Prefilled vs Refillable Pod Kits: Cost per Week Compared (UK 2026)
08 October 2026 · Vapes Direct Wholesale
When single-use vapes were banned in the UK in June 2025, most vapers moved to one of two options: a prefilled pod kit, where you click in a new pod that is already filled, or a refillable pod kit, where you fill the pod yourself from a 10ml bottle. Both are rechargeable. The biggest difference over time is what they cost to run each week.
What you pay for with each type
| Prefilled pod kit | Refillable pod kit | |
|---|---|---|
| Starter cost | Low: battery plus a pod | Higher: a better battery with more settings |
| Ongoing cost | New prefilled pods | 10ml e-liquid plus a replacement pod or coil every week or two |
| Flavour choice | The flavours made for that pod | Any compatible 10ml nic salt or e-liquid |
| Effort | Click and go | Fill, prime and change coils |
How to work out your weekly cost
Prices change between brands and retailers, so the best way to compare is to use your own numbers.
- Find your weekly liquid use. A prefilled pod holds 2ml. If you use one pod a day, that is 14ml a week.
- Prefilled cost: pods used per week × price per pod.
- Refillable cost: (weekly ml ÷ 10) × price per 10ml bottle, plus the cost of the pods or coils you replace that week.
- Add the starter kit spread over the months you expect to use it, if you want the full picture.
A worked example
Say you use 14ml a week. On a prefilled kit, that is 7 prefilled pods. On a refillable kit, it is 1.4 bottles of 10ml nic salt, plus about half a pack of replacement pods if you change the pod every two weeks. Put today's prices for your brand into those two lines and you have your answer. Because one 10ml bottle fills five 2ml pods, refillable kits usually work out cheaper per ml, while prefilled kits save time and mess.
The 2026 duty applies to both
Since 1 October 2026, the Vaping Products Duty of £2.20 per 10ml applies to every vaping liquid, whether it is in a prefilled pod or a 10ml bottle. That is about 44p of duty in each 2ml pod. The duty does not change which option is cheaper, because it is charged per ml either way. Read our duty guide for more detail.
Which should you choose?
- Choose prefilled if you want the simplest option and like the bar-style flavours. Browse prefilled pod kits and prefilled pods.
- Choose refillable if you want the lowest running cost and a wider flavour choice. Browse refillable pod kits, nic salts and replacement pods.
Frequently asked questions
Are prefilled pods more expensive than refillable?
Per ml of liquid, prefilled pods usually cost more, because you are paying for a new pod each time. Refillable kits reuse the pod for a week or two.
How often do I change a refillable pod?
Most people change the pod or coil every one to two weeks, or sooner if the flavour fades or tastes burnt.
Does the duty make vaping cost the same as before?
No. The duty adds £2.20 per 10ml to all vaping liquids from 1 October 2026, so most prices rose slightly across both types.
Vapes Direct Wholesale sells to adults aged 18 and over only. Vaping products containing nicotine are not for use by non-smokers. This product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance.
