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Vape kits — also known as e-cigarettes, vaping devices, or simply vapes — are the pieces of hardware required to turn e-liquid into vapour.
Vape kits are available as different types of devices that cater to different vaping preferences, inhale styles and experience levels.
With the amount of options out there, choosing one to get started with can be rather challenging.
Whether you’re starting your vaping journey, or you’re a seasoned vaper looking for an upgrade to your current vape device, our comprehensive guide to vape kits should explain everything you need to know.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into things and see what the various types of vape kits offer.
Key Takeaways
- Vape kits are devices that turn your e-liquid into vapour.
- There multiple types of vape kit that cater to different preferences and levels of experience.
- Different types of vape kit are designed for use with different types of e-liquid.
Components Of A Vape Kit
All vape kits (other than disposables and prefilled pod kits) consist of the same key components: the battery, a refillable pod or tank that contains the vape juice, a coil or two, and the vape device itself. In the case of pod kits, you’ll often the coils built into the pods.
While the complexity of these parts may differ depending on the model, every vape on the market—from a £5 disposable vape to the most high-end mod device—contains these fundamental elements.
Battery
All vaping devices run on lithium-ion batteries. These can be either built-in (non-replaceable, similar to those in a laptop) or external (replaceable, like in a TV remote).
Battery life is measured in milliamp hours (mAh), with higher numbers indicating longer battery life. Like any lithium-ion battery, such as those in your smartphone, vape batteries degrade over time.
With repeated recharging, you’ll notice a decline in their ability to hold a charge, which is a natural part of a battery’s lifecycle. Starter kits and pod vapes usually contain built-in batteries, typically lasting for 6-12 months before they start to degrade.
Their capacities range from 350mAh to 2500mAh, so it’s important that you check the battery size before making a purchase.
External batteries, often found in sub ohm vapes and vape mods, can have capacities exceeding 2500mAh. Some dual-battery mods even use two batteries simultaneously, increasing their total capacity to over 5000mAh on a single charge.
Pods And Tanks
The pod or tank included with your vape kit is the container that holds your e-liquid. Refillable pods and vape tanks are equipped with filling ports (often in the form of a rubber or silicone plug) that you take out to fill them up with vape juice. Above your pod or tank, is the mouthpiece (or drip tip), which is used to inhale the vapour from your e-liquid.
Vape Tanks
Tanks have been around much longer than pods and are typically constructed from glass, secured by metal components, with rubber seals to prevent any vape juice from leaking.
Although vape tanks have become somewhat less popular recently due to their complexity, upkeep, and multiple parts, they remain the top choice for sub ohm vapers who use box mods.
Pods
Pods are a more recent innovation and are designed to be simpler and more user-friendly than tanks.
They are typically made of plastic and have fewer components, making them easier to maintain and replace.
Many pods are disposable and contain built-in coils, meaning you can swap the entire pod once the coil burns out.
Pods have gained popularity for their convenience, especially among new vapers or those looking for a low-maintenance experience.
They’re often used in pod systems and are favoured for their portability and ease of use, making them a great option for everyday vaping.
Coils
Every vaping device requires a coil to function. Vape coils consist of two key components: the coil wire and the wicking material (or wick).
The wick absorbs vape juice like a sponge, while the coil wire transforms electricity from the battery into heat. The heat generated then vaporises the e-liquid from the wick.
Similarly to vape batteries, coils can be either built-in or replaceable. Built-in coils don’t require as much maintenance, while replaceable coils are usually longer-lasting. For more details on built-in versus replaceable coils, refer to our Beginners Guide To Coils.
Coils are measured in ohms (Ω), a unit that indicates electrical resistance. To simplify things, here’s a basic rule: high-resistance coils (above 1Ω) use less power, while low-resistance coils (below 1Ω) require more power.
High-Resistance Coils
High-Resistance coils are 1.0Ω or more, and are used with Mouth To Lung (MTL) kits, such as most pod kits, pen-style kits and starter kits. They’re designed to be paired with 50% or high-PG (propylene glycol) e-liquids, such as nic salts and many of the 50/50 freebase nicotine blends you’ll find available.
Higher resistance coils combine a strong throat hit with discreet vapour production, similar to the experience of smoking a traditional cigarette. They’re especially useful for those who used to smoke heavily and vape higher nicotine strengths, as these coils work well with nicotine salts.
Beginners aiming to curb nicotine cravings with high-strength nic salts should use a high-resistance coil in a mouth-to-lung (MTL) device.
Low-Resistance Coils
Low-resistance coils, also commonly referred to as sub-ohm coils, have a resistance below 1.0Ω and are compatible with sub ohm vape kits and tanks.
