4 Types of Vapes Every Buyer Should Know

Vape Pens

Vape pens are best for people who already enjoy vaping and want longer battery life without extra buttons or settings.

• Pros: Bigger battery, bigger tank, simple one-button firing, easy to refill.
• Cons: Bulkier than a pod kit, fewer flavour swaps than a prefilled pod.

Popular vape pens to try:

• Innokin Endura T18 X
• Aspire PockeX AIO
• SKE Crystal 600 Pro

Box Mods

Box mods are best for experienced vapers who want big clouds, full control, and swappable parts.

• Pros: Adjustable wattage, long battery life, big clouds, strong flavour.
• Cons: Bigger and heavier, higher upfront cost, more to learn and maintain.

Popular box mods to try:

• Voopoo Drag 6Vaporesso Armour Max
• Innokin Endura T22 Pro

Big Puff Bars

Big puff bars are best for former disposable users who want the same feel in a legal, rechargeable device.

• Pros: Familiar disposable-style shape, rechargeable, refillable, low starting cost.
• Cons: Smaller tank than a box mod, needs regular charging like any other device.

Popular big puff bars to try:

• Bash Vape Echo 10K
• Hayati Pro Ultra Plus
• Lost Mary NERA 30K

What Are the Best Vape Types for Beginners?

Pod kits are the best vape types for beginners because they are small, simple, and easy to carry. Charge the device, fill the pod (or insert a prefilled pod), and inhale.

Beginners usually want a device that feels close to smoking. Pod kits do this well because they:

• Fit easily in a pocket or small bag.
• Use higher PG e-liquid for a stronger throat hit.
• Cost less upfront than box mods.
• Need almost no setup or maintenance.

Most pod kits use mouth-to-lung (MTL) draw. This means you pull vapour into your mouth first, then into your lungs, just like a cigarette. If you are switching from smoking, this style will feel the most familiar.

What Is a Pod Kit and Who Should Buy One?

A pod kit is a small vape with a removable pod that holds your e-liquid and coil. You either refill the pod yourself or swap in a new prefilled one.

Pod kits work best for:

• New vapers who want a simple start.
• Smokers switching over and wanting higher nicotine strengths.
• Anyone who wants a small, pocket-friendly device.

What Are Pen-Style Vaporisers and How Do They Work?

Pen-style vaporisers are long, slim devices with a bigger battery and a refillable tank. You fill the tank with e-liquid and charge the battery. Most vape pens are activated by either a fire button or automatic inhale. 

They sit between pod kits and box mods in terms of power. Vape pens usually offer:

• A battery that lasts several hours to a full day.
• A tank that holds more e-liquid than a pod.
• One simple fire button, so there is nothing tricky to learn.
• USB charging, so you can top up almost anywhere.

This style suits people who already know they enjoy vaping and want longer battery life without jumping straight to an advanced mod. It also gives you room to grow, since you can experiment with different tanks and coils as your taste develops.

Pro Tip: New to vape pens? Read our full guide on the best way to use a vape pen to avoid common beginner mistakes like burnt coils.

What Are Box Mods and Who Are They For?

Box mods are larger, more powerful vapes with settings you can adjust, like wattage and airflow. They are built for experienced vapers who want full control over their vape.

Box mods usually come with:

• Higher battery capacity, often using external 18650 batteries.
• Adjustable wattage and temperature settings.
• Sub-ohm coils, built for big clouds and bold flavour.
• Swappable tanks, so you can change your setup easily.

Box mods work best with direct-to-lung (DTL) inhaling. This means you pull vapour straight into your lungs in one smooth breath, rather than holding it in your mouth first. This style needs higher VG e-liquid, thicker in texture, made for cloud production.

Box mods are not the easiest starting point. If you are brand new to vaping, start with a pod kit or vape pen first.

What Happened to Disposable Vapes in the UK?

Disposable, single-use vapes are now illegal to sell in the UK. The ban started on 1 June 2025 and covers every shop, online store, and market stall.

The ban exists for two main reasons:

• Waste: Millions of disposables are being thrown away every week, and their batteries are hard to recycle safely.
• Youth access: Cheap, colourful disposables made it too easy for under-18s to get hold of vapes.

