E-Cigarette Kit: Buying Guide
[Attention: This guide is intended exclusively for adult smokers who have decided to start vaping and need help with their selection. It is not an encouragement for someone to start vaping.]
Are you thinking of making the transition from smoking to vaping, but don't know where to start?
There is a lot of information online that can sometimes be confusing. That's why we have gathered everything you need on one page, so you can find the e-cigarette kit that suits your needs.
The guide is divided into 3 parts.
In the first part of the guide, we will look at the basic information you need to know when buying a kit. In the second part, we will delve deeper into the chapter on battery and power. In the third part, we will look at the e-liquids and the different types you can find!
Part 1: The Basics
Components of an e-cigarette kit
Firstly, you need to know that regardless of size, design, or any differences in features, an e-cigarette is based on a specific and relatively simple way of functioning and consists of two main components: the battery and the atomizer.
1. Battery
The power unit, usually called a mod or battery. There are units with built-in batteries and others with removable batteries. We will see them in detail in the second part!
2. Atomizer
The atomizer consists of 2 main parts:
The tank/pod, where we place the e-liquid. The capacity of the tank (in ml) is quite important, as it determines, to some extent, the frequency of refilling. Other factors that affect the frequency of refilling are power and resistance. The larger they are, the greater the consumption.
The coil, which is the consumable part of the atomizer and is what converts the liquid into vapor.
The coil needs to be replaced every few days, depending on the atomizer, usage, power, and liquid. You will know that your atomizer's coil needs to be replaced from the decrease in performance (reduced vapor production), as well as the change in taste you will experience during inhalation.
#Skroutz tip: Before using a new coil, apply 2-3 drops of e-liquid to the absorbent part (cotton) and wait a few minutes after fitting it into the atomizer. This short process will save you from unnecessary coil damage.
Methods of Vaping
There are two methods of vaping, based on the atomizer included in the kit, and they are quite different from each other.
1. Kit with "cigarette-like" atomizer (MTL - Mouth to Lung)
It is called this way because the sensation of the puff during vaping is tight, resembling the sensation of inhaling a traditional cigarette. In the case of an MTL atomizer, the vaper initially inhales and holds the vapor in the mouth and then brings it down to the lungs.
Who is it for? Usually, it is for people who want to transition from smoking to vaping and are looking for something that can provide the closest sensation to a regular cigarette.
2. Kit with "lung-like" atomizer (DTL - Direct to Lung)
DTL atomizer kits (Direct to Lung) offer the sensation of a more open or "airy" inhalation. In this case, the user inhales the vapor directly into the lungs.
Who is it for? Usually, it is for experienced vapers who have already successfully transitioned from traditional cigarettes and are looking for variety in their vaping experience.
#Skroutz tip: A kit with a lung-like atomizer produces a much larger amount of vapor and, consequently, consumes an equally large amount of e-liquid and battery power, as it requires higher wattage.
Types of E-Cigarette Kits
There are 4 different types of e-cigarette kits.
These are usually the bulkiest e-cigarette devices, offering longer battery life and more adjustable settings. The term "box" refers to their appearance, while "mod" refers to their adjustable features. The vast majority of box mod kits have the ability to adjust power (wattage), allowing you to choose the intensity of your atomizer's performance. Most models of this type have an information display, showing the power level, the number of puffs, and the battery level.
Also, most of them accept various types of atomizers, in addition to the one included in the kit.
During your search, you will come across box mod kits that have an integrated battery, as well as others that have a slot for one or more removable batteries. What does this mean? We will see below!
Pods are a relatively new type of e-cigarette devices. They usually have a discreet size and lightweight, allowing for easy transportation and storage. However, most of them have significantly smaller battery capacity compared to a box mod kit. In the case of e-cigarettes, the role of the vaporizer is played by a small tank (pod) that houses the e-liquid and the coil, while in most cases the mouthpiece is also part of this tank. The majority of pod kits have a built-in battery that is activated either by pressing a button or automatically when inhaling. In addition, you will also find options that borrow the style and design of mod devices (pod mods), featuring a removable battery and power adjustment capability. Overall, they can be divided into two main types, open and closed pod systems.
- Open pod systems: They have a refillable tank that you can fill with your preferred e-liquid. In some of them, the coil is integrated into the pod, while in others it needs to be purchased separately.
- Closed pod systems: They have pre-filled tanks with e-liquid and an integrated coil, which need to be replaced when empty.
