Going from an advanced temperature control box mod to something that looks and performs like a cig-a-like might seem counter intuitive at first. Pod vaporizers however are extremely popular right now. Paired with nic salts e-liquids they provide one of the most satisfying vape experiences ever. They are easy to use, ultra-portable and deliver good vapor and flavor.
What are pod vaporizers
Pod vaporizers are electronic cigarettes that use pods instead of cartridges. These are either pre-filled with e-liquid or refillable. Pre-filled pod devices can also be referred to as closed system vaporizers. The pods usually incorporate the mouthpiece as well as the coil and wicking material. They make a connection with the battery when they are inserted in the device and you can use them straight away.
A pod vaporizer usually consists of a battery, the charger and the pods. The battery has a slot for the slide-in pod and a notification light. Depending on manufacturer and type of pod system, the charger can be proprietary or standard micro-USB. Recharge time is usually under one hour with the majority of these devices.
The JUUL – one of the first pod style ecigs
The JUUL is not only the most popular pod vaporizer on the market but also one of the first to be launched. This tiny vape managed to become incredibly successful in a very short period of time and other companies soon followed its lead. It incorporates a small, ultra-light battery and uses 50mg nicotine salts e-liquids in its pre-filled pods. This device accounts for a cigarette-like vapor production and a similar nicotine buzz.
Image source: Engadget
The secret behind nicotine salts is their milder throat hit. When using regular "freebase" nicotine the throat hit is pretty harsh at concentrations higher than 24mg. In the case of nic salts, even at 50mg the throat hit is not only bearable but also very satisfying. The JUUL also incorporates temperature sensing technology so that you never get a dry hit even when chain vaping.
Why are pod vaporizers so popular
Pod style vaporizer are popular because they are better than box mods or vape pens when it comes to nicotine satisfaction. When people switch to e-cigs they expect the same buzz as from analogs with the same number of pulls. This rarely happens with free-base nicotine products, especially with low concentrations like the standard 3mg or 6mg.
Due to their nicotine salts content and tight draw, pod vapes offer an overall experience very similar to that of combustible cigarettes. They are essentially plug and play, which means you just slide in the pod and it's ready to vape. E-liquids don't get mixed inside the coil and you can easily swap between flavors at any time.
The Pod vapes I recommend
If you're looking to give pod systems a try there are some products you definitely need to check out.
First we have the JUUL – hands down one of the best performing device in this category. Comes with four flavored pods out of the box and nicotine concentration is 50mg. The downside is the high price you need to pay for the pods.
Next in line we have the Phix, which is very similar to the JUUL. It offers a bigger battery, different flavors and the same 50mg nicotine concentration. It's slightly cheaper and delivers great vapor.
The My Von Erl is another popular pod vape. Made in Austria, this tiny device comes with a lot more flavors and various nicotine concentrations. The draw is perfect and the top shelf flavors are incredible, however it uses standard nicotine.
For people who want to refill their pods with store-bought nicotine salts e-liquids, the Suorin iShare is a great alternative. Comes with its own charging case and two batteries and the overall experience is amazing. You do need a bit of skill to refill the tiny pods but in terms of price and unlimited number of flavors it's totally worth it. As a good nicotine salts e-liquid line we recommend Mr Salt E.