Best Vape Starter Kits for 2026 (UK)
Choosing your first kit is one of the most important decisions you can make as a new vaper. If it’s too difficult to use, or not satisfying enough, you might well find yourself turning to smoking to get your nicotine hit.
Luckily, there are plenty of kits specifically designed to cater to new, less experienced vapers who want a straightforward introduction to vaping. This list identifies the best of the best.
We don’t just add a kit here because it is new, though. After all, just because a kit is new doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better than an older kit. At the same time, just because it’s not brand new doesn’t mean it’s not a great kit. So you’ll still see some steady favourites here, but you’ll also find some impressive new devices.
Ready to buy? Shop all vape starter kits featured in this guide.
Contents
- Top picks
- Best starter kits in depth
- Best starter kits at a glance
- How we select these kits
- Related guides
Top Picks
Solid metal build | Excellent battery life | Pocket-friendly design
Best for: Beginners who want long-lasting simplicity.
Read more below
Big 10ml capacity | Satisfying hit | Punchy flavour
Best for: New vapers who want days of use before changing pods
Read more below
Best starter kits in depth
Vaporesso Xros 5 Mini: Best for reliability and battery life
Reviewed by: Lloyd, ECD Team
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What’s to like: ✔️ Compact, sturdy metal build ✔️ Familiar, easy-to-use pod system ✔️ Bigger 1500mAh battery for longer life ✔️ Richer flavour with the new 0.6ohm Corex 3.0 pod |
Worth noting: ● Side charging port makes vaping while charging awkward ● Battery lights aren’t as clear in bright sunlight |
At first glance, the Xros 5 Mini looks much like the 4 Mini - same compact form factor, same classic Xros pod system, same straightforward ease of use. But the big difference here is under the hood.
The battery has jumped from 1000mAh to 1500mAh, giving around 50% more capacity. In practice, that meant close to two full workdays on a single charge, and it also makes the 5 Mini better suited to the thirstier 0.4ohm pods, which the previous version sometimes struggled with.
The pod itself is the familiar Xros design, simple to fill and swap. Paired with the newer 0.6ohm Corex 3.0 pod, I found that flavour was a clear step up from the 2.0 version, with more coil exposed to absorb liquid and keep up with longer draws.
There are a couple of small design changes too. The airflow control and charging port have both moved to the side. Some may prefer this, but I actually liked the older setup - it was easier to vape while charging, and I now sometimes block the airflow with my thumb. The battery lights are also less visible outdoors, though they do stay lit for longer.
Overall, the Xros 5 Mini feels like a refined update with one major improvement: the bigger battery. For new vapers, that extended life combined with its ease of use makes it an excellent starter kit. Between the two new models, I’d call the Mini the better choice for beginners, while the full Xros 5 is more feature-focused.
You’ll love this if: You want a compact, no-fuss refillable pod kit with strong flavour and a battery that comfortably lasts all day.
Alternatives: Choose the Oxva Xlim Pro 3 if you want a bit more control and a colour screen without losing ease of use, or the Vaporesso Xros 5 for a similar feel with extra features.
Dojo Blast 10K: Best for puff count
Reviewed by: Helen, ECD Team
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What we like: ✔️ Long-lasting battery ✔️ Large e-liquid capacity ✔️ Strong flavour |
What we don’t like: ● Pods are not transparent |
When I first picked up the Dojo Blast 10K, my immediate thought was: “wow, that’s big.” It’s not the most discreet starter kit around. That said, the rounded edges make it surprisingly comfortable to hold, and the slick finish means it doesn’t feel clunky in your pocket.
The size comes with a benefit. The Dojo holds a massive 10ml of e-liquid - the same as five standard prefilled pods. That meant I could vape for several days before needing to swap out a pod, just topping up the 1000mAh battery when needed. I would have liked a bit more capacity in a device this large, but even so, it comfortably lasted me a full day on a single charge.
