An ex-smoker, used to lighting up a cigarette and taking puffs, cannot be expected to learn about the different types of vape kits and how they work overnight. Now that you have stepped away from cigarettes, you might be confused by all the vaping terminology, e-liquid flavours, and exactly what kit to pick up as your first. The choice of a vape kit can make or break your quit-smoking journey. You need to keep in mind factors like its ease of use, availability, affordability, and more.
Broadly speaking, vaping devices fall into three main categories: pods, pens, and mods. These differ in the level of expertise required to use them, the suite of features they offer, and the vape maintenance they require. The best first vape for a hobbyist will be different from the ideal kit for someone trying to swap smoking with vaping.
How to Choose a Vape: Vape Pod vs Pen vs Mod
| Feature | Pod System | Vape Pen | Box Mod |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Absolute BeginnersSimple devices with no prior experience needed. | Ex-SmokersClassic feel and an easy step up from pods. | Experienced UsersFull control with massive cloud production. |
| Ease of Use | Extremely HighAssemble and inhale to activate. | HighOne-button use with coil changes. | LowRequires wattage, coil, and safety knowledge. |
| Typical Cost | Low CostMainly pods or e-liquid. | Low–ModerateAffordable replacement coils. | High CostTanks, coils, and batteries required. |
| Vaping Style | Tight, cigarette-like draw using nicotine salts. | Warmer, slightly stronger puffs than pod systems. | Loose, airy draw with big vapour and intense flavour. |
| Maintenance | MinimalReplace pod every 1–2 weeks. | SimpleChange coil and clean tank. | ComplexBattery care, tuning, and rebuilding. |
Before we take a deep dive into choosing your first vape kit, here's a clear look at how these devices stack up against each other.
Pod Systems
Pod vape kits fall into two types: prefilled and refillable.
Prefilled Pod Vapes
Your best bet as a newbie vaper is to pick up a prefilled pod kit, also known as a big puff vape. Prefilled vapes come prefilled and require very basic setup, and you only need to replace the pod with a new one once you’re out of e-liquid. This pod has a built-in coil and holds a maximum of 2ml e-liquid.
Refillable Pod Vapes
Refillable pods, on the other hand, allow you to fill an e-liquid of your own choice. These devices are a step up from the basic prefilled kits and can be your first vape. Depending on the brand, these feature LED displays, multiple operating modes, or even airflow control.
If you are comfortable with refilling a vape pod every few days, these kits actually prove more cost-effective in the long run. Refilling entails taking the pod off the device, locating its fill port, pulling open the flap, and squeezing in a vape juice of your choice.
Vaping Style
For someone switching from smoking, this is a major advantage. Pods are designed for Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) vaping, which perfectly mimics taking a drag on a cigarette. You draw vapour into your mouth first, then inhale. This style works brilliantly with higher-strength nicotine e-liquids, especially nicotine salts (learn more in our e-liquid guide).
Why Pick Pod Vapes
When you buy rechargeable vapes like these, try to keep the battery charged and pop in a new pod when needed. It's discreet, fits easily in a pocket, and asks nothing more of you. If your primary goal is to quit cigarettes with the least amount of hassle, a pod system is the most recommended option.
Vape Pens
If the pod just does not feel right in your hand or comes across as too minimalist, then the vape pen offers a touch more substance. It still keeps things straightforward. Vape pens are sleek, cylindrical vaping devices that literally look and feel like a high-tech pen. These used to be the best vapes to quit smoking, but now prefilled vapes are more popular.
The core difference from a pod is their build quality and the type of tank. Instead of a plastic pod held by a magnetic connection, a pen uses a refillable glass or metal tank that screws onto the battery. You fill this tank with your chosen e-liquid, and when the coil inside burns out, you unscrew the old one and screw in a new one.
Why Choose Vape Pens
The experience with vape pens is MTL, with that familiar, tighter cigarette-like draw. Many vapers find that the slightly larger size of a pen allows for a better battery life and a more satisfying "hand-feel" that bridges the gap between a cigarette and a vaping device.
Box Mods
Box mods are the most advanced vaping kits and are not recommended for someone totally unfamiliar with vaping. If you already know your way around pod kits, you can go for these for a more personalized and powerful experience.
Types of Box Mods
Mods can be unregulated mechanical mods (with no chip inside) or regulated. A mod is simply a battery unit that you attach to a vape tank (mainly through a 510 connector). These boxy devices either feature built-in batteries or use removable cells. You will find screens, buttons, and menus to let you adjust wattage (power), temperature, and more.
Vaping Style
Box mods are built for Direct-to-Lung (DTL) vaping. This is where you inhale vapour straight into your lungs like taking a deep breath. With DTL vaping with mods, you need to be careful with the choice of your e-liquid. Low-nicotine e-liquids, high in VG content, are generally best suited for these devices. The result is massive amounts of vapour and intense flavour.
Why Pick Box Mods
Since the learning curve is steep, a mod is rarely the best choice for beginner vapers. You need to take care of things like battery safety, match coils to appropriate wattages, and figure out how different settings affect your vape. Buy one of these if you are a vaping enthusiast and not someone looking for a simple quit-smoking alternative. You can, however, confidently ignore mods as a newbie until you're well-established in your vaping journey.
What to Look for in Your First Vape
Now that you know the differences between the three main types of vape kits, you can simply ask yourself the following questions to settle on one:
- Are you comfortable with refilling and reassembling your vape? If the answer is no and you don’t want to worry about refills, choose a prefilled pod. If you don't mind a simple refill and changing coils every couple of weeks, a vape pen offers great value.
- What vape kit feels right in your hand? Some ex-smokers prefer the ultra-light, discreet pod, but they might feel plasticky. For a more substantial grip, a metal vape pen helps replicate the ritual of holding a cigarette.
- How heavy a smoker were you? If you smoked a pack or more a day, a pod system is great to deliver smooth hits with nicotine salts.
Choose Your First Vape Kit
Picking your vape kit can seem daunting with all the options available, but your first vaping device doesn't have to be your forever device. You can always find a better vape after trying one. Whatever kit you choose, the end goal is simple: to switch successfully and enjoy the vaping experience.
Feel free to explore our curated selection of beginner-friendly vape kits on our top-rated online vape store in the UK. You will find a suitable vape, whether you want a pod system, a vape pen, or even a box mod.
