Vaporesso XROS 3ml Top Fill Pods Review
The 3ml top-fill XROS pod is significantly easier to use. You fill it without removing the pod from the device, there is no risk of leaking during filling, and the larger 3ml capacity means fewer refills overall. If you are switching from an older XROS generation, the upgrade is worth it.
Why This Comparison Matters
Vaporesso has been refining the XROS pod platform for years, and the shift from bottom-fill to top-fill is the most noticeable quality-of-life improvement in the lineup. Plenty of vapers are still running older XROS kits and reaching for replacement pods — and many are not sure whether their device is compatible with the newer 3ml pods, or whether it is worth caring about the fill design at all.
This guide covers exactly that: what changed, why it matters, and which pod you should be buying.
What Is the Difference Between Top-Fill and Bottom-Fill Pods?
On a bottom-fill pod, the silicone fill port is located on the underside of the pod. To refill it, you need to pull the pod out of the device, flip it upside down, locate the port, and inject your e-liquid — all while making sure the coil end stays dry.
On a top-fill pod, the fill port sits on the top of the pod, usually hidden under a sliding cover or a peel-back silicone flap. You push back the cover, drop your nozzle in, fill, and close it — without ever removing the pod from the device.
The difference sounds minor. In practice, it changes the entire refilling experience.
Vaporesso XROS Top-Fill 3ml Pod: What You Get
The current Vaporesso XROS replacement pod (3ml, top-fill) is designed for the XROS 4, XROS Mini, and XROS Pro series. Key specs:
- Capacity: 3ml (up from 2ml on older XROS pods)
- Fill design: Top-fill with sliding cover
- Coil options: 0.6ohm mesh (MTL, 11–14W) and 1.0ohm mesh (restricted MTL, 8–12W)
- Compatibility: XROS 4, XROS Mini, XROS 3, XROS Pro, XROS Cube
The 0.6ohm coil suits vapers who want a slightly airier draw with stronger flavour output. The 1.0ohm suits those coming from cigarettes who prefer a tighter, more cigarette-like pull. Both coil options are available in the same top-fill housing.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | 3ml Top-Fill Pod (Current) | Older Bottom-Fill Pod |
|---|---|---|
| Fill method | Top, without removing pod | Bottom, pod must be removed |
| Capacity | 3ml | 2ml |
| Leak risk during filling | Very low | Moderate |
| Fill speed | Fast — one hand | Slower — two hands |
| Coil options | 0.6ohm and 1.0ohm | 0.8ohm and 1.2ohm |
| Compatible devices | XROS 3 / 4 / Pro / Cube / Mini | XROS 1 / 2 / XROS Nano |
Three Reasons the Top-Fill Design Is Better
1. You never have to remove the pod to refill
With the bottom-fill design, refilling mid-session means disconnecting the pod, flipping it, finding the port (often with e-liquid residue around it), and re-seating it afterwards. The top-fill pod eliminates every one of those steps. Slide the cover, fill, close. Done in under ten seconds.
2. Less chance of flooding the coil
When you fill a bottom-fill pod incorrectly — nozzle at the wrong angle, overfilling, air bubble trapped — e-liquid can find its way into the central airflow chimney and flood the coil. Top-fill pods are designed so the fill channel is physically separated from the airflow path, which makes flooding far less likely.
3. Larger capacity means fewer refills
The jump from 2ml to 3ml might not sound dramatic, but for a 50% increase in capacity it means one fewer refill per day for most vapers. If you are using a 120ml shortfill, that extra capacity also means each bottle stretches further in real-world use.
Are Older XROS Pods Still Worth Using?
If you are on a first or second generation XROS device, you may not have a choice — the older bottom-fill pods are what the device accepts. In that case, the bottom-fill pod is still a solid performer. The coil quality from Vaporesso is consistent across generations, and the CCELL and mesh coils in the older pods still produce clean flavour.
The practical advice: if your device supports the newer top-fill pods, make the switch when your current pods run out. If you are on an original XROS or XROS Nano, the pods are what they are — and they still work well.
Which XROS Pod Should You Buy?
Buy the 3ml top-fill pod if: You have an XROS 3, XROS 4, XROS Pro, XROS Mini, or XROS Cube. Choose the 0.6ohm coil for more flavour, or the 1.0ohm if you prefer a tighter, more cigarette-like draw.
Stick with the older bottom-fill pod if: You are using an original XROS or XROS 2 and have no plans to upgrade the device. The pod is device-specific, so compatibility comes first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are XROS 3 and XROS 4 pods the same? Yes. The 3ml top-fill pod is cross-compatible between the XROS 3, XROS 4, XROS Pro, and XROS Mini platforms. You can use the same pod across multiple devices in the XROS lineup.
How long does an XROS replacement pod coil last? With regular use, expect 7 to 14 days from each pod before the coil starts to degrade — you will notice a burnt or muted flavour when it is time to change. Sweeter e-liquids with higher VG content tend to burn coils faster.
Can I use nic salts in XROS pods? Yes. XROS pods are designed for nic salt e-liquids — the lower wattage and tighter draw makes salt nic at 20mg or 50mg the ideal pairing. Freebase e-liquids work too, but the pod's MTL airflow suits salt nic best.
How do I fill the top-fill XROS pod without spilling? Slide the top cover towards the hinge side until the fill port is fully exposed. Hold the device upright, angle your e-liquid bottle nozzle into the port at 45 degrees, and fill slowly until the liquid is just below the indicator line. Close the cover immediately. Wait 5 minutes before vaping to allow the coil to saturate.
Final Verdict
The Vaporesso XROS 3ml top-fill replacement pod is a clear improvement over the older bottom-fill design — easier to refill, less prone to flooding, and larger capacity. If your device supports it, there is no reason to go back. If you are still on a first-generation XROS, it may be time to consider upgrading the kit rather than just the pods.