While our entire list is full of some great pod vapes, our judges have put them in order starting with the one they see is the best. Each pod vape will be listed with a few pros and cons. Before we get started with our list, some readers may be wondering exactly what a pod vape is? We will get everyone up to speed and on the same page. Let’s get started!
What exactly is a pod vape?
Hon Lik, a Chinese pharmacist is credited with introducing e-cigarettes to the mainstream public back in 2003. E-cigs are now a multi-billion dollar industry with a global appeal, especially with users in their late teens and early 20s. Ever since countless people have made the switch from smoking conventional cigarettes to using e-cigarettes and other vaping products. Even people who are not addicted to nicotine now use vaping products. These individuals simply enjoy vaping the thousands of flavors of non-nicotine vaping liquids.
One issue that would commonly arise with people who used these products is that they were continually being made larger and larger. With what originally started as a product looking similar to a conventional cigarette in size and shape, then to a vape pen, followed by tube and eventually box mods.
Still today, the manufacturers of these products continue to find ways to create vaping products that are even bigger and more powerful. This results in vaping products that create a larger vape cloud. While many people who love creating a huge vape cloud enjoy this, it’s not ideal for someone who wants to be more discreet about vaping.
If you are someone who wants a simple vape for nicotine between breaks at work, these bigger boxes can be a huge turn-off. This is the reasoning for the manufacturing of smaller, easy to conceal vape pods.
What is a vape pod system?
If you are looking for the simplest description of a vape pod, the perfect answer is it’s a system between a big and bulky mod and an e-cigarette. The majority of people new to vaping products start out with an inexpensive vape pen model. These models are both portable and discreet. However, these vape pen models will not last very long on a fully charged battery and they are not very powerful.
If you are looking for a cloud with your vaping experience, this isn’t the way you want to go. That being said, upgrading to a box mod has an array of flashing lights, buttons, and coils which can be exhausting for someone simply looking for a quick vape.
You can find a happy medium between the two products by using a pod system. Like a vape pen, the system is portable and more discreet, but you will also have a more powerful battery you typically only find with a box mod. Instead of using a tank or atomizer, this happens through a pod. The vape pod system both holds the liquid you use and vaporizes it. Through the mouthpiece, you are able to inhale the vapor. There is usually a 2ml capacity with a vape pod system. However, if you know where to look, you won’t have to shop around very long to find a bigger one.
A vape pod will have a medium strength battery, varying in size. Normally, these pods will be a little bigger than the typical cigalike e-cig. That being said, they are not nearly as big as a box mod. When it comes to appearance, most of these vape pods look similar to a USB stick.
Open system vape pods
With an open system vape pod, you can manually refill the liquid you are vaping. There are hundreds of flavors you will be able to choose from, as well as the size of the bottle of liquid you want to purchase and the strength of the nicotine you would like in the liquid. According to many users, you have a stronger production of vapor and a smoother draw using an open system pod.
With the low-profile design, you will be less likely to draw unwanted attention while using the device. With most of these devices, there is only one button you have to use for operation. You can usually find these open system vape pods for as low as $20.
While all of this sounds great, there are just a few setbacks. For example, you won’t want to refill your liquid with an open system if you are in a hurry. The same can be said for replacing cartridges or changing a coil. All of these need to be done following just a few uses of the pod. You won’t be able to go long without charging your battery due to how small the batteries are.
Closed system vape pod
A closed system operates more like the cartomizer of a cigarette device. Because they have a prefilled cartridge, you won’t be refilling the liquid you vape. Instead of refilling the liquid after it has been used, you simply buy a new cartridge. The majority of retailers will have cartridges for sale in several different strengths of nicotine. Also, most of the time, these cartridges are available in the form of multi-packs. Similar to an open system, these vape pods are very inexpensive. Very little is involved concerning maintenance and they are well known for being user-friendly.
As with an open system, there are a few inconveniences. With a closed system vape pod, the selection is even more limited when it comes to both flavors and nicotine strengths of the liquids you vape. Several users have made claims of these systems having what is known as “spit backs” and they have a weaker draw than an open system.
The advantages of using a vape pod system
There is no learning curve when it comes to using a vape pad. They are user-friendly by design and can be compared to the most basic vape pens when it comes to how they operate. The pods are fit into the section where the battery is and the majority of them are operated using a single button. By using a prefilled cartridge, all you have to do is power the pod on and start vaping.
