The main types of vape kits are prefilled pod, refillable pod, pen-style and box mod. For most adults choosing their first vape kit, a pod kit is the simplest format, pen kits suit those happy to refill and change coils, and box mods suit experienced users.
- Vape kits come in four formats: prefilled pod, refillable pod, pen-style and box mod.
- The Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 limit tanks and pods to 2ml, refill bottles to 10ml and nicotine to 20mg/ml.
- Single-use vapes have been banned in the UK since 1 June 2025, so vapes sold today must be rechargeable and refillable, or take replaceable pods or coils.
- Pods and coils are usually brand-specific, so check compatibility before choosing replacements.
Types of vape kits at a glance
Vape kits come in four main formats: prefilled pod, refillable pod, pen-style and box mod. Each differs in how it holds e-liquid, how much upkeep it needs and how much control it gives you. The table compares them side by side.
| Feature | Prefilled pod | Refillable pod | Pen-style | Box mod |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | Fit a filled pod | Fill the pod from a bottle | Battery plus refillable tank | Large battery plus tank |
| Refilling | None; replace the pod | Top up from a bottle | Top up the tank | Top up the tank |
| Size | Small | Small | Slim | Largest |
| Controls | Few or none | Usually simple | Basic | Adjustable settings |
| Upkeep | Lowest | Low to medium | Medium; coil changes | Highest |
| E-liquid | Set by the pod | Nic salt or freebase; check device | Freebase; check device | Freebase; check device |
| Suits | Simplest format | Choice with low fuss | Adults who like to refill | Experienced adults |
Five terms appear throughout this guide.
- MTL (mouth-to-lung): you draw vapour into your mouth first, then inhale.
- DTL (direct-to-lung): you inhale straight into your lungs, usually from a more open-airflow device.
- PG/VG: propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine, the two base liquids in e-liquid. PG carries flavour and throat hit, while VG gives thicker vapour.
- Nic salt: a nicotine salt formulation that gives a smoother throat hit at higher strengths.
- Coil: the small heating part that warms the e-liquid and wears out over time.
What are pod kits, prefilled and refillable?
Pod kits are small rechargeable devices that hold e-liquid in a pod, and the pod is either prefilled or refillable. iBreathe stocks both.
- Prefilled pods arrive filled with e-liquid and are replaced when empty. Our prefilled pod kits include brands such as SKE and Hayati.
- Refillable pods are topped up from a bottle. Our refillable pod kits include the Romio Aster R Refillable Pod Starter Kit and the Vaporesso XROS Mini Retro Pod Vape Kit, a draw-activated refillable pod kit with a built-in battery.
UK law sets three limits that apply to every kit type. Under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016, tanks and pods hold up to 2ml, refill bottles hold up to 10ml, and nicotine e-liquid is capped at 20mg/ml.
Single-use vapes have been banned in the UK since 1 June 2025, according to DEFRA’s single-use vapes ban guidance. A pod kit is rechargeable and takes refillable or replaceable pods, which is what makes it reusable. iBreathe sells rechargeable kits with refillable or replaceable pods.
What is a vape pen kit?
A vape pen kit is a slim device that pairs a rechargeable battery with a refillable tank and a replaceable coil. The coil is the small heating part that warms the e-liquid, and it needs replacing as it wears out. Because you fill the tank from a bottle, you choose the e-liquid, strength and flavour.
Pen-style kits generally give more control over e-liquid choice than prefilled pods, but they need more upkeep. You refill the tank, change coils and keep the device clean. They suit adults who are happy to do those tasks. See our refillable vape kits category for current options.
The main pod kit vs vape pen differences are practical:
- Filling: a pod kit may use a prefilled pod, while a pen always uses a tank you fill.
- Parts: pod kits swap the whole pod, while pen kits swap the coil inside the tank.
- Control: pen kits usually offer more choice of e-liquid and settings.
What is a box mod kit, and is it for beginners?
A box mod kit is a larger device with a bigger battery, adjustable settings and a tank, and it has a steeper learning curve than pod or pen kits. Settings such as power output let you change how the device performs. That also means more to learn and more to get wrong.
Box mods generally suit experienced adult vapers rather than a first kit. The same UK limits apply: a box mod tank holds no more than 2ml, and nicotine e-liquid is capped at 20mg/ml under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016.
Which vape kit is simplest for a first kit?
Adults choosing a first kit are usually well served by a starter kit or prefilled pod kit, because these have few steps and few parts. Our starter vape kits category includes both prefilled and refillable options, such as the Romio Aster R and the Vaporesso XROS Mini Retro.
Match the e-liquid to the device. Freebase 70PG/30VG e-liquid suits mouth-to-lung devices, while nic salts suit pod systems and give a smoother throat hit at higher strengths.
Under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016, nicotine-containing vapes and refill liquids must be notified to the MHRA before they are sold, according to MHRA guidance on e-cigarette regulations. A quick way to decide:
- Want the fewest steps and parts? Choose a prefilled pod kit.
- Happy to fill a pod from a bottle? Choose a refillable pod kit.
- Want to pick your own coil and tank? Choose a pen-style kit.
Can existing vapers switch kit types for more choice?
Yes, existing vapers can switch kit types at any time, but the e-liquid and nicotine format may need to change too. Refillable pod kits and refillable kits let you choose your own e-liquid. Running costs vary with how much you vape, so compare current product pages.
Pods and coils are usually brand-specific, so check that a replacement matches your exact device. Before you switch, check four things:
- Nicotine format: nic salt is common in pod systems, while freebase is common in tank kits.
- Strength: follow the device maker’s guidance, remembering the UK cap of 20mg/ml.
- PG/VG ratio: check the ratio the device is designed for.
- Bottle and tank size: refills come in 10ml bottles at most, and tanks and pods hold up to 2ml.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest type of vape kit to use?
A prefilled pod kit is usually the easiest type of vape kit to use. You fit a filled pod, charge the device and replace the pod when it runs out. There is no e-liquid to pour and no coil to change, so there are fewer steps and fewer parts.
Is a pod kit or a vape pen better value over time?
Value depends on how much you vape. Refillable kits use e-liquid from 10ml bottles plus replacement coils or pods, while prefilled kits need new pods each time. Compare the current cost of a pod or coil against a bottle on the live product pages, using the same nicotine strength.
What size can a vape tank or pod be in the UK?
UK law limits tanks and pods to 2ml. The Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 also cap refill bottles at 10ml and nicotine e-liquid at 20mg/ml. Those limits apply to every kit type, including pen-style and box mod kits with a refillable tank.
Do I need a different e-liquid for a pod kit than for a pen?
Often yes. Freebase 70PG/30VG e-liquid suits mouth-to-lung devices, while nic salts are commonly used in pod systems because they give a smoother throat hit at higher strengths. Always check the strength and PG/VG ratio the manufacturer recommends, and remember UK nicotine e-liquid is capped at 20mg/ml.
Are prefilled pod kits the same as disposable vapes?
No. Single-use vapes have been banned in the UK since 1 June 2025, according to DEFRA’s single-use vapes ban guidance. A reusable prefilled pod kit is rechargeable and takes replacement pods. iBreathe sells rechargeable kits with refillable or replaceable pods.
Verdict: which type should you start with?
Start with a prefilled or refillable pod kit if you want the fewest steps. Move to a pen-style kit for more control, and leave box mods until you are an experienced adult vaper. Browse our vape kits to compare formats; all products are for adults aged 18 or over.
