Best Vapes and Closed Pods for 2023

What makes a vape great tends to differ from one person to another. Some vapers prioritize battery capacity over everything else, while others prioritize flavours, number of puffs, or other features like design and tech. Maybe you’re after a balanced device that can offer a bit of everything. We could also analyse price to value, aesthetics, feel, vapour production, usability and more. When it comes to evaluating what makes a pod great we encounter the same list of options: should we decide based on flavour? Technology? How easy are they to use? The possibilities are endless and very personal…

To keep things simple, we decided to focus on popular products in three main categories: disposable vapes, refillable vapes, and closed pods, while keeping in mind the many great features of each individual product. Let’s take a look at the best vapes and closed pods for 2023!

Best Disposable Vapes

Disposable vapes are sold pre-filled with e-liquid and disposed of (they are recyclable at 180 Smoke stores) once the tank is empty and/or when the pre-charged battery dies out. The fact that they are disposable also means they are more affordable, convenient and portable. Our choices for best disposable vapes include:

1. Waka Smash – Best disposable vape by puff size

Waka Smash vapes by RELX comes highly recommended to vapers who want disposable vapes with the maximum number of puffs, with an astonishing 6,000 puffs (approximate) per device. Its unique flavour variety (12 fruity flavours), and rechargeable battery (500mAH, type-C fast charging) also puts the Waka Smash ahead of most disposable vapes known to prematurely run out of e-liquid or battery life, which can get in the way of a great vaping experience.

You can recharge your Waka Smash vape and use it to the last puff. However, once you open it and start vaping, you should use it for a maximum of 15 days for optimal quality. 

2. SnowPlus Go 3000 – Best disposable vape by battery life

The SnowPlus Go 3000 is the perfect product for vapers looking for a disposable vape that doesn’t need to be recharged and offers more puffs than the average disposable device.

• This vape offers approximately 3,000 puffs, which might be only half of the Waka Smash capacity, but in exchange offers a battery that lasts twice as long without recharging (1,100 mAH battery)
• It also has a bigger flavour variety, with 20 unique options for vapers to try. 
• Capacity and battery life aside, SnowPlus Go 3000 vapes are ready to use out of the box: the puff-activated atomizer responds intuitively to the last drop of the 6 ml pre-filled e-liquid.

This is clearly a product made with modern, on-the-go vapers in mind, with its easy way of use, pre-charged battery and very good puff count. 

3. Envi Apex

Besides the battery life and the number of puffs, portability can also be an important aspect for vape enthusiasts, and the Envi Apex is here to meet their needs.

• This product weighs just 60g and measures 108.2 by 21.1mm in dimensions, which means the Envi Apex vapes can be carried around with ease.
• Its 1,100mAH battery capacity (the same as the SnowPlus Go 3000) and 2,500 puff count (approximate) are more than enough for a great vaping experience.
• The device also comes with a draw-activated atomizer that makes the Envi Apex experience very user-friendly.
• What’s more, the vapes have a sleek black design and 11 sweet, creamy, and fruity flavours to choose from.

Overall it is easy to see why this simple-to-use, modern-looking and highly portable device is an absolute user favourite.

4. STLTH Disposable Vapes – Best new disposable vapes

STLTH has been a pioneer brand in the closed pod vapes market. They recently released a revolutionary series of disposable vapes dubbed STLTH 3K, with 3,000 puffs, and STLTH 5K, with approximately 5,000 puffs. 

• STLTH 3K vapes are sold pre-filled with 6 mL e-liquid with 20 mg/ml nic salts (2% nicotine). 
• The vapes have a precharged 800mAH battery that offers power to the last puff. 
• STLTH 3K vapes are available in six unique flavours.
• The STLTH 3K stands out for its slim pen-like, pocket-friendly size and buttonless design, making this device simple and easy to use as well as highly portable. 
• STLTH 5K vapes are sold prefilled with 10 ml e-liquid containing 20mg/ml nic salts (2% nicotine). 
• Although these vapes have a less powerful battery than the STLTH (600 mAH9, it is rechargeable.
• STLTH 5K vapes also have more flavours (10 varieties) to choose from. 
• The best design features of STLTH 5K disposable vapes include an airflow control slider that offers a custom draw resistance, tight MTL to restrictive DTL vaping, a buttonless design that avoids accidental pressing and indicator lights for battery and e-liquid levels. 

Best refillable vapes

Refillable vapes allow you to top up e-liquid. The vapes are generally rated by their leak-proof features, refilling type (side or top refilling), and e-liquid viewing window, among other features. For us there is no question, this category is absolutely dominated by the UWELL Caliburn brand. 

1. UWELL Caliburn A2S – Best refillable leak-proof vape

Some refillable vapes can be prone to leaks, but the Caliburn A2S is different. The vape has a top filling port and an automatic-press lock that stops leaks. Refilling is also fast and easy without causing a mess. Caliburn A2S vapes also have a unique e-liquid window that allows you to visually monitor juice levels at all times.

