If you’ve been vaping for any length of time, you’re no doubt very aware of the fact that pod vapes are the hottest vaping devices in the world right now. No matter what type of vaping device you’re currently using, if you’re in the market for a new vape, there’s a good chance that you’re at least considering buying a pod system. Well, we’re here to help. In this buying guide, we’ll list the best pod vapes on the market and explain the things that you should consider before buying any pod system.
Note: All prices are current at the time of writing. Watch the front page of this site to find out about our latest sales and coupon codes!
Voopoo Argus G2
Price: $24.49 | Buy It Now
We love the Voopoo Argus G2 because it strikes the best possible balance between sleek design and high-end performance. The Argus G2 features adjustable airflow, sub-ohm pods and a 30-watt power range to give you whatever type of vaping experience you want, whether it’s a tight cigarette-like draw or more of a cloud-chasing extravaganza. The best part is that all of this device’s power and flexibility comes in a package that’s the same size as any other stick-shaped pod vape. The Argus G2 works with the full range of Argus pods, and you can even use a pod with a replaceable coil if you like. It’s hard to imagine wanting anything from a pod system that this device doesn’t deliver.
Vaporesso Luxe Q2
Price: $23.95 | Buy It Now
The Vaporesso Luxe series has long been known for its fancy designs and luxurious trim options, and the people at Vaporesso have really outdone themselves with the Luxe Q2. Featuring a soft leather outer grip, the Luxe Q2 feels as great as it looks. You’ll also love the large tab on the side of the device that makes it easy for you to change the airflow settings whenever you like. The Luxe Q2 works with all Vaporesso Luxe Q pods, which use sub-ohm coils and feature large wick holes that encourage full e-liquid saturation and help to prevent burnt hits. The Luxe Q2 also has a 2-amp charging circuit that charges the device’s battery in just 30 minutes.
SMOK Nord C
Price: $21.95 | Buy It Now
The SMOK Nord series has long been one of the most-loved devices in pod vaping, and the new Nord C features an exciting redesign that takes the series in a radical new direction. The SMOK Nord C is perhaps the most powerful of all small pod systems, featuring a maximum power of 50 watts and an 1,800 mAh battery that provides plenty of vaping time before you’ll need to pause for charging. You’ll also love the stepless airflow control that makes it easy to attain exactly the airflow characteristics you want. The interface is also extremely simple; just use the “+” and “-“ buttons when you want to change the device’s wattage. The SMOK Nord C works with all SMOK RPM2 coils.
Uwell Caliburn GK3
Price: $23.99 | Buy It Now | Read our Caliburn Guide
When the first pre-filled pod vapes began to hit the market in the mid-2010s, the members of the vaping community almost immediately began to demand refillable devices. Refillable pod vapes are much less expensive than pre-filled ones in the long run, and a refillable device also provides a much better experience because it allows you to choose you own vape juice instead of using the few pre-filled flavors that another company has selected for you. With the Caliburn series, Uwell was the first company to reach the market with a refillable pod vape that people really loved. While other pod-based devices had extremely tiny coils that were severely lacking in flavor and performance, the Caliburn used the same type of coil that you’d have previously only found in a full-sized vape tank. The Caliburn was an instant success, and vape shops couldn’t keep it in stock.
With one look at the device’s monochrome screen, it’s immediately clear that the Uwell Caliburn GK3 is something completely different. It gives the device a delightful retro look, and it’s also great for battery life because the LCD screen draws significantly less battery power than a traditional color display would. You can also turn the screen’s backlight off to conserve battery life if you want. The Caliburn GK3, however, isn’t just about good looks. This device has adjustable power up to 25 watts, and the new Caliburn G3 pod has a redesigned airflow channel that provides superb flavor focus. To adjust the airflow, just remove the pod and reverse it.
Vaporesso XROS 4
Price: $29.95 | Buy It Now | Read our XROS Guide
The Vaporesso XROS series is another one of the longest-running series in the history of pod vapes, and it’s difficult to believe that the series is already up to its fourth generation after just a few years. Like all XROS devices, the XROS 4 works with all Vaporesso XROS pods – but this device has a few surprises up its sleeve. The first of those is adjustable power. The XROS 4 offers three different vaping modes, giving you the ability to customize your experience without miring you in the complexity of wattage settings. It also has a sleek unibody aluminum shell, making it look and feel like the luxury piece of consumer electronics that it is.
Why Should You Buy a Pod Vape?
Let’s begin by discussing the features that make pod vapes different from other types of vaping devices. Why should you choose a pod vape instead of another type of vaping device such as a vape pen or a box mod?
The simple answer is that pod systems represent the furthest evolution that the industry has reached to date in terms of making vaping as easy, user friendly and satisfying as it can possibly be. We love pod systems because:
- They’re simple. To vape, all that you need to do is charge the device, fill the pod and inhale.
- They’re satisfying. Pod systems are designed to deliver big, satisfying vapor clouds. Fill your pod with a strong nicotine salt e-liquid, and you’ll experience the same type of throat hit that you’d get from smoking a cigarette.
- They’re user friendly. You can always see how much vape juice you have left just by looking at your pod. Some pod systems even feature automatic temperature limiting, which prevents you from experiencing an unpleasant “dry hit” if you forget to refill the pod.
- They’re fun. If you’re the type of person who enjoyed clicking a lighter open and closed back when you were a smoker, you’ll enjoy the simple satisfaction of feeling a vape pod locking into place when you use a pod system.
How to Choose the Best Pod Vape for Your Needs
Now that you have a better understanding of what makes pod systems so great, how do you choose the best pod vape for your needs? In this article, we’ll list our picks for the best pod systems on the market. Before we do that, though, these are some of the decisions you’ll need to make during the process of buying a pod vape.
Buy a Refillable Pod System
You’ll notice that here at VapeJuice.com, we only offer refillable pod systems and do not sell any of the pre-filled vaping devices that you can find at convenience stores and supermarkets. There are some very simple reasons for that. A pre-filled vaping device can be a great and inexpensive introduction to vaping, but we’d never suggest a pre-filled device for long-term use because:
- They’re extremely expensive to use. A single pre-filled vape pod can cost almost as much as a pack of cigarettes. If you can’t limit your vaping to one pod per day, you’ll end up spending more on vaping than you would on smoking. With a refillable pod system, on the other hand, you’ll use bottled nicotine salt vape juice. Vaping is always more affordable when you buy your e-liquid by the bottle.
- They’re only available in two flavors: tobacco and menthol. You might end up loving tobacco or menthol e-liquid, but the research suggests that you won’t. You’re far more likely to enjoy something else, like a fruity vape juice. The only way to choose from the full range of e-liquid flavors is by buying a refillable vaping device.
Choose Between Simplicity or a Large Feature Set
Most of the pod vaping systems on the market work the way we described above; all that you need to do is charge the device, fill the pod and vape. Some people, though, have already had their fill of the simple vaping experience and are looking for devices that offer more advanced features. The manufacturers have heard that request loud and clear and have begun to develop more advanced pod systems called pod mods. With a pod mod, you’ll get more advanced features like sub-ohm coil compatibility and variable power levels. You’ll need to choose the type of vaping experience that you want.
Choose Between a Replaceable Pod or a Replaceable Coil
The biggest decision you’ll need to make when you buy a pod system is whether you want a replaceable coil pod system or a device that uses disposable pods. The benefit of using a device with disposable pods is simplicity; when the pod’s flavor changes, you just throw it away. The drawback of disposable pods, however, is that they cost more than coils. You’ll spend a bit less on replacement components for your device if you choose one that allows you to replace the atomizer coil while keeping the pod.