If you’ve recently been looking into getting yourself a vaporizer, you’ll notice that there are hundreds of different products available. From box mods to vape pens, to sub-ohm tanks and 18650 batteries, it can be difficult to digest at first.
Whether you’re new to vaping or have been for some time, it’s about choosing the right vaporizer for you and to suit your specific needs. To help you make the best choice, we’ve put together a guide so that you can make an informed decision before spending a single cent.
Firstly, let’s take a look at the two main types of vapes.
What’s a Vape Pen?
Vape pens originally started off as e-cigarettes, they looked a lot like conventional cigarettes and provided users with a hit of nicotine without any smell and little vapor production. As technology has advanced, vape pens have become one of the most popular alternatives to smoking cigarettes because users can still get a nicotine fix, enjoy a delicious flavor and they’re highly portable. The great thing about vape pens is that they’re small enough to pop into a pocket or purse so that they’re accessible and ready to use.
To use a vape pen, a small tank is usually pre-filled or filled by the user with an e-liquid that is a combination of vegetable glycerine, propylene glycol and additional flavoring.
What’s a Vape Mod?
In comparison to vape pens, vape mods are usually bigger in size, have more power and allow for more vapor production. Vape mods usually contain an external rechargeable battery and box mods that use higher temperatures like 200 watts usually require two batteries.
To use a vape mod, you’ll need a separate tank that sits on top of the mod and they often use a universal 510 thread connector which allows the tank to be changed. It’s great if you want a lot of customization and would like to use a tank that’s by a different brand. Vape mods use the same e-liquid as vape pens but because they have the power to produce more vapor and bigger clouds, it enhances the flavor and reduces throat hit.
Vape Pens vs Vape Mods
There are more differences between vape pens and vape mods other than the size of them. Depending on your lifestyle, it may be better for you to use one over the other and vape pens are often more affordable than vape mods.
Here, we’ll take a closer look at the key factors that define each type of vape.
Portability
As mentioned previously, vape pens are a lot smaller, in fact, they’re small enough to conceal in your hand or put in your pocket. Since the rise of pod systems, vape pens have gotten even smaller and allow users to take small hits discreetly. Not only do vape pens draw less attention but they’re not as heavy and that’s why many users prefer vape pens over mods.
Vape mods are considerably larger and a lot heavier in comparison to vape pens. Certain types of vape mods can be stored in your pocket or bag but they are a lot bulkier.
If you’re looking for a device that can be used minimally without any fuss and can be carried around with you at all times then a vape pen might be the best choice.
Ease of Use
Vape pens are a great choice if you’re just starting your vaping journey because they’re easy to fill up and to use them you simply press the power button. Usually, on vape pens, 5 clicks will turn the device off and some devices even allow you to press 3 clicks to lock the device. Inexperienced vapers might prefer vape pens because they have limited features, they’re a no-fuss type of device that you can pick up and use any time. Certain vape pens on the market also have a temperature control feature that allows you to change the wattage.
Even though vape mods do the same thing, they have more of a learning curve because they have multiple features and components. Vape mods provide more of a personalized experience for the user, allowing you to find more of a sweet spot for that perfect everyday vape. It’s always a good idea to do research into vape mods before purchasing because of their complexity, it takes a bit of learning and getting accustomed to the vaporizer.
Pricing
Vape pens are smaller and usually cost a lot less than vape mods. The additional features and customization that vape mods provide usually mean their price points are a lot higher. With many vape mods, you’ll also have to buy the battery separately. If you want more flavor and vapor production, alongside the benefit of personalization then a vape mod is worth the extra cost.
Battery Life
Vape pens are usually used on a low wattage setting, which means they consume less power every time the power button is pressed. However, that comes at a cost because vape pens produce less flavor and often have a smaller sized battery. Vape pens have built-in batteries, meaning there’s no extra cost to buy a battery and recharging it is just a case of plugging it in via USB. Newer vape pens on the market now also use USB type C which supports fast charging, allowing you to get your vape pen up and running in very little time.
The batteries used in vape mods are external, which means you usually have to buy them extra when buying your mod. They’re easy to install and can be charged through the device’s USB port or with an external charger that plugs into the wall. Vape mods have temperature control and use more power, allowing you to get more flavor and that’s why they need bigger batteries. The most common types of vape battery are 18650, supporting up to around 3500mAh, that should you around a full day worth of usage with moderate use.
