Since disposable vapes left the New Zealand market, the two realistic options for most people are a prefilled pod vape (rechargeable battery, sealed pods you swap out) or a refillable pod kit (you fill the pod from a bottle). Both are legal, both are easy, and they cost quite different amounts to run. This guide uses Vapourium's prices as at September 2026 so you can do the maths for your own usage. All products mentioned are R18 and notified to the Vaping Regulatory Authority.

The short version

• Prefilled pods cost less up front, need no filling or maintenance, and suit light or occasional users.
• Refillable kits cost more up front, need a pod change every one to three weeks, and are usually cheaper per month for anyone vaping daily. They also open up the full range of flavours and strengths, including nicotine-free.

What each option costs to buy

Prefilled pod vape

Item	Example	Price
Battery device	Buzz 8500 Device (650 mAh, USB-C)	$12.00
Replacement pod	Buzz 8500 pod	$13.00
Replacement pod	Go2 8K / IGET Bar Plus pod (rated approx. 8,000 puffs)	$14.50
Replacement pod	Elfbar JoinOne Icy pod (rated up to 20,000 puffs, 28.5 mg/mL nicotine salt)	$17.50

So a complete prefilled setup is about $25 to $30 for the device and the first pod.

Refillable pod kit

Item	Example	Price
Pod kit	Uwell Caliburn G3 Lite	$23.90
Pod kit	Uwell Caliburn G4	$49.90
Pod kit	Vaporesso XROS 5	$54.90
Replacement pods	Caliburn G4 / GPP pods, 4 pack	$22.50 (about $5.60 each)
Replacement pods	Vaporesso XROS pods, 4 pack	$25.90 (about $6.50 each)
Nic salt e-liquid	Legacy Salts, 30 ml	$24.99 (about $0.83 per ml)
Nic salt e-liquid	Tall Boys Salts, 60 ml	$29.99 (about $0.50 per ml)
Freebase e-liquid	Legacy, 60 ml / 120 ml	$29.99 / $49.99 (about $0.42 to $0.50 per ml)

A complete refillable setup, with a kit, a spare pack of pods and one bottle, is about $70 to $105 depending on the kit.

What each option costs to run

Refillable: a worked example

A typical daily user of a small pod kit gets through roughly 2 ml of e-liquid a day, which is 60 ml a month, and replaces the pod every one to two weeks.

• E-liquid: one 60 ml bottle ($29.99) or two 30 ml bottles ($49.98).
• Pods: two to three a month at $5.60 to $6.50 each, so $11 to $20.
• Roughly $41 to $70 a month after the kit is paid for. Heavier users scale up from there; lighter users scale down.

Prefilled: it depends on how long a pod lasts you

Prefilled pods are sold by manufacturer-rated puff count, not millilitres, and real-world puff counts are usually lower than the rating because puff length varies. The honest way to cost it is to time your first pod:

• If a $14.50 pod lasts you two weeks, that is about $31 a month.
• If it lasts one week, that is about $63 a month.
• If it lasts four or five days, you are past $90 a month and a refillable kit will save you money.

The crossover point for most daily users is somewhere around one pod a week. Below that, prefilled is competitive and simpler. Above it, refillable wins clearly.

Beyond cost: other differences

• Flavour and strength choice. Prefilled pods come in the strengths and flavours the pod maker offers, often a single high strength. Refillable kits work with any bottled e-liquid, including the ranges Vapourium makes in New Zealand and nicotine-free options. See Made by Vapourium.
• Nicotine limits. New Zealand caps nicotine at 28.5 mg/mL for nicotine salt e-liquid and 20 mg/mL for freebase. Many prefilled pods sit at the salt maximum; with a refillable kit you can step down gradually. Our Nic Salts vs Freebase guide explains strengths.
• Maintenance. Prefilled: charge the battery, swap the pod. Refillable: fill the pod, let a new pod stand for 5 to 10 minutes before use, change it when flavour drops. Our General Vaping Guide covers it.
• Waste. Both produce spent pods. A refillable pod is used for one to three weeks and holds about 2 ml per fill; a prefilled pod is single use.
• Batteries. Both use small lithium batteries charged over USB-C. Read our Battery Safety Guide either way.

Which should you choose?

• Choose prefilled if you vape lightly or occasionally, want zero maintenance, or want the lowest possible starting cost.
• Choose refillable if you vape daily, want flavour and strength choice, or want to reduce nicotine over time. Our guide to choosing your first vape kit walks through the specs.

Prices in this article are Vapourium's online prices as at September 2026 and may change; the product pages always show the current price. Staff at our Central Dunedin, South Dunedin and Timaru stores can show you both options side by side, or email customerservice@vapourium.nz. Online orders ship overnight to most of New Zealand; see how ordering online works.