There are some incredible vape kits out there … but some of them carry an incredible price tag. Is it still worth investing in top-quality vape kit? If you choose to buy a mid-range or top-of-the-line vape, what can you expect? What do you miss out on when you buy a cheaper entry-level vape?
In this article, we’ll explain why it’s worth spending a little more on your vaping hardware. We’ll show you how investing in a slightly more expensive vape will drastically improve your vaping experience.
Seven reasons to invest in your vape kit
Reason 1: Build quality
We all want a vaping experience that is clean and consistent. The last thing you want is vape juice to leak all over your pocket or handbag. You want tight seals made from high-quality materials. In fact, you want your entire vape to be made from strong, durable components, like pyrex glass and food-grade stainless steel. These components cost a little more, but they stand the test of time. If you accidentally drop your device, you want it to still work when you pick it up. Build quality inside the casing is just as important as what you see on the outside. You need firm, reliable electrical connections and really good components that won’t burn out on you.
Some parts will have to be replaced regularly, no matter how good the build quality of your vape kit might be. Changing out the coil and wick is just a part of life when you’re vaping. The good news is that many vapes now have clip-in coils as standard. Clip-in coils tend to be much cleaner and easier than rebuildable coils, so look out for this if convenience is important.
Reason 2: Airflow
The simplest way to control the heat and size of your vape clouds is with an adjustable airflow. These airflow controls tend to get more advanced the more money you spend. There are a few innovative designs out there, but most airflow controls are twistable collars that wrap around the outside edge of your atomiser. You twist one way for small, tight, hot clouds, and twist the other way for open, cool, loose clouds.
Make sure you pick a vape device that matches your vaping style. Some of the more expensive vape kits are designed to suit sub-ohm vaping and aren’t suitable for mouth-to-lung vapers. You can learn more by reading our airflow guide.
Reason 3: Batteries
Defining the ‘best’ vape battery is tricky. Some of us prefer the simplicity of a USB-rechargeable battery, while others want the freshness and flexibility that comes with removable rechargeable batteries, such as 18650s or 20700s (see our full range of vape batteries).
If you want to make the most of a high-end vape device, you need a battery that can perform at maximum capacity. Battery performance does decline slowly over time, which may be why the more expensive sub-ohm vape kits tend to use removable batteries. Having said that, if you’re shopping for a mid-price vape kit, don’t ignore USB-chargeable devices. You can recharge them almost anywhere and there are fewer parts to keep track of.
We’re especially excited about the vape kits that take more than one battery format. For instance, the VooPoo Argus XT can take either an 18650 or a 21700, giving you more flexibility when you’re out and about.
Reason 4: Power Controls
One of the most important — and underrated — parts in a vape device is the chip. As a rule, the smarter your vape, the higher the price tag, but this intelligence pays for itself very quickly. A good vape chip manages the power from your battery, which in turn boosts the consistency and longevity of your vaping experience. Our advice is to buy the best power controls that you can afford. You’ll squeeze every last drop of charge out of your batteries in a steady, safe way. Learn more about vape chips in our handy guide.
Reason 5: Screens & Stats
Want to know when to recharge or how hot your coil is? You need a screen for that! Most sub-ohm vape kits (and many higher-end pod kits) have a built-in LED screen that shares real-time stats and vital information about your vape. The best part of having a screen is that it lets you tailor the exact settings that suit your vaping style best. If you know the precise power settings that work best for you, you can either dial them in manually or select a built-in advanced vaping mode that suits you.
Reason 6: Variety
The more you spend, the more choice you have. Just boosting your hardware budget from £20 to £40 can open up lots of really good options.
At time of writing (20 June 2024), if you limit your budget to £20 you’ll have 35 pod kits to choose from, but you won’t be able to buy a sub-ohm vape kit for that price point. There are seven great sub-ohm kits (and almost seventy pod kits) in the £20 to £40 range. Spend more than £40 and you’ll have 38 great sub-ohm kits to choose from (… and 9 top-of-the-line pod kits). That’s what’s available today, but new stock comes on all the time, so make sure to shop our full vape kits department.
Reason 7: Environmental Sustainability
Whatever vape kit you choose, it has an environmental impact. Vapes are full of rare earth minerals and precious metals — there’s no getting around it.
The most environmentally-friendly decision is usually to go for a device that will last. A cheap device with lots of built-in components (a disposable, for instance) will go to landfill much sooner than a device with parts that can be easily replaced or repaired. If you invest in a vape device with a removable battery, you can potentially get years and years out of the one vape kit
Don’t feel too bad if your budget won’t stretch to a top-of-the-line vape. If you make the switch from cigarettes to vapes, or from disposables to long-term vape kit, you’re already carving a huge chunk out of your own personal carbon footprint. Remember to recycle your old devices whenever you can: read our guide to disposing of disposables to learn more.
How expensive do you need to go?
We’ve all heard the phrase ‘you buy cheap, you buy twice’. When it comes to your vape device, ‘most expensive’ does not equal ‘best’. Price is just one part of a complex picture. Shop around, because you’ll find that there are some amazing kits out there offering incredible value for money.
When purchasing a vape kit or pod system, don’t just look at price. Pay close attention to the customer reviews. Genuine buyer reviews are still the best way to figure out how a vape device is going to work for you under normal circumstances.
We can give you a steer, too. Just get in touch and we’ll do what we can to help.
Stay safe and happy vaping!
John Boughey