Prefilled vs Refillable Pod Kits: The Cost vs. Convenience Guide
December 10, 2025Convenience vs. cost—the biggest decision in vaping. We break down the pros and cons to help you choose the right pod system for your needs.
When choosing a new vape, the first and most important decision you will make is whether to use a prefilled or refillable pod system. This choice impacts everything: your long-term running costs, your flavour options, and your daily routine.
It is the classic trade-off: do you prioritise ultimate convenience, or do you prefer to have complete control and save money? In this guide, we will break down the pros and cons of both systems to help you find your perfect match.
Key Takeaways
- Prefilled Pods (Closed Systems): These offer maximum convenience. You use a sealed pod, and when it is empty, you throw it away and insert a new one.
- Refillable Pods (Open Systems): These offer maximum value and choice. You buy e-liquid in bottles and top up the pod yourself when it runs low.
- The Cost Difference: Refillable pod kits are significantly cheaper to run. A 10ml bottle of e-liquid costs a fraction of the price of the equivalent 10ml in prefilled pods.
- The "Difficulty Myth": Modern refillable kits are almost as easy to use as prefilled kits, with simple top-fill ports that take seconds to fill.
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The Case for Prefilled Pod Kits ("The Plug-and-Play Option")
A prefilled pod kit is the simplest way to vape. The system is "closed," meaning the pods come sealed with e-liquid and a built-in coil. There is no maintenance, no refilling, and no mess.
Pros:
Ultimate Convenience: This is the main benefit. When a pod is empty, you simply pull it out, dispose of it, and click in a new one. It takes about five seconds.
Zero Maintenance: You never have to change a coil, clean a tank, or handle e-liquid bottles.
Consistent Performance: Every pod is a brand-new, factory-sealed unit, guaranteeing a fresh flavour and a perfect coil every time.
Cons:
Higher Long-Term Cost: You are paying a premium for the convenience of the pre-sealed pod.
Limited Flavour Choice: You are locked into the specific flavour range offered by that brand. You cannot use e-liquids from other brands.
Fixed Nicotine Strengths: You are usually limited to one or two nicotine strength options (typically 20mg).
More Environmental Waste: Disposing of a full pod (plastic, coil, and wicking material) creates more waste than refilling one.
Best for: Vapers who value time and simplicity above all else, or those who need a discreet, no-fuss device for travelling or nights out.
Find them here: Prefilled Pod Kits
The Case for Refillable Pod Kits ("The Freedom & Value Option")
A refillable pod kit (or "open system") features pods that you can fill yourself. You buy your e-liquid in 10ml bottles and top up the pod as needed. This simple change gives you complete control over your vaping experience.
Pros:
Massive Long-Term Cost Savings: This is the biggest advantage. E-liquid in bottles is far cheaper per millilitre than e-liquid in pre-sealed pods.
Near-Unlimited Flavour Choice: You are not locked into one brand. You can choose from thousands of e-liquid flavours from any brand you like.
Full Control Over Nicotine: E-liquids are available in a huge range of strengths (e.g., 20mg, 10mg, 6mg, 3mg, 0mg), allowing you to manage your nicotine intake precisely.
Less Environmental Waste: You reuse the same pod multiple times, meaning you only dispose of the pod itself every 1-2 weeks, not every time it is empty.
Cons:
Minor Maintenance: You have to perform two small tasks: refilling the pod with e-liquid and replacing the pod (or just the coil) when the flavour starts to fade.
Best for: Vapers who want to save money, explore different flavours, and have control over their nicotine strength.
Find them here: Refillable Pod Vape Kits
The Cost Breakdown: A Quick Example
Let's look at the actual running costs. A standard 10ml bottle of e-liquid contains five times more liquid than a standard 2ml pod.
Refillable Cost: One 10ml bottle of Vapouriz 50/50 e-liquid costs just £2.50 (as part of our 4-for-£10 multibuy offer).
Prefilled Cost: To get the same 10ml of e-liquid, you would need to buy five 2ml pods (or 2.5 standard pod packs). At a typical price of £4.99 per 2-pack, that costs approximately £12.48.
The Verdict: You get the exact same amount of e-liquid for £2.50 in a refillable bottle versus £12.48 in prefilled pods. It is easy to see how those savings can add up to hundreds of pounds per year.
The "Difficulty Myth"
The main hesitation for many vapers is that refillable kits seem "complicated." This is no longer true.
Modern refillable pod kits, like the Vaporesso Xros or OXVA Xlim series, are designed for beginners. You do not need to be a technical expert. Refilling is as simple as:
Lifting a small rubber plug on the side or top of the pod.
Squeezing your e-liquid bottle into the hole.
Closing the plug.
That is it. This small, five-second task is the only "maintenance" required, and it is the trade-off that saves you a significant amount of money.
The Case for Prefilled Pod Kits ("The Plug-and-Play Option")
A prefilled pod kit is the simplest way to vape. The system is "closed," meaning the pods come sealed with e-liquid and a built-in coil. There is no maintenance, no refilling, and no mess.
Pros:
Ultimate Convenience: This is the main benefit. When a pod is empty, you simply pull it out, dispose of it, and click in a new one. It takes about five seconds.
Zero Maintenance: You never have to change a coil, clean a tank, or handle e-liquid bottles.
Consistent Performance: Every pod is a brand-new, factory-sealed unit, guaranteeing a fresh flavour and a perfect coil every time.
Cons:
Higher Long-Term Cost: You are paying a premium for the convenience of the pre-sealed pod.
Limited Flavour Choice: You are locked into the specific flavour range offered by that brand. You cannot use e-liquids from other brands.
Fixed Nicotine Strengths: You are usually limited to one or two nicotine strength options (typically 20mg).
More Environmental Waste: Disposing of a full pod (plastic, coil, and wicking material) creates more waste than refilling one.
Best for: Vapers who value time and simplicity above all else, or those who need a discreet, no-fuss device for travelling or nights out.
Find them here: Prefilled Pod Kits
The Case for Refillable Pod Kits ("The Freedom & Value Option")
A refillable pod kit (or "open system") features pods that you can fill yourself. You buy your e-liquid in 10ml bottles and top up the pod as needed. This simple change gives you complete control over your vaping experience.
Pros:
Massive Long-Term Cost Savings: This is the biggest advantage. E-liquid in bottles is far cheaper per millilitre than e-liquid in pre-sealed pods.
Near-Unlimited Flavour Choice: You are not locked into one brand. You can choose from thousands of e-liquid flavours from any brand you like.
Full Control Over Nicotine: E-liquids are available in a huge range of strengths (e.g., 20mg, 10mg, 6mg, 3mg, 0mg), allowing you to manage your nicotine intake precisely.
Less Environmental Waste: You reuse the same pod multiple times, meaning you only dispose of the pod itself every 1-2 weeks, not every time it is empty.
Cons:
Minor Maintenance: You have to perform two small tasks: refilling the pod with e-liquid and replacing the pod (or just the coil) when the flavour starts to fade.
Best for: Vapers who want to save money, explore different flavours, and have control over their nicotine strength.
Find them here: Refillable Pod Vape Kits
The Cost Breakdown: A Quick Example
Let's look at the actual running costs. A standard 10ml bottle of e-liquid contains five times more liquid than a standard 2ml pod.
Refillable Cost: One 10ml bottle of Vapouriz 50/50 e-liquid costs just £2.50 (as part of our 4-for-£10 multibuy offer).
Prefilled Cost: To get the same 10ml of e-liquid, you would need to buy five 2ml pods (or 2.5 standard pod packs). At a typical price of £4.99 per 2-pack, that costs approximately £12.48.
The Verdict: You get the exact same amount of e-liquid for £2.50 in a refillable bottle versus £12.48 in prefilled pods. It is easy to see how those savings can add up to hundreds of pounds per year.
The "Difficulty Myth"
The main hesitation for many vapers is that refillable kits seem "complicated." This is no longer true.
Modern refillable pod kits, like the Vaporesso Xros or OXVA Xlim series, are designed for beginners. You do not need to be a technical expert. Refilling is as simple as:
Lifting a small rubber plug on the side or top of the pod.
Squeezing your e-liquid bottle into the hole.
Closing the plug.
That is it. This small, five-second task is the only "maintenance" required, and it is the trade-off that saves you a significant amount of money.
Conclusion
The choice is simple and comes down to your personal priority:
Choose a Prefilled Kit if: You value your time and convenience above all else. You want a zero-maintenance, no-fuss experience and are happy to pay a bit more for it.
Choose a Refillable Kit if: You want to save money and have complete freedom over your flavour and nicotine strength.
If you are still unsure which kit is right for you, our team is here to help. Contact our Customer Service team for personalised advice on finding your perfect match.
* Prices correct at time of publishing.
