How to Choose an Electronic Cigarette

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: December 23, 2022 References

An electronic cigarette is an electronic device that delivers nicotine to the body in the form of a vapor. Although there is currently no definitive research on whether or not electronic cigarettes can help you stop smoking, their increasing popularity is undeniable.^{[1]
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Research source} If you are transitioning to vapor smoking from smoking tobacco cigarettes, the number of electronic cigarette options can feel intimidating. There are many different flavors, from fruity flavors like cherry to more familiar tobacco flavors, and there are a wide range of nicotine levels to choose from.^{[2]
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Research source} Nonetheless, it is possible to find a reputable, durable, and enjoyable electronic cigarette. This article is only for people ages 18 and older. Minors should not be vaping as it can negatively impact the developing brain.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Shopping for an Electronic Cigarette

1
Decide on what style of electronic cigarette you want to purchase. There are a variety of e-cigarette or vapor styles, ranging from mini models that look like traditional cigarettes to larger APV models used by more experienced smokers.^{[3]
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- Mini or Cig-A-Like models look like tobacco cigarettes and are very popular. They are small and lightweight. If you are just starting your vapor habit, these models are a good choice.^{[4]
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- Mid-size models are the size of a cigar and last longer than the mini models. They produce more vapor than the mini models.^{[5]
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- Advanced personal vaporizers (i.e., MODs) are designed with the advanced e-cigarette smoker in mind since they produce much more vapor than both mid-size and mini models. They are about the size of a flashlight.^{[6]
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- You must also be of legal purchasing age. In the United States, the minimum age to buy electronic cigarettes was raised from 18 to 21 years in 2019 (however, the federal minimum age only applies to sales of e-cigarettes, but not their use). In most other countries, the minimum age is 18 or 19 so be sure to bring your ID if you seem young enough.
2
Choose an electronic cigarette starter kit. Kits include all of the materials, vaporizers, batteries, and instructions for use. They are available for both complete beginners and more experienced smokers.^{[7]
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- Decide on whether you want a kit with pre-filled or refillable cartomizers. The pre-filled and disposable cartomizers are thrown out when they run out of the nicotine solution. In contrast, the refillable cartomizers need to be regularly refilled with nicotine solution.
- Decide how much you want to spend on a starter kit. Starter kits are typically between 30$ and 100$^{[8]
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3
Ask the cigarette retailer about vapor performance. Performance is commonly understood as including vapor production, throat hit, and battery life. To find the electronic cigarette that's right for you, consider all three factors.^{[9]
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- Vapor production is simply the amount of vapor produced by the e-cigarette. If you are a light smoker, you should be happy with low vapor production. If you are a heavy smoker, you will want an e-cigarette with higher vapor production.^{[10]
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- electronic cigarettes try to mimic the burning sensation one gets from smoking a tobacco cigarette. The term throat hit is a way of describing this quality in an electronic cigarette, which can be weak or strong depending on the model.^{[11]
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- If you are a heavy smoker or on the road a lot, you may want to consider how long the battery will last on your electronic cigarette.^{[12]
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4
Ask the store if the electronic cigarette has a warranty. Some electronic cigarettes and starter kits will come with a warranty, which can be helpful if any of the equipment is not in working order. It is also really important to shop at a reputable retailer so that you can get accurate product and warranty information.
5
Look into the quality of existing vapor brands. The electronic cigarette industry is competitive and rapidly growing, so it is wise to do some research on the existing brands and products.^{[13]
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Research source} Look into the reputation of the vapor brands you are considering and the quality of their products.
- Look at electronic cigarette review websites. There are a variety of websites that post reviews of new e-cigarette brands. You should familiarize yourself with the reviews of popular and new brands.^{[14]
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- Compare different brands by first trying their disposable electronic cigarettes. The small, disposable electronic cigarettes are cheaper than the starter kits. You can compare the quality of different brands by testing their disposable electronic cigarettes.^{[15]
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6
Look for serial numbers when purchasing one. Original electronic cigarettes have serial numbers located at the atomizer and battery’s connector parts while fake ones don’t have serial numbers. With a magnifying glass, locate these serial numbers.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Choosing the Right Components and Accessories

1
Regularly replace the atomizer on your electronic cigarette. The atomizer is the part of an electronic cigarette that heats up the e-liquid to produce the vapor that you inhale. Atomizers typically need to be replaced every week if you are a heavy smoker and every three weeks if you are a light smoker.^{[16]
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- If you use flavored e-liquids such as fruit flavors with more acidity, you may need to replace your atomizer more frequently.^{[17]
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2
Consider battery life when shopping for an electronic cigarette. If you find yourself on the road regularly, it is best to purchase a higher end model with a longer battery life. You can also upgrade your electronic cigarette to a higher end battery.
- Longer lasting batteries are also literally longer. This can be fine for home use but some people prefer to not have such a long device when smoking during the work day.^{[18]
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- Consider charging options. You can charge some electronic cigarettes via USB to your computer, and there are also car chargers available if you are driving a lot.^{[19]
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- If you are upgrading your battery, make sure it is compatible with your existing electronic cigarette. Not all components are necessarily compatible.^{[20]
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- Check if your battery comes with a warranty.^{[21]
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3
Decide whether you want a manual or an automatic battery design. The manual batteries require that you press a button in order to inhale from the electronic cigarette. This helps to preserve battery life, but some people prefer the ease of use of the automatic design.^{[22]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Figuring out E-Liquid Nicotine Levels and Flavors

1
Start with a nicotine level that is roughly equivalent to your current smoking habit. If you are a heavy smoker, you may want to start vaping at a higher nicotine level than if you were a light smoker. Depending on your experience and goals, you can choose from the following nicotine levels:
- No nicotine. You can buy electronic cigarettes without any nicotine. These electronic cigarettes mirror the experience of smoking but do not give you any nicotine. If you are a very light or occasional smoker, they may do the trick.
- 6mg or 0.6% If you are used to smoking ultra light cigarettes, this level of nicotine may suit you well.
- 12mg or 1.2% If you smoke less than a pack a day of light cigarettes, this level of nicotine may meet your needs.
- 18mg or 1.8% If you are a pretty regular smoker and up to a pack a day, this may be your best starting point.
- 24mg or 2.4% If you smoke rolled tobacco or natural brands, you may prefer this level of nicotine.
- 36mg or 3.6% If you are a very heavy smoker, you may want to start at this level.^{[23]
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2
Reduce your nicotine levels over time to kick the habit. The jury is still out on the effectiveness of electronic cigarettes in quitting smoking, with existing research highlighting promising but inconclusive results^{[24]
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Research source} However, some smokers advocate gradually reducing nicotine levels in electronic cigarettes to wean their bodies off the nicotine habit. Start with a regular amount of nicotine and slowly reduce the amount of nicotine in your electronic cigarette until you get to the no nicotine level.^{[25]
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- There are smokers who can relinquish and go directly for the ‘no nicotine’ liquid.
3
Choose a flavor for your electronic cigarette e-liquid. There are wide ranging flavors for electronic cigarettes, which range from tobacco flavors to green tea and fruity flavors. Decide which flavors you like.