There is a growing trend towards larger vapes, with vapers consistently on the hunt for longer lasting or more powerful devices. This can be partly explained by the transition away from the traditionally small disposable options now that the disposal vape ban is in effect, but there is more to it than that.
Bigger vapes or those with higher puff counts are appealing to vapers for a variety of reasons. Find out why in our guide to the types, features, benefits, and things to think about when it comes to “big vapes”.
Are vapes getting bigger?
The short answer is yes, vapes are absolutely getting bigger. In fact, at the rate puff counts are expanding, you would be forgiven for thinking that we might soon see 100k, 500k, and even a million puffs! However, barring the introduction of some revolutionary and as-yet-unimagined technology, puff counts are limited by the amount of e-liquid a pod, tank or refill can physically hold.
What exactly are big vapes?
The term “big vapes” can be used to describe any type of vape that is larger than the traditional small pen style devices vapers are used to seeing. However, in the last year or so it has mainly been used to refer to a type of device known as big puff vapes. These are devices which can hold more than 2ml of vape juice at a time, either using multiple 2ml pods, or a 2ml pod along with a larger refill. This higher e-liquid capacity allows for much higher puff counts between pod changes, making them a popular option among vapers looking for a long-lasting option.
Why people are choosing bigger vapes
The increased demand for bigger vapes has been driven by a few different factors, including everything from increased convenience to lower environmental impacts.
The UK disposable vapes ban
With the ban on single-use disposable vapes coming into play in the UK on 1 June 2025, the biggest and best vaping brands ensured that they had compliant reusable alternatives to disposables on offer. The ban aims to address environmental concerns, such as litter and e-waste, as well as tackle youth vaping. The larger, reusable systems now available offer a more responsible choice for adult vapers that also happens to be long-lasting and easy to use.
Disposable vapes were the first to popularise the idea of puff count and big puff vapes to the vaping market. Now, many vapers who were previously using big puff disposables are looking for a reusable option that offers the same longevity, helping to drive an appetite for bigger vapes.
Longer-lasting convenience
Longer-lasting vapes that can contain higher volumes of e-liquid are highly convenient and ideal for busy individuals or on-the-go use. High-puff prefilled systems with big batteries, for example, offer an extremely convenient option because vapers can enjoy extended use without needing to carry extra bottles or chargers.
To put it simply, a 12ml big puff vape can last up to six times longer than a standard 2ml prefilled pod kit before it needs a pod change. Many big puff devices also utilise slightly larger batteries, which means they can often last longer between charges – freeing vapers up to go about their day with confidence.
Cost-effectiveness
Big vapes also offer a more cost-effective option for vapers than many alternatives. While the initial outlay might be higher, these devices can be more economical over time compared to repeatedly purchasing smaller disposable-style devices or replacement pods for less efficient devices.
Reduced waste and environmental impact
One of the biggest bonuses offered by rechargeable and refillable big vapes is the fact that they generate less waste than their former counterparts. When compared to disposables, prefilled pods kits create less waste because you only need to replace the pod and not the whole kit once the e-liquid runs out. However, the most environmentally friendly option overall is a refillable vape kit.
Key features and considerations for big vapes
When it comes to picking out the right big puff vape for you, there are many different factors to consider. Here are the key things to bear in mind when you are making your decision.
Prefilled or refillable?
Most big puff vapes are compatible with prefilled pods, which means that the pods cannot be refilled and must instead to be replaced when empty. For many this is a convenient and easy option, especially those who were previously using disposable vapes, but this will not necessarily be the best option for everyone.
Most big puff replacement pods are only available in high nicotine strengths, which might not be suitable for those vapers who were previously relatively light smokers. In this case it may be better to consider a refillable big puff vape like the Hexus Go, which can be paired with any suitable 50/50 e-liquid in whichever flavour and nicotine strength best suits you.
Puff count & e-liquid capacity
When you are looking for a long lasting big vape, be sure to pay attention to the puff count and the e-liquid capacity. A general rule of thumb is that the higher the e-liquid capacity, the higher the puff count. That said, the puff count listed is subjective. This is because it varies depending on a number of factors like inhale length, frequency of use and the type of e-liquid used.
Big puff vapes offer an easy way to work out the approximate puff count and they tend to be a fair bit larger than standard 2ml prefilled pod kits. However, they are only available in high nicotine strengths, so will not be suitable for all vapers. Big puff vapes are also typically starter kit style devices, which may not be satisfying if you are looking for a high powered or DTL (direct-to-lung) device. Don’t forget that while the pod/refill will last much longer, the device will still need to be charged regularly.
