THE CHEAPEST WAY TO VAPE: THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO VAPING ON A BUDGET

IS VAPING CHEAPER THAN SMOKING?

Vaping is a lot cheaper than smoking and will save you money, but there are ways to maximise your vaping economy! Choosing a high nicotine e-liquid means you get more nicotine for your money, so you can satisfy your nicotine cravings with a small amount of e-liquid. Using a low powered vape will make your liquid last longer, as will using vents on your device. Maintain your vape well to avoid extra purchase costs!

INTRODUCTION

One of the great things about switching from smoking to vaping is the difference it makes to your bank balance! This, in addition to the less harmful nature of e-cigarettes, makes switching over to vaping the sensible, logical choice.

Switching over to e-cigarettes will save you money, and buying smart will stretch that saving a little further. To truly maximize your savings, it's important to vape smarter by making informed, cost-effective choices throughout your vaping journey. Let’s look at how we can be most efficient with our money while we vape!

SETTING A VAPING BUDGET - WHAT'S THE CHEAPEST WAY TO VAPE?

A light smoker who smokes ten cigarettes a day is likely to spend between £150 to £210 a month on cigarettes in the UK, a heavy smoker having 20 cigarettes a day will spend between £300 and £420 a month.

Vaping will likely cost a fraction of this, but as a good start we should aim for our budget to come in under the cost of the cigarettes that were being consumed.

Cheap vape kits might seem like a good start - there are many disposable vape brands that cost less than £5 to get started, but these disposable vape kits may not be the smartest choice for your vaping journey. While a single disposable vape may seem affordable upfront, it can become more expensive in the long run due to frequent replacements. Disposable vapes are mostly made in China, using Chinese e-liquid and most likely use nicotine salt formations for a super smooth inhale. The problem is that many disposable vape brands came under fire in the UK for having illegal levels of e-liquid in - this blatant disregard for UK regulations raises the question: what other regulations are they ignoring? Not all devices available on the market meet UK safety standards, so only purchasing legitimate products from registered retailers helps avoid counterfeit products and ensures compliance.

E-Cigarettes are considered 95% less harmful than smoking, according to Public Health England, so as well as being financially better-off, vaping should also mean your health is in a better position, too. For this reason, disposable vape alternatives that use e-liquid made in the UK, held to the high standards set out by UK vape regulations, are a better option.

CAN I BULK BUY A CHEAP VAPE? E-CIGARETTE DEALS AND PROMOTIONS

Multi buy deals and promotions are always going to save you money, so make sure to keep an eye out for them! Many vape stores offer match discounts, especially when buying coils or e-liquids in bulk, which can save you up to 20%.

Discount codes are often available through banners, newsletters, or are automatically applied at checkout, providing additional savings. Many vape stores also have loyalty programs, allowing you to accumulate points with each purchase that can be redeemed for discounts or free products.

Starter kits are often available in a deal with extras, so try to start off with a starter kit deal, like one of SMOKO’s E-cigarette starter kit bundles. The extras in these deals can include a box of refills, e-liquids, replaceable coils, a spare vape tank and/or spare batteries at a reduced price - that’s a bargain!

CAN YOU BULK BUY VAPES AND E-CIGARETTE REFILLS?

Options to bulk buy are likely to only apply to e-liquids or e-cigarette refills, and possibly disposable vapes. This will save you money while helping you stay topped up with your nicotine. With the disposable vape ban now in effect, bulk buying disposable vapes is out of the question.

For users of box mods and vape pens, coils are one of the vape products that can be bulk-bought to save a few pennies, but there is a lot of variation out there so make certain you are buying the right coils for your device!

ARE CHEAP VAPES A COMPROMISE ON QUALITY?

Have you ever heard the adage ‘buy cheap, buy twice’? It can apply just as well to vape kits, so in order to keep your overall spending down, make sure to invest in a good quality device that will go the distance. It may not make sense to go for the cheapest vape!

Cheaper kits generally means cheaper parts or cheaper/older technology, which can lead to a malfunctioning device, and a poorer vaping experience. Vaping technology has improved with each new generation, making newer devices safer and capable of delivering a better experience. However, some affordable pod kits still offer a premium feel, with sleek design and superior build quality, providing a more luxurious experience at a lower price.

Don’t mistake cheaper types of device with a ‘cheap kit’ though - a quality cig-a-like starter kit will be cheaper than an old version box mod, and will serve your needs, particularly if you prefer a mouth to lung inhale - just like smoking a cigarette!

Don’t compromise the quality of your e-liquids either - SMOKO’s E-cigarette refills use e-liquid made here in the UK, which might mean you pay a little more, but it means they are subject to standards and regulations that are not present everywhere in the world.

HOW DOES A LESS ADVANCED VAPE DEVICE COMPARE WITH MORE COMPLEX VAPES?

A good way to keep costs down is to use a less advanced vape device. Compact devices, which are small, self-contained units that integrate the battery, coil, and e-liquid chamber, are portable and convenient. The box mods, or sub-ohm vaping devices, are a type of refillable vape and are the most complex on the market! They also require the most maintenance!