Other features that make the Caliburn A2S stand out from many refillable vapes include:

• Fast-charging capability (90% in less than 35 minutes)
• Sleek aluminium alloy exterior
• Buttonless operation
• Safety features like timeout, short circuit, and low voltage protection. The device will automatically stop working in case of a short circuit, low voltage, and overdrawing.

It’s clear this device was created with users’ safety and comfort in mind, with its many features working together to create an amazing and safe experience driven by the latest vaping technology. 

2. UWELL Caliburn X – Best refillable high-tech vape

The Caliburn X is an updated and more sophisticated version of the Caliburn A2S. The refillable vape has a top-fill leak-free pod that is spring-loaded and leak resistant. The pod housing is magnetic, and the vape has a larger viewing window than the A2S and most competing refillable vapes in the market.

Other notable features include:

• A dual-firing technology that enables users to vape automatically or via the firing button.
• The Caliburn X is also among the few refillable vapes in its price range (only $44.99 with the possibility of earning 22 loyalty points with the purchase) with an LED screen with multiple display settings from battery level to puff counter. 

Best closed pods

Closed pods are pre-filled devices with pods (cartridges) that can’t be refilled once they are used up. Having this pod pre-filled with e-liquid makes the product convenient and easy to use: there’s no mess associated with refilling or carrying e-liquid around. The cartridges simply need to be slotted into the device and enjoyed. Once finished, they are removed and replaced.

The best closed pods for 2023 offer the convenience of a quick vaping experience minus the hassle of re-filling or dealing with leaks. They also offer a great variety of e-liquid flavours. Let’s have a look at the products that made our list. 

1. Vuse – Best closed pods by flavour variety

Vuse pods (formerly Vype pods) are a newer and improved version of closed pods that offer an astonishing variety of flavours. Users that find closed pods limiting in their flavour options will definitely enjoy this device, thanks to its 40+ tasty flavours to choose from. 

• Vuse pods contain 1.9 mL e-liquid with different nicotine strengths (12mg/mL to 18 mg/mL) to match unique tastes and preferences.
• Vuse Pods are known for offering a mess-free, fuss-free, and flavourful vaping experience ideal for seasoned and new vapers alike. 

2. RELX– Best closed pods by sensation and coil technology (FEELM ceramic coil)

RELX pro pods contain 1.9 mL e-liquid and are available in 12 mouthwatering flavours. What sets these flavours apart is their superior sensation (cooling, intensity, or richness). Additionally, vapers get to choose their ideal nicotine strength. The RELX pro pod devices also come with a FEELM coil that provides a superior vaping experience. 

• The RELX pro closed pods are compatible with Infinity and Essential devices.
• RELX pods also stand out for their superior FEELM ceramic coil that uses atomization technology. 
• Most importantly, the FEELM coil’s superior temperature distribution, material property, and physical structure ensure there is minimal to no production of unwanted by-products like ketones and aldehydes during vaporisation when compared to other coil materials like fibre and cotton.
• The new-generation ultra-slim ceramic coil is designed to increase flavour reproduction, offer a leak-proof performance and increase energy efficiency. 
• RELX pods offer a very smooth and satisfying vapour with a tight MTL draw.

3. Snowplus – Best closed pods by leak-proof technology and flavour variety (Canadian and imported flavours).

Snowplus closed pods stand out because they have a special leak-proof structure: a triple anti-leak design characterised by silicone seals inside the pods, a wider airway, and surface tension in the pods. Vapers should never worry about leaking with SnowPlus pods, which is why we had to include them in our ranking. 

• Each pod has 1.5mL e-liquid with a 20 mg/mL nicotine strength (or 2% nicotine concentration).
• The pods also come in 20+ delicious flavours with an added bonus: there is a classic collection of flavours with imported flavours, a Canadian collection of flavours that are locally developed and packaged in redesigned pods, and a premium pod collection that contains flavours from the most popular Canadian e-liquid flavour brands.
• Flavours aside, SnowPlus pods are by a leading and independent global vaping brand renowned for global standards in R&D and development centres. 

4. STLTH – Best closed pods with hybrid e-liquid blends

STLTH pods make our list because of their versatility and great range of options: they are available in three collections, the Classic, Savage Line, and X-Series. Additionally, STLTH pods come with the newest and unique hybrid nic blend of Bold³⁵ & Bold⁵⁰ that offer a harsher hit, replacing the satisfaction offered by the original 35 and 50 mg nic salts with only 20 mg. Hybrid e-liquids feature nicotine salt and freebase nicotine to offer a similar hit offered by highly concentrated e-liquids but with less nicotine.

• STLTH classic pods contain 2 ml e-liquid with robust flavours containing bold hybrid or original nicotine salt blends. 
• The pods are compatible with STLTH closed pod devices.
• Savage Line pods also contain 2 ml e-liquid (original and bold hybrid nic blends) and are compatible with all STLTH pods.
•  X-Series pods are similar to the two other collections but stand out for producing more flavour and airflow.

We couldn’t possibly cover all the vapes and closed pods available in the market today, but we strongly believe that the products we’ve included have what it takes to become your new favourite for this year. Give them a try and let us know what you think! We are sure you will enjoy them as much as we do.