SMOK

The Novo range is the easiest starting point. There are no buttons or settings, you just fill the pod and inhale. The Arco is another good first kit. If you'd like room to adjust power as you go, start with a Nord instead.

Novo kits are small, draw-activated pod kits. Nord kits are larger, with bigger batteries and adjustable wattage on newer models. RPM is SMOK's coil platform rather than a single device, and several kits, including newer Nords, take RPM series coils.

MTL (mouth-to-lung) gives a tighter draw, like a cigarette, and suits higher-strength nic salts. DTL (direct-to-lung) gives an open, airy draw with more vapour, and works best with lower nicotine. If you're unsure, start MTL. Nord kits let you switch styles by changing the coil.

Coils of 0.8ohm and above give a cooler, tighter draw and pair with nic salts. Sub-ohm coils (below 1ohm, typically 0.15 to 0.6ohm in the RPM series) make warmer, denser vapour and suit lower strengths. The resistance is printed on the coil itself.

Every 1 to 2 weeks for most vapers, though it depends how often you vape and which e-liquid you use. Sweeter liquids shorten coil life. Faded flavour, less vapour or a burnt edge to the taste all mean it's time to change.

Usually it's a coil that wasn't primed, a pod that ran low on e-liquid, or a wattage set higher than the coil's rated range. Keep your pod topped up and stay within the range printed on the coil.

Fit the new coil or pod, fill with e-liquid, then leave it to stand for 5 minutes before vaping. This lets the cotton soak through so it doesn't burn on the first puff.

Current models like the Nord 5, Novo 5, Arco and Solus 2 do use Type-C. Some older Novo kits use micro-USB, so check the product page if charging type matters to you.