The most prolific vapor device category known to man is undoubtedly pods. Our Best Pod Vapes 2021 article has recently been updated. We also encourage you to weigh in by voting on any pod vape you’ve used by voting on each of them below.
Pod vapes have taken the world by storm over the past few years. The primary reasons that pod based vapes have become so popular are their compact size, satisfying power and intuitive design.
While pod vapes are a phenomenal option for newbies, there’s currently one main drawback. The cost of most non-refillable pods is astronomical compared to vapes and tanks that can be refilled.
However, we’re beginning to see some pod based vapes that are indeed refillable and they’re flying off the shelves.
The Best Pod Vapes – Top Devices & Starter Kits 2021
- Novo 3: by Smoktech
- Drag NANO: by VooPoo
- Vagon: by Suorin
- GLIM: by Innokin
- Edge: by Suorin
- Reno: by Suorin
- Mag Pod: by Smoktech
- Novo X: by Smoktech
- Q Ultra: by Lost Vape
- Nord 2: by Smoktech
- NFIX: by Smoktech
- RPM 2: by Smoktech
- Drag MAX Pod: by VooPoo
- Aegis Hero Pod: by GeekVape
- Air Plus: by Suorin
- Aegis Pod: by GeekVape
- Lyra: by Lost Vape
- Shine: by Suorin
- Prana: by Lost Vape
- Alto: by VUSE
- myBlue: by BLU
- Ace: by NJOY
- JUUL: by JUUL Labs
- Ripstick G2: by Riptide
Best Deals for May
Pod Mod
Refillable
Cheap
A Beginner’s Guide to The Best Pod Vapes in 2021
Pod based vapes and or vapes are flying off the shelves at both brick and mortar as well as online retail sources. Vapor users are flocking towards pod based systems because they’re intuitive, low maintenance and high performing. Ironically enough, while the vapor industry was generally trending towards more advanced devices featuring more options and customization, the majority of the market was desiring simplicity and intuitiveness. In the same vein, the JUUL pod based system sat largely dormant in terms of popularity and sales for it’s first two years of being available. Nonetheless, the JUUL has single handedly changed the entire vaping landscape, almost entirely for the better.
As we unpack pod based vapes and vapor devices, it’s important to know the impact that vapor products are having on tobacco cigarette sales. Furthermore, it’s imperative to have a clear understanding of how tobacco cigarette conglomerates and companies (big tobacco) have operated since the 1950’s. Only when comprehending the full picture and history of big tobacco can consumers begin to establish much needed filters when observing ‘news’ and information related to tobacco and vapor products.
For a comprehensive analysis of tobacco cigarettes, we encourage you to read our Problems with Tobacco Cigarette Smoking article. For the sake of this article however, suffice it to so that vapor products are a direct threat to tobacco cigarettes. More specifically, wildly popular pod based vaping devices that are taking marketshare away from traditional cigarettes by the hundreds of thousands are an absolute menace to an industry that was literally built on propaganda.
To be fair, the tremendous popularity of vapor products, specifically in regards to pod systems brings some real problems with it. In particular, teenage vapor use is a very real problem and needs to be dealt with appropriately. However, conflating narratives (propaganda) that are clearly aimed at throttling vaping technology through muddying the waters of information and generally spewing misinformation is blatantly obvious, especially to consumers who have successfully quit smoking via vapor products.
If you’re genuinely concerned about the safety of vapor and pod based vapor devices, that’s great. We encourage you to immediately compare the ingredients found in vapor products to those found in tobacco cigarettes. Take that information and hold onto tightly as you navigate the many webs of propaganda.
Also, bear in mind that our view on the safety of vapor products is that they are at the very least, less unhealthy than tobacco cigarettes. Importantly, the long-term effects of consuming vapor products over long periods of time requires more testing and analysis. Whereas, the long-term effects of smoking tobacco cigarettes is well known to lead to serious respiratory disease. Therefore, it’s our position that only current tobacco cigarette users should consider using vapor products in an effort to quit smoking.
Enough predication, let’s get into the nitty gritty of pod based vapes and vaping devices. The latest trend in the pod system category is pod mods, which aim at providing users with maximum power in a relatively compact and sleek design. Additionally, pod mods open the door to more cost effective solutions for these sleek and practical devices.
What are the different types of pod vapes?
Pod based electronic cigarettes or vapes are loosely defined as any vaping device that utilizes removable e liquid containing ‘pods’. Due to the rise in popularity and available of pod mods, the range of pod cig battery life, vaping power and e liquid capacity ranges widely.
Below are the current main types of pod vapes:
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Standard pod vapes are generally compact with batteries ranging from 200 to roughly 400 mAh. The majority of standard pod e cigs feature non-refillable e liquid pods, however, some devices function with pods that can indeed be refilled.
The ability to refill pods is an important factor due to the tremendous amount of savings that can be had by purchasing e liquid in bulk. In addition, one of the primary drivers in the success of standard pod vapes is the fact that the atomizer is built directly into the disposable pod, bringing the level of simplicity to a whole new level.
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POD mods are the latest craze in the world of vaping and rightfully so. Pod mods range widely in terms of battery power, adjustable settings, e liquid capacity and coil setup. They are typically described as sleek, adjustable and refillable vaping devices.
Importantly, vapor users considering an upgrade to a more powerful pod mod vaping system should be aware that they’ll be utilizing coil-heads. As opposed to standard pod vapes in which the atomizer and necessary components to produce vapor are built into the pods themselves, pod mods require users to replace coil-heads.
