What is a Vape Kit? Your Beginner's Guide

May 16, 2025 Azim Aleem

Updated: 20 October 2026

A vape kit is an electronic device that heats e-liquid to create a vapour that you can inhale. The term covers small rechargeable pod kits, pen-shaped starter kits and larger adjustable models. You can compare devices here:

For more detailed comparisons:

Ultimate guide to vape kits

Types of vape kits

Vaping is intended for adult smokers and ex-smokers, not children or people who do not smoke. This article explains the equipment and terminology rather than recommending that anyone start vaping.

What Is a Vape Kit?

A vape kit, also called an e-cigarette kit or ‘vape’, combines a battery-powered device with a reservoir for e-liquid and a heating element or ‘coil’. Some products have a refillable pod or tank; others use prefilled replacement pods. A basic kit may be draw activated with no buttons at all, while others have more elaborate controls.

According to Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) in its July 2026 survey, an estimated 5.5 million adults in Great Britain vape. Of those, approximately 3.3 million were ex-smokers.

Vape Kits: A Labelled Text Guide

The following are the main components of an average vape device:

● Mouthpiece: The opening through which vapour is inhaled. Also known as a ‘drip tip’. It is often moulded into the pod or pushed into the top of the tank.

● Pod or tank: A 2ml reservoir that holds the e-liquid. A refillable pod or tank has a filling point; a prefilled pod is replaced when empty.

● Coil and wick: An electrical heating element and absorbent organic cotton, which carries liquid towards the coil. Some coils are built into replaceable pods.

● Contacts: Metal connections that transfer power between the device and its pod/tank.

● Battery and software: A rechargeable lithium-ion battery with specialised software, power and protective functions.

● Charging port: Most often USB-C on modern rechargeable kits.

Some devices also have an airflow slider, screen or firing button. Larger box mods can use a separate tank and removable batteries.

Vape Kit vs E-Cigarette vs Vape Pen vs Pod: Glossary Table

These terms overlap. They do not always describe separate technologies.

Term	What it means	Main distinction
Vape or e-cigarette	General term for a device that heats e-liquid	Broad category, not a specific shape
Vape kit	A package containing a vape device and certain compatible parts	Check what the box actually includes
Pod kit	A device using a removable pod or cartridge	May be refillable or use prefilled replacements
Vape pen	A usually cylindrical vape device	Describes the shape rather than a particular liquid system
Box mod	A larger battery device, often paired with a separate tank	May offer power adjustments and removable batteries
AIO (all-in-one)	An integrated device with its reservoir housed within the main assembly	Can still have removable coils or cartridges
Squonk mod	A specialist device with a squeezable internal e-liquid bottle	Feeds a compatible bottom-feed atomiser

What is an AIO vape?

AIO means all-in-one. Instead of using a separate tank, an AIO device usually incorporates the liquid reservoir into the body of the device. Some have a removable cartridge or coil.

What is a squonk mod?

A squonk mod contains a flexible and refillable e-liquid bottle housed inside the device. When squeezed, the bottle feeds liquid through a specially designed connection into a bottom-feed rebuildable atomiser, often a rebuildable dripping atomiser (RDA). Users must understand coil installation, wicking, resistance and battery safety. It is specialist equipment that when used properly and safely can offer a fantastic vaping experience.

Types of Vape Kits and Styles

Refillable pod systems are rechargeable vape devices that use pods filled from an e-liquid bottle. Reusable prefilled pods kits are rechargeable devices with separately available prefilled replacement pods. Vape pens typically have a cylindrical battery section with a refillable tank and coil. Box mods often supply adjustable power to an attached tank and coil.

The main vaping styles are:

● Mouth-to-lung (MTL): The vapour is drawn into the mouth first, then inhaled, similar to the action of smoking a cigarette. Devices usually have a tighter airflow and lower output.

● Restricted direct-to-lung (RDTL): Vapour is inhaled directly, but through a moderately restricted airflow.

● Direct-to-lung (DTL): Vapour is inhaled directly through a more open airflow, often using higher powered vape devices that produce a large amount of vapour and operate at sub-ohm levels.

Sub-ohm means that a coil has a resistance below one ohm. It doesn’t automatically mean the device must be used for DTL, because airflow, device specifications and user preference also matter.

