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Vape Starter Kit UK Buying Guide & The Best Vape Starter Kits

What Is an E-Cigarette Starter Kit?

We should begin by explaining that the term starter kit does not necessarily mean that a kit described in this way is aimed purely at beginners. Starter kits are essentially hardware bundles that feature everything you need to start vaping. A starter kit's components are all compatible with each other which means you don't need to worry about choosing the wrong items to pair together. You can save money by buying a kit instead of separate components and there are kits suitable for both beginners and more experienced vapers.

What are the contents of a starter kit?

Starter kits do vary in what they contain but each will feature all the components you need to vape and to charge the device, except for e liquid. Here's what you could see in the box:

A battery or mod

Every e cig needs a battery to power it together with a means to control the device and safety features to protect the user. The battery, controls and circuitry are incorporated into a metal casing featuring a connector that enables you to attach a tank or pod to the device. Simple cylindrical or rectangular devices are generally known as batteries. More complex devices featuring advanced functionality are usually referred to as mods. Some mods do not have integrated batteries but boast compartments for replaceable batteries instead.

Tank or Pod

An e cigarette will always feature an e liquid reservoir. This could be in the form of a vape tank or vape pod. Vape tanks are fashioned from metal and glass while vape pods are made from plastic. The e liquid in a tank or pod will be heated and vapourised by a coil. You need to install a coil to a vape tank. With some pods you need to install a coil, but you could choose to vape with a kit that has pods boasting built-in coils. Built-in coils mean you replace the pod rather than the coil when a coil reaches the end of its useful life.

Coils

If your kit includes a vape tank or a pod with replaceable coils, it will also feature at least one coil. This would likely be preinstalled to the tank or pod. Some kits give you a second coil which could boast a different resistance to the preinstalled coil, enabling you to tailor your draws.

Charging cable

Your kit will include the appropriate USB charging cable. Many kits can now be charged quickly courtesy of Type-C charging. These kits will include a Type-C cable. It is always best to use the cable that is included in the kit as you can be sure it is appropriate for your device.

Accessories

Starter kits vary in the accessories they include. Those featuring tanks may in include O rings (gaskets) and spare glass. Pod kits could give you a spare pod.

What else might you need to buy?

Devices that are powered by removeable batteries do not usually include those batteries, so you would need to purchase those separately. Starter kits do not include e liquid as tastes vary greatly although you will see bundle deals that give you free e liquids. It is best to order your e liquid at the same time as your device. Read the starter kit's product description carefully to establish the type of e liquid that is suitable for the device.

Integrated or built-in battery?

If you buy a vape pen or an advanced mod, you'll need to choose whether you favour a device with a permanent battery or one powered by removable batteries. The choice will affect your vaping experience in subtle ways. Since the decision may not be an easy one for someone who hasn't purchased a vaping device before, we'll provide a few pointers that can help you decide.

Removeable Battery

Devices with removeable batteries are generally more costly than those with built-in batteries as they have more complicated internal structures. However, they may prove to be cheaper in the long run. This is because batteries don't last forever. When a built-in battery gives up the ghost, you need to replace the entire device but with removeable batteries, you simply change the batteries. Removeable batteries enable you to charge one battery while vaping using another.

Built-in battery

E cigs with built-in batteries tend to be cheaper to purchase but for the reason outlined above, are more costly over time. Built-in batteries tend to last for between 6 and 12 months, depending on how frequently you charge them. They give you les choices than removeable batteries but keep things simple.

Pod vape kit or tank kit?

Pod kits have become incredibly popular choices with both new and experienced vapers. But some vapers prefer tanks.

If you are choosing a simple device suitable for beginners, there will be little difference in practice between using a tank or a refillable pod with replaceable coils. Both will enable you to vape a wide variety of e liquids. But you could go for one of the pod vape kits that features refillable pods with built-in coils if you don't fancy changing coils.

When pod kits first came to market, they tended to be user-friendly devices suitable for beginners. These days, however, you are also able to invest in pod kits with advanced functionality such as multiple operating modes and powerful outputs.

What about prefilled pods?

