Most users initially opt for disposable products. In comparison to rechargeable ones, these have several advantages including being readily available, requiring little to no set-up and producing vapor instantly upon unpacking.
If you are still trying to get your bearings and are looking for a product that allows you to get started with the bare minimum requirements, Properloud’s disposable vape selection should cover everything you need to get started – no commitment, no learning curve.
What You Are Really Comparing
Disposable vapes are self-contained units containing the battery, the coil and the e-liquid. Once the e-liquid is used up, the disposable is discarded. There is no requirement for charging, no replacement coils, etc.
Refillable vapes (often referred to as open system or pod based) contain a rechargeable battery component and a tank/pod section that can be filled with e-liquid of your choice. When the coil wears out, it needs replacing. When the tank is empty, it needs filling.
Why You May Want To Consider Making The Change to Refillable Products
One of the biggest reasons to make the transition to refillable products is related to the overall cost. A basic refillable vape device will likely cost you anywhere from £20–£40 for the initial purchase price. A 10ml bottle of high-quality e-liquid will cost around £3–£6 and will last approximately as long as 3–4 disposables. Additionally, when the coil wears out on your refillable device, you simply swap it out with another coil (costing £1–£3) and continue vaping. For those individuals who are vaping regularly throughout the day, the overall monthly savings compared to disposable products is generally going to be around £20–£40 — money that adds up quickly over a year.
Another advantage of switching to refillable products relates to flavor and vapor quality. Specifically, pod mods and sub-ohm kits are known for producing significantly greater amounts of vapor and providing more accurate flavor representation than disposable products.
Additionally, when choosing between different types of e-liquids and nicotine strengths with a disposable product, you’re limited to what the manufacturer provides. This greatly limits the amount of options available to you. On the other hand, when using a refillable device, you can choose from virtually any brand of e-liquid, nicotine strength, freebase/nicotine salt formulation and PG/VG ratio that suits your individual tastes.
Lastly, while neither option is perfect when considering environmental implications, switching to refillable products reduces the total amount of waste generated. Disposable products contain lithium batteries, copper wiring and plastic components — all of which are single-use items and cannot be recycled through typical municipal recycling programs. On the other hand, a refillable device that lasts 12–18 months with periodic coil replacements generates significantly less waste than its disposable counterpart.
When You Will Probably Still Choose to Use Disposable Products
While simplicity can often be overlooked as an important aspect of vaping, it is essential to remember that a key benefit associated with disposable products is that they require zero decisions regarding operation. Therefore, you will not have to worry about priming coils, determining optimal nicotine levels, cleaning your vaping gear or experiencing dry hits due to burning out your pod and failing to realize it was happening. For those individuals that view vaping as an invisible hobby — one that functions consistently without requiring significant thought — disposable products provide that capability and refillable devices do not.
In addition, portable spares (disposable products) have a legitimate purpose as secondary vaping devices for travel, evenings out or situations in which carrying your primary vaping equipment is not feasible.
Finally, while a refillable kit may seem expensive ($30), disposable products represent an even larger financial burden in terms of both short-term (weekly/monthly) and long-term (year-over-year) expenses.
Side by Side
| Factor | Disposable | Refillable |
| Upfront cost | Low (£3–8 per device) | Medium (£20–40 for starter kit) |
| Long-term cost | Higher | Significantly lower |
| Flavour quality | Good | Very good to excellent |
| Nicotine flexibility | Fixed options | Fully customizable |
| Maintenance required | None | Low to moderate |
| Environmental impact | High | Low |
| Ease of use | Immediate | Slight learning curve |
| Portability | Excellent | Good |
| Best for | New vapers, casual use | Regular daily vapers |
A Note for Beginners
If you're new to vaping — whatever your reason for starting — disposables are the right place to begin.
Start simple, find your preferences, and make the refillable decision once you have real information about your own habits. Properloud's disposable range is a reliable place to start — straightforward products, no overcomplicated decisions, and a full catalogue to explore when you're ready for more.
