Get better flavor and a more satisfying vaping experience with these proven pod vapes
Over the past few years, more and more people have been shying away from using vape tanks and vape mods. Instead, vapers have been gravitating towards more simple and portable pod vapes. These vapes are compact, easy to vape with and use refillable pods. They make vaping as hassle-free as can be, all while providing great flavor and great battery life as well.
With the increasing popularity of pod vapes the market has been flooded with new devices almost daily. This makes it hard to pick out the ones that are good and the ones that are just a waste of money.
To make things easier, we’ve put together this list. These devices have all been selected based on their ease of use, portability, flavor, and vapor quality so that you can get the most bang for your buck.
OUR TOP PICKS

Why Trust Us
All of our buyer's guides and reviews are based on market research, expert input, and practical experience with the products we include. This way, we offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.
How we test
Best Overall
5.0
Exemplary
- Dimensions: 120.8mm x 24.5mm x 14.5mm
- Pods: 3ml or 2ml (TPD), replaceable pods
- Battery Size: 1500mAh
- Firing Method: Button & Draw activated firing
- Draw: RDL to MTL draw
- Adjustable Airflow: Yes
- Adjustable Wattage: Yes (3-mode), or incremental with 0.4Ω pod
- Charging Type: 3A Type-C
PROS
- Bright and clear customizable display
- Eco, Normal, and Power wattage adjustment levels
- Comes with new COREX 3.0 top-fill pods; excellent flavor and longevity
- Great for MTL and Tight RDL vaping
- Fast 3A Super Charge USB-Type C port
CONS
- Incremental wattage adjustment only with 0.4Ω pods
Why We Picked It
VAPORESSO’s XROS series of devices continues to improve with every new release, and the XROS 5 is easily the best one yet. It’s sleek, portable, and light, and it delivers some of the best flavor that we’ve had from a pod vape.
The new COREX 3.0 coils are fantastic and really enhance the flavor and smoothness of e-liquids. These coils are an improvement over the already impressive COREX 2.0 coils, which were included with the XROS 4, and deliver a noticeable difference to the vaping experience.
On top of the great performance, we really like the three-level adjustable wattage on the XROS 5. When using the 0.6Ω, 0.8Ω, or 1.2Ω pods, you can switch between ECO, NORMAL, or POWER MODES. However, when using the 0.4Ω pod, you can adjust the wattage up to 30W, allowing RDL vapers to more finely tweak the power. This keeps the XROS 5 simple enough for beginners, while still offering some control over the strength of your draw.
Another great feature of the XROS 5 is its 1500mAh battery—a 50% increase in capacity over the XROS 4. Not only that, but the charging speed has also been upgraded to 3A super-fast charging, so it takes only 35 minutes for a full charge.
The XROS 5 is beginner-friendly yet adjustable enough to match the draw to your liking. It also proved to be flavorful, consistent, and reliable. For these reasons and more, the XROS 5 easily gets our top recommendation as the best pod vape you can buy right now.
Read our full review of the VAPORESSO XROS 5.
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CODE: VERSED
Approx. Price: $35 USD
Runner-Up, Best Overall
4.5
Outstanding
- Dimensions: 114.5mm x 25mm x 15mm
- Pods: 2ml capacity, replaceable pods
- Battery Size: 1300mAh
- Firing Method: Draw and button activated firing
- Draw: RDL to MTL
- Adjustable Airflow: Yes
- Adjustable Wattage: Yes (5-30W)
- Charging Type: 2A Type-C fast charging
PROS
- DNA chipset offers consistent performance, dry-hit prevention, and precise temperature control
- Puff replay mode works great and can be used to get just the right puff
- Airflow slider allows fine tuning for MTL or RDL vaping
- Excellent flavor and vapor from both 0.6Ω and 0.8Ω pods
- Pods last through 25–30ml of ejuice with no leaks or burnt flavor
CONS
- Small font on display might be hard to read for some users
- Button combinations take some time to learn
- Pricey for a pod vape at $50
Why We Picked It
The OXVA XLIM PRO 2 DNA boasts premium build quality, impressive features, and outstanding performance. It’s more expensive than other pod vapes, but with good reason; the XLIM PRO 2 DNA features EVOLV’s DNA chipset, which has long been regarded as one of the best chipsets in the industry.
What makes the DNA chipset so great is its ultra-consistent performance and accuracy in preventing dry hits. The dry-hit prevention alone is a game changer, and helps extend pod life by cutting power when the wick is getting dry.
The vaping experience itself is top-tier, offering excellent flavor and vapor production from OXVA’s stainless steel mesh pods. These pods are specifically designed to work with the DNA chipset and are capable of lasting through 25-30ml of ejuice without any burning or leaking.
Whether you’re after a tight MTL draw with the 0.8Ω pod or a satisfying RDL experience with the 0.6Ω pod, this device excels at both, and the draw can be further fine-tuned using the adjustable airflow slider.
Additional features, such as fast 35-minute charging, dual activation (via button and draw), and the ability to customize the interface via EVOLV’s Escribe software, make this a pod vape geared toward more advanced users or anyone who simply wants the best.
While it may be more expensive than your average pod system at around $50 USD, the long-term value in terms of performance, durability, and pod longevity makes the XLIM PRO 2 DNA a standout choice for a pod vape.
Read our full review of the OXVA XLIM PRO 2 DNA.
