The Best E-Cigarettes in 2018 (Reviewed and Rated)
By: Nicholas King.
Last Updated: December 9th, 2018.
1st – VaporFi Express Kit
The crown for the best e-cigarette goes to VaporFi with their Express Kits.
This e-cigarette is really easy to use with some great flavors available. Ideal for any smoker wishing to quit cigarettes. The vapor quality is also really good, with smooth, yet flavorful clouds and a realistic interpretation of actual smoking.
Vape Score
Out of 10
3rd Place – Clear Fusion
Vape Score
Out of 10
SmokeTastic is a team of vaping experts who advise vapers and smokers on the top e-cigarette products on the market.
Table Of Contents
There are many types and designs of e-cigarettes on the market, it can be a bit daunting about where to start. To make things a little simpler we have broken this guide into a number of sections:
Section 1: Who Are E-Cigarettes For?
Section 2: Which Type of E-Cigs Will Suit You?
Section 3: The Best E-Cigarette In Each Category
Section 4: Top Cig-a-like Starter Kits
Section 5: Top Vape Pod Starter Kits
Section 6: Top Vape Pen Starter Kits
Section 7: Top Box Mod Starter Kits
Section 8: FAQs New Vapers Generally Ask
Section 9: Electronic Cigarette Reviews – The Top 3
Or:
Who Are E-Cigarettes For?
The humble e-cigarette has changed a lot over the past few years, so there is a lot to learn. You also need to be aware of the health issues relating to e-cigs to fully understand what vaping represents. The FDA has also been busy studying e-cigarettes to make sure the devices available to consumers are of the highest quality.
After reading these resources you will note that there is little known about the long-term effects of vaping, it is therefore critical that you learn as much about them as possible before starting. Another good resource to use is the Surgeon General site where they give you an overview of e-cigarettes and health impacts.
The purpose of the e-cigarette is simple, it is to be used as an alternative to smoking, and as such should only be used by adults who want to replace their smoking of cigarettes with an alternative, and arguably, a healthier option. Many people who turn to e-cigarettes are in fact successful in quitting smoking altogether, many have simply cut down but some also have tried and failed. So using e-cigs is not, necessarily, going to be the solution to quit smoking for all. The FDA also has strict guidelines on how e-cigarettes are to be marketed, including restrictions on labeling them as a quit smoking aid.
So, if you are a smoker or ex-smoker, how do you know which type to choose from, and which is the most suited e-cigarette starter kit? You don’t want to waste your money on an expensive vape only to realize that it’s for a more experienced vaper. The advice that we can give, start simple. Either a cheap Cig-a-like e-cigarette or a more expensive pod type vape or vape pen. The box mod type vapes and the Squonk mods are for the more experienced vapers who want more of a vape hit. Take a look at our quick explanation of each type:
Which Type of E-Cigs Will Suit You?
The Cig-a-like E-Cigarette
The Pod E-Cig
Vape Pens
Box Mods
* There are two types of vaping, mouth to lung (using an atomizer/coil above 1-ohm). This is where you suck the vaper in your mouth then into your lungs. The second is direct lung inhales (with atomizers below 1-ohm, known as sub-ohm vaping). This is where you take the vape directly to your lungs. All Cig-a-likes and pod e-cigarettes mainly support mouth to lung vaping where vape pens and box mods offer both styles.
Note: There are also Squonk mods which are box mods with a rubber bottle contained within the mod. The bottle feeds a specially designed RDA (rebuildable dripping atomizer) tank. The other type of e-cigarette available is the mechanical mod. This is an unregulated and basic battery-to-coil setup with no safety features. These types of e-cigs are strictly for more advanced users.
The Best E-Cigarette In Each Category
We are now going to learn which are the top rated starter kits in each category. By now, you should have a pretty good idea of which will suit you the most. There are of course many brands and styles available, so this is only a small selection of the choice you have. We have reviewed many of the most popular e-cigs, you can find the individual reviews within our site, but feel free to search for the particular model in our search bar at the top of this page, it’s most likely that we have reviewed it!
VaporFi Express E-Cig Kit. VaporFi have 2 starter kits available, the Mighty Menthol and Classic Tobacco, both use the same cartridges which you can buy of multiple flavors. This style of e-cig is very popular with new vapers due to its simplicity.
Breeze 2. One of the top known e-cigarette brands in the industry today have produced an excellent vape pod known as Breeze 2 with the advantage of having refillable pods expanding your choice of flavor and strengths.
SMOK Stick V8. With a huge 3000mAh internal battery coupled with one of the top performing tanks on the market, the TFV8, make the flavor and vapor quality on the Stick V8 one of our top picks. More suited to users who have vaped before.
