2022 was a thrilling year for all types of vape kits, and none more so than in that wildly diverse and constantly evolving category we call Pod Kits. These simple-to-use vapes have become such a popular method of vaping in the few years that they’ve been around, that not even the unstoppable momentum of newer disposable vapes has dented their appeal. In short, we love our pod kits now more than ever.
Last year brought some truly killer pod kits our way, with a parade of fantastic devices from all the big names in vaping such as Smok, Aspire, Voopoo, Vaporesso and GeekVape, as well as some truly unique and innovative kits from aspiring heavyweights like Lost Vape and OXVA. With more variety than ever, and products of ever-increasing quality and utility, how on earth do we begin to pick our faves from such a bumper crop? Well, perhaps it’s best that we start by reviewing just what pod kits are and what they have to offer vapers over other kinds of vaping device. Ready? Let’s go…
What are Pod Kits?
To understand what Pod Kits are, it’s helpful to compare them to the kind of vape kits that preceded them. As e-cigarettes properly took off in the 2000s, vape kit design quickly coalesced around the now iconic starter kit and pen vape kit form factor. This typically consisted of a simple battery component, called a ‘mod,’ and a separate ‘tank’ that contained the coil and e-liquid. The tank attached to the mod which, upon ‘firing’ sent an electric current to the coil which then vapourised the e-liquid producing flavoursome vapour while delivering nicotine to the bloodstream to soothe pesky cravings.
It was such a successful design that it persists to this day, and continues to make starter vape kits simple to use and satisfying devices for newer vapers to experience the pleasure of vaping with a short learning curve.
Pod Kits, however, first emerged around 2016 with such game-changing devices as the JUUL pre-filled pod kit. This radical new approach swapped the traditional glass and metal tank for a ‘pod’ made of rigid plastic that integrated more seamlessly with the battery component (the ‘mod’) to create a more slimline, low-maintenance and portable device. With vape devices like the JUUL vape kit, the pods came prefilled with e-liquid, ready to slot into place for instant vaping.
It didn’t take long for the big vape equipment manufacturers to see the appeal of a super-compact vape device that removed much of the busywork of vaping starter kits – changing coils, disassembling tanks, etc. – and the devices have since evolved to offer many different styles and vaping experiences, from refillable pods for use with interchangeable coils, disposable pods with integrated coils, pod kits designed for MTL (mouth-to-lung) vaping, pod kits for DTL (direct-to-lung) vaping, and many more. In short, whatever your preferred style of vaping, there is a pod kit that’s just right for you.
What types of Pod Kit are there?
The variety of pod kits now available at Vapestore is simply staggering, as the form-factor allows vape manufacturers to diverge from the traditional starter kit in ways that are wildly different, comfortably familiar, or anything in-between.
Pre-filled Pod Kits
Pre-filled Pod Kits are vape devices that take the celebrated simplicity of pod kits even further, with the use of disposable pods that arrive pre-filled with delicious e-liquid in a variety of flavours. These kits, sometimes called ‘Closed Pod Kits,’ completely remove the necessity of refilling your pod with e-liquid and changing coils, making them among the most convenient vape kits to use and ideal for newer vapers.
Refillable Pod Kits
For vapers that love to experiment with e-liquid flavours, rather than rely on those confined to pre-filled pods, the refillable pod kit is the answer. Just as it sounds, refillable pod kits are empty pods that can be filled with whichever flavour of e-liquid you like. Some refillable pods feature an integrated coil that can’t be removed, but which means that when the coil begins to lose flavour you simply dispose of the pod and replace with a new one. These are often called ‘disposable pod kits.’ Other refillable pods allow for interchangeable coils so that you can experiment with different resistances until you find the perfect pairing of coil and e-liquid.
Classic, low-powered, High-PG, 50/50, Nic Salt, MTL Pod Kits
A lot of pod kits, in fact the majority, fall under this category and share many traits in common even if their designs vary immensely. These devices usually contain smaller internal batteries, which makes them more compact and lightweight as a result, although nearly all will provide a full day’s use. These vape kits are intended for use with high-PG, nicotine salt and 50/50 e-liquids, which generally require less power to vaporise, hence the term ‘low-powered devices’. Due to the resistances of the coils used with these kits, they’re best at providing a super-satisfying MTL (mouth-to-lung) vape sensation that most closely mimics taking a puff on a traditional cigarette, making these kits especially useful for newer vapers and recent ex-smokers.
