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Vaping is continuing to be more and more popular across the UK and you won’t often leave the house without seeing a figure ascend from a giant smoke cloud. As well as its use as an aid to quit smoking, there's an ever-growing culture forming, so it’s no wonder vape shops and cafes are appearing on most high streets and e-liquid comes in all sorts of flavours.
Whether you’re looking to rip the biggest plume or stave off your nicotine craving, a vape pen could be a brilliant option for you! This guide aims to help even beginners work out exactly what they need, with advice on everything from tank size to battery life. We've also scoured Amazon, Argos eBay to find you the best products from big brands such as SMOK, Aspire and Uwell.
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Table of Contents
If you are new to the world of vaping, it can be downright confusing to get your head around the jargonistic terminology and the sheer number of products available. Well worry no longer, we break down all the important details to make sure you find your feet and begin your vaping journey as smoothly as possible.
Don’t fancy hauling around a bulky and heavy device? Then your decision to opt for a vape pen is the right one! In comparison to other vapes, these are subtle and transportable due to their palm-sized design and make for a great gizmo when out and about, easily slipping into a pocket or bag.
The name comes from having a similar structure to a pen and a cigarette, which can be a great aid if you’re struggling to go cold turkey from tobacco products. However, while they are smaller than some of the huge tanks you've probably seen around, there is still some size variation within pens.
It's worth checking the size and weight out if you are looking for something as inconspicuous or compact as possible. Larger products will offer you a longer battery life, although of course, they will add slightly more weight and girth to the device.
Pods and tanks are a key part of a vape as they carry your liquids, contain the coil and host the mouthpiece. With that in mind, there are some important features and specifications you should take note of when sussing out this part of your future pen. Below, we'll help you get to grips with them all.
Depending on the model and its design, vape pens will most likely be topped with either a glass tank, which typically sits on the top of your pen, or a plastic pod, which slots into the device.
There isn’t much difference between the two aside from materials and the overall aesthetic of your chosen product. Plastic is much more durable than glass so it's tougher in the battle against shatter-inducing knocks, whereas glass is less likely to hold on to the flavours and smells from previous liquids.
Often a tedious task for heavy puffers, refilling your tank can be a drawback with vaping but the ability to buy a larger pod can reduce the amount of time you spend filling up. Unfortunately, in the UK, legislation prevents the sale of tanks with a capacity of over 2 ml, so it isn’t possible to find anything bigger available.
You will soon notice that manufacturers have rarely gone below the 2 ml tank to ensure users get the most out of their electronic cigarette experience, but it's still worth a check. If you find yourself needing more space, then we suggest getting a model that offers spare pods. These can be carried on your person to speed up the time between puffs!
Having a tank or pod that is transparent or has a window is a huge help when managing your liquid levels. Coils will burn out when there no liquid to burn, and this can leave an awful taste in your mouth, as well as forcing your hand in changing your coil more often than needed.
Some pens have glass pods built into the top of the device so that you can always see through and keep a close eye on that liquid level with ease. Others, however, can have plastic pods that slot inside the device making it non-visible, so if you go for one of these, you will need to check regularly between puffs.
Running out of power while out and about is no joke and it can easily ruin a day, so it’s vital to keep an eye out for a battery power that matches your usage. Vape pens typically have built-in lithium-ion batteries that you recharge via a USB cable. These are measured with an mAh rating and, unsurprisingly, the larger that number, the more life your device will have.
In comparison to larger devices, vape pens hold a slightly smaller battery which will typically be needed to be charged daily or twice daily. For convenience, vape pens are fantastically portable, but if you’re a heavy smoker and in for a long trip, it may be worth bringing a charger or spare device along with you.
The wattage levels of your device will determine how much power goes through your battery to the coil when taking a drag. The higher numbers (which, in pens can go up to 40 or even 60+ watts) are good for ripping large plumes of smoke but will drain your battery quicker and burn through the juice fast. Around 15-20 watts should be sufficient if plumes aren't your goal!
Pen devices will typically only include the fire button and have little ability for customising the wattage levels that you can burn your liquid at. This doesn’t put a definitive stand on it, though, as a device such as the Smok RPM40 has the ability to change these levels with a few simple clicks of a button.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | SMOK RPM 40 | £21.90 Mid | The Number 1 Vape Pen on the Market | ||
2 | Uwell Caliburn G | £18.99 Mid | Compact and Subtle Yet Packed With Options | ||
3 | Aspire Pockex | £14.79 Low Mid | A Fantastic All-in-One Device With Scope to Customise | ||
4 | Innokin Jem Pen | £12.50 Low | Comfortable Design With an Elegant Finish | ||
5 | Aspire AVP Cube | £21.99 Mid | Low Maintenance and Great for Beginners | ||
6 | GeekVape Wenax Stylus | £18.99 Mid | Lightweight, Portable and Elegantly Designed | ||
7 | INNOKIN Endura T18.II v2 | £19.82 Mid | An Ideal Starter Vape That Produces Great Flavour | ||
8 | Freemax Twister 80W | £27.90 High Mid | A Slow Charger With Impressive Wattage | ||
9 | Vaporesso Orca Solo Plus Starter Kit | £19.88 Mid | Increased Air Flow for a Refined Smoking Experience | ||
10 | VOOPOO Drag Nano | £28.99 High | A Unique Build With a Standout Design |
The RPM is a powerhouse choice for those beginning vaping or looking for a secondary device. Offering up to 40 watts of power, the large 1500 mAh battery has a speedy charge up time and performs for hours. Its simple design is palm-sized and discreet, whilst giving you the feel of carrying a robust vape.
