Which vapes will I be able to buy after the disposable ban?

With it now confirmed that disposable vapes are going to be banned in the UK, this is the perfect time to start thinking about alternative options and looking into the benefits of reusable vapes.

The ban has now been voted on in Parliament and passed into law, confirming that disposable vapes will be banned from 1st June 2025. The Government’s rationale for introducing this ban has two main themes, to discourage underage vaping and to reduce the environmental impact of disposable vapes.

There are a number of different ways to tackle these issues - you can find out more in our guide to the disposable vape ban - but with a ban on the horizon, it’s a great idea to start looking into alternatives. We predict that many big vape brands will come out with new innovations in the coming months and there are already lots of great alternatives available. Read on to find out more about the great reliable reusable vape options available and the rise in popularity of big puff vapes.

What is the ban on disposable vapes?

The prospect of a disposable vape ban was first introduced by the previous Tory Government in January 2024. In October, the new Labour Government announced that The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (England) Regulations 2024 draft regulations have been tabled to be voted on in Parliament. The ban will be brought into force on 1st June 2025 and both Wales and Northern Ireland have confirmed that they plan to follow this same timeline, it is expected that Scotland will also adjust their current timescales= to align with the new date.

So, which exactly are the disposable vapes that are going to be subject to the ban? According to the Government, these will be vapes that are:

“(a) not refillable

(b) not rechargeable, or

(c) not refillable and not rechargeable

For the purpose of (a) and (c), a vape is not refillable unless:

it is designed to include a single-use container which is separately available and can be replaced, or

a container which can be refilled

For the purpose of (b) and (c), a vape is not rechargeable unless if it is designed to contain

a battery which cannot be recharged, or

a coil which is not intended to be replaced by the user in the normal course of use, including any coil which is contained in a single-use cartridge or pod which is not separately available and cannot be replaced.”

This definition means that many of the quick and easy to use vapes that are currently popular will no longer be available. However, there are a variety of convenient refillable and reusable vapes to consider.

Prefilled pod kits: the best alternatives to use after the disposables ban

One of the best and most popular alternatives to disposable vapes is sure to be the prefilled pod kit. These handy vape kits are very easy to use and offer lots of the same benefits that disposable vape users know and love.

How prefilled pod kits compare to disposables

There are a variety of similarities between prefilled pod kits and disposables – as well as a few key differences!

Key similarities – Prefilled pod kits often have a very similar size, shape, weight, and design to disposable vapes. You’ll also find that many disposable vape brands already offer a prefilled pod kit, which uses the same e-liquids as their current disposables – so there’s a decent chance you may be able to find your favourite flavour is already available. Prefilled pod kits also offer a very similar vaping experience to disposables.

Key benefits – One of the big upsides to prefilled pod kits is the fact that they come with a rechargeable battery, making them last longer. The pods come prefilled so there are no messy coil changes to deal with and the vapes are very straightforward and easy to use. You can also change flavours quickly by changing the pod.

Top prefilled pod kit picks

Looking for a quick alternative option? Here are just a few of the most popular prefilled pod kits available right now.

Lost Mary 4in1

This handy big puff pod kit can hold four individual 2ml pods at once, for a total of 8ml of vape juice and offers up to 3,200 puffs per device. The pods are easy to switch on the go and the device has a handy ECO mode.

SKE Crystal 4in1

A discreet, slimline pod kits containing four pods each prefilled with 2ml of 20 mg/ml nicotine salt e-liquid, the SKE Crystal 4in1 offers up to 2,400 puffs.

DOJO Blast 6000

The DOJO Blast 6000 is a rechargeable prefilled pod kit offering approximately 6,000 puffs, thanks to the fact it comes with a prefilled 2ml pod as well as a 10ml refill container.

Alternatives to disposable vapes

If you’ve got a favourite brand of disposable vape right now and want to try and replicate the vaping experience as closely as possible, be sure to check out some of these great alternatives.  

Elf Bar 600 disposable vape replacements

Love the Elf Bar 600? Not only are the excellent alternative options of the Elf Bar ELFA PRO prefilled pod kit and Elf Bar Elf Mate 500 prefilled pod kit available right now, but Elf Bar told the BBC, “We are continuing to diversify our product lines by providing viable alternatives to single-use devices”. This suggests we can expect to see some new lines on the way.

Lost Mary BM600 disposable vape alternatives

The experience of using the popular Lost Mary BM600 can already be well replicated with its alternative options of the Lost Mary Tappo prefilled pod kit and big puff Lost Mary 4in1 prefilled pod kit. They are also expected to pivot and continue to add more convenient reusable vapes to their stable.