SMOK Species Kit. The Species kit comes with a newly designed tank and coils producing a great and smooth vape. Super easy user interface with a bunch of options that even your mother could understand! A great kit at a great price!
The Top 3 E-Cigs In Each Category
Just looking at the top, doesn’t give you many choices.
There are of course many others on the market, so feel free to check out all the reviews by type, you should see the link below each of the rankings.
So, here are the top 3 kits from each type:
(Note: We take a lot of time completing our reviews. Work includes testing for at least a week (usually longer), followed up with customer research. We then meet to discuss the change in the rankings. These rankings do change from time to time. Depending on our reader’s feedback, customer support issues and new releases).
The Cig-a-Like
Cig-a-likes, sometimes known as minis are e-cigarettes that resemble the look of a traditional cigarette and best for complete beginners.
They come in both disposable and rechargeable kits, with everything you need to start vaping, choice of flavors and options are relatively limited with this type. The below list happen to be all rechargeable Cig-a-likes, due to slightly better performance.
1st: Express Kit
VaporFi is one of the oldest E-Cig brands on the market, but one thing they do well and better than their competitors is the flavor of their e-cigs. Cig-a-likes all perform to a similar level, VaporFi seems to have the edge with their Express Kits. They have 2 kits available traditional tobacco and menthol, but they offer multiple other flavors too.
Vape Score
The Vape Pod
Vape Pods are e-cigarettes that have become all the rage in the last few years. Thanks to their simplicity and great performance, taking over the Cig-a-like type market.
Pod vapes do come in a whole host of designs now but they all have a self-contained pod which holds both e-liquid and a coil.
Once it’s empty, you just replace the pod.
Most are non-refillable, you just choose the flavor and strength when you choose your kit.
You can, of course, buy replacement pods. The refillable pod versions, however, generally do not come with any e-liquid, so you would have to buy that separately.
1st: Aspire Breeze 2
Aspire have been in the vaping industry for a long time, and produce some of the finest models on the market. The Breeze 2 is no exception. It’s simple to use and delivers a really good vape, thanks to the refillable pods. Ideal for the mouth to lung vaper, that replicates traditional smoking, yet with a smooth and flavorful vape.
Vape Score
The Vape Pen
Vape pens are the most common e-cig used by beginner and intermediate vapers.
They have a small tank to add your own e-liquid along with a rechargeable battery.
All vape pens are sold as starter kits and consist of the main vape pen, recharge cable, and a spare coil or atomizer.
Again, as they are refillable, it is up to you to provide your own e-liquid.
Vape Pens can be used similarly to smoking with mouth to lung inhales. With this option, you should look at atomizers over 1-ohm.
Below 1-ohm atomizers are meant for direct lung inhales, which produce much higher amounts of vapor.
1st: SMOK Stick V8
SMOK really made their name releasing the TFV Tanks, which produce a great tasty vapor. The SMOK Stick V8 is no exception, an easy to use vape pen which produces a great flavorful vape. Comes with an internal 3000mAh battery that should last most of the day and a replacement coil and spare glass tank. The Stick V8 starter kit is extremely good value.
Vape Score
The Box Mod
Box mods are being used by vapers moving on from vape pens and want a little more vapor and power.
Often used with sub ohm coils to create thick clouds of vaper.
Box mods are often sold as starter kits which includes a tank and a couple of atomizer coils (you can also buy replacement coils).
These tanks are refillable, so you do need your own e-liquid.
You can pay a lot for mods with certain high-quality chipsets, but here, we list our list of the top regulated mods for the money.
1st: SMOK Species
SMOK produce the largest amount of box mods to the market and one of their latest models, the Species, uses all their experience to deliver a superb box mod kit. Comes complete with the TFV8 Baby V2 Tank which produces a real smooth vape but really designed for the direct lung inhale vapers. You do have to buy separate 18650 batteries and e-liquid as with all box mods, but this kit is hard to beat.
Vape Score
FAQs
If you’re completely new to vaping e-cigarettes then you may have a host of questions. You might not even know which questions to ask. We have summarized the most common questions new vapers ask along with the simple answer. Click on the question that’s relevant and the answer should appear!
Questions New E-Cigarette Users Generally Ask
To learn more check out our guide on the types of e-cigarette and their advantages/disadvantages. We also have a guide giving you advice on what to look for when choosing your first e-cig.
For the less powerful Cig-a-like and pod vapes, start by choosing an 8-32mg nicotine level. We always suggest the lower amount, 8mg, if you need more of a hit then you can take another pull. The general rule is the lower the nicotine level the smoother the vape.
