Best Alternatives to Disposable Vapes in 2024

Disposable vapes are great entry point into vaping for smokers trying to make the switch, but they’re not eco-friendly or cost-effective in the long run. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best alternatives to disposable vapes.

For new vapers, disposables offer a frictionless, hassle-free portal into the world of vaping. They provide an easy, maintenance-free option to help you quit smoking at a low price point.

The main issue with disposable vapes is that their cost stacks up with time—both financially and ecologically.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the best disposable vape alternatives on the market today.

Alternatives to Disposable Vapes

The best alternatives to disposable vapes for most vapers will be from one of two categories of reusable vapes: prefilled pod kits and refillable vape kits.

Prefilled pod kits are less expensive than disposables and create less waste, though your E-Liquid flavour options are limited and you can still save more by choosing a refillable pod vape.

Refillable vape devices are the cheapest and most eco-friendly option, and your flavour options are (nearly) endless—though they do require slightly more upkeep and maintenance.

Let’s take a closer look at your options.

Pre-filled Pod Kits

Closed pod systems, also known as prefilled pod kits, are perhaps the best alternative to disposable vapes for reluctant disposable users. Closed-system vape kits have a rechargeable battery and use prefilled vape pods which cannot be refilled. Once the pod is empty, simply discard it and replace it with a new one. No refills or coil changes needed. All you’ll need to do is recharge the device regularly.

The prefilled pods are filled with a nic salt E-Liquid which offers the same flavour and nicotine strength as disposable vapes. The nicotine salt E-Liquids are designed to replicate the disposable flavour you’ve come to love while providing a smooth throat hit and a quick nicotine delivery.

There are a few downsides to prefilled pods. Your flavour options are limited, since each model is only compatible with a specific range of prefilled pods. Plus, there aren’t many options as far as nicotine strengths are concerned, since most prefilled pods are only available with a 20mg (2%) nicotine salt strength.

Pre-filled pod kits aren’t as environmentally friendly or cheap to use as refillable vapes are, but they’re the easiest option for disposable vape users, offering great flavour in a compact device.

Refillable Pod Kits & Refillable Vape Kit Alternatives

Pod kits are small, lightweight, pocket-friendly vaping devices. These refillable vape kits typically have a built-in rechargeable battery and refillable pods. The pods are made of a durable plastic material that holds both the coil and the E-Liquid. Some refillable pods have built-in coils, while others have replaceable ones.

If you want to learn more about pod vape kits, check out our pod kit guide for a more detailed explanation.

The main difference between pod kits and closed-system vape kits is that you fill the vape with E-Liquid yourself, and and you’ll need to replace the pod or coil every so often—roughly every week or two, once the coil burns. Refillable devices are the most cost-effective disposable vape alternatives, and they’re also the most eco-friendly option.

There are tons of benefits if you switch to a refillable pod kit: you’ll save money, you’ll be cutting down on plastic and battery waste, and you’ll have access to the thousands upon thousands of E-Liquid flavours available. Most refillable pod kits are compatible with nicotine salt E-Liquid, which is the same type of E-Liquid used in most disposable vapes.

Let’s take a look at some of the best refillable pod kit alternatives to disposable vapes.

More Advanced Pod Kits

There are also more advanced refillable pod kits on the market for adventurous vapers. You can expect a higher degree of customisation (like adjustable wattage and settings) with these kits. While they might require a bit of a learning curve, the extra functionality and performance these “pro” models provide can greatly enhance your vaping experience.

The vape kits listed here may not be great starter kits for new vapers, but they’re a good option for those who have tried the simpler reusable vape kits on the market before but found them to be too limiting.

Still, these vapes are definitely easier to use (and much less daunting) than your average sub-ohm vape kit with a refillable tank and mod but offer plenty of customisation to keep you from getting bored. Plus, the kits on our list here are compatible with the same type of E-Liquid used in disposable vapes.

Disposable Vape E-Liquids

There’s a new type of E-Liquid designed to scratch the same flavour itch as a disposable: disposable vape E-Liquids. This is a type of vape juice blended with double the amount of flavour concentrate to create the same ultra-intense flavour as a disposable vape.

These E-Liquids are made with nic salts, offering the same quick nicotine delivery and throat hit in the same nicotine strengths as disposable vapes. In fact, these E-Liquids offer even more nicotine strength options, from 0mg (nicotine-free) all the way up to 20mg (2%). Best of all, these juices can be used in your very own reusable vape kit.

You can get these juices in all the popular flavours you’ve come to love from the best disposable vape brands, from Watermelon Ice to Kiwi Passionfruit Guava. Several of the UK’s favourite disposable brands have debuted their own nic salt E-Liquid ranges, including Elf Bar’s official nic salt E-Liquid range (Elf Bar Elfliq) and SKE Crystal Nic Salts, which are taken straight from the most popular Crystal Bar.

A number of UK E-Liquid brands like Bar Juice have sprouted up to offer popular flavours at budget-friendly prices. Everyone from Riot to Doozy to Drifter have a finger in the pie now—so you truly can’t say that disposable vapes have the best flavour nowadays. You can enjoy a disposable-flavoured nic salt E-Liquid in any reusable vape kit no matter your flavour preference.

The Problem With Disposable Vapes

The problem with disposable vapes isn’t their “child-friendly” flavours, their bright colours, or their virality on TikTok—it’s their environmental impact and cost.

