Never Used a Refillable or Prefilled Pod Kit? Here's What You Need to Know
August 11, 2025If you've only ever used disposable vapes, the world of pod kits might seem unnecessarily complicated. Why mess with charging, refilling, or replacing parts when disposables were so simple? The truth is that modern pod vape kits are designed to be just as straightforward as disposables while offering significant advantages in cost, performance, and environmental impact.
With the June 2025 disposable ban now in effect, many vapers are discovering pod vape kits for the first time. We've been helping customers navigate this transition for months, and the most common reaction we hear is surprise at how simple and accessible these devices actually are. Whether you're looking at refillable pod kits where you add your own e-liquid, or prefilled pod systems that work almost exactly like disposables, the learning curve is much gentler – and more fun - than you might expect.
The key is understanding the different types available and knowing which suits your preferences. Some pod kits are barely more complex than the disposables you're used to, while others offer more customisation for those who want to explore different e-liquids and settings.
Key Takeaways
- Pod kits come in two main types: prefilled (similar to disposables) and refillable (more flexible)
- Most pod kits are draw-activated and require no technical knowledge to operate
- Prefilled pod systems offer the closest experience to disposable vapes
- Refillable pod kits provide maximum flexibility and cost savings
- Battery life is substantially better than single-use disposables
- Modern pod kits are designed for simplicity and ease of use
Lost Mary BM600 Rechargeable Prefilled Pod Kit. 2ml prefilled pod with 20mg Nic Salt e-liquid. Up to 600 puffs per...
£4.95
Elf Bar 600 Prefilled Pod Kit. Up to 600 puffs per replaceable 2ml pod. 500mAh rechargeable battery.
was £4.95 Now £3.95
Choose your favourite flavour from a diverse selection of 12 Gold Bar Reload Prefilled Pod Kits
£4.95
RDL (Restricted-Direct-to-Lung): A balanced vaping style slightly restricted airflow.
The Aspire Gotek Pro Pod Kit is a super-compact MTL vape kit and features a 1500mAh battery, 13-16W power output,...
£14.99
Aspire Aspire Gotek Pro Pod Vape Kit
FREE E-Liquid Flavour
£14.99
Prefilled pod vape kit with 1200mAh battery, 2ml pod and 10ml refill. 15 Gold Bar flavours. MTL vaping made simple.
£10.95
Choose your combination of flavours from a diverse selection of 10 multi-flavour IVG 4in1 Prefilled Pod Kits.
£10.95
MTL (Mouth-to-Lung): Mimics traditional smoking.
Feature-rich MTL & RDL pod vape kit with 1500mAh battery, 0.88” HD screen, adjustable output and airflow.
£22.99
Vaporesso Vaporesso Xros 5 Pod Vape Kit
FREE E-Liquid Flavour
£22.99
Lost Mary BM6000 Prefilled vape kit. Enjoy up to 6000 puffs with a rechargeable 1000mAh battery, replaceable 10ml e-liquid container,...
£11.95
Sweet, tangy Pineapple with an icy exhale. Replacement prefilled pod and refill container for the Lost Mary Nera30K Pod Kit....
£7.95
A rechargeable pod vape kit prefilled with 12ml of e-liquid, delivering up to 7000 puffs with auto-refill technology.
was £9.95 Now £7.95
RDL (Restricted-Direct-to-Lung): A balanced vaping style slightly restricted airflow.
Compact MTL & RDL pod kit with 1100mAh battery, adjustable airflow and GPP pod compatibility.
was £9.49 Now £6.49
Uwell Uwell Caliburn G4 Mini Pod Vape Kit
£6.49
Understanding the Two Types of Pod Kits
Prefilled Pod Kits: Disposable Vapes, Evolved
Prefilled pod kits are the closest thing to single-use disposables you'll find. And while inspired by those devices, these systems are anything but ‘single-use’. They typically use prefilled pods (2ml, the TPD standard) that contain e-liquid and a built-in coil, and attach to a separate battery component; much like a disposable vape split into two parts. When the pod runs empty, you simply replace it with a fresh one.
Popular prefilled pod systems include the SKE Crystal Plus, and Elf Bar Elfa Pro. These devices typically offer the same flavours you enjoyed in disposable form, with identical nicotine strengths and similar puff counts per pod.
The main advantage is familiarity - you get the same ease of use as disposables but with a rechargeable battery and reduced waste. There's no learning curve beyond remembering to charge the device occasionally.
