Vape Pen Kits

Vape Pen vs Pod Kit – Which One Should You Buy?

This is one of the most common questions we get, and the honest answer is: it depends on what you value most.

• Battery life – pen kits generally have larger batteries than compact pod kits. If you vape heavily throughout the day, that extra capacity matters
• Coil cost – pen kits use standard replaceable coils, which are widely available and typically cheaper per unit than proprietary pod replacements
• E-liquid flexibility – pen kits accept a broader range of e-liquid types. Pod kits can be more restrictive depending on the coil resistance available
• Portability – modern pod kits are smaller and lighter. If pocket size is your priority, a pod kit wins on form factor
• Ease of fill – both are refillable, but some pod kits use snap-in pods that are marginally quicker to swap

If long battery life, lower running costs, and e-liquid flexibility matter most to you, go with a pen kit. If you want the smallest possible device and don’t mind paying a bit more per coil, check out our pod kits instead.

MTL or DTL – Picking the Right Vape Style

Your vaping style shapes everything: which coil you use, which e-liquid you buy, and how your device feels to use. Getting this right early saves a lot of frustration.

Mouth-to-lung (MTL) means you draw vapour into your mouth first, then inhale – the same action as smoking a cigarette. MTL pen kits use higher-resistance coils (above 1.0 ohm), produce less vapour, and work best with nic salts or 50/50 e-liquids. This is where most switchers from cigarettes should start.

Direct-to-lung (DTL) means inhaling vapour straight into the lungs in one draw – more like breathing than smoking. DTL pen kits use sub-ohm coils (below 1.0 ohm), produce significantly more vapour, and pair with high-VG shortfills at lower nicotine concentrations. This suits vapers who have already made the switch and want more flavour and cloud output.

Not sure which fits your habits? Our mouth-to-lung vs direct-to-lung guide breaks it down further.

Which E-Liquid Works Best in a Vape Pen?

The right e-liquid depends entirely on which type of pen kit you’re running. Pair them incorrectly and you’ll either get dry hits or underwhelming vapour. Here’s how to match them up.

MTL pen kit: Use nic salts or 50/50 e-liquids. These thinner liquids wick efficiently through the tighter coil, deliver a smooth throat hit, and carry higher nicotine concentrations well. Good for anyone who was a heavy smoker and needs strong nicotine satisfaction.

DTL pen kit: Use high-VG shortfills. The thicker liquid suits the wider coil and higher power output, producing bigger clouds and more pronounced flavour. Nicotine concentrations here are typically lower – 3 mg/ml to 6 mg/ml freebase.

On nicotine strength: UK e-liquids containing nicotine are capped at 20 mg/ml – this is a legal requirement, not a brand choice. As a rough guide: 20 mg/ml nic salt for heavier smokers making the switch, 10 mg/ml for moderate smokers, and 3-6 mg/ml freebase for DTL setups or those who have already stepped down. Our nicotine strength guide covers this in detail if you want to dial it in properly.

What Does a Vape Pen Cost to Run?

This is the question most retailers skip. Here’s an honest breakdown.

Coil lifespan varies between one and three weeks depending on how much you vape, what wattage you run, and how sweet your e-liquid is. High-sugar flavours burn through coils faster. At average use – say, a moderate vaper doing 3-4 ml per day – an MTL coil can last two weeks comfortably. We’ve run Innokin Prism coils for close to ten days at steady use before the flavour starts to drop off, and that’s fairly typical for a quality coil in this range.

Coil replacement cost typically runs between £2 and £5 per coil depending on the brand and resistance. At one coil every two weeks, that’s roughly £4-£10 per month.

E-liquid consumption at typical MTL wattage (10-15W) sits around 2-3 ml per day for a moderate vaper. A 10 ml bottle at that rate lasts three to five days. A weekly e-liquid spend of around £3-£6 is realistic for most MTL users.

Total weekly running cost for a typical pen kit user: approximately £4-£8 covering coil amortisation and e-liquid. Compare that to buying disposables daily and the saving becomes significant quickly. For a fuller comparison, read our can vaping save you money breakdown.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A few easy errors account for most of the bad experiences people have with pen kits. Avoid these and you’ll get the best out of your setup from day one.

Not priming the coil before first use. This is the most common reason for a burnt taste straight out of the box. Fill your tank, add a few drops of e-liquid directly onto the coil, and let it sit for five minutes before firing. Our how to prime a vape coil guide covers it step by step.

Using high-VG shortfill in an MTL pen with a plus-ohm coil. Thick, high-VG liquid doesn’t wick fast enough through tight MTL coils. You’ll get dry hits, a burnt taste, and a dead coil within hours. Stick to 50/50 or nic salts for MTL setups. See our guide on how to avoid dry hits if this keeps catching you out.

Running wattage too high too quickly. If your kit has variable wattage, start at the lower end of the coil’s recommended range and work up gradually. Pushing a new coil to maximum power immediately shortens its lifespan and often ruins the first tank.

Buying a kit without checking coil availability. Some budget pen kits use proprietary coils that go out of stock or get discontinued. Before you buy, check that replacement coils are readily available. We only stock kits where the coil supply is consistent and affordable.

Brands We Stock

The pen kit brands we carry are ones we’ve had in-store long enough to know they’re worth recommending.

OXVA builds reliable, well-finished devices with strong coil performance. Their pen-style kits are particularly good for vapers who want an MTL setup with a premium feel.

Innokin has been one of the most consistent names in the category for years. The Endura range specifically earns its reputation through coil longevity – one reason we keep stocking it. Solid build quality, sensible pricing, and easy coil availability.

Uwell is known for clean flavour output and well-designed fill systems. A strong pick if flavour is your priority.

Freemax focuses on coil tech and mesh performance. Their sub-ohm pen options are worth considering if you’re moving into DTL territory.

SX Mini sits at the more premium end of the range. Build quality and output consistency make their kits worth the extra spend if you want a device that lasts.

Shop the Full Range at Legion of Vapers

Our full collection of vape pen kits covers every style, budget and experience level, from straightforward MTL starter kits for people just making the switch to capable sub-ohm setups for vapers who know exactly what they want. Every product we stock comes from brands we trust, with coils you can actually get hold of. Spend over £40 and you’ll get free UK delivery. First order? Use your 5% discount to bring the cost down further.

Browse the range below, or if you’re still figuring out which kit suits you, our best vape kits for beginners guide is a good next step. We’re here to help you find the right setup – not just sell you something.