Elf Bar Mate 500 vs Elf Bar 600 - a Side by Side Comparison

As vaping evolves and changes with the times, so do the trends that produce a viable alternative to smoking. Like the current changes in the sea, we’ve seen the popularity of devices switching between disposables, pod kits and vape mods. However, recently all the fuss has been about disposables. Elf Bar is one of the reasons for that, becoming a trendsetter, creating a range of disposable kits since emerging in 2018, such as the Elf Bar 600, which you can throw away as soon as it runs out of e-liquid.

Manufacturers Elf Bar has been working on innovating the current disposable products and have now released the prefilled pod system Elf Bar Mate 500, a disposable pod system where you chuck the prefilled pod in the bin and buy another, keeping and charging the battery-powered device. Which is better and why? Let’s do a deep dive with a full review of both kits and understand which is better for vapers - regardless of level.

Functionality and How to Use Each Device

To begin with, we will look at the most recent release - the Elf Bar Mate 500. This holds a 500mAh rechargeable battery using a type-c charger. Meaning you can recover quickly from an empty charge to start vaping again. It’s super simple to change your e-liquids, with the P1 Pods ( sold separately here) available in packs of two and offering eight different flavours. They’re the same as the disposable Elf Bar 600, including the popular Blue Razz Lemonade and Kiwi Passion Fruit Guava! No coil change is necessary, with the key vaping accessory pre-installed in each pod to save time and effort.

To pop the P1 Pods into the battery, they slide in and out via the magnetic connection for easy removal and replacement. Before popping a new pod in to use, click the button at the bottom of each pod to activate it. There are no buttons or screens on the Elf Bar Mate 500 with no adjustable settings. That means you have a back to basics kit that’s ideal for beginners and proves its use as a backup for those wanting to switch it up from a vape mod providing more features for the vaper.

Meanwhile, the Elf Bar 600 disposable vape pen kit boasts an even greater simplicity than the Elf Bar Mate 500, yet still performing excellently. A similar design with no buttons, it’s your quintessential starter mouth to lung kit that looks and acts the part. What creates a divide of sorts between vapers is the discussion about the worth of disposables as a long-term solution from an environmental perspective.

With the Elf Bar 600, once the e-liquid finishes, you toss the whole device - including the battery - in the bin. Both are auto-draw devices, meaning inhaling like you would a cigarette by puffing on the mouthpiece.

Do They Vape the Same?

In terms of longevity, there is not too much difference between the disposable Elf Bar 600 and the Mate 500. The former has a 550mAh battery while the latter has a 500mAh, so you get slightly more life from the disposable, but this can’t be re-charged.

Regarding the flavour, both offer a cool and sweet vaping experience with intense taste due to the low power wattage device, coil resistance of 1.2 Ohms and strength of the nicotine with 2% nic salt in the 2ml P1 Pods and the Elf Bar 600 kit. Each device creates a relatively restrictive mouth to lung draw. The throat hit is good on both but the Elf Bar Mate 500 has slightly less of a throat hit, if that's your ideal vape. Because of the temperature from each device, you get just the right amount of vapour - not loads for cloud chasing but just enough for a generous mouth to lung. The pod kit also has a dual coil system for a smoother vape and enhanced flavour compared to the disposable range, with transparent pods meaning you can see how much e-liquid is left, which is a handy feature.

If you seek a warmer vape, opt for a lower resistance coil and more power from a vape mod with a larger battery, like the VOOPOO Drag S.

Appearance Breakdown

The disposable range of Elf Bars and the new Elf Bar Mate 500 pod kit system all stand out for their sleek design, bold colours and comfortable duck-shaped mouthpieces. As a size comparison:

1. Elf Bar 600 Disposable - Height of 104mm and diameter of 16mm.
2. Elf Bar Mate 500 - Height of 104.5mm x 18.9mm x 11.4mm.

Both have a cylinder shape at the base but the Elf Bar Mate 500 is slightly different at the mouthpiece attached to the coils because it’s more curved and less squared off than the Elf Bar 600. Elf Bar recognises convenience is a big factor for vapers, not only creating disposable systems in some essence but also making light vape kits that are easy to carry and hold while vaping. Each made with a unique metallic texture, it’s not only the draw that’s smooth but the products too!

Price Comparison - Which is Better Value?

So you have two options - pick an all-in-one disposable kit where you throw away the whole device (Elf Bar 600) and keep stocking up on your favourite flavours for £5.49 a bar. For most MTL vapers, this should last anywhere between a day or two depending on how often you vape. In contrast, with the Elf Bar Mate 500, the battery-charged device comes with a type-c charger and is available at an affordable £7.99. You can always use the same vape kit and only need to replace the P1 Pods when they run out. Two pods in a pack cost a respectable £4.95 and each store 2ml of e-liquid with a 1.2 Ohm coil resistance. For value and to help the environment, the pods remain the better choice short and long term.

Key Advantages and Disadvantages With the Elf Bar Mate 500

• Disposable pods but keeping the battery device means less environmental waste
• Cost-effective alternative to disposable Elf Bar 600
• Coil system design keeps e-liquid separate from the coil for a longer fresher taste
• Magnetic pods are simple to fit

Positives and Negatives of the Elf Bar 600 Disposable Vape Pen

• Easier to use and ideal for beginners
• Lightweight throw away device that requires no setup, coil or e-liquid changing
• Compact and huge range of Elf Bar 600 flavours to pick from
• Throwing away plastic and batteries damages the environment
• Can be more costly if you use disposables multiple times a week

Verdict

Elf Bar, despite only being around a few years, continues to demonstrate its knack of producing awesome vape kits that beginners and expert vapers will love. Both the disposable Elf Bar 600 and the new Elf Bar Mate 500 offer a user-friendly set-up, slick design and fantastic performance that delivers resounding flavour, whichever you pick. For longevity, the Elf Bar Mate 500 is a wise choice but bear in mind if you lose the kit you'll have to replace the battery and the P1 Pods while the Elf Bar 600 is a sound option if you want no fuss whatsoever about changing e-liquids, so even if you misplace it all you have to do is buy another and start vaping again, whether that's with the same flavour or one of the other seven you can pick from.