Are you a new vaper or a long-time adult vapor consumer who wants to know how their vaping device works? Are you currently vaping disposables and want to know what the hype is about or switch to a less wasteful platform? Do you find smoking cigarettes to be costly and unpleasant?

You have come to the right place! Here is our comprehensive Vaping FAQs and Buying Guide. We will answer frequently asked questions and delve into the history of vaping.

Types of Vape Devices

Vape devices have become increasingly user friendly and reliable since the first vape pen hit the market. Do not be intimidated by the length of this guide. There are basically four styles of vape and two types of e-liquids.

Disposable Vape Devices

Disposable vapes are draw-activated, one-time use devices that arrive prefilled and can be recharged. They contain potent salt nic juice.

Refillable Pod Kits

Pod kits have coils calibrated for salt nic and draw activated. They can be refilled, and the pod can be easily replaced when it wears out. They started as simple devices but there are now pod kits powerful enough to handle any style of vaping and some even have swappable coils rather than a design where the coil is integrated. 

Vape Mods

Vape mods are powerful devices that produce more vapor and are ideal for lower-strength e-Juices.

Prefilled Pod Kits

Gas station prefilled pods are expensive to operate gas station vapes manufactured by the tobacco industry and only available in fake tobacco flavors. Table above shows how you could purchase a reusable and refillable pod kit every time you purchased a nic salt bottle and still end up ahead versus buying a Vuse, NJoy, MyBlu or Juul. 

Types of Vape Juice

There are two basic types of nicotine e-liquid. There are popular nic salts and lower-strength high-VG juice. 

Salt Nic E-Liquid

This is the potent style of e-liquid that was pioneered by Juul but is now sold in bottles, disposables and in rival gas station pods like Vuse and MyBlu. It is smooth and ideal for small and discrete devices with small batteries, low-wattage and minimal vapor production. It is a very efficient way to vape as not much e-liquid needs to be vaporized thanks to the strength. 

High-VG Vape Juice

This style of e-liquid has a lower nic strength because it is consumed at higher power settings with a greater volume of vapor being consumed. Perfect for mod devices, customers looking for a lower nic strength option and hobbyists. Most pod kits now have a coil capable of handling this thicker e-liquid. 

Why Do People Vape?

Vaping is the act of inhaling vapor created by a vape device. Vaping is non-combustible, so it is a fundamentally different process than burning tobacco. Most vaping products contain nicotine, although there are nicotine free and alternative vapor products available as well.

The full scientific defense of vaping is both not permissible per the FDA and beyond the scope of this article. There are innumerable vaping studies worth studying and here are a few of the most salient. 

1. Public Health England stands by their initial study that vaping is 95% less harmful than cigarettes and their public health policy is anchored by websites like Using Vaping to Quit Smoking.
2. The EVALI outbreak, mischaracterized as "Vaping Lung Disease", was tied entirely to cannabis cartridges which contained vitamin E acetate. The CDC failed to find a single commercially available nicotine vape that contained this contaminant and even stated that the use of this contaminant was incompatible with VG/PG vape formulations (more on VG/PG below).
3. Adult vapor consumers overwhelmingly prefer characterizing flavors to fake tobacco flavors. The production and sale of fruit and dessert flavored vapes is driven by adult demand. The myth that vapes are marketed to children has been promoted by well-funded lobbying groups. All the flavors in vaping products are artificial. As is the case in virtually every consumable and edible product, whether it is kombucha, breath mints, hard seltzers, confections or cough syrup, fruit flavors are popular. Fauxbacco is not to be found anywhere.
4. Studies have shown that vape flavor bans increase cigarette sales. Denying adults access to alternative products funnels them back into the arms of the tobacco industry. With a PMTA approval process that has only approved vaping devices approved by the tobacco industry, adult vapers have felt the squeeze since the first Deeming rule hit the books in 2016.
5. In 2018, a New England Journal of Medicine study found that vaping was far more effective than Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT). These are the pharmaceutical industry manufactured gums, lozenges, mini lozenges, and patches used for smoking cessation. A November 2023 study in the Cochrane Review found: "High certainty evidence that nicotine e-cigarettes are more effective than traditional nicotine-replacement therapy (NRT) in helping people quit smoking." These studies covered many years, tens of thousands of smokers, and several different e-cigarette designs.

