Prefilled Pod Vapes: The Vape Device You Never Thought You Needed

The vape market is awash with all sorts of amazing equipment these days. Prefilled pod vapes, and pod kits in general, are one of several options available to vapers. Since they hit the scene circa 2015 with the emergence of the Juul, it’s fair to say these little guys have revolutionised vaping as we knew it.

Vape pod kits are loved for their convenience and hassle-free nature. Despite their characteristic compact size, their performance is superb so much so that some models rival even the best e-cig devices out there.

A lot of this has to do with the fact that they typically make use of nicotine salts. Nic salts are more effective than freebase e-liquid in terms of overall satisfaction, taking into account both throat hit and nicotine satisfaction. This has endeared pod vapes particularly to smokers making the switch to vaping.

Generally, though, pod devices have found favour among vapers who prioritise portability and a less hands-on experience. That’s more so considering modern pod vapes can be paired with more than just nicotine salts. Many are also compatible with other e-liquid types, depending on whether they are MTL, DTL or a hybrid of the two systems.

Pod vapes: Spectrum of options

Before we get to prefilled pod vapes, it’s worth mentioning that pod vape kits are not equal. It’s a complex world these days, given the variety of options users are presented with. Initially, it was different. All you needed to know when buying a vape pod kit was whether it was a closed pod system or an open pod system.

Closed pod systems are pod kits that cannot be refilled. Instead, they offer a plug and play experience. That makes them super convenient, but they have the downside of offering a limited number of flavours.

Open pod systems, for their part, allow users the freedom to refill the pod with their e-liquid of choice. They have more flavour options to choose from, and they also offer more customisation options.

Today, while the terms closed pod system and open pod system are not as widely used, these devices still exist. And not just that: the pod kit segment has expanded and spawned a wide range of pod offerings. Thing is, though, all these pod kits can be categorised as either closed or open pod devices.

When shopping for a pod vape, you will come across the following types of pod systems:

• Disposable vapes
• Prefilled pod vapes
• Refillable pod kits
• Pod mods

Since the term ‘pod device’ is often generalised, it can be confusing for new and inexperienced vapers shopping for a pod vape kit when they encounter the different varieties on offer. However, what matters is that all are pod devices at the heart of it, with only a few subtleties differentiating them.

Let’s take a quick look at them.

Disposable vapes

Disposable vapes are single-use devices that are available ready-to-vape: they pack a single-use battery, coil and case and once exhausted, you dispose of the device in its entirety. They are the quintessential pod system and the definition of hassle-free vaping.

A type of closed pod device, disposable vapes are all the rage at the moment. Vapers are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing between brands, with Elf Bar, Lost Mary, Geek Bar and IVG some of the more popular names in this category.

But even more varied is the assortment of vape flavours they are available in.

Disposable pod kits are bucking the trend for closed pod devices which have traditionally not offered the most in terms of flavour options. And this is one of the reasons they have become widely popular in the vaping community. From fruity disposable vapes, to tobacco flavours and bakery e-liquids, disposable pod kits present an abundance of choice when it comes to flavour.

Prefilled pod vapes

Like disposable kits, prefilled pod vapes are also a type of close pod device. The two are not much different in terms of looks, but the main distinguishing feature is that prefilled vapes allow for pod replacement up to a certain number of times.

Once you deplete a pod – or rather the e-liquid in the pod – you simply yank it out and plug in a replacement pod. Prefilled pod vapes come bundled with an extra pod or cartridge, but users have the option to purchase replacement pods separately.

As to the actual number of pod replacements you can make, it depends on the kit. However, most kits are sold in packs of two or four pods.

Refillable pod vapes

Refillable pod vapes, for their part, are just that: pod devices that can be refilled. Pod vapes with refillable pods are an open type of pod system that gives you the liberty to use your e-juice of choice.

Unlike earlier versions of refillable vape pod kits which only supported nicotine salt refills, modern versions are compatible with a wider range of e-liquids, including regular e-liquids and sub-ohm juices.

But that depends on whether the pod kit is a mouth to lung (MTL) or direct to lung (DTL) device, although there are hybrid versions that support both sets of coils.

Speaking of coils, refillable pod vapes can further be grouped into two categories: those with replaceable coils and those with replaceable pods.

