There is no denying the sheer convenience of disposable vapes that has made them the biggest-selling vape design on the market. Disposables have helped millions of smokers to make the switch to a healthier lifestyle, but with the government set to ban disposable vapes on the 1st of June 2025, many disposable users may be wondering, where to next?

Shockingly, 21% of respondents to a recent survey of ours said that they would go back to smoking if disposables were banned. This needn't be the case as there are a wide array of disposable vape alternatives that offer a like-for-like experience, that are just as easy to use and are far more cost-effective. In this article, we are going to introduce you to the world of refillable and prefilled pod kits and help you navigate away from disposables with ease.

Are disposable vapes better than regular vapes?

The standout benefit of disposables is their accessability. Once they are unboxed, disposable vapes can be used straight away. You don't need to learn anything or read any instructions and, above all, there are no activation or maintenance requirements. This can be of particular benefit to anyone with a hand disability such as arthritis, as disposables don't put any additional strain on the hands - they can simply be held and used.

Aside from their ease of use, disposables have several of negative aspects that can't be ignored. Their biggest drawback is the amount of waste they produce, as once your disposable is empty you have to throw the whole thing away, battery and all. Disposable vapes are classed as hazardous electrical waste and they should be recycled, but most often are not and the sight of disposables littering the street is unfortunately very commonplace.

Disposables are also the least economical of vape kits. A standard disposable vape provides up to 600 puffs at £4-£5 per unit. For £1 more, you can get double the amount of puffs with a prefilled pod kit and a staggering 3000 puffs for a fraction of the cost when you use a refillable pod kit. Reusable kits are much cheaper, and open you up to an extraordinary amount of flavour options to try. These kits can be filled with e-liquids that are designed to match disposable vapes in flavour intensity while still delivering the same rapid nicotine satisfaction.

Convenience and ease of use are also no longer the hallmarks of disposables, as refillable pod kits are virtually step-free and as simple to use. They start with straightforward fill-and-go devices through to kits with intuitive customisation features giving you control over your draw and how much vapour you produce. And with a refillable kit, you will have access to lower 10mg and 5mg nic salt strengths which are more suitable for light or social smokers and let you cut down on your nicotine intake.  

Refillable pod kits are designed to be sleek, stylish and super portable and in the long run, you will be spending a lot less on juice top-ups and coils than you would if you stayed on the disposable route. Most importantly you won’t be throwing a lithium battery away every time it runs out.

What vape is similar to disposable?

Two types of vape kits provide an experience that will match the look and feel of a disposable. Prefilled and refillable vape devices deliver an MTL vape that is identical to what you'd get from a disposable the same type of vape as a disposable and are designed to be easy to operate.

Prefilled pod kits are the next natural step up from a disposable. They are the same size and shape as disposables but feature a rechargeable battery and replaceable pods that are prefilled with e-liquid and simply click into place. Other than that, they operate the same way as a disposable kit and are nearly 50% cheaper than a single-use vape kit.

Refillable pod kits feature an open pod system that allows you to refill a 2ml pod with your favourite nic salt e-liquid. There is slightly more upkeep as the pods or the coils within them will need to be replaced every week or so, however, this process is very straightforward and these handy kits give you the ability to customise your vape experience.

Compact and highly portable, refillable pod kits contain a rechargeable battery that is often considerably more powerful than one you’d find in a disposable vape along with modern Type-C charging means that you can get back up and running quickly. Operating an open pod device is very straightforward with most devices nowadays featuring the auto-draw function that you are used to and some even have additional button firing if you would like more control.

What is the difference between a reusable vape and a disposable?

The main advantage of disposable vapes is their accessibility and the fact that they require zero maintenance. The downsides of these single-use devices unfortunately outweigh the pros, whereas a reusable vape kit has a host of benefits that make it the logical choice for any vaper no matter their experience level or requirements.

Are reusable vapes cheaper than disposables?

Half of the benefit when you quit smoking and switch to vaping is the cost. You can save up to half of your monthly spend when you switch to a prefilled pod kit, and it is even cheaper to maintain a refillable pod kit as you will only need to purchase e-liquid every couple of weeks and coils every month or so. After the initial cost of the device, a refillable pod kit is 3 times cheaper than a disposable vape kit per month. And with the multi-buy deals at Vape Superstore, you can save even more money.

The 5 best vape alternatives to disposable vapes

What vape juice taste like disposables?

As we mentioned earlier, e-liquid manufacturers have upped their game and you can now find a wide range of flavours for refillable pod kits, that are inspired by all the best-selling disposable vapes. They are super sweet and flavourful and offer a much wider selection of flavours, with combinations like Sour Raspberry Pomegranate and Lemon Peach Passionfruit.

Even the best selling disposable brands Elf Bar and Lost Mary have made their range of delicious flavours available in 10ml bottles so refillable vape kit owners can now enjoy these renowned flavours at a fraction of the cost. With our 4 for £10 mix & match deals, you can get up to 12,000 puffs of e-liquid for the price of two regular disposables! There has never been a better time to switch to a reusable and rechargeable e-cig.