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CODE: VERSED
Approx. Price: $50 USD
Best Mouth-to-Lung (MTL)
4.5
Outstanding
- Dimensions: 78mm x 48.5mm x 17.5mm
- Pods: 2ml capacity, replaceable pods
- Battery Size: 110mAh
- Firing Method: Draw activated firing
- Draw: RDL to tight MTL
- Adjustable Airflow: Yes
- Adjustable Wattage: Yes (up to 30W)
- Charging Type: 2A Type-C
PROS
- Features precise wattage adjustment for experienced users
- Three 'beginner' wattage output modes
- OLED display, while small, is a welcome addition over the original Argus P1
- Airflow slider is firm and can adjusted for RDL to tight MTL vaping
- Pods are leak-proof and last for 60ml+ of eliquid (tested)
- Great battery life from 1100mAh battery
CONS
- Dark tinted pods
- Included pods aren't great for high-strength nicotine salts
Why We Picked It
Mouth-to-lung vapers will love everything that the Argus P2 has to offer. It’s a big upgrade over the Argus P1 and now comes with better features and more user-adjustability. The Argus P2 brings a handy display, adjustable wattage, and even better pods than before. The airflow slider has also been improved to make micro-adjustments easier.
Unlike the Argus P1, which didn’t really allow for RDL, the Argus P2 can be used for RDL to MTL by adjusting the airflow slider. Whether you like loose MTL vape, a medium MTL vape, or a tight MTL vape, all of these are achievable just by setting the airflow to your liking.
The Argus P2 is also great because it comes with three output modes, as well as adjustable wattage, so it can be used by both beginners and experienced vapers. If you’re a beginner, you can simply change between the three output modes until you find one that you’re comfortable with. If you’re a more experienced vaper, you can switch the P2 to adjustable wattage and set the wattage manually.
VOOPOO’s new Argus ‘Top-Fill’ pods are impressively good. They come in 0.4Ω and 0.7Ω resistances, so they’ll work best with low-to-mid-strength nicotine salt ejuices or freebase nicotine ejuices. The flavor from both pods is excellent, and they’re also leak-resistant; we didn’t experience any leaking with either cartridge, even after weeks of use. These pods also offer a lifespan of up to 90ml of ejuice before needing to be replaced, so they’re very economical as well.
Read our full review of the Voopoo Argus P2.
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CODE: VERSED
Approx. Price: $20 USD
Best Direct Lung (DL)
4.5
Outstanding
- Dimensions: 108mm x 32.1mm x 26.4mm
- Pods: 5ml capacity, replaceable coils
- Battery Size: 3200mAh
- Firing Method: Button-activated firing
- Draw: MTL/RDL/DL
- Adjustable Airflow: Yes
- Adjustable Wattage: Yes (up to 80W)
- Charging Type: 2A Type-C
PROS
- Discreet, manual device lock button on the base
- Large, bright 0.96-inch TFT color display
- Choice of Pulse, Eco, and Smart usage modes
- Wide range of GTX coil resistances available (0.15Ω to 1.2Ω)
- Works brilliantly for either DTL or MTL vaping
CONS
- Tiny font size for on-screen data; can be hard to read
- Mouthpiece gets quite hot at high wattages
Why We Picked It
The LUXE XR MAX 2 is yet another impressive device from VAPORESSO. It can fire at up to 80W and can be used with any of VAPORESSO’s many GTX coils, so there are plenty of options for how to use it. It’s the latest addition to their “LUXE” line of pod vapes, and it brings some noteworthy upgrades over its predecessor, the XR MAX.
One of these upgrades is the battery. The XR MAX 2 features an impressively powerful 3200mAh “Mega Batt”, which is 400mAh larger than the XR MAX. The 2A charging can take the LUXE XR MAX 2 from empty to full in just about an hour, which is reasonably quick considering the battery capacity that needs to be refilled.
The LUXE XR MAX 2 is capable of MTL (mouth-to-lung), RDL (restricted direct lung), and DL (direct-to-lung) vaping, depending on which pod you use and how you set the airflow. There’s a MTL pod for the higher-resistance coils, and a DTL pod for the lower-resistance ones. No matter if you want an airy draw and big clouds, or a tight draw and a less intense experience, the XR MAX 2 can do it.
Due to its excellent flavor, great coils, and versatile airflow, the LUXE XR MAX 2 earns our pick as the best pod vape for DL vaping.
Read our full review of the VAPORESSO LUXE XR MAX 2.
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CODE: VERSED
Approx. Price: $40 USD
Best Budget
4.5
Outstanding
- Dimensions: 120.3mm x 24.5mm x 14.5mm
- Pods: 3ml capacity, replaceable pods
- Battery Size: 1350mAh
- Firing Method: Draw activated firing
- Draw: MTL to Tight MTL
- Adjustable Airflow: Yes
- Adjustable Wattage: No (5-30W)
- Charging Type: 1A Type-C
PROS
- Easy to use; only adjustable feature is the airflow
- Excellent flavor, vapor, and throat hit
- Four pods available in a variety of resistances
- Included 0.8Ω pod can be used for freebase and nicotine salt ejuices
- Good pod life (over 20ml)
CONS
- Only comes with 1 pod
- RGB LED ring light is quite bright
- No information about battery indicator colors and what percentage they correspond to
Why We Picked It
The Sonder Q2 by Geekvape is a sleek, modern, and incredibly easy-to-use pod vape. The best part is that it can be found for right around ~$13 USD, making it an excellent pick for budget-conscious vapers.
