How do vape pods work?

Vape pods work by connecting the liquid supply to a rechargeable battery. When you inhale, the battery powers a built-in coil that heats the fluid, turning it into a breathable vapour. This process happens in three quick steps: Activation — Most modern pod kits feature inhale-activation. When you take a puff, an airflow sensor signals the battery to fire. Heating — Power flows through the metal heating element, which instantly heats up and vaporises the e-liquid held in the wick. Inhalation — The fresh vapour travels up through the mouthpiece, ready for you to inhale.

How long does a vape pod last?

A standard pod usually lasts 7 to 14 days (or 500 to 1,500 puffs), depending on whether you're using a prefilled or refillable model: Refillable pods — The plastic casing can last for months, but the built-in coil usually burns out after 1 to 2 weeks of regular use. Prefilled pods — These are discarded when the e-liquid is gone. A standard 2ml pod lasts 1 to 3 days for a moderate vaper, while "big puff" prefilled devices can last 10 to 20 days. There are also several factors that can shorten this lifespan, including: Sweet e-liquids — High-sugar vape juices leave a sticky residue on the coil wire, causing it to burn out faster. High wattage — Vaping at higher power settings burns through liquid and degrades coils quicker. Chain vaping — Taking frequent, continuous puffs doesn't give the cotton time to re-saturate, leading to dry hits.

How much are vape pods?

The price of vape pods varies depending on whether they’re prefilled or refillable: Prefilled — Prices range from £3 to £10 for simple, prefilled pods with up to 2500 puffs. These are designed to be thrown away when empty. Refillable — Starting from around £3 to £11 for quality designs that can be refilled with your favourite flavours for long-term use and better cost-per-puff.

What are coil resistances and ohms?

Coil resistance (measured in ohms, represented by the symbol Ω) refers to how much a coil resists the flow of electrical current from the vape’s battery. This affects how your coil heats up and the wattage it operates at, impacting the amount of vapour it produces. There are two main types of coil resistance: High-resistance coils (1.0 Ω or higher) How they perform: They have a higher resistance to electrical current and are typically designed to operate at lower wattages. What to expect: You'll get a cooler vapour, a tight inhale that feels very close to a traditional cigarette, and discreet vapour production. Perfect for: Anyone who prefers MTL vaping, as well as higher-strength freebase e-liquids or smooth nicotine salts. Low-resistance coils (Below 1.0 Ω, or "sub-ohm") How they perform: These have a lower resistance to electrical current and are designed to operate at higher wattages, generating more heat and vapour. What to expect: You'll enjoy a much warmer vape, larger clouds of vapour, and an airy draw where you inhale the vapour straight into your lungs. Perfect for: Direct-to-Lung (DTL) vapers who enjoy chasing clouds and using lower-nicotine, high-VG juices.

How long does a vape coil last?

Most vape coils last 1 to 2 weeks (roughly 3,000 to 10,000 puffs | varies widely depending on usage), depending on your usage. However, this lifespan can vary significantly based on how you vape and the type of liquid you use. Factors that affect coil lifespan include: Sweetener levels — E-liquids with heavy sweeteners caramelise on the wire and cotton, burning out coils in just a few days. Vaping style — MTL vapers usually get 1–2 weeks of use because of lower wattages, while DTL sub-ohm users may only get shorter lifespan (often around 5–12 days depending on use and wattage) due to higher power and vapour volume. Wattage — Vaping outside the recommended wattage range for your specific coil causes the cotton to wear out very quickly. Chain vaping — Not pausing between puffs causes the coil to dry out and scorch the cotton. Find out more about the lifespan of your coil here.

When to change a vape coil

Knowing when to swap your coil out is the easiest way to make sure your kit always runs perfectly. Here are some tell-tale signs your vape coil needs to be changed: Your vape tastes burnt or has lost its fresh flavour Your e-liquid doesn't taste right or feels muted You aren't getting as much vapour as before Your e-liquid is turning dark inside the chamber Your vape starts leaking or gurgling Your vape is flashing or showing “atomiser error” messages You experience frequent dry hits Learn how to prime your new vape coil to get the most out of its lifespan.

