Which Vape Kit Should You Buy?
“Which vape kit should I buy?”
Being in the vape business for nearly two decades, it’s a question I’ve heard many times.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer – it depends on your experience, preferences and what you want from vaping.
So whether you’re brand new to vaping or simply looking for an upgrade, this guide walks you through the key options, pros and cons, and top recommendations to help you choose the right kit.
In a hurry? Jump straight to our guides to the best vape kits or best starter kits.
Contents
- Types of vape devices
- Choosing a vape kit: What to consider
- Final thoughts
- Related categories
- Related posts
Types of vape devices
All vape kits work the same basic way – a coil heats e-liquid to create vapour. But different kits offer very different experiences.
Cigalikes
Designed to look like a cigarette, these are the most basic rechargeable vape kits. Small and light, they come with a prefilled cartridge (or cartomiser). When this becomes empty, you simply swap it out for a new one.
Pros:
- Familiar look and feel for smokers
- No refilling or coil changes
- Extremely easy to use
Cons:
- Short battery life
- Less vapour than pod devices
Pod systems
Pod kits are now the most popular choice for beginners – but it’s important to know the difference between prefilled and refillable options.
Prefilled Pod Kits
These come with closed pods containing e-liquid. You don’t refill them or change the coil – just pop in a new pod when it’s empty.
Many modern prefilled pods now offer Big Puff performance, meaning one pod can last thousands of puffs.
Pros:
- Incredibly easy to use – great for beginners
- Disposable style flavour and draw
- No refilling needed
Cons:
- More expensive in the long run than refillables
- Increased waste compared to refillable devices
- Limited flavour and strength options when compared to e-liquid
Lost Mary BM600 Prefilled Pod Kit by Lost Mary
Refillable Pod Kits
These use open pods that you fill with your own vape juice. Some come with built-in fixed coils; others let you replace the coil separately.
Pros:
- Much cheaper to run than prefilled or disposable vapes
- Choose any flavour and nicotine strength
- Still very easy to use
Cons:
- Requires a little more effort (refilling and coil changes)
Pod Mods
More powerful than a basic pod kit, simpler than a full mod, pod mods strike a balance between ease of use and performance.
Pros:
- Wider power range
- Good flavour and vapour for their size
- Compact alternative to full-size mods
- Often include Smart Mode to ensure ease-of-use for less experienced vapers
Cons:
- Not as beginner-friendly as pod kits
- Less customisable than advanced mods
- Typically smaller battery than full mod setups
Mods
Larger, with more battery capacity and power than other devices, mods are the heavyweights of the vape world.
They often include multiple vaping modes and features that let you fine-tune your experience. Many modern mods also offer Smart Mode, making them more accessible to less-experienced vapers.
Pros:
- Full control over power and modes
- Work with a wide variety of tanks
- Larger battery capacity (especially when used external batteries)
- The best choice for cloud production
Cons:
- Bigger and bulkier than other devices
- Usually have a steeper learning curve than pods or pens
Also see: A Beginner’s Guide to Vaping
Choosing a Vape Kit: What Really Matters
In a nutshell: It’s not just about the kit – think about how, where, and how often you’ll be vaping.
1. What’s your budget?
You can get a good vape kit from under £10 to over £50. But you’ll also need to factor in running costs – coils, pods and e-liquid.
Tip: Refillable pod kits are cheaper to use over the long term.
2. How easy should it be?
If you want zero faff, go for a prefilled pod kit. If you’re happy to refill, you’ll get more flavour choice with a refillable kit.
3. What’s your vaping style?
There are two main styles:
- Mouth-to-Lung (MTL): Like smoking – tighter draw, less vapour
- Direct-Lung (DL): Big clouds, airy draw
For MTL vaping, cigalikes and pod kits are the best option. For DL kits choose a mod or pod mod.
Learn more: MTL vs DL Explained
4. Where will you vape?
- At work or on the go: Look for something compact with good battery life such as the Xros Nano
- Outdoors: Choose something tough, like the Geekvape Aegis Legend 5
- At home: Any device works – even big mods
5. Do you want to be discreet?
For stealth vaping, small, compact devices with lower vapour production (like the Innokin I.O. or Lost Mary BM600) are ideal.
Final thoughts: Take your time
There may be a lot to think about, but it’s worth taking your time to make sure you get the right kit for your needs.
Choose well, and you’ll be rewarded with a device that delivers the right draw, flavour and throat hit - and helps you stay off cigarettes for good.