Their main characteristic is their cylindrical design, which in some cases resembles the style of the first devices released on the market. You will mainly find devices with smaller batteries, but options with larger capacity are also available.
They stand out for their ease of use, as they do not have complex settings and are a good choice for new vapers looking for an affordable and simple device.
These devices are based on a different operating principle compared to other e-cigarette kits, as they are designed for heating herbs and CBD products. For this purpose, they have a chamber where you can place your preferred herb or CBD product. The device, through a coil, heats the content of the chamber to a specific temperature, resulting in vapor production. Vaporizers are available in various designs and sizes. Many of them resemble the style and shape of pod or mod devices, while others have the classic cylindrical shape of pen-style e-cigarettes.
Part 2: Battery & Power
Here we will analyze some more specific characteristics of the battery and power that we consider important.
Capacity
The unit that indicates the capacity of a battery is mAh (milliampere-hours), and based on this number, you can have an idea of the autonomy of your device. However, the vaporizer and the power intensity (Watt) at which you choose to vape also play a crucial role in the final autonomy of the device.
For example, an MTL (mouth-to-lung) e-cigarette can operate at 12 Watts, while a DTL (direct-to-lung) e-cigarette requires 80 Watts, which means that the latter consumes multiple times more power in the same amount of time. Therefore, a 1,000 mAh battery will have a completely different autonomy with an MTL e-cigarette than with a DTL e-cigarette.
Battery Type
Kits are distinguished between those that have an integrated battery and those that can accept one or more removable batteries.
Integrated Battery
The integrated battery is usually a lithium battery. After a certain number of charges, which on average is around 500, you will need to replace the power supply of your kit.
Removable Battery
In this case, a kit has a slot for inserting one or more removable batteries. Most kits that have this capability accept lithium batteries, such as the 18650 type, but there are also several models that can accommodate batteries of the 20700 and 21700 types. The capacity in these cases ranges from about 2000mAh to 3500mAh, so a Box or Pod Mod kit that accepts such batteries will likely cover you for a large part or even the entire duration of the day.
Devices that accept two batteries offer even greater autonomy. Therefore, they can support high-performance atomizers (higher Wattage) that require more power for their proper operation. By choosing a kit with a removable battery, you have the advantage of only replacing the battery when it completes its charging cycle, while keeping your device.
#Skroutz tip: Prefer buying a separate charger for your batteries. This way, you can charge the spare batteries while using the others, without running out of battery!
Power Adjustment
One of the basic functions of many e-cigarette kits is the ability to adjust the power (Wattage). Through this adjustment, you can configure the intensity of the performance of your atomizer and the produced vapor, and adjust the operation of your e-cigarette to your own needs and requirements. In many devices, this adjustment can be set accurately (usually in box mod kits), but there are also several models with preset adjustment options, so you can choose the one that best serves your needs.
#Skroutz tip: A basic characteristic and unit of measurement of an atomizer's resistance is Ohm (Ω). This determines the range of power (Wattage) within which you should operate your atomizer. Most manufacturers indicate this information on the metal casing of the resistance, simultaneously indicating the power value that you can choose to make your device work properly.
Part 3: E-liquids
Have you found your kit? It's time for e-liquid refilling! You can find a wide variety of e-liquids with flavors that give the sensation of tobacco, fruits, drinks, nuts, and various sweets such as tarts, cookies & donuts! There are 2 types of e-liquids:
[Ready-to-use e-liquids][21] Ready-to-use e-liquids, which come in 10ml bottles. They are the ready-to-use option, as all you need to do is fill your vaporizer and vape it. They come in different nicotine strengths, in order to meet the different needs and preferences of users.
[Concentrated E-Cigarette Flavors][22] There are also products that allow you to make your own e-liquid, in larger quantities, by mixing their basic ingredients in the right proportions. However, you should know that none of the options in this category are intended for immediate use. Depending on the type of product you choose, it requires a shorter or longer process on your part, and in some cases, it is also recommended to wait for a few hours or days after mixing, so that the result of your preparation is satisfactory for vaping.
#Skroutz tip: Some of the concentrated flavors such as [Flavor Shot][23] and [Shortfill][24] offer a relatively easy way to make e-liquid. These are available in large bottles containing a portion of concentrated flavor, allowing you to fill the rest of the bottle with [vape base][25]. If you want the e-liquid you make to have nicotine, a portion or even the entire base you add should be nicotine-based.
At Skroutz, you will find thousands of options to choose exactly what suits you