What Is RELX Super Smooth Technology?
Ever wondered why two pod systems can feel so different? One draws tight and whistles. Another feels warm and harsh on the throat. A third gives a thick cloud on the first puff and very little by the tenth. These differences come from engineering choices: how air moves through the device, how heating is controlled, and how the liquid stays where it belongs.
RELX groups its approach to these problems under one name, Super Smooth™. It isn’t a single part. It’s a performance standard that covers airflow, heating, activation speed, sound, and vapor consistency, and it applies across the RELX device range in slightly different ways depending on the model.
One thing to understand early is that the device and the pod do different jobs. The device holds the battery and senses when you inhale. The pod holds the e-liquid and the atomizer that turns it into vapor. Super Smooth performance depends on both working together, so a fresh, compatible pod matters as much as the device.
How Does RELX Super Smooth Technology Work?
When you take a draw, the device senses the inhale, and the battery sends power to the atomizer inside the pod. The atomizer heats the e-liquid until it forms an aerosol, and your airflow carries that aerosol up the airway to the mouthpiece.
Every stage affects the feel of the puff. The shape of the airway decides how much effort it takes to pull air through. The power reaching the atomizer affects vapor temperature and volume. The pod’s internal structure decides whether liquid and condensation stay put or end up in the airway.
According to RELX, Super Smooth™ was developed by more than 100 R&D scientists at the RELX Lab, who ran 76 sensory tests and adjustments and boiled smoothness down to five performance indicators. Two named technologies sit behind those indicators, Air Boost Airway Design and Active-Steam Pro, while a leak-resistant maze in the pod handles the liquid side.
So Super Smooth is not just another name for a coil. It’s a set of design targets. And like any design target, it depends on conditions. A pod that’s nearly empty, damaged or badly stored won’t perform like a fresh one.
The Five Performance Indicators Behind RELX Super Smooth
RELX publishes five benchmark figures. These come from the manufacturer’s own testing, and the official Super Smooth page doesn’t list full test conditions, so treat them as design benchmarks rather than independently verified lab results.
1. Vapor Temperature: Below 55°C
Vapor temperature has a lot to do with how harsh a puff feels. Too much heat and the aerosol can feel sharp on the throat. RELX lists vapor temperature below 55°C under the heading of comfortable temperature.
This is a product comfort benchmark, not a health or safety threshold. How harsh a puff feels also depends on the liquid, nicotine strength, pod condition and personal sensitivity.
2. Draw Resistance: ±0.4 kPa Tolerance
Draw resistance is the pressure difference you create when pulling air through the device. In plain terms, it’s how tight or loose the draw feels. RELX lists a ±0.4 kPa tolerance under optimized draw resistance.
A tolerance tells you how far the measurement may vary from a target value. RELX doesn’t publish the target itself, so this figure is really about consistency: a draw that feels the same from unit to unit, not a measure of how open it is.
3. Activation: About 0.2 Seconds
RELX devices are draw-activated, with no button to press. The sensor detects the inhale and switches on the atomizer. RELX’s figure for this is roughly 0.2 seconds to activate the atomizer.
Activation time isn’t quite the same as the time it takes to produce full vapor. The figure describes how quickly the system responds, and it can vary between models.
4. Inhalation Sound: Below 10 dB
Loud airflow usually comes from turbulence, when air is forced through tight or uneven channels. RELX states an inhalation sound below 10 dB. That’s very quiet, but RELX doesn’t say how or from what distance it was measured, so “quiet” is a fairer description than “silent.”
5. Vapor Output: 6–7.5 mg Per Puff
Vapor output is usually measured by weighing the aerosol produced per puff under controlled conditions. RELX’s figure is a total puff weight of 6 to 7.5 mg.
A narrow range means each puff delivers a similar amount of vapor. It says nothing about safety. Low liquid, a worn pod or a weak battery can still push output outside that range.
The Core Technologies Behind RELX Super Smooth
Air Boost Airway Design
Airflow is where much of a pod system’s character comes from, and our guide to how RELX airflow changes the drawing experience covers it in more detail. RELX describes Air Boost as an aerodynamic design that creates negative pressure to push vapor upward from the atomizer.
What this means in practice: the airway is shaped to move vapor efficiently toward the mouthpiece, which helps keep draw resistance consistent and supports a fuller vapor volume. RELX hasn’t published airway dimensions, so anything more specific would be guesswork.
Active-Steam Pro
Active-Steam Pro is the heating side. RELX says it delivers consistent vapor volume and quality by actively balancing and controlling both atomizing power and temperature.
