Vape Starter Kits UK: 8 Easy Picks for First-Time Buyers

Buying your first vape can feel like a lot. There are dozens of kits, plenty of jargon, and most of them look the same in photos. The good news is that choosing a starter kit is simpler than it seems once you know what to look for.

Since 1 June 2025, disposable vapes can't be sold in the UK, so every kit below is rechargeable and built to be reused. They're all meant for adults. If you don't smoke, there's no reason to start vaping, and you have to be 18 to buy.

If you smoke and want to switch, the evidence is encouraging. A Cochrane review found that nicotine vapes helped about four more people per 100 quit smoking than patches or gum. The researchers also said vapes aren't completely risk free, and that it's worth talking to a local stop smoking service too.

Here are eight vape starter kits for beginners, who each one suits, and what to watch out for.

What comes in a vape starter kit?

Most beginner kits include three things: a rechargeable battery, a pod, and a USB-C cable. E-liquid is usually sold separately, so you'll need to pick that up too. You can browse e-liquid from 3mg to 18mg while you shop.

Some kits come with only one pod, so it's worth buying a spare.

The 8 best vape starter kits for beginners in the UK

They run roughly from simplest to most powerful. Nothing here is scored out of ten. Each one says who it suits, so you can pick the kit that fits the way you vape.

1. Voopoo Argus G2 Mini

If you want the simplest, cheapest way in, start here. There's no screen and no menu. You fill the pod, breathe in, and that's it. The 1200mAh battery is big for the size, and a slider lets you open up or tighten the airflow. The UK pod holds 2ml and fills from the top. One catch: only one 0.7 ohm pod comes in the box, so buy a spare. See the Voopoo Argus G2 Mini.

2. Uwell Caliburn G

The Caliburn G has been around for years and is still popular with people who use nicotine salt liquids. It has a 690mAh battery, a 2ml pod and a 0.8 ohm mesh coil. Instead of throwing the pod away, you swap the coil, which keeps costs down. Reviewed kits came with two coils. A small light shows the battery level. The battery is on the small side, so heavier users may need to charge it more than once a day. See the Uwell Caliburn G, or browse the whole Uwell range.

3. Aspire Gotek X II

This one is for anyone who wants the least fuss. There are no buttons, you just breathe in. It has an 800mAh battery and a mesh-coil pod that sits inside the body. To fill it, pull the pod out by the mouthpiece. You get one pod in the box. The small battery is the trade-off for the small size. See the Aspire Gotek X II.

4. Aspire Gotek Nano

The Gotek Nano is small enough for a pocket but still has a 1000mAh battery. It's draw-activated, so there are no buttons, and a clear panel shows how much charge is left. You can change the airflow from the bottom of the pod. It comes with a 0.6 ohm mesh pod, which gives a slightly looser draw. A 0.8 ohm pod is sold separately if you'd like it tighter. See the Aspire Gotek Nano.

5. Aspire Gotek X3

Want a bit of control without digging through menus? The Gotek X3 has a 1200mAh battery and three power modes: ECO, NOR and MAX. It's still draw-activated, with an airflow slider and a small display that shows battery and power level. The 2ml refillable pod has a built-in mesh coil, and one comes with the kit. See the Aspire Gotek X3.

6. Aspire Gotek Pro

The Gotek Pro has the biggest battery in the family at 1500mAh, so it suits people who vape a lot through the day. It charges over USB-C, has auto-draw and adjustable airflow, and comes with a 2ml pod with a 0.8 ohm mesh coil. Reviewers describe it as a mouth-to-lung kit that works best with 50/50 or 60/40 e-liquid. It shares pods with other Gotek kits, so spares are easy to find. See the Aspire Gotek Pro.

