Slim, sleek and sophisticated, there are plenty of reasons why pen-style vape kits are among the most iconic and popular e-cigarette devices on the planet.
Vaping enthusiasts might adore the brute profile and raw power of heavyweight box mods and sub-ohm tanks, but for everyday vaping nothing says ‘craving killer’ quite like the pick-up-and-go vape pen. The popularity of pen-style vape kits is undoubtedly down to their compact form and ease-of-use; their slim, round shape allowing them to be slipped in and out of a pocket or bag with the minimum of fuss. Comprising primarily of buttons or a swivel base to increase or decrease wattage (power) and a fire button, vape pens can also feature other neat tricks such as airflow control and display puff counters.
But the beauty of vape pens isn’t to be found in their form factor alone. They’re also among the most economical of e-cigarettes owing to the fact that most of these devices operate at lower power outputs. Unlike their sub-ohm cousins, pen mods usually fire between 8w – 22w which puts far less strain on the coils and dramatically improves their lifespan, saving you money and the need to replace coils too frequently.
As vaping technology has rapidly evolved, we’ve seen many types of e-cigarette device converge and cross-pollinate features from one to another. So we now see pocket-size wonders capable of monstrous sub-ohm clouds and mods versatile enough to offer MTL (mouth to lung) or DTL (direct to lung) vaping with a simple flick of a switch. With the recent rise of ‘pod’ devices, the clearomisers and atomisers of old have been further deposed by refillable or disposable, open or closed-system pods, making vaping more convenient than ever.
No matter how advanced or refined vaping becomes, however, the vape pen is here to stay and remains the most iconic, and functional, of all vape devices.
Here, we take a look at some of the best vape pens:
Vapouriz VPod Refillable Pod Kit
At only 10cm tall, the VPod is the most compact vape ‘pen’ on our list, but there’s a lot of great features within that discreet and tiny shell. Created with a focus on ease of use, performance, and quality build design, the VPod is constructed from durable, scratch and corrosion-resistant aluminium that feels light yet solid in the hand. The replaceable pod sits firmly in the 1000mAh battery thanks to strong magnets and the smooth duck-bill drip tip feels great on the lips.
The VPod’s pods are refillable and replaceable, and the one-button firing mechanism pairs with the in-built advanced chipset to guarantee you a satisfying vape on every inhale. Suitable for high PG e-liquids, nicotine salts, and 50/50 e-liquids, the VPOD has a focus on delivering excellent flavour as well as vapour production thanks to its 1.2ohm coils that deliver a dreamily smooth and satisfying MTL vape.
Smok Stick 80w Vape Kit
Portable, powerful and stylish, the Smok Stick is a perfect synergy of power and simplicity and is ideal for both newcomers to vaping and experienced enthusiasts and improves on its bestselling predecessors such as the Smok Stick V8m Smok Stick V9 and the Smok Stick Prince and Smok M17. The pocket-friendly tube mod and tank combo is built from quality materials and feels great in the hand with a fire button that’s easy to operate with either a thumb or finger.
The Smok Stick 80w comes with a refined version of the popular TFV-Mini V2 tank and provides tons of flavour with superb draw alongside extra-handy features like a button-locking side cap and top fill to completely eliminate leaks. There’s also a wide and comfortable drip tip and adjustable airflow.
With a variable wattage range of 5-80w adjusted with a simple twist of the base and a long-lasting 2,800mAh battery, the Smok Stick’s versatility, reliability, and high performance makes this a fantastic take-anywhere pen kit.
Innokin Endura T18II Vape Pen
Innokin have been in the business of building great e-cigarettes longer than just about anyone, so they’re no stranger to the pen vape. In fact, you might say the Chinese company, founded in 2011, are the pioneers of the modern vape pen.
The Endura T18II is the updated model of the popular Endura T18, one of the world’s bestselling vape devices. Unlike most pen-style kits which generally only have pre-set modes, the T18EII allows you to select your preferred heat and airflow settings from a variety of options for a tailored vape which suits your exact preferences. With a battery capacity of 1300mAh supports three power levels: Low 10.5w, Medium 12w and High 13.5w.
The Endura T18II performs best with classic e-liquids with a VG content of 60% or lower, such as our Vapouriz Classic and Vapouriz 50:50 ranges, as well as nicotine salt liquids.
Aspire Pockex AIO Vape Kit
One of the best-selling vape kits in the world, the Aspire PockeX Vape Kit makes for an ideal starter kit and an introduction to sub-ohm vaping as well as suiting experienced vapers. The Aspire PockeX is the ultimate All-in-One (AIO) vape kit. Shorter than the iPhone SE, it is a great little mouth to lung vaping device. Featuring a simple, single-button operation, the Aspire Pockex AIO is a fuss free device with a 1500mAh battery that can easily see you through a whole day. The wide bore drip tip and large air flow system delivers a fantastic vape and the top-fill system prevents mess when topping up your e-liquid.
The pre-installed 0.6ohm coil provides a fantastic mouth to lung vape that’s warm, rich and flavoursome and is best suited to 50/50 and high VG liquids. Other coils are available separately so this is a vape pen you can really experiment with.
Smok Nord AIO 19 Vape Kit
The Nord 19 from Smok is a highly-efficient, ultra-portable all-in-one kit offering discreet vaping without compromising on flavour or performance.
The Nord 19 is as versatile as it is powerful. Two coil options included in the kit offer different vaping styles depending on your personal preferences, with the preinstalled Nord mesh 0.6ohm coil providing a sub-ohm-style experience with thick vapour and intense flavour when used up to 25 watts. A second Nord mesh coil is rated at 1.4ohms and facilitates classic vaping with high PG or 50:50 e-juices and can be used for vaping up to 12 watts.
The Nord 19 also boasts a range of safety features for your protection and peace of mind, including an eight-second automatic cut-off function, low voltage protection and short circuit protection. This is especially reassuring if you plan on travelling with your kit, as you can always be sure the device is safe in your pocket or bag.
The Nord 19 has a convenient locking top cap to prevent the risk of e-liquid leakage and safeguard against debris from entering the mouthpiece and compromising the hygiene of your user experience