For vape pens and box mods with sub-ohm tanks, the vape cloud is a lot denser, so the levels need to be 3-6mg. Again, we suggest the lower amount of 3mg.
Summary of Strengths:
- 0mg – For those vapers wishing to quit nicotine completely.
- 3mg – The most popular strength for mouth to lung or sub ohm vaping.
- 6mg – Strong for mouth to lung and can cause throat irretation. Ideal for the less powerful devices where cloud is not as strong.
- 12mg – Mainly for new users who smoke a lot and using either vape pods or Cig-a-likes.
- 24mg – Really high nicotine levels and more suited to those who want to vape one hit to last a longer amount of time.
- +24mg – Only suitable for nicotine salts which are a lot smoother, still recommended only for vape pods and Cig-a-likes but used very occasionally.
Try to remember, your using an e-cigarette as an alternative to smoking, so you don’t want one huge hit of nicotine to last you all day. This is exactly why we suggest the lower amounts, when you fancy a cigarette, just take a draw or two on your e-cig. We know this is in contrary to what many other sites suggest, but we are going by our professional experience and having recommended many of our readers before, and most importantly, listening to their feedback.
On flavors, this is a personal choice. Buying 10ml of a variety of e-liquids is ideal, try them for a day to get a good feel for what suits. No good trying one or two puffs at a vape shop, it doesn’t give you an idea if it’s an all day vape flavor!
The truth is that no-one knows the long-term effect that vaping has on the body. The chemicals within the vapor of e-cigarettes are safe. Studies showed toxic chemicals in some flavorings. These are now removed from the market. But it is a new form of smoking that only time will tell. Our advice is to use e-cigs to quit smoking, reducing your nicotine levels. Then reduce your vaping habit also.
It is important to control advertising though, to make sure that non-smokers and kids are not targeted.
- FDA’s Vaporizers, E-Cigarettes, and other Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Regulations – This and many other pages within the FDA allows us to report the facts on the regulatory requirements of e-cigarettes and other vaping devices.
- The CDC’s E-Cigarette Resources – The CDC have a number of resources available to learn more about e-cigs.
- The British Medical Journal or BMJ – The BMJ release a number of studies relating to e-cigarettes and vaping.
- The New England Journal of Medicine – Features some up to date e-cigarette studies and reports that newspapers and other media outlets often use to find the facts on health and wellness.
- Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) – JAMA is another great resource to find more information behind written journals and studies of e-cigarettes. Their articles are well written and relatively easy to understand.
- E-Cigarette Forum – Originated back in 2007 and very beginner friendly, if you can’t find the answer your looking for, you can post your own topic where some other vapers will give you thier opinions.
The above is just an example and the most common resources we use, we do try to list the resources we use for each article, and that list may include additional resources not shown above.
Electronic Cigarette Reviews - The Top 3
VaporFi Express Kit
VaporFi is a well-known brand and one of the originators of the Cig-a-like style e-cigarettes.
Their Express kits come with everything you need to start vaping and produce a subtle cloud which simulates smoking yet taste’s fresh, smooth and realistic.
Designed to mimic smoking and enable people to quit, it uses an automatic battery which is activated when the user draws on the device.
The cartridges are available in multiple flavors that include menthol, tobacco, vanilla, cherry and more, so you have plenty of choices.
VaporFi also offers a number of other and more advanced vape kits, with a great flavor selection including custom blends. Making it easy to upgrade with a supplier you can trust.
Vape Score
Juul Kit
Juul is well known in the e-cigarette community and is currently the top selling e-cig on the market.
This may be due to not only its sleek design but also the quality of vapor it produces.
Designed to mimic smoking, it uses an automatic battery which is activated when the user draws on the device.
The pods are simple to use and change over, no messing around with e-liquid as they come pre-filled and are snapped into position with magnetic contacts.
The Juul starter kit comes with a selection of flavored pods to try, a charger and a battery. Everything you need to start vaping on day one!
Vape Score
Mig 21 Clear Fusion Kit
The Mig 21 Clear Fusion kit offers the benefit of a simple to use e-cigarette and the performance matched to the more expensive devices on the market.
The kit comes complete with everything you need to start vaping, including a spare battery and 3 tanks, along with a bottle of e-liquid of your choice.
The ability to use e-liquid in this device gives the added advantage that the user can use any flavor or brand on the market, giving a huge amount of choice.
Although the power is low, the vape quality is awesome, producing really nice tasteful clouds and a smooth hit on your throat, ideal for any new vaper.
Vape Score
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