Starting out with vaping can feel overwhelming. There are dozens of brands, hundreds of devices, and a lot of terminology to get your head around. This guide cuts through it, turning hours of research into a 5-minute read.
1. Elf Bar - The UK's Most Recognised Beginner Vape Brand
Elf Bar is consistently one of the top-selling vape brands in the UK, and for good reason. Every device in the Elf Bar range is draw-activated, requires no setup, and comes pre-filled with 20mg nic salt e-liquid in over 30 flavours.
Why it works for beginners: The Elf Bar Mate 500 Pod Vape Kit is one of the most straightforward beginner vapes available. It's compact, rechargeable, and compatible with a range of prefilled pods.
Alternatively, the ELF pod system is particularly popular for beginners. Refill pods attach quickly, flavours are accurate, and there's nothing complicated about switching between them.
Best for: First-time vapers who want a trusted, well-known brand with a wide flavour selection.
2. Lost Mary - Simple Devices, Great Flavour
Lost Mary vapes are built around the same principle as Elf Bar: keep it simple. The Lost Mary BM600 Pod Vape Kit is one of the most compact beginner vapes on the market. Pocket-sized, draw-activated, and delivered with 20mg nic salt e-liquid pre-filled.
If you'd like to try multiple flavours, the Lost Mary 4-in-1 pod kit lets you switch between four different flavours in a single device, ideal for new vapers still finding their favourite.
Best for: Beginners who want a compact, reliable device with a strong flavour reputation.
3. SKE Crystal - Affordable, Beginner-Proven Pod Kits
SKE vapes offer an accessible entry point for new vapers. The SKE Crystal Plus Pod Vape Kit starts from £4.95 and uses a magnetic pod system. Simply replace the pod when it runs out, and continue using the same rechargeable device to keep costs down.
For beginners who want variety, the SKE Crystal 4-in-1 Pod Vape Kit allows you to rotate between four flavours in one device, or if you’ve already got your eye on a specific flavour, the SKE Crystal pods have one of the widest ranges on the market.
Best for: Budget-conscious beginners who don't want to compromise on quality or flavour.
4. IVG - Award-Winning Flavour, Beginner-Friendly Systems
IVG vapes are well-regarded for flavour quality - they’ve even won awards for them. For beginners, the brand's pod systems are approachable, too, with the IVG 2400 rechargeable system letting you cycle through four flavours in one kit with no buttons and no setup.
The IVG Smart Max starter kit is another solid option, designed specifically with simplicity in mind and backed by the brand's reliable performance.
Best for: Beginners who prioritise flavour accuracy and want a system with multi-pod flexibility.
5. Hayati - Reliable, High-Capacity Beginner Pod Systems
Hayati vapes are one of the UK's fastest-growing pre-filled pod brands, with the Hayati Pro Max Plus 6000 prefilled vape kit being a popular starting point. Compact, rechargeable, and delivering up to 6,000 puffs per pod.
The Hayati Rubik 7000 also deserves a mention for beginners who want a slightly more compact high-puff option with a distinctive design that doesn't look like your run-of-the-mill vape.
Best for: Beginners who want a cost-effective, rechargeable system with long pod life.
6. Pixl - Beginner-Focused Pod Kits with Big Puff Counts
Pixl vapes are built specifically for convenience from day one. The Pixl 8000 prefilled vape kit delivers up to 8,000 puffs through replaceable Pixl 8000 refill pods, available in 35+ flavours. When the pod runs out, swap it. No need to replace the whole device. It's one of the most cost-effective beginner vape setups available.
The Pixl Duo 12 extends that to 12,000 puffs per pod. Both are draw-activated, require no settings, and are available in a wide range of flavours. If you're not sure which flavour to go for, check out our guide for new vapers for tips on where to start.
Best for: Beginners who want maximum value and don't want to change pods frequently.
7. Vaporesso - The Best Beginner Refillable Vape Brand
Not every beginner wants a pre-filled pod kit. If you'd prefer to choose your own e-liquid and refill your own device, Vaporesso is the brand most recommended for beginners making that transition.
The Vaporesso XROS 5 Mini is compact, fast-charging, and uses a simple top-fill pod system. Fill it up, wait a few minutes, and vape. It suits mouth-to-lung vaping, which closely mimics the draw of a cigarette, making it an ideal starting point.
Best for: Beginners who want to choose their own e-liquid flavours and nicotine strength rather than using pre-filled pods.
What Makes a Good Beginner Vape?
Before diving in further, it helps to know what to look for. The best beginner vape should tick most of these boxes:
- Draw-activated: No buttons to hold, no settings to configure. Inhale, and it works.