Devices sold in the UK must no longer be single-use products. They must be rechargeable and/or designed for continued use through replaceable or refillable components. This implication changed the shape of the whole market, and a new type of device stepped in to fill the gap.

What Are Big Puff Bars and Are They a Legal Alternative?

Big puff bars are rechargeable, refillable devices built to look and feel like the old disposable bars. Unlike traditional disposables, these devices are reusable because they recharge and use refillable tanks or replaceable pods. 

Big puff bars give you:

• The same simple, pocket-friendly shape as old disposables.
• A rechargeable battery, so nothing gets thrown away after one use.
• A refillable tank or pod, which saves money over time.
• Long-lasting flavour, since you top up with your favourite e-liquid.

If you liked the ease of disposables, a big puff bar is your closest legal match. You can find a strong lineup of these among our best vape kits, picked to suit UK vapers switching over from single-use devices.

Vapes Comparison Guide: Which Device Wins?

There is no single winner. The right device depends on your budget, your experience, and how much vapour you want. Use this vapes comparison guide table to compare the main options side by side.

This table shows one clear pattern. Every legal option today is designed to be refilled or recharged, not thrown away.

What Is the Difference Between MTL and DTL Vaping?

MTL means mouth-to-lung, where vapour sits in your mouth before you breathe it in. DTL means direct-to-lung, where vapour goes straight into your lungs in one pull.

The style you use changes which device and e-liquid work best for you:

• MTL vaping feels closer to smoking a cigarette. It uses higher PG e-liquid and a tighter draw. Pod kits and most vape pens are built for this style.
• DTL vaping feels more like taking a deep breath. It uses higher VG e-liquid and a looser, airier draw. Box mods and sub-ohm tanks are built for this style.

Vaping Tip!

If you are switching from smoking, MTL usually feels more natural at first. You can always try DTL once you get comfortable.

Coil resistance is a good clue too. Coils above 1.0 ohm are made for MTL, while coils under 0.5 ohm are made for DTL. Checking this number before you buy saves you from picking the wrong tank.

What Is the Difference Between PG and VG in Vape Juice?

PG (propylene glycol) and VG (vegetable glycerin) are the two main liquids in every vape juice. Together they carry the flavour and nicotine you inhale.

A 50/50 PG/VG mix is the safest starting point for beginners. Once you know your preferred style, you can move toward a higher VG mix for bigger clouds or a higher PG mix for a stronger throat hit.

How Do You Choose the Right Type of Vape for You?

Pick your device based on three simple things: how much you smoked before, how much power you want, and how much upkeep you are willing to do.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Are you brand new to vaping? Start with a pod kit.
• Do you want longer battery life with the same simplicity? Choose a vape pen.
• Do you want big clouds and full control? Go for a box mod.
• Did you love disposables but want a legal option? Try a big puff bar.

Pro Tip: Match your nicotine strength to your old smoking habit first. You can always lower it later once you feel settled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are disposable vapes still legal in the UK?

No. Single-use disposable vapes have been banned in the UK since 1 June 2025. Rechargeable, refillable big puff bars are the legal replacement.

What is the easiest vape for a beginner?

A pod kit is the easiest choice. It is small and simple, requiring very little setup or maintenance.

Can I use high VG e-liquid in a pod kit?

Most pod kits work best with 50:50 PG: VG e-liquid. Thicker, high VG liquid suits box mods and sub-ohm tanks better.

How do I know which nicotine strength to pick?

Heavy smokers usually start around 18-20mg. Light or social smokers often do better with 3-6mg strength.

Can I still buy pods and coils separately?

Yes. Pods, coils, and tanks are sold separately from most devices, so you can keep using your kit without buying a new one each time.

Final Thoughts

Every vaper's journey starts with picking the right device. Now that you understand the main types of vapes sold in the UK, you can choose with confidence instead of guesswork.

Pod kits suit beginners, pens suit everyday users, box mods suit cloud chasers, and big puff bars suit anyone missing the old disposable feel.

Ready to find your match? Browse our full range at the Best online vape shop in the UK and get fast, reliable delivery on every order.