Best Box Mods & Vape Mods 2023: Single & Dual Battery Mods

What Is A Vape Mod?

Quite simply put, a vape mod or box mod is a case that contains one or more rechargeable batteries and which supplies power to the coil in your atomizer. Most box mods literally have a boxy, rectangular design, but you’ll find plenty of vape mods that are more rounded or even tube shaped. Vape mods usually have a variety of modes and features built-in that allow you to tailor your vaping experience.

Different types of box mods will have varying functionalities and power output capabilities. Some vape mods can fire at up to 300W, but for most vapers this will be more wattage than they will ever need. A typical box mod will fire at up to 100W or 200W — more in line with the needs of the average vaper.

Generally, all vape mods feature a “fire” button which must be pressed in order to vape. Pressing the button will deliver power to your coil, vaporize your ejuice, and thus produce that sweet, sweet, vapor. Most box mods have a screen that displays useful vaping information, as well as buttons to adjust the wattage.

Vape mods come in all different shapes and sizes and with varying features, functions, and capabilities. However, they all share a basic structure that is made up of a few essential components:

510 connector: The 510 connector is located at the top of the mod. This is where the atomizer, or tank, screws onto the mod. 

Power button: The power button is used to turn the vape mod on or off. It’s also what you press to start vaping. When you press the power button, power gets sent from the battery to the atomizer.

Adjustment buttons: A vape mod typically has two adjustment buttons, up and down, but some vape mods have a third function/select button. These buttons are what you use to change modes, enter the menu, and change various settings on your mod.

Display: Not all mods have screens. Those that do will display essential information like your set wattage, coil resistance, remaining battery life, voltage, and a puff counter. The display is also what lets you view different options that your vape mod may have.

USB Charging port: If a vape mod takes replaceable batteries, it’s always better to charge them in an external battery charger instead of in the mod. It’s only recommended to charge using the charging port on a mod if it uses an internal built-in battery. The USB port can also be used to update the firmware.

Battery: A vape mod needs a battery to function. This can be an internal, built-in battery, or replaceable batteries. Mods that take replaceable batteries will use one, two, or three 18650, 20700, or 21700 batteries. Not all batteries are meant to be used in vape mods so make sure that you use tried and tested vape batteries.

The different types of vape mods

Vape mods can be split into two primary categories: regulated vape mods and unregulated/mechanical vape mods. The one that is best for you will primarily depend on your comfort and experience with vaping.

Regulated Box Mods

In a regulated box mod there is a chip that regulates the power that is being drawn from your batteries. This chipset provides built-in safety features like short circuit protection, reverse battery protection, automatic cut offs, and more. These safety features make regulated mods easier to use and more user friendly compared to their unregulated counterparts.

Although regulated box mods are safer than mechanical mods, they should still be respected and used appropriately. Following proper battery safety and knowing Ohm’s law are the two best ways to keep yourself safe when vaping. 

All reports of exploding mods that you may have heard or seen in the news were because they were using a mechanical mod or using batteries that were in poor condition. 

Not only are regulated mods safer, but they also allow you to change your wattage or voltage. They may also  feature temperature control mode. They also have screens that display essential vaping information and allow you to access various options and settings. For new vapers or vapers who aren’t advanced hobbyists, regulated box mods are the way to go.

Unregulated/Mechanical Box Mods 

In an unregulated or mechanical box mod, there is no chipset regulating power or providing any safety features. When you press the fire button, the full voltage of your battery is supplied to the atomizer. 

When using a mechanical mod you have to know what you’re doing; knowledge of battery safety, knowing the safe amperage draw limits from your battery, and knowledge of Ohm’s law are all essential. 

If you’re not careful, batteries can explode and you can get seriously hurt. With a mechanical or unregulated mod you have to make sure that you are using batteries that are properly rated for the current that you’ll be drawing and ensure that you aren’t building coils of too low resistance. 

