Refillable Pod Vape Kits

A refillable pod system is a type of vape device that consists of a pod and a body which holds the battery. The pod clips into the device, often aided by a magnetic connection for ease of use, while a filling port allows the pod to be filled with e-liquid.

Refillable vape pod kits offer several advantages over prefilled kits and disposables.

First, when you use a refillable pod, you can choose between thousands of different flavours, while prefilled pods typically offer a choice of 20-30 flavours.

Secondly, while refillable kits are a little more expensive than prefilled pod kits, they are far cheaper to run. E-liquid in a prefilled pod typically costs over £1.00 per ml, while even the best bottled e-liquid rarely costs more than 33p per ml.

Finally, refillable pods create far less waste than disposables and prefilled pod kits, as the pods can be used multiple times before being replaced.

The main reason most people choose disposables or prefilled pods is for convenience. However, it only takes a few seconds to fill a refillable pod, and as bottles of e-liquid last a lot longer you have to purchase them less frequently.

That said, refillable kits are not for everyone. We particularly recommend prefilled pod systems for people who have dexterity issues, and might struggle with refilling a pod. If you want to switch to vaping, but are worried about filling pods, a prefilled pod system can still make a great first step.

For ease of use:

• Choose a fixed-coil pod, which eliminates the need for coil changes.
• Look for a side-filling or top-filling design, so you don’t need to remove the pod to fill it.
• Avoid bungs, as these can be fiddly. Instead, choose a device like the Xros series, where the cap snaps off to reveal the filling hole.
• Look for a low-powered device with few or no modes and automated power. For maximum convenience, choose an inhale-activated device.

For cost savings:

• Choose a device with a replaceable coil, as coils are usually cheaper to replace than the whole pod.
• Choose low-powered devices, as these use less e-liquid than higher-powered devices, and the pods/coils last longer.

For maximum vapour and flavour:

• Choose higher-powered devices, and look for pods compatible with low-resistance coils.
• Pay attention to the coil used in the pod, as this can make a big difference to the flavour.

Most pod systems work well with 50/50 e-liquid - choose nicotine salts for a smoother throat hit at higher nicotine strengths, or regular (freebase) e-liquid for a stronger throat hit.

If you choose a high-powered vape kit with a low-resistance coil, use it with a higher VG e-liquid such as VG:PG 70:30.

While the precise device you choose will depend on your needs, we recommend the Vaporesso Xros 4 for a combination of superb flavour, reliability and ease of use. For more information, see our roundup of the best vape pod systems.

That depends on many factors, including the e-liquid you use, how long you puff for and how hard you puff. However, on average you can expect to get five times as many puffs from a 10ml e-liquid bottle used with a refillable device compared to a disposable device.

There’s very little difference in performance between the two, so it all comes down to personal preference. If unsure, we suggest getting a device that comes with both options, so that you can switch between them.