What is Vape Juice?

Vape juice is a blend of vegetable glycerin (VG), propylene glycol (PG), nicotine, and artificial flavorings.

What does VG/PG Ratio Mean?

Most disposable devices and bottled nicotine salts have a VG/PG ratio of 50/50. This is a nice combination of vapor and flavor. Vape juices with lower nicotine strengths typically have a 70/30 VG/PG ratio.

A Higher VG percentage is associated with a thicker e-liquid that produces more vapor. These are sometimes called high-VG juices. They are usually enjoyed on higher-wattage vaping devices and are for direct-to-lung inhaling.

Back in the day when the vape pen ruled the roost, there were also high-PG e-liquids. These were famous for their throat hit, minimal vapor and authentic experience. It was even argued that the seemingly unpleasant "chest burn" made these products more appealing to heavy smokers.

There is a reason why this style of vape kit was referred to as an e-cigarette. They were long, cylindrical, and perfectly calibrated for the MTL inhaling style. Today, you are much more likely to see dry herb being consumed on the cylindrical 510 batteries that once powered e-cigarettes. Any formerly heavy smoker who loved these products has long since been denied access by onerous regulations.

How Do I Read Nicotine Strengths?

All nicotine e-liquids will list their nicotine strength. At times you will see percentages, but the proper measure is MG. As a rule of thumb, 3, 6 and 12mg is ideal for a device designed for more vapour production like a mod.

The original pod vape kits were specifically designed for salt nic e-liquid and the MTL inhaling style. The typical nic strengths include a 25 or 35mg strength and a 50mg strength.

Disposable vaping devices are usually sold in 50mg strength, sometimes written as 50%. The Flonq is a new device that offers three nicotine strengths. These are 0, 20mg and 50mg. This is the exception.

Back in the days when the e-cigarette reigned supreme, there were freebase e-liquids that were as strong as 24 or even 36mg. You would need to know where to look to find such an e-liquid today.

What is Freebase Nicotine?

Freebase nic was found in the very first vaping device designs.Freebase nicotine is the pure molecular form of nicotine, meaning it has not bonded with another substance to create a compound. This unaltered nicotine has consistently been the key active component in e-liquids.

The name sound scary but simply describes the basic nicotine used in e-liquids. It has a higher pH than nicotine salts and this limits the amount that can be added to vape juice. For this reason, it is most popular in high-VG juices. These focus on vapor production and are used in powerful mods. There is synthetic nicotine, tobacco free nicotine and tobacco-derived nicotine versions of both freebase nicotine and nicotine salts.

What are Nic Salts?

Salt nics, salt nicotine or nic salts are a form of nicotine. They are created by adding benzoic acid to create a salt. This is a molecular term. Nic salts have a lower pH level and therefore can be tolerated at higher strengths. Nic salts are found in disposables and their smooth potency completely changed the industry. Previously, high-strength freebase juices were quite harsh. With salt nic, it is possible to use 25 and even 50mg strengths.

What About Nicotine Strengths?

Disposable vapes and bottled nic salts are generally available in a 25-30mg strength and 50mg nicotine strength. There are advantages to a greater potency. You do not need as much vapor or to use as much e-liquid to enjoy a satisfying vaping experience. With less vapor required, a smaller device generating less vapor becomes viable. Less battery power and less power are required. Portable vapes, including pod kits like Juul and old-fashioned disposables which would have otherwise been underpowered have enough oomph to get the job done at these higher strengths.

Most freebase e-liquids are 3 and 6mg strength. This is ideal for vape mods. These designs use a refillable tank and replaceable coils with low resistance to churn out vast quantities of vapor.

What are the Different Styles of Vaping?

Mouth-to-lung (MTL) and Direct to Lung (DL) are the two styles of vaping. Direct to Lung Vaping is more closely associated with vape mods. Mouth to lung vaping is designed to mimic the action of a traditional cigarette and is generally associated with nic salts and higher-nicotine e-liquids.

Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) Vaping

With Mouth-to-Lung vaping, vapor is drawn into and held in the mouth before being inhaled into the lungs. This mouth to lung inhaling used to feature products with a strong throat hit and even "chest burn". But the high-PG vape juices and vape pens were largely wiped off the market by nic salt e-liquid formulas.

New vapers using often prefer MTL vapes as they contain more nicotine and provide a familiar experience. Pre-filled pods like Vuse Alto and devices like the Smok Novo and Vaporesso XROS Collection are optimized for nicotine salt vape juice and MTL vaping.

MTL vaping was once associated with high-resistance coils, resistance measuring how quickly a heating element ramps up, but many pod systems now have resistances of under an ohm.

While pod system designs and disposables will have adjustable airflow, a pure MTL draw will be tight and require effort that necessitates you mouth serving as a way station for the vapor.

Direct-to-Lung (DTL) Vaping

DTL is where the vapor is inhaled directly into the lungs, which is more like taking a breath. It’s more popular with those who like to create larger clouds. It is popular with hobbyists, box mod users and customers looking for lower-nic vape juices.

The airflow of the DTL is so loose or wide-open that it essentially blasts vapor straight into your lungs. The higher power settings of DTL vapes does cut battery life. A vape shop can be a big help if you are looking for a more powerful mod vaping device.

What is Sub-Ohm Vaping?

When you explore Vaping.com for your new vape device, you may come across the term ‘sub-ohm coils’. This term defines coils with a resistance level less than 1.0 ohm, e.g., 0.8ohms. At higher wattages, sub-ohm coils are entirely unsuitable for potent salt nic e-liquids. The amount of vapor is simply too great.

Sub-ohm vaping allows the coil to heat faster and reach a higher temperature. Some box mods even offer temperature control, which provides even more control.

Explore our wide range of sub-ohm vape mods, including the best sub-ohm vapes from VOOPOO, Smok and Geek Vape. There is a wide range of box mod designs, with some requiring external batteries and others using integrated battery designs.

What is Plus-ohm Vaping?

For their first vape kit, vapers often select a pod system. At one time these vape starter kit packages were said to provide a plus-ohm vaping experience. You won't hear this term much anymore as the market has abandoned vape pens and consists mostly of vape pods, vape mods and disposables.

The term 'plus-ohm' relates to coils with a resistance of above 1.0 ohms. There is no easier way to start vaping than a draw-activated device filled with salt nic. They provide a portable unit that is discrete, easy to use.

Plus-ohm coils are ideal for MTL vaping and produce less vapor than sub-ohm coils. If you’re looking for a plus-ohm experience, the Vaporesso XROS Mini is a pure MTL pod vape that comes with a 1.2ohm pod to get you started. Note that the XROS also has pods with a resistance of less than ohm that are still suitable for nic salts. This is possible because the device only has 16W of power. Never try to vape salt nic in a high-wattage, sub-ohm tank.

What Types of Vape Devices Are Available?

If mouth to lung inhaling and a big box mod is your thing, Vaping.com carries the most trusted names in the industry. If you are looking for a vape starter kit, we have modern pod systems that make a perfect first vape kit.

What are Vape Kits?

The term vape kits is a general term. It describes a vape device that is ready to use after a charge from the moment it is unboxed. In a pod kit, a starter kit will include the battery/device element, and one or two replacement pods.

All pod kits feature a built-in battery with decent battery life. Some pod kits feature replaceable coils where the plastic pod can be reused. In this case, you just pop in a new coil when the original is at the end of its service life. If you are a new vaper, the typical life of pod kit coil is half a bottle of salt nic e-liquid although their optimal flavor and vapor production is when they feature a new coil.

For a box mod, you will get the mod, a 510-thread tank and replacement coils. Most mod vape kits will have a built-in battery but some still use 18650 batteries that are sold separately.

 

Even though 18650s are rechargeable batteries, vape shops and manufacturers will recommend a purpose-built charger.

What Are Disposable Vapes?