Vape Pods & Coils

3 for £25 on Pre-Filled Pods

3 For £12 Pre-filled Pods

3 for £18 Pre-Filled Pods

10 Pods for £65

What are vape pods and coils?

Getting to grips with the main parts of your kit is the best way to create a great vaping experience and keep your device running smoothly.

What is a vape pod?

A vape pod is a small, lightweight plastic cartridge that holds your e-liquid. Thanks to the durable design, it's a modern, drop-resistant alternative to the classic glass tanks you see on bigger kits.

You’ll usually find two main types: prefilled vape pods, which come ready-filled with e-liquid, and refillable vape pods, which you can top up yourself with your chosen vape juice.

Vape pods are extremely user-friendly and easy to install, usually clipping on or using magnets to attach directly into the top of your device. This makes regular maintenance and replacement hassle-free.

Each pod vape kit is made up of two main parts:

Vape pods — The plastic compartment that holds your mouthpiece, e-liquid chamber, and heating coil. Depending on your setup, you'll either refill the pod with your own juice or replace the entire thing when it's empty.
Vape batteries — The rechargeable handheld section that powers your vaping device. It sends an electric current to the pod when you inhale, delivering a puff exactly when you need it. These batteries rely on a dedicated charger or USB-C cable to keep them topped up regularly.

What is a vape coil?

A vape coil is the heating element tucked inside your e-cigarette, acting as the bridge between the battery and the e-liquid and turning it into the vapour you inhale. Without a working coil, your device can't produce any vapour or flavour at all.

Every vape coil is made of three main parts:

The heating element — A small wire spiral or fine mesh grid that heats up quickly when power passes through it.
The wicking material — Usually made of absorbent cotton, this acts like a sponge to draw e-liquid out from your pod chamber.
The casing — A metal outer shell that houses the wire and cotton, securing it into your pod or tank and connecting it to the battery.

What’s the difference between a vape pod and a coil?

It's easy to mix these two up, but they do very different jobs. A vape pod is the plastic cartridge that holds your juice, while the coil is the heating part inside that vaporises it.

Depending on your pod kit’s design, you'll either swap out the standalone coil itself when it burns, or you'll throw away the entire plastic pod if it has a built-in, non-removable coil.

Types of vape pods

There are two different types of vape pods on the market, which are:

Prefilled — These are also known as “closed systems” that come pre-loaded with e-liquid. You can't refill them or open them, which makes them incredibly simple and mess-free. Once the liquid inside runs dry, you discard the pod and snap a fresh one in.
Refillable — Also called “open systems”, these feature an empty cartridge that you manually top up through a designated port (usually sealed with a secure silicone bung). They allow you to choose any e-liquid flavour you like, and you replace the pod or coil once the internal coil burns out.

For more information,see our beginner’s guide to refillable vape pods or pre-filled pods.

Vape pods FAQs

Vape pods work by connecting the liquid supply to a rechargeable battery. When you inhale, the battery powers a built-in coil that heats the fluid, turning it into a breathable vapour.

This process happens in three quick steps:

Activation — Most modern pod kits feature inhale-activation. When you take a puff, an airflow sensor signals the battery to fire.
Heating — Power flows through the metal heating element, which instantly heats up and vaporises the e-liquid held in the wick.
Inhalation — The fresh vapour travels up through the mouthpiece, ready for you to inhale.

A standard pod usually lasts 7 to 14 days (or 500 to 1,500 puffs), depending on whether you're using a prefilled or refillable model:

Refillable pods — The plastic casing can last for months, but the built-in coil usually burns out after 1 to 2 weeks of regular use.
Prefilled pods — These are discarded when the e-liquid is gone. A standard 2ml pod lasts 1 to 3 days for a moderate vaper, while "big puff" prefilled devices can last 10 to 20 days.

There are also several factors that can shorten this lifespan, including:

Sweet e-liquids — High-sugar vape juices leave a sticky residue on the coil wire, causing it to burn out faster.
High wattage — Vaping at higher power settings burns through liquid and degrades coils quicker.
Chain vaping — Taking frequent, continuous puffs doesn't give the cotton time to re-saturate, leading to dry hits.

