If you’re a heavy smoker considering vaping, choosing the right device can feel confusing. Vape kits vary in nicotine strength, draw style, battery size, pod format and capacity, and those differences can affect how suitable a device feels for everyday use.

Rather than simply choosing the vape with the biggest battery or highest puff count, it makes sense to look at the whole setup. Nicotine strength, ease of use and the type of inhale are often just as important.

What Should a Heavy Smoker Look for in a Vape?

There is no single vape that will suit every smoker. How much you smoke, how frequently you smoke and what kind of inhale you prefer can all affect which setup feels most suitable.

The main things worth comparing are:

• Nicotine strength
• Nicotine type
• Mouth-to-lung or direct-to-lung draw
• Ease of use
• Battery capacity
• Pod capacity and puff count
• Availability of replacement pods

Nicotine Strength Matters

Choosing an appropriate nicotine strength is one of the most important considerations for an adult smoker who is considering vaping.

The right level depends on how much and how frequently you currently smoke. Someone who smokes heavily may require a different strength from someone who only smokes occasionally.

IVG pod ranges are available in different strengths depending on the product and flavour, including 10mg and 20mg nicotine salt options, while selected PRO products are also available in 0mg.

If you are unsure which nicotine strength is appropriate for you, consider speaking to an NHS Stop Smoking Service or another qualified adviser rather than simply choosing the highest available strength.

Nicotine Salts vs Freebase Nicotine

Nicotine salts and freebase nicotine are two common forms of nicotine found in E-Liquids. They can feel different when inhaled, particularly at higher strengths.

If you want a more detailed explanation, read our nicotine salts vs freebase nicotine guide.

MTL vs DTL: Which Vaping Style Is Closer to Smoking?

Mouth-to-lung, or MTL, involves drawing vapour into the mouth before inhaling it into the lungs. This is similar to the way many people smoke a cigarette.

Direct-to-lung, or DTL, sends the vapour directly into the lungs and is more commonly associated with larger clouds and lower-strength E-Liquids.

For someone used to smoking cigarettes, an MTL pod system may feel more familiar because of the tighter draw.

Read our MTL vs DTL guide for a full comparison.

Ease of Use

A complicated setup is not always necessary. For many people, a straightforward reusable pod system is easier to understand and maintain than a traditional tank or mod.

Prefilled pod kits

These use a rechargeable device with a prefilled pod or refill system. There is no need to manually pour E-Liquid into the device.

Refillable pod kits

These use an empty or refillable pod that you fill with bottled E-Liquid yourself. They provide more flexibility but require a little more maintenance.

Tanks and sub-ohm devices

These tend to offer more control over power, coils and E-Liquid choice but involve more setup and ongoing maintenance.

Battery Life

If you use a vape regularly throughout the day, battery capacity matters. However, battery size alone does not tell you exactly how long a device will last between charges.

Usage frequency, power output, coil resistance and features such as Boost modes can all affect battery consumption.

For comparison:

• IVG PRO: 1000mAh
• IVG PRO 2: 1000mAh
• IVG SMART MAX: 1000mAh
• IVG XL35: 1100mAh
• IVG 2400: 1750mAh

All of these systems are rechargeable, so the most useful comparison is not simply which has the biggest number, but which device format and features suit the way you vape.

What Does Puff Count Actually Mean?

Puff count is an estimated figure showing how many draws a pod or refill system may provide. It is not a guaranteed lifespan.

Longer or more frequent draws can reduce the actual number of puffs you receive, while lighter use may make a pod last longer.

Current IVG ranges include:

• IVG 2400: up to 2,400 puffs
• IVG PRO: up to 10,000 puffs per pod system
• IVG PRO 2: up to 10,000 puffs per pod system
• IVG SMART MAX: up to 10,000 puffs
• IVG XL35: up to 35,000 puffs

A higher puff count may be useful if you want fewer pod changes, but capacity should be considered alongside size, nicotine strength, flavour availability and battery performance.

Which IVG Vape Kits Should Heavy Smokers Compare?

The table below compares several reusable IVG pod systems using practical features rather than assuming one device will be right for everyone.

*Available nicotine strengths vary by flavour and product.

Which IVG Kit Might Suit Different Priorities?

For a simple everyday pod system: IVG PRO

The IVG PRO uses a compact rechargeable device and replaceable prefilled pod system. It offers up to 10,000 puffs per pod system and selected flavours are available in 0mg, 10mg and 20mg.

SHOP IVG PRO KITS

For a display upgrade: IVG PRO 2

The PRO 2 uses the same PRO pods but adds a touch battery display. This makes it useful for someone who likes the PRO pod range but wants a different device interface.

SHOP PRO 2 KITS

For adjustable performance: IVG SMART MAX

The SMART MAX combines a 1000mAh battery with a smart display and Eco and Boost modes, allowing you to adjust the device's performance depending on your preference.

SHOP SMART MAX

For higher capacity: IVG XL35

The XL35 offers the highest estimated puff count of these IVG systems, with up to 35,000 puffs, a 1100mAh rechargeable battery and Eco and Boost modes.

SHOP XL35

For flavour switching: IVG 2400

The IVG 2400 uses four separate prefilled pods inside one rechargeable device. Rotate the chamber to switch between the four flavours without changing devices.

SHOP IVG 2400

What About Refillable Vape Kits?

If you prefer to choose your own bottled E-Liquid rather than using prefilled pods, a refillable device may be more suitable.

IVG bottled E-Liquid ranges include:

• IVG Original 50/50
• IVG Shortfills
• IVG Intense Salts

FAQs

What vape is best for a heavy smoker?

There is no single device that will suit every heavy smoker. Consider nicotine strength, MTL draw, battery life, ease of use and whether replacement pods are readily available. A straightforward reusable pod kit is often easier to use than a more complex tank or mod.

What nicotine strength should a heavy smoker use?

Nicotine requirements vary according to how much and how often you smoke. Rather than assuming one strength is suitable for everyone, choose a level that reflects your current smoking pattern and seek professional stop-smoking advice if you are unsure.

Are nicotine salts suitable for heavy smokers?

Nicotine salts are commonly used in compact pod systems and generally feel smoother than freebase nicotine at comparable higher strengths. Whether they suit you depends on your nicotine requirements and device preference.

Is an MTL vape better for someone used to cigarettes?

An MTL vape uses a tighter draw that is closer to the inhale style associated with smoking a cigarette, so some adult smokers may find the format more familiar.

Do I need the vape with the highest puff count?

No. Puff count is only one factor. Battery size, nicotine strength, device size, flavour choice, pod availability and ease of use should also be considered.

Can a vape help me quit smoking?

If your goal is to stop smoking, the best approach is to use established stop-smoking support. NHS Stop Smoking Services can help you choose an appropriate method based on your smoking habits and nicotine requirements.