If you’re reading this then chances are you’re a little confused about which electronic cigarette to buy. And who can blame you?
The actual term ‘electronic cigarette’ is very broad and if you’ve typed that in to Google then you’ve probably also seen them called ‘e-cigs’, ‘vape pens’ and ‘mods’ too.
So before we look at what you need to buy, let’s first of all get a couple of general definitions in place as to what an electronic cigarette actually is.
types of vaping devices you can buy
Electronic Cigarette (e cig, e cigarette, vapes, vapourisers)
This is a very general term for any device, but it was initially coined by the original “cigalike” device that hit the market around a decade ago. These were the ones which looked like traditional cigarettes and relied on cartomizer refills to deliver the nicotine and the vapour.
These types of e-cigs are still on the market today but the industry has exploded in that time and very rapidly too. So now we have newer devices which have their own names. So the term ‘electronic cigarette’ is somewhat a legacy name which we all still use today.
Vape Pen
A vape pen is usually the first kind of device that a beginner would buy and use. An example of this type of e-cigarette are the Kik Vape 01 and Vape 02. Two different types of vape pens but essentially they act in the same way.
The main difference between these two types of pens is that one uses a replaceable clearomiser unit and the other uses replaceable 2ohm coils. So in real terms, the maintenance and upkeep is slightly more when you begin to move up devices.
Mod
Mods come in a range of shapes and sizes and can even come pen shaped like the vape pens above. However, mods are usually more box shaped and use a wider tank so that they can store up to 2ml of juice. The tanks themselves can be changed to suit your vaping style, so it gives another level of customisation.
On most new mods, you'll find variable wattage control and an LED screen. When buying a mod e-cigarette, there's much more to think about because you can customise it to suit your vaping style.
So Which Electronic cigarette Should I Buy?
Well this all depends on what you want from your vape. By providing answers to the questions below, we can help you select the right kind of e-cig to buy:
- Were/are you a heavy smoker?
- Do you want something low maintenance?
- Would you rather a decent throat hit over a huge cloud?
Vape Pens for Heavy Smokers
If you answered ‘Yes’ to all of the above, then we’d recommend you look at buying one of the Kik Vape Starter Pens.
Most vapers who were heavy smokers see the most success when starting out on these kind of devices. It’s what most of us here at Kik started on. They more than satisfy the nicotine cravings and also give you that same sensation that you are so used to.
For these, the only thing you need to think about is what e-liquid strength and flavour you’d like to buy. With our Vape 01 and Vape 02 starter packs, you won’t even need to choose a flavour, as we’ve selected a classic range to get you started. All you need to do is choose a strength.
Liquids for Vape Pens
If you do buy a Kik Vape Pen, then you'll need to make sure you buy PG based vape juices, with 80% PG being ideal. Anything less than 50% PG will clog up the coil and you’ll need to replace it. For a familiar throat hit with great flavour and a bigger cloud, a 50/50 eliquid is also more than suitable.
These electronic cigarettes are entry-level and many users tend to upgrade after a period of time. The benefit of starting on a vape pen is that you're able to get used to the basics. But more importantly, you get the consistent nicotine and throat hit that you need.
[Read Our 'Beginners Guide to E Liquids']
Vape Mods for Clouds
One size does not fit all when it comes to vaping, so if you’re keen to go straight in to vaping huge thick clouds, then the Kik Cloud Starter Mods are an ideal starting point. The beauty of these devices is that they are not as chunky as most vape mods, with minimal setup required.
Liquids for Sub-ohm Mods
The e-liquid used in mod tanks is much thicker and should only be used with sub-ohm coils (commonly around 0.5 ohms). You will need to use VG 50%+ vape juice if you are using a sub-ohm device, and this is where the flavours get very interesting!
Final Advice on Buying an Electronic Cigarette
As with any other product, it’s a matter of personal choice and selecting whatever suits your needs best.
Over the course of your vaping journey, you will no doubt begin to try different setups and liquids. But if you’re going to quit smoking for good, then it’s important to master the basics first. Don't rush head first into complicated and expensive setups. Doing this may end up with you going back on the cigarettes as you become frustrated.
You should now have greater confidence when it comes to buying an electronic cigarette, but if you need any more advice just hit us up on Facebook.