Disposables vs Refillable Devices: Which Is Best For You?

Oh yes, the never ending debate on whether disposables or refillable devices are better. Everyone will have their opinions, but if you’re new to vaping, this might help you figure out which is better for you.

Disposable Vapes

What Is A Disposable Vape? 

A disposable vape is a pre-filled, non-refillable device designed for single use. It comes fully charged with a built-in battery and e-liquid, and once the liquid runs out, you throw the device away. 

How It Works

• No Setup: the disposable devices comes ready to use straight out of the box
• Auto Draw: most disposables do not have any buttons, it simply turns on automatically when you inhale
• Sealed System: the disposable contains a tiny battery, a heating coil and a liquid reservoir packaged together 

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• very easy to use 
• cheap to buy upfront 
• highly portable 
• no maintenance or refilling necessary 

Cons: 

• costs more money over time than reusable vapes
• creates electronic and plastic waste due to the lithium battery being thrown away

Refillable Vapes

What Is A Refillable Vape?

A refillable vape is a device with a rechargeable battery and a tank or pod that you manually fill with bottled e-liquid. Unlike single-use disposables, you keep the main device and add new e-liquid when empty. You only replace the small heating coil or pod when it wears out. 

How It Works

• Battery Base: a rechargeable power unit with a USB port and a button or automatic draw sensor
• Pod Or Tank: a plastic or glass reservoir that holds the e-liquid and houses an internal meta-and-cotton heating coil
• E-liquid: bottled nicotine liquid or flavoured e-liquid that you squeeze into the fill port yourself

Pros & Cons

Pros: 

• buying e-liquid in bottles and reusing the device costs much less over time
• you can use any brand, flavour or nicotine strength instead of being locked into pre-made options 
• less waste produced as you do not throw away a lithium battery and plastic shell every few days/ weeks

Cons: 

• your first purchase can be costly up front (purchasing a “starter kit” is much cheaper than each individual item when first buying)

Let’s Do The Math

Ugh, I know, I also am not a fan of math, but I promise this math helps break down the average cost of disposables as well as refillable devices. 

Average Disposable Cost

Disposables can range in price depending on puff count as well as how many mL of pre-filled e-liquid is inside the disposable. 

On average, a disposable can range anywhere between $15 (for a smaller, lower puff count disposable) to $65 (for a larger, higher puff count disposable). 

Average Refillable Starter Kits Cost

Refillable Starter Kits can also range in price depending on the brand, the model and the technology that is used to make the device. 

On average, a refillable starter kit can range anywhere between $20 (for very simple, little technology refillable device) to $60 (for a more advanced, more technology focused refillable device). 

Average Individual Refillable Items Cost

Refillable items can range in price depending on what item is needing to be purchased, for example, e-liquids can vary in price depending on bottle size, brand and type of nicotine while pods can also vary depending on the size, brand, etc. 

• Salt Nicotine E-liquid: average cost can range between $35 (for a 30mL bottle) to $63 (for a 60mL bottle)
• Freebase E-liquid: average cost can range between $30 (for a 30mL bottle) to $66 (for a 100mL bottle)
• Refillable Pods: average cost can range between $12 (for a STLTH refillable pod) to $27 (for a UWell Caliburn refillable pod)

Thinking of getting a disposable or refillable vaping device? Want to see our options for both? Then come on in to either of our vaping Story locations!

www.vapingstory.com

667 King Street East Unit B, Hamilton

613 Somerset Street West, Ottawa

Must be 19+