Best Refillable Vapes UK: The Smart Switch After the Disposable Ban

Since single-use disposable vapes were banned across the UK in June 2025, millions of vapers have had to find a replacement. The good news is that the replacement is usually cheaper, better, and barely any more effort. Refillable vapes often called pod kits give you the same pocket-sized convenience without the throwaway device.

This guide explains how refillable vapes work, what to look for, and which types suit different vapers, so you can switch with confidence. Everything we mention is available with free UK delivery on orders over £30 and next-day delivery options.

What Is a Refillable Vape?

A refillable vape is a reusable device with a rechargeable battery and a pod or tank you fill yourself with e-liquid. Instead of binning the whole unit when it runs out, you simply refill the pod and recharge the battery. When the coil wears out, you replace just the pod or coil not the device.

There are two broad styles. Closed pod kits use pre-filled or click-in pods and are the simplest to live with. Open pod kits and refillable vape kits let you add any e-liquid you like, which gives you the widest flavour and nicotine-strength choice and the lowest running cost.

Why Switch from Disposables to a Refillable Vape?

It's the legal option now

The UK ban on single-use disposable vapes means shops can no longer sell them. Refillable devices are specifically designed to comply with the new rules, so you can keep vaping without breaking any laws.

It costs a lot less

This is where most people are pleasantly surprised. A disposable habit could run to £25–£40 a week. With a refillable kit, your main ongoing cost is e-liquid, and a single 10ml nic salt bottle often lasts as long as several disposables for a fraction of the price.

Figures are illustrative and depend on how much you vape, but the direction is always the same: refillable is cheaper.

More flavour, more control

With a refillable vape you choose the flavour, the nicotine strength, and the PG/VG ratio. Want a cool menthol at 20mg nic salt for a strong throat hit? Or a fruity 50/50 at 6mg for big clouds? You decide, rather than being stuck with whatever a disposable came with.

Better for the environment

Disposables created a huge battery-waste problem. A refillable device reuses the same battery for months, so you throw away far less.

How to Choose the Best Refillable Vape for You?

The best refillable vape is the one that matches how you vape. Here's a simple way to narrow it down.

• Coming straight from disposables: Pick a compact pod kit with a tight, cigarette-like (MTL) draw and use a nic salt. It feels closest to a disposable.

• Heavier vaper who wants clouds: Choose an open pod kit or vape kit with adjustable airflow and a short fill e-liquid.

• Want the simplest life: A closed pod system with click-in pods means no filling at all — just snap a new pod in.

• Battery life matters most: Look for a kit with a 1,000mAh+ battery and USB-C charging.

Best Types of Refillable Vape (and Who They Suit)

1. Compact pod kits: best all-rounder

Small, light, and beginner-friendly. They use nic salts for a smooth, satisfying hit and are the natural step up from a disposable. Brands like Elf Bar, Lost Mary and SKE all make popular refillable pod kits.

2. Open pod systems: best for flavor chasers

These let you fill with any e-liquid and often have adjustable airflow, so you can fine-tune the draw. A great middle ground between simplicity and control.

3. Refillable vape kits / mods: best for experienced vapers

Bigger batteries, more power, and replaceable coils. Ideal if you want large clouds and longer battery life and don't mind a slightly bigger device.

How to Set Up and Refill Your Vape

1. Charge the device fully with the supplied USB-C cable.

2. Open the pod's fill port and add your e-liquid, avoiding the central airflow tube.

3. Let the pod sit for 3–5 minutes so the coil soaks (this prevents a burnt taste).

4. Vape as normal. Replace the pod or coil when the flavour drops off.

Nic Salt vs Shortfill: Which Should You Refill With?

Your refillable vape is only as good as what you put in it. There are two main e-liquid types. Nic salts give a smooth, fast nicotine hit and come in 10mg and 20mg strengths, which makes them ideal for small pod kits and for anyone moving over from disposables. Shortfills are larger, mostly nicotine-free bottles designed for bigger kits and cloud production. As a rule of thumb: small pod kit means nic salt, bigger vape kit means shortfill.

If you used disposables, start with a 20mg nic salt in a flavour you already enjoy. It is the closest match to the experience you are used to, and you can always step down to 10mg as your cravings ease.

Refillable Vape Running Costs: A Real Example

Let's put real numbers on the saving. Say you previously got through five disposables a week at roughly £5 each that's about £25 weekly, or £100 a month, with nothing to show for it afterwards.

With a refillable pod kit, you pay once for the device (often £10–£20), then refill it. A 10ml nic salt bottle costs a few pounds and, for a moderate vaper, can last as long as several disposables. Even allowing for the odd replacement pod, most people cut their monthly spend by more than half within the first month and the saving grows the longer they vape.

Top Refillable Vape Brands to Know

Lost Mary

One of the most recognised names in UK vaping, Lost Mary's refillable range keeps the familiar look and feel of its old disposables while meeting the new rules. A great pick if you want minimal change.

Elf Bar

Elf Bar's pod kits are simple, reliable and beginner-friendly, with click-in pods that take the guesswork out of refilling.

SKE

Known for the Crystal range, SKE offers compact refillable devices with strong flavour delivery  popular with vapers who liked the crisp taste of the originals.

Vaporesso

A step up in build quality and battery life, Vaporesso kits suit vapers who want a device that lasts longer between charges and gives more control over the draw.

MTL vs DTL: Understanding Your Draw Style

You'll see two terms a lot when shopping for refillable vapes. MTL (mouth-to-lung) mimics smoking a cigarette: you draw the vapour into your mouth first, then inhale. It's tight, discreet, and pairs with higher-strength nic salts and lower-power pod kits — the natural fit for ex-smokers and ex-disposable users. DTL (direct-to-lung) draws the vapour straight into the lungs for big clouds, and suits more powerful kits with high-VG shortfills. If you're switching from a disposable, you almost certainly want MTL.

Many modern pod kits have adjustable airflow, so you can start tight and open it up as your preferences change. This single feature makes a refillable far more versatile than any disposable ever was.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Switching

• Vaping a fresh pod too soon: Always let a new coil soak for a few minutes, or you'll get a burnt taste straight away.

• Choosing the wrong nicotine strength: Too low and you'll vape more to compensate; too high and it can feel harsh. Match it to your old habit.

• Using thick high-VG juice in a small pod: Pods are built for 50/50 liquids. High-VG shortfills can flood or fail to wick properly.

• Forgetting to charge: Unlike a disposable, a refillable needs charging. A spare USB-C cable is worth keeping handy.

Conclusion: The Easy, Affordable Switch

Switching to a refillable vape is simpler than most people expect, and almost everyone ends up spending less and enjoying more flavour choice. With the disposable ban now in force, a refillable pod kit is the obvious next step legal, cost-effective and kinder to the planet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are refillable vapes legal in the UK after the ban?

Yes. The June 2025 ban applies only to single-use disposable vapes. Refillable and rechargeable devices are fully legal and are the intended replacement.

Are refillable vapes cheaper than disposables?

Almost always. After the one-off cost of the kit, you only pay for e-liquid, which works out far cheaper than buying disposables each week.

What e-liquid should a beginner use?

A nic salt in a 10–20mg strength is the easiest start for ex-smokers and ex-disposable users. It gives a smooth throat hit and satisfies cravings quickly.

How long does a refillable vape last?

The device itself can last many months. Pods or coils typically last one to two weeks depending on use, then are cheaply replaced.

Do I need different flavours for a refillable vape?

You can use any UK-compliant e-liquid. That's the big advantage hundreds of flavours in nic salt or shortfill form, instead of one fixed flavour per disposable.