Disposable Vapes: Why to Try and What to Expect
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If you’re a vape user you may have heard that there will be some changes in the vaping industry and market coming soon. One of these changes will be the disappearance of disposable vape devices. However, brands are still permitted to sell their existing product, so you still have time to make some purchases if disposables are something you enjoy or something you’ve wanted to try.
For me, disposables were my introduction to vaping. As a new user, I had no idea how to choose my first device, let alone set it up. Disposables are great for those - like me - who needed to ease into vaping, but are also an awesome little device for experienced vapers. After testing pretty much every brand of disposable on the market, here are the ins and outs of disposable devices (and a few of my best flavor recommendations at the end).
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The Benefits of Disposable Vapes
Due to their discreet size - typically about the size of a long flash drive, disposables are convenient and ready to go as soon as they are unpackaged. There’s no installing batteries, no charging, and no filling your own e-liquid. Just unwrap, remove the sterile covers on either end, and you’re in business. I love them because - like most women - I tend to carry the smallest purse possible. They also take up almost no space in pants pockets, car cup holders, or anywhere else you can think to stash them.
There’s also the price: don’t let the bargain for these little guys fool you into thinking they might be too good to be true. The value is truly worth it; a typical disposable usually contains about 1.3mL of vape juice (or about 300 puffs). One device prefilled with 2% nicotine salt easily lasts a casual user such as myself for up to 2 days, and the ones containing 5% nicotine salt even longer.
Probably the biggest benefit to using disposable vapes is the massive variety of flavors that each brand produces. It’s a perfect way to experiment with flavors without having to commit to buying an entire bottle of vape liquid. Even classic flavors such as blue raspberry or strawberry banana vary in their taste from brand to brand. Disposables also allow brands to get creative with their flavor offerings (Wine Ice, Honeycomb Berry, Cucumber Lime, Mung Bean!). Again, you can find my list at the end of this article for some suggestions on flavors you shouldn’t miss.
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Things to Consider
Unlike a vape kit or pod system, disposables don’t offer as much user control - in fact, they offer none at all. To use a disposable, just pull air through the mouthpiece end and that’s all there is to it. This is great for newbies, who simply want to enjoy the nicotine and rich flavor, but there are plenty of seasoned users who like to manage the wattage and strength of their device.
Also, like any mass-produced item, there is always the possibility of finding a few defective ones. I would estimate that about 1 in 25 disposable devices I have purchased have burnt out sooner than they should have, or had a dead battery upon opening. But, for the price and variety of flavor options out there, this is a pretty small risk to take.
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Pro Tips
In my experimentation with disposable device sby different brands, I’ve learned a few things that I found to be helpful for beginners. When I first began using disposables, I was pulling air way too hard. I quickly learned that inhaling more slowly makes the device last longer and actually produces much more vapor and flavor. I’ve also noticed that across brands, the strength at which you need to inhale in order to activate the battery and heat the juice varies a It’s sort of trial-and-error, but once you find the right pull strength, you’re good to go.
Something else to note is that LED light that is featured on every disposable I’ve encountered. If the device contains juice and has a working battery, a light should turn on while you inhale and blink off once air is no longer passing through it. This is the easiest way to determine if the disposable is working. The light will blink when the device is nearing its end - similar to a gas light on a car, the blinking doesn’t mean it’s EMPTY - you do in fact have a few intakes left.
If your disposable isn’t working, here is the most simple (and most embarrassing) mistake I’ve made a dozen times - make sure you’re inhaling through the right end!
On some single use vapes, the mouthpiece and the air intake are shaped identically. The mouth part is indicated by the design on the disposable’s front, but I still can’t tell you how many times I’ve been annoyed that my device is dead already and it turns out I was trying to pull air through the wrong side...
While your time to experiment with single use vape devices is running short, it’s still a worthwhile purchase if you want to test flavors, have a back-up device on-hand for when you need it, or even for just a fun and enjoyable break for a very reasonable price.
When you are looking for a specific vape, try to stick to retailers with a solid reputation. This will help you make sure you're not buying a clone disposable vape that can harm your health.
Now, as promised: here are my recommendations for disposable vape flavors that you must try (and believe me, I’ve tried them all).
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My Fave Flavs
Cali Bars: Honeycomb Berry Ice
It’s got a rich and dark berry flavor, with a true honey taste and a rush of icy menthol at the end. It’s so refreshing and a flavor I’ve never quite tasted before.
I was blown away by this flavor. Earthy and just a tiny bit sweet, just like authentic jasmine tea.
This is a really unique candied pineapple flavor. It reminds me distinctly of those candy bricks from ages ago.
Before this disposable, I had never tasted a real-life lychee before. But after trying it, I had to buy a few lychees on my next trip to the grocery store. Just like actual lychees, this flavor is fruity with a big layer of floral flavor. The best I can describe it is a cross between pears, berries, and roses. Not to mention the nice menthol finish.
It tastes exactly like those gummy soda bottle candies!
I don’t find that this flavor tastes quite like the powder-mix pink lemonade that we all know and love, but it’s a fantastic tart and fruity flavor that I can’t get enough of. I always re-order this vape in large quantities.
If you’re a coconut lover, then this one is for you. It’s super creamy and a perfect split between pineapple and coconut.