Refillable vs. Prefilled Pod Kits: What’s More Cost-Effective?

As the vaping market continues to evolve, pod kits have become one of the most popular device types, and for good reason. Their compact form factor, enhanced portability compared to traditional vape mods, and user-friendly design have captivated both newcomers and seasoned enthusiasts seeking a convenient secondary device.

When faced with the wide range of pod kit choices, vapers eventually come to a fork in the road: the choice between a refillable or pre-filled system, a decision in which cost factors frequently hold considerable weight.

In this article, we’ll break down the costs involved in each system, from upfront investment to ongoing expenses. By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of which setup suits your vaping habits and budget best.

What Are Pre-filled Pod Kits?

Pre-filled pod kits, also known as closed pod systems, offer a straightforward and convenient vaping experience. These devices use disposable pods that arrive pre-loaded with e-liquid. Once the e-liquid is depleted, the entire pod is discarded and replaced with a fresh one. This design eliminates the need for manual e-liquid handling or coil changes, making them incredibly user-friendly - simply snap in a new pod and continue vaping.

Examples of popular pre-filled pod kits include:

• Blu 2.0: The Blu 2.0 stands out for its remarkably simple operation, with its lack of buttons and straightforward draw-activated firing. Blu offers a selection of their own flavour profiles, often in familiar tobacco, menthol, and fruit options, catering to a broad audience seeking a hassle-free experience.
• JUUL2: The JUUL2 maintains the sleek, minimalist aesthetic of its predecessor while introducing updated pod technology. Known for its satisfyingly tight draw and potent nicotine delivery, it caters to users seeking a vape experience that closely mimics the sensation of traditional cigarettes in terms of nicotine strength.
• Elf Bar Elfa Pro: Building on the success of disposable vapes, the Elfa Pro offers a rechargeable device with pre-filled pods. This system aims to bridge the gap between disposables and pod kits, offering a wider variety of flavours and the cost-effectiveness of a rechargeable battery.

Best for:

• Beginners looking for a no-fuss experience
• Occasional or social vapers
• Users who value convenience and portability.

What Are Refillable Pod Kits?

Refillable pod kits, also known as open pod systems, offer a more customisable and often more economical approach to vaping. Unlike pre-filled systems, these devices feature pods that users can manually fill with their e-liquid of choice. Some refillable kits use replaceable coils within the pod, allowing users to extend the life of the pod itself, while others require the entire pod to be replaced when the coil reaches the end of its lifespan. This versatility caters to vapers who enjoy experimenting with different e-liquids and prefer to manage their ongoing costs.

Some examples of refillable pod kits we really like are:

• OXVA XLIM Pro 2: Known for its robust build quality and focus on flavour production, the Xlim Pro 2 features adjustable wattage and airflow control to allow users to fine-tune their vaping experience.
• Vaporesso XROS Pro: The XROS Pro is recognised for its user-friendly design and consistent performance. Featuring a top-fill system for easy and mess-free refills, it caters to both new and experienced vapers.
• Elf Bar ELFX: The ELFX represents Elf Bar's venture into the refillable pod market, retaining the brand's focus on flavour while offering the economic and environmental benefits of a refillable system.

Best for:

• Regular or heavy vapers
• Flavour chasers and those who like e-liquid variety
• Users seeking better value over time.

Upfront Costs: Device Prices Compared

The initial investment in your vaping setup is a key consideration, and the price of the device itself can vary significantly between pre-filled and refillable pod kits. Let's take a look at the upfront costs associated with some of the popular models we've discussed.

Please note prices are subject to change without notice. For the most accurate pricing information, visit FREESMO.co.uk.

As the table illustrates, pre-filled pod kits generally have a lower initial purchase price, particularly when looking at the cost of the device itself. However, it's important to note what's included in the starter kit, as some pre-filled options may require the separate purchase of pods, impacting the true initial outlay. Refillable kits tend to have a slightly higher upfront cost but often include more in the box, such as a pod and charging cable.

Ongoing Costs: Pods and E-liquids

While the initial price of a vape kit is certainly a factor, the true cost of vaping unfolds over time with the replacement of consumables - the pre-filled pods or the e-liquid and replacement pods (or coils) for refillable devices. To really understand which system is more budget-friendly in the long run, we need to delve into these recurring expenses in more detail.

