how much do vapes cost
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How Much Do Vapes Cost?
A simple pod kit costs a few pounds; a refillable kit more upfront but cheaper to run. Upfront versus ongoing costs, and the incoming vaping duty.
If you are thinking about starting or switching to vaping, a fair first question is how much vapes cost. There is no single answer, because it depends on the type of device and how much you vape, but in general a simple pod kit costs only a few pounds, while a refillable starter kit costs more upfront but can work out cheaper per use. There are ongoing costs too, like pods, e liquid and coils. This guide breaks the costs down.
Quick answer
It depends on the device. A simple pod kit often costs only a few pounds, while a refillable starter kit costs more upfront but can be cheaper to run. Ongoing costs include pods or e liquid and, for refillables, coils. A new UK vaping duty from 1 October 2026 is expected to raise prices. Check our shop for current prices.
The main types and their costs
Vapes fall into a few broad groups. Simple prefilled pod kits, like the popular 600 puff devices, are cheap to buy, often just a few pounds, with replacement pods bought in packs. Refillable kits, where you add your own e liquid and replace coils, cost more to buy as a kit but are usually cheaper to run over time. Which works out best depends on how much you vape and what you value.
Rough vaping costs by type
| Type | Upfront | Ongoing |
|---|---|---|
| Prefilled pod kit | Low, a few pounds | Replacement pods |
| Refillable starter kit | Higher upfront | E liquid and coils |
| E liquid | n/a | By how much you vape |
| Coils | n/a | Roughly every week or two |
| Note | Prices vary | Check our shop |
Upfront versus ongoing
The key distinction is upfront versus ongoing cost. A prefilled pod kit is cheap to start but you keep buying pods. A refillable kit costs more at first, but bottles of e liquid and occasional coils are often cheaper per day than pods, so heavier or longer term vapers may save money. Working out which suits you means weighing the upfront outlay against how much you will spend running it.
Vapes range from a few pounds for a simple pod kit to more for a refillable starter kit. The cheaper option to buy is not always the cheapest to run, so weigh upfront against ongoing cost.
Myths and facts
| Myth | The reality |
|---|---|
| Vaping is always expensive to start | A simple pod kit often costs only a few pounds. |
| The cheapest kit is always cheapest overall | A refillable can be cheaper to run despite costing more upfront. |
| There are no ongoing costs | Pods, e liquid and coils are ongoing costs. |
| Prices will stay the same | A new UK vaping duty from October 2026 is expected to raise prices. |
Frequently asked questions
How much do vapes cost?
It depends on the type. A simple pod kit often costs a few pounds, a refillable starter kit more upfront but cheaper to run. Ongoing costs include pods or e liquid and coils.
Is a refillable cheaper than a pod kit?
It costs more to buy but is often cheaper to run, so heavier or longer term vapers may save money.
What are the ongoing costs?
Replacement pods for pod kits, or e liquid and occasional coils for refillables.
Will the vaping duty raise prices?
Yes, the UK Vaping Products Duty from 1 October 2026 is expected to raise vape prices.
How do I find current prices?
Please check our shop, as prices vary by product, retailer and over time.
The bottom line
How much vapes cost depends on the device and how much you vape. A simple prefilled pod kit often costs only a few pounds, while a refillable starter kit costs more upfront but can be cheaper to run thanks to lower cost e liquid and occasional coils. Ongoing costs matter as much as the upfront price, and the new UK vaping duty from 1 October 2026 is expected to raise prices. Check our shop for current prices, and the team can help you choose a setup that fits both your budget and how often you like to vape from one day to the next.
More help and related reading
If this guide raised other questions, the Help and Guidance library has plain English answers to many more. The closely related pages below are worth a look, and you can always return to the main hub to browse every topic we cover. If you are unsure which product or setup suits you, our team is always happy to help you choose.
- How much are Elf Bars?
- How long does a vape last?
- How long do vape coils last?
- Browse the full Help and Guidance library
Key things to remember
- A simple pod kit often costs only a few pounds
- A refillable kit costs more upfront but less to run
- Ongoing costs: pods or e liquid, plus coils
- A new UK vaping duty starts 1 October 2026
- Prices vary; check our shop
Matching the cost to how you vape
The cheapest option for you depends on how much you vape. A lighter user may be happy with a simple pod kit and the occasional pod, while a heavier or longer term vaper often saves money with a refillable, since e liquid by the bottle and the odd coil work out cheaper per day than buying pods. Thinking about your own usage is the best way to judge value.
It is also worth weighing convenience against cost. Pod kits are simple and grab and go, while refillables take a little more effort but reward you with lower running costs and more flavour choice. Neither is wrong, it depends on what you want.
Which suits you
| You are | Often suits |
|---|---|
| A light user | Simple pod kit |
| A heavier user | Refillable, cheaper to run |
| Wanting simplicity | Prefilled pods |
| Wanting flavour choice | Refillable |
| Unsure | Ask our team |
A few more questions
Is vaping cheaper than smoking?
For most people, yes, vaping typically costs considerably less than smoking over time, even with the upcoming duty.
Do and don’t
Do
- Weigh upfront cost against running cost
- Match the device to how much you vape
- Look out for multipacks and offers
- Factor in the vaping duty from October 2026
Try not to
- Assume the cheapest kit is cheapest overall
- Forget the ongoing cost of pods or coils
- Expect prices to stay the same
- Treat rough figures as exact
The running cost is where it adds up
When budgeting for vaping, the running cost usually matters more than the price of the device, because that is what you pay week in, week out. For a pod kit, that means the cost of replacement pods; for a refillable, the cost of e liquid and the occasional coil. Over a few months, these ongoing costs dwarf the one off price of the kit, which is why a slightly pricier refillable can end up cheaper.
Comparing on running cost, rather than the sticker price of the device, is the honest way to judge value. Our team can help you estimate what a setup is likely to cost you based on how much you vape.
Where the money goes
| Cost | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Device or kit | One off (reusable) |
| Pods | Ongoing for pod kits |
| E liquid | Ongoing for refillables |
| Coils | Roughly weekly or fortnightly |
| Duty | Per pod or bottle from Oct 2026 |
More questions answered
How can I keep vaping costs down?
Reuse your device, compare on running cost, watch for multipacks and offers, and choose a setup matched to how much you vape.
A quick word on safety and the law
Vaping and nicotine products are intended for adult smokers and existing vapers as a less harmful alternative to cigarettes. They contain nicotine unless stated otherwise, which is addictive, and they are not suitable for non smokers, pregnant women or anyone under 18. By law you must be 18 or over to buy vaping products in the UK, and we age verify every order. If you want to stop using nicotine altogether, your local stop smoking service offers free, tailored support.
UK public health bodies advise that vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking, but it is not risk free, and if you do not smoke the advice is not to start.
Prices are a general guide only and change over time and between retailers. Please check our shop for current prices.
Need a hand?
Browse our range and current prices, or get in touch if you would like help choosing.