Best Disposable Vape Alternatives: Vape Pod Kits

Best Disposable Vape Alternatives: Vape Pod Kits

Disp­­osable vapes are extremely popular with adult vapers. They come in a wide variety of flavors and deliver satisfying performance thanks to their use of high-quality nic salt juices. Disposable vapes are draw activated and some even have rechargeable lithium ion batteries.

The use of rechargeable batteries allows for longer lasting disposable vapes that contain 10ml or more of vape juice. Disposable vapes are pure mouth-to-lung vapes with an emphasis on flavor and very little vapor production, as they are low wattage and use higher resistance mesh coils.

Mouth to Lung Vaping

Disposable vapes, prefilled vape pods and refillable pod kits are all mouth-to-lung or MTL vapes. This is a style of vaping that relies on stronger e-liquids, specifically nic salts, to deliver flavor and satisfaction discretely. Compared to a Direct-Lung (DL) vape like a vape mod, MTL vapes have lower wattage, burn a lower volume of e-liquid, and generate less vapor.

All of this requires less battery power, allowing for smaller packaging. Beginner starter kits and convenience store vape pens often copy the style of combustibles in terms of the shape, and effort taken to draw out vapor. Draw-activation rather than button activation is a huge feature of pods and disposable vapes.

Disposable Vapes versus Prefilled Vape Pods

Compared to gas station prefilled vape pods, disposable vapes are generally much less expensive per milliliter. For example, a Juul pod holds 0.7ml of nic salts. They are sold in 4-packs. For approximately $20 and change you get less than 3ml of vape juice. The larger pods of the MyBlu and Vuse Alto are a slightly better deal, holding over twice as much e-liquid.

The same holds true with the actual vape pen device. The Big Tobacco allied convenience store vapes are powered by batteries that range from 200mAh on the low end for a Juul to 350mAh for the larger Vuse Alto.

Disposable vapes can range greatly in size, but the small stick bars have been replaced by longer lasting disposables. These range from 3 to 15ml, with most falling between 6 and 10ml. There are disposable vape pens which do not have the option to be recharged with batteries over 1000mAh. The rechargeable disposable vapes usually rely on a somewhat smaller battery that is designed to last a day and change.

Rechargeable Disposable Vapes

One of the biggest improvements made to disposable vapes is the addition of charging capabilities. A disposable vape still arrives fully charged but longer lasting models can now get by with a smaller battery. The expense required to create battery that can vape 15ml of nic salts precluded longer lasting disposable vapes of that size that cannot be recharged.

A smaller battery that can be recharged allows for more convenient packaging. In theory, you could make a disposable vape of any size provided you could find a large battery. But the combination of a high nic salt capacity and smaller rechargeable battery means that longer lasting disposable vapes still fit in the palm of your hand.

Disposable vapes do not have the sophisticated hardware of a refillable vape pod. Vapor production falls fast when the battery gets low. Keeping a disposable charged fully guarantees perfect puffs every time.

Best Disposable Vapes Alternative

Compared to a prefilled vape pod, disposables have a huge edge. They cost less to operate, last longer, hold more e-liquid and are available in more of the flavors that adult vapers prefer. A federal ban on flavors in prefilled pods limits them to tobacco. Yet disposables are not the most efficient and cost effective way to vape.

Refillable Vape Pod Kits

There is a huge range of performance when it comes to refillable vape pod kits. There are many models that rival vape mods in terms of vapor production, features, and coil size. There are pod mods, mod pods, and pod tanks. A seemingly endless array of high-end hardware is available.

But the typical disposable vaper made a conscious decision to use simple and easy to operate technology. The combination of a nic salt vape juice and 10-20 watt output delivers more than enough flavor and satisfaction for disposable vape users. The lack of buttons and controls is a feature.

Most adult vapers just want an easy to use device that is reliable and has great flavor. There are inexpensive, durable, easy to use, and draw activated refillable vape pod kits that perfectly match the performance of a disposable vape or prefilled vape pod. They are optimized for nicotine salts with nary a screen in sight. The only difference is you must squeeze a bottle into an easy to use fill port maybe once a day or less and you can save money. 

