Have you been curious about switching to vaping but overwhelmed by the number of vapes out there, unsure of where to start?
Maybe you've tried vaping in the past but returned to combustible tobacco methods because the device was cumbersome or just not satisfying enough?
Don't let those barriers stop you from transitioning to a smoke free life!
The good news is, the vape industry has exploded in recent years, and new product innovations mean even more ways to customize your vaping setup to meet your needs. This breakdown is a good starting point to learn about the pros and cons of the options available and narrow down your search.
Disposables, Pod styles & Box Mods - Oh My!
Most modern vapes fall into one of three different categories: disposables, pod styles, and box mods. Each style has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it's important to ask yourself what your needs are to figure out which option will meet them best.
Exploring What's Important
-Do you need something to help you quit combustible cigarettes? Or have you already begun the switch to vapor?
-Are you a casual smoker who is more addicted to the hand to mouth sensation? Or do you smoke a pack or more a day?
-Are you someone who wants to vape all day every day? Or are you a social vaper on the occasional night out?
-Will a giant cloud of vapor embarrass you? Or is blowing big clouds part of the draw?
-Do you want something that isn't complicated? Or are you looking for ultimate control and customization of all parts of your device?
Diving into Disposables
For vapers just starting out or those that want to taste new flavors without investing in a larger, more permanent kit, disposables can be an easy way to try things out before you commit.
One of the biggest selling points for disposables is that the majority of them contain the same type of nicotine molecules that are found in cigarettes (called salt nicotine), which can really help ease the transition from smoking to vaping by giving you the same level of satisfaction.
If you're not a heavy vaper and only use nicotine when you're out in a social setting or on special occasions, then disposables can be a solution for you because you don't have to worry about maintenance of a device or buying tons of juice flavors to find one you like.
Convenience vs The Long Term
Disposables are not refillable, and just like the name implies, they're meant to be thrown away after the e-liquid inside runs out. They're discreet, convenient, small, and portable, which makes them a great option for taking them places you wouldn't want to risk bringing an expensive, refillable vape - like to a beach or a concert venue.
Many disposable brands come in multiple different puff counts at different price points. They'll have the puff count labeled on them to give you an indication of how much juice they contain. Whether you're looking for something to get you through one day or the whole week, you can use the puff count to plan how long it will last.
When trying to gauge a disposable's lifespan, it's easy to mistake a puff to mean one hit. One puff is actually equal to a second of inhaling. So, if your hit is 10 seconds, that's about 10 total puffs.
Over time, the disposable route can be more expensive than a refillable vape, although considerably more cost effective than traditional cigarettes. When you're ready to upgrade, consider the perks of a refillable pod style!
Reasons to go Refillable
A refillable device is a little more expensive up front, but once you get started it's more cost effective than disposables in the long run. Not to mention they're better for the planet than single use plastics.
While disposables have a pretty standard nicotine strength across the board, refillable styles offer additional flexibility by allowing you to get a juice separately in any flavor and any strength you choose. VaporFi Columbus stores only carry devices with empty, not pre filled pods, giving you total control over your vaping experience. This can be especially useful if your goal is to use vaping to stage down your nicotine consumption.
Don't worry, you can easily switch up your flavor whenever you want just by picking up a new bottle of juice!
Upgrading to a Pod Style
If you're looking for something that isn't super complicated and works right out of the box, then a pod style may be a perfect fit.
Similar to disposables, pod style devices are small and portable, with built in batteries that don't go very high in power. The major difference is that you keep your device and fill up/replace the pods with e-liquid as needed.
The hits are still discreet because the low power doesn't produce a large cloud of vapor, and much like a disposable, you can safely use salt nicotine juices in your pods.
Some, but not all, have additional features like adjustable airflow, a few preset power outputs, and different pods that can change the type of hit the device produces to customize it to your preferences.
Beginning with Box Mods
A box mod vape is also refillable, with a tank to hold the juice and a bigger, higher powered battery component.
The hit your device gives you is controlled largely by the type of tank and coils you use, but on a box mod you can expect a fully adjustable power range and several other bells and whistles for customization.
Due to their higher power, they usually produce big clouds of vapor. Unlike pod style systems, box mods aren't recommended for use with salt nicotine juices. Because of how much vapor is produced by most tanks, salts and their higher concentration of nicotine can quickly become unsafe. The larger cloud of vapor with a lower nicotine strength will help you still feel the satisfaction of the hit, while also cutting your hand to mouth cravings.
There are even more customization options for box mods! Our Vaporfi Columbus stores carry starter kits that come with mods paired with tanks made by the same brand, but we also have a wide variety of tanks and mods sold separately for mixing and matching.
You can find some tanks that use really low powered coils, or have a design meant to mimic the type of hit you'd get from a cigarette, but that isn't the standard. For that reason, stick to smaller pod styles or disposables until you're ready to switch to a freebase style of e-juice that has a lower nicotine strength, or ask about a pod/mod hybrid that has a wide range of coil options to accommodate you as you transition down.
Battery Basics
All pod styles and box mods offered at our Vaporfi Columbus stores are able to be recharged, and even some newer, high puff count disposables are rechargeable to a point. Pod styles and some types of box mods have what's called a built in, or internal battery.
The longer you have your battery, you may experience a decrease in the life per charge as it ages, and eventually it may stop working altogether. Overall, the lifespan of a battery is roughly six months to a year.
A lot of box mods have the added flexibility of getting removable, or external batteries. One of the biggest benefits to buying a device with removable batteries is that when they eventually reach the end of their lifespan, you can pick up a new set for a fraction of the price of buying a whole new device.
External battery chargers are available and highly recommended. You can even pick up two sets of batteries to switch between. Trust us, there's no better feeling than knowing your vape is about to die, but you have an extra set already on the charger as a backup!
Power Hours
The type of battery or batteries you get can have a big impact on your vaping experience. When vape shopping, you should ask yourself how much battery life you might need. Both the overall lifespan of internal battery devices and how long you want your vape to last you on a single charge are important factors to consider.
The higher power you plan to run your device at, the less time your battery can be expected to last on a single charge. The same goes for if you vape consistently all day long, you can expect to have to recharge more frequently than say someone who vapes just a few puffs before and after work. Batteries get assigned a milliampere hour rating, called mAh for short. The higher the mAh, the longer the battery can last. Keep that in mind when comparing multiple devices!
Box mods with external batteries are available in both single and dual battery types. For a scenario where you know you want to vape at a pretty high power setting and get big clouds all day, a dual battery system will give you a longer life without feeling like your vape has to constantly recharge. A single battery setup, by contrast, offers a much slimmer device profile but can't be expected to last as long at higher power settings.
The two most common battery sizes that external vapes use are called 18650s and 21700s. Certain single battery vapes are available with a sleeve inside that can adjust the battery chamber to fit a wider 21700 battery. The bigger 21700 battery can last a little longer and give you the option to use higher powered tanks or coils with a single battery device.
Want More Answers?
At Vaporfi Columbus, we are committed providing excellent customer service and to helping match adults with a device that's right for them.
The best overall vape and the best vapes for beginners are pretty subjective. What works for one person's vaping journey might not be the best fit for someone else. That's why our seasoned vapetenders start by getting to know you and what you want out of your vaping experience in order to better recommend specific products.
If you've made it to the end of this post and want to know more, check out any of our six Columbus locations for a personalized and guided encounter!
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