What is a pod system?
A pod system is a rechargeable vape kit that holds e-liquid in a removable pod. A closed pod system uses prefilled sealed pods you replace when empty. An open pod system uses refillable pods you fill yourself. Both hold 2ml maximum under UK TRPR rules.
Every vaper moving off single-use disposables, banned across the UK from 1 June 2025, meets the same first decision: a closed pod system or an open one. That single choice shapes daily convenience, e-liquid cost and flavour range for as long as you own the kit. The NHS describes vaping as less harmful than smoking, but not risk-free. Vaping products are sold to adults aged 18 and over only.
A pod system sits between banned disposables and larger box mod kits in size, price and complexity. Two types exist, and the difference is the pod, not the battery. A closed pod system holds its e-liquid in a factory-sealed cartridge with no fill port.
An open pod system holds its e-liquid in a refillable cartridge with a silicone-sealed fill port. Both charge over USB-C, both fire on inhale on most models, and both cap each pod at 2ml under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016. Royal Vapery stocks both types across its vape kits range.
How does a closed pod system work?
A closed pod system works by clicking a prefilled sealed pod onto a rechargeable battery, then inhaling. The routine has two steps: charge the battery, snap in a pod. No refilling, no coil swaps, no fill ports.
Charge the battery
Plug the device into USB-C and charge it fully before first use. The battery is reusable and lasts for months or years.
Click in a sealed pod
Push or magnetically click a factory-filled 2ml pod onto the battery. The coil sits inside the pod, sealed, and you never handle it.
Draw to fire
Most closed kits are button-free and fire the moment you inhale, which gives ex-disposable users the closest feel to what they already know.
Swap when empty
When the e-liquid runs low or the flavour dulls, pull the spent pod out, recycle it, and push a fresh one in.
Browse the prefilled pod kits range for the main closed-system brands stocked in the UK.
How does an open pod system work?
An open pod system works by filling a reusable pod through a silicone-sealed fill port, then inserting it into the battery. The routine adds a fill and prime step that a closed system skips.
Open the fill port
Lift the silicone plug on the side or base of the pod to reach the fill hole.
Fill to roughly 90%
Drip your chosen e-liquid in slowly, leaving a small air gap at the top so the pod does not flood.
Prime the coil
Reseal the port and let a fresh coil soak for 5 to 10 minutes. That wait stops a dry, burnt taste on the first draw.
Insert and vape
Slot the pod into the battery and draw. Once the routine is familiar, a refill takes about 30 to 60 seconds.
Many open pod kits add adjustable airflow, and some add a fire button. Fill your pods with any legal nic salts from the full UK market, then pick your hardware from the refillable pod kits range.
How do closed and open pod systems compare?
Closed and open pod systems differ most on refillability, e-liquid choice, setup time, coil maintenance and draw style. The table sets out the head-to-head across the 9 features that decide daily use.
| Feature | Closed pod system | Open pod system |
|---|---|---|
| Pod design | Prefilled, sealed, no fill port | Refillable through a silicone fill port |
| E-liquid choice | Locked to the brand's own range | Any legal nic salt or freebase you buy |
| Setup | Charge, then click in a pod | Charge, fill, prime, then insert |
| Coil | Sealed inside the pod, never handled | Fixed inside the pod, or a replaceable coil head |
| Pod lifespan | Replace the whole pod when empty | 3 to 6 refills per pod, or weeks per coil head |
| Airflow and draw | Fixed tight MTL on most models | Adjustable MTL to restricted DTL on many models |
| Battery | Smaller, lower capacity typical | Larger, higher capacity typical |
| Maintenance | None | Refill, prime, occasional coil change |
| Best for | Plug-and-go simplicity | E-liquid variety and lower cost per ml |
Closed pods win on simplicity. Open pods win on choice and running cost. The sections below break down each row.
How do coils differ between closed and open pod systems?
Closed and open pod systems use 3 coil setups across the two types. The coil is the heating element that turns e-liquid into vapour, and its design decides how you maintain the kit.
- Sealed coil, closed pods: the coil sits inside the sealed pod. You never handle it, and performance tapers gradually as the pod empties. Recycle the whole pod when it is done.
- Fixed coil, open pods: the coil is built into a refillable pod. When flavour fades after several refills, you discard the pod and click in a new one. Maintenance stays low, per-pod cost stays higher.
- Replaceable coil, open pods: the coil head pulls out of the pod shell. You buy coil heads separately and swap one in every 1 to 2 weeks, keeping the shell for months. Cost per coil change drops, and different resistances give you different draw styles.
Mesh coils appear in all 3 setups. A mesh coil heats e-liquid across a wider surface than round-wire, which gives cleaner flavour and, in most cases, slightly longer coil life.
How much do closed and open pod systems cost to run?
Closed pod systems cost more per millilitre of e-liquid than open pod systems. A closed system buys convenience: the e-liquid arrives sealed inside each 2ml pod, so every pod carries a manufacturing and sealing cost. An open system spreads the cost across 10ml bottles, and one 10ml bottle refills a 2ml pod several times over.