• You will need to either clean or use a spare sub ohm tank if you want to change e-liquids

• You will need to keep an eye on the condition of the coil to replace it before it deteriorates too much and potentially leaches heavy metals into your e-liquid.

• You will need to keep an eye on the condition of the batteries as these become a fire hazard if they become structurally compromised.

If you are in love with the idea of refilling your tank, or mixing and using your own vaping liquid, then a refillable pod system or vape pen allows you to do that, while removing some of the complexity of a box mod. Choosing a refillable device may involve a higher upfront cost, but it offers lower ongoing expenses and greater flexibility with flavours - just be prepared to spend more time doing maintenance and regularly checking . The mouth to lung inhale style is the same for these units as the box mods, delivering a similar vaping experience for a less intimidating price.

Expensive vape box mod type devices often have adjustable power, but if the coil resistance is wrong, it could lead to little vaporisation or a dry hit due to too much power (1).

The most modestly priced units in your local vape shop are the cig-a-like and pod vape kits that use pre-filled cartridges. These are great if you don’t want to mess about with filling and mixing e-liquids, helping you keep things clean and expedient - after all, time is money!

These units are significantly smaller and more convenient than the box mod type, and even the more moderately sized vape pen style device - believe it or not, this makes it harder to break, giving the E-Cigarette another advantage over other devices.

Make sure to stay away from disposable vapes - these are not environmentally friendly, and though they may seem cheap on the face of it, the small amount of liquid they contain and the single-use battery make for a wasteful (2) and expensive way to vape.

WHAT'S CHEAPER: REFILLABLE TANKS vs E-CIGARETTE REFILLS?

As far as tanks go, there is a variety available, but here in the UK, the maximum legal tank size is 2ml (3). This does limit variety here in the UK, but there are tanks available in the US that are much larger.

Having a spare tank is a necessary cost if you plan to use a reusable vape pen: tanks can break, and if you want to vape a different flavour without finishing your current tank you can use the spare, or if you vape CBD you could keep a tank dedicated to that purpose.

When comparing refillable kits to prefilled pods, refillable options are generally more cost-effective and customisable, allowing you to choose your own e-liquid and save money over time. However, prefilled kits are simpler to use, making them ideal for beginners who want convenience and minimal setup.

This demonstrates another advantage for cigalike and pre-filled pods - if the refill gets damaged, the only loss is that refill - you’re likely to have a few refills spare, so where tank problems will prevent you from vaping on your box mod, simply switch out the refill on the e-cigarette and you’re back to vaping!

HOW WILL THE RIGHT NICOTINE STRENGTH OF VAPE JUICE AFFECT MY BUDGET?

Getting the right strength vape juice for your needs is likely to be the single biggest money saver in this whole exercise. Why? Too weak a liquid will end up being used in greater quantities to hit the same level of craving, so you will get through a higher volume of liquid.

Choosing a high nicotine liquid is the best way to get the most nicotine for your money, so even if it is a little too high for your preference, it will allow you to use less liquid to satisfy the craving. A smoker looking to cut down their nicotine intake could still use the strongest E-cigarette refills available, but by limiting the number of puffs, or taking more shallow puffs, they can reduce their nicotine intake.

Mixing your own e-liquids using shortfills and nic salts is a way to get around regulations and achieve a higher strength nicotine e-liquid than is allowed on the retail market, and the nic salts keep the inhale smooth, too (4). Do remember that the regulations are in place for good reason, though, so we wouldn’t advise making liquids above a 2.0% strength. If you are coughing when you vape, check out the our guide to why you cough when you vape and how to get rid of it!

If you plan on mixing your own e-liquids, be prepared to spend the time and find the space to keep all of your ingredients - and keep a cleaning cloth close by.

HOW DOES VAPING TECHNIQUE AFFECT YOUR E-LIQUID CONSUMPTION?

The vaping technique is largely dictated by the style of device you use, but the way you inhale can impact how much vape juice is used in a single draw.

Mouth-to-lung (MTL) devices consume less e-liquid compared to high-power sub-ohm devices, making them a more economical choice for those looking for the cheapest way to vape. Additionally, using higher resistance coils requires less power and juice to produce a satisfying hit, which helps save on e-liquid costs.

Many devices allow the entry of air into the system by a vent of some kind. The SMOKO E-cigarette has venting where the refill joins the battery, and refillable tanks have an adjustable slider to set the vent to the right size for your preference.

The degree to which these vents are open determines how much air is mixed with the vapour generated, and affects the rate of aerosolisation (5) as better airflow allows this to happen at lower temperatures. Therefore, it may make sense to keep vents open as much as possible when vaping in order to make the e-liquid last as long as possible!

HOW DOES PROPER MAINTENANCE OF VAPE DEVICE AND ACCESSORIES AFFECT YOUR VAPING BUDGET?

For devices requiring maintenance, taking the time to clean your vape device is essential if you want it to last as long as possible. Liquids in contact with metal will cause it to corrode - whether in the tank, the vape coil, or if some leaks through to the main body of the device.

