The world of disposable vapes has changed completely over the last few years – to the point where the very definition of “disposable” has been transformed. In the beginning, disposable vapes were neither refillable nor rechargeable, meaning that you’d need to dispose of your device when it ran out of e-liquid or when the battery died – whichever happened first. People demanded devices that were longer lasting and more affordable, though, and that’s exactly why rechargeable disposable vapes exist.
Rechargeable batteries have enabled disposable vapes to offer higher capacities and deliver more puffs than ever before. That makes them more affordable than ever, so it’s not surprising that the best disposable vapes are the most popular vaping products on the market today.
What’s the deal with rechargeable disposable vapes, and how do they work? Reading this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know.
Having trouble finding rechargeable vapes near you? Stop wasting money on low-capacity vapes and shop our collection of disposable vapes now. We deliver orders in an average of just 2-5 business days.
What Is a Rechargeable Disposable Vape?
As the name implies, a rechargeable disposable vape is one that has a rechargeable battery. When the battery in a non-rechargeable vape dies, you have to dispose of the entire device. In a rechargeable vape, however, the e-liquid is the only limiting factor. You can recharge and continue using the device until it runs out of vape juice, which could take several days or even weeks depending on its capacity.
When a rechargeable vape runs out of e-liquid, you’ll need to replace it. You can tell that a vape is empty based on the way it tastes, which we’ll describe in greater detail as we bring the article to a close.
Why All the Most Popular Vapes Are Now Rechargeable
Virtually all of the most popular vapes now have rechargeable batteries, and the reason for that is actually quite simple. Most of the cost of a vape is in the hardware; the vape juice contributes very little to the price. Having a rechargeable battery allows a disposable vape to have a much larger e-liquid supply while costing about the same as a last-generation vape. That brings the most important number – the amount of money that you spend on vaping per day – down dramatically. Therefore, there’s no reason not to buy a rechargeable vape unless you absolutely must have the smallest vape possible.
What Are the Longest-Lasting Rechargeable Vapes?
How long can you expect a rechargeable disposable vape to last? The capacities of today’s devices are absolutely mind boggling – and given the arms race in capacity that seems to be happening these days, puff counts are likely to keep going up for quite some time before they eventually stabilize.
These are the disposable vapes that advertise the highest puff counts at the time of writing. You can also check our roundup of the best disposable vapes on the market for an updated list.
- Adjust Series: Lasts up to 40,000 puffs.
- Spaceman SP40000: Lasts up to 40,000 puffs.
- Pillow Talk IC40000: Lasts up to 40,000 puffs.
- IJoy SD40000: Lasts up to 40,000 puffs.
- Oxbar Ice-Nic: Lasts up to 35,000 puffs.
- Geek Bar Pulse X: Lasts up to 25,000 puffs.
- Geek Bar Digiflavor Sky: Lasts up to 25,000 puffs.
- Raz LTX 25K: Lasts up to 25,000 puffs.
To compare different devices and get a better idea of how long a vape will last you, we always recommend checking the e-liquid capacities as well as the puff counts.
How to Use a Rechargeable Vape
If you’re already accustomed to using disposable vapes without rechargeable batteries, using a rechargeable vape will probably become second nature for you almost right away. Still, it might be helpful for you to know a few pointers before you get started. Here’s how to use a rechargeable vape.
- Unbox the vape fully. Many rechargeable vapes have extra packing materials that need to be removed before you can start vaping. The device may have a plug in the mouthpiece and stickers over other parts such as the screen and the airflow opening. Remove and discard those.
- Puff on the vape to use it. A rechargeable vape may also have additional controls such as an airflow slider and a button for making wattage adjustments. If your vape is adjustable, it may also have a screen that lets you know which mode is currently in use.
- Watch the screen or indicator light to know when the battery is dead. If your device has a screen, it’ll have a battery meter that will show empty when the battery is dead. If it has an indicator light, the light will blink.
- Charge your vape by connecting it to your computer’s USB port. The device most likely didn’t come with a charging cable; that’s normal because it helps to keep prices down. You can charge your vape with any USB cable that’s usable for power delivery. When your vape is fully charged, the meter on the screen will show it, or the indicator light will turn off.
- Take the vape to a local e-waste recycling center or dispose of it in accordance with your city’s requirements for hazardous waste when it runs out of e-liquid.
How Do You Know When a Rechargeable Vape Is Finished?
A rechargeable disposable vape is finished when it runs out of vape juice. You’ll know that’s the case because the device will produce a horrible burnt flavor every time you try to use it. The burnt flavor happens because the wick that carries vape juice to the heating coil is dry, and that causes the coil to overheat.
A few disposable vapes have automatic temperature control functions. If a disposable vape has this feature, it’ll simply stop producing vapor when it’s dry, even when the battery is charged.
You’ll know when a disposable vape is close to running out of vape juice because the flavor will change drastically at that point. The device will produce smaller vapor clouds, and there will also be a dramatic reduction in the richness of the flavor.
Does your vape have a screen with an e-liquid meter? If it does, you can use the meter to give yourself an idea of whether your device is likely to run out of vape juice soon. It’s important to understand that the meter isn’t linked to physical sensors like the gauges in your car; it’s only an approximation based on how many hits you’ve taken. The device may not run out of e-liquid exactly when the meter reaches the bottom, but it's definitely time to buy a new vape soon at that point.
Can You Refill a Rechargeable Disposable Vape?
It’s technically possible to refill most disposable vapes, but you wouldn’t really want to try.
A vape usually has a clamshell design with two plastic halves that snap together. You’ll see a seam where the two halves meet, and it’s generally possible to split the halves by squeezing the seam firmly with pliers or vise grips. Inside the vape, you’ll find an e-liquid reservoir that you can refill.
If refilling a rechargeable disposable vape sounds like a lot of work, that’s because it is. To make matters worse, there’s a good chance that you’ll end up breaking your vape when you try to open it.
With that in mind, we suggest that you don’t even bother trying to refill a disposable vape. Enjoy disposable vapes for what they are: simple and convenient vaping devices that need to be replaced when they’re out of e-liquid. The best refillable vapes are nearly as convenient as disposables, and you can refill one in seconds. If you want a device that you don’t need to replace after a few days, that’s the type of vape you want.