Choosing a Pod Kit
Plenty of different brands and models of pod kits to choose from, each offering its take on these popular devices. Reasonably inexpensive and easy to maintain, pod kits are the perfect device for those looking to transition from smoking.
But what are pod kits? And how do they work? Well, stick around because we're about to find out!
What Are Pod Kits?
Since their inception, pod kits have gained significant popularity within the vaping community. Pod kits comprise a body housing a rechargeable battery that powers the device and a pod—either refillable or prefilled—that houses your favourite e-liquid. Their popularity is mainly due to their ease of use, which manufacturers put at the forefront of their design. With no need for complicated set-up or tricky adjustment, vapers can simply insert a pod and puff away!
The Types of Pod Kits
There are a lot of different pod kits, so let's look at what they're all about.
Prefilled - Prefilled pod kits come with a rechargeable battery device and a pod prefilled with e-liquid, making them an easy alternative to disposable vapes. When the pod is finished, throw it away and pop in a new one, and when the battery dies, just recharge it!
Refillable— Refillable pod kits are a staple with many new and intermediate vapers. Like a prefilled kit, they come with a rechargeable battery device, but this time, they have an empty pod. This allows vapers to fill it up with an e-liquid flavour of their choice—and there are thousands to choose from! Refillable kits are perfect for vapers who want a little more freedom in their vape.
Fixed or Replaceable Coils - Most pods come with a fixed, in-built coil, meaning once the coil has worn out, you must throw the pod away and pop in a new one. But some have space for a replaceable coil. This way, you can keep the pod and swap the coil out when it's lost its oomph, giving vapers even further freedom to customise their vaping experience.
Pod Mod Kits— Pod Mods sit in the middle between traditional pod kits and sub-ohm devices. Everything about them is bigger, including a larger battery, e-liquid capacity, and vapour production. They usually have adjustable power settings and replaceable coils. However, due to this upgrade, you may need to change the type of e-liquid you use, and they tend to be more complex than regular pod kits.
Fixed or Replaceable Batteries— Most pod kits have built-in batteries that you recharge by plugging a USB cable into the device. Some, however, have replaceable batteries, which greatly increase the flexibility and power of the device, letting more experienced vapers adjust their experience even further.
How do Pod Kits Work?
Pod kits are a midway point between disposable vapes and sub-ohm vape kits. They all work basically the same way, but pod kits have their own nuances.
To explain, pod kits have a rechargeable battery that heats a coil in the pod. This then vaporises the e-liquid in the pod and turns it into the vapour you inhale and exhale.
Pod kits also allow for various vaping styles—from MTL (Mouth to Lung) vaping, which mimics the traditional draw of a cigarette, to RDL (Restricted Direct Lung) vaping, which provides a little more airflow, and even DTL (Direct to Lung) vaping for voluminous vapour clouds. Whatever vaping style you prefer, there's a pod kit out there for you.
Pod Kits and Their Functions
Besides allowing you to enjoy a sumptuous vape, pod kits come packed with numerous features to enhance your vaping experience further.
Screen: Nowadays, most pod kits come with an interactive screen. These screens display all the vaping information you'll need at a glance—from battery level and puff count to wattage and pod resistance.
Pods: Most pod kits use refillable pods, and practically all kits include one or two pods. However, some kits come with prefilled pods instead for the ultimate convenience.
Type-C Fast Charging: Like most electronic devices nowadays, pod kits are equipped with Type-C USB charging for fast recharging, allowing for less downtime between vaping sessions.
Magnetic Pods: Several pod kits have added magnetic connectors to their pods and devices, allowing them to stay in place easily and safely for even further convenience.
Power Modes and Settings: Most pod kits come with built-in settings that allow you to adjust the wattage or tweak certain parameters. Even if they don't, they allow for auto-coil resistance detection and change the wattage according to the pod you have inserted.
Airflow Settings: Nearly all pod kits have an adjustable airflow slider that lets you adjust the tightness or looseness of your draw. Even if they don't, those tend to have a dual airflow system, which can be changed by removing the pod, turning it 180 degrees, and inserting it again.
Auto Draw/Button Activation: Practically all pod kits have an auto draw feature, meaning you simply have to draw on the mouthpiece to start vaping. Others will have a button activation when you press and hold a button on the device to fire it. There are no real pros or cons to either; as with how good vape devices are now, they both work exceptionally well.
Pod Kits and The Different E-liquids
Pod kits can use several different kinds of e-liquid, and which one you choose entirely depends on your preference. Let's take a look at them, shall we?
Nic Salts
Nic Salts are the most popular e-liquid around. They offer intense flavour and a smooth throat hit. These e-liquids mainly come in a 50VG/50PG solution, which is perfect for use in a pod kit. They also come in a considerable number of flavours, some of which even mimic the taste of disposable vapes.