Refillable pods with replaceable coils are equipped with a pod that allows for coil replacement. These refillable pod kits allow you to reuse the same pod. When the performance starts to drop off, that’s your cue to replace the old coil with a new one. They are a bit more work, but on the upside, they are a less wasteful option and changing coils is generally cheaper than changing pods in the long term.

Refillable pods with replaceable pods, for their part, allow you to refill your pod and use until the performance and flavour start to peter out. That’s when you replace the entire pod.

Generally, refillable pods offer solid performance for about 3-6 refills before necessitating a device replacement.

Related: Mouth to Lung vs Direct to Lung Vaping

Pod mods

Lastly, we have pod mods. These are basically pod kits used for sub ohm vaping or direct to lung vaping. They are the pod version of vape mods and sub ohm devices, meaning they utilise low resistance vape coils.

In other words, pod mods are essentially direct to lung (DTL) vapes, although modern versions are coming as hybrids that double up as MTL systems. All you have do is choose which vape coil between DTL or MTL you want to use at any given time.

Pod mods can either be open or closed systems, but they tend to largely lean towards the former. Paired with higher VG e-liquids, these are the most powerful pod devices available since sub ohm vaping, by nature, is a high performance type of vaping.

They veer from the stealth style of vaping associated with pod vapes as they produce as much vapour as a standard mod device.

Making a case for prefilled pod vapes: The benefits

Now that the subject of pod devices is clear, let’s tell you why investing in a prefilled pod vape makes sense if you are in the market for a pod kit.

We’ll juxtapose them against disposable vapes while at it to help you make a more informed decision.

Convenience and ease of use

There can be no denying that disposable vapes are the epitome of hassle-free vaping. Small, compact devices designed with convenience in mind, they are as easy to use as a traditional cigarette.

While prefilled pod systems differ from disposable vapes in that they allow for replacement of used-up pods, prefilled kits are plug-and-play devices that guarantee simplicity and convenience. They are also fitted with a built-in atomiser so you don’t have to worry about coil replacement or other maintenance issues.

No maintenance needed

Speaking of maintenance, when it comes to prefilled pod vapes, the only hassle involved is recharging the device and popping the pods off and on every once in a while. But that’s nothing compared to the maintenance work involved with other types of e-cig kits.

Investing in a prefilled pod vape means there are no vape pod refills or tank refills, no coil replacement, device cleaning or other maintenance routines to deal with. You don’t have to stress about which settings work best or what vape coil you need.

For vape newcomers and smokers transitioning to vaping, that sort of seamless experience is gold.

Cheaper than disposable vapes

Vaping is not equal in terms of the costs involved. It is true that prefilled pod vapes are costlier than refillable pods in the long run. However, when comparing disposable vapes and prefilled vape pods, the former is a significantly pricier lifestyle to maintain.

The initial upfront cost of disposable vapes may not seem like much, but if you are an active vaper, those costs can really rack up over the course of time.

Some sources have cited disposables to be approximately 30-40% more expensive than prefilled pod kits. At a time when the cost of living is noticeably going up, a prefilled vape can leave your pockets in better shape than disposable vapes.

Also Read: Vaping vs Smoking Costs Compared

More sustainable

Prefilled pod kits are a more sustainable form of vaping compared to disposable vapes.

Sure, they may not be the ‘poster child’ of eco-friendly vaping, but prefilled vapes have a smaller carbon footprint compared to disposable vapes.

Their impact on the environment is bigger than that of fully-fledged refillable e-cigs such as mods and vape pens. But for anyone in need of a convenient pod system with a smaller ecological footprint, prefilled pod vapes are a lesser evil environmentally-speaking.

No learning curve involved

Regular kits and mods come with a litany of issues, the most common being burnt coils and leaky tanks. By opting for a prefilled pod vape, these are problems you will rarely have to deal with.

Vaping, unlike smoking, has a bit of a learning curve involved. If you’re going for regular e-cigs or mods, there are a few technical issues you need to orient yourself with. This is to ensure you get the best experience and that you are doing things right.

But also, learning the basics of vaping when using regular kits and mods is important to prevent issues that could compromise your vape or prove costly.

In the case of prefilled pod kits, the only thing you need to learn is how to inhale appropriately on your device. That, and probably knowing when it’s time to swap pods, something the kit will communicate to you once the taste of the vape changes.

For these reasons, prefilled pod vapes make for an ideal choice of kit for beginner vapers.