These coils are specifically designed for high-VG (vegetable glycerine) e-liquids, including most shortfills and 100% VG e-liquids.
Shortfills are perfect for casual smokers who like to customise their nicotine strengths with nic shots, or who prefer to stay nicotine-free altogether.
They come as 0mg nicotine e-liquid, and leave space in the bottle for you to add a nicotine shot or two, giving you full control over the amount of nicotine you’re vaping.
For experienced vapers who enjoy sub-ohm vaping with low nicotine strength e-liquids high in vegetable glycerine, a low-resistance coil in an advanced vape kit or vape mod is the best option.
What’s Included In A Vape Kit?
A vape kit typically arrives with the vaping device (and its battery inside), a pod or tank, and a coil or two (provided they’re not built into the pods). If your device is powered by an external battery, then you’ll have to buy that separately. In most cases, vape kits include everything you need to start vaping, minus the e-liquid.
Not all vape kits include a charging cable. To keep costs down and minimise electronic waste, some manufacturers have recently started leaving them out, especially since most vape kits now use the standard USB-C cable. Some budget vape kits may only provide the device and a pod.
However, the product description will clearly outline everything included in the vape kit.
Types Of Vape Kits
When it comes to the different types of vape kit out there, you’re pretty spoilt for choice. No matter how you vape or how long you’ve been vaping, there’s bound to be device to suit your vaping style.
MTL Vape Kits
New vapers interested in trying nic salts or freebase 50/50 e-liquids should go for a device that supports Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) vaping. There are plethora of options to suit all budgets and experience levels, ranging from disposable vapes to both pre-filled and refillable kits.
Disposable Vapes
As their name suggests, disposable vapes are single-use devices that are designed to be discarded once you’re finished with them.
They arrive pre-charged and prefilled with 2ml of e-liquid (typically in a salt nicotine formulation), so they’re ready for use straight out of the box.
Disposables come with just enough battery life to last as long as the vape juice inside, so once it’s empty, you can simply replace your vape with a new one — no refilling or recharging required!
Disposable vapes provide the simplest way for smokers to start vaping, requiring no setup or upkeep. All you need is about 6 quid and the motivation to quit smoking — no special knowledge is necessary.
Plus, they’re all inhale activated, so you can simply puff on the mouthpiece to vape.
However, disposables aren’t cost-effective or environmentally friendly in the long term. Once you’ve made the transition to vaping, it’s a good idea to switch to something like a refillable pod kit.
Prefilled Pod Kits
Prefilled pod kits (or closed pod kits) act as a middle ground between disposable and refillable vapes.
They’re compatible with disposable pods that come prefilled with e-liquid and when that’s run out, you just replace your pod with a fresh one.
Prefilled pod vapes are beginner-friendly and require minimal maintenance, aside from occasional recharging. They are also more cost-effective over time compared to disposable vapes.
However, each pre-filled pod kit is only compatible with a specific range of pods, which can limit your choice of e-liquid flavours. While these devices are more affordable than disposables, you can still save even more by switching to a refillable pod kit.
Vape Starter Kits
A starter kit includes everything you need to get started, aside from vape juice. If you’re new to vaping and are looking for something refillable (and don’t mind having to change pods or coils here and there), then these kits are a good entry point.
They’re more cost-effective than disposables and prefilled pod vapes, and give you way more options when it comes to e-liquid flavours!
Starter kits are ideal for beginners as they are designed to be low-maintenance with minimal settings to adjust, if any at all. They don’t have menu screens or wattage controls, so getting started is quick and easy.
Vape Pens
Pen style vape kits (or vape pens for short) are slim, pen-shaped devices designed with portability and simplicity in mind. They’ll fit comfortably in your pocket, making them the perfect choice for vaping on the go.
Vape pens usually feature just a single button for switching on and firing the device, although some are fully inhale activated and don’t have any at all.
A vape pen is an excellent option if you’re just getting started, as it lacks menus and complex settings. Vape pens can feature either a tank or a pod and may come with either replaceable or built-in coils.
Regardless of the type, all pen style kits are user-friendly and designed to deliver an MTL style inhale.
Pod Kits
Pod kits have been the most popular type of vape on the market since the original Uwell Caliburn took the industry by storm back in 2019. They come with refillable pods that you can fill with e-liquid in a flavour of your choice.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced vaper, there’ll be a pod kit that matches your needs — with everything from buttonless inhale activated kits for beginners, to more complex devices with buttons and menu screens, different vaping modes, and features like adjustable airflow.
