The best selected electronic cigarette models

 Even the best vapes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, or loose-leaf vaporizers cannot be declared completely safe. However, the evidence so far suggests they are safer than smoking tobacco or loose leaves. Admittedly this doesn't mean much, but it's a step forward and vaping can also be a good way to quit smoking. The best vapors fall into three main categories. There are slim cartridge-based vape models by major old tobacco brands that target people trying to quit smoking. And then there are vapes aimed at the slightly more underground culture, which includes people who vape either because they love the aroma and the huge vapor plumes they create, and those who have discovered the pleasures of herbal loose leaf puffing without excess. higher pollution level associated with odors and roll-ups.

There are also some heated tobacco products – Philip Morris' iQOS, for example – that manufacturers  insist are not vapors  … But for simplicity's sake, we'll call them that.

Certainly, one obvious use of vapes, e-cigarettes, vaporizers, or whatever you choose to call them, is part of the complete smoking cessation process. However, we're going on the assumption that you're here because you like to actively vaping. The best    vapes  are WAY RAD just because they aren't a replacement for cigarettes. As the video at the bottom of this page amply demonstrates.

IN ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES  : WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

To answer this question, logically, are you interested in Vaping? I wrote a feature titled. Here is everything you need to know. 'Is vaping safe?' covers topics such as and 'what is vape?' as well as more advanced topics related to vaping, e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. If you're in a hurry, you can scroll down to the bottom of this buying guide to find a slightly shorter version. 

1. OSMALL STEAM

Pocket-sized friend is still the best vaping pen around

REASONS TO PURCHASE

+Small and pocketable

+Fill the cartridge with your own e-liquid

+Excellent steam output

+easy to use

REASONS TO AVOID

-cheap plastic case

-dull colors

Where the average cartridge-based vaporizer uses factory-filled sealed pods that you throw in the trash when empty, this uses refillable magnetic 2ml cartridges that can be used for at least ten refills before they need to be replaced. This opens up a whole new world of e-liquid flavors and VG/PG blends that traditional sealed cartridge-based systems simply cannot match. As with all cartridge-based models, it also means you can change flavors at any time by simply removing one cartridge and inserting the other. The Osmall only comes with one empty cartridge but can be purchased online for around £6 a pair. All you have to do is purchase an e-liquid of your desired flavor and strength and fill the cartridge through the redesigned side-mounted filler neck.

Although the body is made of inexpensive ribbed plastic instead of the much nicer smooth metal used in the construction of the Renova Zero (reviewed below), the Osmall gets our number one spot because the pod filling system is better designed and less messy to fill. Where the Renova Zero needs to be filled with a plastic bottle with a special spout, this model can accept almost any third-party e-liquid bottle, meaning you don't need to empty your favorite e-liquid first. A big bonus in our book.

Available in eight pretty matte shades and measuring just 8cm x 3cm, the affordable Osmall is absolutely child's play to use – it has no on/off or pull activation buttons, so you just put your lips on the mouthpiece and draw, baby, draw.

If you're in the market for a discreet yet extremely simple vaporizer that delivers a consistently smooth hit with an enormous amount of vapor (really, this thing rocks in front of the feathers) then look no further than this little pocket titan.

2. IQOS 3 DUAL

The best straight cigarette alternative

REASONS TO PURCHASE

+Accurately replicates smoking

+Uses real tobacco

+Cheaper and less unhealthy than traditional cigarettes

REASONS TO AVOID

-Requires occasional cleaning

If you find that e-liquid vaporizers ultimately fail to mimic both the taste and experience of real cigarettes, then consider this excellent tobacco heating alternative from Marlboro man Philip Morris.

The IQOS 3 Duo (opens in new tab) uses proprietary HEETS (tobacco sticks that look like filtered cigarettes, all except length). These specially formulated mini Marlboros are pushed into a small handheld battery unit that heats the tobacco to 350 degrees, filtered - real cigarettes burn at around 800 degrees.

To 'smoke' the HEETS stick, simply place the filter tip on your lips and draw. Its effect is quite similar to that of a conventional cigarette: it produces roughly the same amount of smoke (in this case a fast-dissolving vapor) and provides exactly the same nicotine retention in the throat. Similarly, the taste, sensation and satisfaction levels are much closer to those of conventional cigarettes.

You should take approximately 15 breaths or six minutes of each HEETS bar before the heating element turns off and the unit beeps. For the IQOS 3 Duo to work properly, it needs to be used with the included pocket charger: when you're done inflating, drop the mouthpiece into the charger and it will fill up in about four minutes. If you are looking for a good alternative to standard cigarettes, the IQOS system may be for you.

3. VAPORESSO RENEWS SIFIR

The perfect refillable pod alternative to the winning Osmall

REASONS TO PURCHASE

+Excellent consistency with enormous vapor volume

+Exceptionally compact

+well made

Zero is the predecessor of our number one vape pen, the Vaporesso Osmall. Like the Osmall, this one comes with an empty cartridge that you fill with your favorite e-liquid flavoring. However, since the one-way valve of the fill spout only accepts the spout of the e-liquid bottle supplied by Vaporesso, it means emptying the contents in the third-party bottle first, and that's a bit of a hassle.

It still deserves a good spot on this list, though, because we love the look and feel of the smooth zinc alloy case, which is much prettier than the winning Osmall. You can also change the wattage of the device by pressing the same button three times. While the wattage setting supposedly affects the overall steam volume, it must be said that this author was unable to detect any major differences between the three settings.

Like the Osmall, this one produces surprisingly large clouds of vapor - we're talking serious fumes, dude, serious plumes. Plus, each cartridge is equipped with a high-quality, long-lasting ceramic coil that produces one of the smoothest, most satisfying inflation experiences in Vapeland.

The Zero also has dry blow protection that shuts the coil off when it's time to refill. This not only prevents damage to the coil, but also prevents you from getting burnt vapor in your lungs, which is a common abnormality with cotton coil vaporizers.

While we much prefer the design and feel of this model, its awkward stuffing method means it's lost to its barn mate. Still a good vape pen.