There are no screens on mechanical mods and no way to adjust your wattage. The power that gets supplied to your coil is dependent on your battery voltage and coil resistance. For this reason, unregulated and mechanical mods are meant for advanced users who are knowledgeable in battery safety and Ohm’s law. 

Beginners or those unfamiliar with battery safety should not attempt to use a mechanical mod until they’ve properly educated themselves on the subject.

Types of vape mods further explored

Regulated and unregulated/mechanical vape mods can be further broken down into the following subcategories.

Battery

Regulated vape mods can either use an internal built-in battery or replaceable batteries. Mechanical mods only use replaceable batteries. The battery set up that a mod uses defines a lot about the mod itself like the size, power output, and battery life.

Mods that take replaceable batteries will use either 18650, 20700, or 21700 batteries. These come in all sorts of different mAh capacities (how much ‘juice’ the battery contains) and with different amperage output capabilities (how much wattage the battery can safely discharge). To learn more about vaping batteries, check out our guides on vape batteries.

Internal battery mods are the most convenient type of mod because a USB cable and a power source is all that you need to recharge them. However, these mods do not fire at the wattages that replaceable battery mods can. They also do not pack the same battery capacity as you would get from two replaceable batteries. Also, if your battery dies you will have to wait for it to recharge before you can vape again.

Replaceable battery mods require the purchase of a separate vaping battery charger and also require some maintenance of the batteries to ensure safe and optimal usage. The advantages to this are the ability to vape at higher wattages, as well as increased battery capacity from two good batteries. Plus, you can keep fully charged, spare batteries so that if your batteries die you will never be left without your vape.

Dual battery vape mods
Dual battery vape mods are the go-to mod for many vapers. A typical dual battery mod will take two good 18650 batteries to function but some may take 20700 or 21700 batteries. These mods are larger and heavier than single or internal battery mods because they need to be large enough to accommodate two batteries. This makes dual battery mods less portable than single battery mods but they can still be taken out of the house without being too cumbersome.

Because they use two batteries, some dual battery mods can fire as high as 225W and this makes them great for high wattage vapers. Even if you aren’t planning on vaping at high wattages, a dual battery mod with fully charged batteries will provide long usage times at low to mid wattages. 

Dual battery mods may also come with more features than single or internal battery mods because they are usually a vaping brands ‘signature mod’. A dual battery mod will have modes like wattage mode, variable voltage mode, bypass mode, custom power curve mode, and may even have temperature control mode. It may also have an in-depth settings menu that is more rich with options than single battery mods.

Single battery vape mods
Single battery mods are small and compact which makes them perfect for vapers looking for a convenient and ultra-portable mod. Most single battery mods will take an 18650 battery, but some also take a 20700 or 21700 battery. Single battery mods are smaller and lighter than dual battery mods.

Single battery mods can fire as high as 100W. Most have a maximum wattage output of 80-100W. This makes them best suited for vapers who vape at low to mid wattages. Because they only use a single battery, vaping at wattages close to the maximum will quickly drain your battery. With single battery mods it’s a trade off of battery life for a smaller size and convenience.

Triple battery vape mods
Triple battery mods are nowhere near as popular or readily available as single, dual, or internal battery mods but they do exist. Triple battery mods can sometimes use three 21700 batteries which means that you get a ton of battery life out of them, no matter what wattage you vape at. 

But what you gain in battery life with a triple battery mod, you lose in convenience and portability. These mods are much bigger than even the largest dual battery mods and quite chunky and heavy as well. 

Some triple battery mods can fire at up to 300W which is more wattage than most vapers will ever need. Unless you are building extremely low resistance coils and have a tolerance for very, very hot vapor, you will not ever need to vape at anywhere near 300W. At this point, you might as well be a dragon! Jokes aside, triple battery vape mods are attractive because of the battery life that they can provide and less so for the extreme wattages that they can output.

Internal battery vape mods
Internal battery mods require the least maintenance of any type of vape mod. The battery is built into the mod and non-removable. Recharging the mod is done through a USB port located on the device. When the battery dies, you plug it in and that’s it. However, unlike replaceable battery mods, you can’t use spare batteries to be fully charged and vaping again. You will have to wait for the mod to recharge.

