You’ve seen people vaping and decide that it’s worth a try. It looks so simple: just replace your cigarette smoking with vaping and that’s it. Any old e-cigarette kit will do the job. But when you start shopping for a kit, things start to look a lot more complicated. There are more types of e-cigarettes than you may have expected, and there is some disagreement about which is the best for new vapers. So you might go and ask for advice. And that’s when things can start to get overwhelming.

Vapers toss around terms like “box mod” and “eGo” like they’re universally understood, ask you odd questions about throat hit and PG/VG ratios, and tell you that “sub ohming” is the only way to go. In comparison, reverting to the simplicity of your usual brand of cigarette can start to seem like the easiest option. Should you really have to engross yourself in a whole new world of confusing terminology and technical-looking products to get your nicotine? How are you supposed to navigate the complex world of vaping before you even get onto the serious business of kicking an addictive and deadly habit?

Admittedly, choosing your e-cigarette kit might not be easy, but putting some time into the decision is definitely worthwhile. So where do you start? How do you make sure you find the right kit for your needs? We’ve put together a guide to help you navigate the sometimes-confusing world of vaping device and ensure you hit the “buy” button on the right kit for you.

Before you make your decision, it helps to understand what you’re actually choosing between. E-cigarettes kits all work in the same basic way – vaporising e-liquid using an electrically-powered heating coil – but there are big differences between cigalikes, tank systems and mods it’s important to know about:

Cigalikes

Cigalikes: These are e-cigarettes that look quite similar to tobacco cigarettes (hence “cig-alike”). They have small batteries, and the heating coil and e-liquid are contained in a “cartomizer.” You usually use these in the way as you’d smoke a cigarette.

Tank Systems

Tank systems: These devices move away from the cigarette-like appearance, having a size comparable to a marker pen or mid-sized cigar. They have a tank to store e-liquid and replaceable coils, and the batteries last longer than cigalike batteries. Unlike most cigalikes, these start vaporising e-liquid when you press and hold a button. These are sometimes called “eGo” style e-cigarettes after a famous early device.

E-Cig mods

Mods: These are the biggest e-cigarettes, but come in a range of shapes and sizes. Most these days are box-shaped (and called “box mods”), but basically work like big tank system e-cigarettes. Along with bigger, longer-lasting batteries, they also offer extra features and can support a wider range of different tanks. Mods bear no resemblance at all to cigarettes.This is a very basic introduction, but it gives you the key facts you need about each type of e-cig to decide which is the best option for your needs.

No matter who you are, there are a few factors that everyone needs to consider when looking for the best e-cigarette kit for your needs. These aren’t the most important things for your decision, but it’s worth keeping them in mind as you consider the benefits and drawbacks of different devices. In the last chapter, we will teach you choose your suitable E-cigarettes kits on your wishes and wills!