Freebase
Freebase e-liquids are a precursor to nic salts and what nic salts are made from. They act a lot slower than nic salts, which release nicotine in about 6 seconds and take a lot longer to leave your system—so if you prefer a longer-lasting nicotine hit, Freebase is for you. It's also worth pointing out that freebase e-liquids have a much harsher throat hit than their nic salt cousins, so bear that in mind if you decide to go with them.
Shortfills
Shortfills are a bit different from nic salts and freebase e-liquids. By law in the UK, e-liquids containing nicotine must come in bottles no bigger than 10 ml. Shortfills get around this by being nicotine-free. They come in 50 ml or 100 ml bottles and various flavours. While most shortfalls tend to be a 70VG/30PG ratio, which is better suited to higher-powered devices like sub-ohm kits, some shortfalls are available in a 50VG/50PG ratio.
Shortfills, which are nicotine-free when purchased, can be topped up with nicotine in the form of nic shots. 50 ml bottles have space for one 10 ml nic shot, while 100 ml shortfills allow for two 10 ml nic shots. This lets you customise the strength of your e-liquid to exactly your preferences.
Tips For Buying Your First Pod Kit
When picking your first pod kit, I know how tempting it can be to buy the first one that looks good. Instead, you should take a moment to read over these tips to make sure you get the right one for you.
E-liquid Compatibility: Not all e-liquids are compatible with pod kits. Because they're low-powered devices, you'll want to use e-liquids that vaporise better at low temperatures, like nic salts or e-liquids with a 50VG/50PG ratio.
Battery Life: Are you a casual vaper? Or a regular one? Take this into account when choosing your device. If you only vape occasionally, one with a smaller battery will be fine, but if you vape every day, look for ones with larger batteries. The battery size is indicated by a number followed by mAh (so 1000mAh, for example). The bigger the number, the bigger the battery.
Pod Compatibility: Not all pods are compatible with all devices. Make sure that you do your research before buying pods to make sure they fit your device. Some companies, like Geekvape, have cross-compatible pods that work with a multitude of their devices, such as the Sonder, Aegis, and Wenax Q series, so if you're looking for ease of use, they might be the pod kits for you.
Vaping Styles: Not all pod kits can accommodate all vaping styles. Most allow for MTL (mouth-to-lung) and RDL (Restricted Direct Lung) vaping, but only some allow DTL (direct-to-lung) vaping, so it's important you pick one that fits your preferences.
Pricing: Pod kits come in various price ranges, so there's something for everyone. Make sure to budget accordingly when picking out your new pod kit.
Extra Features: Are you looking for a straightforward puff-and-go vaping experience? Or are you after something with a few more bells and whistles? Pod kits come with a variety of features, such as screens and power settings, so see what's available and what features they have before making a decision.
How Long Can a Pod Vape Last?
How long your pod vape lasts depends on several factors, including battery capacity, inhalation frequency and type of e-liquid used. You can expect a pod kit to last at least one day with moderate use before recharging, but this estimate can increase or decrease with heavier or lighter usage.
Prefilled pods must be thrown away once the e-liquid has run out, whereas refillable pods can be used for around 1-2 weeks—this is usually when the coil begins to wear out, but again, this timeframe can change based on usage. A typical 2 ml pod (which, according to TPD law, is the capacity they're limited to in the UK) will typically last a vaper one day but possibly more if they don't vape all day.
Summary
Pod Kit FAQs
What's the difference between a vape and a pod?
'Vape' is a catch-all term for any device that vaporises its liquid. A pod is a specific type of vape that uses a prefilled or refillable pod with a built-in coil and a battery device.
How long does a pod last?
On average, pods tend to last 1-2 weeks. After this point, the flavour may weaken, the vapour produced may become minimal, and vapers may experience a burnt taste when they inhale. This means the coil has run its course and must be replaced. For built-in coils, the whole pod must be replaced, but for pods that have replaceable coils, simply eject the old coil and pod in a new one.
Is a pod kit better than a disposable vape?
In many senses, a pod kit is better than a disposable vape. Not only are disposable vapes being banned in the UK from June 2025, but pod kits offer far more flexibility in almost every area, from vaping styles and setting adjustments to wide flavour variety and the ability to choose the nicotine strength of the e-liquid you use. They are also far cheaper in the long run, and after paying the initial cost of the device, it more than pays for itself, with a single 10ml bottle of e-liquid equalling five disposable vapes for a fraction of the cost.
Can pod kits help me stop smoking?
Pod kits are an excellent option if you're trying to quit smoking. Being more flexible than their disposable cousins, nearly all e-liquids can be bought in different nicotine strengths, meaning as you progress, you can slowly decrease your nicotine intake and eventually give it up altogether. While vaping is a far healthier alternative to smoking in every way, it also isn't without its risks, so please continuously vape responsibly and respect your body's limits.