The modern disposable vape is a solid price performer and cheaper to operate than a Big Tobacco manufactured prefilled pod kit like MyBlu or Juul. A disposable vape is pre-filled with e-salt nic e-liquid and prefilled. They are draw-activated. Simply open the box and vape.

Disposables are ideal for new vapers but are so efficient that they have many veteran vaper converts. There are some disposable vape brands that feature lower and zero nicotine models, but most have 50mg nicotine strength.

The modern disposable is rechargeable with a USB Type-C charger. Many feature a boost mode that increases the power and dual meshed coils. Designs like Geek Bar have bold screens that also feature animations. These displays also show remaining e-liquid and battery life.

What Are Vape Pens?

Vape pens, simply referred to as e-cigarettes or e-cigs, were once the only game in town. The author is old enough to have started his journey with an old-fashioned vape pen starter kit. In 2024, vape pen more typically refers to a cannabis pen. Unfortunately, these early vaping devices often used pre-filled cartridges. These were swept up in the regulations that banned flavored e-liquid in prefilled pods.

Once the cutting edge, vape pens had standardized threading and atomizers. This meant your vape kit could use simple coils from several manufacturers. Obviously, a proprietary pod that is not cross compatible and is made by the manufacturer is a much more profitable model. Luckily, pods are also more user friendly, leak less, require less priming, are easier to fill and their packaging allows for a larger coil that is superior to anything you'd find in a 2015 vape pen.

As outmoded as vape pens seem today, these are the vaping devices that were first tested head-to-head against NRT.

Pod Systems

Pod systems replaced vape pens. They extremely convenient thanks to their size, long-lasting built-in battery and easy to fill ergonomics. Thanks to higher-nicotine salts, pod systems can really shine. The Smok Novo, UWell Caliburn, VOOPOO Vinci and Vaporesso XROS series are great examples of a pod vape kit that is easy to use and versatile.

Pod systems are normally made for MTL vaping; however, pod mods that support both MTL & DTL are available too. They have a range of coil strengths, most models having one for higher nicotine strengths, one for middle range and a low-resistance coil for high-VG freebase. Most devices in 2024 split the difference between the two inhaling styles, making a versatile pod starter kits a perfect point of entry into the world of refillable vapes. As a vape starter kit, pod systems are the most practical disposable vape alternative.

Box Mod Kits

The largest and most advanced vaping device available, box mods are often favored by experienced vapers and hobbyists. They were once sold independently, as they share 510 thread compatibility, but are now usually sold as a vape kit with a tank design optimized for the size and shape.

There are also rebuildable coils for hobbyists, also called RDAs. There are mods that require three 18650 batteries and are so large as to almost qualify as a desktop unit when compared to a slender Smok Novo.

They can be easily customized to the user’s preference. While Box Mod Kits occasionally support MTL vaping, they’re more commonly used for direct-lung cloud chasing.

What Are the Different Parts of a Vape Device?

With so many customers buying disposable devices, there are new vapers who do not understand the components of a vaping device. Whether you are using a 12-year-old vape pen, the newest Lost Mary, a pod or a mod, the basic elements and concepts are universal. Here is a quick guide to the components.

Coil

The coil or atomizer heats the vape juice and turn it into vapor. On a classic coil you will find the suggested wattage written on the side. They are designed for a vaping device with variable wattage such as the classic mod.

The first step is always to prime the coil when new! This simply means filling the tank or pod and letting the e-liquid steep through the cotton components of the coil for five to fifteen minutes. This does not apply for disposables because the coil rests in an e-liquid filled polyfill and arrives prefilled and primed. This is why some disposable vape devices will leak at higher temperatures.

There are myriad coil designs. Meshed coils are extremely popular as the thin filament of mixed metals heats quickly and efficiently. Every coil will either have visible ports with exposed cotton or some other form of wicking material. This is what soaks with e-liquid and puts it in contact to be vaporized. Priming is key and keeping the wicking material saturated is key or you can encounter a dry hit.

Pod kits run at low-wattage and are used primarily with nicotine salt e-liquids. The coils in these pods generally last through half a bottle or 15ml. Notably, the high-capacity disposable vapes with over 15ml of e-liquid capacity generally use a dual coil and have two modes. One reason for this is that it is asking too much for a single coil to last longer than that. Switching modes heats a different part of the coil in those designs. Disposable vapes also have a cooling element in almost every flavor as that prolongs the life of the coil.