Sub-ohm, high-powered, High-VG DTL Pod Kits
It used to be the case that for vapers who enjoy the cloudy delights of sub-ohm vaping, only the raw grunt of the most ludicrously over-powered box mods and sub-ohm tanks could achieve the rich flavours and immense vapour production they were after. Well, pod kits have changed all that and you can now find many incredible pod kits at Vapestore that can handle High-VG e-liquids like a boss, delivering immaculate flavour, billowing clouds of aromatic vapour and a super-smooth DTL (direct-to-lung) sensation and throat hit thanks to beefy batteries, multiple user modes and advanced chipsets, all while staying compact and easy to use on the move.
Pod Mods
Pod Mods are DTL devices that fuse the best features of pod kits and full-sized vape mods. They share the ease-of-use and portability of compact pod kits, and the horsepower and full feature-set of high-powered box mods, offering vapers complete flexibility to enjoy all styles of vaping.
Vapestore’s Best Pod Vape Kits of 2022
And now we get to the good bit: our picks of the best pod kits of 2022, and there have been a lot! These choices represent the best pod kits of last year in terms of sales, customer feedback and our own relentlessly inquisitive testing.
Best pod kit for beginners in 2022: GeekVape Sonder U Pod Vape Kit
The Geekvape Sonder U pod kit isn’t necessarily the flashiest pod kit to grace Vapestore, but for newer vapers taking their first steps away from cigarettes or disposable vapes, 2022’s GeekVape Sonder U is as simple and satisfying as pod kits get. And at only £9.99 at Vapestore, it’s one of the most budget-friendly pod kits we sell!
The GeekVape Sonder U’s modest yet sleek appearance belies a very impressive 1000mAh internal battery, which is almost unheard of for a vape kit this size. That battery ensures a full day of use and can be charged rapidly thanks to USB-C charging. To operate the Sonder U, you simply take a puff as you would a traditional cigarette -no buttons involved- and enjoy an intense and flavoursome, yet still discreet, MTL (mouth-to-lung) vape.
The Sonder U refillable pod incorporates a fixed 0.7ohm coil. When your pod loses its flavour, you simply replace it with a new refillable Sonder U pod. The 2ml pod features a leak-resistant silicone seal on the side for easy refills, and is best used with nic salt, 50/50 and classic High-PG e-liquids
Best pod kit for MTL Vaping in 2022: Uwell Caliburn A2 Pod Kit
Avid vape-watchers won’t be surprised to see a Caliburn pod kit make our list of the Best Pod Kits of 2022, and last year’s Caliburn A2 all but guaranteed its place here. Uwell’s bestselling series of pod kits have consistently delivered one of the finest MTL (mouth-to-lung) experiences around, and the Caliburn A2 continues that journey unchallenged.
This super-sleek and incredibly light pod kit offers a 520mAh battery and two modes of operation: Auto-Draw and a recessed Fire Button that prevents pocket misfires. For a completely Auto-Draw version, consider the Uwell Caliburn A2S kit.
The new Caliburn A2 Pods now connect to the battery for a simple, secure connection and a tighter airflow ensures an intense, crisp and flavoursome vape. The 2ml pods can be refilled by removing the cap which helps to prevent leaks and debris collecting in the mouthpiece. The pods feature an integrated 0.9ohm coil for incredible flavour, and with no coil changes to deal with, you simply replace the whole pod once it begins to lose flavour. Best used with nic salt, 50/50 and classic High-PG e-liquids.
Best Pod Kit for DTL Vaping in 2022: SMOK RPM 85 Vape Kit
One of the best pod mod-style kits to come out in 2022 had to be the awesome SMOK RPM 85 vape kit from Smoktech. Compact yet powerful, simple-to-use yet very flexible, the Smok RPM 85 is proof that pod kits can handle high-powered sub-ohm vaping with aplomb.
The Smok RPM 85 features a stunning ergonomic design, with smooth corners and an electroplated finish that feels great in the hand. The kit is powered by a mighty 3000mAh built-in battery that can fire up to 85W. A vibrant 0.96” TFT colour display features a redesigned menu while a tactile, stepless rotary airflow ring allows you to easily adjust your vape’s draw.
The Smok RPM 85 pod has an e-liquid capacity of 2ml and is easily refilled via a clever sliding top-fill design. Smok have also introduced a helpful lock at the bottom of the pod that prevents the accidental removal of the coil as well as leaks. The Smok 85 RPM pod is available in two versions, with one pod for Smok’s RPM 3 series coils (stronger) and another for the RPM series 2 coils (milder).
