The Pros and Cons of Pre-Filled Pod Kits
Pre-filled pod kits are a great middle-ground between disposable vapes and refillable vape kits. But how can you decide if they’re the best choice for you? Let’s weigh up the pros and cons.
As impact of disposable vapes—both financially and ecologically—starts to set in for Britain’s daily disposable vapers, alongside the news of an upcoming disposable vape ban, vapers are looking to swap to cheaper, more eco-friendly options.
Enter: pre-filled pod kits.
Let’s dive into the pros and cons of this type of vape kit and explore the very best of the best in the genre.
What are pre-filled pod kits?
Pre-filled pod kits—also known as closed pod systems—are a type of vaping device that uses pre-filled vape pods, or cartridges.
Instead of opening a pod or tank and filling it with E-Liquid, these devices use disposable, non-refillable pods that connect to the device. Once installed, you vape them until the pod is empty and then replace it with a new one.
The first and most popular of its kind was the (in)famous Juul. Since Juul’s demise, other companies have filled the gap in the market, including Elf Bar and Lost Mary.
What are pre-filled vape pods?
Pre-filled vape pods, or cartridges, are “closed” pods that contain a coil and E-Liquid. These pods come in different flavours and are built to be compatible with specific pre-filled pod kits.
The pods aren’t refillable and cannot be opened.
For more on the different types of pods available and how they work, check out our vape pod guide!
Pros of Pre-Filled Pod Kits
There are so many upsides to pre-filled pod kits, particularly for new vapers or those who are accustomed to using disposable vapes.
User-Friendly
Pre-filled pod kits are incredibly user-friendly. They’re just behind disposable vapes in terms of providing the sort of frictionless experience that’s perfect for beginners. It’s as simple as keeping your device charged and popping on and off a new pod from time to time.
There’s no figuring out what coil you need, which settings are best, or fiddling around with refills. There usually aren’t even any buttons. While none of these tasks are exactly rocket science, the simplicity of these devices is helpful for newer vapers who want to replace smoking with something healthier.
Removing as much friction as possible from the vaping process really helps newcomers. Stopping smoking comes with its own set of problems, so a hassle-free, convenient device can help make the adjustment.
Cheaper than Disposables
As mentioned above, disposables are the epitome of hassle-free vaping. All you need to do is take them out of the box, and they’re ready to go. Pre-filled pod kits aren’t much harder than that, which makes them an excellent product for vapers looking for a straightforward, fool-proof device.
However, one of the downsides of disposables is that the cost adds up. As far as alternatives to disposable vapes go, pre-filled pod kits are about 40% cheaper.
As the cost of living crisis rumbles on with no let-up in sight, we’ve all got to start making some smarter financial decisions. If you exclusively use disposables, it might be time to consider swapping it out for one of the many pre-filled pod kits available on the market.
More Eco-Friendly than Disposables
The second big issue with disposables is the amount of waste they produce. Each disposable contains a single-use case, coil, and battery. Over the course of a year, that adds up.
Once you consider the fact that you can’t throw them out into your regular recycling either, they start to look like a less attractive option.
While pre-filled pod kits aren’t exactly the most eco-friendly option on the planet, they do produce less waste. Each pod still has plastic and a coil. However, they don’t contain a disposable battery, and the is much less plastic to throw away, too.
Pre-filled pod kits aren’t a guilt-free alternative to disposable vapes, but they’re a step in the right direction. Obviously, if you want to cut down on the waste that you generate, a regular pod kit is the best choice for you.
They Taste Like Disposables
Pre-filled pod kits always taste amazing. This point can’t be underlined enough. The flavour you get is consistent and first-class every time.
This advantage is something that also makes disposable vapes so attractive. When you have a refillable vaping device, the taste can be up or down, depending on how fresh your coil is. Because they can become clogged or dirty over a longer period of time, you don’t notice when each puff is getting worse.
Disposables and pre-filled pods just don’t have that problem.
Additionally, some of the best E-Liquid manufacturers in the game sell pre-filled pods kits that are made with their disposable vape E-Liquids. For example, Elf Bar have the Elf Bar Mate 500. The device is excellent. Plus, their E-Liquids are some of the best around, in my opinion.
They’re Leak-Proof
A leaking tank used to be quite a common problem. However, as users have gravitated towards pod systems, it’s something you hear about a lot less.
Pre-filled pod kits are basically leak-free. They are closed systems, and the coil doesn’t get overworked — which is one of the main reasons why your vaping device can leak.
Zero Maintenance
Refillable pod kits need a bit of maintenance to keep them on top form. You’ve got to manage the longevity of the coil and/or pod and clean the device, the pod, and its connections. While it’s not exactly a Herculean task, it’s still a bit of time and hassle.
And if I’ve come to learn anything in my many decades on the planet, it’s that people love zero-maintenance products. I often fantasize about my cold-press juicer having a “clean” button. What a world that would be.
Anyway, pre-filled pod kits are super easy to manage because you don’t have to worry about cleaning a pod or priming a coil. You just use it and lose it.
Cons of Pre-Filled Pod Kits
While there are many upsides to closed pod vapes, there are also some important downsides.
More Expensive than Refillable Pod Kits
Pre-filled vape kits are, of course, cheaper than disposables. However, the eagle-eyed amongst you will have noticed that refillable vapes are also a good bit cheaper than pre-filled, by around 40%.
Really this comes down to a trade-off between saving money and convenience. If you maintain your refillable pod kit, it can taste great all the time. Maybe not as great as a disposable or pre-filled vape kits, but pretty close.
Plastic Waste
Again, relative to disposables, pre-filled pod kits produce less waste, especially given that you’re not tossing a perfectly good battery every time it runs out of liquid. But compared to a regular refillable vape kit, they generate a lot more material that needs to be recycled responsibly.
