How much does a vape cost? It depends mostly on the type. Disposable vapes have the lowest price per device, simple refillable pod kits and vape pens sit at the entry level, pod mods are mid-range, and box mod kits with a sub-ohm tank cost the most. What you pay upfront is only part of the picture, though. With a refillable vape, the ongoing cost is e-liquid plus replacement pods or coils, and that's usually where the real spending happens.
This guide explains what sets the price of each type of vape, what you'll keep paying for after you buy one, and how to avoid paying for features you won't use. Prices vary a lot by retailer and by state, so we compare price tiers rather than quoting figures that will be out of date by the time you shop.
How Much Is a Vape? Price Tiers by Device Type
The table below shows where each type of vape usually sits, from the lowest upfront price to the highest, and what drives its running costs.
| Device type | Upfront price | Ongoing costs | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disposable vape | Lowest per device | The whole device, every time it runs out | Occasional use; not refillable |
| Refillable pod kit | Entry level | E-liquid and replacement pods | Most new vapers; mouth-to-lung draw |
| Vape pen | Entry level | E-liquid and replacement pods or coils | Simple, draw-activated vaping |
| Pod mod | Mid-range | E-liquid and replaceable coils | More power and adjustable settings |
| Box mod kit with tank | Highest | More e-liquid, sub-ohm coils, and batteries on some models | Experienced vapers who want full control |
The average vape price you'll see quoted online mixes all of these categories together, which is why it's rarely useful. Compare like with like: a pod kit against another pod kit, or a box mod kit against another kit with a tank.
Breaking Down Vaping Costs
Every vape has two kinds of cost: what you pay to get started and what you spend to keep it running.
Initial Costs: Getting Started
The first purchase is the device itself. If it's your first one, our pick of the best vape starter kits compares beginner-friendly options.
- Disposables are the cheapest to start with. They come prefilled and charged, and you throw the whole device away when it's empty.
- Refillable pod kits and vape pens cost more upfront but are reusable. You refill the pod with e-liquid and replace it, or its coil, when the flavor fades.
- Pod mods and box mods are the most expensive. You're paying for bigger batteries, adjustable wattage, screens and a wider choice of coils.
Ongoing Costs: Keeping Vaping Affordable
Once you have a refillable device, you'll keep buying a few things:
- E-liquid: how fast you use it depends on how much you vape and on your device. High-power sub-ohm setups use far more e-liquid than mouth-to-lung pods.
- Replacement pods or coils: pods with a built-in coil are replaced as a whole; tanks take replaceable coil heads, which usually come in multi-packs.
- Batteries: most pod kits and pens have a built-in battery, but some box mods use removable 18650 or 21700 cells that you buy separately and replace over time.
How long each pod or coil lasts makes a real difference to your spending. Our guide to how long vape coils last explains how to stretch them.
Disposable vs. Refillable Vapes: Which One Is Actually Cost-Effective?
Disposables win on upfront price and convenience, but for regular use a refillable device almost always costs less over time. With a disposable, you pay for a new battery, coil and tank every time you finish one. With a refillable pod kit, you buy the battery once and only replace the parts that wear out: the pod or coil, and the e-liquid.
The more you vape, the bigger that gap becomes. If you're currently buying disposables, our guide to switching from disposable to refillable vapes walks through the change. For a side-by-side look at what vaping and smoking cost over time, see our vaping vs. smoking cost comparison.
Best Choice for Budget-Conscious Vapers
For most people watching their spending, a simple refillable pod kit is the best value. It costs a little more to start than a disposable, but the running costs are lower, and you're not paying for power or features you won't use.
What Makes One Vape Cost More Than Another?
Within each type, prices climb with features. These are the main ones:
- Battery capacity: a bigger battery means fewer charges but a higher price.
- Adjustable power and screens: wattage control, airflow adjustment and a display add cost. They're useful if you'll use them.
- Pod or coil compatibility: a device that takes several pod resistances gives you more choice later.
- Charging: faster USB-C charging is standard on current models and more common higher up the range.
- Build: metal bodies, leather finishes and rugged or water-resistant designs cost more than plastic.
If you're weighing up pod kits, our guide on how to choose a pod system vape goes through these features in more detail.
Tips to Vape Cheap Without Sacrificing Quality
Spending less doesn't have to mean a worse experience. A few habits make a real difference.
Buy the Device You Need, Not the Most Powerful One
A mouth-to-lung pod kit uses less e-liquid than a high-wattage sub-ohm setup, and it's cheaper to buy. Only pay for adjustable wattage and big tanks if you'll actually use them.
Buy Pods and Coils in Multi-Packs
Replacement pods and coils are usually sold in packs, which brings down the price per piece. That works best once you know which resistance you like.
Maintain Your Device
Priming new coils, staying inside the wattage range and keeping the tank topped up all help each pod or coil last longer, so you replace them less often.
Look for Deals from Authorized Sellers
Seasonal sales and loyalty programs can lower the price of devices and spare parts. Buy from authorized retailers so you get genuine products and a valid warranty, and remember that you must be 21 or older, the legal age to buy vapes in the US.
Affordable VAPORESSO Options
If you want a refillable vape that keeps running costs down, these VAPORESSO pod kits are good places to start. Prices vary by retailer, so check current prices where you buy.
- XROS 6: the newest XROS pod kit, with an 1800mAh battery, up to 30W, a 0.88" screen and fast USB-C charging. It takes XROS pods, which are refillable and fit the whole XROS series.
- XROS 5: the previous XROS generation, with a 1500mAh battery, adjustable airflow and support for XROS pods from 0.4Ω to 1.2Ω.
- VIBE: a light, draw-activated pod kit with ECO and PWR output modes, for vapers who want something simple.
Because all three use refillable pods, your ongoing costs are e-liquid and replacement pods. Before you buy, check that the kit and your e-liquid are sold in your state, since some states restrict flavored vapes. You can also browse the VAPORESSO online store. In the UK, the new vape tax on e-liquids is another cost to factor in.
FAQ
How Much Does a Vape Cost?
It depends on the type. Disposables have the lowest upfront price, refillable pod kits and vape pens are entry level, pod mods are mid-range and box mod kits cost the most. Prices vary by retailer, so compare the same type of device.
Is a Refillable Vape Cheaper Than Disposables?
For regular use, yes. You buy the device once and then only pay for e-liquid and replacement pods or coils, while with disposables you pay for a whole new device each time.
What Is the Cheapest Type of Refillable Vape?
Simple pod kits and vape pens are usually the cheapest refillable options, both to buy and to run, because they use less e-liquid than high-power devices.
What Are the Ongoing Costs of Vaping?
For a refillable device, it's mainly e-liquid and replacement pods or coils. Some box mods also need removable batteries that you replace over time.
Why Are Some Vapes So Expensive?
Higher prices usually reflect a bigger battery, adjustable wattage and airflow, a screen, faster charging, premium materials or a rugged build. If you won't use those features, a simpler device does the job for less.
