Refillable vs Disposable Vape Kits: Which Saves You More?
A significant amount of vapers started on disposable vapes, and might've even stocked up on them following the 1st June 2025 ban in the UK. Now that the ban has fully taken effect and people are seeing impact, personal stock of them will either run dry or vapers may not know where to look for the nearest alternative. Ultimately, while disposables had a strong stead in the market, refillable vapes were, and remain as the cheapest and most efficient option to vape.
What is a Disposable Vape?
As officially described by the UK government, a vape device qualifies as a disposable, or ‘single-use’ vape if it fits into either of the following criteria:
- has a battery that you cannot recharge
- is not refillable
Disposable vapes have been banned since 1 June 2025, preventing sales online and in shops of all disposable vapes, regardless of whether they do or do not contain nicotine.
Pre-Filled Pod Kits From Disposable Vape Brands: Are They Worth It?
The benefit to disposable vape brands now making pre-filled pod vapes is that they tend to retain the same taste and vaping properties as their disposable counterparts, albeit at a slightly higher price. Nonetheless, you’re not paying for a new vape on each use and buying new pods or liquid won’t set you back nearly as much by comparison.
With all things considered, despite pre-filled pod kits being a similar but less expensive alternative to disposable vapes, refillable vape kits can offer greater savings and even more flexibility.
What is a Refillable Vape Kit?
Refillable, or reusable vapes, are described by the UK government as requiring either of these variables to operate:
- filling up the tank or cartridge with e-liquid
- inserting new, pre-filled pods
Coils must also be removable or replaceable by the vape user, the UK government cites that legally abiding vape devices must use coils that are either:
- directly removable or replaceable
- contained in a removable and replaceable pod or cartridge
The False Economy of Disposable Vapes Explained
At a glance, paying around £6 for a new ready-for-use disposable vape was cheaper than buying a new vape kit with nicotine salt e-liquid. Refillable kits do initially cost more, but even when factoring in costs for replacement pods and coils, they will save a substantial amount of money over time by comparison. Switching to 10ml bottles of e-liquid is much better value, granted disposables can legally carry only a maximum of 2ml of e-liquid.
Most pods and coils tend to last from 7-14 days, meaning that while a disposable is usually replaced after a day or two, you’ll get a good amount of use from a single pod/coil. Fewer replacements means spending less frequently, making the frequent (though cheaper) disposable purchases less efficient than having a single device and more e-liquid.
How Refillable Vape Kits Can Save You Money Over Time
As mentioned, there is an initial investment to be made into a vape kit, but the money saved over time will be hugely notable.
There is a range of pricing options for vape devices, but they can start from as cheap as £9.99, meaning the initial price can be quite close to the cost of a single disposable vape, if you’re happy to start with a budget-friendly device.
Nic salts start at £2 for 10ml, much better value for money than the 2ml provided in a disposable and offering a wider selection of flavour options.
Refillable Vape Kits vs Disposable Vapes: Cost Comparison
Regardless of the starting price, whether on a budget or not, you will find there's a huge capability to save. As refillable vape pods usually arrive with a 2-pod starter kit, this should cover a month's worth of vaping in the kit price alone. Subsequent costs, beyond the first month, will typically range from £4.49 to £9.99, depending on your device choice, for packs of replacement pods.
We've provided a table below to demonstrate the costs of buying disposables per week, compared to using a refillable device from its first month of use. Keep in mind the subsequent repeat cost for pods is £4.49-£9.99 after the first month of purchase.
| Disposables per week | Refillable Kit* | 10 ml Nic Salts p/m to Match Consumption** | Disposable Cost vs Refillable Cost w/ 10 ml Nic Salt (p/m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | £24 vs £27 |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | £72 vs £27 |
| 5 | 1 | 1 | £120 vs £27 |
| 7 | 1 | 2 | £168 vs £29 |
*Based on price for a middle range vape kit such as the Vaporesso Xros 5. This is a one-time purchase and intended to demonstrate the price over the first month of vaping only.
**Consumption rate based on 2ml use per disposable vape compared to a 10ml bottle of Bar Salts.
Refillable Vape Kits vs Pre-Filled Pods: Cost Comparison
Pre-filled pods are another option that are quite similar to disposables and remain legal for sale. These are often the immediate alternative for disposable users, as they have the simple step of switching out pods once used. They are still more expensive in the long run however, at £6 for two pre-filled 2ml pods. Using a range of consumption rates from light to heavy use, we've accumulated a table of pricing for pre-filled pods compared to a refillable vape:
| Pre-filled Pods per month | Pre-filled Pods & Kit Battery (incl. 1 pod) | 10ml Bar Salts p/m to Match Consumption | Refillable Vape Starter Kit (incl. 2 pods) | Pre-filled Cost vs Refillable Vape Cost (p/m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (8ml) | 1 | 1 (10ml) | 1 | £22 vs £27 |
| 12 (24ml) | 1 | 3 (30ml) | 1 | £46 vs £31 |
| 20 (40ml) | 1 | 4 (40ml) | 1 | £70 vs £33 |
| 28 (56ml) | 1 | 6 (60ml) | 1 | £94 vs £37 |
*Based on the price for a mid-range vape kit. This is a one-time purchase and is intended to demonstrate the price over the first month of vaping only. Long-term costs will be cheaper.
Consumption rate of prefilled pods is based on the average consumption rate of disposable vapes, as they contain the same amount of e-liquid and function in the same way.
Conclusion: Refillable Vape Kits Are The Cheapest Overall
Although disposables have been banned and pre-fills are available on the market, the most cost-effective type of vape kit by far is refillable kits. The law currently requires pods to contain a maximum of 2ml of e-liquid. Where 10ml of nic salt e-liquid is available for £2, you're paying double for refillable pods and even more for disposables, prior to their ban.
Admittedly, there is efficiency in being able to swap pods in one simple step. Though, from the perspective of saving, having more device. e-liquid options and being environmentally friendly, refillable vapes can be much more beneficial overall.
You'll also need to buy new replacements less, as your device will remain sustainable if treated well, and 10ml e-liquid will last much longer than 2ml per pod. Refillable vapes ultimately offer more freedom of choice when compared to the limits of device type and pod flavours from prefills.