The Sonder Q2 is refillable with your own ejuice, and it uses pods that come with the coil built-in. There are also no buttons and no settings to adjust. This simplicity makes it perfectly suited for new and beginner vapers, or for vapers who are just looking for a simple device to take with them on the go.
Mouth-to-lung vapers will love the draw that this device provides. The airflow control slider allows for precise adjustments, so you can go from a nice medium MTL draw with the airflow open to a tight MTL draw with the airflow closed down.
The included 0.8Ω Q Cartridge is also great all-around. You can vape freebase ejuices, low-strength nicotine salts, or high-strength nicotine salts alike, and they all vape great with this pod.
Although the Sonder Q2 only comes with one pod, there are three other Q series pods available: a 0.4Ω Q Cartridge, a 0.6Ω Q Cartridge, and a 1.2Ω Q Cartridge. All Q series pods feature GEEKVAPE’s new VPU technology inside, which delivers plenty of flavor, excellent wicking capabilities with a variety of ejuices, and consistency from fill to fill.
On top of all of this, the Sonder Q2 has a huge 1350mAh battery. This is more than enough juice to get a typical vaper through a work day, if not two.
For beginner vapers or those looking for an affordable pod device that still delivers flavor, the Sonder Q2 gets our recommendation.
Read our full review of the Geekvape Sonder Q2.
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CODE: VERSED
Approx. Price: $15 USD
Best Features
4.5
Outstanding
- Dimensions: 121mm x 26.4mm x 15.2mm
- Pods: 3ml capacity, replaceable pods
- Battery Size: 1000mAh
- Firing Method: Draw/button activated firing
- Draw: RDL to tight MTL
- Adjustable Airflow: Yes
- Adjustable Wattage: Yes (5-30W)
- Charging Type: 2A Type-C
PROS
- 0.96" full-color display
- Three different output modes: SUPER, SMART, & ECO
- Features adjustable wattage up to 30W
- Pods last a long time and are also leak-proof
- Great battery life from 1000mAh battery and quick charging (~35 minutes)
CONS
- Dark tinted pods
- Included pods aren't good for high-strength nicotine salts
- A bit large and heavy
Why We Picked It
The Argus G2 is one of the most feature-filled and user-adjustable pod vapes on the market. If you’re looking to completely tailor your vaping experience, the adjustable airflow and adjustable wattage on the Argus G2 allow you to do just that. Not to mention that you get the benefits of everything else that it has to offer, like a large full-color display, new 3ml Argus pods, and a large 1000mAh battery.
The airflow slider on the Argus G2 is very similar to the one on the original Argus G. It’s very firm, so it takes some effort to adjust, but this allows the airflow to be precisely set for anywhere from a RDL to a tight MTL draw.
The Argus G2 brings three different modes that are each great in their own way. SMART mode is essentially like regular wattage mode, ECO mode is a battery-saving mode for those times when you’re trying to conserve battery life, and SUPER boosts the voltage a bit in order to deliver a stronger draw. You can adjust the wattage in all three modes.
Aside from the great user-adjustability, VOOPOO’s new Top-Fill Argus pods are one of the best reasons to get the Argus G2. The 3ml pod capacity is great to have, especially if you’re vaping at higher wattages, because you’ll be going through ejuice more quickly. These pods are also leak-resistant and can last up to 90ml of ejuice before needing to be replaced.
Read our full review of the VOOPOO Argus G2.
SAVE 10%
CODE: VERSED
Approx. Price: $25 USD
Best Flavor
4.5
Outstanding
- Dimensions: 115mm x 26mm x 15.65mm
- Pods: 3ml (2ml CRC/TPD), replaceable pods
- Battery Size: 1300mAh
- Firing Method: Draw/button-activated firing
- Draw: RDL to tight MTL
- Adjustable Airflow: Yes
- Adjustable Wattage: Yes (5-35W)
- Charging Type: 2A Type-C fast charging
PROS
- Full-color display on the G4 with detailed vape info and settings
- Transparent pods with e-juice window make it easy to monitor e-juice levels
- Upgraded GPP pods provide great flavor and longevity
- Compatible with all GPP (G3) pods, including older ones
- G4 features fast 2A Type-C charging; full charge in ~40 minutes
CONS
- No clear explanation from UWELL on the actual effect of the vape modes (storm, wave)
- 0.85” display is small and may be hard to read for some users
Why We Picked It
The Caliburn G4 is Uwell’s latest pod device, and it’s the most flavorful pod vape out right now. If you want to taste your e-juice at its best, this is the device to get. Whether you’re a RDL vaper who prefers freebase ejuices, or a MTL vaper who likes their nic salts, the Caliburn G4 will satisfy your needs.
The G4 is a great value at around $25 USD. Its long-lasting 1300mAh battery, small but full-color display, and full adjustability are all reasons to pick one up. However, the pods are what really make this a device worth buying.
Included in the box are a 0.6Ω GPP (G3) Cartridge (3ml) and a 0.9Ω GPP (G3) Cartridge (3ml). These are new, upgraded cartridges that deliver even better flavor and longevity than the pods that came with the G3, G3 Pro, or G3 Pro Koko.
The 0.9Ω pod is perfect for nicotine salt ejuices of all strengths. The draw is mouth-to-lung, even with the airflow open, but reducing the airflow gets it down to a tight MTL draw that we really liked. You can’t knock the MTL experience with this pod – it’s one of the best that we’ve used, for sure.