The current generation of mesh coils and pods in refillable vape pod kits are extremely long lasting as well. Most can handle a half-bottle of nic salts before you need to investigate replacing it for better flavor. Such refillable vape pod kits are vaping stripped to its bare essence.

Best Vape Pod Kits

Once you have found an ideal vape pod starter kit, and manufacturers know their audience and these vape pod kits are sold in bundles with everything you need, it is just a matter of finding a perfect bottled nic salt. We will cover the best disposable vape flavor alternatives in a future blog. Today, let us look at the hardware.

There are three heavyweights in this field, the Novo family, the XROS family and UWell’s Caliburn series. While other contenders have emerged over the years, these three groups of vape pod kits have been the gold-standard for easy to use, mass market refillable vape pod kits for years now.  

Vaporesso XROS 2

The original Vaporesso XROS was a smash hit. In many ways, the first generation XROS was a direct rival to the beloved UWell Caliburn. They had the same form factor and many of the same features. Both were dual action and offered both draw activation and a fire button. They both used a clam shell mouthpiece with fill ports housed underneath the drip tip. They even had similar air control rings. While both were excellent devices, the longevity of XROS pods and their flavor was tough to beat.

The Vaporesso XROS 2 is compatible with this same family of amazing XROS pods. Vaporesso has not yet abandoned the easy-to-use, integrated coil-pod design. This means no pod swapping and you just pitch the pod once the flavor production begins to deteriorate. The battery of the XROS 2 is larger than the XROS, although the same as the XROS Mini at 1000mAh. Charging is upgraded to USB-C and greater attention has been paid to airflow and leak resistance. The pod capacity is 2ml and the large fill ports make this an easy vape pod to work with. The AXON Chipset provides powerful and efficient performance.

Vaporesso XROS 2 Features

• Built-in 1000mah battery
• Output wattage: 11W/16W
• Dual activation mode: Draw or button firing
• Water drop air inlet
• Tiding battery indicator
• SSS leak-resistant technology
• Pod capacity: 2ml
• Type-C charging: 5V/1A
• Aluminum alloy construction

Vaporesso XROS 2 Kit Includes:

• 1 x Vaporesso XROS 2 Mod
• 1 x Vaporesso XROS 0.8ohm mesh pod
• 1 x Vaporesso XROS 1.2ohm regular pod
• 1 x Type-C USB cable

Vaporesso XROS Nano

If the vape pen form factor does not interest you, the Vaporesso XROS Nano is a great option. It uses a square design, more akin to the discontinued Smok Fetch or Lost Vape Orion DNA Go series. This means a very short and easily palmed design. Otherwise, it is a device that can go stride for stride with its conventional vape pen cousins. The lithium ion battery has a capacity of 1000mAh. 

The same series of XROS Pods are compatible with the Vaporesso XROS Nano. There are several unique colors available as well. If you are looking for a convenient and simple vape pod kit to replace your disposable vapes, the diminutive Vaporesso XROS Nano is a super choice. It also has the AXON Chip, which regulates the power output and helps the Nano deliver great vapor even when the battery runs low. It is draw-activation only, much like the Vaporesso XROS Mini. The LED battery light indicator is really the only complication, other than filling, that sets this delightfully bare bones model apart from a disposable vape.

Vaporesso XROS Nano Pod System Features:

• AXON Chipset
• USB-C Charging
• Integrated 1000mAh Battery
• Resistance Range: 0.8ohm / 1.2ohm
• Zinc-Alloy Chassis Construction
• Draw-Activated Firing Mechanism
• LED Battery Life Indicator Light
• Accurate Airflow Control Switch

Vaporesso XROS Pods Features

• 2mL Pod Capacity
• Top Fill System
• Vaporesso XROS Pod Series
• 0.8ohm XROS Pod
• 1.2ohm XROS Pod
• Integrated Coil
• Magnetic Pod Connection

Vaporesso XROS Nano Includes:

• 1 Vaporesso XROS Nano Battery
• 1 0.8ohm XROS Mesh Pod
• 1 1.2ohm XROS Pod
• 1 Type-C USB Cable
• 1 Lanyard
• 1 User Manual

Caliburn G2 Vape Pod Kit

The Caliburn G2 Vape Pod Kit is a worthy successor to the legendary UWell Caliburn. The UWell Caliburn was the draw-activated pod kit which proved that a refillable device could easily match the convenience and save a lot of money when compared to a convenience store prefilled vape pod kit. The Caliburn G2 is here to defend its crown and compete with the much more formidable competition of disposable vapes.

