What are Vape Pods?

Published June 12, 2025

By: Christopher Banks

A vape pod is a compact component of a vaping device/vape kit that is made from plastic and contains e-liquid and the heating coil. It securely attaches to the battery device via magnets or a click-in mechanism. They are pre-filled and refillable.

The world of vaping can seem so overwhelming with a wide array of devices, e-liquids, and technical terms. Within this complex system, vape pods have become popular due to their easy operation and user-friendly design. Curious about its system? If yes, this guide is for you. From basic definition to detailed structure and types, we have included all the information here.

Key Components of Vape Pod

Key Components of Vape Pod

The Shell/Cartridge

The cartridge is the pod’s main body, made using durable, food-grade PCTG plastic, as it comes into contact with the mouth. It's the brain of the operation when it comes to flavour and vapour production.

E-liquid Reservoir

There is a chamber inside the shell where your vape liquid resides. It has a capacity of 2ml ( TPD compliant).

The Coil

This is the heater inside the pod that heats and turns e-liquid into vapour. Some pods have a built-in coil. When the coil is burnt out, you simply replace the entire pod. Some advanced refillable pods, however, allow you to just change the coil within the pod, which makes them a more economical choice. Modern pods normally possess "mesh coils" for better flavour and vapour.

Wicking Material

This is the cotton wrapped around or integrated with the coil. This soaks up the e-liquid from the reservoir and feeds it to the coil to make sure a consistent e-liquid supply for vaporisation.

Mouthpiece

This is the part of the pod where you put your lips to inhale. It's built directly into the pod for a comfortable draw.

Filling Port (for refillable pods)

Refillable pods have a small opening with a rubber or silicone cover. You open this to fill your e-liquid, then seal it back. Refilling design can vary; some replacement pods come with side-fill, top-fill and bottom-fill designs. For example, Vaporesso XROS series pods typically feature a top-fill design, which is favoured by vapers as it offers a mess-free refilling experience.

Connection Points

At the bottom of the pod, there are electrical contacts that connect to the battery device to allow power flow from the battery to the coil for heating.

Types of Vape Pod Systems

Types of Vape Pod Systems Vaping Pods are of two types:

Pre-filled Pods

Prefilled or closed pods, as the name suggests, are pre-filled with a specific e-liquid flavour and nicotine strength from the manufacturer. Once all the e-juice is consumed, you have to change it with a new one.

Refillable Pods

Refillable or open pods come empty; you can fill these with your preferred e-liquid. You can refill these multiple times until the integrated coil wears out. Some advanced open pod systems are flexible to coil replacements within the pod itself, which is a green-friendly and cost-effective option.

If you want to know more about vape pod types, check out our blog here!

How to Clean Vape Pods?

How to Clean Vape Pods? Regular cleaning of vape pods is vital to a healthy vaping experience. Here is how you can do it:

  1. Disassemble: First, remove the pod from your device and detach the coil too (for pods with replaceable coils) and mouthpiece.
  2. Rinse: Rinse the pod (if the coil is removable) under warm running water to remove e-liquid residue. To remove stubborn dirt, soak the pod in warm water for a few minutes. For pods with the non-replaceable coil, simply clean with tissue paper.
  3. Dry: Allow everything to air dry completely for several hours (or even overnight) to prevent any water from damaging your device or affecting flavour.

How to Get Vape Juice Out of a Refillable Pod?

How to Get Vape Juice Out of a Refillable Pod There are three methods of emptying a vape pod, which include:

Manual Emptying: Detach the pod from your device and open the filling port. Tilt the pod to allow the liquid to flow; this works best for draining most of the liquid.

Syringe or Dropper: Carefully insert the tip of the syringe/dropper into the filling port for a precise draw out of e-liquid.

Sucking Method: Take an empty e-liquid bottle or one that has some air space and squeeze it to push out air. Insert it into your pod's filling port and release the squeeze on the bottle to create a vacuum allowing it to suck the maximum e-liquid from the pod.

To know more details about vape pods, i.e. eliquid filling, longevity and more, read our guide to vape pods.

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Christopher Banks

Christopher Banks - Vape Expert

Store Assistant & Content Writter

Banks, a key member of our team at VapeGala, is on a mission to simplify the world of vaping through his vaping knowledge. Jamie's expertise isn't theoretical, it's built from years on the front lines in vape retail plus an in-depth understanding of both the technology and the buyers. When he isn't guiding customers, you'll find him diving deep into vape product reviews, dissecting new innovations, and tackling common questions in his writing.