Vape Tanks

On a traditional mod, the tank holds vape juice and is screwed into place with a 510-thread attachment. Tanks also used to list their diameter, as a 25mm tank would overhang the edge of smaller mods even if it technically was compatible.

Things have changed quite a bit. Like every other industry, be it cars or Keurig’s, companies like to have proprietary products they can sell repeatedly. A universally compatible tank system is not as good for the bottom line as a pod kit that requires purchasing replacements from the same company.

In the world of tanks this innovation has manifested itself in the form of the outrageously delightful mod pod tanks of VOOPOO. They have a 510 adapter or can affix themselves via magnets on certain drag models.

our vape juice before it’s delivered to the coil for heating. Tanks do not need to be replaced as much as the coil; however, you may choose to clean it to ensure optimal performance.

Pods

There are two types of pods. If you go to a gas station, the expensive, tobacco-only devices sold by Juul, and the tobacco giants are technically pods. They also cost a fortune to operate. A Vuse or MyBlu pod holds a 1.9ml. Thus, a pack of three, which typically costs $20, has 1/5th the e-liquid of a bottle of nic salts. They are also only available in tobacco flavors. Their pricing seems predicated on the FDA banning less expensive and superior alternative vaping products and benchmarked to be comparable to a pack of cigarettes that they sell on the same shelf.

If you are at Vaping.com, you probably realize firsthand what an expensive proposition prefilled gas station pods are. They can easily cost hundreds of dollars a month.

Prefilled pod systems use a refillable pod rather than the traditional glass tank design. If you use a pod system, your device won’t have a tank but a refillable pod. Originally, pod designs had a built-in or integrated coil. This meant you tossed the whole pod when it was worn out. Some models now offer pods with coils that can be swapped out.

Pods are generally quite easy to fill, draw-activated, inexpensive, transparent and affix in place with a snap. Compared to a disposable, the only difference is you occasionally must squeeze a bottle to fill it.

Off Stamp Vapes

The Off Stamp Vapes are almost a category unto themselves. Check out our feature for more information: How to Use an Off Stamp Vape.

They function almost exactly like a disposable in terms of performance. You just open the box and vape. But to reduce waste and expense it is a modular design. You first purchase would be of the full Off Stamp Kit. This includes a reusable battery and a disposable half that functions almost like a prefilled pod. The difference is that the disposable half has a small built-in battery, so you can continue to vape while the main 800mAh is reused.

Once the disposable is empty you do not have to buy the main battery again but can instead just purchase the half that contains the "juice", which is distinguishable by the mouthpiece. There are currently two Off Stamp models. The original is the SW9000. Not surprisingly, the estimated puff count in 9000. There is also the larger Off Stamp SW16000.

Keep in mind that the small disposable half requires the battery, which serves as a charging dock, to recharge the 200mAh battery it contains. 200mAh may sound small but is roughly akin to a Juul or old Cali Bar. The battery half has an 800mAh battery, which means combined you have over 1000mAh of power.

Battery

There are still mods that require you purchase 18650 or 21700 batteries. It is recommended that you have a standalone charger. VOOPOO and Smok generally offer a pair of similar designs, one with the swappable batteries and one with a built-in battery that you can charge just like the smallest vape pod.

Battery power is measured in mAh. A powerful mod needs more wattage, hence the use of 18650 batteries, while a lower-wattage vape pod can last a day or two with an 800-1000mAh battery. As disposables continue to increase in power, size and display screens, there has been a trend towards slightly bigger batteries as well. The standard was once 250mAh for Puff Bar style sticks. An Elf Bar BC5000 and its many rivals boasted rechargeable batteries with 600-650mAh of power. Today, you are finding more 800mAh units.

What’s Next?

Vapes are simpler to use than ever. There are disposable devices, pod kits and mods. There are two types of e-liquid: salt nic and high-VG juices. The rich tapestry of vape technology has been pared down to a few styles.