Vaping Products Duty, from 1 October 2026: GOV.UK confirms a flat excise duty of £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid, nicotine-free liquid included. A 2ml prefilled pod attracts 44 pence in duty, and a 10ml refill bottle attracts £2.20, with VAT charged on top.
The rate lands per unit of liquid, so heavier e-liquid users feel it most. Retailers can sell unstamped stock bought before the deadline until 31 March 2027.
Kit prices at Royal Vapery are shown in £ GBP with free UK delivery over £49.99, and orders placed before 12pm are dispatched the same working day by Royal Mail or DPD.
Which e-liquids and nicotine strengths suit each pod system?
Closed pods use pre-mixed e-liquid, usually 50/50 nic salt at a set strength, with no user choice over the blend. Open pods accept any e-liquid that suits the coil, most often a 50/50 or 60/40 nic salt.
Both types share the same UK limits: 20mg per ml maximum nicotine strength and 2ml maximum pod capacity under TRPR 2016, alongside the 10ml cap on nicotine-containing bottles. Closed pods commonly ship in 10mg or 20mg nic salt, and some brands add a 0mg option.
Open pods let you pick any legal strength from 0mg to 20mg and switch between fruit, menthol, dessert and tobacco profiles across hundreds of UK brands stocked in the e-liquids range. High-VG liquid such as 70/30 wicks poorly through small pod coils and causes dry draws, so keep it out of both types.
Are closed pod systems the same as disposable vapes?
No, closed pod systems are not the same as disposable vapes. A disposable was a single-use device with a built-in battery and a prefilled tank, thrown away whole when the liquid or battery ran out. The UK banned the sale of single-use vapes from 1 June 2025.
A closed pod system is rechargeable. The battery charges over USB-C and lasts for months or years, and only the pod cartridge is replaced. The confusion is understandable, because both use prefilled e-liquid and fire on inhale. The rechargeable battery and replaceable pod make a closed pod system a separate, fully legal product category, MHRA-notified before sale.
When is each pod system the better choice?
The right pick depends on what matters more to you: plug-and-go convenience or e-liquid choice and lower cost per ml. Each system suits a clear profile.
Pick a closed pod system
- You want zero maintenance
- You vape on the go without carrying a bottle
- The brand's flavour range covers what you like
- You have just left disposables behind
Pick an open pod system
- You want the full UK e-liquid market
- You want a lower cost per ml of e-liquid
- You want adjustable airflow and draw
- You plan to step nicotine down over time
Closed pod trade-offs
- Higher cost per ml of e-liquid
- One brand's flavours until you change hardware
- Fixed draw on most models
Open pod trade-offs
- A short learning curve with filling
- A 5 to 10 minute prime on a new coil
- A bottle of e-liquid to carry for top-ups
Most vapers get comfortable with the open pod routine within a day, and the fill step drops to under a minute after 2 or 3 refills.
Which closed pod systems does Royal Vapery stock?
Closed pod systems at Royal Vapery use sealed 2ml prefilled pods across leading UK brands. Every kit below is rechargeable, MHRA-notified and TRPR-compliant.
- IVG 2400 vape kit, 4-in-1 prefilled pod kit with rotating flavours.
- IVG Pro 12 vape kit, prefilled pod kit with a wide flavour range.
- IVG Pro 2 vape kit, compact prefilled pod kit for MTL vaping.
- IVG Smart Max vape kit, prefilled pod kit with a smart display.
- IVG Air 4 in 1 vape kit, four sealed pods on one rotating battery.
- Hayati Pro Max Plus 6000 vape kit, prefilled pod kit in 20mg nic salt.
- Hayati Pro Ultra Plus 25000 vape kit, high-capacity prefilled pod kit.
- Hayati Rubik 7000 vape kit, cube-format prefilled pod kit.
- Hayati Quokka Elite vape kit, prefilled pod kit with a tight MTL draw.
- Hayati Mini Ultra 1500 vape kit, pocket-sized prefilled pod kit.
- Lost Mary BM6000 vape kit, prefilled pod kit with bar-style flavours.
- Lost Mary BM600 vape kit, entry-level prefilled pod kit.
- Al Fakher 30K Hypermax vape kit, high-capacity prefilled pod kit.
- Al Fakher Pro Max 12K vape kit, prefilled pod kit with a mesh coil.
- PIXL Duo 12 vape kit, dual-flavour prefilled pod kit.
- PIXL 8000 vape kit, prefilled pod kit with a mesh coil.
- Crystal Pro Switch 30K vape kit, dual-flavour prefilled pod kit.
- Crystal Pro CP 10K vape kit, prefilled pod kit for MTL vaping.
Which open pod systems does Royal Vapery stock?
Open pod systems at Royal Vapery use refillable 2ml pods you fill with any legal nic salt. Every kit below is rechargeable and takes standard 50/50 e-liquid.
- Vaporesso Luxe X Pro vape kit, refillable pod kit with adjustable airflow.
- Vaporesso XROS 3 Mini vape kit, compact refillable pod kit for MTL vaping.
