Choosing a Vape

 

So, you've made the decision to quit with the regular cigarettes and to move to e-cigarettes. Or, perhaps you're a non-smoker who'd just like to see what all the fuss is about. Now, you just have to choose the right product for you. With so many different models, types, and whatnot on the market, making that decision can be somewhat overwhelming. That’s why we wrote this handy guide to choosing the right product for you.

Disposable E-cigarettes

For the absolute beginner, you might want to try it to see if you like it. For this, disposable e-cigarettes are recommended. These let you try it out without spending a lot of money on equipment. Trying out a few high-quality e-cigarettes in different flavors will help you determine if vaping is right for you.

Disposable e-cigarettes are fairly simplistic. You simply purchase them, turn them on, and begin puffing away. These disposable vaporizers have a limited number of puffs before they run out.

2-Piece E-cigarettes or “cigalikes”

These greatly resemble the disposable e-cigarettes, with one major difference. They come in two pieces, one of which holds a rechargeable battery. The other piece is a disposable atomizer and cartridge. The cartridges come pre-filled with e-liquid in the nicotine strength of your choice. The cartridges are disposable but the battery portion, the one you suck on, is not.

Like the disposable e-cigarettes, these vaporizers tend to resemble traditional cigarettes and come in traditional flavors of regular or menthol, though some brands do offer limited other flavors. All you need to do is to keep the battery charged, screw on the cartridge and begin puffing away.

Many people prefer these and the disposable e-cigarettes because when the market first opened up, these were all that was available. They also more closely resemble the traditional cigarettes compared to other vaping devices.

Ego/Pen Style Devices

Pen style devices, also known as Ego devices are for those who have possibly tried the traditional two piece e-cigarettes but would like greater control and more variety in flavors available.  They get their name from the fact that they are about the same size as a pen.

These devices typically come in three pieces: a battery, atomizer, and a coil/heating element.  The atomizer, also called a tank is what holds the e-juice or e-liquid, the substance that gets vaporized when you vape.  The coil vaporizes the liquid and the battery gives the coil power.  The batter in pen style devices is generally stronger and can allow for the user's choice in power output.  This allows for a stronger or weaker dose of vapor per hit as preferred.  Some have integrated batteries and others come in models with removable, rechargeable batteries.  All have the capacity of being recharged.

One of the greatest benefits to these types of vaporizers is, of course, the ability to ramp up the voltage which results in a stronger hit.  The earlier devices don't have this control function.  However, many vapers will tell you that it is the atomizer, or the tank that makes this device their preferred device as opposed to disposable or 2-piece cigalikes. Unlike the other devices, you can put in your own vape juice.  You are not limited to traditional or menthol flavors, as is the case with most of the cigalikes or disposable e-cigarette varieties.

When it comes to cost, getting started with one of these models can be a bit pricier than disposable e-cigarettes or cigalikes.  However, it still ends up being pennies on the dollar when compared to traditional cigarettes.

E-cig Mods and Modded Electronic Cigarettes

If you've already tried the disposable, two piece and pen-style vapes and are looking to take your vaping experience to the next level, you can move up to mods.  

A mod, simply put, is anything that steps outside the range of Ego-style or pen style e-cigarettes.  It provides an advanced, wholly personal vaping experience.

Just in tanks alone, there are quite a number of varieties.  You can, for instance, get a tank that holds a larger amount of vape juice.  There are also drippers, which hold a few drops of the e-liquid and you can get a few puffs off of.  There are also tanks which are specialized towards burning dry herbs that can be equipped to your battery.  There are event tanks and atomizers specifically designed to vaporizer flavored waxes!

You can purchase fully-built tank and atomizer combinatons, or for the truly seasoned pro, you can buy the various parts separately and build your own personal vaporizer.  When it comes to building your own, the ability to customize is virtually endless and prices can run the gamut from budget models to hundreds of dollars.

Modded e-cigs often offer various power outputs, measured either in voltage or watts. Some models feature the ability to output up to 100 watts.  As with the pen-like devices, these mods offer either integrated or removable batteries and can always be recharged.

Desktop Vaporizers

Desktop vaporizers fall into a separate category.  They are primarily intended for use in the privacy of the home, though some are portable.  That's not the only reason, however that they are in a class by themselves.

While e-juice can be used with many desktop vaporizers - simply place a few drops on a 100% cotton cotton ball and keep temperatures low - the primary use of desktop vaporizers is to burn dry herbs.  The delivery mthod is typically either a plastic tube or a plastic bag which fills with vapor or smoke for inhalation.

Other Considerations

Now that we have gone over the types of personal vaporizers, here's what you need to consider before choosing a model.

Previous Smoking Habits

While many people can simply pick up disposable e-cigarettes and never buy another pack of cigarettes again, that is a rarity. Some people have to wean themselves off of cigarettes by gradually decreasing them while getting used to vaporizers at the same time. If you were a heavy smoker, it is recommended that you go for the strongest nicotine concentration available to start. You can always begin to step down if you want to reduce your nicotine consumption, or keep it high. As stated previously, trying the disposable e-cigarettes first is always a good place to start.

Cost

When it comes to vaping, the overall cost is generally pennies to the dollar when compared to regular cigarettes.  But the initial outlay of buying a fully modded e-cig might be prohibitive at first.  Disposable e-cigarettes generally come in a pack of 1 or 2 and most are equal to about 2 packs of cigarettes.  These can cost about $9.99, and depending on the state in which you live, this is comparable to the cost of cigarettes themselves.  However, in states where cigarettes are much more expensive, this is a significant savings.

A quality cigalike starter kit is going to cost you about $30-$40.  Before you balk at that price compared to a pack of cigarettes, consider the fact that these starter kits, unlike disposable e-cigarettes, contain a rechargeable battery and a few cartomizers to get you started.  After that, you need only purchase replacement cartomizers which cost pennies to the dollar when compared to cigarettes.

Ego-Style or pen-style vaporizers are when things begin to get expensive.  You can buy starter kits for about $10-$20, though there are more durable, and more expensive options available. Pen-style vaporizers should be seen as an investment. Once you have purchased your starter kit, all you need to worry about are replacement coils and e-juice.

E-cig mods are where things can begin to get truly expensive, and hence, why this option would only be recommended for the experienced vaper or someone who is truly committed to vaping.  At te low end, a starter kit can cost about $40-$50, which is comparable to the pen-style vaporizers, but customized builds can easily reach into the hundreds of dollars.

Desktop vaporizers are easily the most expensive when it comes to initial investment.  While there are some models available in the $50 price range, but the more durable, more customizable - temperature control, etc - models can easily run into hundreds of dollars.

Of course, when it comes to cost, remember the old adage "you get what you pay for."

Before adding that bargain model to your cart and checking out, be sure to check reviews.  If you have friends that vape, ask them which they prefer and go from there.  You can also visit a local vape store to talk with the employees - explain to them your vaping experience (whether you're a noob or experienced vaper) and get their recommendations.

As you gain experience with vaping products you may find yourself wanting to progress to the next level.  Starting with the disposable e-cigarettes and moving up to the more customizable pen-style or e-cig mods simply for the variety and customization that it offers.  Others choose to stick with the disposable or 2-piece e-cigarettes for their simplistic design and the fact that it more closely resembles a cigarette.

No matter which vaporizer product you choose to go with, the overall savings versus cigarettes will be shown over time.