For this reason, the cigalikes and pre-filled pod systems win out for their sealed refills. The batteries don’t last forever, but then no batteries do. Coils come in the refills, so most of your purchasing will be for refills, and occasionally a replacement battery. Much easier than carrying spare tanks and coils around with e-liquid bottles for your big box mod!

Choosing a device with a larger battery capacity and a rechargeable battery can improve longevity and reduce replacement costs. Long battery life is a key feature for consistent performance, especially for users who want reliable, all-day vaping without frequent recharging. Proper maintenance of vape batteries is also crucial. Following good charging habits, such as not overcharging and avoiding extreme temperatures, can extend the lifespan of your batteries.

So not only will a mod vape get through your e-liquid faster due to the higher power, they may also release more harmful chemicals than a low powered vape, especially if you need to replace an older coil! Very high strength nic salt liquids are also associated with higher heavy metal leeching (6), so we suggest using freebase nicotine!

Don’t make the mistake of bulk buying your e-liquids or e-cigarette refills and then subjecting them to extreme temperatures or leaving them in sunlight - this results in the degradation of chemicals in the liquid, reducing the strength and negatively impacting the flavour, even though the liquid should still be safe to use if it was made in the UK.

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO VAPING ON A BUDGET: CONCLUSION

If keeping your costs down is top priority, but like most of us, you want to spend your free time doing non-vape related activities, then a simple device with less replaceable parts is the best way to go. The initial spend is low, refills can be bulk bought, risk of damaging the device is low, and they are really easy and convenient to transport, as well as cheap to maintain! Choosing reusable systems leads to significant long term savings and is more cost-effective in the long run. In fact, switching from disposable vapes to reusable systems can reduce annual costs by 70-85%, helping you vape smarter and save more over time.

Buying UK made liquids, like those we use in the SMOKO e-cigarette refills, may be a little more expensive, but the regulation in place means the product is subject to a good degree of standards - standards that are not matched by every country in the world - helping you vape as safely as possible.

Remember, don’t buy cheap, buy smart - make the switch to the UK’s premium e-cigarettes today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is vaping cheaper than smoking?

For most smokers, yes. While there’s a small upfront cost for a vape kit, ongoing costs like e-liquid or replacement pods are usually far lower than buying cigarettes every week. Many people who switch to a reusable pod kit, such as the SMOKO Vape Starter Kit, find they save hundreds of pounds per year.

What’s the cheapest way to start vaping?

A complete starter kit is usually the most budget-friendly option. Kits like the SMOKO E-Cigarette Starter Kit include everything you need to get started, so you won’t need to buy parts separately. They’re designed to be simple, reliable, and cost-effective for smokers making the switch.

Are refillable vapes cheaper than disposable vapes?

Yes. Although disposables may seem cheap upfront, buying a new device every time quickly adds up. Refillable pod systems and prefilled pod kits — like SMOKO’s rechargeable options — are far more economical long term because you only replace the pod, not the entire device.

How can I make my vape last longer?

To get the best value from your vape:

• Avoid chain vaping

• Charge your battery before it fully drains

• Use compatible pods or e-liquids

• Replace pods when flavour starts to fade

Using official replacement pods designed for your device (such as SMOKO replacement pods) also helps maintain performance and prevents unnecessary waste.

Does higher nicotine strength save money?

For heavier smokers, choosing the right nicotine strength can help reduce cravings more effectively. Being able to choose from a range of nicotine strengths allows users to better match their needs and potentially save money by reducing overall consumption. This may mean fewer puffs and less frequent pod changes, helping your e-liquid last longer. If you’re unsure, starting with a strength that matches your previous cigarette consumption is a good way to avoid overspending.

Is it worth investing in a quality vape kit?

Absolutely. Very cheap devices often underperform or break quickly, leading to more replacements. Beginner-friendly pod kits are available at affordable prices and are a good investment for those seeking the cheapest way to vape. A reliable, well-built kit from a trusted UK brand like SMOKO is designed for longevity, better battery life, and consistent performance — making it better value over time. Reputable sellers ensure products comply with UK/regional safety standards, so always purchase from trusted sources. Additionally, look for vape kits with built-in safety features like overcharge protection and short-circuit protection for added peace of mind.

REFERENCES

(1) Influence of Coil Power Ranges on the E-Liquid Consumption in Vaping Devices

(2) Tackling the environmental impact of disposable vapes

(3) Guidance: E-Cigarettes: regulations for consumer products

(4) Effect of Exposure to e-Cigarettes With Salt vs Free-Base Nicotine on the Appeal and Sensory Experience of Vaping

(5) Volatile aldehyde emissions from 'sub-ohm' vaping devices

(6) Occurrence of metals in e-cigarette liquids: Influence of coils on metal leaching and exposure assessment

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Written by Dan Overgage

Dan Overgage is a former smoker of 10 years until he became a client of SMOKO E-Cigarettes. Dan started working with SMOKO 5 years ago after successfully quitting using our e-cigarettes and works across our Customer Service and heads up our content creation and research with a strong focus on all things quitting smoking. During his tenure with SMOKO, Dan has written countless blogs and consults with countless clients every day to help them to stay smoke-free.

Last updated 20/02/2026