In this article...
Every vape requires a battery for it to work. Whether this is a disposable vape, a prefilled pod or a refillable vape kit, they will all have a form of battery. A vape battery works in the same way as any other battery. It provides power to the device. In the case of a vape, it provides power to the atomizer head to heat it up, thus turning the e-liquid into an inhalable vapour.
This sounds pretty simple but not all vape batteries are the same. In fact they can be very different from each other.
The main types of vape batteries are:
- Disposable batteries
- Built-in rechargeable batteries
- Rechargeable external batteries
The battery within a vape can dramatically affect the performance of the device. You may think them to be a simple provider of power but they are responsible for a lot more. For example, the technology within and surrounding different batteries can fundamentally change the flavour experience. Furthermore, the battery can also have an impact on vapour production and nicotine delivery of a vape. You shouldn't underestimate the importance of a vape battery and this guide will explain why.
What is a Vape Battery mAh Rating?
You'll no doubt have seen a mAh rating used when describing vape batteries. This is a quantifiable number which ultimately describes the capacity of a battery. The unit of measurement, mAh stands for milliampere-hours and represents the amount of electric charge a battery can store. Simply put, the bigger this number, the longer your vape battery can last. Vape battery mAh ratings can range from 180mAh up to as high as 5000mAh or more.
The mAh of a battery gives a good indication of how long your battery will last. However, there are other factors which can affect a vape's battery life. One of the main factors is the power output.
How Does Power Output Affect Battery Life?
If a battery works harder, it will consume more energy. Therefore, if a vape battery is required to produce more power, it will be required to use a greater amount of the battery's capacity. For example, a vape which produces 60W of power will need to work harder than a vape which produces 10W of power. Therefore, two vapes may have a battery capacity of 1000mAh, but one may operate at a lower power, and therefore last longer.
What are the Different Types of Vape Batteries?
There are three main types of vape batteries: disposable vape batteries, built-in rechargeable batteries and external rechargeable batteries. All three are almost always lithium-ion batteries and all do the same general job, but each has their own specific benefits.
Disposable vape batteries
Disposable vape batteries are built into disposable vapes. These types of batteries are used in vapes such as Elf Bars, Lost Marys and Crystal Bars. These batteries can't be recharged, so once their original capacity has depleted to zero, they're disposed of. Disposable vapes have increased in popularity in recent times, due to their convenience. They're ready to go right out the box, but there's no safe way of recharging them.
However, there are environmental concerns around the use of disposables. Disposables are also a very costly way to vape when compared with rechargeable devices. Disposable vapes tend to have a capacity of between 360mAh and 500mAh.
Disposable vape batteries must be recycled correctly to reduce their environmental impact. Totally Wicked operates a vape battery take back scheme. You can return your used disposable vape batteries to your local Totally Wicked store, and we then recycle them responsibly.
These devices also work out much more expensive than refillable and rechargeable vapes in the long run. If you want the intense flavour experience of disposables in a more cost-effective and sustainable solution, then check out our range of VLTZ products.
External vape Batteries
Some vapes feature external batteries. These tend to be larger, higher powered devices with sophisticated functionality, such as the iStick Power 2C. They house specific batteries which can be removed and recharged externally. Many external battery vape mods also have the capability to charge the batteries while they are fitted within the device.
This style of vape power unit has decreased in popularity over recent years. However, some vapers still find them beneficial.
The key benefits of this type of power unit are:
- Spare batteries can be carried (but make sure you use a suitable case)
- Spare batteries can be charging while the device is being used
- They allow for a larger total effective battery capacity
There are a few different size formats for external batteries. These include the popular 18650, and 21700 batteries. The numbers refer to the size of the battery cell. Taking an 18650 battery as an example, the 18 refers to an 18mm diameter and the 650 relates to a 65mm length.
External batteries also have a mAh rating like any other battery. If you choose to use an external battery mod and carry spare batteries with you, it's vitally important to do this safely by keeping them in a silicone case or battery cover.
Built-in rechargeable batteries
Vapes with a built-in or integrated rechargeable battery have been popular for more than a decade. The technology within these power units has evolved over the years and has varying levels of complexity. From quick charge capabilities and adjustable wattage to different output modes and battery indicators, many vape batteries have their own useful functionality built-in. Knowing exactly what these battery features do and how they benefit you can be helpful when choosing your next vape.
Before we move on to the different attributes of vape batteries, it's important to note that integrated vape batteries have the same fundamental job as any battery. Their primary purpose is to provide power to the atomizer head to heat it up so it can turn the e-liquid into a vapour. All integrated batteries have a mAh capacity, which can range from anywhere between 300 and 5000mAh.