Don’t get me wrong. Disposables are one of the reasons that smoking rates have declined so drastically in the past few years. They’ve made it easier than ever to make the switch. They take even fewer steps and tools to operate than a cigarette (no lighter required), and they’re so accessible that everyone from your technophobic uncle to your geriatric nan can use them.

They’re revolutionary.

But disposable vapes have negative impacts that we can’t turn our backs to anymore. Let’s explore the cons of disposable vapes and why we need alternatives now more than ever.

Disposables are Bad for the Planet

Let’s face it: when you toss a disposable vape, you’re throwing away a perfectly good battery. A dead battery, sure—but this battery can be recharged, reused, and eventually recycled. This doesn’t happen with disposable vape consumption today. The battery contains heavy metals and is highly flammable, so the fact that disposable vapes are ending up in landfill is a huge safety concern.

Plus, a used disposable vape still contains leftover E-Liquid, which seeps into the soil, pollutes waterways, and harms local wildlife.

Disposable vapes are a massive environmental concern.

Disposable vapes create so much plastic and battery waste. Research from Material Focus this year found that the number of disposable vapes being thrown away has quadrupled to 5 million per week in the UK. That’s 5 million perfectly salvageable batteries, 5 million pieces of plastic, and 5 million pods with leftover E-Liquid being thrown away.

What’s worse is that there is currently no efficient system in place for recycling disposable vapes. There are recycling drop-off points at some vape shops, and some new disposable vapes (like the Slix Bar) are being made with recyclable materials for easier disassembly. Still, the average disposable vape is too difficult and costly to break down and recycle, creating an e-waste nightmare.

This is why we encourage all of our disposable customers to switch to reusable vape kits when they’re ready.

Disposables are Expensive

On top of their environmental impact, disposables have an impact on you personally: they’re pricey.

Sure, a single disposable vape will only cost you a fiver on a night out. But what about the next day—and the day after that? What happens when you switch to vaping thanks to Elf Bar, but you’re left with a daily £5 charge and a hankering for blue raspberry?

This cost adds up exponentially over time. Even if you don’t care about the waste problem (shame on you, if so), you should care about the impact on your bank account.

You can save a heck of a lot by switching to a refillable kit with nicotine salt E-Liquid. You can still get the nicotine strength you need and the flavours you love in E-Liquid form in a more wallet-friendly way.

What’s the Cheapest Way to Vape in the UK?

If you want to save money, you’ll need to sacrifice a little convenience. Adding a bit of maintenance to your vaping routine can save you a lot in the long run.

So, let’s compare cigarettes, disposables, and two alternatives: prefilled pods and pod kits. We’ll work out the average cost of each option over the week, month, and year, so you can see how much you could save.

Here, we’re going to use the example of a vaper who smoked 20 cigarettes a day. For reference, a single disposable vape contains 2ml of 20mg (2%) nicotine strength E-Liquid, which is roughly the same amount of nicotine as a pack of cigarettes.

Cost of Smoking Cigarettes

A pack of cigarettes a day will cost you an average of £14.55. We’ve taken this number from the Office for National Statistics. We won’t bother factoring in the cost of lighters and such, as the base numbers really speak for themselves.

If you smoke hand-rolled cigarettes, you’ll definitely be saving some money—but you can still save more by switching to vaping. A 30g pouch of tobacco will net the average smoker roughly 50 cigarettes, and at an average price of £17.50 (which is generous), this means that 20 cigarettes will cost you about £7. And with the added cost of filters and rolling papers, you’re spending an extra 60p per day.

Cost of Disposable Vapes

A disposable vape habit for a pack-a-day smoker will cost roughly £4 a day if you’re purchasing premium disposable vapes in our Mix & Match 3 for £12 offer. This is the cheapest price for premium disposables like Elf Bar and Lost Mary.

As you can see, you’ll already be saving compared to smoking. But you can save even more.

Cost of Prefilled Pods

For this example, we’ll be using the Elf Bar Elfa Pro. Its pods are available in packs of 2 with a Mix & Match 3 for £15 offer, and because you’ll use about 1 pod each day, this will cost £2.50 per day on top of the one-time upfront cost of the device.

Cost of Refillable Starter Kits

Wait ’til you see these savings!

For this example, we’re using the GeekVape Sonder Q, which has a one-time upfront cost of £11.99. The replacement pods are sold in packs of 3 for £8.99, and you’ll go through one pod per week at roughly £2.99.

As for E-Liquids, we’re using our premium Mix & Match 3 for £10 offer in this example—because even with the best E-Liquids, you’ll still save loads. These E-Liquids are sold in 10ml bottles and you’ll use roughly 2ml per day, so you’ll only spend about 66p per day on vape juice.

Let’s break it down.

Cost Comparison Table

Summary

Hopefully now you understand why we need alternatives to disposable vapes more than ever. And while disposables are a boon for smokers making the switch, those who’ve successfully transitioned should swap to a refillable device when they’re ready—for the sake of both the planet and their wallets.

You’ll save the most by switching to a refillable vape, but you can also save by making the switch to a prefilled pod vape. Both options are more sustainable overall, since they don’t involve discarding a battery.

Plus, with the looming (and likely inevitable) disposable vape ban, you’ll need to be prepared when the day comes that your trusty Watermelon Ice Elf Bar is no longer available at your local corner shop.

If you need help finding your perfect alternative, we’re here to help. Our expert customer support team is on standby to answer any and all questions you may have via phone, email, or live chat.