When you first start out vaping, you may find yourself overwhelmed with such a wide variety of options and choices. With options varying from simple & easy-to-use vapes to intricate & complex e-cigs, your choice of device is important to ensure the best vaping experience. Disposable vape pens are the simplest & easy-to-use types of vapes, providing convenience without maintenance. As for Reusable/Rechargeable vapes, some maintenance is required but offers more customization options and is more sustainable for the Earth. 

If you’re a new vaper looking for answers to the debate of the disposable vs. rechargeable vape pen, this is the blog for you. In this blog, we’ll answer common questions like how long does a disposable vape pen last? And how much can rechargeable vape pens cost.

By analyzing each of these devices’ strengths and weaknesses, we hope to bring an answer to the question of which device is better, the disposable or the rechargeable vape pen? 

What are Disposables?

Easy-to-use, all-in-one disposable vape devices that are ready to vape with everything you need to start vaping. Disposable vapes  like; HQD, FUME, & FLUM FLOAT are designed with an Internal Battery and pre-filled with e-liquid, providing a specific number of puffs per device. (Calculated around 1.5-1.6 Puffs/Battery mAh) Made for temporary use, disposables are made to discard once either the battery or ejuice reservoir run empty. 

Disposables are by far the most convenient to buy vape devices currently in the market. You can buy them in almost any convenience store, gas station, or grocery store, and they are relatively inexpensive, costing from $8 to $15.

Unlike rechargeable vape pens, there is no maintenance required. They come pre-filled with vape juice and pre-charged, so there is no need to charge them. Most disposables have zero buttons and work when the user inhales. Depending on the battery’s size, most flavored disposable vape pens will last you for around one to three days. 

Instead of using traditional vape juice disposables, now use (most of them anyway) nicotine salts. This news is great for vapers looking for more robust, more potent nicotine hits that can replicate smoking. Since nicotine salts are absorbed by the body more quickly, the rush they feel is almost identical to smoking a cigarette.

Finally disposable vape flavors come in the hundreds, and while there is more variety to be had when you buy a bottle of vape juice, the variety of disposables aren’t far behind.

What are Rechargeable Vape Pens?

Unlike disposables, rechargeable vape pens are vape devices for multiple uses. Rechargeable vapes like ELF BAR Vapes are built to last, as they are recharged and refilled multiple times. They are a much higher build quality and stand up to day-to-day life.

They come in various shapes and sizes, but the main takeaway you need to understand is that the term “vape pen” refers to several kinds of vape pens. There are vape pens for cannabis (wax, oils, and herbs) and vape pens for nicotine (vape juice and nicotine salts). 

While some rechargeable vape pens use cartridges, others must be refilled manually with the material they are compatible with (wax, oils, herbs, or vape juice). 

You will most likely find them in specialty smoke shops or vape shops, and they can cost anywhere from $20 to $90 or even more, depending on the brand.

Most rechargeable vape pens come with LCD screens that can tell you various things like battery life, voltage level, and wattage levels. You’ll have to clean them or replace some parts from time to time, like the atomizer.

Difference in Performance

One of the most significant differences between disposables and rechargeable vape pens is that rechargeable vape pens will outperform disposables time after time. If your rechargeable vape pen can adjust the wattage, you can customize the type of nicotine hit you receive, making a world of difference both in flavor and cloud production.

You’ll also get plenty more puffs from a rechargeable than you will from a disposable, since disposables sooner or later will run out of either battery or vape juice, and you’ll have to throw them away.  

The Difference in Price 

Although the difference between pricing at first glance might make disposables seem like the cheaper option, in truth, rechargeable vape pens here take the cake once more. 

In the long run, the price of disposables can add up. For example, if you plan to vape for at least a week, you’ll need to buy about three to four disposables. If each disposable costs around $9, you’re looking at $27 a week. If you continue buying disposables at this rate for a month, you will spend around $108. 

However, with rechargeable vape pens, you can buy a decent and well-reviewed rechargeable vape pen for about $60 and a bottle of vape juice that should last you at least a month and costs around $10-20. In total, you would spend around $80, and the following month would be even cheaper since the vape pen is a one-time purchase.

Pros and cons of disposable vapes.

PRO: Cheaper up front – Cost is a factor when choosing your e-cig and disposable vapes are cheaper upfront, with the price being anywhere from $4.99 to $19.99.

CON: Much more expensive long term – While they are cheaper up front, in the long run disposable vapes are much more expensive. You are essentially paying between $4.99 and $14.99 for 2ml of e-liquid. Whereas our US made FUME ULTRA is $19.99 for 8ml which is significantly higher in regards to capacity. You can see how this quickly adds up, especially when heavy smokers or vapers can go through multiple disposables a day.

Pros and cons of rechargeable vapes.

PRO: Much more cost-effective long term – When you stop smoking and start vaping with a traditional vape, you will save somewhere in the region of $3,200 a year. To maintain and run there are small costs each week, including e-liquid. But compared to disposables…well there is no comparison.

CON: Commitment – If you are a smoker who wants to try vaping, disposable vapes are a great option. There is no long-term commitment and if you don’t like a flavor, you can pick up a new one.

The Difference in Convenience

When it comes to convenience, we must give it to disposables. You can find them at any gas station, and due to their sleek and compact design can be carried discreetly in any pocket or purse, so they are perfect for traveling. 

While rechargeable vape pens can also be found in small travel sizes, loading them with vape juice can also be a hassle, while with disposable, all you have to do is inhale, and the device starts working. 

There is also the point that with disposables, you can try out many different flavors without ever having to buy other vape juice bottles, which could prove costly and time-consuming since you’ll have to clean the tank of your vape pen to load any new flavors. 

The Difference in Maintenance

In this area, disposables win over rechargeable vape devices. With disposables, there is zero maintenance. You buy them, use them, and get rid of them. It's that simple. But with rechargeable vape pens, there is plenty that you have to take care of to keep the device functioning. 

First, you must remind yourself to keep the device charged since you'll want to have it ready whenever a nicotine craving starts. You'll also have to clean the device to keep it working correctly, meaning disassembling it and washing the parts. 

You'll also need to clean the tank whenever you switch the vape juice flavor in your rechargeable vape pen, not to mention when your atomizer stops working, you'll need to replace it. 

Conclusion

It’s clear that both vape devices have their strengths and weaknesses, so we can’t tell you which is better. However, what we can say is that both devices serve their purposes when it comes to vaping. Disposables are great for beginners who want to experience vaping but not spend too much money. Rechargeable vape pens can serve as a great introduction to vapers who are ready to commit to a device.