The Best Vape Starter Kits in 2023: Excellent Beginner Vapes

What Is the Best Vape Starter Kit?

The best vape starter kit will be easy to use, affordable, and hassle-free. A great place to start is with a disposable vape. The low price and simplicity make it an ideal and easy starting choice. The Pachamama disposable is a great option, with plenty of flavor.

By choosing a disposable, single-use vape, you can give vaping a go without having to overly commit if it is your first-time vaping.

Most vapers you meet will have started using disposable, single-use systems before upgrading their equipment to something much more customizable and substantial. 

That said, there is nothing wrong with choosing a more permanent, reusable device with more features. You may find that further research is required to get the most out of your device, which may involve a little trial and error. However, the end result is well worth the effort! You’ll find all the pros and cons of each type of device, and you can learn about these in our guide below.

The Different Types of Vape Starter Kits

If you are just starting vaping, one of the biggest hurdles is figuring out which type of starter kit to use. There is a little jargon, however, we want to make it easy for you to start vaping. Here is a quick beginner’s guide on the different types of vape starter kits you will commonly encounter.

Mods and Tank Kits

Mod and tank kits are great for people who want to make an early initial investment and then be able to reuse their vape time and time again. A mod and tank kit is essentially two parts of equipment combined into one easy-to-use kit. 

Wait, what is a mod? And what is a ‘tank’? Below you’ll find out what both terms mean:

What is a Mod?

A “mod” in vaping is a fancy term for the battery, battery housing, and onboard circuitry that provides the power for your vape. Simply put, it is the ‘powerhouse’ of your entire setup. Mods come in many forms, with various features and levels of complexity.

Features of vaping mods may include:

• A button to ‘fire’ the device
• A light or indicator to indicate when power is being supplied to your tank
• A screen displaying system information
• A battery level indicator
• A charging port
• Buttons to adjust power levels

The more complex (and normally more expensive) your mod, the more of the above features it will have.

What is a Tank?

A vaping tank refers to the piece of equipment that attaches to the top of your mod. It is the tank that produces the vapor. It will generally consist of a few parts that all combine together to make the ‘tank’: –

E-juice Reservoir: Tanks come in various shapes and sizes, but they all are designed to hold a given quantity of e-juice. This ejuice is gradually fed through to the coil.

Coil: A ‘coil’ is the heating element of your device. When your mod is ‘fired,’ power is supplied to the coil, causing it to heat up. This heat causes the liquid in contact with the coil to become vapor.

Mouthpiece: The mouthpiece is the part you draw on to inhale the vapor. This sits at the top of a tank. Some mouthpieces have a universal fitting, meaning you can buy add-ons and adaptors more suited to your preference.

A Means to Attach the Tank to a Mod: This is an area that should not be overlooked. Some tanks have universal fittings, while other tanks are custom-made for a certain mod. You’ll tend to find that most tanks have a standard “510 thread fitting”, which means that they will work with most standard mods. However, it is well worth checking beforehand.

In order to make things as simple as possible for you, all of the mod and tank kits on this buyer’s guide use a standard 510 connection, allowing you to easily upgrade either the tank or the mod in the future, while retaining compatibility with the component that you keep.

Pod Vapes

Pod vapes are a sort of ‘halfway house’ between mod and tank systems and disposables. They are normally very simple and easy to use. You won’t have the same customization and adjustment options as mod and tank systems. Still, you get more options than you would with a disposable system.

A pod vape system  is usually smaller, more discrete, and simpler than a vape mod. Pod vapes are designed to take ‘plug in’ style cartridges called ‘pods’.

These pods are sometimes self-contained items that consist of an ejuice reservoir, a coil, and a mouthpiece in a single unit. The general theme is that you can reuse the pod vape by charging it, but replace the pods when the juice inside them is finished.

However, there is a little crossover…

While some systems feature single-use pods of vape cartridges, others offer the option of refilling the cartridge or ‘tank’. In some cases, you can also replace the coil within the pod. This opens up a good range of possibilities to change up your flavors and level of vapor production.

Disposable Vapes

When it comes to ease of use, disposable vapes are the prime choice. Unlike other systems, disposable vapes are single-use. It is literally a case of ‘open the box and go’. Disposable vapes still feature a tank and mod, but they are combined in a one-piece unit that cannot be refilled or disassembled.

What do you do once the battery or juice runs out? Simple.

As the name would suggest, disposable vapes are designed to be thrown away. This option is great if you want to try vaping at a relatively low price. However, regular vapers may find more value in choosing a reusable vaping system as the cost can rise significantly with continued use.

