Here's what I wish someone told me when I first picked up a NEXA device: the two-piece design looks confusing, but it's actually simpler than most disposables once you know the three-step setup. This is the complete guide on how to use NEXA vape — covering initial setup, daily use by device (Ultra II, PIX, Flex, Pro), mode switching, screen reading, charging, and every troubleshooting scenario you're likely to hit — including the dreaded blinking lights and E4 error code.
Initial Setup (All NEXA Devices)
Every NEXA device ships with the e-liquid pod separated from the battery unit. This is intentional — the Juicy Lock system keeps the wick dry until first use. Here's how to get started:
- Unbox and remove all protective stickers — there's a thin cardboard strip or sticker between the pod and battery. Peel it off completely.
- Remove the mouthpiece plug — pull out the red rubber stopper from the top.
- Snap the pod onto the battery — press the two halves together firmly until you hear/feel a click. The Crystal Tank should sit flush with the battery housing. This activates the Juicy Lock seal and begins saturating the wick.
- Wait 5–10 minutes — let the e-liquid fully saturate the cotton wick before taking your first puff. Skipping this step risks a dry hit that can taste burnt.
- Charge before first use (recommended) — plug in via USB-C until the screen shows a full battery. First charge takes 60–80 minutes for Ultra II, 40–60 minutes for PIX.
- Inhale — the device is draw-activated. No button press needed to fire. The screen will light up showing battery level and mode.
How to Use NEXA Vape
Once the initial setup is done, daily use across all NEXA devices follows the same core pattern: inhale to activate, check the screen, charge when low. Below is a device-by-device walkthrough covering the nuances that trip up first-time users.
NEXA Ultra II 50K — Daily Use
- Inhale through the mouthpiece — the Ultra II is fully draw-activated with no fire button. The 3D curved screen lights up on each puff showing battery % and mode.
- Choose your mode before you start:
- Normal mode (default): Lower wattage, cooler vapor, full 50,000 puff lifespan. Best for menthol and ice flavors where you want crisp top notes.
- Turbo mode: Higher wattage, denser clouds, ~30,000 puffs. Better for sweet fruit and dessert flavors that benefit from warmth. Switch with 3 quick button presses.
- Set your airflow: Slide the bottom lever to dial in your draw. All the way left = tight MTL (cigarette-like), all the way right = loose restricted DTL (airier, more vapor). Most users land somewhere in the middle.
- Monitor e-liquid: Glance at the Crystal Tank — the transparent window shows your exact juice level. When the liquid drops below the bottom graduation mark, you're running on the 4mL cotton reserve. Flavor will gradually thin out from here.
- Charge when the screen shows <20% — or whenever the light blinks red. Plug in any USB-C cable. You can keep vaping while it charges (pass-through).
NEXA PIX 35K — Daily Use
The PIX operates almost identically to the Ultra II, with two differences worth noting:
- Coil runs slightly cooler (1.0Ω vs 0.9Ω): You don't need to change anything — just know that mint, citrus, and coffee flavors (like Velvet Latte and Citrus Rush) tend to taste cleaner on the PIX than on the Ultra II. This is by design.
- Smaller battery (800mAh): Expect to charge slightly more often with heavy use. The per-session difference is minor because the higher-resistance coil draws less power per puff.
Everything else — draw activation, mode switching, airflow slider, Crystal Tank monitoring — works exactly the same as the Ultra II.
NEXA Flex 35K — Daily Use
The Flex adds one layer of complexity: pod management.
- Inhale to vape — same draw-activation as Ultra II and PIX.
- Switch modes — 3 quick button presses toggles Normal/Turbo (same as other devices).
- Adjust cooling (Coolness Edition only): Turn the cooling dial on the side to set menthol intensity on a 4-level scale — independent of the flavor itself. Level 1 = barely any cool, Level 4 = maximum ice. This dial only affects the cooling sensation, not the base flavor.
- When the pod is empty: Pull the pod straight up (magnetic release), snap in a new pre-filled pod, wait 2–3 minutes for wick saturation, and resume. The battery auto-detects the new pod. Full pod replacement details in our NEXA Refill Guide.
- Battery lasts longer: The 1200mAh battery is the largest in the NEXA lineup. Charge cycles are less frequent even with heavy use.
NEXA Pro 30K — Daily Use
- Inhale to activate — draw-activated like all NEXA devices.
- Quad mesh coil: The Pro uses a quad mesh coil (vs dual mesh on Ultra II/PIX), producing the densest vapor in the NEXA lineup. Turbo mode on the Pro is noticeably cloudier than Turbo on any other NEXA device.
- 3.2" HD display: The largest screen in the lineup shows battery %, mode, and puff count. The extra screen real estate makes it easier to read at a glance.
- Not pod-swappable: Like the Ultra II and PIX, the Pro is a single-use device. When the e-liquid runs out, replace the entire unit.
Tips for All Devices
- Don't chain-vape aggressively. Taking 10+ rapid draws back-to-back overheats the coil and degrades flavor. Pause 15–20 seconds between puffs for best flavor consistency.
- Store upright when possible. Standing the device up keeps e-liquid in contact with the wick and reduces the chance of air bubbles causing dry hits.
- Avoid extreme temperatures. Don't leave your NEXA in a hot car (the e-liquid thins and may leak) or in freezing conditions (the battery output drops and the e-liquid thickens).
