How Long Does a Refillable Vape Pod Last?

One of the popular benefits of switching from disposable to refillable vapes is that you can potentially save some money. That’s especially true if you live in regions that limit the capacities of pre-filled vaping devices, such as Europe and the United Kingdom. Although prices for disposable vapes tend to be reasonable in those regions, with only 2 ml of e-liquid, a vape isn’t going to last more than a couple of days. To know how much you can save, though, you need to know how long a refillable vape pod lasts – and that’s the focus of this article.

The quick answer is that you can usually expect to use a refillable vape pod for about a week or so before replacing it. You’ll need to replace the pod when you’re no longer happy with its flavor quality.

It’s possible to make a vape pod last longer though, and we’ll explain how in this guide. You’ll also learn how to replace a vape pod and discover what the difference is between pods with built-in and removable coils.

What Makes a Refillable Vape Pod Taste Burnt?

As we mentioned in the intro, it’s time to replace a refillable vape pod when it starts to taste burnt. You can use a pod as long as you like. When you’re no longer happy with the flavor, though, the only way to fix the problem is by replacing the pod (or by replacing the coil if you have a device with a removable coil).

The reason why a vape pod eventually begins to taste burnt is because as you vape, residue from the flavors, sweeteners and other ingredients in your e-liquid begins to collect on your coil. The residue eventually becomes so thick and dark that it creates a caramelized or burnt flavor.

All vapes have this issue; residue collects on every vape coil eventually. You might not notice the burnt flavor with disposable vapes, though, because your device will typically be out of e-liquid before the residue has a chance to build up.

How to Replace a Vape Pod

When you buy a refillable vape, one of the first pleasant differences you’ll notice is that a refillable device always includes a printed instruction manual. You can consult the manual to learn the specifics of replacing the pod for your device, but it’s usually a straightforward process. These directions will apply to most pod vapes.

If Your Pod Has a Built-in Coil:

1. Use the pod until it is empty. Since you’ll be discarding the entire pod, you’ll want to minimize waste.
2. Pull the pod out of the device and discard it.
3. Fill a new pod.
4. Push the pod into the device until it clicks or snaps into place. Some vape pods are magnetic, and others use plastic retaining tabs.
5. Wait several minutes before vaping to ensure that the coil is completely saturated with e-liquid.

If Your Pod Has a Removable Coil:

1. Use the pod until it is nearly empty. There’s no need to discard a pod with a removable coil unless the pod is old, and you don’t want to try cleaning it. If the pod has too much e-liquid in it, though, some of the vape juice will leak out when you remove the coil.
2. Pull the pod out of the device and invert it. You’ll see the base of the coil on the pod’s underside.
3. Grip the coil by its base and pull it out of the pod.
4. Push a new coil into the pod. If the coil doesn’t push in all the way, check to see if the coil's base has a flat side that needs to be aligned properly.
5. Refill the pod and wait several minutes before vaping.

How to Make a Vape Pod Last Longer

It’s possible that you’re reading this article because you’re using your first pod system and aren’t impressed with the pod life so far. Maybe you want to know how long a refillable vape pod lasts because you’re spending too much on replacement pods or coils and find that you’re not actually saving much money compared to disposable vapes.

Although the average life of a vape pod is about a week, you can actually make your pods last much longer than that – perhaps as long as several weeks – if you’re willing to make some small changes to how you vape. Here’s how to make a vape pod last longer.

Use vape juice that isn’t sweetened. Although all e-liquid flavors can cause residue to form on a vape coil, sucralose is the biggest culprit because it turns to a dark, sticky sludge when it’s heated. If your e-liquid tastes almost as sweet as real candy, it probably contains sucralose.

Use a higher-nicotine e-liquid and get a small pod vape with modest vapor production. If you use less vape juice per day, it’ll take longer for residue to form on your coil. As long as the nicotine strength of your e-liquid is sufficiently high, you can use a small vaping device without feeling unsatisfied.

Are Vape Pods with Built-in or Removable Coils Better?

Pod vapes are available with built-in or removable coils. As you’ve learned from this article, using a pod with a built-in coil means that you’ll discard the entire pod when the flavor quality declines. If your device has a removable coil, on the other hand, you can replace the coil and keep the pod. Both designs have benefits.

Benefits of Vape Pods with Built-in Coils:

• Very easy to use because you can discard the entire pod when you’re no longer happy with the flavor.
• More convenient and less messy than removing and replacing a wet coil.

Benefits of Vape Pods with Removable Coils:

• Usually less expensive to operate over time because replacement coils cost less per unit than pods with built-in coils.
• May have better flavor quality and vapor production because replacement coils are sometimes larger than built-in coils.