Best Vape Kit for Smokers

Vaping is an option that many smokers will have seen or become aware of in recent years, but it often seems like a far more complicated option than simply lighting up a cigarette and smoking it.

However, it really doesn’t have to be, and with the massive number of options available for smokers looking to move into vaping, there is an option that works for everyone. Whether you’re looking to quit cold turkey, or simply reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke on a daily basis, this is your guide to the best vape kits for smokers. We’ll go over why vaping is a great option for smokers, different types of e-cigs, how you can choose the right vape for you, as well as how you can use vaping to reduce your cigarette intake.

Why Switch to Vaping?

You’ll have seen time and time again the health risks of smoking regularly, so you know that there are a thousand reasons to quit smoking. However, what you might not know is how effective vaping can be in helping you to cut down or quit. While not entirely risk-free, vaping is estimated to be 95% safer than smokingcigarettes, and as it can reduce both the physical and mental cravings of smoking, unlike many other quitting methods, like patches or gum, which can help satisfy nicotine cravings but won’t help to curb habitual movements or sensations. A 2015 study shows that vaping is actually far less addictive than smoking (around as, or even less addictive than, nicotine gum), even when they contain nicotine, making vaping an excellent stepping stone for smokers looking to cut down or quit smoking entirely.

Vaping is also more affordable than smoking, with many smokers spending upwards of £2,500-£3,000 per year on their habit. While the costs of vaping can vary massively, depending on how often you vape , the kind of technology you buy and how regularly you upgrade it, as well as whether you use pods or e-liquid, generally vaping will cost the average user only around £500 per year. You might even find that you’ll save on electricity and water costs, as vapour doesn’t stick to clothes and fabric the same way cigarette smoke does, which means less washing and less redecorating. The vapour from an e-cigarette is made up of vegetable glycerin, propylene glycol, nicotine, and food-grade flavourings, and dissipates quickly as long as you’re in a relatively well-ventilated area. It also won’t stain furnishings, walls, ceilings and your fingers, unlike cigarettes. Not to mention, second-hand vapour isn’t harmful to those around in the same way second-hand cigarette smoke is.

There are considerably fewer ingredients in e-liquid, whether you’re buying it yourself or in a pod cartridge. E-liquid, like the vapour, contains the same vegetable glycerin, propylene glycol, nicotine, and food-grade flavourings, while cigarettes and cigarette smoke contain over 4000 chemical compounds , including solid particles such as nicotine and naphthalene, gases like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, and liquid vapours such as ammonia, acetone, formaldehyde and methane. These can come from not only the burning of the tobacco but also the burning of the cigarette paper and trace chemicals left on the leaves of the tobacco from agriculture and harvesting.

How Can Vaping Help You Quit Smoking?

Vaping is such an effective method to help smokers quit, as there isn’t any pressure, and they have the smallest amount of disruption to your daily routines. Vaping is also popular for smokers to use in a supplementary manner - many people who smoke also vape, and vice versa. This reduces your overall cigarette consumption and tobacco intake without making you go cold turkey. Using both cigarettes and vaping means you can get your nicotine fix more easily, as there are currently no laws against vaping in public places, though of course many businesses, restaurants, offices and public transport providers have their own policies on the use of vapes.

Vape juice, sometimes called e-liquid, is also available in a variety of different strengths, to help curb cigarette cravings for both moderate and heavy smokers. At V2, we offer our Starter Packs at a variety of different nicotine strengths - 0%, 0.6%, 1.2% and 1.8%. The strength that is right for you will depend on how much you smoke. We offer these options for all of our products, including our e-liquids, some of which have a 0.3% strength option as well. Too low a concentration and you might feel unsatisfied and still experience cravings, while too high can give that ‘light-headed’ feeling - if this happens, stop vaping or vape less regularly and switch to a lower strength. Having different strengths of nicotine in the vape juice also allows smokers trying to quit to reduce their nicotine dependency gradually over time without feeling cigarette cravings.