Best Pod Kit for Nicotine Salts in 2022: Vaporesso XROS Mini Pod Kit
The XROS Mini from Vaporesso has been a firm favourite among Vapestore folk in 2022, and for such a simple pod kit, it constantly astounds us with the quality of flavour that it produces. It can handle classic high-PG and 50/50 e-liquids effortlessly, but truly excels at drawing out all the smooth, flavoursome intensity of nic salts.
The XROS Mini offers fuss-free, highly portable vaping with a surprisingly luxurious and durable finish. With its sleek, diamond-patterned, compact form-factor, the XROS mini kit feels lightweight yet solid in the hand and is discreet enough to carry everywhere. Its built-in 1000mAh ensures all-day long vaping, assisted further by super-fast USB-C charging.
With no buttons to press or settings to adjust, the XROS Mini’s AutoDraw mode means you only need to take a puff as you would a traditional cigarette, making it ideal for newer vapers. The updated XROS MINI pod features a fixed 1.2ohm coil for a superb MTL (mouth-to-lung) sensation, and employs Vaporesso’s SSS Leak-Resistant Technology and a top filling system to ensure refills are quick and clean.
Best Pre-Filled Pod Kit of 2022: Elf Bar Elfa Pod Kit
Surely the biggest vaping success story of 2022 has been Elf Bar and their insanely popular disposable vape bars. But the year also brought a welcome new iteration of these handy disposables and one that provided a more sustainable form of vape without sacrificing on those outrageously delicious Elf Bar flavours.
The Elfa pod kit Elf Bar offers all the simplicity of disposable vapes but help drastically to reduce waste with the use of a rechargeable 550mAh battery and 2ml pre-filled disposable Elfa pods. Each Elfa disposable pod is filled with 2ml of deliciously satisfying 20mg nicotine salt e-liquid in a variety of tasty Elf Bar flavours. And when the pod loses flavour, you only need to replace the pod with a new one while retaining the battery, which would otherwise have been disposed of with the all-in-one disposable Elf Bars.
Simple, satisfying and more sustainable than other disposable pod kits, the Elfa pod kit from Elf Bar is a sleek and lightweight pod kit that would appeal to any vaper.
Best Refillable Pod Kit of 2022: Elf Bar FB1000 Pod Kit
It seems lightning can strike twice if Elf Bar are anything to measure it by. The Elf Bar FB1000 pod kit has been a huge hit with customers who have been drawn to the device for its fusion of the simple, convenient Elf Bar experience with the flexibility of refillable pods and interchangeable coils.
Powered by a 1000mAh battery for all-day reliability, the Elf Bar FB1000 pod kit easily carries a whole day’s charge. The device can be operated by simply taking a puff on the pod’s mouthpiece or by pressing the fire button.
The refillable Elf Bar FB1000 pod is easy to remove to replace coils and refill with e-liquid from the bottom of the pod. The pods use Elf Bar’s EBC mesh coils for incredible flavour and longevity, and they can even use Voopoo’s legendary PnP coils for almost unlimited possibilities when it comes to experimenting with different coil resistances. The Elf Bar FB1000 pod kit is a great choice for anyone considering switching from disposable vapes to more hands-on pod kits.
Best Pod Kit Design in 2022: Vaporesso Moti X Mini Pod Kit
We know beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but the futuristic X Mini pod kit from Vaporesso hasn’t stopped turning heads since it dropped at Vapestore earlier in 2022. This unique pod kit is an exciting collaboration between vape pioneers Vaporesso and Moti. The X Mini is an incredibly compact pod device that sits smoothly in the palm of your hand and is so simple to operate with its single fire button.
What sets the X Mini apart from similar pod kits is the bold open-circuit design, giving users a peek at the advanced chipset inside the device. The X Mini is powered by an internal 1150mAh battery which can be charged super-quick thanks to USB Type-C charging. It’s also a very smart device and requires no settings to adjust as the X Mini’s intelligent adaptive power control automatically recognises the coil being used and adjusts the power output – up to 29W – to produce the best possible vape.
The translucent 2ml Vaporesso Moti X Mini pod enables adjustable airflow by simply rotating the pod in the device. The X Mini is compatible with Vaporesso X Moti X35 coils, whose unique honeycomb mesh design delivers an incredible RDTL (Restricted Direct to Lung) vape experience, every time. The coils are best paired with High-VG e-liquids.
2022 was an incredible year for vapers, and especially so for fans of pod kits. This winning form-factor remains at the forefront of vaping innovation and continues to offer vapers the ultimate combination of performance, ease-of-use and style, all while helping vapers successfully make the switch away from smoking.
Check out Vapestore’s entire Pod Kit collection HERE
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