Different Types of Pods: Refillable vs. Pre-Filled Pods

As a vape store owner, you’ll get many customers who come in or visit your online store looking for pod systems. But there is a choice to be made here; should they go with refillable or pre-filled pods?

What Are Pod Systems?

For there to be multiple types of pod systems, there first has to be pods, which is kind of obvious. Pods are small pieces of equipment that contain a vape tank used to hold the user’s preferred type of e-liquid. You just have to make sure that you’re selling pod systems that people like.

The pod is what we call a ‘drop-in’ component that attaches to the vape device of choice. Sometimes it’s done magnetically and in other cases, it’s done with a thread design. Whatever it is, it’s meant to attach and detach from the device easily.

But what’s the difference between a pod and a random vape cart? The only difference is that pod systems are proprietary designs. Which means they can only be used with vape devices manufactured by or for the same brand.

This is done by brands as part of their marketing strategy, but it’s also great for consumers because it means that quality is guaranteed and usually more convenient small pod systems are a result of it as this feature makes the design of the device much nicer and sleeker.

What Are Refillable Pod Systems?

Pod refill is an important feature in the design of a pod system. Many brands opt for disposable vape pods that require users to repurchase. This is usually better in terms of revenue for vape brands and retailers alike, but not the best option when it comes to sustainability.

Refillable pods and vape juice are bought separately and require the user to fill their pods and perform maintenance now and then. Pods can be used multiple times, but eventually, they’ll start to deteriorate and require changing the atomizer coil or the entire pod.

What Are the Best Pods?

At VapeRanger we carry a wide range of wholesale pod systems that you can filter out in order of best-sellers. But for you to choose the right pods and pod systems for your clients, you first have to analyze the potential pros and cons of refillable vs. prefilled pods.

Pros and Cons of Refillable Systems

Pros:

• Variety: Depending on the state where your business is located, you might be able to offer vape flavors that differ from tobacco and menthol. But if you’re located in a state like California, then perhaps the wind doesn’t blow in your favor in this area. In this case, refillable pods offer an advantage in comparison to prefilled pods because they allow your clients to fill their tanks with any flavor they wish to use. And in return, your shelves won’t look as empty.
• Better Vaping Experience: Because they are reusable equipment, refillable pods are typically designed with better materials and components that may offer a better vaping experience than disposable alternatives. This means higher-quality vapor and better-tasting products.
• Affordability: While this may not be in your best interest, it is in your client’s best interest and that makes it more than a good reason to give them this option. Buying vape juice by the bottle is considerably more affordable than purchasing disposable devices if you’re a frequent vaper. Also, buying replacement pods is really easy and the price is really good for the clients. 

Cons:

• Proprietary Designs: Pods are designed to be used on same-brand devices. This is great for brands because it allows them to “tie down” clients, but not great for vapers if they decide they don’t like the device or vape juice flavors that come with it. In your case, it may also be a drawback because a customer that is unhappy with their purchase ultimately falls back on you and not on the brand.

Pros and Cons of Prefilled Vapes

Pros:

• Widely Available: May be found more easily in gas stations and convenience stores than refillable devices and reusable pod systems.
• Great for Beginners: Prefilled pod systems provide a great introduction to vaping for beginners or previous nicotine smokers that are looking to make the switch over to vaping. In your case, it would be great to have these on your shelves to cater to beginner vapers.
• Easy to Use: Prefilled pods are conveniently designed to pop into standard batteries, usually 510-threaded batteries. On top of that, they don’t require any maintenance as they are usually disposable. This makes them a great option for clients who don’t want to deal with the inconvenience of having to do maintenance on their devices.

Cons:

• Expenses: Pre-filled pods tend to lean towards the expensive side of things for vapers because brands use their proprietary designs to make a larger profit. Or perhaps manufacturers charge a little more for proprietary designs. While both of these are options, what is certain is that they cost more than the standard designs used for disposable pods.
• Scarce New Product Releases: Prefilled pod systems have changed very little over the past decade and many of them are now considered obsolete. Especially taking into account that refillable pod systems and other devices have seen such a huge advancement in technology.
• Limited Flavor Selection: In comparison to refillable pods, prefilled pod systems don’t cover a wide range of vape flavors. This makes them an ok option for beginner vapers but not so much for frequent users looking to switch it up.

What Are the Best New Pod Systems? What About Disposables?

Disposables are the most sought-after vape products by beginner and ‘OG’ vapers alike. They provide a great way to switch between flavors often at a great price. In terms of performance, disposables have nothing to envy from refillable vape devices, unless we’re talking about a very high-quality product and of course, depending on the brand.

In comparison to any of the options above, disposables are more convenient and less expensive in most cases.

But that’s not all:

In terms of YOUR business, disposables offer the best profit margin, on top of being the best-selling category for most online vape marketplaces. If you’re looking to stock up on disposable vapes, make sure to visit our best-selling disposable vape product selection.