Is there anything that Elf Bar can’t do? Seriously — the manufacturers of the famous Elf Bar 600 disposable vape have gone on to create a wide range of different products including pod kits, cig-a-likes, nic salts, and even their spin-off disposable vape range Lost Mary.
But as the Elf Bar range expands more and more, the choice of which of their products to use becomes harder. Should you continue using their classic disposable vapes or is it time to give their refillable pod kit a try? As big fans of Elf Bar’s products, we’re here to help you choose which of their vape devices are most worth your limited time and hard-earned cash. So, without further ado, here’s our detailed run-down of the Elf Bar disposable vapes versus refillable pod kits.
Elf Bar disposables: The basics
If you’ve ever tried an Elf Bar vape, it was probably a disposable one such as the original Elf Bar 600 or the Lost Mary BM600. Both available in a wide range of different nic salt flavours, these are perfect for easy on-the-go vaping because they are low maintenance and don’t require any recharging or refilling. Just throw them away once you’re done — just like a cigarette!
While there are a few different types of Elf Bar disposable devices, they all have some things in common: a small in-built battery providing up to 600 puffs, pre-filled flavourful e-liquid, and a well-designed mouthpiece for you to draw on. Our three favourite Elf Bar disposable vapes include:
Elf Bar 600
The Elf Bar 600 has become synonymous with disposable vaping, instantly recognisable with its colourful body, black mouthpiece, and sleek silhouette. Featuring a 550mAh built-in battery, these beginner-friendly vapes are ready to use straight out of the box. Each has a satisfying 2% nicotine nic salt for a smooth and enjoyable hit — perfect for former smokers looking to keep the cravings away. Plus, these disposable devices are available in a wide range of flavours, from decadent Strawberry Ice Cream to tangy Blue Razz Lemonade.
Lost Mary BM600
Growing so rapidly in popularity that they may soon steal the Elf Bar 600’s crown, the Lost Mary BM600 disposable vape features many of the same delicious e-liquid flavours but with a completely different look. Instead of the bar inspired appearance of the Elf Bar original, this looks more like a pod — a design choice appreciated by many vapers for its pocket-friendly and easy-to-hold nature. Their 550mAh battery means that these disposable vapes can last a long time for vapers’ enjoyment.
Elf Bar Cigalike
Specifically designed for anyone trying to quit smoking, these tiny pocket-friendly vapes look and feel just like a traditional cigarette. Slim and stylish, from a distance you wouldn’t even be able to tell that it’s a vape! These disposable vapes from Elf Bar are pre-charged to last up to 600 puffs and contain 1.6ml of delicious nic salt e-liquid in classic Elf Bar flavours such as Pink Lemonade and Peach Ice as well as some new offerings including Cappuccino and Red Wine Ice. Yes, you read that correctly. Now you can enjoy the great flavours of both your favourite morning beverage and your favourite evening beverage in a discreet little disposable vape.
Elf Bar refillables: The basics
In contrast to their disposable counterparts, Elf Bar’s range of refillable pod kits can be recharged whenever you need. When the e-liquid runs out, all you need to do is add a new pre-filled pod which contains e-liquid and a coil and keep using your vape.
Elf Bar have created a few different reusable pod kits including the Elf Bar Mate 500, but our favourite by far is the Elfa Pod Kit. Designed to imitate the look of a disposable vape, the Elf Bar Elfa vape uses Elfa pre-filled pods which can be easily switched out whenever you run out of the delicious nic salt. And when it runs out of charge there’s no need to throw it away — just pop it on charge using the USB-C charge port and enjoy as the device returns to full power within around 30 minutes.
Now that we’ve looked at the key differences between the Elf Bar disposable and refillable vapes, let’s compare them to see which type comes out on top.
Ease of use
Although both disposable and refillable vapes are extremely beginner-friendly, disposable vapes are a clear winner. Ready to use straight out of the box, they require no fiddly coil changes or e-liquid refills. You don’t have to worry about how to charge them or whether you’re using the right sort of e-liquid because everything is already sorted for you when you open the packet.
Refillable vapes are also pretty easy to use. While they are a little more complex due to their ability to be recharged or have their pods swapped out for new ones, they’re still incredibly easy to use. The Elf Bar pods couldn’t be easier to install: just click them in and out of place.
Cost savings
Priced at just £4.50 each for an Elf Bar 600, the disposable vapes from Elf Bar may initially win out over the £7 Elfa Pod Kit. However, after the upfront cost of the Elfa, all you need to do is buy the pods to enjoy your vape. Packs of two pods cost £6 or £3 each. Let’s do some calculations.
Both the Elf Bar 600 disposables and pre-filled pods contain 2ml of e-liquid, which can last around 600 puffs. How long this lasts depends on your particular vaping habits, so let’s say a person gets through two disposables or pre-filled pods each week.
For the Elf Bar 600: 2 x £4.50 = £9 per week. That’s £468 per year.
For the Elfa Pod Kit: 2 x £3 = £6 per week. That’s £312 per year. Add the original cost of the vape (£7) and that’s £319.
Even after the initial cost of the device, it’s clear that opting for the refillable vape is substantially cheaper in the long run. For vaping on a budget, the Elfa pod kit is a clear winner.
Note: if the thought of spending over £300 a year on vaping makes you shudder, think about how much cigarettes cost! According to some calculations, cigarettes can cost an individual more than ten times that amount. To check the cost of your own smoking habit, try this NHS savings calculator.
Environmental impact
One of the biggest downsides of disposable vapes is their environmental impact. Because they are made of plastic and contain electronic components, disposable and refillable vapes can be difficult to recycle effectively. To vape in a more environmentally conscious way, we’d recommend switching to Elf Bar’s refillable vapes because in these devices you only need to throw away the pods, sending less waste to landfill than if you were throwing away the whole device.
If you want to learn more about vaping’s impact on the environment, check out our guide to eco-friendly vaping.
Flavours
Although the Elf Bar disposables and refillables feature most of the same nic salt flavours, one key difference is that the refillable pod vape kits allow you to switch out different flavours whenever you want. Getting tired of Pink Lemonade while the pod is still half full? No problem — you can swap it for Cola, Strawberry Kiwi, or Blue Razz Lemonade with no disruption to your vaping. Then, you can come back to the original flavour later. It’s a great way to customise your vaping experience!
Conclusion
Although we’ve shared some of the pros and cons of the different Elf Bar products here, the choice will always come down to your own personal preference. There’s no right or wrong answer — just pick the type of vape that works best for you. And don’t forget — when the products are this cheap it’s easy to try a few different options to figure out what you like!
If you’ve got more questions about vaping, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our friendly team of vape enthusiasts are always happy to share our expertise with the community!