Beginner’s Guide: What Are the Different Types of Vapes Devices?

It has been 19 years since the invention of e-cigarettes in 2003 as a revolutionary event. Over the years, different types of vape devices have been developed to meet different needs of progressively increasing vapers all around the world. For example, some people start vaping to quit smoking so they usually pay attention to the nicotine content while others might be attracted to the various flavors or big clouds of e-cigarettes. Or people have different needs on the appearance design, the battery life and so on. So it is widely believed that different types of vape devices will be suited to different levels of users, whether you’ re a beginner, highly experienced or something in between.

There are numerous options when it comes to different types of vapes, including:

• Cig-A-Likes (First Generation)
• Vape Pens (Second Generation)
• Vape Mods (Third Generation)
• Vape Pods / Pod Kits

Just as every coin has two sides, each of vape devices has its pros and cons. Therefore, we are going to look in detail at each type of them to help you decide which one is the most suitable for you.

Cig-A-Likes

A cigalike(short for cigarette-like) is the first generation of e-cigarette, which is made to look and feel as much as a real tobacco cigarette as possible, reminding vapers of the sensation of holding a cigarette.

Cigalikes consist of / tend to come in just two parts (a battery and a cartomiser) which makes them easy to assemble and maintain, and you can use your device by sucking on one end just like with a traditional cigarette.

It features a small and light body as a real cigarette, and that’s because it is in the period of transition from real cigarettes to electronic ones. It is widely believed that cigalikes are the easiest way to get into vaping and often the first point of entry for those switching from cigarettes.

Advantages

• Small and Light
• Healthier
• Available
• Cheap

Besides the cigarette-like appearance, cigalikes possess healthier e-liquid content than tobacco cigarettes do, and the latter is known to cause lung cancer, strokes, heart disease, high blood pressure and other diseases.

Vapers can choose the nicotine level of cigalikes, which is helpful to control the nicotine intake of users. Cigalikes are easy to find (corner stores, gas stations), providing much convenience for vapers. Additionally, if you are looking for a cheap device, cigalikes might be your choice in the short term.

Disadvantages

• Short Battery Life
• Small Capacity E-liquid
• Limited Flavors

Owing to their small and light bodies, cigalikes can only fit with low-capacity batteries and limited capacity e-liquid. Therefore, they are not the good choice for people who want to vape all day. Both their flavors and nicotine levels are limited, unable to match other types of vapes.

Best cigalikes

Epuffer Magnum Snaps E-Cig E-Pack Kit, VaporFi Express, KandyPens, Mig Vapor 21

Vape Pens

As the second generation of electronic cigarettes, vape pens are composed of a battery attached to a cartridge filled with e-liquid. The cartridge plays the important role of / serves as the heating element that turns the e-liquid mixture into an aerosol.

They feature small and portable design with the appearance that is similar in length to a real pen, though much thicker. Vape pens heat flavored e-liquid to create vapour and deliver nicotine without the need to burn tobacco.

Advantages

• Lightweight
• Cost-effective
• Less Harmful
• Convenient

Compared to disposable vapes, vape pens are the good choice for people who want to save money in the long run, because they enjoy a refillable pod system, which means that vapers can refill the cartridge with e-liquid rather than buy a new one.

Vape pens bought from a legal, licensed store are less harmful than tobacco cigarettes as the technology used has been tested and approved by the MHRA (Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency). Michael Joseph Blaha,M.D., M.P.H., director of Clinical Research at Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease said “there’s almost no doubt that vaping exposes you to fewer toxic chemicals than smoking traditional cigarettes.”

Vape pens can provide great convenience with nearly minimal know-how or experience to use.

Disadvantages

• Limited Battery Life
• A Relatively High Level of Nicotine

It is inevitable that vapers need to charge the device from time to time on account of its limited battery life. The battery with limited capacity might be unable to work all day. For people who want to use e-cigarettes to quit smoking, vape pens are not the best smoking cessation tool, because they contain a relatively high level of nicotine, which is an addictive chemical.