Durability
Since vape pens are smaller, they do tend to be a lot more fragile and less durable. Vape mods are considered more durable because they are larger and constructed from thicker and more sturdy materials. It’s also good to note that because vape pens are more portable, they are carried around more frequently, taken on trips or used daily which can make them more prone to accidental damage.
Since the batteries inside vape pens are built-in, there’s no way to swap it out if it becomes faulty, damaged or naturally declines. On the other hand, vape mods have changeable batteries, allowing you to replace it with a new one.
Tanks
Certain vape pens on the market can only use one tank from the same brand and it can’t be swapped. This is great if you want an easy to use vaporizer without any changes. When using a vape pen, you’ll notice that some tanks are attached to the device, only allowing you to open the tank to refill it with e-liquid. It leaves little room for switching tanks or sizing up from 2mL a 5mL tank.
Vape mods are highly customizable, the tanks can be changed as long as they use the same connector thread. There’s also the added option to change to an RDA or RTA tank from a standard tank that takes pre-built coils. The majority of vape mods use sub-ohm tanks, which means you can use direct-to-lung vaping without getting a harsh throat hit. Most vape pens are mouth-to-lung devices, which is similar to how a cigarette is smoked. Direct-to-lung provides you the benefit of getting a greater hit with more flavor and more nicotine intake per hit.
The last key difference in tanks on vape pens and vape mods is the airflow. When you inhale, you draw in air to help the vapor move up the mouthpiece, an adjustable airflow is usually found on tanks for vape mods. However, vape pens have only started introducing this feature so it’s important to look out for that feature when you’re shopping around.
The 5 Best Vape Pens and Vape Mods
To give you a helping hand, we’ve put together a list of the best 5 vape pens and vape mods available on the market today.
SMOK Stick 80W Starter Kit
As a starter kit, this vape pen is ideal for beginners and priced at $29.99, it’s a bargain for those newcomers that are dipping their toe into the vaping pool. The SMOK Stick has a sub-ohm tank, goes up to 80 watts and boasts an impressive 2800mAh battery that can be charged via USB. If you’re looking for a no-fuss vape pen that comes in a variety of metallic finishes, this is the one for you.
Uwell Nunchaku 80W TC Kit - Uwell
It’s sleek, stylish and fits perfectly into your pocket, the Uwell Nunchaku is one of the few vape pens that takes an external 18650 battery for more power and all-day usage. This vape pen also has a 5mL tank, which means you’ll have to fill your tank less frequently.
SMOK D-Barrel 225W Box Mod
SMOK has done it again with a high-powered vape mod that ramps up to an output of 225 watts. This box mod might be weighty but it’s also mighty, with a temperature control range of 200°F - 600°F and a bunch of other features like an intuitive firing button, memory mode, a TFT color display and it comes in a variety of cool colors. This mod takes dual 18650 batteries, which are sold separately.
Active 80W Box Mod - Wismec
If you’re looking for a vape mod that’s sleek, stylish and comes at an affordable price, the Active by Wismec is a great choice. Not only can you use this box mod to enjoy your favorite e-liquids but it has a built-in speaker so you can listen to music while you vape. The Active has fantastic durability, with the silicone casing on, your vape mod becomes waterproof and shockproof, so you don’t cause it any accidental damage. Battery life comes in at 2100mAh and the wattage output range is 1W - 80W.
Suorin Air Starter Kit
We thought we’d finish on a box mod starter kid so which is great for beginners it’s not only stylish but simple to use. This ultra-compact vaporizer is a combination of vape pen and vape mod, it’s a pod kit that has a 2mL tank with a 400mAh battery. The built-in battery allows you to charge via micro USB whenever you need to and it’s lightweight and small enough to carry around with you.
The Best Choice for You
It all comes down to the best vaporizer for you and what you’ll need it for. Some vaporizers available on the market are great for beginners, they have limited features and are easy to use. But, if you’re looking for more of a tailored vaping experience, we suggest giving a vape mod a shot because of the extra features, tank and battery customization.