- Normal mode first, Turbo when you want it. Start every new device in Normal mode. After a few hours, try Turbo on the same flavor to see which you prefer. Some flavors genuinely taste better at one wattage — check our Flavors Guide for per-flavor recommendations.
- Keep the airflow holes clear. Pocket lint and debris can clog the bottom slider. If your draw suddenly feels restricted, check for blockage before assuming the device is broken.
Controls & Screen Guide
Button Functions
| Action | How To |
|---|---|
| Switch Normal ↔ Turbo | 3 quick presses of the side button |
| Toggle Light/Dark Mode | Long press (3 seconds) — disables animated LED effects |
| Adjust Airflow | Slide the bottom lever — left for tight MTL, right for loose RDTL |
| Charge | Plug USB-C into the bottom port |
Screen Indicators
| Display | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Battery % (center) | Current battery charge level |
| "NORM" (below %) | Normal mode active — max puffs, lower wattage |
| "TURBO" (above %) | Turbo mode active — denser vapor, reduced puff count |
| Pulsing animation | Device is charging |
| Solid 100% | Fully charged |
Charging Guide
| Device | Battery | Full Charge Time | Pass-Through? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra II 50K | 900mAh | 60–80 min | ✅ Yes |
| PIX 35K | 800mAh | 40–60 min | ✅ Yes |
| Flex 35K | 1200mAh | 80–100 min | ✅ Yes |
| Pro 30K | 800mAh | 40–60 min | ✅ Yes |
Pro tip: A one-minute emergency charge yields approximately 100+ puffs on both the Ultra II and PIX. Useful when you're about to leave the house and the battery's dead.
Charging best practices: Use the included USB-C cable or a standard phone charger (5V/1A or 5V/2A). Avoid high-wattage laptop chargers or fast-charge adapters rated above 5V — they can deliver excessive voltage. Never charge on soft surfaces that trap heat (beds, couches).
Troubleshooting
Blinking Lights
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red blinking | Low battery | Charge via USB-C. If it doesn't charge, try a different cable. |
| Rapid blinking (any color) | Airflow blockage or puff timeout | Clear the airflow holes. Take shorter draws (under 8 seconds). Avoid chain vaping. |
| Blinking on draw, no vapor | E-liquid depleted | Check Crystal Tank — if empty, the device is done. Replace with a new unit. |
| No light at all | Dead battery or faulty unit | Charge for 30+ minutes. If no response, contact support for replacement. |
E4 Error Code
The E4 code on NEXA devices typically indicates a coil connection issue — the battery can't detect the pod's coil resistance. This usually happens when:
- The pod isn't fully snapped into the battery (most common — push harder until you hear a click)
- The connection contacts between pod and battery are dirty (wipe with a dry cloth)
- The pod was assembled at an angle (remove, realign, and re-snap)
If the E4 persists after trying all three, the device may be defective. Contact VapesOnlineShop support for warranty replacement.
Other Common Issues
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Weak/thin vapor | Open the airflow slider. Switch to Turbo mode. Check if battery needs charging. If e-liquid is low, the device is nearing end of life. |
| Burnt taste | Did you wait 5–10 minutes after assembly? If not, the wick wasn't saturated. For an already-used device, this usually means the e-liquid is critically low — check the Crystal Tank. |
| Leaking | Rare with Juicy Lock devices. Ensure the pod is snapped in fully. Store upright. Avoid extreme temperatures. If leaking persists, the seal may be compromised — contact support. |
| Device won't charge | Try a different USB-C cable. Clean the charging port with a toothpick or compressed air. Use a standard 5V charger (not a fast-charge adapter). |
| Flavor tastes muted | Switch between Normal and Turbo to find the mode that suits the flavor. Some profiles perform better at different wattages. See our Flavors Guide for per-flavor mode recommendations. |
NEXA Flex: Pod Replacement Steps
The Flex is the only NEXA device with swappable pods. When your pod is empty:
- Pull the empty pod straight up — the magnetic connection releases cleanly
- Insert a new pre-filled pod — press down until it clicks
- Wait 2–3 minutes for wick saturation
- Resume vaping — the battery detects the new pod automatically
For more details on pod replacement and cost comparison, see our NEXA Vape Refill Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my NEXA vape blinking red?
Red blinking means the battery is low. Plug in via USB-C and charge for at least 30 minutes. If the blinking continues after charging, try a different cable. If the device still won't charge, it may be defective — contact support.
What does E4 mean on a NEXA vape?
E4 is a coil connection error. The battery can't detect the pod. Push the pod down firmly until it clicks. If the contacts are dirty, wipe them with a dry cloth. If E4 persists, the device may need replacement.
How do I switch between Normal and Turbo mode?
Press the side button 3 times quickly. The screen will update to show either "NORM" or "TURBO." Normal mode gives you the full puff count at lower wattage. Turbo mode increases vapor density but reduces total puffs by about 30–40%.
How long should I wait before the first puff?
Wait 5–10 minutes after snapping the pod into the battery. This lets the Juicy Lock seal break and e-liquid saturate the wick. Skipping this step can cause a dry, burnt-tasting first puff.
Can I use my NEXA while it's charging?
Yes. All NEXA devices support pass-through charging — you can vape while connected to USB-C. The device charges and fires simultaneously.
Related NEXA Guides
Nicotine Warning: This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical. NEXA vape products are intended for adult smokers and vapers aged 21+ only.