There are responsible recycling programs where you can drop you used carts into participating vape shops. But as good as these initiatives are, you’re still producing a lot of unnecessary waste. You can try to offset your waste production by investing in greener products if it really bothers you.
Ultimately, this is a choice that each vaper needs to make for themselves.
Less Choice of Flavours
While the choice of pre-filled cartridge flavours has grown considerably in recent years, it can’t compete with the thousands of E-Liquids on the market today. Pre-filled cart manufacturers are producing new and exciting flavours all the time.
Of course, that’s not to say that pre-filled pod kit users are have bad options. Manufactures tend to cater to a broad audience and offer a range of flavours that cover most bases, like fruits, sweets, and menthols.
However, one area where pre-filled vapers are missing out are in some of the weird and wonderful flavours the vaping industry throws up. Maybe it’s due to limited manufacturing runs, but they’re just isn’t the diversity of flavours or e-liquids that cater to a more fringe audience.
If pre-filled vapes become more of a popular choice, we can expect this to change. But it’s unlikely that we’ll ever get to the level of choice that exists in the refillable market.
Fewer Nicotine Strength Options
Of course, it’s not just the flavours that are a bit restrictive. When using cartridges for pre-filled pod kits, there’s a lot less choice when it comes to nicotine strength.
The vast majority of pre-filled cartridges only offer a 20mg (2%) nicotine strength. While there are a few companies that offer a 10mg option, availability is limited, and so too are the flavour choices.
So, when you’re not feeling the itch to smoke anymore and it’s time to lower your nicotine strength, you’ll have to swap to a refillable vape. We hope to see this change in the future, but as of now, there aren’t many options beyond 20mg.
Lack of Cross-Compatibility
Pre-filled pod kits are made to be compatible with their own proprietary pods. There are some exceptions to this rule, such as manufacturers who make cartridges for the Juul devices (and vice versa). But in general, you’re locked into loyalty with one manufacturer.
So, when you’re buying a pre-filled pod vape, you’ll need to consider how many flavours are available—and more importantly, how quickly you’ll tire of the same-old-same-old.
Best Pre-Filled Pod Kits
We’ve gathered the current best and most popular pre-filled pod kits available in the UK today, from popular manufacturers like Elf Bar and SKE Crystal.
1. Elf Bar Mate 500 Pod Kit
£7.99
The Elf Bar Mate 500 has been the best-selling pre-filled pod kit since its debut 2 years ago. Plus, it has one of the widest arrays of pod options on the market, with over 30 different flavours to choose from.
A stylish and lightweight kit, the Elf Bar Mate 500 is slim, compact, and draw-activated—basically everything you want in portable device. The device is made by the team behind the incredibly successful Elf Bar disposables.
The Elf Bar Mate is charged by USB-C and the battery holds about 500 puffs. Sturdy, compact, and very reasonably priced. Superb!
Notably, however, no pods are included with the kit—so be sure to stock up!
2. Elf Bar Elfa Pro Pod Kit
£5.99
The Elfa Pro was designed as a follow-up to the ever-popular Mate 500, now with the very same shape and feel as Elf Bar disposables.
The Elfa Pro is available in 8 gorgeous finishes, each corresponding with the flavour of the pod it comes with—and yes, it comes with a pod!
The Elfa Pro is compatible with the Elf Bar Elfa Pro pods, but it’s also cross-compatible with the Lost Mary Tappo pods as well, meaning you have the option to switch to a Lost Mary flavour, if you fancy.
The pods utilise Quaq mesh coils for dense, flavoursome vapour in every puff.
3. Lost Mary Tappo Pod Kit
£8.99
The Tappo was designed by Lost Mary to deliver the shape, feel, and taste you love from Lost Mary disposables in a more sustainable and affordable pre-filled pod kit.
Like the Elfa Pro, this vape comes in colours corresponding to the pod flavour, though there are only 4 options available. Still, it’s cross-compatible with the Elfa Pro pods as well as the standard Tappo pods!
It’s one of the few pre-filled pod kits available today that comes with a pod included, and for this price, you’ll be saving on your disposable habit in no time.
4. SKE Crystal Plus Pod Kit
£8.99
From the makers of the SKE Crystal Bar, the SKE Crystal Plus is nearly identical to the disposable vapes but with a charging port and replaceable pods.
The SKE Crystal Plus pods used with the kit are available in 15 of SKE’s most popular disposable vape flavours, from the record-breaking Lemon & Lime to the ever-popular Cherry Ice flavour.
Like the Mate 500, the Crystal Plus doesn’t come with any pods, so you’ll have to purchase them separately. But thankfully, you can Mix & Match any 3 packs of pre-filled pods for just £15 on our website!
Conclusion
Pre-filled pod kits are a great option for new vapers. They require very little technical knowledge or maintenance and taste great all the time.
However, these great benefits do come at a cost. Pre-filled vape kits are more expensive to run than their refillable alternatives. Additionally, they have a more limited choice of flavours than buying e-liquid by the bottle.
Because of the above drawbacks, pre-filled pod kits won’t be for everybody. However, they are an excellent way for new vapers to acclimate to vaping while figuring out their next move.
As pre-filled pod kits become more popular, you can expect to see a greater diversity of flavour hit the market. Right now, things are pretty good in that regard; however, if you’re a fan of the a obscure flavour, you might need to wait a while to see if manufacturers start to supply them.
Pre-filled vape kits are incredible costs effective. As such, they are a very low-risk way to try out vaping. Most devices use nic salts, so if you’re trying to quit cigarettes, these kits are one of the best options around.
So, what are you waiting for? Give one a try.