Its built-in display is colour customisable and gives all the vital information including battery life, wattage and coil ohm level. With the easy use buttons to change the wattage to suit your smoking habits, you'll have no issue in perfecting the RPM 40 to be a much-needed partner in your vaping experience.
On the face of it, the Caliburn G is a simple vaping device with adequate battery life. But this doesn't take away from it being an innovative upgrade from the original Caliburn. It's a bite-sized device that allows you to control its airflow with tight and loose mouth-to-lung (MTL) smoking choices.
What makes this stand out from others is its brilliant technology, which allows you to simply inhale through the mouthpiece, emulating smoking cigarettes. Along with this, you have the ability to manually smoke by using the built-in button.
Aspire have once again produced a solid product that gives you more control over how you want to vape. With its smart aesthetic and glass tank, it's no wonder this is such a popular choice of a vape pen. This also means replacement parts are easy to find!
The Pockex hosts a powerful battery that will allow you to switch off the fear of a flat battery while out and about. What's impressive is its ability to run with Pockex or Nautilus X coils, meaning you have more to explore to find that perfect draw and blow your ideal plume!
It is difficult to start talking about the Jem Pen without mentioning its budget price which, paired with its chic, sleek design, makes for a desirable product perfect for first-time buyers. It uses a straightforward screw cap to easily top up your liquid, as well as a rank that screws off when it’s time to replace the coil.
The device hosts a decent battery which, due to its 13-watt output, will often last you most of a busy day. When comparing to other devices on the market, however, it has a slower charge time which can slow down frequent puffers.
The AVP Cube is another ideal starting place for beginners due to its ease of use and adjustability of wattage. With two simple taps of the button, you can change the wattage to suit your coil and your own personal preference. Plus, by referencing its built-in LED lights, you will recognise its current levels.
A bonus feature of this is the ability to change the airflow by simply rotating how you insert your pod. This will give you more scope to achieve a toke and nicotine hit that is perfect for you. The tinted pod has a fairly decent view through to see your liquid levels but in certain lights you may have some trouble.
GeekVape has brought out a graceful looking vape that is also one of the most portable options on the market. The device is light as a feather and is small enough to fit perfectly in your palm and be transported with ease!. The pod is beautifully designed with a tight fit to the battery that doesn’t rely on magnets to hold it in place.
The fire button is unconventionally placed on the bottom side of the vape which can take some time to get used to. This also poses difficulty in keeping an eye on the battery levels as the fire button includes the LED light indicating your current percentage.
It's not just the simple set-up that makes this a desirable piece of kit for a newbie vaper – it's also its clever adjustable airflow and wattage. With a few simple clicks of the power button, the upgraded T18 ii will switch between wattage levels to make your experience perfect.
The pen relies on its clever three LED light system to inform you of its current battery level, as well as notifying you of what wattage level you are on. You will be more than satisfied with the ability to vape carefree throughout your day. This is a great choice for those giving up smoking as with a simple twist of the base you can adjust the airflow to feel like a roll-up or pre-made cigarette!
An impressive feature of the Twister 80W is the adjustable dial which allows you to change the number of watts your battery pumps through to your coil. This is great in giving you more control over how you are vaping, although when burning at the higher digits, your battery will drain faster. In addition, it can take up to 3 hours to fully charge which may bother users who like to have their vape ready for action.
That aside, sitting at the top of the device is an impressive glass tank that prevents drips and allows you to use coils perfect for big flavours and clean airflow. Rather than opting for plain colours, each device is brandished with unique graffiti-style artwork which, similar to Marmite, you'll either love or hate.
An outstanding feature of the Ocra Solo Plus is its airflow options which allow you to pick between one and five air holes to refine your smoking experience. From a slight twist of the middle ring, you can emulate smoking a cigarette with fewer holes for a mouth-to-lung experience.
The weight of the vape makes it easily portable and it will slot perfectly into a bag or pocket. The process of refilling with liquid has been made effortless with a simple unscrew of the cap, exposing the glass ready for juice. Be warned, if care isn’t taken the tank may leak thinner liquids.
Voopoo has produced a compact vape that mimics some of the larger mod vapes available on the market. This unique looking pod is easily transportable and has a thin pocket-sized design that feels no different to carrying a wallet.
The vape holds a modest battery in comparison to its size, but you are likely to find yourself needing more charge through a day of use. Along with this, it comes equipped with a small 1 ml pod, which means its needs a keen eye kept on it to prevent the coils from burning.
Pens are an ideal vaping choice due to their convenient size and shape that allows them to be easily transported wherever you go. It doesn’t matter if you’re giving up smoking, new to vaping or looking to add a new weapon to your arsenal, we hope our buying guide has helped you discover your new favourite!
Author: Kieran Davies
No. 1: SMOK|RPM 40
No. 2: Uwell|Caliburn G
No. 3: Aspire|Pockex
No. 4: Innokin|Jem Pen
No. 5: Aspire|AVP Cube
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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