Beginner Vape Kits vs Advanced Setups: How to Know When It’s Time to Upgrade

For many people switching from smoking or trying vaping for the first time, a beginner vape kit is the natural starting point. These devices are designed to be simple, reliable, and easy to use. However, as your experience grows, you may begin to wonder whether it is time to upgrade to a more advanced vape setup.

Understanding the differences between beginner kits and advanced vape devices can help you decide whether an upgrade will actually improve your vaping experience. In this guide, we explain how each type of device works, what separates them, and the key signs that you may be ready for something more powerful.

What Is a Beginner Vape Kit?

Beginner vape kits (often called starter kits or pod systems) are designed to make vaping straightforward. They typically feature compact designs, simple controls, and minimal maintenance requirements.

Most beginner devices include a built-in battery, refillable pods or simple tanks, and automatic or single-button operation. The focus is on delivering a smooth and consistent experience without complicated settings or adjustments.

Typical features of beginner vape kits

• Compact and lightweight design
• Built-in rechargeable battery
• Simple refillable pod or tank system
• Minimal setup required
• Designed for mouth-to-lung (MTL) vaping
• Compatible with nicotine salts or 50/50 e-liquids

Because of their simplicity, beginner vape kits are often recommended for smokers making the transition to vaping. They closely mimic the draw of a traditional cigarette and require very little technical knowledge to operate.

Most starter devices operate at relatively low power levels, usually between around 10 and 30 watts, which produces moderate vapour and smooth flavour.

If beginner vapes sound right for you, please make use of Our Guide to The Best Vape Starter Kits.We spesifically wrote this to help those unsure of which starter kit to buy and we go over what makes each vape great for different types of vapers!

If you already have an idea of which beginner vape you want, use this link to browse some of our highly rated Beginner Vape Kits

What Are Advanced Vape Setups?

Advanced vape setups usually refer to larger devices such as box mods, sub-ohm kits, or rebuildable systems. These devices provide far greater control over the vaping experience, allowing users to customise power output, airflow, and coil types.

Rather than a simple plug-and-play design, advanced setups often include adjustable settings, removable batteries, and larger tanks.

Common features of advanced vape devices

• Adjustable wattage or temperature control
• Larger tanks with replaceable coils
• Higher power output (often up to 200W)
• Support for sub-ohm coils
• Greater vapour production
• Replaceable external batteries on some models

These devices are popular among experienced vapers because they allow users to tailor vapour production, flavour intensity, and airflow to their preferences.

Higher-powered devices are typically paired with sub-ohm coils and high-VG e-liquids, which produce larger clouds and a warmer vape.

As the sheer volume of different vape mods can be hard to navigate, we created a blog post to help you figure out which device is right for you. See our list of the Best Vape Mods.

Want to get an advanced kit? Browse our extensive list of Pod Kits and Mod Kits by clicking the link.

Beginner Kits vs Advanced Vape Devices: Key Differences

While both device types perform the same basic function—heating e-liquid to produce vapour—they deliver very different experiences. Beginner kits prioritise convenience and simplicity, while advanced devices prioritise performance and flexibility.

Beginner Vape Kits

• Ease of use: Very simple, plug-and-play
• Power output: Low to moderate
• Vapour production: Moderate
• Customisation: Limited
• Size and portability: Small and lightweight
• Maintainance: Minimal

Advanced Vape Systems

• Ease of use: Requires more knowledge
• Power output: High and adjustable
• Vapour production: Large clouds
• Customisation: Highly customisable
• Size and portability: Larger and heavier
• Maintainance: More involved

Why Most Vapers Start with Beginner Devices

Starter kits remain the most popular entry point into vaping because they remove much of the complexity associated with traditional vape devices.

Key Advantages Include:

Simplicity

Beginner kits are designed to work straight out of the box. There are no complicated menus or power settings to configure.

Portability

These devices are typically small enough to fit comfortably in a pocket or bag, making them ideal for everyday use.

Lower cost

Starter kits are generally less expensive than advanced setups, both initially and in terms of ongoing maintenance.

Cigarette-like draw

Many beginner kits replicate the mouth-to-lung inhalation style familiar to smokers.

For people switching from cigarettes, these benefits make the transition easier and less overwhelming.

Signs You Might Be Ready to Upgrade

Not every vaper needs to move beyond a beginner kit. However, there are several situations where upgrading may make sense.

