How to Choose a Pod Vape Kit
If you’re new to vaping or you’ve not used pod kits before, you may feel a little overwhelmed approaching these devices.
Well, fear not because we’re here to demystify things and help you have the best vaping experience.
Being industry leaders, we’ve got the best tips and insights, so we’ve put together a handy guide with everything you need to know about pod kits.
Our guide below covers all bases and should make it easier to find your ideal pod kit.
What are Pod Kits?
Pod kits have rapidly gained prominence in the vaping landscape thanks to their unique combination of simplicity and efficiency.
At their core, pod kits consist of a compact vaping device that features a rechargeable battery paired with either a refillable pod or a pre-filled pod. They can be viewed as an evolution of the traditional vape pens.
The beauty of pod kits lies in their straightforwardness. There’s no need for difficult setups or constant adjustments. Instead, users can simply insert a pod and start vaping – perfect!
How do Pod Kits work?
Pod kits stand out as an intermediate solution in the vaping world, sitting nicely between basic disposable vapes and more advanced sub-ohm kits.
At the heart of every pod kit is a straightforward mechanism: a rechargeable battery powers a coil within a pod, which in turn vaporises the e-liquid for inhalation.
Diverse vaping styles can find a home with pod kits too. Whether you’re into mouth-to-lung (MTL) vaping, which mimics the sensation of traditional smoking, restricted direct-to-lung (RDL) for a bit more airiness, or even direct-to-lung (DTL) for those fuller clouds, there’s a pod kit tailored to you.
The replaceable pods can come with built-in coils for simplicity or with separate, replaceable coils, giving you the option to customise to your liking.
Pod Kit Functions
Pod kits, while celebrated for their simplicity, don’t skimp on versatility. They come loaded with all kinds of features tailored to meet the diverse needs of the vaping community.
Depending on the model and brand, pod kits can boast a variety of functionalities, ensuring that both novices and long-term vapers find a device that suits their needs best.
Device Screen: Modern pod kits often come with screens that display essential information, such as battery life, current wattage setting, and coil resistance.
Refillable & Pre-filled Pods: While most pod kits utilise refillable pods, enabling users to pick their e-liquid, some models come with pre-filled pods, perfect for vapers seeking absolute convenience.
USB-C Fast Charging: As technology evolves, so do pod kits! Many now feature USB-C ports, which not only provide a more robust connection but also ensure faster charging, so you spend less time waiting and more time vaping.
Magnetic Pod Connection: For ease of use, several pod kits have adopted magnetic connections for their pods. This ensures the pod snaps in place securely, minimising the chances of it getting dislodged.
Power Modes & Settings: Many pod kits let users tweak the wattage, providing the perfect balance between flavour and vapour production.
Airflow System: An adjustable airflow system isn’t just about customising draw resistance. It also plays a key role in flavour delivery, letting users strike the right balance between dense vapour and intense flavour.
Pod Kits and E-Liquids
When it comes to pod kits, picking the right e-liquid is essential to guaranteeing a delightful vaping experience.
At Vape UK, we’re on hand to dive into the types of e-liquids that go brilliantly with pod kits:
Nic Salts and Freebase Nicotine
Regarding e-liquids, the two most common types of nicotine you’ll encounter are nicotine salts (often referred to as nic salts) and freebase nicotine.
Both have their distinct characteristics and are used with pod kits under the 30-watt range, but there are certain nuances you might want to consider first.
Nic salts have become the more popular choice for users in the last couple of years for multiple reasons. They’re smooth on the throat, even at higher strengths, and they’re the same type of e-liquid used in disposables. This means they’re perfect for those who are moving on from single-use devices to refillable vapes for the purpose of experiencing the same flavours and nicotine hits more effectively and cost-efficiently.
On the other hand, freebase nicotine e-liquids are different in the sense that as you go higher in strength, the intensity and throat hit increase with it. This makes them inviting for people who are moving away from smoking and want a similar sensation to smoking traditional cigarettes.
These e-liquids will come in 10ml bottles with nicotine strengths ranging from 0mg to 20mg, allowing you to find the perfect strength for your liking.
Shortfills
Shortfills are a popular choice for vapers, known for their bottle design that leaves room for adding a nicotine shot, enabling vapers to customise nicotine strength.
What’s exciting for pod kit users is that while these kits are often seen as simple MTL devices, there are advanced ones out there with the prowess of the more mighty sub-ohm models.
These powerful pod kits are adept at handling the thicker consistency of shortfills, normally higher in VG, making them ideal for DTL vaping.
Opting for shortfills with such pod kits combines the robust flavour and cloud production of DTL vaping with the compact convenience of a pod system.
If you’ve got a high-performance pod kit and you’re keen on upping your DTL vaping game, shortfills could be your next best friend.
They’re available in 50ml to 200ml bottles, with which you can use nic shots to increase their nicotine strength from 0mg to 3mg. Shortfills are mainly for vapour and flavour production, but the small amount of nicotine added is still effective because of the intensity of DTL vaping.
Things to look out for when buying a Pod Kit
Buying a pod kit is like investing in an experience; you’ll want it tailored to your tastes. With so many options out there, it’s essential to sieve through the choices by asking some questions in every vaper’s mind.
E-Liquid Compatibility: Not all pod kits are compatible with every e-liquid out there. Check if your chosen device can handle the e-liquids you love, especially if you’re inclined towards thicker juices like shortfills.
Battery Life: If you’re a regular vaper, you’ll want a pod kit with decent battery life to see you through the day. No one likes frequent charging breaks!
Pod Compatibility: As mentioned before, refillable pods can come with built-in coils or separate coils. Choose the style that fits your preference; with some pod kits, you can even get pre-filled pod kits for more effortless vaping.
Vaping Style Compatibility: Different pod kits cater to different vaping styles, be it MTL, RDL, or DTL. Ensure the one you’re eyeing supports your preferred method.
Budget-Friendly: Like all gadgets, pod kits come in a variety of price ranges. Set a budget and find a device that offers the best value without breaking the bank.
Features and Add-ons: Modern pod kits come equipped with a slew of features, like screen showcasing settings. Note down the features that matter to you most and ensure your chosen kit ticks those boxes.
Want to find out more? We have an extensive array of Refillable Pod Kits and Prefilled Pod Kits tailored to every vaper’s preference, meaning you’re sure to find the perfect fit. Check them out online today.