Internal battery mods are similar to single battery mods in terms of their maximum wattage outputs. These mods will fire at up to 100W, with most having a maximum output of around 80W. Compared to a single battery mod, internal battery mods have similar battery capacities to that of an 18650 battery; somewhere around 2500-3000mAh.

Internal battery mods are usually small and easily portable, just like single battery mods. These are best for a vaper looking for a mod that is as simple to use as can be. Vapers who don’t want to purchase separate batteries and a battery charger are also a good demographic for internal battery mods.

Power

Vape mods can be categorized as either high wattage mods or low-mid wattage mods. This categorization is largely related to the battery set up that a mod has. A vape mod that uses more batteries allows for higher wattage outputs, while a mod that uses an internal or single battery is limited to lower wattage outputs.

The type of mod that you pick, high wattage or low-mid wattage, depends on what you value more — portability or power/potential battery life.

High wattage mods
High wattage mods are those that take two or three batteries. These mods have a maximum wattage output of anywhere from 200-300W. Advanced vapers who build low resistance coils are the biggest users of high wattage mods because it allows them to get the most out of their build. Cloud chasers also love high wattage mods because increased power means larger, denser clouds of vapor.

Even if you aren’t going to be vaping at extremely high wattages, you can vape at lower wattages just as effectively. Just because it can output 200 or 300W doesn’t mean that you have to vape at the maximum. You can just as effectively use a high wattage mod to vape at 5, 50, or 100W.

Using a high wattage mod to vape at lower wattages will provide longer battery life due to the larger battery capacity that multiple batteries provide. If you’re after maximum battery life, a dual battery or triple battery vape mod is the way to go.

High wattage mods are large and heavy though, so keep this in mind. They provide many advantages, but the one thing they are not is super portable.

Low-mid wattage mods
Low-mid wattage mods are those that fire up to 100W. These are your single battery and internal battery mods. Vapers that value convenience and portability above all else will find the most use out of these types of mods. If you aren’t after maximum clouds, a single battery mod is a great choice.

Low-mid wattage mods are best used with higher resistance coils, like those above 0.8Ω. This is because these coils require lower wattages to vape effectively so you won’t drain your battery too quickly. 

Vape mod features and functions

Some vape mods come with a wide range of modes and features. This can be great for more experienced vapers but beginner vapers may find the number of features and options overwhelming. The good news is that most modes and features are not complicated and are rather easy to understand. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’ll feel much better after a quick read of this section.

The most common mode on a vape mod is wattage mode. All vape mods with come with this mod as it is the standard mode to vape with. Some mods may also have additional modes. The modes you will find on vape mods are:

Variable wattage: This mode is the standard mode found on all vape mods. It lets you change the amount of power going to your coil. More power typically means more vapor and clouds. However, coils of different resistances will have different power needs to vape effectively. You will want to stay within the recommended wattage for your coil (for vape tanks with premade coils this is usually printed on the coil itself) or use Ohm’s law to calculate a wattage that will output 3.7V to 4.2V for best results.

Variable voltage: Variable voltage is like variable wattage, only you’re adjusting the voltage instead of the wattage. Some mods can output as high as 8.2V. If you’re unsure of how to use this variable voltage mode, you can again use Ohm’s Law to calculate the voltage that will output a good wattage for your coil, vape at 3.7V to 4.2V, or avoid this mode altogether. 

Bypass mode: This mode outputs the remaining voltage from the batteries to the coil. Bypass mode basically makes a regulated mod function similar to an unregulated, mechanical mod but with the benefits of the built-in safety features that a regulated mod has. 

Temperature control: Instead of outputting wattage to your coil, temperature control mode lets you set a maximum temperature for your coil that it will not exceed. 