The 0.6Ω pod is for RDL vapers, but it can also be used for MTL. Lower-strength nicotine salt e-juices and freebase e-juices work great with this pod.
During our testing, we vaped 20ml of e-juice through each pod and experienced no noticeable changes to the flavor or performance. If you’re a flavor chaser, you can’t go wrong with the Caliburn G4.
Read our full review of the Uwell Caliburn G4.
SAVE 12%
CODE: VERSED
Approx. Price: $25 USD
Best Disposable Alternative
4.5
Outstanding
- Dimensions: 88mm x 44.7mm x 18mm
- Pods: 6ml capacity, replaceable pods
- Battery Size: 1000mAh
- Firing Method: Draw activated firing
- Draw: Tight MTL
- Adjustable Airflow: No
- Adjustable Wattage: Yes (two-mode)
- Charging Type: 1A Type-C
PROS
- Small, lightweight, and discreet
- Huge 6ml pod capacity
- Pods last for a very long time (~18000 puffs)
- Two vaping modes
- Efficient Corex coils produce good flavor
CONS
- Only one pod included
- May be too simple for existing pod vapers
- Occasionally suffers from spit-back
Why We Picked It
If you are looking for a pod vape for beginners or for an alternative to disposable vapes, the VAPORESSO ECO NANO PRO is perfect. It has a nice design, it’s simple to fill and use, and it delivers great flavor. It has a 1000mAh built-in battery for long, all-day usage, and it’s also super small, which makes it easy to carry around.
The ECO NANO PRO uses replaceable pods, and it comes with a 0.6Ω pod that can be used for vaping either regular nicotine ejuices or nic salt ejuices. Once the coil in the pod is burned out (after about 2 weeks of use or ~18000 puffs), you just replace it with another pod. The pods are very affordable, and this makes it a great device for those just getting into vaping.
The pods on the ECO NANO PRO hold 6ml of e-liquid, which is a lot for a small pod vape. These pods also use VAPORESSO’s “Corex Heating Technology”. In simple terms, the mesh takes less power to heat up, and the fluffier cotton results in better flavor accuracy, more consistent performance, and longer pod life.
The ECO NANO PRO is draw-activated, so you don’t have to push a button to vape; just draw on the mouthpiece and it will start producing vapor. The airflow is non-adjustable, but you’ll get a tight MTL draw that is very smooth. You can, however, adjust the wattage between ECO and Power modes, depending on how strong you want the draw.
The ECO NANO PRO is ultra-portable, delivers great performance and flavor, and the battery life and charging times are pretty good too. Add to all of this that it doesn’t leak and the pods last a long time, and we don’t think that you will regret picking one of these up. It’s really a great device. For all these reasons and more, the VAPORESSO ECO NANO PRO easily makes our list of the best pod vapes.
Read our full review of the VAPORESSO ECO NANO PRO.
SAVE 10%
CODE: VERSED
Approx. Price: $20 USD
Best Battery
4.5
Outstanding
- Dimensions: 122mm x 28.5mm x 17.5mm
- Pods: 4ml capacity, replaceable pods
- Battery Size: 1500mAh
- Firing Method: Draw activated firing
- Draw: RDL to MTL draw
- Adjustable Airflow: Yes
- Adjustable Wattage: Yes (5-40W)
- Charging Type: 2A Type-C
PROS
- 0.85" HD color display looks great
- Three themes with their own uses for discreetness, simplicity, or detailed info
- UniTech 2.0 dual mesh coils provide outstanding flavor
- Excellent battery life, 2 pods (8ml) per charge, & recharges in ~40mins
- Can be used for RDL & MTL, freebase & nic salt, out of the box
CONS
- Draw doesn't get super tight for MTL; some vapers may want a tighter draw
- Some whistling from the airflow when closed nearly all the way
- Has a button, but no button-activated firing
Why We Picked It
The OXVA NeXLIM is our top pick for anyone looking for a pod vape with excellent battery life and fast charging. With its 1500mAh battery, it can last for up to 8ml of ejuice per charge—enough to get through a full day of vaping without constantly needing to plug it in. And when it’s time to charge, the 2A charging means it takes just 40 minutes to get fully powered up, which is faster than many other devices in its category. It also has pass-through charging, so you can vape while it’s charging.
In addition, the NeXLIM offers an improved vaping experience with its new UniTech 2.0 dual mesh coil system, which provides 200% more flavor and longer pod life. During our testing, we refilled the pods five times (20ml of ejuice), and there was no change in flavor or wicking, and no leaking either.
The large 4ml NeXLIM pods come in three different resistances, giving you flexibility depending on your preferred style of vaping. With the use of an adapter, the NeXLIM can also be used with older XLIM pods.
The NeXLIM’s airflow adjustment slider allows for a nice RDL draw with both pods, while closing it delivers a progressively tighter MTL draw. The 0.6Ω pod performs better for RDL vaping and freebase ejuices, while the 0.8Ω pod is suited for MTL vaping with nicotine salts. This isn’t the only way to use these pods, but this was our experience of how they performed at their best.
With solid battery life, quick charging, and excellent overall performance, the NeXLIM is a great choice for those who want a reliable and long-lasting pod vape.
Read our full review of the OXVA NeXLIM.