As an additional note, there are some disposable vapes that are rechargeable and these disposables usually come prefilled with a ton of ejuice as well. This allows you to use them until they die, recharge them, and use them again. You can repeat this process until the ejuice in the disposable is all used up, at which point you can throw them away.

What Makes a Good Vape Starter Kit?

What makes a good vape starter kit will depend on you, the user. The type you choose and what you define as ‘good’ will depend entirely on how you intend to use your kit. To make life easy, here are some things you should look for when choosing a starter kit: 

Price and Value

Ever heard the saying “buy cheap, buy twice”? The most basic vaping systems may occupy a very low price point, especially compared to cigarettes. 

However, if you find you are using your vape more often and therefore need to purchase replacements very often (especially in the case of disposables), then you might want to think in terms of price per use instead of single unit cost.

Our point? It is better to make a slightly more expensive initial purchase and then pay less to replace smaller components, than to spend more on replacing the entire unit at more regular intervals.

Ask yourself how much you intend to use your vape. If the answer is anywhere near ‘regularly,’ the more cost-effective option would be to choose a device with a greater lifespan like a mod and tank starter kit or a pod vape.

Ease of Use

We’ve all been there. You get into something new and then feel overwhelmed and a little lost as you go too advanced, too early. 

Our advice is to choose a device that is easy to use, to start off with while you find your feet. It is far better to choose something easy to use than to invest heavily in a feature-laden device that puts you off from vaping due to its complexity. 

Compatibility

You may be the kind of vaper that intends to grow your use through time. That’s a good thing.

However, you may want to choose a device that allows your vaping to grow without having to change your entire setup. 

If the above sounds like you, your best choice might be to choose a device, such as a mod and tank kit, that you know will be compatible with other options. If you want to upgrade, the subsequent purchase will be significantly cheaper.

Features

A vaping device packed with features can be a good thing. But, they will only be beneficial if you know how to use them. 

You’ll read countless forums featuring beginners who’ve purchased something that is all singing and dancing, but who are getting a bad experience because one of the settings is a little out of kilter. 

A good start is choosing a device with some customization options and features, but not so many that you feel overwhelmed. What kind of features are we talking about?

Check out the section below for a full run-down.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Vape Starter Kit 

One of the great things about vaping is how many options there are. You can tailor your experience to exactly what you are looking for. However, too many options can leave a beginner vaper feeling lost. 

Here’s a quick list of essential features to think about. See which ones you think might be applicable. They’ll help you make a better decision.

User Friendliness

Do you want to spend time delving into articles and guides to get the most out of your experience? Or, are you the type who just wants to ‘grab and go’?

Maybe you are someone who is in between? As we said, vaping is full of options. Here’s a list of vaping devices in order from most simple, to most complex: 

1. Disposable Vape Starter Kits
2. Pod Vape Systems
3. Tanks and Mod Starter Kits

Power

If you have gone for the last option, a mod and tank starter kit, then you will have a great opportunity to customize your vape. How?

One way this is achieved is by increasing or decreasing the power supplied to your coil. Most, if not all, mod starter kits will feature adjustable wattage which lets you increase the power, or turn it down to your preference. Some, but not all pod vapes will also allow you to adjust the wattage. More power equals more vapor, heat and’ throat hit’. Less power equals a cooler and milder vape.

If you find that disposable systems or non-adjustable pod vapes aren’t satisfying enough, or if you want to get into the world of ‘cloud chasing’ (vaping slang for creating more vapor), being able to adjust your wattage is a feature that you may want to look for.

But, (and there is a but) there are limits to the power supplied by each individual device. Some coils and tanks require a fair chunk of power to be pushed through before they reach their true potential. While most tank and coil setups will produce good vapor at 50W, your style of vaping might be more suited to higher-power vapor. In this case, choose a device that has the option for higher power output. Some mods can go as high as 220W.

Displays, information, and Screens

The more information you have, the more you know. Right?

Some vape systems will give you essential information, allowing you to improve your setup. Vape mods will almost always have a screen, while pod vapes may or may not have a display. 

Good devices that have a screen will give you the right amount of information without overloading you. If you choose to opt for a mod and tank system, you can usually expect to see the following information:

• Battery percentage
• Power (either watts or volts)
• Puff count
• Coil resistance
• Coil material type
• Vape temperature (device dependent)

While color screens are cool, they shouldn’t be considered a deal-breaker. You’ll often find that they add significantly to the cost of a device.

