5 Most Common Vaping Devices

Pods, mods, pod mods? How are they different and what does each one do?

Co-authored by Ali Garbacz

Last Updated: March 20, 2023 References

In just a short amount of time, the vape has evolved greatly from its initial basic design and is now available in a wide variety of options. Read through this list of different vape devices to learn about the different designs and features that are out there.

Things You Should Know

People who are new to vaping tend to like cigalikes and vape pens since the designs are simple and intuitive.
Pods allow you to vape a wider variety of flavors and substances, and they are incredibly compact.
Mods offer the most customization options for users and will typically last much longer than other types.
Pod mods combine the easily refillable e-liquid cartridges from pod systems and the high-performing components of mods.

1

Cigalike

Cigalikes are e-cigarettes that look and feel like real cigarettes. These cigalikes are the very first generation of vaping devices, and they have a fairly simple design and makeup. They are disposable, so you throw them out once they run out of charge or e-liquid. Newer models are rechargeable and/or refillable and last much longer.^{[1]
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
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- E-liquid is the liquid you put in the e-cigarette that gets turned into the vapor you inhale. This liquid can contain nicotine, cannabis, and/or flavoring.
- Pros: The cigalike is small and compact, making it easy to carry around. Its design and feel might also be beneficial for those who are trying to replace smoking with vaping.
- Cons: Compared to more evolved models, a cigalike has a very small battery.

2

Vape Pen

Vape pens are rechargeable and an overall upgraded version of a cigalike. Some models of vape pens offer many more features than a standard cigalike, such as airflow control (for producing more vapor) and a battery indicator. Most also have a button that you press when inhaling the vapor. They’re rechargeable and come in a variety of styles and colors.^{[2]
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- Pros: Vape pens have more advanced features than a basic cigalike and are a popular choice among people who are new to vaping.
- Cons: These pens are more designed for convenience rather than longevity, and they have smaller batteries compared to more complex devices.

3

Pods

Pods are compact e-cigs that have replaceable e-liquid pods. These vapes are designed to be used multiple times and have a fairly simple setup. There’s an internal battery built into a slim, rectangular body and a “pod” that contains the e-liquid on top. You usually buy the battery cartridge and pods separately, though there are many options to buy a “starter pack” that has all the necessary pieces for you to put together.^{[3]
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- Pros: These are super compact systems that are easy to transport. They’re also one of the cheaper options.
- Cons: Due to their small size, they have smaller coils. This means that they produce less vapor. Additionally, you can only buy cartridges that work with your specific type of pod, so you might be limited when it comes to flavors or nicotine strength.

4

Mods

Mods are customizable e-cigs that you assemble yourself. It’s kind of like if you were to build your own PC. You choose the vape components and accessories based on your specific wants and needs and modify the battery, voltage, and coils to your liking. You might also hear these types of vapes referred to as “box mods,” which refers to the square shape of certain models. Rather than using a cartridge, you fill an internal glass tank with e-liquid.^{[4]
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- A popular choice for a mod’s tank is the sub-ohm tank. It has very low-resistance coils that produce more vapor and give you a stronger hit of whatever substance or flavor is in the e-liquid.^{[5]
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  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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- Mods can be “regulated” or “unregulated.” Unregulated mods draw power directly from your device’s battery, and there’s no limitation or control of the current. Regulated mods have internal circuitry that lets you control the power settings.^{[6]
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- It’s important that you have a good understanding of unregulated mods before using them since the lack of control over the current can potentially cause the battery to explode.
- Pros: Mods tend to last much longer since many models have a removable battery that can just be replaced when it dies. They also allow for bigger coils, which enhance performance and produce more vapor.^{[7]
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- Cons: Its design is much more complex than a cigalike or pod, and beginners might feel a bit overwhelmed with all of the options. They also tend to be more bulky and expensive than other models.

5

Pod Mods (All-In-Ones)

A pod mod is the middle-ground option between a pod and a box mod. These types of vapes combine features from box mods and pod systems and give you the best of both worlds. A pod mod is compact and comes with refillable or replaceable cartridges for the e-liquid. It also offers the high performance of a traditional mod, meaning bigger vapor clouds and a larger battery.^{[8]
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- Pros: A pod mod is more compact and portable than a mod system, and has replaceable cartridges for e-liquid.
- Cons: There aren’t as many customization options compared to a standard mod system when it comes to voltage, airflow, and other features.

Warnings

Vaping, like smoking, has known health risks. Emerging data suggests links to chronic lung disease and asthma.^{[9]
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E-cigarettes can contain nicotine, which is a highly addictive chemical.^{[10]
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Cannabidiol (CBD) is not addictive.^{[11]
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Harvard Medical School
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Go to source} However, it can cause side effects such as dry mouth, diarrhea, reduced appetite, drowsiness, and fatigue. It can also interact with other medications you may be taking and reduce their effectiveness.^{[12]
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Mayo Clinic
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THC, the main psychoactive compound in marijuana, can lead to impaired thinking and produces a “high” when vaped.^{[13]
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As of December 31, 2022, all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have passed legislation prohibiting the sale of e-cigarettes to underaged persons.^{[14]
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Go to source} The minimum age you have to be to vape varies by state, falling between 18 and 21 years old depending on where you live.^{[15]
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