Question one: how often do you vape?
Daily, steady use suits a high-capacity rechargeable device — you reorder less and pay less per puff. Occasional or social use suits a smaller device, because e-liquid does not improve with age and a device dragged around for two months tastes worse than a fresh one.
Question two: how strong should it feel?
Nicotine strength matters more than device size for how satisfying a vape feels. Nicotine salt at higher strength feels smoother than the same number would suggest in freebase form, which is why ex-smokers often prefer it. Our nicotine strength guide covers the trade-offs in detail.
Question three: up-front price or cost per puff?
Divide price by puff count before comparing anything. A cheaper device with a third of the capacity is rarely the cheaper option. The exception is a first purchase, where spending less to find out which flavour you like is sensible.
- Trying vaping for the first time — smaller device, one fruit flavour
- Switching from cigarettes — rechargeable device, menthol or mint, nicotine salt
- Daily long-term user — highest puff count you will finish in a month
- Flavour chaser — mesh coil device, rotate two profiles