The basic principle is simple. More power means more heat and more vapor, up to the point where the puff turns harsh or the liquid can’t keep up. Keeping power and temperature in balance is what helps each puff feel similar from start to finish. RELX hasn’t released details on the control electronics, so it’s best not to assume more than that.
The Leak-Resistant Maze
The third piece is liquid management. RELX’s own comparison table lists a leak-resistance maze on both the Essential and Artisan devices. The idea is to give liquid and condensation a winding path, making it harder for them to escape into the airway or onto the contacts.
Two different things often get confused here. Condensation forms when warm aerosol cools and settles inside the airway or around the mouthpiece. That’s normal. Actual leakage is e-liquid escaping from the reservoir. Small bubbles inside the pod are another common worry, and we’ve explained whether air bubbles in RELX pods are normal separately.
Some retailers describe the maze as “11-layer,” but RELX’s main Super Smooth page doesn’t give a layer count. Either way, leak-resistant means fewer leaks, not zero leaks.
How the Three Work Together
Each technology covers a different part of the puff. Air Boost shapes how air and vapor move. Active-Steam Pro manages heat and output. The maze keeps liquid where it belongs. Remove any one and the others can’t fully make up for it. That’s why RELX calls Super Smooth a standard rather than a single feature.
Which Super Smooth Components Are Inside the RELX Pod?
The device supplies power, detects your draw and, on some models, adds features such as battery indicators or vibration alerts. The pod holds the e-liquid and the atomizer, which is where heating takes place.
That split explains why pods matter so much. RELX says its Pod Pro is designed for the Essential and Infinity devices, pairing Super Smooth™ technology with a leak-resistant pod design. On RELX’s comparison table, both Essential and Artisan are listed as compatible with RELX Pod Pro and RELX Pod Pro 2, with a pod capacity of 1.9 mL.
Compatibility can still vary by device generation and region. Check the official compatibility list for your exact model before assuming a pod supports every Super Smooth feature.
How Super Smooth Addresses Common Pod Issues
Super Smooth is designed to reduce common pod problems, not eliminate them. Here’s how the design relates to the issues users report most:
| Common issue | Relevant design factor | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Draw feels too tight | Airway geometry and draw resistance | Feel varies by model and pod |
| Puff feels hot or harsh | Heating control and power delivery | Liquid and personal sensitivity matter too |
| Gurgling or condensation | Pod and airway design | Some condensation will still build up |
| Liquid around the contacts | Leak-resistant maze, pod condition | Leaks can’t be ruled out entirely |
| Inconsistent output | Power, liquid supply, pod condition | Low liquid affects performance |
| Burnt taste | Heating control and liquid supply | A dry or damaged pod can still taste burnt |
If you hear crackling or bubbling, our guide to RELX gurgling sound causes and quick fixes walks through the usual reasons. Getting droplets in your mouth is a related problem, and this fix for a RELX pod spitting liquid explains what usually causes it.
Why Can a RELX Pod Still Leak or Taste Burnt?
Even a well-designed pod can have problems. Pressure changes, heat, a cracked shell, rough handling or a pod near the end of its life can all lead to leaks. A burnt taste usually means the atomizer isn’t getting enough liquid, which is common when a pod is almost empty.
For step-by-step help, see why your RELX pod is leaking. If a device keeps malfunctioning or is visibly damaged, stop using it and contact the manufacturer’s support service.
What Makes RELX Essential Super Smooth Different?
The RELX Essential is the compact, entry-level device in the family. When RELX launched it, the company said the Essential gives users key elements of the Infinity’s design at a more accessible price, and RELX describes both devices as Super Smooth™.
On RELX’s comparison page, the original Essential is listed with a 350 mAh battery, a weight of 17 g, USB-C charging and symmetrical pods. For the Essential 2, retailers such as RELX Dubai listings give a 380 mAh battery with USB-C fast charging that reaches about 80% in 30 minutes.
| Feature | RELX Essential | RELX Essential 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 350 mAh (RELX) | 380 mAh (retailer listings) |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C fast charging |
| Super Smooth™ | Yes, per RELX | Check your regional listing |
| Pod compatibility | RELX Pod Pro, RELX Pod | Check the official list |
Shared branding doesn’t mean identical specifications, so confirm details for the version sold in your market.
RELX Devices With Super Smooth Technology
Super Smooth branding and specifications vary across RELX generations and regions. Here’s what can be said with confidence about each line.