We should highlight that it is possible to invest in pod vape kits that are compatible with prefilled pods. These give you the greatest convenience as you won't need to change your coils or top up with e liquid. However, your flavour choices will be restricted and prefilled pods are expensive. This type of device is fine if you wish to try vaping to see how you feel, but we recommend that you choose a refillable device when you have established that vaping works well for you.

Cigalike, vape pen or box mod kit?

When you are ready to choose your starter kit, you have three basic types of hardware to consider – cigalikes, vape pens and box mod kits. Vapers' needs and preferences vary and so there is no right or wrong choice.

Cigalikes

Vapes which are the same shape and size as traditional cigarettes such as those from 10 Motives are known as cigalikes. They are the most basic type of e cig and each kit features a small cylindrical battery together with one or more prefilled cartridges. A cartridge is simply a sealed tank with a built-in coil that is loaded with e liquid. It screws onto the battery to complete the kit.

There was a time when cigalikes were the only options for vapers, but vaping hardware has moved on considerably since then. Cigalikes are not the most popular choices these days as many vapers find that these devices don't deliver satisfying draws. In addition, cartridges are available loaded with only a handful of flavours and the cartridges are far more costly than bottles of e liquid.

Vape pens

Whereas all cigalikes are essentially the same, vape pens give you diverse choices. These devices feature cylindrical or rectangular batteries together with a vape tank or vape pod. The first vape pens that came to market were simple mouth to lung (MTL) devices that delivered fixed outputs and that were controlled via a single button. But you can now explore diverse vaping hardware offering a range of functionality. Some of vape pens are advanced kits that are best suited to experienced vapers.

Vape pens also vary in size. Many are compact options, but you will see larger devices that are less convenient when you are out and about. Vape pens are great choices for beginners and have few drawbacks. However, it is worth remembering that most models are only compatible with the tank or pod that is supplied with the kit. In other words, you can't customise your kit by switching tanks, but you may still have a choice of coils.

You can sample a wide variety of e liquids with vape pens and there are so many different options that you will certainly find a device that is right for you.

Mod kits

Usually referred to as box mods due to their box-like shape, mods are the most powerful and feature-filled vaping devices you could choose to use. Mods vary in the functionality they offer and so include both relatively straightforward pieces of kit with only a variable wattage mode and incredibly complex, powerful devices featuring multiple operating modes. Most box mod kits are compatible with numerous tanks, and you will find tanks that are compatible with a range of coils. Mods therefor enable you to customise your vaping experience but are complicated choices that could bamboozle new vapers.

How to choose a starter kit

As you can see, there is much to think about when choosing your starter kit. But don't let that worry you! Most starter kits are easy to use and don't cost the earth. You will soon get the hang of your device and if it doesn't feel right, you can invest in another without breaking the bank. Our product descriptions give you all the information you need to decide if a kit could be a good option for you. Here's how to narrow down the field to find the best box mod, vape pen or cigalike for you:

• Think about your knowledge and experience of vaping. If you are a beginner, look at devices described as user-friendly or ideal for new vapers. Most kits suitable for beginners are vape pens and pod kits that are inhale activated or boast single button operation. Intermediate vapers who have used a simple kit initially could try a device offering variable wattage or one that supports both MTL and sub ohm vaping. Only experienced vapers would benefit from an advanced kit with multiple modes.
• Consider how much you can afford to spend on your hardware. You will find that many of the best cheap vapes are priced at £20 or less. Don't forget that prefilled pods or those with built-in coils are more costly to use over time than refillable models with replaceable coils.
• Decide whether you would benefit from a compact, lightweight e cig. Vape kits vary quite dramatically in both size and weight. The larger options are less convenient when you are out and about but are harder to lose!
• Think about which features and functions would be useful or that you fancy trying.
• Explore the available colours and styles. You may favour a funky, colourful device but you might prefer something that is sleek and understated.
• Take the plunge and order a starter kit together with a few e liquids. It would be hard to make a serious mistake and the biggest mistake of all would be not ordering a kit and continuing to smoke!

The Vapekit range enables you to choose from the best vape pens, mods and cigalikes. You will discover the best vapes from the leading brands including Aspire, SMOK, Innokin, 88vape, Uwell, Vaporesso and VooPoo. Happing hunting!