Alternatives to SKE Crystal Bar disposable vapes

Having already come out with alternative options such as the SKE Crystal Plus prefilled pod kit and the SKE Crystal 4in1 prefilled pod kit big puff vape, we certainly also expect to more replacement options soon. In fact, SKE was one of the first brands to pivot in the face of the ban and a spokesperson said, “The vape sector’s success is based on its ability to disrupt and adapt.“

Alternatives to disposable vapes comparison guide

In the below table, we’ve gathered options by the same brand/with the same e-liquid as well as products with a similar design, or similar puff count to the options already available. We’ve also included some likely contenders we expect to see coming soon.  For example, it is highly likely that many of the current big puff disposable vapes will be redesigned to be big puff reusable vapes, by adding a replaceable pod/coil and making replacement pods/refill containers available. Here are a few of the biggest current disposables and their alternatives.

Refillable pod kits: the best alternatives to use after the disposables ban

A refillable pod kit is another great alternative to disposables and they offer some great benefits too.

Key similarities – Most refillable pod kits will offer a similar vaping experience to using disposables because they use a similar MTL design. They also tend to have a compact style, meaning they’re not much bigger than disposable vapes (especially big puff disposables). You’ll also find that many disposable vape brands also offer an e-liquid range, which can be paired with your refillable kit so you can often find the flavours you’re already a fan of.

Key benefits – Refillable pod kids offer a larger battery capacity than your standard disposable and their pods can be refilled multiple times before needing to be replaced. What’s more, they can be used with any compatible vape juice so you can choose the exact flavour and strength you’re looking for.

Top refillable pod kit picks

There are lots of refillable pod kits to choose from, but here are a few of our top picks from some of our biggest brands.

Elf Bar ELFX

With a compact design, this handy refillable pod kit has a 1000 mAh internal battery, a maximum 30W output and top-filling pods.

Vaporesso XROS 4

This handy pod kit offers an adjustable airflow for a tailored vaping experience and has a 1000mAh internal capacity battery with convenient USB-C charging.

OXVA Xlim Pro 2

This clever vape kit lets you choose between variable power, or smart mode which allows it to automatically adjust to the best wattage for the V2 or V3 pods you’re using, ensuring longer coil life and improved flavour production.

Do reusable vapes taste the same as disposables?

One of the reasons that disposable vapes grew so popular is the fact that they tend to offer a strong flavour experience. This can be replicated by using bar salt e-liquids, which have been designed to replicate that disposable vape taste. Made using nic salts, these flavourful vape juices often have a higher amount of flavour concentrate for stronger flavour and are available in a variety of different nicotine strengths, allowing you even greater control.

In many cases, you’ll find that reusable options like prefilled or refillable pod kits taste very similar to their disposable counterparts. This is largely because lots of brands are now making both and offer the same e-liquids in their other ranges as they do in their disposable lines. Just check out bar salts from ELFLIQ by Elf Bar, Double Brew, and SKE Crystal Salts for a seamless switch from disposable to refillable pods.

Which flavours will still be available?

Here are a few of the switches you can make if you’re looking to enjoy the same flavours from a reusable kit. And don’t forget that we expect to see a lot more options in the near future.

Disposable vapes	Alternative pod kits or e-liquids
Elf Bar disposable vapes – Elf Bar 600, Elf Bar AF5000. Elf Bar 1200 2-in-1	ELFLIQ vape juices are made using the same flavour concentrates as your favourite Elf Bar disposables.
Lost Mary disposable vapes – BM600, BM6000	MARYLIQ e-liquids are available in the same delicious flavours as Lost Mary vapes, perfect if you’re looking for a seamless switch.
Crystal Bar disposables	SKE Crystal Salts have a smooth nic salt formula that replicates the feel of using a disposable vape as well as a high flavour concentrate.
BrewBox disposables	Ohm Brew offer Double Brew, a great range of e-liquids inspired by popular disposable vape flavours with double the flavour.
IVG disposables – 2400 4in1, Smart 5500	IVG offers some big fruity flavours in a salt bar formula.
Ohm Brew CBD disposables	You’ll find a great range of flavours suitable for refilling compatible devices from the Ohm Brew CBD e-liquid range.

What about big puff disposables after the ban?

Big puff vapes have been enjoying a rapid rise in popularity recently and it’s no surprise, thanks to the fact they last much longer than a standard disposable vape, saving vapers time and money. Whether your favourite big puff vape will be available after the ban depends on its design, because there is some variation around device types.

For example, there are many big puff vapes with replaceable pods, which means they may be classed as reusable. However, any big puff vapes which need to be disposed of when the e-liquid runs out will fall under the Government’s classification of disposable – and we expect to see a lot of redesigned options appearing in the coming months. In the meantime, there are lots of great alternatives to start exploring.

Preparing for the future after the disposable ban

Now that the ban has passed into law it is the perfect time to start trying out some of the many excellent alternatives to disposable vapes. That way, you may be able to find a refillable, prefilled, or reusable vape that offers the kind of vaping experience that best suits you ahead of time.

What’s more, we’ve already seen a lot of innovation in recent years, with manufactures looking for ways to best replicate the disposable experience in longer-lasting devices, and we anticipate many more to come.