- Compact and lightweight: Easy to carry and discreet to use.
- 20mg nic salt e-liquid: Delivers a satisfying nicotine hit closest to what cigarettes provide, without harshness.
- Pre-filled pods: No e-liquid to pour, no coils to prime. Click in a pod and go.
- USB-C rechargeable: Modern charging, faster than older Micro-USB systems.
- TPD compliant: All products sold at Vapourcore meet UK regulations, so you know exactly what you're buying.
If you're switching from cigarettes, a pre-filled pod kit ticks every one of these boxes. You don't need to understand wattage, resistance, or airflow settings. You just need something that works the first time you pick it up.
Vapourcore Starter Kits - The Best Place to Begin
If you're not sure where to start, our vape starter kit collection is put together specifically for new vapers. It brings together the most beginner-friendly devices across all the brands we stock, filtered down to the options that are simplest to use, most reliable, and best value.
Ideal for beginners, every kit in the collection is TPD compliant, draw-activated, and available with free UK delivery on orders over £25.
Best for: New vapers who want a curated, trusted starting point without having to research every brand individually.
Pre-filled vs Refillable: Which is Better for Beginners?
This is one of the most common questions from new vapers, and the answer depends on what you're looking for.
Pre-filled pod kits (like Elf Bar, Lost Mary, SKE, IVG, Hayati, and Pixl) are the most straightforward option. There's no e-liquid to handle and no coils to think about. You buy the device, click in a pod, and vape. When the pod runs out, you replace it, which is why most beginners start here.
Refillable pod kits (like Vaporesso's XROS range) give you more control over your nicotine strength and flavour choices. You buy a reusable device and fill it with your chosen nic salt e-liquid. The ongoing cost is lower, and you have access to a much wider range of flavours. It takes slightly more effort to set up, but the process is simple once you've done it once.
What Nicotine Strength is Best for Beginners?
If you're switching from cigarettes, 20mg nic salt e-liquid is typically the recommended starting point. It delivers nicotine quickly and smoothly, far more effectively than the freebase nicotine used in older vape devices, and much closer to the sensation of smoking a cigarette.
If you're a lighter smoker or want to reduce your intake over time, 10mg is a reasonable step down. Most pod brands covered in this guide, including IVG, Elf Bar, and SKE, offer their refill pods in both strengths.
If you've never smoked and aren't currently nicotine dependent, starting at 0mg is an option, though vaping is generally not recommended for non-smokers.
Frequently Asked Questions: Best Beginner Vape
What is the easiest beginner vape to use?
Pre-filled pod kits are the easiest option for new vapers. Devices like the SKE Crystal Pro 600, Elf Bar Mate 500, and Lost Mary BM600 are all draw-activated with no buttons and no settings. Simply insert a pod and inhale.
How much does a beginner vape cost?
At Vapourcore, beginner vapes start from around £3.95 for devices like the SKE Crystal Pro 600. Mid-range pod kits such as the Hayati Pro Max Plus 6000 or Pixl 8000 typically cost between £7.99 and £10.99. Replacement pods are generally available from £4.49 to £5.99, with multi-buy deals such as 3 for £15 available across the range.
Is vaping better than smoking for people trying to quit?
According to Cancer Research UK, e-cigarettes are significantly less harmful than smoking. Public Health England has also stated that vaping carries a fraction of the risk of smoking tobacco cigarettes. If you're looking to switch, our stop smoking, start vaping guide covers everything you need to know.
Are beginner vapes legal in the UK?
Yes. All products sold at Vapourcore are TPD-compliant and MHRA-approved. Every device and pod is sold in line with UK law, and we operate a strict age verification process.
What flavours are available for beginners?
Pre-filled pod brands like Elf Bar, Lost Mary, SKE, and Hayati all offer 30+ flavours, covering everything from fruit blends to menthol and tobacco options. If you're new to vaping, fruit and menthol flavours tend to be the most popular starting points, but there's no rule. Most devices let you try different pods to find what works for you.
Shop Beginner Vapes at Vapourcore
All the brands and devices in this guide are stocked at Vapourcore, with free UK delivery on orders over £25. We are an official retailer of all brands featured, with Royal Mail Tracked delivery and a team on hand if you need help choosing.
Browse the full range:
- Vape Starter Kits
- Pre-filled Pod Vape Kits
- Refillable Pod Vape Kits
- All Vape Brands
- New Vapers Guide
- Stop Smoking, Start Vaping Guide
If you need help choosing, contact our team, and we'll point you in the right direction.