You want more vapour production

If you find your current device produces less vapour than you’d like, upgrading to a higher-powered device can significantly increase cloud size.

Sub-ohm kits and box mods are designed to deliver greater vapour output through higher wattage and lower-resistance coils.

You want more control over your vape

Advanced devices allow you to adjust wattage, airflow, and sometimes temperature. These settings can dramatically change the flavour intensity and vapour warmth.

Customisation features such as variable wattage and temperature control allow users to fine-tune performance to their personal preferences.

You want stronger flavour

Higher-powered setups can often deliver richer flavour profiles, especially when used with sub-ohm tanks and high-VG e-liquids.

The combination of increased airflow and higher wattage allows more e-liquid to vaporise with each puff.

Your vaping habits have changed

Some users begin vaping occasionally but later find themselves using their device throughout the day. In these cases, a device with a larger battery and tank capacity can provide longer usage between charges and refills.

You enjoy experimenting with vaping

Many experienced vapers enjoy trying different coils, tanks, and power settings to discover their preferred setup. Advanced kits offer the flexibility required for this level of experimentation.

What if My Beginner Kit is Enough?

Upgrading is not always necessary. For many users, beginner kits continue to provide everything they need.

You may want to stick with a starter device if:

• You prefer a discreet vaping experience
• You value simplicity and convenience
• You mainly use nicotine salts or high-nicotine e-liquids
• You want a compact, pocket-friendly device

If you are someone who bought a box vape with the idea of using that over your old leaky pod vape but then have struggled to keep up with the maintainance and have it sat in your draw while you are in a cycle of using big puff vapes, opting for a starter kit or a more advanced pod vape with leak protection might be right for you. Use our definitive guide to the best vapes that dont leak to learn more! 

Efficiency

Many beginner/pod vapes operate at a lower power and so are a lot more efficient with how much e-liquid they use, if you have moved to a mod or box kit and are wondering why you are spending more on e-liquid this could be the answer. If you are thinking about moving to a box mod but are price conscious or on a budget it may be the right move to opt for slightly more advanced pod vape.

Finding Your Middle Ground

Many advanced vape devices, particularly box mods, can feel intimidating for vapers who are used to the simplicity of a starter kit. For those looking to upgrade but unsure where to begin, pod vapes often provide the ideal middle ground.

Modern pod kits combine the ease of use found in beginner devices with features typically associated with more advanced setups. Many now include adjustable wattage, replaceable coils and improved airflow control, allowing users to experiment with performance without the complexity of a full mod system.

This makes pod devices a great option for vapers who want better flavour and vapour production while still keeping a compact and straightforward device.

If you want to explore this type of upgrade further, you can read our guide to the 10 Best Pod Vapes of 2025, or browse our range of Pod Kits and Mod Kits to see the different options available.

Understanding Vaping Styles: MTL vs DTL

One of the biggest differences between beginner and advanced devices is the inhalation style they are designed for.

Mouth-to-Lung (MTL)

MTL vaping involves drawing vapour into the mouth first before inhaling into the lungs. This style closely resembles smoking and is typically used with starter kits.

Direct-to-Lung (DTL)

DTL vaping involves inhaling vapour directly into the lungs, similar to breathing deeply. This style is commonly associated with sub-ohm tanks and advanced vape kits.

DTL setups usually produce larger clouds and use more powerful devices.

For a more in depth explaination, see our guide to MTL and DTL Vaping.

How to Upgrade Safely

If you decide to upgrade your vape device, it’s important to understand the basics of how more powerful systems work.

Key things to consider include:

• Choosing the correct coil resistance for your device
• Using compatible e-liquids for your vaping style
• Learning how to adjust wattage gradually
• Understanding battery safety when using external batteries

Modern regulated vape mods include safety features such as short-circuit protection and overheating protection, which help ensure safe operation.

Final Thoughts

Both beginner vape kits and advanced setups have their place, and the right choice ultimately depends on your preferences and experience level.

Starter kits remain the best option for simplicity, portability, and ease of use, especially for those transitioning from smoking. However, as your vaping knowledge grows, upgrading to a more advanced device can unlock greater vapour production, stronger flavour, and deeper customisation.

If you’re happy with the performance of your current device, there’s no need to upgrade. But if you’re curious about exploring new vaping styles or improving performance, moving to a more advanced setup may be the next step in your vaping journey.