Battery life
It is also worth looking closely at the battery life on the device, as with most big puff vapes the higher the mAh of the battery the longer it will last between charges. If you are particularly interested in a device that will be able to last through long days, a more powerful battery is important. It is also worth looking to see whether the battery offers fast charging, as well as checking its mAh rating.
Display screens
A good display screen can be a handy addition to help you keep track of your remaining battery life, which is a good feature to have if you are often on the go. If you spend a lot of your time out and about it may be a good idea to consider a device with a screen to help you better keep track of when to charge, and help you avoid being caught short by a dead battery.
Compliance
It is always important to ensure that you are buying products from a legitimate and trustworthy source. All vapes sold in the UK should be compliant and adhere to the 2ml tank and pod limit.
Under UK law all tanks must hold no more than 2ml of e-liquid at a time, so intermediate/advanced vape kits are limited to this. That said, they can easily be refilled on the go. Big puff vapes must also navigate these regulations, and will instead contain either multiple 2ml pods or a pod and a refill container.
Are there other types of big vapes?
As we touched on above, the term "big vapes" has recently come to refer mainly to big puff vapes, but there are other types of devices that may also be referred to in this way. With options ranging from ultra-convenient high-puff bars to powerful sub-ohm devices, there are a huge variety to choose from. Learn a little more about the options in our quick guide.
Big puff vapes
Big puff vapes are a new range of TPD-compliant reusable devices that use clever designs, such as multiple 2ml pods or larger refill containers, to deliver thousands of puffs. They are very easy to use and mimic disposables in their design, while also offering a significantly longer lifespan and vaping experience.
The name refers to the fact that these devices are designed to offer very large puff counts, ranging all the way from approximately 2400 puffs to 6000, or even 30000. They also have rechargeable internal batteries (often recharged via USB-C) and make used of prefilled or refillable replaceable pods.
Some big puff vapes are designed to hold multiple 2ml pods, which you can switch between until they are all empty. Others are made to hold a 2ml pod as well as a larger refill container, which keeps the pod topped up. Once both are empty, they can be replaced. Big puff vapes are available in variety of flavours and often use nicotine salt e-liquids.
Not only are big puff vapes long-lasting, convenient, and better for the environment than disposables, they are very easy to use. This makes them a great choice for beginner or intermediate vapers. However, with big puff vapes, the opportunities to customise your experience are limited and flavour and nicotine strength options are tied to a particular brand and the pods they offer.
There are lots of exciting big puff vapes to explore, with Lost Mary BM6000, IVG 2400, DOJO Blast 6000 and PIXL Duo 12 proving particularly popular.
High-wattage vape kits
High wattage vape kits can be thought of as the original big vapes. Intended for experienced users, these kits don’t only tend to be bigger in size, but also offer substantial power output and customisation, as well as the ability to top up the e-liquid whenever needed. They offer a high wattage output (80W, 100W, 200W+) and are often designed to be used with external, replaceable batteries (18650, 21700).
Other benefits of high wattage vape kits is the fact they tend to feature advanced chipsets for precise control, various modes such as Variable Wattage (VW) and Temperature Control (TC). They also typically have large screens, to let you easily customise your experience, and they tend to be paired with sub-ohm tanks for high vapour production.
They are typically enjoyed by more advanced vapers who love intense flavours and dense clouds, as well as the ability to tailor their experience. The Geekvape Aegis Legend and Voopoo Drag series are perfect examples of highly customisable high wattage kits, packed with features.
Advanced pod kits
There are also a variety of advanced pod kits that perfectly bridge the gap between basic pod systems and more complex customisable devices. They tend to offer more power and additional features, while remaining more compact than traditional high wattage kits. Advanced pod kits offer medium to high wattage (e.g., 40W-80W) and can feature built-in or sometimes external batteries. Most have adjustable airflows, and they often use replaceable coils.
Advanced pod kits offer a good balance of power and portability. They are more versatile than simple kits, and easier to use than full advanced kits. Advanced pod kits are often considered to be intermediate vape kits, although some have so many features that they extend into advanced kits. One nice bonus is the fact that many advanced pod kits offer both MTL (mouth-to-lung) and RDTL (restricted-direct-to-lung) vaping, making it easy to transition from one style to the other simply by replacing the type of pod inserted.
While advanced pod kits aren’t as powerful or customisable as full advanced kits, they can be a good choice for those who want more power than a starter kit style device can offer. A few popular options include devices like the Vaporesso Luxe XR Max and XROS Pro, SMOK devices, OXVA NeXLIM and Vprime.
Choosing your vape: is bigger better?
Bigger vapes can certainly be much more convenient and better for the environment than smaller alternatives, but the choice always comes down to your own individual preferences. If you are keen to explore the wide range of bigger vapes available now, be sure to check out our selection of big puff vapes.