They are portable
You won’t have any problems carrying around a vape pod because they are light with almost no weight at all. They can easily be carried in a pocket while moving about. Some of the largest vape pods you will find on the market are still much smaller in size compared to a box mod.
Very discreet
While a vape pod will produce a decent amount of vapor, the vape is easily controlled. Because of how small the pods are, they are easy to slide in and out of a pants pocket and the majority of them can even be hidden in your hand while using.
They are inexpensive
Probably the most expensive vape pod you will find on the market is the JUUL vape pod starter kit and it can be purchased at most retailers for around $50.00. That being said, there are many pods on the market that can be bought much cheaper. When making a comparison between smoking conventional cigarettes, you will save thousands of dollars every year.
A strong level of nicotine
With a sub-ohm tank, you should be using liquids with three to six mg of nicotine. Let’s be honest. If you’re just making the switch from cigarettes to vaping products, no, this is not nearly as much nicotine as you are used to. That being said, a vape pod being used containing nicotine salts allow you to enjoy a powerful hit of nicotine as much as you want. Also, you can still receive a smooth throat hit with a cartridge filled with a liquid with more than 50mg of nicotine.
Vape pods are leak proof. When using a cartridge that is prefilled, you should never experience a leak with the device. Some devices used for vaping are known for having issues with leaks, a problem that can be very frustrating. You will not experience these issues with a vape pod system.
Recommended Read: How To Pick Right Nicotine Level For Vaping?
Disadvantages with vape pod systems
One of the issues brought up the most with a vape pod system is the limited selection of e-liquid flavors to choose from. When using a box mod or a vape pen, there are literally thousands of different flavors to choose from. While vape pods offer many flavors themselves, the selection of flavors isn’t nearly as big.
Small capacity
Because vape pods are lightweight and portable, there’s a sacrifice. The majority of these pods are limited to just 2ml of e-liquid which is much less than the amount you can hold with a box mod. That being said, if you are using a device that will utilize nicotine salts, there isn’t as much negative effect using the smaller tank of a vape pod. However, producing large vape clouds is definitely out of the question.
Not as much battery life
While the battery life you have with a vape pod is still greater than that of a cheaper vape pen, it’s nowhere close to the battery life you will have using a box mod. On a single charge, you will more than likely only receive two to three hours of battery life. However, the batteries used with a vape pod will not take nearly as long to completely charge.
Something to consider
If you are looking for an exquisite e-liquid flavor that will produce huge vape clouds, no, a vape pod system is not what you want to be using. That being said, if vaping is something you are just starting, a pod system will provide you with the chance to discover exactly why everyone is vaping. These systems are affordable, deliver the hit of nicotine you are after, and they are extremely easy to operate.
Now that we know what a vape pod system is and its pros and cons, let’s start our list of the best vape pods on the market in 2020.
SMOK Novo 2
Positives
- Ability to produce good clouds
- Can be stealthy
- Activated by a draw
- Light indicating battery strength
- Different pods give the ability to switch the flavor
- Above average battery life
Negatives
- Juice level can be difficult to see
- Small opening for refilling
UWELL Caliburn
Positives
- Produces great clouds
- Intense flavors
- Unmatched lifespan for both coil and pod
Negatives
- No window to view juice level
- Short battery life
SMOK Nord 2
Positives
- Great flavor
- Several options for coil
- Pods have the capacity to hold 4.5mL
Negatives
- No window to view juice level
- Not draw-activated
Vaporesso Degree
Positives
- Produces great clouds
- Very good build quality
- A smaller pod
- Simple to refill
- Warning when liquid is low
- Protects against dry hits
- PULSE mode
- Attractive feel and look
- Airflow is adjustable
Negatives
- Small juice capacity
SMOK Fetch Mini
Positives
- Great clouds
- Unique flavors
- Large juice capacity
- A bigger battery
- Several coil options
- Very good looking pod
Negatives
- Can be difficult to use
- Difficult to open refill slot
- Mods have movement in the mod
- No window for vape juice
SMOK RPM 40
Positives
- Clouds are amazing
- Flavor is great
- Largest capacity for juice
- Big battery
- Good screen and UI
- Many coil options
- Easy to fill
Negatives
- No window for vape juice
- Big compared to other pod systems