If you are buying your first vape kit in New Zealand, the choice comes down to three device types and a handful of specifications. This guide explains each in plain language so you can pick something that suits how you intend to use it. It is written for adults aged 18 and over who are already looking for a vaping product; it is not a recommendation to start vaping.

Before you start

• All vaping products in NZ are R18, and every product must be notified to the Vaping Regulatory Authority before sale. Anything you buy from a specialist vape retailer such as Vapourium has been.
• Disposable vapes are no longer sold in NZ. If you were expecting to buy one, read Disposable Vapes Banned in NZ: Your Guide to Alternatives first.
• If you are switching from smoking, our practical NZ switching guide covers the first few weeks.

The three types of vape kit

1. Prefilled pod vapes (closed system)

A rechargeable battery plus a pre-filled, sealed pod. When the pod is empty you click in a new one. There is no filling, no coil changes and nothing to adjust. This is the simplest option and the closest replacement for the disposables that were taken off the market. The trade-offs are a smaller flavour choice (limited to what the pod maker offers) and a higher running cost per millilitre than bottled e-liquid. Examples we stock include Go2, Buzz, Dragbar, Elfbar JoinOne and IGET Bar Plus.

2. Refillable pod kits

A small battery with a pod that you fill yourself from a bottle of e-liquid. Pods (or the coils inside them) are replaced every one to three weeks depending on use. Refillable pod kits give you the full range of e-liquid flavours and strengths, cost less to run than prefilled pods, and are still very easy to use. Most people who want a device to last are best served here. Brands we stock with reliable replacement pod supply include Vaporesso, OXVA, Uwell, Geekvape, Voopoo, Innokin, Aspire and SMOK.

3. Tank and sub-ohm kits

Larger devices with a glass tank and replaceable coils, designed for more vapour and direct-to-lung inhaling. They use freebase e-liquid at lower nicotine strengths, need more maintenance, and use more e-liquid per day. They are a good fit for experienced users but rarely the right first kit.

What the specifications mean

• Battery (mAh): bigger lasts longer between charges. Around 800 to 1000 mAh will usually get a light-to-moderate user through a day. Look for USB-C charging.
• Coil or pod resistance (ohms, Ω): pods of 0.8 Ω and above give a tighter, cigarette-like draw (mouth-to-lung) and are made for nicotine salt e-liquid. Below about 0.6 Ω is sub-ohm territory: more vapour, more airflow, freebase e-liquid.
• Pod capacity (ml): most refillable pods hold about 2 ml. Prefilled pods are sold by puff count rather than millilitres.
• Airflow: adjustable airflow lets you tighten or loosen the draw. Useful, but not essential on a first kit.
• Replacement pods and coils: the most important thing to check. A kit is only as good as the availability of its pods. Stick to brands your retailer keeps in stock.

Matching the e-liquid to the kit

Pod kits with higher-resistance pods are made for nicotine salt e-liquid, which is smoother at higher strengths. Sub-ohm kits are made for freebase e-liquid at lower strengths. Using a high-strength salt in a sub-ohm tank is unpleasant, and using a low-strength freebase in a small pod kit often leaves people unsatisfied. Our Nic Salts vs Freebase guide explains how to pick a strength. Nicotine-free versions of most of our ranges are also available.

Vapourium manufactures several e-liquid ranges in New Zealand, including Legacy, Aotearoa E-Juice and Tall Boys Salts. The full list is on Made by Vapourium.

What to buy with your first kit

• A spare pack of pods or coils, so you are not caught out when the first one tastes burnt.
• One or two bottles of e-liquid in the right nicotine type for the kit.
• A USB-C cable if the kit does not include one. Charge from a standard USB port or a low-output wall adapter; see our Battery Safety Guide.

First-week tips

• Fill a new pod and let it stand upright for 5 to 10 minutes before the first puff so the coil is fully soaked. Skipping this is the most common cause of a burnt taste.
• Do not let a refillable pod run dry.
• If something is not working, the fixes for the five most common problems are in our troubleshooting guide.

Get advice in person or online

Staff at our Central Dunedin, South Dunedin and Timaru stores can show you the differences hands-on. If you are elsewhere in New Zealand, email customerservice@vapourium.nz or call 03 974 8136 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm) and we will point you to a kit that fits. Online orders ship overnight to most NZ addresses; see how ordering online works.