Vaping is a fantastic way to help reduce smoking cravings, not only because you can adjust the strength of the nicotine dose, but because vaping is also associated with many of the physical sensations that come alongside smoking, which can be just as hard to shake as nicotine cravings. The simple sensation of moving your hand (and a cigarette) to your mouth and back is something that many smokers find difficult to deal with after they’ve quit, as it’s such an automatic reaction after many years of routine. E-cigarettes like the V2 starter packs are designed to look and feel like a cigarette , helping to emulate the routine of smoking, with the same kind of sensation as before. Vaping also gives you the same sensation of inhaling and exhaling, albeit in a slightly different way to traditional cigarette smoking. It allows the quick “rush” of nicotine that is associated with smoking a cigarette, without all of the unhealthy smokes and chemicals that come hand in hand with them. As you’re inhaling with a vape in a similar way to cigarette smoking, you still get the warm “throat hit” that you’re used to.

For every person wanting to reduce their cigarette usage or quit smoking altogether, there is a vape option that works for them. Whether you’re looking for a way to stop socially smoking or have been a heavy smoker for many years, you’ll be able to find a vape kit that helps you cut down on cigarettes and live a healthier life without disrupting your day-to-day or making curbing your cravings difficult.

What Should You Look for in a Vape Kit?

There are so many different options when you start looking into vaping that it can seem overwhelming, but there are a few key things that you should consider before choosing the vape kit is right for you. A vape kit can be a great way to start your journey towards smoking less, as you know you can get started straight away. All of the different elements of the vaping device are guaranteed to be compatible, and buying as a bundle will save you money on the upfront cost of a vape.

What’s Included?

Most vape kits will include everything you need to get started. You’ll get the vaping device itself - this is the main body of the vape and contains a battery and the circuitry of the device (which you need to heat the vape juice or e-liquid and create vapour), as well as a charging cable. If you’re buying a vape with a cartridge or pod system, these should come with your kit, and is the part of the vape that contains the nicotine and flavourings. If you’re getting a vape device with refillable e-liquid, then you might have to buy this separately. Most beginner kits will have batteries included as part of the device, but some will come with separate batteries which you’ll have to buy separately.

Shape & Size

Small, skinny e-cigs are sometimes called vape pens. These are slim, discreet and don’t take up too much space. There’s a huge amount of variety in among vape pens - some are small, narrow and flat, like the  Innokin MVP Pod.

There are also many so-called “cigalike” options available, such as the V2 Cigs Classic E-Cigarette and the V2 EX Series, which are round, to emulate the shape and size of a real cigarette. The V2 Cigs Classic is even designed to look like a cigarette, with a thin white battery and coloured flavour cartridges to further emulate the experience of smoking a cigarette, making it easier than ever to switch. However, it’s worth noting that in general, the smaller the device, the smaller the battery.

Best Vape for Heavy smokers

If you want something a bit more durable and long-lasting, you can also look into cartridge/tank options, which are bigger and heavier but can last longer before needing refilling or changing the cartridge, have greater power output and a longer battery life on average so are ideal for heavy smokers.

Some can even fit more than one battery for the best and longest performance around. They are also less likely to break or leak than the smaller more delicate vape pens. Larger tanks can also have more advanced features, such as LED screens, adjustable temperature and voltage gauges, battery monitors and more. These so-called box mods can give you the freedom and flexibility to get to know your vaping preference beyond the simple flavour and strength of the vape juice.

Battery Life

Battery life is an incredibly important thing to consider when it comes to choosing the right vape kit for you, as the last thing you want it your vape running out when you need it the most. However, with longer battery life comes larger vape devices, so finding the right balance for you and how you want to use your vape is key.

