A few months ago, the Juul made it to British shores after absolutely dominating the US market. It’s an incredibly popular device for a number of reasons. Small, easy to use, with pods that just click right into place. Designed with recent quitters in mind, Juul pods carry a high concentration nicotine salt liquid to give you a strong and near-instant hit. However, in a world of ever-changing vape devices and options, just because something is popular doesn’t mean it’s necessarily the right choice for you. With a massive increase in pod devices and nic salt options on the market these days, making the switch from smoking is even more accessible and possible, it just comes down to choosing the right device for you. To take some of the guesswork out, we’ve come up with a list of Juul alternatives. From closed pod systems where you just click in a pod to vape, to open systems that give you more e-liquid options you’re covered no matter what you’re looking for.
The closed pod systems – for super newbie vapers looking for ease of use and as little mess and fuss as possible.
There are a couple of options for you in the closed pod system design. They’re compact, require no manual topping up of e-liquid and are simple as vaping gets. Closed system essentially just means the pods (or cartridges) come prefilled. You can click one in and vape, and when you want to change flavour you can always pop one out and put a different one in. Easy.
The Hexa. Incredibly similar to the Juul in both shape and design, it’s slim, light and comes with magnetised pods that just click into place. The pods are 2mls each (Juul pods are a bit smaller, at just 0.7mls) so you get plenty of use before you run out. As with any pod, the coil is inside already and these ones are ceramic too, making them longer lasting, with less chance of dry hits and they’re incredibly flavourful. It’s a great option for someone who needs a high dose of nicotine as the pods come in 20mg nic salt to give you a super quick fix without compromising on flavour or giving a “too-much” throat hit. The flavours cater to people with a more traditional taste with one fruity option too – choose from tobacco, tobacco menthol, menthol or blueberry. Just like a regular cigarette, it’s an inhale to vape design making it one of the most foolproof options available.
Aspire Gusto Mini. The Gusto Mini is an incredibly popular option on the market amongst those buying their first vape. Aspire collaborate with different e-liquid manufacturers to make their 2ml nic salt pods in a range of incredible flavours. This one is a closed pod system, but if you want to hack the pods, you can actually pop them open and top them up with more liquid to get more use out of them. If you want something a little more boxy, but still small enough to fit in your pocket, this could be the one for you. The flavours range from the ones you’d expect like tobacco or Frost (a super icy menthol) through to the ever-popular Pink Lemonade and Watermelon Chill. Nasty Juice is the latest company to collaborate on a pod, so now you can get cult classic Slow Blow in a high-dose, nic salt pod too.
The open pod systems – for people who know what they like flavour wise, or who want something in a slightly lower nicotine strength. You get more use out of the pods as you can refill them until the coil eventually wears out.
The Aspire Cobble. A relatively new release from Aspire, this nifty open pod system is an ergonomic little creation that comes with refillable pods so you can choose your preferred flavoured e-juice. Whether you want a higher PG liquid for a stronger throat hit, or nic salts for that higher nicotine level, you can play around with juices to find one that’s just right for you. The other benefit of open pod systems is, unlike closed pod systems with fixed nicotine strengths, as you gradually reduce your nicotine level you won’t need to change your device. The bottom vertical Nichrome coils will give you plenty of refills before you need to change to a new pod and give plenty of impactful flavour. Especially well suited to nic salts or higher PG juices, this one is cost efficient and versatile.
The Suorin Drop. If you’re looking for an open pod system that’s a little unique, the Drop could be just the ticket. Suitable for juices with a 60:40 to 70:30 VG/PG ratio it’s a mouth to lung device that provides a satisfying hit and gives you a surprising amount of vapour while you’re at it. Suited for those who are ex-smokers who were lighter on their habit (think: a few cigarettes rather than a pack a day kind of person). You can refill these little pods with whatever strength or flavour you like.
Mi-Pod. Another refillable option, the Mi Pod is a pretty little thing and quite literally one of the smallest devices on the market. It comes in a range of colours and textures (for the fashion conscious) and has a fob ring on it so you can keep it around your neck (for die hard vapers only). The oil-air separated design makes it almost totally leak-proof, meaning you can put it in your pocket with no worries about a sticky wallet or keys. It’s a manual draw design, meaning no buttons, just inhale to vape. Fill it with either nic salts or higher PG liquids, this is another great option that will be able to evolve with you and your vaping style.
If you’re ready to make the switch, or want to consider even more options, your best bet is to find a reputable vape shop and speak to them for a personal recommendation. You’ll also be able to get help with choosing the right e-liquid strength and flavour too.