Let's first examine the ongoing costs associated with pre-filled pod kits, focusing on the replacement pods required to keep your device running:

Please note prices are subject to change without notice. For the most accurate pricing information, visit FREESMO.co.uk.

Now, let's turn our attention to refillable pod kits, where the recurring expenses involve both e-liquid and replacement pods (or coils, though in our chosen examples, it's primarily pods, as the coils in these pods do not need replacing):

Please note prices are subject to change without notice. For the most accurate pricing information, visit FREESMO.co.uk.

To provide a clearer overall picture, the following table offers a direct comparison of the estimated monthly costs for each system based on the usage patterns of a moderate vaper:

Please note these prices represent estimations only. Individual usage may vary. For the most accurate pricing information, visit FREESMO.co.uk.

As you can see, the ongoing costs between pre-filled and refillable pod kits can differ quite dramatically. While the convenience of pre-filled pods comes at a premium, particularly for regular users, refillable systems offer the potential for significant long-term savings on consumables like e-liquid and replacement pods.

Other Cost-related Factors to Consider

Beyond the direct financial costs of devices and consumables, several other aspects contribute to the overall value and long-term expense of choosing between pre-filled and refillable pod kits.

Waste and Sustainability

The environmental impact of vaping is an increasingly significant issue, highlighted by the UK’s 2025 ban on the sale of disposable vapes. Pre-filled pod systems share some of the environmental concerns associated with disposables, as each empty pod, typically made of plastic and containing residual e-liquid and sometimes electronic components, is discarded after a single use. This contributes to plastic waste and resource depletion. While packaging for both types of systems adds to waste, the single-use nature of pre-filled pods amplifies this concern, mirroring the issues leading to disposable bans.

Refillable pod kits offer a more sustainable alternative. By refilling pods with bottled e-liquid, users drastically reduce plastic waste. Although replacement pods or coils are still needed, their lifespan is generally longer than a single-use pre-filled pod. Opting for a refillable system aligns with a more environmentally responsible approach, mitigating the waste issues that are driving bans on similar single-use vaping products.

Customisation

A significant draw for many vapers is the ability to tailor their experience, and refillable pod kits excel in this regard, offering a cost-effective route to personalisation. Users can select their preferred e-liquid brand, explore a vast array of flavours, and fine-tune their nicotine strength and even the PG/VG ratio. This freedom not only allows for a more satisfying vape but can also lead to savings, as buying larger e-liquid bottles is typically cheaper per millilitre than relying on pre-filled pods.

In contrast, pre-filled kits, while offering undeniable convenience, restrict users to the manufacturer's curated selection of flavours and nicotine levels. This limitation can be frustrating for those with specific preferences and may lead to unnecessary expenditure on less desirable options.

Risk of Leaks or Waste

While modern refillable pod kits are increasingly designed with leak resistance in mind, there is still a potential for wasted e-liquid if the system isn't handled correctly. Overfilling the pod, using e-liquid with an incorrect viscosity for the pod type, or improper storage can lead to leaks. This wasted e-liquid represents a direct financial loss. However, by giving your vape a little care, attention, and maintenance, these risks can be significantly minimised.

In contrast, pre-filled pods are sealed units, largely eliminating the risk of leaks during use. However, if a pre-filled pod malfunctions or if the flavour isn't to the user's liking, the entire pod is often discarded, leading to potential waste of e-liquid that couldn't be used.

Final Verdict: Which Is More Cost-effective?

If you’re looking strictly at numbers, refillable pod kits are significantly more cost-effective over time. They do come with a slightly higher upfront cost and a bit of maintenance, but the long-term savings (especially for daily vapers) are hard to ignore. However, that doesn’t mean pre-filled kits are irrelevant. If you vape occasionally, travel frequently, or value a mess-free experience, the higher monthly cost might be worth the convenience.

Choose pre-filled pods if:

• You only vape occasionally
• You want zero maintenance or learning curve
• You’re often on the go and need a backup device.

Choose refillable pods if:

• You vape regularly or heavily
• You want to cut down your monthly spend
• You enjoy exploring new e-liquids and flavours, and really want to dive into vaping.

Whether you're drawn to the simplicity of pre-filled pod kits or the long-term savings of refillables, discover the ideal setup for you, here at FREESMO.