caliburn G5 and the G5 Koko?

They share the same 1600 mAh battery, 35W output, STORM and WAVES modes, and GPP pods. The biggest difference is shape: the G5 is a tall pen with a Triple-Tap feature, and comes with three pods, while the Koko is a compact leather box with a single button on the side.

How different are the G5 and G5 Koko's STORM and WAVES modes?

The difference is honestly pretty significant. With STORM you get a bolder, warmer throat hit, while WAVES keeps things smooth and lets the flavour shine without as much intensity. Switching between them is easy: just triple-tap the G5 or press the Koko's side button whenever the mood strikes you.

How many refills does the G5's Alpha pod last?

Quite a few! UWell rates the long-life Alpha pod for around 25+ refills and 50 mL or more out of a single 2 mL pod, but that's obviously under lab testing conditions, so your mileage may vary a little. Stick to a 50/50 nic salt and skip the sweet, high-VG juices to get as much life out of them as possible.

Are the G5 and G5 Koko pods cross-compatible with older Caliburns?

Yep! Both run UWell's GPP (G Pod Platform) cartridges, so any pod from the G3, G4, or G5 series will drop right in with zero hassle. We love this, because it means less waste ends up in the trash and you get more use out of what you buy, even if you upgrade. They come in 0.4Ω, 0.6Ω, 0.9Ω, and 1.2Ω.

Why won't the G5's Triple-Tap gesture work on my vape?

Good news: it's probably not broken! The tap sensor ships switched off to avoid burning the battery down accidentally, so you'll need to turn it on in the device menu first. Once you have it set correctly, a triple-tap will let you flip between modes, themes, and brightness levels.

If it's still not working, and you ordered it from us, send us a message and we'll try to help.

Do these devices come with a charging cable?

Nope, and the fact that they don't catches a lot of our customers by surprise. The truth is that most vapes today don't come with a cord because they're so easy and affordable to access.

Any USB-C cord rated for 5V/2A charging will do the job, but be careful about buying cheap cables online or in your local dollar store. Some of them aren't made to last and may even start a fire. It's worth spending an extra dollar or two on something you know you can trust.

Can I use freebase nicotine in the G5 or G5 Koko?

You can, but go easy at first if you aren't used to it. Freebase hits harder on the throat at the same strength, so most vapers find 3 mg or 6 mg more comfortable than the 20 mg/mL max that Health Canada caps nicotine e-liquids at.

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