Vaping Devices Explained: Pod, Pen, Mod!

For a few years, most people have equated vaping with the use of disposable vapes. Those long, slender, and colourful tubes of plastic came in hundreds of flavours, and were the most popular type of vape far and away. It was their same popularity that resulted in the ban of throwaway vapes. But now that disposable vapes are banned, vapers are starting to buy rechargeable vapes, which are more sustainable and, in many ways, better types of vapes. The most popular vape kit right now is a pod vape, both in its prefilled and refillable forms. Then there are pen vapes, and for advanced users, there is the vape mod, which is great for the most intense flavour and prodigious clouds.

Choosing the right e-cigarette matters. All the different kinds of vaping can make one confused when they are just starting out, as it relates to which one to pick and why. In this article, we cover each type and who it is best suited for so that you can choose your first vape kit with maximum confidence.

Pod Systems

After the ban on disposable vapes in 2025, pod vape systems are currently the most popular type of vape kit. They owe this large fanfare from the vaping community to their unique nature. These kits are more sustainable and cost-effective than disposables, but less complicated than the more advanced option.

How Does a Pod Vape Work

These devices use a "pod". It is a small, refillable or pre-filled cartridge that snaps magnetically into the battery device. You don’t have to screw it in.

Vaping Style of a Pod Vape

Most pods are optimized for a Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) inhale, as they are fitted with coils with resistance above 1 ohm. These devices are particularly good at delivering a flavorful hit with nicotine salts. That is why they are immensely popular with former smokers as well.

Who is a Pod Vape Best For

It is ideal for you if you are just starting into vaping, or a pro who wants a portable and simple device for backup. With prefilled options, you simply swap the old pod with a new one when e-liquid runs out.

Vaporesso Xros 3

The Xros 3 embodies the pod system ideal. It's incredibly slim and light, and fits easily and discreetly in any pocket. You simply choose a pod (like a 1.0Ω for a tighter draw or a 0.6Ω for a slightly airier hit), fill it with your favorite e-liquid, and enjoy. With its draw-activated firing (just puff), it couldn't be easier to use.

Vape Pens

Vape pens have been some of the most popular starter kits over the years. These devices tend to produce more vapour than a typical pod vape. All in all, you can expect a perfect balance of performance and complexity in these slender vaporisers.

How Does A Vape Pen Work

These are cylindrical, pen-shaped devices. You get a refillable glass or plastic tank that screws onto a built-in battery. Since many of their tanks feature replaceable coils, you don’t need to buy a new tank.

Vaping Style of a Vape Pen

Vape pens provide an excellent MTL draw but often create slightly richer flavour and vapour than what you would get from basic pods. Many vapers prefer the glass tank because it can enhance flavor purity compared to plastic pods. With their airflow rings, you tighten or loosen the draw.

Who Is a Vape Pen Best For

For smokers switching to vaping, or vapers who have moved past disposables and want better performance, more flavour, and longer battery life, but aren't ready for a complex mod kit.

Innokin T18 X

The T18 X is a modern take on the classic vape pen. It's designed specifically for a cigarette-like MTL draw. You fill the 2ml top-fill tank, let the coil prime, and vape. Its one-button operation is simple, and the 1000mAh battery lasts much longer than most pod systems.

Mod Kits

The word “mod” in a mod kit hints at the modularity of its battery and tank. A tank from one brand can be fitted into and work with a mod of a different brand. This versatility is made possible by its 510 connection. Mods are the most powerful and chunkiest devices in the vaping world, and allow for much more personalization.

How Does a Vape Mod Work

A mod is a powerful, often box-shaped battery unit containing a digital chipset. You attach a separate, sub-ohm tank on top of it. Coming with large built-in or removable batteries, the wattage output can be set from as low as 5 watts all the way to 200 watts in high-end kits.

Vaping Style of a Mod

Mods are primarily built for Direct-to-Lung (DTL) vaping. You inhale vapour straight into your lungs, just like taking a deep breath. Since these powerful devices produce massive clouds of vapor and intense, bold flavour, you should only use low-nicotine and high-VG e-liquids in them.

Who Is a Mod Best For

If you have become bored with the discreet vapour and mellow flavours of pod vapes, these vaporisers are built for cloud production and flavor chasing. But, you will be needing a fair bit of knowledge about different coil resistances, battery safety (wattages and volts), as well as what your e-liquid is made up of.

Aspire Zelos M80

The Zelos M80 is a feature-packed mod that bridges intermediate and advanced use. Its 80-watt output is just perfect to let you dial in the perfect power for its sub-ohm tank. You can adjust everything from the airflow for a restrictive or wide-open draw to the wattage for a warm or cool vapor. You get both extensive customization as well as relatively high vapour production in a user-friendly kit.

Pod, Pen, and Mod Vape Kits Compared

The following is a comparison of three popular types of vape kits:

Get Your Favourite Vape Kit

Most people switching from smoking don’t need anything complicated. A pod system or a simple vape pen usually does the job pretty well. You get cigarette-like draws, and there is no real learning curve to it. Mods can come later if you want more vapour or finer control. But it is starting with the right device that makes the whole switch feel far less frustrating. You can browse through our online vape store in the UK, look at our curated selection of the best vape kits for beginners, and pick something that fits how you actually plan to vape.