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CODE: VERSED
Approx. Price: $40 USD
Best Beginner
4.0
Excellent
- Dimensions: 97.9mm x 25.8mm x 13.7mm (with 3ml cartridge)
- Pods: 3ml capacity, replaceable pods
- Battery Size: 1350mAh
- Firing Method: Draw-activated firing
- Draw: RDL to MTL draw
- Adjustable Airflow: No
- Adjustable Wattage: No
- Charging Type: 1A Type-C
PROS
- Extremely compact and lightweight (only 41g)
- No settings to adjust—perfect for beginners or those who prefer simplicity
- Full compatibility with V1 and V2 ARGUS Top Fill Cartridges
- Excellent flavor and longevity from Top Fill V2 cartridges
- Pods are leak-resistant and rated for up to 100ml of ejuice
CONS
- No adjustable airflow
- No screen or battery percentage indicator—only two-color LED
- Filling the pod can be tricky due to central metal cylinder trapping air bubbles
- Slow 1A charging; takes up to 1 hour and 40 minutes for a full charge
Why We Picked It
The ARGUS G3 MINI is a small, pod-style vape, and it’s one of the easiest-to-use devices out there. Beginner vapers will get the most out of this device due to its compact form factor, excellent battery life, and ease of use.
It’s a seriously nice and portable size for a pod vape, and it only weighs a mere 41g. It’s the perfect little buddy to take when you’re trying to travel light.
There’s no display, adjustable wattage, or airflow control on the G3 Mini. This device is the epitome of simplicity, with only a Type-C charging port on the side and a thin LED indicator on the front. Just pop in a pod and the device does the rest, automatically adjusting the output to match the pod.
You get one pod with the ARGUS G3 MINI (0.7Ω), which is powered by VOOPOO’s ICOSM CODE 2.0. These pods are specifically designed to provide longer-lasting and more consistent flavor than their older cartridges, and they do the job well. After two weeks of use, the cartridge showed no noticeable difference in flavor or consistency. We also didn’t experience any leaking.
Being a simple device, there are a few minor cons to mention, such as the ambiguous battery indicator (there’s no percentage readout, only a two-color LED), and a pod that can be tricky to fill completely. But all things considered, these are minor issues that are overshadowed by the ease of use and performance that the G3 MINI offers.
Read our full review of the VOOPOO ARGUS G3 MINI.
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CODE: VERSED
Approx. Price: $15 USD
What is a pod vape?
Pod vapes are small, portable, and easy-to-use devices that are made up of two main parts: a pod and a battery. The pod usually has the coil built in. In this case, all you have to do is fill up the pod, wait for it to saturate, and you’re ready to vape! Some pod vapes use replaceable coils for their pods, but it’s more or less the same process; you just have to replace the coils every once in a while instead of the entire pod.
Pod vapes are perfect for beginners, but advanced vapers love them too. They make a great backup device for when your main device is charging. They’re also low-profile and light for those times when you don’t want too much on your person.
Pod vapes are also the device of choice for those wanting to vape nicotine salt ejuices. Nicotine salt ejuices give more satisfaction than “regular” nicotine ejuices. They also come in much higher nicotine concentrations. For these reasons, the low power outputs of pod vapes are perfect for vaping salt nic ejuices. A good pod vape and a salt nic ejuice are a great combination for heavy smokers looking to make the switch to vaping.
Pod vapes come in all different shapes and sizes, but they’re usually very compact and light. This makes them easy to carry around or slip into a pocket as opposed to an entire box mod and tank. For this reason, more and more vapers are gravitating towards pod vapes. Why bring around a mod and tank when you can get great flavor from a device that’s less than half the size and weight?
Pod vapes are usually draw-activated, meaning you just have to pull on the mouthpiece to produce vapor. This adds to their ease of use and convenience. However, some pod vapes use a single button to fire. No matter how they activate, they are still super easy to operate.
The different types of pod vapes
Replaceable Pods | Replaceable Coils | Pod Mod | |
---|---|---|---|
Ease of Use | ★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★ |
Power | Low-medium | Low-medium | Medium-high |
Adjustable Wattage | Sometimes | Sometimes | Yes |
Adjustable Airflow | Sometimes | Sometimes | Yes |
Replaceable Coils | No | Yes | Yes |
E-liquid | Nic salt or Freebase | Nic salt or Freebase | Freebase |
Ideal For | Beginners | Intermediate | Advanced |
As with all devices, pod vapes come in a few different varieties: pod vapes with replaceable pods, pod vapes with replaceable coils, and pod mods.
Pod vapes with replaceable pods
These are small, button or draw-activated vapes that take replaceable pods. The battery is built into the device and is non-removable. A pod vape with replaceable pods is the simplest type of pod vape to use. These may have adjustable wattage and/or adjustable airflow control.
The advantage of replaceable pods is that you don’t have to fiddle with coils and getting ejuice on your hands. The downside is that a pack of pods is usually more expensive than a pack of coils.
Pod vapes with replaceable pods can either be refillable or come with pre-filled pods.
Pre-filled pods
Pre-filled pods are the simplest to use. These are also known as closed-system pod vapes. These pods come prefilled with eliquid, so you cannot use your own ejuice.
This makes them super easy to use, and you won’t have to buy your own ejuice separately. Instead, you can choose from the flavors that the manufacturer offers and simply pop the pods into your device and begin vaping.
The trade off here is that you are stuck with whatever flavors the manufacturer offers, and you’re out of luck if they stop making a flavor you like. Closed system pod vapes are also more expensive in the long run than refillable pods.
