Smoking cigarettes is a hard habit to kick. It does incredible damage to your lungs, makes you smell bad, and gets expensive to feed the addiction. That is, unless you switch over to vaping.
Vaping has been the go-to way to enjoy nicotine for young and old alike. It swaps out that harmful cigarette tar smoke for water vapor. Studies show that people who switched to vaping adopt other healthy routines as well.
That said, vaping is a world of its own. There are many different types of vapes, with a special lingo that goes along with them. You may have no idea where to start when you first walk into your local smoke shop.
To help you, we'll discuss 10 things you should know about all the different types of vapes.
1. Vaping Styles
A cornerstone to buying vapes is choosing whether you want a mouth-to-lung (MTL) or direct-to-lung (DTL) device. Your style of inhalation will determine which vape is best for you.
Mouth-to-Lung (MTL)
Mouth-to-lung, as the name implies, involves holding the vapor in your mouth for a few seconds at first. Then, you pull it into your lungs where nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream.
MTL is how most people smoke their cigarettes. It is a beginner technique that most folks can master after a few puffs. The main benefit, aside from being easy to do, is that it allows you to savor the vape's unique flavor.
For people who enjoy the experience of trying new flavors, like fruity or menthol vapor, MTL is the style for you. Vape mods, which are rechargeable tanks, are ideal since they hold larger quantities of e-liquid.
Direct-to-Lung (DTL)
Direct-to-lung is a technique better suited for seasoned vapors. Again, the name is pretty self-explanatory. DTL involves inhaling that vapor straight into your lungs, rather than holding it temporarily in your mouth.
This is a somewhat challenging method that will take some practice the first few times you try. Users describe it as being more harsh at first.
The hit that results from DTL is more potent than MTL, which is why experts opt for it. People who want a stronger high should give DTL a shot.
The ideal device for DTL is a box mod or pod mod. These devices lend themselves to more granular customization to manage your dosage and wattage.
2. Nicotine Vapes
Nicotine is a natural byproduct of tobacco, giving the characteristic stimulant hit when smoking or vaping. Vape can isolate the nicotine, avoiding entirely the harmful smoke and tar cigarettes use to produce it.
When you buy a vape, it will most likely be a nicotine vape unless otherwise stated. These include rechargeable or disposable vapes that you can purchase legally at the age of 18.
It's important to regulate how much nicotine you ingest, as it can be addictive.
3. Cannabis Vapes
Cannabis refers to a type of hemp and all its derivatives. The most common type of cannabis is marijuana, which produces the psychoactive THC compound.
Your ability to procure THC-containing vape will depend on the legality of marijuana in your area. Be aware of laws regarding scheduled drugs, as you could get in big trouble if someone catches you with them.
For those who cannot get marijuana, there is CBD and CBG. There are also hemp variants like Delta-8 and Delta-10. These are all marijuana alternatives with trace amounts of THC, which produce more mild marijuana-like effects.
4. Disposable Vapes
Disposable vapes, also known as cig-a-likes, are small vape pens for single use. Once you finish one, you simply discard it as you would a cigarette. Disposable vapes often come in a cigarette form factor, making them easy to carry and use in stealth.
These types of vapes are very cheap and accessible. You can often find them at gas stations and grocery stores without much trouble. They make it easy to try vaping for only a small financial commitment.
However, disposable vapes do contribute to the world's growing e-waste problem. In the long run, they are more expensive than buying a rechargeable pod or box mod. You have no control over the flavors as you have to take whatever is available.
We recommend disposable vapes as an entry to try your hand at vape, or for vaping on the go.
5. Rechargeable Vapes
Rechargeable vapes are those you can use for years and years on end. They require a larger upfront investment, but they're ideal for those who vape on a regular basis.
The primary benefit of rechargeable vapes is that they have better materials, better batteries, and larger capacities. You can vape for much longer on a single refill. Plus, you can choose whatever flavors you like.
Rechargeable vapes help one with their personal commitment to reducing e-waste. You can buy a rechargeable vape once and use it for years. You would only need to replace the battery and other parts that wear down.
6. Vape Pens
Vape pens are those slim, carpenter-pencil-like vaping devices. They're very easy to put in your pocket and forget about. They appeal to beginners since they are easy to use.
Some vape pens are disposable, but most are rechargeable and replaceable. All you have to do is replace the coils about once every two weeks. You can refill the tank as you like.
For many years, vape pens just referred to a particular form factor. These days, vape pens most often contain cannabis products or derivatives. If you like CBD, for example, you will most likely find it in a vape pen.
7. Vape Mod
The vape mod is perhaps the most popular vaping device for those with any experience. They are highly customizable, high-quality, but still easy to use. Users can manage temperature, wattage, and individual components with them.
Vape mods also allow you to increase how much vape you intake. Experienced vape users can add larger batteries, larger tanks, and different mouth nodules. This is the vape you purchase once you have experimented with pens and disposables.
Once you enter vape mod territory, things start to get more expensive. You'll want to invest in a quality vape mod, one that lasts you a long time.
8. Vape Pods
Think of vape pods as a portable version of the vape mod. They have exceptional vapor quality in a much more compact package. If you plan to travel a lot but prefer a higher-quality vape over disposables, this is the ticket.
Pods have been extremely popular in the community as of late.
Pod Mods
These are the "big brother" of vape pods. They offer high-quality vape in a much smaller package. They usually include an RBA (Rebuildable Atomizer), refillable tanks, and replaceable batteries.
If you like to tinker around or prefer to fix a broken vape on your own, choose a pod mod.
9. Oil and Wax Pens
Oil, unlike e-liquid, is distilled THC. The atomizer in a pen can still vaporize it just as it would with e-liquid. It uses a wick in addition to the heating or ceramic coil that vaporizes the concentrate.
This allows people to smoke weed without the harshness some users complain about. It also allows you to explore the options we mentioned above, such as Delta-8 or Delta-9.
Similar to dabbing, your vape pen can also use a wax-like CBD substance. The wax is a highly concentrated medium for full-spectrum CBD, providing a more pronounced high. Like with water pipes, you're heating the wax to vaporize it and then inhale it.
This also happens to be the most discreet method to vape marijuana and hemp/cannabis derivatives. Thanks to the fact that it's vape, you don't have to worry as much about the smell. Stealth vaping in a public place has never been easier.
10. Portable Cannabis Vaporizers
Some people prefer the experience of both smoking and vaping marijuana - or other herbs. In that case, you might consider a portable cannabis vaporizer. Think of this as a handheld oven that heats legal strains to the point where they produce vapor.
This allows you to choose whether to vape your bud or smoke it, depending on how you feel on a particular day. Unused remnants can be saved for a later smoking session.
Again, you get the benefit of smoking marijuana in a more convenient and condensed form. Generally speaking, these vaporizers are similar in size to box mods. They aren't exactly stealth material, but they will do great to bring your stash on the go.
They're also great for those who live in a non-smoking apartment. They have a minimal odor, and since they are vapor, they don't leave a lingering smoke stench. There's no need to worry someone will get a whiff of it in your upholstery when they visit.
They're also easy to use, though they do require more frequent cleaning and general maintenance.
Find Different Types of Vapes at Rapture Vapor
There are so many different types of vape to choose from that it can take years to explore them all. You have disposable and rechargeable options, nicotine and cannabis options, and so much more. Use this list as a guide to start yourself off on your journey to explore the vaping world.
Looking to buy a vape? Visit Rapture Vapor at one of our five locations and speak to experts to find out which vape is for you.