ChrisTestCat

Your kit has a very important job, it's responsible for turning e-liquid into a vapour that you inhale and exhale. One of the most important decisions you’ll have to make when you start vaping is what type you’re going to use. Luckily, they all work the same way.

When you activate your vape, the battery heats up the coil and it vapourises the e-liquid. Coils feature cotton wicks that absorb e-liquid and replenish themselves whenever they start drying out. This process continues as long as there’s liquid left in your tank.

The simplest option, disposable vapes are prefilled and precharged single-use devices. To get started, just inhale on the device’s mouthpiece. They create a small amount of vapour that feels like a cigarette. When your device is empty, you can swap over to a new one. Their low one-off cost and maintenance-free design make them the perfect entry point to vaping. Just remember, they won’t be available from June 2025.

If you don’t like the idea of throwing away your device every time it runs out of e-liquid, prefilled pod kits are the perfect solution. Compact and almost as simple as disposables, they use replaceable pods that arrive prefilled with e-liquid. Each prefilled pod lasts as long as a disposable vape and is replaced when empty, The rest of the kit is reusable and the battery inside can be recharged.

A simple option that you can pair with a huge range of e-liquid, refillable pod kits are a favourite amongst beginners and more experienced vapers. Compact and fitted with long-lasting rechargeable batteries, they’re ideal for vaping on the go. Cheaper to run than prefilled vapes, replacement pods and bottles of e-liquid cost less than single-use devices and generate less waste too.

Recognised as the classic style of kit, vape pens get their name from their long, cylindrical design. There are two types of pen: ones that use refillable pods and vapes that feature glass tanks. The pod versions work the same way as standard refillable pod kits. The vapes that feature tanks are a little cheaper to run, you only need to replace the coils and refill them – you don’t have to change the tank.

Trading the long, thin battery for something a little bulkier, box mod kits are a more powerful option that last for longer and create a larger amount of vapour. They use refillable tanks and removable coils, like vape pens, but normally have a higher power output. They’re also the type of kit most likely to feature “vape modes” that you can use to adjust power and temperature for your perfect vape.

Every kind of vape kit, whether it’s prefilled or refillable, is cheaper than smoking, but some cost a little less than others. Here’s a quick, one-off cost, price breakdown.

After the one-off cost of buying your kit, you will need to factor in the ‘running costs’ and this includes things like replacing your device entirely (disposables), or buying extra pods, e-liquid and coils to keep your kit going. If you’re looking for an in-depth analysis, check out our Vaping Vs. Smoking Calculator.

Picking the right vape kit comes down to more than just price, and every variety has its benefits. Picking the right one is all about price, simplicity and maintenance. You don’t want a kit that’s out of your price range and similarly you won’t use a kit that’s too complex or requires more upkeep than you’re comfortable with. Find the balance of all three and you’ll have found the best kit for you. Make sure you also check out our best vape kit guide for more inspiration.