This article is aimed at UK vapers and smokers considering switching to refillable systems who want a clear, practical understanding of how the cost of using a product such as the Bar Series Shortfill stacks up in terms of cost per puff. It is designed to help beginners and experienced users alike make informed decisions about value, usage habits and device compatibility. We will walk through what determines “price per puff”, how shortfills perform in that calculation, how they compare to other formats including those now affected by regulation and give guidance on how to maximise value in your vaping routine.

What determines price per puff

When assessing how much vaping costs on a “per puff” basis there are several key elements. The retail price of the e-liquid is the starting point. The size of the bottle and how many puffs a user actually gets from it is next. Usage patterns, device efficiency, coil longevity and draw length all influence how many puffs one bottle yields. Industry sources estimate that one millilitre of e-liquid in certain setups may equal roughly 100 puffs though this varies significantly. For example one UK guide states that a 100 ml shortfill might deliver around 10 000 puffs under moderate conditions.

Another source gives lower figures for high‐VG liquids in sub-ohm kits, e.g. around 3000 puffs for 100 ml in certain direct-to‐lung setups. Thus the estimation must be framed with device type and usage in mind.

Bar Series Shortfills – typical pricing and size

The Bar Series Shortfill range in the UK is widely available in 100 ml bottles of nicotine‐free e-liquid (space for nicotine shots) with common retail pricing around £9.99 to £11.99. One retailer lists the 100 ml bottle at £11.99 as part of a “2 for £20” deal. Another lists the same volume at £9.99.

The blend is often a 70 VG/30 PG ratio, designed for flavour and vapour production in compatible devices. So for example if you spend £10 on a 100 ml bottle you can use that as the basis to divide by the estimated number of puffs you expect from it to arrive at a cost per puff.

Estimating puffs and cost per puff

Let’s take a simple calculation. Suppose the bottle costs £10 and yields around 5 000 puffs (which may be an estimate for heavier direct‐to‐lung usage with high VG e-liquid). That gives a cost per puff of £10 / 5 000 = £0.002, or two tenths of a penny per puff.

If the usage is lighter and you manage 10 000 puffs from the same bottle (more likely with moderate device settings and conservative usage) the cost per puff drops to £10 / 10 000 = £0.001, or one tenth of a penny per puff.

These figures are illustrative and actual yields will vary based on device, coil, draw length, and how much liquid is used per inhale. The UK vaping trade guidance cites around 3000 puffs for a 100 ml shortfill in sub‐ohm devices. Thus the actual cost per puff could realistically lie between about £0.002 and £0.001 depending on usage.

Comparing value to other formats

Shortfills such as Bar Series offer favourable value compared with smaller bottles or more frequent purchases because you buy a larger volume at a lower price per millilitre and you get more puffs. Some guides compare shortfills to older disposable formats and find that shortfills are more cost efficient on a per‐puff basis. It is also worth noting that for many users, the per-day cost of vaping via ref

illable hardware plus shortfills is lower than repeatedly buying smaller bottles or higher frequency purchases. Device choice, coil lifespan and e-liquid consumption rate remain central to actual cost outcomes.

Device and usage factors affecting cost

The cost per puff will be influenced strongly by your hardware. If your vape kit has a coil designed for sub-ohm vaping and you are using the 70 VG/30 PG shortfill in a device built for big clouds, you may consume more liquid per puff than a compact pod kit using a higher resistance coil. That means the same £10 bottle might yield fewer puffs in that setup and the cost per puff becomes higher. Conversely if you vape more gently, use moderate wattage, and a device that does not use liquid so quickly then the bottle will last longer, reducing cost per puff further. Coil lifespan also matters. If coils burn out faster due to poor maintenance or mismatch you may be topping up more frequently, reducing value. Flavour fatigue—when you find yourself changing flavours more often can also influence how far your bottle goes and indirectly your cost per puff.

Regulation and environmental note regarding single‐use devices

While this article focuses on cost per puff of shortfills, it is worth reflecting on the UK regulatory context. Single‐use disposable vapes have been banned from sale in the UK. This regulatory change means that the market dynamics have shifted and options such as large-volume shortfills plus refillable devices represent the legally compliant route for many users. The shift away from disposables also influences how users evaluate cost per puff because older comparisons or marketing claims for disposables may no longer reflect the current legal or available products. The regulatory environment places greater emphasis on refillable systems, user control of e-liquid, and responsible disposal of used components.

Practical advice to maximise cost efficiency

To get the best value per puff from Bar Series Shortfills follow a few practical tips. Choose a device and coil that is matched to high VG liquids this ensures efficient wicking and reduces waste. Avoid using extremely high wattage just to chase clouds if your priority is cost per puff rather than maximum vapor volume.

Maintain coils, keep devices clean and airflow appropriate so you avoid burnt hits and premature coil changes. Use flavour rotation or moderate usage so the bottle lasts and you do not feel the need to discard or replace frequently. Store your bottles properly in a cool, dark place to preserve flavour and avoid deterioration that might lead to wasted liquid. Because you are effectively purchasing the large 100 ml bottle up front, plan your budget accordingly and track how long the bottle lasts in your actual usage context so you can refine your personal cost-per-puff estimate over time.

Conclusion

When you assess cost per puff for the Bar Series Shortfill range you find that the economics are favourable for many users. A typical 100 ml bottle at around £10 that yields somewhere between a few thousand to perhaps ten thousand puffs depending on usage translates into a low cost per puff often a few tenths of a penny. In contrast smaller bottles or more frequent purchases tend to raise the cost per puff.

Because the UK now emphasises refillable systems and large volume shortfills in the regulatory framework the Bar Series option also aligns with legal, practical value-based vaping. If you select the right hardware, manage your usage and maintain your kit you should find that shortfills offer strong value for money. For now and the foreseeable future, the large bottle plus refillable device route remains one of the most cost efficient ways to vape while staying within the UK regulations and ensuring consistent performance.