Using calculations based on the change in resistance of the coil as it heats up, the mod adjusts the power output to the coil to maintain the set temperature. The mod will also cut power if it senses that the temperature is being exceeded. Temperature control (TC) mode requires coils of specific materials to work, namely coils made of nickel, titanium or stainless steel. Mods with temperature control mode have a specific mode for each of these three materials.

This mode gives more control over your vape and allows you to find the perfect warmth that you like to vape at. It also ensures that you will not burn your coil or wind up with the dreaded ‘dry hit’. Learn more about TC in our guide to temperature control vaping.

TCR: TCR stands for temperature coefficient of resistance. Each material capable of being used with temperature control has a specific TCR value. This value determines how the mod calculates the temperature based on the change in resistance of the coil as it heats up. This mode is useful when using different types of stainless steel as each one has a different TCR value.

Variable power curve: This mode allows you to set a pattern of different wattages for the duration of your puff. For example, you can set the wattage to increase as you puff, or decrease as you puff, or go up then down then up again. 

In addition to the various modes, vape mods also have features that are there for convenience and safety. A few of these features are:

Locking feature: This allows you to lock the power button, the adjustment buttons, or all of the buttons. Locking the power button is useful if you’re putting your mod in your bag or pocket so that it doesn’t accidentally fire. Locking the adjustment buttons is useful so that you don’t change the wattage accidentally.

Automatic wattage adjustment: Some modes will automatically set the wattage to a level that is appropriate for the resistance of the coil. This is usually found on vape mods that come with a tank that is made by the same manufacturer. This setting can be turned off, but it’s useful if you’re not sure what wattage to vape at.

Short circuit protection: Short circuit protection senses when there is a short. As soon as the short is detected, the device trips and breaks the circuit. This protects your vaping device from overheating the batteries and potentially creating an explosion.

Overtime protection: This limits the length that you can hold down the power button, usually 10 seconds. Once the 10 second limit is reached, power is cut off. This is especially useful if you forget to lock your vape mod and throw it in a bag or in your pocket. 

Overcurrent protection: Overcurrent protects against a battery current that is too high for your device, which could cause a short circuit and/or damage electrical components.

Reverse battery protection: If your mod uses replaceable batteries and you insert them into the mod in the wrong way, the mod will give you a warning.

There are many more features and battery safety protections that vape mods come with, but this should give you an idea of the protections and features that vape mods afford.

Which vape mod should you choose?

Which vape mode you should choose depends on a couple of different factors:

Experience: As previously mentioned, mechanical and unregulated box mods are not meant for beginners. If that’s you, we highly suggest choosing a regulated box mod that features battery protection features. If you’re a more advanced vaper, you’ll probably be fine with any of the box mods on our list.

Preferences: Do you want portability or do you want power? Single and internal battery mods are more portable, but dual and triple battery mods provide more power. Battery life should also be a consideration.

The features that you’re looking for will also be a factor. Do you want a mod with temperature control mode or are you happy vaping in wattage mode?

Price: Not all box mods are built alike and if you want to get some of the more exotic resin or wood finishes, be prepared to shell out a little extra. Additionally, mods that use the DNA chipset are likely to be more expensive but will deliver great performance. There are great box mods out there for every price point, depending on what you want.

What is temperature control mode on a box mod?

To put it simply, temperature control mode allows you to preset a value in Celsius or Fahrenheit that your coil temperature will not exceed. The result is a vaping experience that is free of dry hits, as your mod will monitor your coil temperature and adjust or cut off power so that your coil remains at the set temperature. Learn more in our guide to temperature control mode.

What is bypass mode on a box mod?

Bypass mode on a regulated mod is an interesting feature. It allows the user to use their mod as if it were unregulated. Instead of setting the power to the coil using wattage adjustment, the power output is determined by the remaining voltage of your battery and your coil resistance. This mode is as close in functionality as you can get to a mechanical mod while keeping all of the safety features of a regulated mod. It is also great if you don’t want to mess around with settings. As always, just be sure that your batteries are safely rated for the current that you’ll be drawing.

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