Like pods however, coil-heads are typically sold in packs of 4 or 5 and are easy to replace every few days, depending on usage rates. Therefore, the term ‘pod’ in the case of pod mods is essentially used to describe the e liquid chamber itself and doesn’t need to be replaced unless it’s cracked, leaking or you’re using a different type of coil-head.
Lastly, there’s little that actually differentiates a pod mod from a mini box mod. The only component that’s slightly different is the e liquid chamber, reservoir or container. The term pod mod, at least at this point in the categories evolution, is largely for marketing purposes. In other words, people are generally comfortable with pod devices because they’re easy to use. Therefore, pod mods must be simple to operate and maintain as well.
What are the best places online to buy pod vapes & pod refills?
Due to the high demand of pod based electronic cigarettes, online vape shops are either fully stocked or completely sold out of certain devices. With that being said, you’d be hard-pressed to find a corner-store or gas station in America that doesn’t stock the JUUL, NJOY Ace, myBlu and or VUSE Alto. Additionally, if you’re in the market for standard pod e cigs from small brands or top selling pod mods, your best bet is online or at select local vape shops.
Below are our favorite online sources for standard pod vapes and pod mods:
- JUUL
- VUSE
- NJOY
- BLU
- BO Vaping
- Lost Vape
- Vaporfi
- Direct Vapor
- Element Vape
- Giant Vapes
- Eight Vape
- VaporDNA
- Vapor4life
- Apollo E Cigs
What are the best selling pod vapes?
The following list of the best selling pod vape devices is robust for good reason. Outside of the ridiculous amount of JUULs and JUUL Pods sold across the country on a daily basis, along with the NJOY ACE, VUSE Alto and BLU myBlu, huge following are building behind well known advanced vaping device companies as well. The Nord and Novo series of pod mods by SMOK are among the internets most favorite. In addition, the fan-base behind everything Lost Vape is enormous. Where they can be found in the United States, everything BO Vaping also sells extremely well.
The best selling pod based vaping devices in America:
- JUUL by JUUL Vapor
- Ace by NJOY
- Alto by VUSE
- myBlu by BLU
- Nord 2 by SMOK
- Nord by SMOK
- RPM160 by SMOK
- nexMESH by SMOK
- ALIKE by SMOK
- Orion Plus by Lost Vape
- Orion Q Pro by Lost Vape
- Orion DNA Go by Lost Vape
- Lyra by Lost Vape
- UBoat by Kangertech
- Novo 2 by SMOK
- Novo by SMOK
- BO One by BO Vaping
- BO Plus by BO Vaping
- Zero by Vaporesso
- OSMALL by Vaporesso
- Vinci X by VooPoo
- Breeze 2 by Aspire
What are the greatest pod vapes of all-time?
Without question, the JUUL is the greatest pod vape of all time (or the G.O.A.T). In-fact, the JUUL is single-handedly responsible for the existence of every single competing pod vape and pod mod. Due to the tremendous success of the JUUL system and it’s lucrative pre-filled pod e liquid system, the biggest names in the tobacco industry developed devices solely based on the JUUL.
Along the same lines, the Nord series by SMOK is one of the most popular pod mod vaping devices on the internet. The sharp rise in popularity of the Nord series largely stems from vapor users seeking a similar yet less expensive vaping experience offered in a standard pod vape. Furthermore, users are able to experiment with the wide range of flavors that can be purchased separately.
- JUUL by JUUL Vapor: The JUUL is a standard pod vape that operates on pre-filled JUUL pods. The JUUL device is 200 mAh and JUUL Pods have a 0.7 mL e liquid capacity. Importantly, JUUL Pods are available in both 3% and 5% nicotine strengths.
- NORD 2 by SMOK: The NORD 2 is a sub-ohm pod mod that functions with removable coil-heads. The NORD 2 features a 1,500 mAh battery, up to 40 adjustable watts of power and has and e liquid capacity of 4.5 mL. Nord 2 coil-heads are available in a range of resistance ratings stemming from both the Nord Coil and RPM Coil lines. In addition, SMOK offers an RBA for the vaping hobbyists out there who wish to build their own coils. Importantly, the NORD 2 runs on 50PG/50VG e liquid that is sold separately in virtually unlimited flavors.
In truth, there are so many amazing pod based vapes available, it’s never been more difficult discerning which is best. If it’s not already apparent throughout this article, the answer to this question is subjective. If a vapor user’s sole desire is simplicity, availability and reliability, than opting for one of the juggernauts from JUUL, NJOY, BLU or VUSE is the best route to satisfaction.
If cost is a high priority however, opting for a pod mod is hands down the cheaper option. Not that we need to spell this out, but there’s a clear inverse relationship regarding the cost of standard pod vape and pod mod vapes. Standard pod e cigs cost next to nothing for the device, but the price of constantly purchasing pre-filled e liquid pods adds up very quickly. On the other hand, the initial cost of a pod mod device is much more expensive. However, the cost of purchasing e liquid by the milliliter offers an absolutely stupid amount of savings for savvy vapor users.
POD Vape | Best for… |
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SMOK Novo 3 | Deal |
SMOK Mag Pod | Pod Mod |
GeekVape Aegis Hero | Refillable |
VUSE Alto | Cheap |
Pod Vape Testing Methodology
Pod vapes and vapes are the talk of the town and for good reason. They’re generally sleek, incredibly intuitive, widely available and perform extremely well compared to other vaping devices. Therefore, upon the production of this article is was critical that we tested every single device we could get our hands on. In the event that we weren’t able to personally try a pod device, we pulled together all available public information in reaching our conclusions.