Beyond this there are other feature to look out for, which include:
- Charging capabilities
- Output modes and adjustable wattage
- Battery indicator
Vape Battery Charging
Integrated vape batteries will of course need recharging once they deplete. In a similar way to a phone or tablet, a USB lead is plugged in, and the battery's capacity is restored to full over time. Different vape batteries can recharge in different ways and at different rates. It's therefore a good idea to bear this in mind when selecting your next vape.
Passthrough charging
Many vape batteries also feature passthrough charging. This means that the vape can be used whilst it is being charged. This is a feature which is now common place in most e-cigs, but some lower cost batteries don't have this functionality.
Safe charging
The final point of note, when charging your e-cigarette is to ensure you do so safely. You should always use a certified e-cigarette wall plug, or plug the cable directly into a USB slot on a laptop or computer. This is to make sure that the electric current being driven into the vape battery is always at a safe level.
Output Modes and Power Levels
Vape batteries can provide the power to the atomizer head in slightly different ways and at different rates. Without covering off every technicality, the main output modes are constant voltage, direct output and adjustable wattage.
Constant voltage vs Direct output
Both constant voltage and direct output power modes operate at a power level which is determined by the device. Simply put, you cannot change the power level yourself. However, there is an important difference between the two modes...
A constant voltage device will output the same consistent level of power, regardless of how much battery remains. A direct output device will output a varying level of power depending on the remaining battery level. Basically, as a direct output battery runs out of charge, the device will output slightly less power. In terms of experience, this can result in a more muted flavour and less vapour production, when the device has a low battery level. However, it does mean the battery will last for slightly longer than during direct output mode compared with constant voltage mode.
A constant voltage device will provide a much more consistent vaping experience throughout. Both constant voltage and direct output devices rely on the resistance of the atomizer head which is fitted, and can only output at a fixed power level for a given resistance. It is sometimes possible to choose a lower coil resistance for more power, and vice versa.
Adjustable Wattage
Many e-cig kits have adjustable wattage, which means the power level can be turned up and down. This versatility is preferred by many vapers as it allows you to tailor the power to your specific needs. As with any battery, the higher the power level, the quicker the battery will deplete.
The ability to turn the wattage up and down certainly has its benefits. For example, you may want to preserve your battery during certain situations, and reducing the wattage level is a great way of doing this. This is a similar logic to turning your brightness down on your phone.
Some adjustable wattage e-cigs like the arc GTi also have SMART Mode. SMART mode basically turns the device back to a constant voltage vape and allows the battery to detect the resistance of the atomizer head and set the optimum power level.
Vape Battery Indicator
Most traditional vape kits have some form of indicator which lets you know how much battery life remains. There's nothing worse than being caught out with a battery which suddenly runs out of charge without you knowing it was getting low.
Most rechargeable vapes have some form of battery indicator. However, some low-cost batteries, including most batteries for pre-filled pods, do not have this feature. This is generally to keep costs down, so for the same reason, disposable vape batteries rarely have a battery indicator.
Battery indicators come in different forms. For example, the arc Impact, has a traditional battery capacity gauge, which is the standard practice for vape kits with a screen. For vapes which do not have a screen, design engineers need to be a little more creative and primarily use LED indicators. The Tornado GTL has a 3-level system whereby the light around the power button illuminates green to indicate 60% - 100%, blue for 20% - 59% and red for less than 20%. Other kits like the Tornado EX2 will indicate remaining battery life via the rate that the LED pulses after vaping. The faster is flashes, the more "out of puff" the battery is.
Pre-filled Pod Batteries
Pre-filled pod kits are simple to use vapes which utilise pods already containing e-liquid. This removes the need ever to refill, which is preferred by some people. The vast majority of pre-filled pod devices are rechargeable, and work in the same way as the aforementioned built-in rechargeable vape batteries. However, some pre-filled pod vape batteries are lower specification than most traditional vapes, and so come in at very low cost.
It's really important to ensure you take the time to select a good pre-filled pod battery for your needs. A pre-filled pod kit can be purchased from as little as £5, including a battery. However, these tend to have very limited capability and low charge capacity, so it may be worth spending a little extra initially to ensure you get a good experience. As an example, a VLTZ flex battery has a 900mAh capacity, while the Elfa Pro which has a 500mAh battery capacity. You don't need to be a maths expert to figure out one will last twice as long as the other.
As pre-filled pod systems grow in popularity, the technology will progress. Expect to see constant voltage batteries with quick charging capabilities and battery indicators becoming more prominent on the market in coming months.
What to Remember about Vape Batteries?
There's a lot of information to digest when it comes to vape batteries. A few things to remember when choosing yours are:
- Check the capacity to ensure it meets your requirements
- Always recharge your vape battery safely
- The battery's output mode will affect the vaping experience
- Cheaper vape batteries often have important features missing. Check the specs before opting for a low-cost battery
Be sure to speak to Totally Wicked store teams or our customer service team for guidance on choosing the right battery for your personal needs.