With pre-filled pods, you can vape until the ejuice runs out. At this point, you replace the entire pod.
Pre-filled pods are much less common than refillable pods. Most major vaping brands do not offer pre-filled pods for their pod vapes.
Refillable pods
Refillable pods allow you to use an ejuice of your choice. You just unplug the stopper on the pod and fill up your favorite ejuice. Then, you refill as needed and vape until the flavor and performance starts to drop off.
These “open systems” give you much more freedom, but you have to buy your own ejuice and fill the pod yourself.
Pod vapes with replaceable coils
These pod vapes use pods that take replaceable coils. The battery is built into the device and is non-removable. These may be button or draw-activated and have adjustable wattage and/or adjustable airflow control.
With these pod vapes, you vape just as you would with a refillable pod vape that takes replaceable pods. However, when the performance starts to drop off, you simply remove the old coil from the pod and replace it with a new one.
Compared to replacing an entire pod, this is a less wasteful option because you are reusing the same pod. The advantage of replaceable coils is that a pack of coils is usually cheaper than a pack of pods. The downside is that it’s a little more work to replace a coil than just replacing an entire pod.
Pod mods
Pod mods are usually larger and less portable than other pod vapes. They are more similar to box mods in that they sometimes take an external battery, feature large screens, and allow you to change your wattage.
The main differentiating factor of a pod mod is that it uses a “pod-style” tank. These are large pods, similar to a sub-ohm tank, and they take replaceable coils. The pod attaches to the device magnetically, not through a 510 connector like on a vape mod. Pod mods usually have adjustable airflow. Pod mods also typically use replaceable coils.
Draw-activated or button-activated?
Draw-activated pod vapes produce vapor as soon as you inhale on the mouthpiece of the device. Simply start to draw, and the device will begin to produce vapor, much like a cigarette.
Button-activated pod vapes require you to push a button while you draw for it to begin to produce vapor.
Pod vapes with replaceable pods and coils typically feature draw-activated vaping as standard, but some also offer button-activated vaping. Pod mods are typically draw-activated only.
How to use a pod vape
No matter which type of pod vape you choose, they are all simple and straightforward to use. Following these steps will ensure that you get the best vaping experience out of your device.
- If you are using a pod vape with replaceable coils, ensure that the coil is seated properly in the pod.
- Grab your ejuice of choice and locate the fill port. This is usually a rubber plug located on the side or bottom of the pod, but it may also be a hole located under the mouthpiece cap. If you’re unsure where your fill port is located, check the user manual that came with your device.
- Fill the pod nearly to the top, leaving just a little bit of space inside. Replace the rubber bung or mouthpiece cap.
- Wait at least 5-10 minutes for the ejuice to saturate the coil and cotton so that you don’t burn the coil inside the pod. You’ll want to be very careful not to burn the coil — if your pod has the coil built in, the entire pod will have to be thrown out.
- Insert the pod into the device and ensure that it is seated all the way down.
- Turn the device on. This is usually accomplished by pressing the fire button 5 times. If the device does not have any buttons and is not turning on, you will need to charge it.
- If your device features adjustable wattage, ensure that the wattage is set to the appropriate level for the resistance of the pod/coil that you are using. If you’re unsure of the correct wattage to use, check the pod or coil. The recommended wattage range is usually written on the side of the coil or on the bottom of the pod.
- If your pod has adjustable airflow, start with the airflow wide open. From here you can adjust the airflow to your liking. If you want a tighter draw you can close down the airflow.
- If your device has a power/fire button then you might need to press this to start vaping. If it doesn’t, simply draw on the mouthpiece to begin vaping.
Benefits & Disadvantages of Pod Vapes
Benefits | Disadvantages |
---|---|
Easy to use | Not very customizable |
Low ejuice consumption | Less vapor production |
More affordable than using a vape mod and tank | Less powerful than vape mods |
Portable and lightweight | Shorter battery life compared to dual battery mods |
Discreet | Less flavorful than a tank+mod setup |
Convenient | |
Perfect for smokers looking to quit | |
Low maintenance | |
Can be used to vape nicotine salt ejuices |
Pod vapes are super simple to use. This simplicity is perfect for those looking to switch to vaping because there isn’t a lot of research or learning required. You can just pick up a pod vape, pick up an ejuice, and start vaping.
Pod vapes are also great for former smokers (or soon-to-be former smokers) because they can be used with nicotine salt ejuices. Nicotine salt ejuices give more satisfaction than “regular” nicotine ejuices. They also come in much higher nicotine concentrations.
For these reasons, the low power outputs of pod vapes are perfect for vaping salt nic ejuices. A good pod vape and a salt nic ejuice are a great combination for heavy smokers looking to make the switch to vaping.
A pod system’s portability and convenience are also good reasons to use it. Plus, it requires little to no maintenance because there are very few components involved. It’s just a matter of replacing the pods or coils when the performance starts to drop off.
Experienced vapers will also find pod vapes useful for the above reasons. They are much easier to take out of the house than a vape tank and mod setup, and they make a great backup device for those times when your main device is charging.
Pod vapes can also be more affordable than using a vape mod and tank. Because they function at lower wattages, they use less ejuice. If you are using a nicotine salt ejuice, you’ll also get more satisfaction out of fewer draws when compared to a regular nicotine ejuice. All of this means less ejuice vaped and, therefore, more money in your pocket.
