What Are the Different Types of Vape Pods

A vape pod is the cartridge component of a pod-based vaping device. It holds the e-liquid, delivers vapour through a coil system, and attaches to the battery housing, usually with a magnet. That’s the surface-level answer. However, for anyone trying to understand how vaping actually works day to day, the design and function of a particular type of vape pod matter far more than the simplified definition suggests.

Different types of vape pods were developed to be user-friendly, small enough to fit in your pocket, and generally straightforward to maintain (as opposed to large sub-ohm tanks). Some pods are pre-filled and disposable. Others are refillable and allow you to change the coil when needed. Most are built around Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) vaping, which offers a draw resistance that feels similar to smoking a cigarette. But that’s not always the case, and not every pod suits every vaper. The details, as always, are where things start to diverge.

• E-liquid Reservoir
This is the internal chamber that holds the vape juice. Its capacity is capped at 2ml in most pod kits, but there are cartridges with a capacity of up to 5 millilitres (non-TPD versions). The shape of the reservoir greatly affects how efficiently the liquid feeds into the coil, especially when the pod is tilted. Different vaping brands have come up with ingenious designs to make the best use of e-liquid inside.
• Coil Unit
This is what heats the liquid to produce vapour. These heating elements can be crafted out of metals like stainless steel, nickel, or even Kanthal. Some pods have built-in coils and need to be discarded once the coil burns out. Others allow you to remove the coil and replace it with a new one. This isn’t just a design choice as it determines the cost, longevity and environmental impact of the device.
• Mouthpiece
This is the part you inhale from. Placed at the top of the pod, its shape and size directly affect the comfort and resistance of your draws. In most pods, the mouthpiece is integrated into the design. Some are flat and narrow, others slightly contoured.
• Connection System
Most pods attach to their device using magnetic connectors, located at the bottom of the unit. It’s fast and clean, and there’s less friction over time compared to snap-fit or pressure clips.

Refillable Vape Pods (Open Systems)

• Top-fill: A fill port is located on the top of the pod and accessible by removing the mouthpiece. This is a favourite among vapers thanks to how clean and quick it is to refill.
• Side-fill: This is the most common configuration you’ll find in pod kits. A silicone stopper seals the port on the side of the pod. This style is functional, but is not always intuitive for first-time users.
• Bottom-fill: This style is still in use but becoming less popular. There is an increased risk of leakage, especially if the stopper is not closed properly after refilling.

• You have greater freedom in flavour and nicotine selection.
• There is a lower cost over time, assuming you maintain the pods properly.

• There is more work to do, as you’ll need to refill the pod regularly, and if the coil is swappable, you’ll eventually need to change that as well. Both of these can be tricky, especially if you are just starting out.
• You’ll find that some liquids don’t play well with all pod designs. For instance, high-VG liquids can clog MTL coils quickly.

Pre-Filled Pods (Closed Systems)

• There is no filling, no coil changes, and no cleaning to worry about.
• Everything is sealed, which drastically reduces the chance of leaks.

• There is a limited range of flavours and nicotine strengths, so you're locked into whatever the brand offers.
• Cost per pod tends to be higher than refillable systems, especially for regular users.

Built-In Coil Pods

• One less component to manage.
• Generally better leak resistance, as the sealed unit minimises gaps and airflow misalignment.

• More plastic waste, since you're discarding the entire pod each time.
• Over time, replacing whole pods becomes more expensive than swapping just the coil

Replaceable Coil Pods

• Significantly cheaper in the long run, particularly for high-use vapers.
• More environmentally conscious—fewer materials thrown away.

• There’s more that can go wrong. Coils need to be inserted properly, and the wrong pairing can lead to dry hits or flooding.
• Learning curve. You’ll need to understand which coil resistance matches your liquid and your preferred draw.

• Magnetic: This makes for a fast and clean connection. All you have to do is to drop the pod in the body of the vape, and it aligns automatically.
• Clip-In: Still found in some models. These require a bit more effort to remove and may loosen over time.
• Threaded: Less common in pods. More common in tanks and mod systems. If you find a pod with threading, it’s likely a specialised hybrid design.

These cartridges are designed for mouth-to-lung vaping. They offer a tighter draw, similar to taking a drag from a cigarette. They also produce vapour in smaller quantities, which is great if you want to vape discreetly. MTL pods are

• Designed with restricted airflow to give a snug pull.
• Feature coils with higher resistance, around 1 ohm or more.
• Best used with higher nicotine levels or nicotine salts.
• Found in both pre-filled and refillable pods, often aimed at casual vapers or those switching from smoking.

Direct-to-lung pods are the go-to choice for cloud chasers as they are optimised for higher cloud production. Still, these pods don’t match the performance of large sub-ohm tanks. DTL pods are

• Suited to direct-to-lung vaping, which bypasses the mouth and takes vapour straight to the lungs.
• Built with larger airflow openings and lower resistance coils, often under 1 ohm.
• Best used with lower nicotine liquids and higher VG content.
• Less common among pod systems, but they do exist, mainly refillable pods with sub-ohm coils.

The distinctions between pod systems aren’t just technical—they shape how vaping fits into your day, your habits, and your expectations. A closed pod may offer consistency, but it limits your input. An open system may demand more from you, but give more in return. These aren’t just product categories but different models of control, compromise, and convenience. Understanding that isn't about making the perfect choice—it’s about making an informed one, with both eyes open.