7. JUUL2 Starter Kit

JUUL2 is for people who don't want to handle e-liquid at all. It uses prefilled pods of about 1.2ml at 18mg/ml, and the device only works with genuine JUUL2 pods, which can't be refilled. That's fine under the current rules because you can buy replacement pods separately. The downsides are a smaller choice of flavours, a higher cost per ml than bottled liquid, and being tied to one brand. The launch kit included the device, a charging dock and two pods, so check the product page for what's in the box now. See the JUUL2 Starter Kit.

8. OXVA VPrime

The VPrime is the most powerful kit on this list, so it isn't the gentlest first choice. You get a 2600mAh battery, up to 60W, a colour screen, adjustable airflow, and both auto-draw and a fire button. It uses 2ml mesh pods and comes with two: a 0.2 ohm pod already fitted and a 0.6 ohm pod in the box. The 0.2 ohm pod is made for big, direct-lung hits and can feel harsh with a high-strength liquid. If you're coming straight from cigarettes, start with the 0.6 ohm pod. See the OXVA VPrime.

Want to compare more? The full pod systems collection has every starter kit and spare pod in one place.

How do you choose a vape starter kit?

Ask yourself five simple questions.

How do you want it to feel? Mouth-to-lung (MTL) is like smoking a cigarette: you draw into your mouth first, then breathe in. Direct-to-lung (DTL) means breathing straight down for bigger clouds. Most people switching from cigarettes find MTL, or a slightly looser version of it, more natural.

Refillable or prefilled? Refillable pods are cheaper to run and give you any flavour you like. Prefilled pods are tidier but cost more over time.

How big a battery? Around 650mAh to 800mAh is fine for light use. If you vape all day, look for 1200mAh or more. USB-C charging is worth having.

What do spare pods cost? Check the price of pods or coils before you buy the device. A cheap kit with pricey pods won't stay cheap.

What nicotine strength? UK e-liquid tops out at 20mg/ml. People who smoke a lot often start higher and step down over time, while lighter smokers usually need less. A stop smoking adviser can help you choose.

Mistakes first-time buyers make

The most common one is using the wrong liquid for the device. Thin 50/50 liquid suits tight MTL pods, and very thick liquid can clog them. Another is buying a kit with one pod and no spare. And if a kit leaves you unsatisfied, check the strength and the draw style before you decide vaping isn't working for you.

Where to start

For the simplest start, go for the Argus G2 Mini or the Gotek Nano. If battery life matters most, look at the Gotek Pro. If you never want to touch liquid, JUUL2 is the easy route. And if you want a bigger, stronger device from day one, the VPrime is there. Still not sure? The team at Vaporizer Hut can point you in the right direction through the contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Question: What is the best vape starter kit for beginners in the UK?

Answer: For most beginners, the best vape starter kit is a simple rechargeable pod kit with a battery of 1000mAh or more and adjustable airflow, like the Aspire Gotek Nano or the Voopoo Argus G2 Mini. If you'd rather not refill anything, a prefilled-pod system like JUUL2 is the easiest option.

Question: Are refillable vape kits better than prefilled pods?

Answer: Neither is better for everyone. Refillable kits are cheaper to run and offer far more flavours. Prefilled pods are cleaner and simpler. Pick refillable if you don't mind handling liquid, and prefilled if you want zero fuss.

Question: Can you still buy disposable vapes in the UK?

Answer: No. Selling disposable vapes became illegal across the UK on 1 June 2025. Vapes on sale now have to be rechargeable and either refillable or built around replaceable pods.

Question: How old do you have to be to buy a vape starter kit?

Answer: You must be 18 or over. It's illegal to sell vaping products to anyone under 18, and illegal for an adult to buy them for someone under 18.

Question: What else do I need to buy with a starter kit?

Answer: You'll need e-liquid, unless you choose a prefilled-pod system. A spare pod or coil pack is a good idea too, because several kits come with only one pod.

Question: Is vaping safer than smoking?

Answer: The authors of the Cochrane review say regulated nicotine vapes are much less harmful than smoking, but they're not risk free and still contain nicotine, which is addictive. If you don't smoke, don't start.