Overview
Our RELX Artisan review in one line: the Artisan is a RELX Pod Pro device dressed in real leather, and you’re paying for the finish rather than for extra features. Inside, it’s a simple draw-activated, mouth-to-lung pod system with a USB Type-C battery and sealed Pod Pro cartridges. At Vape Store Web the Artisan kit costs AED 260, against AED 140 for the more feature-rich Infinity 2. This review is based on RELX’s published specifications and our product listing; below we cover the design, battery, pods and draw, a pros and cons table, and who the Artisan makes sense for. For adults aged 18 and over only.
In this review
What is the RELX Artisan?
The RELX Artisan is a closed-pod vape device from RELX’s premium line. It takes sealed, pre-filled RELX Pod Pro cartridges, so there’s no refilling and no coil to change: you click in a pod, inhale, and swap the pod when it runs out. RELX lists it as compatible with RELX Pod Pro and RELX Pod flavours (RELX Artisan product page).
Functionally, it sits alongside the Infinity and Infinity Plus: draw-activated firing with no button to press, a single power setting and a tight mouth-to-lung draw that feels close to a cigarette. What sets it apart is the outer shell, which is wrapped in leather and available in several patterns and colours.
That makes the Artisan a style choice more than a technical upgrade. If you want power modes and faster charging, the RELX Infinity 2 offers more for less money. If you want a pod device that looks and feels like a premium accessory, the Artisan is RELX’s answer.
It’s worth knowing that RELX has updated the Artisan over time. The kit we stock lists a 380 mAh battery, while RELX’s current global product page shows a newer version with a 440 mAh battery. Check the box specs of any Artisan you buy.
Design and leather finish
The leather finish is the Artisan’s whole reason to exist. RELX describes it as European leather over a metal and premium plastic frame, and offers a range of colours and patterns, from plain black and saddle brown to denim-style and striped finishes. It feels warmer in the hand than an aluminium device and doesn’t show fingerprints.
The shape follows the familiar slim RELX stick, so it slips into a pocket easily. The pod sits at the top and is held by magnets, and the device has no buttons to press for normal use.
Leather does need a little care. Keep it away from water and heat, and wipe it with a dry cloth rather than cleaning sprays. In a UAE summer, don’t leave it on a car dashboard; heat can damage the leather and the battery, and thin the e-liquid in the pod.
RELX also highlights an “11-layer” internal structure designed to reduce leaks. As with all sealed-pod devices, leak resistance is generally good because the pods are sealed at the factory, but storing the device upright and away from heat still helps.
Battery and charging
The Artisan kit we stock lists a 380 mAh internal battery with USB Type-C charging and a full charge in about 45 minutes. That’s the same capacity as the Infinity and Infinity Plus, and a little less than the 440 mAh Infinity 2.
In daily use, a 380 mAh battery typically lasts most of a day for a light-to-moderate vaper. Heavier users will want a mid-day top-up. Because charging takes around 45 minutes, a quick 10–15 minute top-up is enough to get through the evening.
There’s a single power setting, so battery life is predictable: you won’t drain it faster by using a boost mode, but you also can’t stretch it with an eco mode. RELX’s current page lists an 8 W output for the newer version.
If long battery life is your priority, the Infinity 2’s larger battery, faster charging and eco mode make it the better choice. If you mainly vape at home or in the office, where a charger is always nearby, the Artisan’s battery is perfectly adequate.
Pods, draw and flavour
The Artisan uses RELX Pod Pro cartridges: about 1.9 ml of pre-filled e-liquid with a ceramic coil. Ceramic coils give clean, consistent flavour, and because each pod has its own coil, flavour doesn’t slowly degrade the way it can with a refillable pod.
The draw is fixed and tight, a classic mouth-to-lung (MTL) feel. It’s designed for salt-nicotine pods and small, discreet clouds. There’s no adjustable airflow, so if you prefer a looser draw, this isn’t the right device.
Pod Pro is sold in packs of two at Vape Store Web (RELX Pod Pro, AED 50). Pod Pro 2 is the pod made for the Infinity 2, so stick with Pod Pro for the Artisan. Our RELX pod compatibility guide explains the difference.
Check the nicotine strength of each flavour on its product page. The UAE’s standard for electronic nicotine products caps e-liquid at 20 mg/ml (Tobacco Control Laws).
RELX Artisan vs Infinity 2 and Essential
No RELX Artisan review is complete without context. The table shows where the Artisan sits in the RELX range. The key trade-off is clear: the Artisan costs the most, the Infinity 2 has the most features, and the Essential is the budget option.
| Feature | Artisan | Infinity 2 | Essential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finish | Leather | Aluminium alloy | Plastic/metal |
| Battery | 380 mAh (our kit) | 440 mAh | 350 mAh |
| Power modes | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Pods | Pod Pro | Pod Pro 2 | Pod Pro |
| Price (AED) | 260 | 140 | 94 |
Prices at Vape Store Web, September 2026. For a fuller comparison of the Infinity family, see our RELX Infinity vs Infinity Plus vs Infinity 2 guide.
Pros and cons
To wrap up this RELX Artisan review, here’s how the device comes out once you weigh its features and price against the rest of the range.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Distinctive leather finish in several styles | Highest price in the RELX pod range |
| Simple, draw-activated operation | No power modes |
| Sealed Pod Pro cartridges, no refilling | Slower charging than the Infinity 2 |
| Warm, fingerprint-free feel in the hand | Leather needs care in UAE heat |
RELX Artisan review verdict
The RELX Artisan is the right pick if you want a RELX pod device that looks and feels like a premium accessory, and you’re happy to pay extra for that. It does everything a basic RELX pod device does, reliably and simply, inside a leather shell that stands out.
If you care more about features than finish, the RELX Infinity 2 gives you a bigger battery, faster charging and three power modes for about half the price. If budget matters most, the RELX Essential does the job for AED 94.
Buy the RELX Artisan kit for AED 260, with delivery within 2 hours in Dubai (depending on traffic) and 24 hours across the other emirates. See every model on our RELX brand page.
Which pods does the RELX Artisan use?
RELX Pod Pro, according to RELX. Pod Pro 2 is designed for the Infinity 2.
How long does the RELX Artisan take to charge?
About 45 minutes for a full charge over USB Type-C, based on the kit we stock.
Is the RELX Artisan worth the extra money?
Only if the leather finish matters to you. On features alone, the Infinity 2 offers more for less.
How do I care for the leather?
See every in-stock RELX model compared in our RELX Full Range Guide.
Wipe it with a dry cloth, keep it away from water and don’t leave it in the sun or a hot car.