Flavour was good throughout, with a vape that felt lighter and airier than I expected from such a chunky device. It still delivered a decent hit, and the Double Apple flavour I tried had a nice balance of sweetness and bite. The only letdown was the mouthpiece, which I didn’t find as comfortable as my usual Xros pods.
As a prefilled pod kit, it’s about as easy as vaping gets. The only bit of faff is removing the enormous red rubber bung before first use - it looks a bit like a space rocket - but it does pop out easily.
You’ll love this if: You want disposable-style convenience with days of use before changing anything, plus a light, airy draw and punchy flavour.
Alternatives: Choose the Lost Mary BM6000 for a smaller, more compact device.
Innokin Adept Zlide: Robust, superb battery life
Reviewed by: James, ECD Team
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What we like: ✔️ Massive 3000mAh battery ✔️ Rugged, water and dust resistant build ✔️ Automatic wattage selection makes it beginner-friendly ✔️ Consistent, flavourful vape |
What we don’t like: ● Larger and heavier than most starter kits |
The Adept Zlide isn’t built for subtlety. With its solid body and rugged feel, it’s clearly designed for vapers who value durability above a slim, pocket-friendly design.
That said, the Adept feels great in the hand. The rounded edges make it comfortable to hold, and the solid metal body looks and feels tough enough to survive a few drops – which is good news for clumsy vapers like me.
Setup takes a little more effort than a simple pod kit. You’ll need to prime and insert the coil, fill the tank and give the liquid a few minutes to soak in. The upside is that refillable tanks with replaceable coils tend to be both more economical and more eco-friendly than fixed coil pods. Once it’s ready, the intelligent wattage selection takes the hard work out of vaping by choosing the right power for your coil.
The Zlide tank has a smooth slide-to-fill design and delivers robust, reliable flavour. The vape itself is on the lighter, airier side, and I didn’t find the mouthpiece quite as comfortable as some pod kits.
Battery life is where this device really wins. With a 3000mAh battery, it comfortably lasted me a couple of days before I needed to recharge. For anyone who hates running out of power halfway through the day, that’s a huge advantage.
You’ll love this if: You want a tough, dependable kit with massive battery life and you’re happy to do a bit of classic tank setup for a more economical vape.
Alternatives: Choose the Innokin Endura T18II for a simpler pen-style setup, or the Innokin Endura T22 Pro for an even more cigarette-style draw and throat hit.
Oxva Xlim Pro 3: Refined design with standout flavour
Reviewed by: Ben, ECD Team
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What we like: ✔️ Stylish, compact design that feels high quality ✔️ Clear, easy-to-read colour display ✔️ Strong, vibrant flavour ✔️ Solid build with fast charging |
What we don’t like: ● Menthol flavours can feel slightly harsh ● Narrow mouthpiece won’t suit everyone |
The Xlim Pro 3 is a compact device, but it has a reassuring weight that makes it feel premium rather than flimsy. It sits comfortably in the hand and doesn’t feel like something that’s been built down to a price.
The colour display is clear and intuitive, showing everything I need at a glance. In day-to-day use, I found it practical rather than distracting, which isn’t always the case with colour screens on pod kits.
Flavour performance is excellent. I got consistently vibrant flavour from the coils throughout testing, particularly with sweeter e-liquids. With menthol flavours, the vape felt a little harsher than some rival devices, which is worth noting if you prefer cooler profiles.
The 1500mAh battery comfortably lasted me through a day of regular use, and fast charging made it easy to top up when needed. While some competitors now offer larger batteries in similarly sized devices, I still found battery performance solid in everyday use.
The main downside for me is the pod design. The mouthpiece is on the narrow side, which I found slightly awkward, and refilling can feel a bit fiddly at times.
Overall, though, I found the Xlim Pro 3 to be a very good refillable pod kit. It looks great, feels well built, and delivers strong, consistent flavour. While it isn’t perfect for my personal preferences, the overall experience is a positive one, and I can easily see why it’s becoming so popular.
You’ll love this if: You want a compact pod kit with a premium feel and strong flavour performance.
