Pod system offer an easy, user-friendly way to vape … but there’s still some confusion over how they work. In this beginner’s guide, we’ll share simple, straightforward answers to all of your pod-related questions.
Do pod system Outlast Disposables?
When it comes to longevity, pod vape systems easily outshine disposables. Pod systems are designed to be refilled with e-liquid and recharged over and over again, giving you lasting value and flexibility. In contrast, disposable vapes are single-use—they’re done once their internal e-liquid runs out.
Legally, both types of devices are limited to a maximum tank size of 2ml, so the number of puffs you get per fill is similar whether you’re using a pod or a disposable. However, there are some exceptions:
Pod systems often allow you to adjust power settings, which can change how quickly you go through your e-liquid and affect your total puff count.
Some disposables, known as “big puff” vapes, are built to deliver far more puffs than standard disposables—these work a bit differently, and we’ll look at them in detail later in this guide.
Are all pod systems mouth-to-lung?
A few years ago, most pod systems were built to serve mouth-to-lung vapers, but the market is always evolving. Vapers who vape direct-lung can now choose from some great sub-ohm pod kits, including the luckee nexus pod system .
Sub-ohm pod kits are fundamentally very different to traditional sub-ohm vape kits.
Are pods better for you than disposables?
It’s not yet possible to say if there is a specific health benefit to vaping on a pod system rather than disposables. No scientific studies have been done on how vaping format impacts the long-term health outcomes of vapers.
Pod system are built to last much longer than disposables, so the build quality tends to be higher. Components used for the casing, internal circuitry and coils will usually be built of better quality materials. In addition, pod vape systems allow you to tailor your cloud size and nicotine strength (invaluable when you reach the stage where you have quit cigarettes and now you’re tapering off nicotine). There may be a minor health benefit to pod vaping because of these factors, but there are no scientific studies to back this up yet.
Whether you choose to vape pods or disposables, the biggest health benefit is that you are not smoking. When you stop smoking, you benefit from an improved sense of smell and taste, reduced risk of heart disease and better mental health. The full list of proven health benefits can be found on the NHS website. Quitting smoking is what vaping is all about.
Do pod system burn out faster?
Vape pods don’t develop burnt coils any faster than standard coils. All vape coils taste burnt eventually. Burnt hits are rarer on a disposable because the battery is usually flat before the coil has a chance to crisp up .
If you taste a burnt hit on your pod, the answer is not to return to disposables, but to buy a fresh coil, or possibly a fresh pod.
Why Don’t Pods and Disposables Taste the Same?
Many users find that their favorite disposable vape flavor tastes a bit different when they use the same or similar e-liquid in a pod system. Here’s why:
Extra Sweetness in Disposables:
Disposable vapes often use much sweeter flavor formulations. Since these devices are designed for short-term use, coil buildup from sugary e-liquids isn’t a concern—they’re meant to be thrown away after several hundred puffs. On the other hand, pod systems need their coils to last much longer, so e-liquids for pods are typically made with less sweetener to preserve coil life.Unique, Proprietary Flavors:
Many disposable vape brands create their own exclusive flavor recipes, which usually aren’t available as bottled e-liquids. Even if you find an e-liquid with a similar name or profile, it may never taste exactly the same because the formulas are different.Device Settings and Performance:
Flavor can also be influenced by device features like airflow and power. Pods let you adjust things like wattage or airflow, which changes vapor production and flavor intensity. They also use different coil types and resistance levels compared to most disposables. All these technical differences mean that even with the same e-liquid, your pod system will deliver a unique vaping experience compared to a disposable. It might take a little time to find the setup that’s just right for you.
Are ‘big puffers’ pods or disposables?
Big puffers (also known as big puff vapes) are disposable vapes that last much longer than normal disposables without breaking TPD rules.
Some big puff vapes are basically disposable pod vapes. For instance, if you buy a luckee nexus pod system, you’ll find 3 pre-loaded e-liquid pods in the box. Each of these pods contain 2ml of e-liquid. Once the first vape pod is spent, you just take it out and clip in a fresh one.
The most innovative e-liquid storage technique we’ve seen in a big puffer is probably the luckee E9 . This draw-activated disposable has a built-in 2ml atomiser tank that sits above a 10ml e-liquid reservoir. When you turn the device upside down, e-juice drips down from the 10ml reservoir into the 2ml-capacity chamber where it can be vaporised on the heating coil.
Big puffers taste great and are available at a decent price point, but they aren’t perfect. They come in a limited range of flavours, and as soon as you have used up all of the pods in the packet, you still have to dispose of the device. We feel that most people looking for big puffers will get more pleasure, at a lower long-term cost, out of a proper pod system.
That’s it for this week! I hope this mythbusting article has helped answer some of the questions you might have about pod vaping. If you’re still not sure about which device to buy, please feel free to get in touch with us. We are vaping experts with years of experience and we love helping our customers find the right vape for them.