Flavour options

Prefilled pod kits have been faulted for being limited in terms of flavour options. While that is definitely the case when you consider stand-alone e-liquids are virtually limitless in that regard, it’s not like prefilled pod vape flavours are restricted to just a handful.

You will always have a wealth of options to choose from when you want to mix things up a bit. That’s particularly the case with the growth of the prefilled pod segment in the last few years. More brands have come on board to meet the market need for prefilled pods, and new and existing manufacturers are also continuously expanding on their range.

This means there are more than enough prefilled pod vape flavours out there to satisfy most palates.

Are there any downsides to prefilled pod vapes?

Prefilled pod vapes, like all other e-cig devices, are not without their downsides. We have already alluded to some of them, but below are the disadvantages associated with prefilled pod kits in a nutshell.

Noticeably, while some are inherent in these kits, many of these disadvantages mostly depend on what other device type you may be comparing them with.

• Cost considerations. Refillable pod vapes may be cheaper than disposable kits, but they do not offer the cost benefits you will get with standard e-cigs.
• Less customisability. Prefilled pod vape kits do not guarantee the level of customisability you are likely to get with more advanced e-cigs such as sub-ohm kits. While modern pod mods have plenty of good features, the chipsets required to support more advanced modes may be too big or complex for these kits.
• Limited battery life. This is a drawback associated with most pod kits, not just prefilled vapes. Due to their small size, these devices are fitted with a smaller battery that may not last as long as batteries in larger e-cigs.
• Pod compatibility. Barring a few cases, prefilled vape pods are not interchangeable. This proprietary nature means as a user, you are locked to a specific brand or e-liquid when you purchase a prefilled pod vape kit. The good thing is that they don’t last forever so if you are dissatisfied with your buy, it’s only a matter of time until you can get another or find a better fit.
• Availability. Prefilled pod kits are not as widely available as disposable vapes which you’ll find not just on online vendors like us, but also in every supermarket or shop down the corner. It’s also a product line most inexperienced vapers are not familiar with, often confusing it with disposable vapes. But all these shortcomings are less about the product itself and more on external factors.

Closing Words

As you can see, there are many advantages you can enjoy by opting for a prefilled pod vape experience if you are on the hunt for a good pod device.

While these kits present a costlier alternative to the refillable options, there are times when one yearns for a vape device that promises simplicity and portability without the usual downsides associated with pod kits – performance, limited flavour options, financial costs and even sustainability issues.

Prefilled pod vapes strike the perfect middle ground between disposable vapes and regular e-cig devices.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long do prefilled pods last?

The longevity of prefilled pods is dependent on usage, or the frequency of it. If you are heavy vaper, you will likely run through a pod faster compared to moderate or light users. On average, most prefilled pods have an average puff count of between 200 and 300 puffs. However, more recent offerings have a slightly higher puff count.

The original puff range was by design. 200 puffs roughly equate to 15-20 cigarettes, so a single pod is basically equal to a pack of cigarettes.

How do you refill prefilled pods?

It is not possible to refill ‘prefilled’ pods since they already come loaded with e-liquid in advance. Prefilled pod devices cannot also be taken apart, barring the plug-and-play replacement pod they are paired with. That’s because they are what we call closed pod systems.

What refilling means in this sense is replacing the pod that has run out of e-liquid with a new one. Prefilled kits are sold in packs of two to four replacement pods so that’s what you use for topping up when a pod runs out of juice.

What is the difference between prefilled pods and disposables?

Prefilled pod vape kits and disposable vapes are not much different, with the distinguishing characteristic lying in their design. Disposable kits which are strictly single-use devices that you discard once they run out of juice. Prefilled pod vapes, on the other hand, allow for replacement up to a set number of times.

However, both are closed pod systems that do not involve e-liquid refilling.

What is the difference between prefilled and refillable pods?

Prefilled pods are closed pod systems, which means they cannot be refilled but rather, replaced when a pod runs out of e-liquid. Refillable pods, by comparison, are open pod systems. These are vapes with refillable vape pods that can be topped up with e-liquid like a normal vape tank, although the size is much smaller compared to a regular vape tank.

Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Are prefilled vape pods better than disposables?

The answer depends on how you look at it. If you want a most cost-effective vape, yes, prefilled pod vapes are better than disposables. They can also help you reduce your environmental impact as they result in less waste compared to disposable kits.

However, while not by much, disposable vapes are more convenient and come in a larger array of flavour options.

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