What Do You Need Besides the Kit?

While kits generally include all of the device equipment you need, they do not always include absolutely everything. Before buying you kit, check for the following:

● E-liquid or prefilled pod replacements: You’ll need e-liquid for your refillable system if your kit does not include one in the deal. A prefilled pod kit needs device specific pods.

● Replacement pods or coils: Coils wear out. Confirm that replacements are available and identify that they are the correct ones for your chosen device.

● Charging equipment: While the majority of kits come with a USB-C charging cable, not all do, and none come with a suitable power supply. Make sure you purchase a compatible power supply sufficient to charge your chosen device safely. Some advanced kits will require separate batteries and an appropriate external charger.

● Instructions and maintenance supplies: Keep the device’s instruction manual, and use a dry microfibre cloth to clean all accessible contacts on a regular basis.

● An ongoing budget: You need to factor in e-liquid and replacement pods and coils, not just the initial device price.

A nicotine strength printed as mg/ml describes the amount of nicotine in each millilitre of liquid, not the amount you get with each puff. Nicotine strength and PG/VG ratio needs to be compatible with your chosen equipment.

Examples of Vape Kits

VapeGala has a massive range of all of the different kinds and styles of kits and devices, below are some examples.

Vaporesso XROS 6 Mini Pod Kit: A refillable, auto draw activated device with a 1600mAh built-in battery, adjustable airflow and a supplied 2ml 0.6Ω XROS cartridge. Compatible replacement pods belong to all kits in the XROS family.

Voopoo Argus G3 Pod Kit: A refillable device with a 1500mAh battery, adjustable output from 5 to 30W, airflow control and a display. It comes with both a 2ml 0.4Ω and 0.7Ω Argus cartridge in the package.

Hayati Rubik 7000: A rechargeable prefilled pod kit with an 850mAh battery, a 2ml pod and a separate 10ml auto-refill container. The included e-liquid is 20mg/ml nicotine strength and the is a massive range of replacement prefilled pod.

Uwell Caliburn G5 Pod Kit: A refillable device with a 1600mAh battery, up to 35W adjustable power output, a touchscreen and three 2ml cartridges in the box.

Basic Setup, Charging and UK Rules

For a refillable vape device, inspect it for damage, fit the correct pod or coil, fill through the marked opening and allow the new coil or pod to soak in e-liquid for at least ten minutes. Take your first puff by ising the auto draw system or the button activation.

Make sure to use the recommended charging equipment. Never charge a vape unattended or overnight, or use a damaged or swollen battery. Store e-liquid securely away from children and pets, and take unwanted or broken vapes to an electrical recycling point rather than putting them in household waste.

UK businesses have been banned from selling or supplying single-use vapes since 1 June 2025. Prefilled pod kits must meet rules on recharging, refilling and replaceable parts. For regulated consumer nicotine products, the main limits include 2ml tanks, 10ml nicotine refill bottles and a maximum 20mg/ml nicotine strength. Nicotine vape sales to under-18s are prohibited; expanded age-of-sale rules covering all vaping and consumer nicotine products begin on 29 October 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a vape kit?

A vape kit is a battery-powered nicotine delivery system containing a device and the appropriate compatible components, usually a pod or tank and in most cases, extra pods or coils. The coil heats e-liquid into an inhalable vapour. Some kits need bottled e-liquid or replacement pods bought separately.

How does a vape kit work?

An auto draw sensor or button activates the battery, which sends electricity to a coil. The coil warms e-liquid held by a cotton wick, producing a vapour that passes through the mouthpiece.

What is the difference between a vape kit and an e-cigarette?

An e-cigarette is the device itself, while a vape kit usually means the device sold together with a selection of associated parts. In everyday use, retailers and often use the terms interchangeably.

What do I need to buy besides the kit?

That depends on the box contents. A refillable kit may require e-liquid and, later, replacement pods or coils. A prefilled system needs compatible replacement pods. You may also need a suitable charging cable, adaptor or external batteries.

Final Summary

A vape kit consists of a battery unit, a liquid reservoir (usually a tank or pod) and a heating element (coil). The main differences between products is whether they are refillable or prefilled, how the coil is replaced, the available airflow and power settings. Check compatibility and safety before use.