In this article...
- A guide to Elf Bar Products
- Avoiding burnt coil tastes
- Top 10 most purchased flavours
- Spotting and avoiding fake Elf Bars
It’s safe to say that most people who vape, have heard about Elf Bar – but who is Elf Bar? The following guide delves deep into who they are and what makes an Elf Bar. Also find help with troubleshooting, avoiding burnt tastes and spotting fakes. Elf Bars provide great flavours and ultimate convenience, being vigilant and knowledgeable can help make the vaping experience a little better.
Who Is Elf Bar?
Elf Bar is widely regarded as one of the most popular single-use vape brands, not just within the United Kingdom, but globally. They are made in Shenzhen and Dongguan, China, and were initially marketed under the VapeOnly brand. Since then, the brand ownership moved to iMiracle, and then onwards to HG Innovation, a Hong Kong based business. All of these companies are part of the longstanding China vape giant Heaven Gifts, which has seemingly always retained control of the brand.
Elf Bar made its debut in 2021, right at the birth of a new disposable vape boom, but its early products were overshadowed by the remarkable market success of the original Geek Bar. However, the UK market's appetite for Geek Bar started to outstrip supply availability by mid 2021. The brand stepped into the market with the well-known Elf Bar 600, which was available in bigger quantities, and very importantly, at a lower price. Although many other disposable vapes were available at the time, Elf Bar seemed to grab the attention of vapers worldwide, and nowhere more so than in the UK.
2024 saw the launch of the “Big Puff” vape, the Elf Bar AF5000. This device offers vapers up to 5000 puffs from a single disposable. Its ease of use and inclusion of popular Elf Bar flavours, has quickly made it a favourite among vapers.
What Makes An Elf Bar?
The original Elf Bar 600 aimed to give vapers the ultimate flavour experience, and from its popularity, it must have succeeded. This device contributed towards the rapid rise of disposables between 2021 and 2023, with an increase of over 1.5 million GB vapers taking up single use devices[i]. In 2023, Elf Bar developed QUAQ mesh coil technology and launched this new, more flavour enhancing coil, with the Elf Bar 600 V2.
Elf Bar didn’t just gain popularity because of the coils; the range of intense flavours has also played a significant role in the rise. Currently, there are over 90 Elf Bar flavours available at across four different kits, including Watermelon and Blue Razz Lemonade.
Something else to consider is Elf Bar's use of nicotine salts plus the particular nicotine strength they use in their vapes. Nic salts give a smooth throat hit and replicate the sensation of smoking cigarettes. The more commonly found nicotine strength is 2.0% or 20mg/ml, which is the highest nicotine strength allowed in the UK[ii].
Different Elf Bars
There are many Elf Bar variations available across the vaping industry, from big puff devices to small convenient 600 puff pens and even refillable pods. Yet, to avoid choice overload, we stock only the more popular Elf Bar products – the ones that we know vapers, and specifically our customers want.
Let’s take a closer look at the Elf Bar disposables and pod kits that are available:
Elf Bar 600
The Elf Bar 600 looks around 3 times the size of a traditional cigarette. The design, a cylinder style vape pen, feels like holding a slightly larger cigarette, while also offering similar hand to mouth movements and familiar draw expected from smoking. You also have the choice of over 30 flavours. Each device can produce up to 600 puffs. The Elf Bar 600 is not rechargeable and should be disposed of correctly through vape recycling programmes.
Elf Bar 600 V2
The V2 Elf Bar vape disposable launched in mid-2023. It features QUAQ mesh coil technology, which enhances puff counts and intensifies the flavour produced. While it looks very similar to the original Elf Bar, it has a distinct metallic colour design rather than the satin finish associated with the original. This single use device is available in 27 flavours and holds the maximum nicotine strength allowed 2.0% (20mg/ml).
Elf Bar Elfa Pro
Elf Bar shifted away from single use devices with the introduction of the ELFA Pro Bar. This pod kit comes with a built-in 500mAh battery and the added benefit of being recharged with a USB-C cable. You get a choice of 8 coloured batteries and a flavoured pod as part of a kit. Replacement pods are available with 20 complex flavours to choose from.