The V2 Cigs Classic E-Cigarette comes with a standard 79mm 250mAh battery, which lasts for around 200 puffs . We also offer a long classic battery, which is 110mm, 380mAh and lasts for around 300 puffs. This gives you an idea of how long a smaller, more discreet battery pack can last, though once you start moving into larger battery packs, the options are almost endless. Most vape pens and other larger box mods are also rechargeable, using a USB-C charger, making it easy to charge your vape at home, in the car or at the office. Many smaller batteries do have the advantage of charging more quickly than their bulkier counterparts, however. This gives you an idea of how long a smaller, more discreet battery pack can last, though once you start moving into larger battery packs, the options are almost endless. The XEO VOID Vaporizer, which has a 1500mAh battery in a 120mm long case to last you as long as you need it, while still sitting in a small, convenient package!

Finding the vape device with the best battery life against size against the cost for you can seem complex, but with our wide variety of starter kits, as well as more advanced models, you’ll be able to find the right balance for you easily.

Nicotine Strength

With most vape kits, you can choose your nicotine strength, from between 0%-2%. The most common strength options are 0.6%, 1.2% and 1.8% , though many of our products also have options for 0% nicotine, and some as high as 2% strength.

This variation allows you to find the right strength to help you reduce or stop your smoking habit, without feeling withdrawal symptoms or increasing your nicotine intake. As a rule of thumb, 0.6% nicotine concentration will be right for you if you currently smoke 1-10 cigarettes per day, 1.2% is equivalent to 10-20 cigarettes per day, and if you smoke over 20 cigarettes per day, 1.8% nicotine will be the right concentration for you. These aren’t hard and fast rules, and you may need to experiment to be sure what strength is right for you, but should be a guideline to get you started on your journey to becoming smoke-free. If you find yourself craving cigarettes or a vape more often than before you started, you might need to increase your nicotine concentration, while feeling nauseous, lightheaded or feeling a strong throat hit.

Having these different strengths also allows you to gradually reduce your nicotine intake easily, without having to change your habits or the flavour of your vape.

Pods vs. E-Liquids

If you want a low maintenance option from your vape, and then pod kits are ideal, as they simply pop, click or screw into the battery module, and away you go! Simply discard the pre-filled pod when you’re done with it and put another one in. Vaping pods are slightly more expensive than e-liquids, but they have the bonus of convenience, especially for smokers trying to quit or cut down, as there’s no need to fiddle with tanks and liquids before getting your hit. Over time, refillable e-cigs are slightly more economical and allow you more flexibility in the flavours, strengths and products you can use, but they do require more maintenance from you , which isn’t always appealing, especially when you’re just starting to quit. There are some restrictions on pods and their compatibility with certain devices, while most e-liquids can be used with any refillable vape.

Our Best Vape Kits for Smokers

We offer a variety of starter kits to help you begin making the switch. Out starter kits are affordable and give you everything you need to cut down on cigarettes!

V2 Starter Pack

The V2 Starter Pack is a brilliant intro to vaping, especially for smokers because of its cigalike design, making the transition smooth for you. The V2 Starter Pack contains a standard device with a 250mAh battery in a 78mm case . It is lightweight, slim and discreet, and won’t weigh you down or take up space in your bags and pockets. You’ll also get an Express USB charger so you can charge quickly and easily at home, at work or on the move. Our Starter Pack comes with four flavour profile options so you can try a variety of different flavours to help find your favourite. You can choose from tobacco flavours (a set of four cartridges), menthol flavours (a set of four), sweet flavours (a set of three) or fruity flavours (a set of three). You can also choose your strength - the V2 Starter Pack comes with cartridges in 0%, 0.6%, 1.2% or 1.8% nicotine concentrations.

Disposable Vapes

In 2023 disposable vapes become very popular again because they are cheap and convenient, though not very eco-friendly due the amount of lithium battery and plastic waste they are generating. If you want to use a disposable vape we suggest you start with the Elf Bar 20mg 600 offers a 2% (20mg/ml) nicotine strength vape. Long term though, disposable vape pens are a relatively expensive way to vape therefore, to save money, we recommend you use a refillable/rechargeable vape kit.

To find out more about the products we recommend for beginner vapers, and how to get started with vaping, take a look at some of the starter kits we offer, or look at our Beginner’s Guide To Vaping for all the information you need!