Refillable Pod Kits: Maximum Flexibility
Refillable pod kits feature empty refillable pods that you top up yourself with bottled e-liquid. While this adds one extra step compared to prefilled systems, it opens up enormous flexibility in flavour choice and nicotine strength.
Excellent refillable options include the Vaporesso Dojo Blast, Aspire Gotek, and Elf Bar ElfX Mini. These systems let you choose from thousands of e-liquid flavours rather than being limited to pre-made options.
The process is straightforward: remove the pod's filling cap, squeeze in e-liquid until full, replace the cap, and wait a few minutes for the coil to saturate. Most users find this becomes second nature within days.
How Long Do Pre-filled Pods Last?
Most prefilled pods deliver 400-600 puffs, similar to the disposables you're familiar with. However, the experience remains consistent throughout the pod's life rather than declining toward the end like disposables often did.
Refillable pods last longer in terms of reuse - most can be refilled 3-5 times before the coil needs replacing. Some advanced systems feature replaceable coils that can extend pod life even further.
Battery life is substantially better than disposables. Most pod kits provide 1-3 days of typical use per charge, and fast charging means you're never waiting long to get back to vaping.
What Makes Pod Kits Different from Disposables
The fundamental difference lies in the separation of components. Disposables combined everything - battery, e-liquid, and coil - into one sealed unit. Pod kits separate the battery (device) from the e-liquid container (pod), allowing you to reuse the expensive electronic components while only replacing the consumable parts.
This separation brings several advantages:
- Better Battery Performance: Pod kit batteries are larger and designed for repeated charging, typically lasting 1-3 days between charges compared to the declining performance you experienced as disposables neared empty.
- Consistent Flavour: Fresh coils in each new pod (prefilled) or replaceable coils (refillable) mean you always get optimal flavour rather than the degradation that occurred as disposables aged.
- Cost Efficiency: You're not repeatedly buying batteries and electronics with each purchase, significantly reducing long-term costs.
- Environmental Benefits: Dramatically less electronic waste since you're only discarding small pods or coils rather than entire devices.
- How Much Do Pod Kits Cost?: Initial investment varies depending on the type and features you choose. Basic prefilled pod kit starter packs typically range from £8-15, while more advanced refillable systems might cost £15-30. This covers the device plus initial pods or e-liquid to get started.
Ongoing costs are where pod kits really shine. Prefilled pod replacements (per unit, not taking into account multi-packs) generally cost less than new disposables while offering similar puff counts. Refillable systems offer even greater savings since bottled e-liquid provides significantly more value than pre-filled options.
For perspective, a 10ml nicotine salt bottle typically provides the equivalent of 5 disposable vapes worth of liquid at a fraction of the cost.
Popular Pod Kit Options by Category
- Best Entry-Level Prefilled Systems: For those wanting the simplest transition from disposables, consider the Lost Mary BM600 Pod Kit or Elf Bar 600. These systems replicate familiar disposable experiences while adding rechargeable convenience.
- The Gold Bar Reload offers premium build quality with the beloved Gold Bar flavour range, while the IVG Air 4in1 provides multiple flavours in one device.
- High-Capacity Prefilled Options: If you were a heavy disposable user, explore our 6000 puff vape kits and 10000 puff vape kits categories. The Lost Mary BM6000 and Avomi CLiQ offer extended usage between pod changes.
- Best Refillable Pod Kits: For maximum flexibility, the Vaporesso XROS series offers excellent build quality and performance. The Aspire Gotek Pro provides robust construction with intuitive operation, while the UWELL Caliburn series is renowned for flavour and draw quality.
- Premium Options: The Lost Mary Nera30k and Hula 7000 represent the premium end of prefilled systems, offering advanced features like digital displays, high puff counts and enhanced customisation.
- What About Nicotine Strengths?: Most UK disposables contained 20mg nicotine salt, which has become the standard for pod kit compatibility. Whether choosing prefilled pods or bottled e-liquids, look for 20mg options to maintain your current nicotine intake.
Many brands also offer 10mg alternatives if you're considering reducing nicotine consumption. The beauty of refillable systems is the ability to gradually step down nicotine levels by mixing different strengths or choosing lower concentrations over time.
Nicotine salt formulations provide the smooth throat hit you experienced with disposables, making the transition feel natural and satisfying.