You should always dispose of used vape pods and devices at designated in-store recycling bins, local recycling centres, or through brand take-back schemes. Never put vapes or pods in household rubbish or mixed recycling bins, as their batteries and chemical residue can cause dangerous fires in bin lorries and recycling facilities.

The price of vape pods varies depending on whether they’re prefilled or refillable:

Prefilled — Prices range from £3 to £10 for simple, prefilled pods with up to 2500 puffs. These are designed to be thrown away when empty.
Refillable — Starting from around £3 to £11 for quality designs that can be refilled with your favourite flavours for long-term use and better cost-per-puff.

Vape coils FAQs

The right coil depends on your specific vape kit model, your preferred vaping style, and the type of e-liquid you use. Here’s how to find the perfect fit:

1. Match to your vaping style:

Your specific vaping style can influence which type of coil is the right fit for your setup. For example:

Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) — Coils with a resistance above 0.8 Ω. Best for a tight draw that mimics smoking a cigarette.
Restricted Direct-to-Lung (RDTL) — Coils ranging from 0.5 Ω to 0.8 Ω. This balances a good level of flavour with moderate vapour.
Direct-to-Lung (DTL) — Sub-ohm coils below 0.5 Ω. These are ideal for massive vapour clouds and a loose draw.

2. Match to your e-liquid:

Different liquids will work best with specific coils, helping you avoid wearing them down quickly and getting the best possible results. Here’s a quick overview:

50/50 and nic salts — Pair with higher-resistance coils (above 0.8 Ω) to avoid leaking and premature coil burning.
High-VG (70%+) — Thick, Vegetable Glycerin (VG)-based liquids require sub-ohm coils (below 0.6 Ω) and higher wattages to properly vaporise.

3. Check brand compatibility:
Because coils are almost never universal, you'll need to make sure the coil you choose is designed to work with your kit. The easiest way to check this is by reading your device's user manual, checking the fine print engraved on the side of your current coil, or searching for your device model on our site to find the matching parts.

For more advice, see our guide on choosing the right vape coil.

Coil resistance (measured in ohms, represented by the symbol Ω) refers to how much a coil resists the flow of electrical current from the vape’s battery. This affects how your coil heats up and the wattage it operates at, impacting the amount of vapour it produces.

There are two main types of coil resistance:

High-resistance coils (1.0 Ω or higher)

How they perform: They have a higher resistance to electrical current and are typically designed to operate at lower wattages.
What to expect: You'll get a cooler vapour, a tight inhale that feels very close to a traditional cigarette, and discreet vapour production.
Perfect for: Anyone who prefers MTL vaping, as well as higher-strength freebase e-liquids or smooth nicotine salts.

Low-resistance coils (Below 1.0 Ω, or "sub-ohm")

How they perform: These have a lower resistance to electrical current and are designed to operate at higher wattages, generating more heat and vapour.
What to expect: You'll enjoy a much warmer vape, larger clouds of vapour, and an airy draw where you inhale the vapour straight into your lungs.
Perfect for: Direct-to-Lung (DTL) vapers who enjoy chasing clouds and using lower-nicotine, high-VG juices.

Most vape coils last 1 to 2 weeks (roughly 3,000 to 10,000 puffs | varies widely depending on usage), depending on your usage. However, this lifespan can vary significantly based on how you vape and the type of liquid you use.

Factors that affect coil lifespan include:

Sweetener levels — E-liquids with heavy sweeteners caramelise on the wire and cotton, burning out coils in just a few days.
Vaping style — MTL vapers usually get 1–2 weeks of use because of lower wattages, while DTL sub-ohm users may only get
shorter lifespan (often around 5–12 days depending on use and wattage) due to higher power and vapour volume.
Wattage — Vaping outside the recommended wattage range for your specific coil causes the cotton to wear out very quickly.
Chain vaping — Not pausing between puffs causes the coil to dry out and scorch the cotton.

Find out more about the lifespan of your coil here.

Knowing when to swap your coil out is the easiest way to make sure your kit always runs perfectly.

Here are some tell-tale signs your vape coil needs to be changed: