How to Switch from Disposable Vapes to Refillable Vape Kits

Since the UK ban on single-use disposable vapes came into effect in June 2025, millions of vapers have needed to find an alternative. The good news is that the devices available today are cheaper to run, better for the environment, and deliver the same flavour and nicotine satisfaction you are used to. Whether you want the simplest possible swap or you are ready to explore refillable options, this guide covers everything you need to make the switch.

The two main alternatives to disposable vapes are prefilled pod kits and refillable pod kits. Both are rechargeable, both are fully legal in the UK, and both offer a familiar mouth-to-lung draw that closely matches the feel of a disposable. The only real difference is how you get your vape juice into the device.

What happened to disposable vapes in the UK?

On 1st June 2025, the UK government banned the sale and supply of single-use disposable vapes under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The ban was introduced to reduce electronic waste and limit youth access to vaping products. Any vape that cannot be recharged and refilled or have its pods replaced is no longer legal to sell in England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.

This does not mean vaping is banned. Rechargeable vape kits, including both prefilled and refillable pod systems, remain fully legal and TPD compliant. Every major brand that previously sold disposables, including Elf Bar, Lost Mary, SKE, and Hayati, now offers reusable alternatives that deliver the same flavours in a compliant format.

Your two options: prefilled or refillable

If you previously used a disposable vape, your replacement will be one of these two device types.

Here is how they compare.

Feature	Prefilled pod kits	Refillable pod kits
How it works	Click in a sealed pod that is already filled with vape juice. When it is empty, replace the pod.	Fill the pod yourself from a bottle of vape juice. When the coil wears out, replace the pod.
Setup	Zero setup. Insert the pod and vape.	Fill the pod, wait a few minutes for the coil to prime, then vape.
Flavour choice	Limited to the brand's pod range.	Unlimited. Use any 10ml nic salt or vape juice you like.
Running cost	Cheaper than disposables. Pods cost less than buying a new device each time.	Cheapest option. A 10ml bottle of nic salt costs less than a single prefilled pod and lasts longer.
Closest to a disposable?	Yes. The experience is almost identical.	Very close, but requires filling your own pods.
Best for	Anyone who wants the easiest possible switch with zero maintenance.	Vapers who want more flavour options and the lowest running costs.

If you are nervous about the switch, start with a prefilled pod kit. The experience is almost identical to using a disposable. Once you are comfortable and want to explore more flavours or reduce costs further, you can move to a refillable kit at any time.

How much will I save by switching?

The cost savings are significant. Here is a typical weekly comparison based on moderate daily use.

Method	Estimated weekly cost	Estimated yearly cost
Disposable vapes (before ban)	£25 to £50	£1,300 to £2,600
Prefilled pod kit	£10 to £20	£520 to £1,040
Refillable pod kit	£5 to £12	£260 to £625

A refillable pod kit can save you over £1,000 per year compared to what you were spending on disposables. Even prefilled pod kits represent a saving of roughly 50% or more. These figures will become even more relevant from October 2026 when the UK Vaping Products Duty adds £2.20 per 10ml of vape liquid plus VAT, making refillable kits the most cost-effective choice going forward.

Best prefilled pod kits for ex-disposable users

These three devices offer the closest experience to a disposable vape. Each uses sealed, pre-loaded pods that simply click into a rechargeable battery. There is no filling, no coil changing, and no settings to adjust.

Kit	Puff count	Best for	Shop
Lost Mary BM600	Up to 600	The closest match to the original BM600 disposable. Same flavours, same compact size.	Buy Lost Mary BM600
SKE Bar 600	Up to 600	Crisp, strong flavour in a lightweight device. A popular choice for Crystal Bar fans.	Buy SKE Bar 600
Hayati Pro Max 6K	Up to 6,000	Big puff option for vapers who want longer-lasting pods and fewer replacements.	Buy Hayati Pro Max 6K

What about big puff kits?

If you were a heavy disposable user, you may find that 600-puff devices run out too quickly. Big puff prefilled pod kits like the Hayati Pro Max 6K solve this by using larger e-liquid reservoirs, often combining a 2ml pod with a 10ml refill container that automatically tops up the pod as you vape. Some big puff kits use rotating multi-pod chambers to hold several flavours in one device. The result is thousands of puffs between pod changes rather than hundreds. For a deeper look at these devices, see our guide to legal big puff vapes.

Best refillable pod kits for ex-disposable users

If you want more control over your flavours and nicotine strength, or you want to reduce your running costs even further, a refillable pod kit is the way to go. These three devices are all compact, draw-activated or single-button operated, and designed to feel natural for anyone coming from disposables.

Kit	Battery	Best for	Shop
OXVA Xlim Pro 3	1500mAh	Outstanding flavour, HD display, adjustable airflow and wattage. Up to 5 days battery life.	Buy OXVA Xlim Pro 3
Vaporesso XROS 5	1500mAh	Trusted XROS series with COREX 3.0 coil technology. Smooth, consistent flavour with nic salts.	Buy Vaporesso XROS 5
Elf Bar ELFX	Rechargeable	Elf Bar's own refillable kit. Pair it with ELFLIQ nic salts for the exact same Elf Bar flavours.	Buy Elf Bar ELFX

What e-liquid should I use after switching?

If you are using a prefilled pod kit, the e-liquid is already inside each pod, so there is nothing to choose. For refillable kits, you will need to buy bottled e-liquid separately. The type that most closely replicates the experience of a disposable is a nicotine salt (nic salt) in 10mg or 20mg strength with a 50/50 PG/VG ratio.

Many of the brands you know from disposables now sell their exact flavour profiles as bottled nic salt e-liquids. ELFLIQ is the nic salt range from Elf Bar, Maryliq is from Lost Mary, and SKE Crystal Salts replicates the Crystal Bar flavours. If you want to try something new, independent brands like Elux Legend and Bar Juice 5000 produce nic salts that are specifically designed to deliver disposable-level flavour intensity in a refillable device.

What are bar salts?

Bar salts are a category of nicotine salt e-liquid that has been specifically formulated to replicate the intense, concentrated flavour found in disposable vapes. They are sometimes called "disposable bar salts" or "double-concentrated" nic salts. Standard 10ml nic salts are already good, but bar salts tend to deliver a stronger, punchier flavour that more closely matches what you were used to from a disposable device. Most major vape juice brands now offer their own bar salt range, so you will have no shortage of options when browsing our nic salt collection.

For a full breakdown of nicotine types and strengths, see our nicotine strength guide. If you are unsure about PG/VG ratios, use 50/50 as your starting point. This ratio works with all MTL pod kits and delivers a smooth, flavourful vape.

How to set up your new device

Prefilled pod kit setup

1. Charge the battery unit using the included USB-C cable.
2. Remove the prefilled pod from its packaging.
3. Insert the pod into the device until it clicks.
4. Wait 1 to 2 minutes for the vape liquid to saturate the coil.
5. Take a gentle draw from the mouthpiece. Most prefilled kits are draw-activated, so there is no button to press.

Refillable pod kit setup

1. Charge the device fully before first use.
2. Remove the pod and open the fill port.
3. Fill the pod with your chosen nic salt vape liquid, leaving a small gap at the top.
4. Close the fill port and insert the pod back into the device.
5. Wait 5 to 10 minutes for the coil to fully prime. This is the most important step to avoid a burnt taste on your first draw.
6. Take a gentle draw and adjust the airflow if your device has an airflow slider.

For more detailed setup instructions and troubleshooting, see our beginner's guide to vape kits. If you are having issues with burnt tastes or coil life, our vape coils guide covers priming and maintenance in full.

Will it taste the same as my disposable?

In most cases, yes. Prefilled pod kits from the same brand as your old disposable use the same vape juice formulation in their pods. A Lost Mary BM600 pod kit tastes the same as the Lost Mary BM600 disposable did. The same applies to Elf Bar, SKE, and Hayati devices.

For refillable kits, the flavour match depends on the vape juice you choose. Branded nic salt e-liquid ranges like ELFLIQ and Maryliq are designed to replicate the exact disposable flavour profiles. Independent nic salt brands like Bar Juice 5000 and Elux Legend also produce "bar salt" style vape liquid that matches the intensity of disposable flavours.

If your refillable kit initially feels weaker than your old disposable, try increasing the nicotine strength to 20mg or check that you are using a nic salt rather than freebase nicotine. Nic salts absorb into the bloodstream faster and produce a smoother hit that more closely matches the disposable experience.

Common concerns about switching

Is it complicated?

No. Prefilled pod kits are just as simple as disposables. You charge the battery, click in a pod, and vape. Refillable kits add one extra step: filling the pod from a bottle. Both types are designed for people with no previous vaping experience beyond disposables.

Will I need to change coils?

With prefilled pod kits, no. You replace the entire pod when it is empty or when the flavour fades. With refillable kits, the coil is built into the pod in most modern devices, so you replace the whole pod rather than fiddling with individual coils. This typically needs to happen every 1 to 2 weeks depending on how often you vape.

What about the environmental impact?

Switching from disposables to a reusable device is significantly better for the environment. With disposable vapes, you threw away the battery, circuit board, and housing every time the vape juice ran out. With a rechargeable kit, you keep the device and only replace the small pod. This dramatically reduces electronic waste. When your pods do need disposing of, check with your local vape shop for recycling options.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to disposable vapes in the UK?

Prefilled pod kits like the Lost Mary BM600 and SKE Bar 600 offer the closest experience to disposables. For more flavour choice and lower costs, refillable kits like the OXVA Xlim Pro 3 or Vaporesso XROS 5 are popular choices.

Are disposable vapes banned in the UK?

Yes. Single-use disposable vapes have been banned in the UK since 1st June 2025. Rechargeable devices with replaceable or refillable pods remain fully legal and are the recommended alternative.

How much money will I save by switching from disposables?

A regular disposable user spending £25 to £50 per week can expect to save between £600 and £1,500 per year by switching to a refillable pod kit. Prefilled pod kits offer slightly smaller savings but are still significantly cheaper than disposables.

What nicotine strength should I use?

If you were using 20mg disposables, start with 20mg nic salt e-liquid in your refillable kit. This delivers the closest match in terms of throat hit and nicotine delivery. If 20mg feels too strong, step down to 10mg. For a full breakdown, read our nicotine strength guide.

Can I get the same flavours as my old disposable?

Yes. Most major disposable brands now sell their flavours as prefilled pods for reusable kits and as bottled nic salt vape juice for refillable devices. ELFLIQ, Maryliq, SKE Crystal Salts, and Hayati Pro Salts all replicate their original disposable flavour ranges.

Do I need any vaping experience to use a refillable kit?

No. Modern refillable pod kits are designed to be simple enough for anyone coming from disposables. You fill the pod, charge the battery, and vape. There are no complicated settings or coil changes required on most pod kits. For step-by-step help, see our beginner's guide to vape kits.