You can leave cigarettes behind for good, provided that you have the right tool for the job. If you are somewhat of a heavy smoker, a casual e-cigarette designed for light users simply won't cut it. You will be able to replace nicotine, but you will still want that satisfying throat hit and the ritualistic and solid hand-to-mouth action you're accustomed to. A weak device can leave your cravings unchecked.
This guide brings together the vape kits with the power, performance, and design to meet a heavy smoker's needs head-on.
What Heavy Smokers Need in a Vape
An ordinary vape is a bit of a letdown for a heavy smoker. They might look the part, but the first puff often feels weak. There is no deep, recognisable punch in the throat and no real relief from the craving. This usually happens because there is a mismatch between the device and the nicotine it’s meant to deliver.
The best vapes to quit smoking commonly use nicotine salts. Refer to a nicotine strength guide or try a few different strengths before settling on one. Many heavy ex-smokers start with an 18mg or 20mg. This way, they get the dose needed to settle cravings in a way that still feels comfortable to inhale.
When using high nicotine strengths, you need the right device. A high-powered cloud-chasing device would be far too aggressive at these strengths. In comparison, mouth-to-lung pod kits avoid that by mimicking the feel of smoking. When you take a puff, the draw is tighter, and you pull vapour into the mouth before inhaling. This makes for a familiar throat hit.
The 9 Best Vape Kits for Heavy Smokers
We have selected the following vape kits for their demonstrated ability to use high-strength nicotine salts, ease of use for newcomers, and ability to stand up to the demands of a former pack-a-day smoker.
1. Vaporesso Luxe XR Max 2 Kit
The vaporesso luxe xr max 2 vape kit can endure extra-long vaping sessions. It houses a colossal 3200mAh battery. So, if you are a smoker who needs their device to last from dawn until well after dusk without a recharge, this is it. You can get both tight MTL and loose DTL draws out of it. You will especially enjoy the flavour produced by its GTX coil series.
Pros
It has the best-in-class battery capacity with a premium build quality.
Cons
Beginners can be intimidated by its size and array of features.
2. OXVA Xlim GO 2 Pod Kit
The Oxva Xlim Go 2 has no buttons (just an airflow slider), no screens, and no complex settings requiring manuals. You simply inhale, and its smart auto-draw system produces a hit. It's slim and discreet, and engineered to be leak-resistant. If you are the kind of heavy smoker who does not care about high-tech vape kits but just wants a strong throat hit, you will love this kit.
Pros
There is practically zero learning curve, and it is highly portable and discreet.
Cons
The lack of any controls means you cannot really fine-tune your experience.
3. Vaporesso Xros Pro 2 Pod Kit
The Vaporesso Xros Pro 2 offers hardened vapers a sweet spot between smart automation and user control. It has an intelligent chipset that prevents dry hits and manages power optimally for whatever pod you insert. At the same time, you are free to adjust the airflow from a tight cigarette draw to something slightly airier.
Pros
Its flavour performance is consistent over the pod lifespan, and you can adjust airflow to your liking.
Cons
The single multifunction button for power and mode switching can feel fiddly until you're accustomed to it.
4. Innokin Endura T22 Pro Starter Kit
The Innokin Endura T22 device is built to feel as close to smoking as possible. On the very first puff, you will feel how its tight, unwavering draw replicates the resistance of a cigarette filter perfectly. It has an integrated 3000mAh battery, which is powerful enough to last a full day of heavy use.
Pros
It has a perfect cigarette-like draw and an impressively large battery life.
Cons
Its fixed, traditional design offers no airflow control or power adjustment.
5. OXVA Xlim Classic Pod Kit
The Oxva Xlim Classic has the celebrated flavour production and reliability of the XLIM series, but pares it back to the essentials. This kit delivers a rich and saturated vape with every puff. You will be surprised by the impressive lifespans of its pods.
Pros
It generates outstanding flavour focus and is very user-friendly and reliable.
Cons
You won’t find any premium features that are found in its more expensive siblings in the range.
6. OXVA NexLIM Pod Vape Kit
Where the Xlim Classic is minimalist, the Oxva NexLIM is the technophile's choice. It has a crisp colour screen. Its intelligent modes automatically adjust the power output based on the inserted pod's resistance. This smart functionality is really what optimizes performance and coil longevity.
Pros
Its vibrant display for clear battery and setting information is really handy, and you get really high-quality, flavourful vapour production.
Cons
Some vapers might find it a bit hard to learn about all the additional features it comes with.
7. Zeus Juice Grab and Go Pod Kit
If you prefer something simple but don’t want to be tied to an advanced kit, the Zeus Grab and Go pod kit sits in a comfortable middle ground. The pod is refillable, so you top it up with your own e-liquid. Its overall setup is as straightforward as possible. For a heavy smoker who just wants to start without getting lost in choices, it removes most of the pressure from the first few days.
Pros
It’s a device that's very easy to live with and delivers a reliable performance that is backed by a well-known brand.
Cons
The kit doesn’t offer much in the way of customisation if you are someone who likes to tinker with airflow or power.
8. Vaporesso Dojo Blast 6000 Prefilled Kit
The Vaporesso Dojo Blast 6k prefilled pod kit is a no-frills device that still manages to produce luscious flavour and lasts a long time. With its dual power modes, you can adjust the intensity of flavour as well as the quantity of vapour produced. A display screen helps you keep an eye on the battery level. All in all, it’s a great starting point for someone new to the world of vapes.
Pros
It’s a compact device with a high puff count and comes with a nice display.
Cons
You will have to buy replacement pods once you run out of e-liquid, and those are only available in a limited number of flavours.
9. Innokin T18 X Kit
The Innokin T18 X is a straightforward and durable pen-style device that gets the basics right for smokers making the switch. Built from aluminum alloy, it's slim and durable, and it comes with a high-grade 1000mAh battery that powers a consistent 13.5W (or 12W) output to keep your experience reliable. To get started, you simply choose your e-liquid, fill the 2ml tank, and press the single fire button.
Pros
This device gets its job done without any unnecessary complications and feels solid in the hand.
Cons
The design is old-school, and it can be rather slow to charge.
Shop the Best Vapes for Heavy Smokers
Every quitter’s journey is different. The perfect device for you depends on whether you value ultimate simplicity, crave a bit of customisation, or need a battery that won’t quit before you do. The carefully curated selection of high-nicotine vapes on our online vape shop is designed to meet all these needs and more. Explore our full range, use the filters to match your priorities, and find the ideal kit to stop smoking with vaping.