Best vape pens

Vaporesso GTX GO 80, VooPoo Drag S PnP-X, Mig Vapor Mig 21 Clear Fusion, VooPoo Doric 60

Vape Mods

In comparison to vape pens, vape mods are usually bigger in size, greater in power and allow for more vapor production. They feature a portable design while have no customization. Different from cigalikes and vape pens, vape mods consist of a rechargeable battery, low resistance coils and a separate tank that sits on top of the mod.
The working principle of a vape mod is similar to that of other vape devices; the battery serve as the system to heat up a coil located inside an atomizer. Vapor is delivered once the coils are heated.

Advantages

• Portable
• Adjustable Voltage
• Low Concentration of Nicotine
• Bigger Clouds of Vapor

Vape mods allow users to change the voltage and in this way it will increase the temperature of the vapor and cause the device to produce more vapor. E-juices tend to taste different at different temperatures, so people can adjust their vape to find their favorite flavor when they are vaping.

As vape mods allow for larger cloud intake, they’re often paired with low or nicotine-free liquids, so they constitute a relatively good choice for people who intend to kick the smoking habit. And for users who love creating bigger clouds of vapor, vape mods have the ability to meet their needs.

Disadvantages

• Relatively Larger and Bulkier
• Little Difficult to Use for Beginners

Certain types of vape mods can be put in your pocket or bag but they are larger and bulkier compared to cigalikes and vape pens. And it might not be a good choice for someone who is super new to vaping to use the vape pod because it requires users to get some know-how or experience or else they may feel confused.

Best vape mods

ZQ Essent DNA75c, GeekVape Aegis Legend 2, Smok ArcFox, VooPoo Drag 3

Vape Pods / Pod Kits

A vape pod is a lightweight, compact and slender vaping device, which is easy to carry around. Vape pods mostly feature a hassle-free draw-activated design, which means there is no need to press the button to activate the device. Vapers only need to take a puff on the device and then they will get a great vaping experience. Pod systems come with cartridges which contain a coil, wick and the e-liquid. Vape pods are designed with a mouthpiece of a natural shape. The XTAL SE+ is an expert in this subject, and it boasts a well-designed mouthpiece which is perfectly fit for vapers’ lips.

Advantages

• Portable and Convenient
• Easy to Use
• Leak-proof Design
• Healthier

A vape pod is a good choice for both beginners and sophisticated vapers with an on-the-go lifestyle for it is portable and convenient. It owns a pre-built and leak-proof cartridge as a guarantee of a satisfactory vaping experience without leaking. With the sub-ohm technology, a vape pod can produce more vapor than cigalikes and vape pens while less vapor than vape mods.

Additionally, they are relatively healthier and more suitable for those who intend to quit smoking. There was a study in which researchers compared the effects of nicotine-containing pod systems and tobacco cigarettes.

“Fourth generation e-cigarettes (vape pods) contain nicotine and other appealing features that may support switching and reduce potential health risks among those who smoke combustible cigarettes,” said Dr. Nikki Nollen, PhD, co-program leader of the University of Kansas Cancer Center’s Cancer Prevention and Control research program.

“Nicotine salt pod system e-cigarettes are a real alternative for cigarette smokers,” Kim Pulvers, co-author of the study.

Disadvantages

• Limited Battery Life
• Limited Flavors

Vape pods are not so suitable for users who have a high frequency of vaping because their batteries are usually below 800mAh, which require to recharge from time to time. Additionally, the re-filled cartridges are limited so there is less flavors than vape mods.

Best vape pods

ZQ XTAL SE+, Smok Nord 4, ZQ Micool, GeekVape Aegis Nano

Conclusion

Actually, it all comes down to the personal preference and what type of vaping experience you are looking for. Hopefully, after reading this article, you now understand more about different types of vape devices we’ve mentioned above and the benefits they can offer. Choosing a best one can be difficult but with our help, you’ll be able to find the most suitable device.