Now, this isn’t actually a bad thing. Yes, disposables were convenient but like any other single-use product they’re terrible for the environment and incredibly wasteful.
The flavor and performance also kind of sucked on them too, especially when compared to a proper, refillable pod vape.
There’s tons of refillable pod vapes on the market in the UK but most are totally forgettable.
Or, they look good and deliver decent battery life but the coils suck.
The options we’ve chosen were picked because they excel in all the key areas: flavour, build quality, battery life, ease of use, and coil longevity.
There’s no weak points on any of them, so whichever you go with you’re going to be in good hands.
That said, the Vaporesso XROS 5 is our absolute recommendation simply because of its coil tech – they last 5-6 weeks between changes.
No one else can touch that right now.
Key Feature for Disposable Users | How These Devices Excel |
Flavour Quality | All use advanced mesh coil technology (e.g., COREX 3.0) for outstanding clarity and consistent flavour from the first puff to the last. |
Ease of Use | Auto-draw activation, simple top-fill systems, and intuitive screens make the transition seamless for beginners. |
Battery Anxiety | Feature large, efficient batteries (up to 1500mAh) and ultra-fast USB-C charging (up to 3A), eliminating the main frustration of disposables. |
Coil Longevity | Coils (contained in the disposable pod) are designed to last 2–3 weeks, making them far more cost-effective than disposables. |
The XROS 5 is what I use (and half the team as well). It’s been my go-to for the last 12+ months.
The reason? Twofold: 1) the flavour is the best you’ll get from any pod vape on the market right now, and 2) it’s coils last longer than anything else (5-6 weeks on average).
It’s easy to use, simple to life with, reliable, and in the last 12 months I’ve only bought three spare packs of coils for it. That’s it.
Add in its competitive price, backwards compatible COREX pods, excellent battery life and the new, handy screen and you’re looking at the best in the business right now.
USPs & Benefits | Who This Is For |
Maximum Flavour & Longevity | The user who prioritises consistent, intense flavour and wants to change pods/coils as infrequently as possible. |
COREX 3.0 Mesh Coils | Delivers exceptional flavour, fast heating, and stable pod life for up to 2–3 weeks. |
Ultimate Customisation | Adjustable airflow and three power modes (Eco, Normal, Power) for both MTL and RDL vaping styles. |
All-Day Power | Upgraded 1500mAh battery with ultra-fast 3A USB-C charging (0 to 80% in under 20 minutes). |
Premium Build | Sleek, durable matte aluminium alloy finish with an OLED display for battery/puff tracking. |
Versatility | Compatible with all previous XROS pods, offering a wide range of coil choices. |
The OXVA XLIM Pro 2 DNA is the most advanced pod vape on the market because it runs EVOLV’s DNA chipset.
If you like tinkering with settings and getting all granular with how things work inside the system, it’s brilliant.
If you don’t want that, go with the cheaper non-DNA XLIM Pro 2; it’s basically the same, just without all the fancy customisation options.
The flavour is very good too and, thanks to its super-smart EVOLV chipset, you’ll never get a dry hit again. It’s got built-in dry-hit protection.
The only place it loses to the XROS 5 is with respect to coils; the XLIM Pro 2 coils just don’t last as long.
USPs & Benefits | Who This Is For |
Cutting-Edge Technology (DNA) | The advanced vaper, or “tinkerer,” who demands the most precise, consistent, and safe vape possible via the Evolv DNA chipset. |
Signature Flavour Performance | Known for robust, crystal-clear flavour and impressive longevity from the XLIM line’s mesh coil pods. |
Fast Charging & Power | Features rapid USB-C charging and a large battery (1000mAh+) to suit heavy, all-day usage. |
Compact Daily Carry | Tactile, compact chassis, vibrant OLED screen, adjustable airflow slider, and variable wattage (5–30W). |
XLIM Pod Versatility | Compatibility with the full XLIM pod range, including leak-resistant side-fill and top-fill options. |
If you want something simple and for some reason you don’t want the XROS 5, UWELL’s Caliburn G3 is a great option.
It’s compact, the MTL draw is immense, and it works seamlessly with little to no input from you. Just load her up and she’s good to go.
The coils last 2 weeks on average, so behind OXVA and Vaporesso, but the flavour is great and it is a very easy vape to live with. Battery life is solid too, though not as good as the XROS 5 or OXVA XLIM Pro 2 DNA.
It’s cheaper than both of these options, though, so if budget is a factor, this is the one to get.
USPs & Benefits | Who This Is For |
Best Disposable Transition | The user who wants maximum simplicity, pocket-friendly portability, and exceptional reliability. |
Caliburn Flavour Legacy | Consistent, high-quality flavour output via mesh coil pods, famous for delivering a “clean” taste and smooth vapour. |
Maximum Portability | Slim, lightweight design that’s famous for pocket-friendly use and excellent battery optimisation. |
Ease of Maintenance | Features new anti-leak technology and a simple top-fill pod design for minimal mess. |
Flexible Activation | Supports both button activation and auto-draw activation for user convenience. |
Refillable pod vapes are cheaper to run, deliver better, more consistant performance, don’t clog up landfills, and give you more choice when it comes to vape juice.
There isn’t a single instance where a disposable vape is better than a refillable pod vape, and if anyone says that there is – they’re lying.
Plus, they’re now illegal in the UK anyway and while most brands have replaced them with pre-filled pod systems, these are still inferior to traditional refillable pod vapes for the following reasons:
Feature | Disposable Vapes (Illegal in UK) | Premium Refillable Pod Kits (e.g., XROS 5) |
Maintenance | Zero: Use and dispose. | Low: Must manually refill pod and replace the pod/coil (every 2–3 weeks). |
Flavour Choice | Limited to the manufacturer’s range. | Unlimited: Use any e-liquid, including cost-effective 10ml bottles of “bar salt” juice. |
Cost | Most Expensive Option: Very high cost per ml of e-liquid. | Cheapest Option: E-liquid bottles are far more cost-effective per ml and coils last weeks. |
Environmental Impact | Very High: Battery and plastic waste for every unit. | Very Low: Rechargeable battery dramatically reduces waste. |
That was a long post, if you’ve read it all, congrats, you have an attention span. Here’s a recap of our current recommendations, in case you forgot:
The VapeBeat Shop
Best Vape Brands
Nic Salts In 120ml Bottles