Part Replacement and Availability

Disposables are relatively easy to source. However, suppose you’ve opted for a pod/cartridge vape system or a tank and mod device. In that case, it is well worth considering how available the replacement parts are to acquire.

You will need to change the coil on your tank occasionally. Pod vapes will also require you to either change the coil, or change the pod. A key point to keep in mind is that tanks and pod vapes are not universal in the type of coils or pods that they take. 

If you are committed to vaping regularly, take the time to research your chosen device to ensure that you can easily find the needed replacement coils or pods.

Ease of Charging

While charging your device is a relatively simple endeavor, there are various ways in which it can be achieved. Again, it is worth checking beforehand.

Why?

Devices like pod vapes, disposable vapes, and mods with built-in batteries will feature a ‘plug and charge’ function where the batteries are charged just by plugging in the device (similar to how you’d charge your phone). On the other hand, mods with independent, removable batteries will need a separate standalone charger to safely and evenly charge the batteries. Charging removable batteries in your device should only be done if you’re in a pickle with no access to an external charger. 

Vaping Modes

Wait, what? Here’s the thing. Some vaping mods feature several ways to vape all in one device.

The integrated circuitry of your mod often offers various ‘types’ of vaping experiences. 

Here’s a list of the modes that you may find on a vape mod. Which you choose will depend heavily on user preference:

• Wattage Mode
• Variable Voltage
• Bypass Mode
• Pulse Mode
• Temperature Mode

Generally, the above options are only available on mod and tank-style systems.

Airflow

There are a few ways to vape, which can vary depending on the user’s preference. If you aren’t familiar with the differences between mouth-to-lung (MTL) and direct-to-lung (DTL) vaping, we’ve got loads of information right here. 

The short version? The greater the airflow of your chosen device, the ‘looser’ the draw. The less airflow, the ‘tighter’ the draw.

There are further subtle nuances between each. This can include things such as: 

• Stronger or weaker ‘throat hit.’
• Vapor temperature
• The intensity of vapor flavor

Quite a lot of things to think about, right? You’ll be pleased to know that all of the above aren’t ‘binary’. You can often blend the ideal mix of the above.

How? With airflow adjustment. Many starter vape setups will still include an adjustable airflow port or ring, allowing you to further customize your vape. 

Size

If you are new to vaping, you’ll undoubtedly have seen several ‘types’ of vape devices.

Generally, mod and tank kits will be larger in size but offer more features and power. Pod vapes and disposable vapes will be smaller and more portable, but not as powerful.

Which to pick? Well, that depends entirely on where and how you want to vape.

If you are looking for something to sit on your desk while you work from home, then size shouldn’t be too much of an issue. If you are a person who wants to vape “on the go”, a better option might be something small to mid-sized.

What type of ejuice will you be using?

A final important consideration when choosing a device is the type of nicotine ejuice that you will be using. To put things simply without making things too complicated, there are two types of nicotine ejuices: regular nicotine ejuices, and nicotine salt ejuices. Regular nicotine ejuices come in nicotine strengths of 3mg to 18mg/ml, while nicotine salt ejuice come in strengths of 20mg to 50mg/ml. 

Regular nicotine ejuices are best suited for higher-powered setups, like mod and tank kits. This is because the high power output of these kits will vaporize a lot of ejuice and thus produce a lot of vapor. If you use an ejuice with too much nicotine, you’ll end up feeling ‘nic-sick’.

However, due to the relatively low nicotine content of regular nicotine ejuices, the high power output and resulting large amount of vapor from a mod and tank kit will contain just the right amount of nicotine to leave vapers feeling satisfied. Regular nicotine ejuices can still be used with pod devices, however because of their lower power outputs, the nicotine satisfaction that you get will generally not be as strong.

Nicotine salt ejuices are best suited for use in pod vapes, and most disposable vapes will come prefilled with nicotine salt ejuice. Nicotine salt ejuice uses a special formulation to contain more nicotine per ml, while still remaining smooth to vape at lower wattages. Nicotine salt ejuices should not be used in high-powered mod and tank kits because they will deliver too much nicotine and you will end up feeling nic sick.

If you are a heavy smoker who is looking to transition to vaping, you may want to start with a disposable vape, or with a pod vape and nicotine salt ejuices. If you are not a heavy smoker, or if you’re looking to cut down on your nicotine consumption, you may want to go with a mod and tank kit.