RELX Infinity
The RELX Infinity launched alongside the Essential as one of the first Super Smooth devices. RELX says the Infinity design went through more than 40 rounds of optimization, and over 12,000 pods were tested for leak resistance. It also won a Red Dot Award for product design in March 2020, and the Red Dot jury notes that it can be charged wirelessly by placing it in its accompanying case.
RELX Infinity Plus
The RELX Infinity Plus is a later generation of the Infinity line. Names differ by region, and you may see versions sold under other names in some markets. Check the battery, indicator and pod specs on the listing for the exact model you’re buying rather than assuming they match the original Infinity.
RELX Infinity 2 and Infinity 2 Plus
The RELX Infinity 2 series is the newer generation of the line, and RELX’s global store currently lists the Infinity 2 Plus as a Super Smooth device. Controls, power modes and compatible pods can differ from earlier Infinity models, so check the official product page. If a model offers more than one power setting, remember that the published Super Smooth figures may not apply equally in every mode.
RELX Artisan
The RELX Artisan is the premium option. RELX lists premium leather alongside Super Smooth™ performance, SmartPace vibration alerts, fast charging, a battery indicator, a 380 mAh battery, and a weight of 36.3 g. The leather and finish are cosmetic. The internal performance standard is the same Super Smooth approach.
Creator Pro and MAXGO
RELX now sells newer lines such as the Creator Pro device and MAXGO Ultra kit. These are different product families, so don’t assume they use the same pods or the same Super Smooth architecture as the Infinity or Essential. Check each product’s own specifications.
How to Compare RELX Devices
When comparing models, look at the exact model name and generation, battery capacity, charging, controls, indicators, compatible pods, and whether Super Smooth™ is listed for that specific product in your region. Being a RELX product doesn’t automatically mean it carries every Super Smooth feature.
How to Get More Consistent Performance From a RELX Pod
A few habits go a long way:
- Use only pods listed as compatible with your exact device.
- Check pods for cracks or damage before inserting them.
- Wipe condensation from the pod and device contacts regularly.
- Don’t squeeze the pod or mouthpiece.
- Replace pods when the liquid runs low instead of pushing them to empty.
- Keep the device away from water and high heat, including a hot car.
Our list of simple maintenance tricks every RELX user should know covers daily care, and you can also learn how to clean your RELX device properly. These steps help you catch common problems early, but they can’t prevent every fault. If issues continue, contact official support.
Is RELX Super Smooth Technology Worth Understanding?
Yes, if you want to know what you’re actually buying. Super Smooth sets clear design goals: a comfortable temperature, a consistent draw, fast activation, quiet operation, and steady vapor output. Knowing that the pod and device share the work helps explain why a fresh, compatible pod matters so much.
Keep the numbers in context, though. Benchmark figures describe how a product feels and performs. They aren’t evidence of reduced health risk, and a smoother puff doesn’t make vaping safe. For balanced health information, the World Health Organization’s e-cigarette Q&A is a good place to start.
Before relying on any technology claim, check the exact device generation and the compatible pod listed for your region.
Frequently Asked Questions About RELX Super Smooth Technology
What is RELX Super Smooth technology?
It’s RELX’s performance standard for airflow, heating, activation, sound, and vapor consistency, supported by Air Boost Airway Design, Active-Steam Pro, and a leak-resistant pod design.
How does RELX Super Smooth work?
The device detects your draw and powers the atomizer in the pod. Air Boost moves the vapor upward, Active-Steam Pro balances power and temperature, and the maze structure helps keep liquid in place.
Which Super Smooth components are inside the pod?
The pod holds the e-liquid, the atomizer, and the leak-resistant structure. The device provides the battery, sensor, and any extra features such as indicators.
Does Super Smooth prevent pod leaks?
It reduces the risk but can’t guarantee a leak-free pod. Damage, heat, pressure changes, and handling can still cause leaks.
Does RELX Essential 2 have Super Smooth technology?
Check the official listing for your region. Specifications and branding can differ between markets.
What’s the difference between RELX Essential and Essential 2?
RELX lists the original Essential at 350 mAh. Retailers list the Essential 2 at 380 mAh with USB-C fast charging. Confirm other differences on the official product page.
Can Super Smooth prevent burnt taste?
Not entirely. Balanced heating helps, but a pod that’s nearly empty or damaged can still taste burnt.
Are all RELX devices equipped with Super Smooth?
No. Branding and specifications vary by model, generation, and market, so check each product individually.
Does smoother vapor mean a RELX device is safer?
No. Smoothness describes how a puff feels, not its safety. Nicotine is addictive, and e-cigarette aerosols can contain harmful substances. See independent public-health sources such as the WHO for more.
