Switching From Disposable Vapes To Pod Kits

Disposable vapes are one the most popular forms of vaping in the world today. However, by only sticking to disposable vapes, you're missing out on a lot, and with the ban on disposable vapes coming into effect in the UK in June 2025, you won't be able to use them much longer.

Luckily for you, there are a couple of great alternative options you can try that give you a better experience and save you some money in the long run. I'm, of course, talking about pod kits. Don't know what a pod kit is or where to get started? Please don't fret; we've created this nifty guide to help you transition smoothly.

Disposable vapes are a self-contained, single-use vape kit. Most of these kits are prefilled with 2 ml of e-liquid at 20 mg nicotine strength with a typical battery capacity of 550mAh. They're non-rechargeable, meaning once you've used up the battery or the e-liquid, you must toss it. Disposable vapes have become extremely popular thanks to their user-friendly nature, availability and low price point. Still, with the UK ban on these devices coming into effect in June 2025, you won't be able to buy them for much longer.

Pod kits are rechargeable and refillable vape devices similar to disposable vapes but better in nearly every aspect. Pod kits have a battery device to power the kit and a pod with a built-in coil that houses the e-liquid. With thousands of e-liquid options available, you have far more flavour variety here over disposable vapes, as well as more powerful batteries that are rechargeable, refillable pods, and have more control over your vaping experience. Pod Kits can also save you money in the long run, as once you've paid for the kit, each 10ml e-liquid you purchase equals five disposable vapes.

Pod kits are some of the most used and versatile devices and come in all different shapes and sizes. Suppose you're a dedicated disposable vape user. In that case, however, it might be an idea to start thinking about switching over to pod kits for many reasons, but most importantly, as of June 2025, the UK government will ban the sale and supply of disposable vapes in the UK. If that leaves you in a bit of a pickle, don't worry; this blog will help make the switch to pod kits a breeze. So, why don't we start with the benefits?

One benefit that will interest many people is the cost-effectiveness of  pod kits . While pod kits are more expensive upfront than disposable vapes, the long-term savings far outweigh disposables. Just one bottle of 10 ml e-liquid is the equivalent of five disposable vapes, so once you've bought your kit, refilling it is significantly cheaper than buying a new disposable vape every time it runs out.

Pod kits  also have far more features than disposable vapes, making the customisation options very exciting. They offer different, adjustable power levels and adjustable airflow so you can switch between an MTL (Mouth to Lung) or RDL (Restricted Direct Lung) vaping style. Most pod kits also have screens to keep track of vaping information like battery level, puff count, wattage and resistance.

While disposable vapes do come in quite a variety of flavours, they mostly produce the same few. Pod kits, however, use e-liquids, and thousands of different flavour combinations have been developed by some of the top brands in the world, including some of your favourite disposable ones, such as Elf Bar and IVG.

Not only are pod kits better value for money and have a huge range of flavours, but they're also far more environmentally friendly. Disposable vapes are a huge electronic waste problem, one reason for the ban in the UK; so by switching to a pod kit, you can mitigate the contribution to this waste since with pod kits, you only have to dispose of the pods once they've reached the end of their life.

When it comes to switching from disposables to pod kits, you may find yourself confronted with a few different options. Don't worry if you find that intimidating; we're here to help guide you through the different options.

Prefilled pod kits are an excellent option for those new to pod kits and don't want the hassle of refilling their pods. These kits come in a few different varieties. 

Firstly, you have the pod kits that come with prefilled pods. These pod kits are just like refillable pod kits, except they utilise pods that are prefilled with e-liquid, usually 20 mg in strength, and require no maintenance—you simply pop the pod in and then throw it away when it's finished. 

Secondly, there are prefilled pod kits called Big Puff Vapes. These devices have a much bigger battery and a larger puff count than disposable vapes. They come with an internal pod and prefilled refill cartridge, which the device automatically draws upon until empty. Some of these kits are a one-time use deal, but most are rechargeable via Type-C USB, and some even have replacement prefilled pods, such as the IVG Air 4-in-1, putting them in a similar league as the prefilled pod kits.

Prefilled Pod Kits come with plenty of benefits, too. There is no need to refill the pods, making for easy and uncomplicated vaping, letting you get straight to the fun stuff. Prefilled pods are also inexpensive compared to disposable vapes, meaning instead of shelling out for a whole new device, you can spend a fraction of the money on a new pod.

Refillable pod kits are a far more versatile option than a prefilled pod kit, thanks to their use of the thousands of different e-liquids available. However, they do require a bit more work to use, namely the refilling of the pods. If you're after more variety in your e-liquid flavours and device settings, then refillable pod kits are the way to go.

Thanks to their wide favourite flavour choice, environmental benefits, and cost-effectiveness, refillable pod kits provide a streamlined and inexpensive way to enjoy vaping with tons of variety. Once the coil wears out, pods only have to be replaced every week or two, so you'll be contributing far less waste than if you were throwing out disposable vapes every few days.

