Pod systems are very popular right, and all credit goes to the JUUL. This tiny ecig made over $400 in retail sales last year alone and now owns more than half of the domestic market. It's easy to use, easy to recharge and easy to carry around inside a pocket or purse. But this category of products also includes other user favorites like the Suorin Air and the Smoant S8, which operate in a different manner. This is why it's important to show you the differences between pod vapes and learn which one to choose.
The two main categories of pod vaporizers
Pod style vaporizers fall in two categories: closed system and open system vapes.
A closed system device is where the user cannot alter the state of the vape. It works with flavored pods which cannot be refilled and their coils cannot be replaced. The pods are intended to be disposed of as soon as they are depleted.
An open system device is where the user can modify different parameters of the vape. It works with refillable pods, and they are usually intended to be used with nicotine salts e-liquids. The overall experience is pretty similar to that of closed systems; only these devices are a lot more flexible and cheaper on the long term.
Nic salts and how these e-liquids compare to freebase nicotine
One of the most important reasons behind the ever growing popularity of pod mods is that they use nicotine salts e-liquids inside the cartridges. This substance is a bit different than traditional nicotine and it's similar to what is found originally in the tobacco plant. It allows for a nice throat hit even at high concentrations and it offers the same type of buzz as traditional cigarettes. Nicotine salts were first patented and introduced in 2015 by JUUL Vapor.
Freebase nicotine on the other hand is the substance used in the wide majority of e-liquids intended for box mod and vape pens. This comes in lower concentrations because it has a very harsh throat hit. It ensures a good overall experience, however the user needs to take consistent and repetitive puffs in order to have the same amount of nicotine inside his or her body.
Popular closed system pod options
The JUUL is hands down the most popular and one of the best pod vaporizers on the market today. It's ultra-portable, easy to use and offers fives standard flavors as well as three limited edition flavors. It uses nicotine salts and the concentration is 5% per weight of the pod, which translates to 50mg/ml. Retail price for a starter kit is $49.99 and it includes the battery as well as four different flavor pods.
The key feature of the JUUL vape is that it offers a closed loop temperature control algorithm, which ensures a consistent draw every single time. The pods don't leak and they never give that nasty burnt taste we all hate.
The PHIX is next in line and it's often referred to as the "JUUL killer". It offers a bigger battery and much bigger pods, however the amount of flavors are still pretty limited. Nicotine salts concentration is 50mg and the overall experience is more than enjoyable.
The Byrd by Space Jam is one of the newest closed system pod vapes to hit the market and it boasts a nice line-up of delicious flavors. The battery is also bigger than the competition and they use 60mg nicotine salts inside their pods.
Even though they don't use nicotine salts, the My Von Erl is still a very popular pod vape. Their pods come in a variety of flavors and nic concentrations and besides the lovely house flavors they also include varieties from some of the best e-liquid brands out there.
Popular open system pod options
The Sourin Drop is by far one of the most popular refillable pod vape on the market today. Loved by tens of thousands of users this device is reliable, easy to use, easy to refill and very cheap on the long term. Powered by a 300mAh battery and using 2ml pods this draw activated vaporizer comes in so many colors and finishes. It's intended to be used with nicotine salts e-liquids, which are easily available in most online shops. Concentrations vary between 35mg and 45mg and flavors are constantly expanding.
The Smoant S8 is another popular option, which comes in roughly the same size as the drop. It's powered by a 370mAh battery and uses 2ml refillable pods intended for nicotine salts. The output is regulated so that the device offers the same consistent vapor all throughout the session.
Last but not least we have the SMOK Infinix, one of the best open pod systems for flavor. This tiny vape is easy to use, easy to refill and it's roughly the same size as a JUUL. The pods have 2ml capacity and they offer a great and consistent overall experience. The battery is only 250mAh but that's a small price to pay for the quality you're getting.
**Which pod system to choose? **
Closed system pod vapes are very easy to use and "plug and play". You simply slide in a pod and you're ready to vape – and this makes them very attractive for beginners. If you don't want to get your hands dirty and don't like to fiddle with refilling tiny pods then this is definitely the way go to. They are a bit more expensive on the long run but the vape quality is pretty consistent all the time.
Refillable pod systems on the other hand are a lot more expensive on the long run and they offer a much broader array of flavors and nicotine concentrations. Yes, you need to buy spare cartridges and refill them with e-liquid but it's not rocket science and one you get the hang of it it's a pretty easy process.