With 18watts output and a 750mAh battery, the Caliburn G2 is more powerful than its predecessor. A larger “window” makes it easy to track e-liquid levels. The 18 watts output is plenty for a device which primarily delivers nic salts, whether through button fire or autodraw activation. It is cross compatible with the original Caliburn G coils. The same convenient top-fill design and sleek shape will be familiar to long-time fans for refillable pod kits.

• Dimensions - 110mm by 22.5mm by 13mm
• Integrated 750mAh Battery
• Max Wattage Output: 18W
• Aluminum Alloy Chassis Construction
• Dual Firing System - Draw & Button Firing
• LED Indicator Light
• Pod Based Airflow Adjustment
• Vibration Interaction
• 2mL Pod Capacity
• Top Fill System - Mouthpiece Cap
• E-Liquid Viewing Window
• UWell Caliburn G2 Coil Series
• 0.8ohm Meshed-H Coils
• 1.2ohm Meshed-H Coils
• Press Fit Coil Installation
• Magnetic Pod Connection
• Type-C USB Port

Caliburn G2 Includes:

• 1 Caliburn G2 Pod Kit
• 1 1.2ohm Meshed-H Coil
• 1 0.8ohm Meshed-H Coil
• 1 User Manual
• 1 Type-C Charging Cable

Smok Novo 4

The Smok Novo 4 is an improvement in every regard over the Smok Novo 3. The Smok Novo 3 is basically identical to the Smok Novo 2, nearly impossible to tell apart unless you look at the airflow channels. This family of vape pods is not one designed to be replaced every year. The author still has weather-beaten fleet of Novo 3s as his primary daily vape and obtained them the day they were released some years back. That is how durable and usable the Smok Novo design is.

The Smok Novo 4 stands out from its earlier kin because of the addition of faster USB-C charging, a 0.49” OLED screen and a new pod design which uses swappable coils. This is a less wasteful approach than previous generations of Novos where the whole pod is pitched in the trash when the coil is worn out. The battery remains 800mAh and wattage can be ratcheted up to 25. The kit includes a 2mL NOVO 4 Pod with a pre-installed L1 Meshed 0.8 ohm Coil and an additional LP1 DC 0.8 ohm MTL Coil, but this pod is compatible with any LP1 NOVO 4 Replacement Coil. 

The biggest upgrade is in the leak-proof technology. For all its durability, early Novos had reputation for leaking pods if they were left to sit. A couple extra stoppers around the swappable coil should put an end to that. There is also a button that locks the device and navigates the menu.

The essentials remain the same, it has a beautiful draw-activation and a ton of flavor. It is worth the upgrade and a great alternative to a disposable vape. With the lower resistance coil, the Smok Novo 4 can credibly handle max-VG vape juices thanks to its adjustable airflow ring.

SMOK Novo 4 Pod Device

• SMOK NOVO 4 25W Pod Kit Features:
• Dimensions - 93.5mm by 26.5mm by 17.7mm
• Integrated 800mAh Rechargeable Battery
• Wattage Output Range: 5-25W
• Voltage Output Range: 0.5-4.0V
• Resistance Range: 0.4-3.0ohm
• Zinc-Alloy Chassis Construction
• Draw-Activated Firing Mechanism
• 0.49" OLED Display Screen
• Single Button Operation - Wattage Adjustment & On/Off
• Rotating Airflow Intake
• Smart Detection Function
• 2mL Pod Capacity
• Side Fill System
• SMOK LP1 Coil Series
• 0.8ohm LP1 Meshed Coil
• Press Fit Coil Installation
• Magnetic Pod Connection
• Type-C Charging Port

Smok Novo 4 Kit Includes:

• 1 NOVO 4 Pod System
• 1 2mL NOVO 4 Pods
• 2 0.8ohm LP1 Mesh Coils
• 1 Type-C Cable
• 1 User Manual