Refillable Pods

Refillable vape pods are an easy, flexible way to keep your pod kit topped up and performing at its best. They’re a smart alternative to prefilled pods, offering more flexibility, better value for money and an easier way to customise your vape. Unlike prefilled pods, which are thrown away once they’re empty, refillable options can be topped up again and again with whatever e-liquid you prefer, whether that’s nicotine salts or shortfills. Plus, they keep things simple and easy to use. At Vape Shop, we stock a wide range of replacement pods designed to work with various refillable kits, including Smok, Aspire and Vaporesso systems. Shop our collection for the best refillable vape pods to replace worn cartridges or pick up a spare that fits your kit.

Refillable vape pod features

Refillable vape pods are a core component of many modern pod kits, designed to make everyday vaping simple, flexible and reliable.

Refillable design — Made to be topped up with e-liquid multiple times, making them ideal for regular use.
Built-in or replaceable coils — The pod houses the coil that creates vapour, delivering consistent flavour until it reaches the end of its lifespan.
Side-fill or top-fill systems — Refillable vape pods usually feature either a side-fill port or a top-fill design that opens from the mouthpiece, allowing you to refill without removing the pod from the device. Both options are designed to make refilling quick and help to reduce leaks and spills.
E-liquid compatibility — Suitable for a wide range of e-liquids, including nicotine salts and some shortfills, depending on the pod and device.
Designed for low-wattage vaping — Commonly used with pod kits and Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) devices for a smooth inhale and controlled vapour production.

The benefits of choosing replaceable vape pods

Choosing replaceable vape pods offers a number of practical advantages:

Lower ongoing costs — Refillable pods are more cost-effective over time, as you simply top up the e-liquid and only purchase replacement pods when needed, rather than buying new prefilled pods each time. For example, a prefilled pod typically costs around £5, while a 10ml bottle of e-liquid costs around £3, offering a saving of around 40%. Even when factoring in the cost of replacing the pod, refillable setups still work out cheaper over regular use.
Flexible vaping — Refillable pods let you use your preferred vape juice type, including nicotine salts and suitable shortfills, depending on your device and coil type.
Customisable flavour — You’re free to change flavours whenever you like, or even mix similar profiles to create your own blends. For example, combining a strawberry flavour with menthol for a cooler fruit vape.
Simple to use — Designed for straightforward refilling and everyday vaping, replaceable vape pods are easy to manage, even if you’re new to refillable systems.

Take a look at our guide to find the best pod kit for your vaping style.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, refillable vape pods are device-specific and must be compatible with the vape kit they’re designed for. Pods vary in shape, connection type and coil design, so it’s important to choose a replacement pod made for your exact device model. Using the correct pod ensures proper performance, good flavour and helps prevent leaks or connection issues.

If you’re unsure which pod you need, checking your device model or product description will help you find the right match.

Most refillable vape pods need replacing every 1–2 weeks, depending on how often you vape, the type of e-liquid you use, and your device settings. Over time, the coil inside the pod will wear out, which can affect performance and flavour.

Common signs it’s time to replace your refillable vape pod include:

A burnt or unpleasant taste that doesn’t improve after refilling
Weaker flavour compared to when the pod was new
Reduced vapour production
Leaking or gurgling, even when the pod is fitted correctly

Replacing the pod at the right time helps keep your vape performing properly and prevents a poor vaping experience.

Refillable vape pods can use either built-in coils or replaceable coils, depending on the device. The main difference is how they’re maintained:

Pods with built-in coils — The coil is permanently housed inside the pod, so when flavour drops off or the coil wears out, the entire pod is replaced. This makes them a great option for beginners, especially if you’re switching from prefilled pods or disposables following the UK ban, as there’s no need to handle or change coils separately.
Pods with replaceable coils — The pod itself can be reused, with only the coil being replaced when it reaches the end of its lifespan. This option suits vapers who want a bit more control over maintenance and potentially lower running costs over time.

Read our Vape Coil Guide to learn more.

Filling a refillable vape pod is quick and straightforward, but doing it correctly helps prevent leaks and burnt hits. Follow these simple steps for the best results:

Remove the pod if needed — Some pods, especially side-fill designs, need to be taken out of the device before filling. Many top-fill pods can be filled while still attached by opening the mouthpiece or top cap.
Clean the pod if required — If switching flavours, briefly rinse the pod with warm water, shake out excess liquid, and allow it to dry fully before refilling. Skip this step for regular top-ups.
Open the fill port — This will be either a silicone plug on the side of the pod or a top-fill cap, depending on the design.
Fill with e-liquid — Insert the bottle nozzle into the fill port and gently squeeze. Avoid overfilling and keep e-liquid out of the central airflow tube.
Close the fill port securely — Ensure the plug or cap is fully sealed to prevent leaks.
Let the coil soak — Leave the filled pod to sit for 5–10 minutes before vaping so the coil can fully absorb the e-liquid.

Helpful tips:

Always check the maximum fill line if your pod has one.
Use e-liquids suited to your device, such as nicotine salts for most pod kits.
If the pod is brand new, allowing extra soaking time can help extend coil life.

Cleaning a refillable vape pod helps remove leftover e-liquid residue and keeps flavours tasting fresh, especially when switching flavours. The cleaning process depends on whether the pod uses a built-in coil or a replaceable coil.

Pods with built-in coils — These pods can only be lightly cleaned. While you can rinse the pod to remove leftover e-liquid, the coil itself cannot be cleaned or restored once it starts to wear out.
Pods with replaceable coils — The pod can be cleaned, but the coil should always be removed and replaced.

Steps to clean a refillable vape pod:

Remove the pod from the device and empty any remaining e-liquid.
If the pod has a replaceable coil, remove and discard the old coil.
Rinse the pod with warm water by running it under a gentle stream or swishing water through it, then pour out the water. Do not soak the pod.
Gently shake off excess water and allow the pod to air dry completely.
Fit a new coil if required, refill with e-liquid, and allow it to soak before vaping.

Helpful tips:

Do not use soap, detergents, or alcohol, as these can leave residue and affect flavour.
Never rinse or soak a used coil — coils are consumable and should be replaced.
If a burnt taste remains after cleaning, the pod or coil has reached the end of its lifespan.

The main difference between side-fill and top-fill pods is how you access the fill port, which affects convenience and how you refill.

Side-fill pods — Side-fill pods are refilled by lifting a small silicone plug on the side of the pod. They usually need to be removed from the device before filling, but the sealed fill port helps reduce leaks once the pod is fitted back in place.
Top-fill pods — Top-fill pods open from the mouthpiece, allowing you to refill the pod without removing it from the device. This makes topping up quicker and more convenient, especially if you refill often or want a fast, mess-free option.

Both side-fill and top-fill pods are designed to keep refilling simple. The best choice comes down to how often you refill and whether you prefer quick access or a more secure fill port.