One last benefit worth mentioning is that you can fill a few pods with different flavors and switch flavors instantly. If you get bored of vaping the same flavor all the time, this is a great way to easily switch it up.
All of the benefits of using pod vapes can also be downsides. Because they are less powerful, they don’t produce flavor that is as great as a high-powered mod and tank setup. That’s not to say that you can’t get good flavor from a pod vape, but it’s not on the level of a sub-ohm tank. Vapor production is also not going to be as high due to their low-powered nature.
Pod vapes usually have small batteries. They are large enough to last most vapers a day or two of vaping, but again, they are nowhere near the capacity of a dual-battery box mod.
Pod Vapes vs Disposable Vapes
Pod Vape | Disposable | |
---|---|---|
Cost per month | $$ | $$$$ |
Flavor Options | Any e-juice flavor | Manufacturer flavors |
Eco-friendliness | More eco-friendly | Less eco-friendly |
Airflow | More adjustable | Less adjustable |
Beginner friendliness | Beginner friendly | Very beginner friendly |
Pod vapes are nearly as easy to use as disposable vapes and offer many benefits over their disposable counterparts.
First and foremost, using a pod vape will cost less money in the long run. The initial investment of purchasing a device, ejuice, and replacement pods/coils will be slightly higher than a disposable vape. However, after this initial purchase, you’ll only have to purchase ejuice and replacement pods/coils.
How long these supplies last you will depend on how heavily you vape, but using a pod vape will almost certainly be more economical than using disposable vapes.
With pod vapes, you can also use any ejuice from any manufacturer. Compare this to disposable vapes, where you’re limited to the flavors that the device manufacturer offers, and it’s easy to see the benefits. There are thousands of ejuice flavors out there, and with a pod vape, you can try them all.
Pod vapes are more eco-friendly than disposable vapes. With a pod vape, you’re only replacing the pod or coil and your bottle of ejuice, rather than an entire disposable device with a battery. If you want to do your part to save the environment, use a pod vape!
While some disposable vapes have an airflow adjustment switch, they’re usually quite limited in how much they alter the draw. With pod vapes, different coil/pod resistances will offer a different draw. Combine this with the adjustable airflow slider that is present on many pod vapes, and you can really dial in the airflow to your liking.
Who are pod vapes for?
The average vaper: Pod vapes are great for the average vaper. Because of their ease of use, low maintenance, and satisfying draw, they make a great hassle-free main device. If you aren’t into building your own coils or blowing huge clouds, a pod vape is the perfect way to get the nicotine that you want without having to worry about much else.
Smokers looking to make the switch: If you’re a smoker looking to quit and make the switch to vaping, a pod vape is the perfect device. Paired with a nicotine salt ejuice, you’ll get the satisfaction that you’re looking for and a draw that is similar to a cigarette. Choosing a device that is draw-activated may also help you quit because it will more closely replicate the experience of smoking.
Experienced vapers looking for a backup device: If you’re an experienced vaper who uses a sub-ohm tank or an RBA with a vape mod, you may still find a pod vape useful. For those times when you don’t want to leave the house with your large setup or even for times when you want a backup device while you charge your batteries, a pod vape is a great secondary device.
Things to consider when choosing a pod vape
Replaceable pods, replaceable coils, or pod mod
If you’re new to vaping, your best option is to go with a low-powered pod vape that takes either replaceable pods or replaceable coils. This will make things as simple as possible and will get you an easy-to-use device.
No matter which one you choose, we recommend choosing a device that is refillable. This will save you money in the long run, but also gives you the option of trying more ejuices.
Being stuck with only the flavors that a manufacturer offers can get old. You might also not like the flavors that they offer and give up vaping before you get to give it a fair shot. With a refillable pod system, you can try many different ejuices and find flavors that work for you.
Airflow (MTL or DL)
Nowadays, a lot of pod vapes will come with airflow control that allows you to tailor the draw to suit your preference. For ones that don’t, they will usually offer somewhere from a loose mouth to lung draw to a tight mouth to lung draw (if you’re confused about what this means, check out our guide to mouth to lung and direct lung vaping).
If you are looking to make the switch to vaping from smoking, you’ll want a device that offers a tight mouth to lung draw. This will most closely mimic the feeling of drawing on a cigarette.
All pod systems are different, and some will offer a much tighter draw than others, even when both devices have the airflow wide open. For this reason, we’ve outlined the draw that each pod vape provides on our list.
Finding a draw that you like might take some trial and error, which is where a device with adjustable airflow comes in handy. If you’re in doubt, most vapers enjoy a medium-tight MTL draw like the one that you get from the Uwell Caliburn A2.
The downside of adjustable airflow is that it’s just another thing to adjust and get right. If you’re after simplicity, a device that offers a medium-tight MTL draw with no adjustable airflow may be the best choice.
Adjustable wattage
Like adjustable airflow, adjustable wattage is another feature that some pod vapes come with. This allows you to further tailor the strength and heat of your vapor. However, adjustable wattage isn’t a must-have because good pod vapes without adjustable wattage will still output the optimal wattage to the pod and coil.
Still, adjustable wattage control is a nice feature to have because you can lower the wattage for a less intense draw, or turn it up a little for a harder hit.
If you’re a beginner, we recommend getting a simple device without adjustable wattage, just to make things as simple as possible.