Common Concerns About Pod Kits
- "Will I need to learn complicated settings?": Modern pod kits are designed for simplicity. Most are draw-activated with automatic power adjustment, requiring no technical knowledge. Advanced features are typically optional extras rather than necessities.
- "What if I fill a refillable pod wrong?": E-liquid filling is straightforward - remove the cap, squeeze liquid into the opening until full, replace the cap. Most pods have clear filling indicators, and overfilling simply means liquid might leak out rather than causing damage.
- "How do I know when to replace pods or coils?": Prefilled pods are replaced when empty or when flavour diminishes. Refillable pods need new coils when flavour becomes muted or you notice a burnt taste. Most users develop a natural sense for timing within a week or two.
- "What about charging?": Most pod kits use USB-C charging and provide 1-3 days of use per charge. Charging typically takes 30-90 minutes, and many users simply charge overnight like a mobile phone.
Making Your First Pod Kit Choice
- If you want the simplest transition: Choose a prefilled pod kit from your preferred disposable brand. The SKE Crystal Plus, or Elf Bar Elfa Pro offer familiar flavours with minimal learning curve.
- If you want to explore flavours: Consider a refillable pod kit like the Vaporesso XROS or Aspire Gotek paired with a selection of 10ml nicotine salt e-liquids.
- If you were a heavy disposable user: Look at high-capacity options in our 6000 puff or 8000 puff categories to minimise pod replacement frequency.
- If you want premium features: Consider advanced options like the Lost Mary Nera30k or Avomi CLiQ with features like digital displays and enhanced customisation.
Lost Mary BM600 Rechargeable Prefilled Pod Kit. 2ml prefilled pod with 20mg Nic Salt e-liquid. Up to 600 puffs per...
£4.95
Elf Bar 600 Prefilled Pod Kit. Up to 600 puffs per replaceable 2ml pod. 500mAh rechargeable battery.
was £4.95 Now £3.95
Choose your favourite flavour from a diverse selection of 12 Gold Bar Reload Prefilled Pod Kits
£4.95
RDL (Restricted-Direct-to-Lung): A balanced vaping style slightly restricted airflow.
The Aspire Gotek Pro Pod Kit is a super-compact MTL vape kit and features a 1500mAh battery, 13-16W power output,...
£14.99
Aspire Aspire Gotek Pro Pod Vape Kit
FREE E-Liquid Flavour
£14.99
Prefilled pod vape kit with 1200mAh battery, 2ml pod and 10ml refill. 15 Gold Bar flavours. MTL vaping made simple.
£10.95
Choose your combination of flavours from a diverse selection of 10 multi-flavour IVG 4in1 Prefilled Pod Kits.
£10.95
MTL (Mouth-to-Lung): Mimics traditional smoking.
Feature-rich MTL & RDL pod vape kit with 1500mAh battery, 0.88” HD screen, adjustable output and airflow.
£22.99
Vaporesso Vaporesso Xros 5 Pod Vape Kit
FREE E-Liquid Flavour
£22.99
Lost Mary BM6000 Prefilled vape kit. Enjoy up to 6000 puffs with a rechargeable 1000mAh battery, replaceable 10ml e-liquid container,...
£11.95
Sweet, tangy Pineapple with an icy exhale. Replacement prefilled pod and refill container for the Lost Mary Nera30K Pod Kit....
£7.95
A rechargeable pod vape kit prefilled with 12ml of e-liquid, delivering up to 7000 puffs with auto-refill technology.
was £9.95 Now £7.95
RDL (Restricted-Direct-to-Lung): A balanced vaping style slightly restricted airflow.
Compact MTL & RDL pod kit with 1100mAh battery, adjustable airflow and GPP pod compatibility.
was £9.49 Now £6.49
Uwell Uwell Caliburn G4 Mini Pod Vape Kit
£6.49
Conclusion
Pod kits represent a natural evolution from disposables rather than a complicated departure. Whether you choose prefilled systems that closely mirror the disposable experience or refillable options that open up new possibilities, the core vaping experience remains familiar and satisfying.
The initial learning curve is minimal, especially with prefilled systems, and the benefits - cost savings, environmental responsibility, better performance - become apparent within days. Most importantly, you're not sacrificing convenience or simplicity for these advantages.
Visit Vapestore to explore our complete range of prefilled pod kits and refillable pod systems. Our Customer Services Team is available to help match you with the perfect starter kit and answer any questions about making the transition.