HOW DO I CHOOSE MY FIRST E-CIG?

Let’s be very clear, vaping and smoking are not the same.

It is easy to light up a cigarette; vaping takes longer. E-cigarettes  require some light upkeep, such as charging the battery, changing parts when they need replacing and topping up with e-liquid when you are running low. This is why choosing the right device to suit your needs is important, pre-filled pod e-cigarettes as an example are extremely easy to use and require almost no upkeep. Even knowing this, it is easy to slip back into the mindset “It would be easier to nip the shop and get a packet of fags.”

The way to combat this is to balance satisfaction against ease of use. You need to choose an e-cig that you can easily maintain, an e-liquid that you love the taste of, and to make sure that you actually enjoy vaping. So what is the best e-cigarette starter kit?

As previously mentioned there is no single perfect e-cig for everyone. Every vaper searches for something different from their vaping experience. Some people feel more satisfied when they are exhaling a cloud of vapour, some care more about tasting a nice flavour, others want vaping to feel as close to smoking as possible.

WHAT IS AN E-CIGARETTE?

One thing you will notice quickly is the number of e-cigarette and vaping pods to choose from, so it can feel like a minefield at first. How much you want or need to understand about e-cigarettes should influence your choice, and if the short answer is that this section seems to be getting complicated, you probably need a prefilled pod e-cigarette.

Each type of e-cig comes with its own pros and cons. Remember, there is no one style fits all when it comes to vaping. Usually they are broken down into two categories, pod e-cigs and refillable e-cigs.

Pod e-cigs

Pod e-cigs, exactly as the name suggests, are an e-cig that has a pod or cartridge, not a tank. They are usually ‘pen-shaped’ and made up of just two parts: a rechargeable battery, and a pod or cartridge that clicks into the battery. Aimed at new vapers or smokers who are looking to make the switch to vaping, they are designed to be simple to use and exceptionally easy to maintain. Some vape pods have buttons, but most are automatic, which means you just draw on them like a cigarette to vape. Most of them are compact, discreet and designed to mimic the sensation of smoking.

Prefilled pods

Prefilled pods are supplied full of e-liquid, making them the simplest possible devices to use. Anything that is consumable or might need replacing is included in the pod, and when it is empty you simply discard the pod and pop a new one in.

Refillable pods

Refillable pods are supplied empty, so you can fill them with your choice of e-liquid. They can be refilled around 10 times before they stop producing great vapour, at which point you just fill up a new pod and click it in. This means they are not quite as simple to use as prefilled pods, but running costs are quite a bit lower.

Refillable e-cigs

The traditional, refillable type of e-cig is probably what you are used to seeing people use. They are made up of a battery, a tank that is refilled with e-liquid and an atomizer head. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes from a smaller cylindrical style to a large box shape. Most of these e-cigs will have a button to press to vape and many have settings that can be adjusted. They are then filled with whatever strength and flavour of e-liquid you choose. These e-cigs are not solely aimed at new vapers, although some will be designed with them in mind and are usually called starter kits.

Advantages of pod e-cigs

• Most closely mimics the sensation of smoking.
• Extremely easy to use and maintain.
• Compact and discreet.

Advantages of refillable e-cigs

• Most cost effective to vape long term.
• More choice of style and settings.