Picking the right e-liquid or your pod kit is something else that might seem daunting, and mostly, it will come down to personal preference, but once again, we're here to make the selection that bit easier.

First, we have freebase e-liquids, the original type of e-liquid. These vape juices provide a harsh throat hit and high pH value and take much longer to absorb, like a slow burn. If you like a harsher hit and don't mind the slow release of nicotine, freebase is the e-liquid for you.

Next are nic salt e-liquids. Nic Salts are derived from freebase e-liquids by combining them with an acid, normally benzoic. This reduces the pH value to a more normal level and, in turn, makes the throat hit much smoother. Because the nicotine has been made into a salt, this also allows it to be absorbed into the body much quicker than freebase e-liquids for more instantaneous nicotine hit. Most e-liquids come in nic salt form and 10 ml bottles.

Finally, you have your Shortfille-liquid. Now, many of these come in a 70VG/30PG ratio, best used in sub-ohm kits. However, they also come in a 50VG/50PG ratio, right at home in pod kits. These shortfalls come in either 50 ml or 100 ml bottles at 0 mg of nicotine but have space for 10 ml nic shots to be added - one nic shot for a 50 ml bottle and two nic shots for a 100 ml bottle. If you find a flavour you like, shortfills might be the way to go, and the nicotine customisation is definitely an added bonus!

If you're new to refillable pods, figuring out how to use them with pod kits might be a little confusing. But following this handy guide will have you filled up and ready to go in no time:

1. Locate the filling port on your pod. The two most common types of ports are top fill and side fill.

2. Remove the rubber bung from the filling port, carefully place the nozzle of your e-liquid bottle into the port, and squeeze to fill the bottle with e-liquid.

3. Replace the bung, and if this is a brand-new pod, let the e-liquid sit for 5-10 minutes to saturate the coil properly.

4. Place the filled pod into your device, ensuring the magnetic connectors on the pod and the device are lined up and secured. Now you're ready to vape!

Looking after your pod kit is as important as knowing how to fill it. Follow these tips to keep your pod kit and pods in top condition!

• Replace your pods —When your pod reaches the end of its life, the flavour will diminish, and you may experience a burnt taste. At this point, it's time to change your pod to maintain full flavour and taste.

• Clean the connectors:  Keeping the magnetic connectors on both the pod and the device clean is vital to maintaining a strong and stable connection. Regularly use the tip of a cotton bud to remove any dirt and debris from the connectors.

Moving over from disposable vapes to pod kits can have its issues (although hopefully, you're more clued in now that you've read this blog!) So here are a few solutions to problems you may encounter while making the switch:

• Burnt Taste—If your pod kit has a burnt taste, either the pod is at the end of its life and needs to be replaced, or you haven't primed it properly, and the cotton in the coil has singed. To avoid this, let the e-liquid soak into the coil for 5-10 minutes before vaping.

• Incorrect Vape Juice - If you've used the wrong type of e-liquid with your pod kit, you could encounter some problems. Make sure you're using an e-liquid with the correct VG/PG ratio for pod kits - 50VG/50PG is the perfect place to start, and most nic salt e-liquids come at this ratio.

• Nicotine Strengths—Disposable vapes have 20mg strengths by default, but with pod kits, the e-liquids you can buy come in a range of nicotine strengths (normally 5, 10, and 20 mg). Most of these e-liquids are nic salts, which provide a smoother hit at higher strengths, so give these a try and adjust accordingly.

• Flavour Expectation—If you're vaping your favourite disposable flavour in nic salt e-liquid form, you may experience a difference in taste. Disposable vapes have a very concentrated flavour, while e-liquids in a bottle aren't usually as strong. But don't worry. Just give your taste buds time to adjust and try out some different e-liquids, too, to find out what you like best.

One reason the UK is banning disposable vapes is their considerable contribution to electronic waste. In 2024, the UK threw away 8.2 million disposable vapes, which is equivalent to more than 1 million a day. Do you see the problem? These vapes end up in landfills because they're not easily recyclable, and the lithium-ion batteries contain toxic chemicals that can leak and pollute the soil and water. 

By switching to a pod kit, you can help reduce electronic waste and protect the environment while still enjoying an excellent vaping experience. It's a no-brainer, really!

Switching from disposable vapes to pod kits may seem daunting at first, but after reading this blog, we hope we've answered many of your questions and set you on the path to a clean, more enjoyable vaping experience. If you still have questions you need answers to, our team is always ready to help you via our live chat, by phone at 01246 260010, or by heading to the 'Contact Us' section of the website. For now, though, check out the FAQs below for additional information!

By switching to a pod kit, you can help reduce electronic waste and protect the environment while still enjoying an excellent vaping experience. It's a no-brainer, really!