Alternatives: Look at the Vaporesso Xros Pro 2 if you’d like an even better battery life.
Elfbar 600 Kit: Simple, familiar, reusable
Reviewed by: Helen, ECD Team
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What we like: ✔️ Slim, simple design that’s easy to set up ✔️ Strong, reliable flavour ✔️ Pods click in easily — good for dexterity issues |
What we don’t like: ● Pods are only 2ml ● Draw is quite airy |
If you’ve ever used an Elf Bar disposable, this kit will feel instantly familiar. The 600 prefilled pod kit has the same slim, sleek design, but this time it’s rechargeable and works with prefilled 2ml pods.
Flavour is strong and consistent, living up to Elf Bar’s reputation. Each pod lasts as long as the liquid inside, and they click easily into place, which makes the device very straightforward to use. It’s a handy option if you don’t want the faff of refilling or if you find smaller devices tricky to handle.
Battery life is decent for the size and comfortably lasts through a pod. You’ll need to recharge regularly if you’re a heavier vaper, though. A small LED light lets you know when it’s running low, but the meaning of the flashes isn’t explained in the box.
There are a couple of trade-offs. The draw is on the airy side, which won’t suit everyone. The 2ml pods are also less economical than a refillable kit, and since no charging cable is included, you’ll need to use one you already have.
You’ll love this if: You want the easiest possible setup with strong, familiar flavour and pods that simply click in, no refilling required.
Alternatives: Choose the Lost Mary BM6000 for longer-lasting refills, or the Dojo Blast 10K if you want much more capacity between pod changes.
Innokin Endura T18II: Classic pen style
Reviewed by: James, ECD Team
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What we like: ✔️ Easy to use ✔️ Adjustable airflow and heat ✔️ Excellent performance |
What we don’t like: ● Slightly more fiddly to fill than modern pod kits |
You don’t always need the latest release to get a great vape. Some kits become staples because they simply work - and the Endura T18II is one of them.
This classic pen-style device has been around for a while, yet it continues to be a customer favourite. With almost 300 reviews and an impressive 4.8 out of 5 average rating, it’s clear the T18II has stood the test of time.
Part of Innokin’s well-loved Endura Series, the device is designed to be easy to use while still giving you a bit of control. You can adjust the heat and airflow to suit your preferences, which is a nice bonus compared to many starter kits that keep things fixed.
The battery holds up well for a pen device, and the long-lasting coils make it more economical to run than you might expect. On top of that, the device is available in a range of bold colours, which adds a bit of personality to a very practical kit.
The only slight drawback is that filling the tank takes a little more effort than with pod kits. But once you’ve done that, you get a reliable, satisfying vape from a device that’s proven itself over the years.
You’ll love this if: You want a proven, straightforward pen-style kit with a reliable, cigarette-like feel and just enough adjustability to fine-tune your vape.
Alternatives: Choose the Innokin Adept Zlide for far longer battery life and a sturdier build, or the Vaporesso Xros 5 Mini for a more modern, pocket-friendly pod kit.
Best starter kits at a glance
| Product | What’s special? |
| ★ Vaporesso Xros 5 Mini | 1500mAh battery, compact and easy |
| ★ Dojo Blast 10K | Huge 10ml pods for days of vaping |
| Innokin Adept Zlide | Tough build with massive 3000mAh battery |
| Oxva Xlim Pro 3 | Premium feel, colour display and standout flavour |
| Elfbar 600 | Familiar Elfbar design, now rechargeable |
| Innokin Endura T18II | Classic pen style, trusted by vapers |
★= Top Pick
How we select these kits
With new vape devices launching almost daily, narrowing the list down is no easy task. That’s why our experienced team of vapers gets hands-on with every device we stock.
Each kit is tested by a member of the team, who gives feedback on everything from design and ease of use to flavour and performance. We balance that with sales data, customer reviews and what’s gaining buzz in the wider vaping community.
Very occasionally we’ll add a just-launched kit - but only if it really stands out in testing.
And of course, every device here meets UK standards and complies with EU and UK regulations.