It’s worth noting that the pods need to be primed before you begin vaping:
- Remove the sticker from the base
- Remove the silicone seal from the mouth piece
- Push the base down firmly, and wait for approximately 2 minutes
Now you're ready to vape!
Elf Bar AF5000
The latest addition from the brand is the AF5000. This powerhouse can provide up to 5000 puffs from a single device thanks to the attachable 10ml e-liquid container. These types of kits are sometimes being referred to as "big puff" vapes. The AF5000 is available in 15 Elf Bar flavours, ranging from Triple Mango to Lemon Lime. The battery itself is 650mAh but can be recharged as many times as needed, or until the e-liquid is depleted from both the pod and attachment. Once empty, the battery with attached coil will need to be disposed of responsibly.
Elf bar Troubleshooting
Elf Bars are no different from other vape kits on the market and every so often it’s likely you may run into trouble.
Some of the more common problems to look out for are:
Burnt Taste: With pod kits like the Elfa Pro, you need to prime the pre-filled pod first. If the pod isn't primed correctly, it will most likely leave a burnt taste in your mouth. However, this isn’t just limited to the Elfa Pro either, the Elf Bar AF5000 pod reservoir also needs to be refilled when the flavour starts to die to avoid burnt tastes.
Flashing Lights: If the Elf Bar is running on fumes or the battery is about to die, the light indicator will begin to flash. With rechargeable devices, like the Elfa Pro and AF5000, the flashing light indicates the battery needs to be recharged.
Popular Elf Bar Flavours
Let’s move on to what Elf Bars are known for – flavours. With over 90 flavour options available across 4 different Elf Bar kits, the choice can be slightly overwhelming. The following list is made up from our highest online purchased Elf Bar flavours during the month of August 2024:
1 Elf Bar 600: Watermelon
Kicking off the countdown is the taste of the summer – the simple, yet bold, watermelon flavour, part of the original flavours when Elf Bar launched.
2 Elf Bar 600 V2: Pink Lemonade
A vibrant mixture of summery berries with a hint of lemonade, perfect for lazy days in the sun.
3 Elf Bar 600: Snoow Tobacco
Smooth and creamy tobacco flavourings, made to replicate the tastes of cigarettes.
4 Elf Bar ELFA PRO Pods: Blue Razz Lemonade
Fused together blueberry and raspberry with the after hit of lemonade, loved across many brands.
5 Elf Bar 600: Menthol
Another original flavour in the Elf Bar 600 range. Hints of mint and ice make this a well worth vape for vapers that love menthol.
6 Elf Bar 600 V2: Cherry
The full-bodied flavour of cherry, is commendable. Simple yet bold and a great all day vape.
7 Elf Bar 600 V2: Blue Razz Lemonade
Second entering on the list, but this time with Elf Bar 600v2, the combination of flavours and QUAQ mesh technology give this vape a great flavour profile
8 Elf Bar 600 V2: Blueberry Sour Raspberry
Yet another mish mash of flavours, this time with a sour taste. Experience the tartness of blueberry and raspberry with a zingy after kick.
9 Elf Bar 600: Blueberry
Just Blueberry – bold, vibrant and flavourful!
10 Elf Bar 600 V2: Banana Ice
A tropical combo of banana, infused with the subtle tones of ice.
Beware Of Fake Elf Bar Vapes
Elf Bar is very well known vape brand within the vaping world. Unfortunately, as with any sought-after brand there's always the possibility of imitation and fake products. Elf Bar sadly became a target for these rogue companies, and in 2022 Elf Bar stopped over 1 million fake products from entering the UK market[iii].
However, if you’re ever in doubt, then the holographic sticker on the side is a good indicator of authenticity. You can simply scratch it off to reveal a QR code. You can use the code with your mobile camera, and you’ll be directed to the official Elf Bar website with a verification of the authenticity of the product.
Avoid inadvertently buying a fake Elf Bar by buying your vapes from reputable retailers. Totally Wicked is a trusted supplier of vape kits, e-liquids and disposables. You can rest assured that any products you buy from our online or brick and mortar stores, will be authentic.
[i] Use of vapes (e-cigarettes) among adults in Great Britain – ASH
[ii] E-cigarettes: regulations for consumer products – GOV.UK
[iii] ELFBAR stops over a million counterfeit disposable vapes from reaching the retail market | Grocery Trader