Pods make for a low-maintenance and sturdier alternative to glass vape tanks, as they’re both leak-proof and shatter-proof, and they require a lot less upkeep (especially in the case of pods with built-in coils). Plus, they’re easier to clean too.
DTL Vape Kits
Seasoned vapers who prefer lower nicotine strengths and larger clouds should go for a device that supports Direct-to-Lung (DTL) vaping, commonly referred to as sub-ohm vaping. These devices use low resistance coils that require higher power output. Due to their increased power usage, DTL kits typically offer excellent battery life.
Sub Ohm Vape Kits
Sub ohm kits are powerful devices that are compatible with low-resistance coils (below 1 ohm). They work best with low-nicotine e-liquids that feature high VG content, such as shortfills, offering enhanced flavour and increased vapour production.
These devices are typically favoured by more experienced vapers using a DTL style, who aren’t as dependent on nicotine. This is because vaping nicotine strengths above 6mg in a sub ohm kit would be a tad harsh on the throat.
Sub ohm kits often have more advanced settings and features, making them less suitable for beginners.
Mods
Vape mods, or box mods, are as as complex as it gets. Out of all the different vape kits on the market, mods offer the greatest level of customisation.
You can adjust the wattage to deliver your perfect inhale, or use temperature control mode to set a desired temperature to vape at — among other advanced features.
You’ll find that most if not all mods are are powered by an external battery, and some even run on two. This makes them real heavy-hitters when it comes to power at battery life.
Mods are typically equipped with a tank and as mentioned, everything from the drip tip to the device settings can be customised. Given how complex they are compared to your average pod vape or starter kit, we’d only recommend mods to the most advanced vapers.
Different Vaping Styles
There are three main vaping styles: Mouth-to-Lung (MTL), Direct-to-Lung (DTL), and Restricted Direct-to-Lung (RDTL). The vaping style you choose will depend on both your personal preference and your level of vaping experience.
New vapers and those who have recently quit smoking tend to prefer MTL vaping, whereas more experienced vapers often go for DTL, though this isn’t always the case.
Mouth To Lung (MTL)
MTL vaping mimics the inhale style of smoking a cigarette. You draw the vapour into your mouth and then inhale it into your lungs.
This is what most beginners start out with, and your average starter kit is designed to cater to this vape style.
MTL is well-suited for higher nicotine strengths and e-liquids with a higher propylene glycol (PG) content, which boast a stronger throat hit compared to high-VG e-liquids.
This style of vaping is perfect for those who use nic salts and other high-strength e-liquids.
Direct To Lung (DTL)
DTL vaping is a bit more like smoking a shisha pipe (or even just breathing), as it involves inhaling vapour directly into the lungs.
This style of vaping tends to be favoured by more advanced vapers who use sub ohm kits and vape lower-strength e-liquid.
DTL vaping is perfect for shortfill e-liquids, which typically contain more vegetable glycerin (VG), offering increased vapour production.
We don’t advise that you vape higher strengths with a DTL kit, as you’ll find that the throat hit is unpleasantly harsh.
Restricted Direct To Lung (RDTL)
Restricted Direct-to-Lung (RDTL) vaping is a blend of MTL and DTL, where the vapor is briefly held in the mouth before being inhaled, sort of like a more open MTL draw.
RDTL is favoured by intermediate vapers who enjoy larger clouds than offered by an MTL device.
RDTL vapes typically work with the same e-liquids as MTL kits, although some DTL kits with an adjustable airflow are also marketed for RDTL use.
If you’re unsure, always check the product description to ensure you’re using the right vape juice.
What Type Of E-Liquid Should I Pair With My Device?
The type of e-liquid you should purchase depends on what kind of device you use and the resistances of the coils it’s compatible with.
Generally, MTL devices need to be used with high-PG (50% or more), while DTL kits should be paired with liquids high in VG (above 60%). If you’re still scratching your head, just check the product description for your specific device, and it’ll tell you exactly what e-liquids you can use with it.
Vaping the wrong type of e-liquid for your device may result in your pod/tank leaking, poor flavour, and a burnt coil, among other issues.
Once you’ve identified the right e-liquid for your kit, the possibilities are endless! You can explore tens of thousands of flavours, ranging from fruits and candy to menthol and more. There’s enough variety to keep you experimenting for years!
Summary
With so many different vape kits available, each offering a range of features and options, it can definitely feel overwhelming for beginners.
We hope this guide has helped you find the right kit for your needs. However, if you still need guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out to our support team. Our experienced vapers are ready to provide advice and ensure your vaping experience runs as smoothly as possible. You can talk to us on the phone, live chat, or by email for further assistance.