Available coils/pods
Coils and pods that have the coil built in come in different resistances. Higher resistance coils (closer to 1.0Ω) are best for vaping nicotine salt ejuices. Lower resistance coils are better for vaping regular nicotine ejuices. Depending on the ejuice that you will be using, you’ll want a coil that is well-suited for the job.
Replaceable coils or replaceable pods
As we explained in an earlier section (The different types of pod vapes), pod devices either use replaceable pods or replaceable coils. Replaceable pods are the easiest to use, but they are also more wasteful and expensive in the long run.
Pod systems that take replaceable coils are slightly more complicated, but cheaper in the long run and still easy enough to use, even for a complete beginner to vaping.
What VG/PG ratio ejuice is best?
Most pod vapes will be able to handle anything from 50/50 up to 70VG without an issue. Some pod vapes may struggle with thicker ejuices, like 75VG or 80VG. For the best results, try to stick with ejuices that are 50 to 70VG. This isn’t to say that thicker ejuices won’t work. They may still vape just fine. However, you may notice that frequent draws lead to what is close to a dry hit, which is where the cotton is not absorbing ejuice fast enough and is close to burning.
If you’re unsure if your pod or coil can handle 80VG, use our search function to look at our pod vape reviews. Our team tries to test different VG ratios in our reviews, so you might find the information that you’re looking for.
What e-liquid should you use?
A question that comes up frequently with pod vapes is “What type of ejuice should I use?”. The answer to that question is: any ejuice will work fine! There are four types of ejuices, and while all of them can be used in your pod vape, some are more effective than others.
Regular nicotine ejuices: These ejuices use “freebase nicotine,” which is the standard type of nicotine that you’ll find in ejuices. These ejuices are usually available in 3mg to 18mg nicotine strengths.
Regular nicotine ejuices deliver nicotine the best when used with a vape tank and vape mod, but they can also be used in pod vapes. However, because pod vapes are lower powered, a low-strength regular nicotine ejuice may not deliver the nicotine satisfaction that you’re looking for.
On the other hand, too high a strength may be harsh on your throat. This brings us to the next type of nicotine ejuice: nicotine salts.
Nicotine salt ejuices: Nicotine salt eliquids are the best type of ejuice to use with a pod vape. This is because they can deliver high concentrations of nicotine while still remaining smooth to vape on.
Without getting too technical, nicotine salt ejuices are formulated using benzoic acid, which leads to the nicotine being more easily and more readily absorbed into the bloodstream. This leads to greater satisfaction and less vaping needed to get there. Nicotine salt ejuices are not meant to be used with sub-ohm tanks and are best used in lower-powered devices, like pod vapes.
Nicotine-free ejuices: Nicotine-free ejuices will be just as effective when vaped in a pod vape as they will when vaped in a higher-powered tank and mod setup.
The flavor may not be as pronounced, but it will still be good. You also get all of the advantages of using a pod vape, like the convenience, ease of use, and portability.
CBD ejuices: CBD ejuices can be effectively vaped in pod vapes too. As long as it is specifically a CBD ejuice (not CBD distillate or CBD oil), you’ll have a great experience using it with a pod vape.
Are pod vapes good devices for nicotine-free vape juice?
We’ve talked a lot about how pod vapes are good for vaping ejuices with nicotine, but they are also just as effective for nicotine-free ejuices. You’ll get the same convenience, portability, and ease of use when using a pod vape with a nicotine-free ejuice as you would if using an ejuice with nicotine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do pods last?
Pods, or the coils inside them, should last around a week with average use. Pod and coil technology is constantly improving, and some pods can now last much longer. You can tell that a pod needs replacing if it loses flavor, tastes burnt, or begins to leak excessively.
Are pod vapes more expensive than disposables?
Once past the initial outlay for the device, pod vapes can be significantly cheaper than disposables. Over the course of a year, the cost of using a pod vape can be half that of using disposables. In addition, now that pod vapes can be picked up for less than $5, even the starting costs don’t have to be high.
Can you clean a vape pod?
Vape pods with replaceable coils can be cleaned. Remove the coil and place the pod in a small bowl of warm water and dish soap for 10-20 minutes. Rinse with clean water, shake out as much moisture as possible, and let the pod dry out completely before refilling it.
Do pod vapes leak?
Disposable pre-filled pods, also known as closed pods, shouldn’t leak. On the other hand, refillable pods can leak slightly through the airflow channel in the bottom of the pod or from the drip tip if the vape is not stored upright (when in a bag or purse, for example). Any liquid that has leaked out of the pod can easily be cleaned up with a Q-tip or Kleenex.
Can you use CBD in a pod vape?
Yes, you can use CBD vape liquid in a pod vape. The only caveat is that CBD vape liquid has a higher viscosity than standard e-liquid and works best with low-resistance coils. A coil/pod with 0.5-0.6 ohm resistance should be perfect, but you can probably go as high as 0.8-1.0 ohm at a push.
Why does my pod vape taste burnt?
A pod vape can taste burnt when the wick inside the coil has been allowed to dry out. When this happens, the heating element burns the wicking material rather than vaporizing the e-liquid soaked into it. You can prevent this by priming new coils, keeping the pod topped up, and drawing on your vape less aggressively.
How much e-liquid do pods hold?
Vape pods usually have an e-liquid capacity of between 2ml and 5ml. Smaller pen-style pod vapes commonly use 2-3ml pods, while larger pod mod devices often use 5ml pods. In general, high-wattage, low-resistance pod vapes will have larger pods to allow for their larger ejuice consumption.
Let us help you
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