Also, if you are finding that a mod and tank kit with regular ejuice is not giving you the satisfaction that you are looking for, a pod vape with nicotine salts may be the thing to try.

Which Kit Should You Choose When Starting Vaping?

As with most purchases, you’ll find advantages and disadvantages to each. By looking at what’s good and not so good about each, you can work out what matters to you and things you’ll want to avoid. Here’s what’s hot (and not so hot) about each vaping setup

Mods and Tank Kits

Mod and tank kits offer the ultimate in customization options and vapor production. However, they are not for everyone. If you are new to vaping, here’s what you need to know:

Who Mod and Tanks are Great for:

• Committed vapers
• People who like lots of options
• Heavy users
• Cloud chasers
• Those who will look to upgrade in the future

Pros

• Lots of options
• Relatively universal in compatibility 
• MTL and DTL ability
• High power output
• Long battery Life
• Upgradeable

Cons

• Normally occupy a higher price point 
• Bulky to carry
• Can be complex to use
• Sometimes require independent chargers

Pod Vapes

Pod vapes can often occupy a good ‘middle ground’ between tank and mod systems and disposables. They are often reusable, and there is good availability of replacement components. However, there are a few areas that might not be for everyone. Here’s a quick guide to the pros and cons of pod vapes.

Who Pod Vapes are Great for:

• Brand new vapers
• Those who want to try different flavors
• People who like convenience 
• Those for who portability is vital
• Cost-conscious vapers  
• Salt nicotine vapers

Pros 

• Relatively Cheap
• Low ejuice consumption
• Can be more affordable than using a vape mod and tank
• Very easy to use
• Portable and lightweight
• Convenient
• Low maintenance
• Can be used to vape nicotine salt ejuices
• Can fill different pods with different flavors

Cons

• Limited in options
• Normally more Mouth to lung style
• Relatively small vapor production
• Less powerful than a mod and tank

Disposable Vapes

Disposable vapes are the ultimate when it comes to entrants into vaping. It couldn’t be easier, just open the box, take a hit, and you are good to go. If convenience and cost are on your mind, then it’s a great option. 

Who Disposable Vapes are Great for

• Brand new vapers
• Short-term or sporadic use
• Those unsure if they will stick with vaping
• Those looking for the lowest initial cost to get into vaping
• Individuals trying to quit vaping

Pros

• The cheapest vapes on the market
• Easy to carry
• Utter simplicity to use
• Contains satisfying nicotine salts
• No maintenance required
• No refilling required
• Cheaper in the short term

Cons

• Very limited in options
• Single-use only 
• Relatively low vapor production
• Not customizable
• Less flavorful than other types of vapes
• Shorter usage time compared to a tank+mod setup or pod vape
• Wasteful
• Can’t be filled with your own ejuice
• More expensive long term

How To Get Started with A Vape Kit: A Step-by-Step Guide

When your first kit arrives, you may be confused about what to do. Don’t worry; we are vaping experts and will guide you every step of the way. Literally. Here’s what you will need to do in our simple step-by-step guide.

Unpackage everything (and read the instructions)

The first step in assembling and setting up your device is to become familiar with the components. Normally most vape kits include the following:

• Instructions
• A charging cable
• A mod or pod vape battery
• A tank or pod
• Coil(s) 
• Spare parts

How these all fit together will depend on your device. It is worth a minute to read the instructions and ensure all components are included. 

Charge your device

While most vaping devices arrive charged, it isn’t a surety. To make sure you are getting optimal performance, you should charge your device fully before first use.

If your device has a removable battery, ensure that it is fully charged.

Prime the coil and add your Ejuice

While waiting for the battery to charge, you can assemble the tank or pod. If you’ve opted for a mod and tank kit, then the tank will come with a removable coil that will need to be inserted. If you’ve opted for a pod vape, it may or may not use separate coils. In some cases, the coil is built-into the pod. Check the user manual to ensure that you’ve done it correctly. Once the tank or pod is fully assembled, fill the tank using the filling hole. 

Why do this before anything else?

Most coils need to be ‘primed’. This means you need to give the ejuice a chance to soak into the material inside the coil. Hit your fire button too soon, and you’ll have a burned taste and a dry hit. Yuck! After filling the tank or pod, wait at least 10 minutes before using it.

Power on your device

Provided your device has an internal battery, it is time to turn on your mod once it is charged. There are several ways to do this, and the instructions should tell you. Common methods include: 

• Quickly pressing the fire button 5 times
• Quickly pressing the fire button 3 times
• Pressing and holding the fire button
• Pressing and holding all of the buttons on the device

Normally, devices will start in ‘variable wattage mode’.

