Disposable Vapes Vs Rechargeable Vapes

Disposable vapes are electronic cigarettes that only last a short period – usually between three to five days, but that depends on the user’s vaping habits. Generally, most disposable vapes provide 600 puffs, and once the e-liquid has depleted within a disposable vape, the device must be thrown away. Most disposable vape kits are made up of a battery, a coil, a pod, a wick, a mouth-piece, and the e-liquid itself, which is stored in the pod. You can sometimes purchase rechargeable disposables, but you won’t be able to refill the pod with e-liquid once it runs out, so many people don’t find this feature worthwhile. They are typically the cheapest and easiest option (especially for first-timers), and come in a range of disposable vape flavours to suit preferences.

While disposable and rechargeable vapes certainly do have some similarities, there are key differences to be aware of:

When it comes to vaping, cost is a big factor for most vapers – it’s a habit that can quickly become expensive, after all. Naturally, there is a price difference between disposable and rechargeable vapes. Disposable vapes have a much lower upfront cost; you can often purchase one for under £5, although the prices of each vary depending on the brand. Rechargeable vapes last longer, which means they are more expensive – again, how much you pay depends on the device itself and the brand. Full vape kits by a high-quality vape brand will likely come with a steeper price tag.

While disposable vapes are undoubtedly the cheaper option initially, it’s worth noting that the
long-term cost of disposable vaping outweighs the cost of buying a rechargeable vape. A rechargeable vape is a long-term investment; once purchased, you don’t have to think about repurchasing the battery for around a year. On the other hand, you’ll need to buy a new disposable vape every couple of days (or so), which quickly adds up.

There is a slight difference in flavour selection when comparing rechargeable vapes to disposables. You have access to a greater range of flavours when you choose a rechargeable and refillable vape, as you can purchase the e-liquids separately and even make your own mix if you are experienced enough! You still get a decent variety of flavours with disposables, just not so much. In the early days of disposable vapes, they mainly came in classic tobacco and menthol flavourings, but nowadays, you can find sweet and fruity ones.

Most vapers look closely at the nicotine strength within their devices. It makes sense – many vapers are ex-smokers and want to find a vape like nicotine salts that replicates a cigarette as closely as possible. Both rechargeable and disposable vapes come with various nicotine strengths, or even nicotine free, but you have much more flexibility with a rechargeable vape. If you want to steadily reduce your nicotine intake, you can do so with a refillable vape by diluting your e-liquid with a nicotine-free vape juice over time. You cannot do that with disposables as they come pre filled with e liquid.

If you are a frequent vaper – or you simply like to keep up with government changes – you
will know that the sale of disposable vapes will be banned from 2025 onwards. This ban will
be effective from 1st June 2025 and states that no disposable vapes can be sold anywhere
in the UK in an effort to reduce how many children take up vaping. Due to this upcoming ban, many vapers are switching from disposables to rechargeable/refillable. That doesn’t mean you cannot try disposables before then, but you should be aware that you won’t be able to purchase them for long. You might still want to buy a disposable vape to see whether you like vaping as an alternative to smoking, as you can always upgrade to a rechargeable device later down the road.

These key pros and cons may make the decision to buy a disposable vape easier.

- Pro: Cheap to Purchase
- Pro: Extremely Convenient
- Pro: Small and Portable
- Con: Bad for the Environment
- Con: More Expensive in the Long Run
- Con: Single Use Only
- Con: No Chance for Customisation

 Elf Bar
 Lost Mary
 SKE
 Vape Gold
 Blue Bar
 ETO Bar
 Veeba

You now understand the core differences between rechargeable and disposable vapes. Still, you might be unsure which one is right for you, especially considering both have benefits and drawbacks. Consider the following things to help you make the best choice for you:

Your Vaping Experience: How much vaping experience do you have? If you are a complete beginner, trying a disposable vape first makes a lot of sense, as you don’t have to pay a higher upfront cost for something you may end up not liking! Purchase a cheaper disposable vape in a flavour that appeals to you, as you can adapt to the rechargeable variety later on.

Your Budget: How much cash do you have to spend on a vape? If your budget is low, a disposable vape makes sense, as you can find very cheap ones that last several days. On the other hand, if you are willing to spend a little more money, your cash will go further with a rechargeable vape, making it a better long-term investment.

Your Goal With Vaping: What is your goal with vaping? If you want an experience as close to smoking as possible, you may enjoy the simplicity of purchasing a disposable vape from a shop and immediately being able to take a draw a big puff from it. You may also want a rechargeable vape for better control over nicotine strength, especially if you want to taper off it.

As you can see, there are major differences between the rechargeable and disposable vape;
both have their places in the vaping world. Disposables come with a much lower learning
curve and cost, making them perfect for beginner vapers, while rechargeable vapes allow
lots of customisation while lasting far longer, making them a worthwhile investment. Do remember, though, that the UK will be banning disposable vapes from June 2025 onwards. If you are used to disposables, now is a great time to test out the rechargeable variety.