Familiarize yourself with the menu and choose your settings

If you’ve opted for a box mod, chances are there will be a few options. It is well worth learning the various menu paths before vaping. That way, you’ll be in a good place to make the necessary changes to get optimal vapor.

While you may have an absolute unit of a device, we’d recommend starting at the lower end of the power curve and working your way up to vaping nirvana. Go too high too soon, and it’s a one-way trip to burnt coil town. Not fun. Most coils will have a recommended wattage range printed on the side of the coil. Start at the lowest end of the recommended wattage range and work your way up to your liking.

Fire the vape and inhale

Now comes the fun part. Vaping. You may have a draw-activated device meaning you simply need to suck on the mouthpiece, or you may need to hit the “fire” button.

Want a top tip? Start your drag before hitting the fire button. The airflow caused by your drag will help keep the coil a little cooler and prevent it from overheating if you aren’t used to high power settings.

Refine your Settings

How was it? Too cool, too hot, or just right? The good news is that even if your first experience wasn’t perfect, it will be. 

Go back into the menus you discovered in step 5 and make adjustments. To give you a good idea of common vaping faults and fixes, here’s a simple troubleshooting table to help you make the right adjustments to your vape:

Enjoy!

Got it dialed in? Congratulations! You are now a fully qualified vaper! How was it? Let us know in the comments!

Who Are Vape Starter Kits For?

Vape starter kits are a great idea for anyone who wants to get into vaping. Because they come with everything you need (aside from ejuice and, if it’s an external battery device, batteries) and are assembled by the manufacturer, compatibility is an issue that you don’t need to worry about.

All-in-one tank and mod kits (along with pod kits for beginner vapers) will work great out of the box. In fact, they are custom designed to do so! Optimization is something most seasoned vapers strive for. Luckily, starter kits allow you to achieve this with ease.

Who uses vape starter kits? Here are some people who would really benefit:

• Those who wish to quit smoking
• People who have tried vaping but initially found it too confusing/complex
• Those who normally smoke but whose environment prevents them
• People who want to reduce their nicotine intake completely 

Vaping Starter Kits | FAQ

Got questions? No problem. Here are some questions that we regularly get asked by vapers.

What Vape Brand is the Most Reliable?

There are countless vaping brands, and they are not all created equal. Generally, if you stick to the ‘big brands’ you’ll get a good experience. Companies we recommend include:

• Uwell
• Voopoo
• Vaporesso
• Innokin
• Wotofo
• Vaporlax
• Lost Vape
• Geekvape
• Freemax

If you’re unsure about a device, you can check out our reviews for honest, reliable information on the product.

Is Vaping Cheaper than Smoking?

Vaping will work out significantly cheaper than smoking. While the initial outlay might seem expensive, the math surrounding price per use means you get more for less with vaping. Parts can be replaced and reused, and you’ll find a bottle of ejuice lasts far longer than a pack of cigarettes!

How Safe is Vaping Compared to Cigarettes?

Let’s be honest. Nothing beats good old fresh air when talking about health. However, vaping is significantly safer than smoking. No’ burning’ means no tar or other carcinogens found in cigarettes. In fact, some health authorities even prescribe vaping as a better alternative to smoking,

What Does “Mod” Mean in Vaping?

Mod is short for ‘modifiable box battery’, the main power supply for your tank and coil. While technically correct, calling it a battery doesn’t adequately describe its usefulness. A mod also contains clever chips and circuitry to perfectly tailor your vaping experience.  

Is a Mod Better Than a Pod Vape?

There are pros and cons to both mods and pod vapes. Pods win when it comes to out-of-the-box simplicity (and are normally cheaper). Mods give you much more functionality and options and generally last longer. The type you choose will depend entirely on your style of vaping. 

Final Thoughts

Choosing a vape starter kit presents many exciting opportunities, and there is plenty to consider. For cheap and easy vaping, initially, disposable mods work well. For limited functionality and ease of use, a pod mod is a worthy choice. A tank and mod kit is the best choice for those looking for a long-term solution with a huge range of possibilities. 

Whether you’re looking for a vape mod and tank, a pod vape, or a disposable, at least one of these starter kits on our list will fit your needs.

These are the best beginner devices out there at the moment and choosing any one of them will make it easier to get into vaping. Their ease of use, flavor, and build-quality make these the most attractive and logical choices for any beginner vaper.

Which will you opt for? Let us know in the comments below!