- Vaporesso XROS 3 vape kit, refillable pod kit with Corex mesh coils.
- Vaporesso XROS 4 vape kit, refillable pod kit with precise airflow control.
- Vaporesso XROS 4 Mini vape kit, slimline refillable pod kit.
- Uwell Caliburn G3 Pro vape kit, refillable pod kit with an OLED screen.
- Uwell Caliburn G4 vape kit, refillable pod kit with replaceable coils.
- Uwell Caliburn G4 Pro vape kit, refillable pod kit with adjustable airflow.
- Uwell Caliburn G4 Mini vape kit, compact refillable pod kit.
- OXVA Xlim Go vape kit, refillable pod kit for beginners.
- OXVA VPrime vape kit, refillable pod kit with a top airflow dial.
- OXVA NeXLIM vape kit, refillable pod kit with a smart chip.
- OXVA Oneo vape kit, refillable pod kit with a colour display.
- OXVA Xlim Pro 2 DNA vape kit, refillable pod kit with fine airflow control.
- Voopoo Drag S3 vape kit, refillable pod kit with adjustable wattage.
- Voopoo Argus G3 Mini vape kit, compact refillable pod kit.
- Voopoo Argus P3 vape kit, refillable pod kit with a large display.
Closed and open pod system FAQs
The difference between a closed and open pod system is refillability. A closed pod system uses prefilled sealed pods you replace when empty, locked to the brand's flavour range. An open pod system uses refillable pods you fill through a silicone port with any legal e-liquid. Both cap each pod at 2ml under UK TRPR rules.
No, a closed pod cannot be refilled, because the cartridge is factory-sealed with no fill port. Prising one open damages the internal coil and voids any returns or warranty. If refilling matters to you, an open pod system with a silicone-sealed fill port is the right category, letting you choose your own e-liquid at any legal strength.
A closed pod lasts around 2 to 3 days of moderate use, at roughly 2ml of e-liquid per day. Heavy vapers taking longer or more frequent draws may finish a pod in a single day. When the flavour fades, the vapour thins, or the liquid sits visibly low, swap in a fresh sealed pod.
An open pod with a fixed coil accepts around 3 to 6 refills before the flavour degrades. A replaceable-coil pod lets you swap just the coil head every 1 to 2 weeks and keep the pod shell for months. A muted or slightly burnt taste is the clearest sign the coil needs changing.
Open pod systems are cheaper to run per millilitre of e-liquid, because you refill from 10ml bottles rather than buying sealed 2ml pods. Closed pods carry a convenience premium in every pod. From 1 October 2026, the Vaping Products Duty adds £2.20 per 10ml to both, so the flat rate raises each format's cost.
Yes, nic salts work in both closed and open pod systems, because both run at low wattage. At low power, nic salts give a smooth draw at strengths up to the UK legal maximum of 20mg per ml. Closed pods arrive prefilled with nic salt at a set strength, while open pods let you pick any strength from 0mg to 20mg.
Closed pod systems rarely leak, because each pod is factory-sealed with no fill port, so the liquid has no path to escape. When a leak does happen, the usual cause is damaged packaging, high temperatures or a manufacturing fault. Storing pods upright and away from direct sunlight lowers the risk further.
Closed pod systems are better for most beginners leaving disposables, because the charge-and-click routine feels familiar and needs no refilling. Open pod systems suit beginners happy to learn a short fill-and-prime step in return for e-liquid choice and lower running cost. Both types of pod kit work well as a first reusable device.
Yes, switching from a closed to an open pod system is straightforward, because the draw-and-inhale action stays the same. You add a short refilling step and learn to prime new coils, while battery charging works identically on both. Most vapers feel comfortable after one or two refills.
Closed pod systems are better for travelling, because they need no e-liquid bottles, no refilling and no spare coils in your luggage. Pack the battery, pack a few sealed pods, and you are set. Open pod users carry e-liquid bottles, which must go in the clear liquids bag for UK flights.
Open pod systems with adjustable airflow can make more vapour than closed pods, because a looser draw pushes more e-liquid through the coil per puff. Pod systems as a category still make modest vapour next to larger box mod kits. An open pod set to a tight MTL draw produces about the same vapour as a closed pod.
Closed pods come in nicotine strengths from 0mg to 20mg per ml, with 10mg and 20mg nic salt the most common. The 20mg per ml ceiling is the TRPR legal limit for the UK. Some brands add a 0mg nicotine-free option. Match the strength to your current smoking or vaping habit.
From 1 October 2026, the Vaping Products Duty adds a flat £2.20 per 10ml to all e-liquid, so a 2ml prefilled pod attracts 44 pence in duty, per GOV.UK, and VAT applies on top. Both closed and open pod systems carry the charge, and the flat rate raises higher-volume open pod use most in absolute terms.
Open pod systems create less plastic waste, because you refill the same pod several times rather than discard a sealed cartridge every few days. A replaceable-coil open pod cuts waste further, since the pod shell lasts for months. Both types produce far less waste than the banned single-use disposables.
Yes, open pod systems are slightly harder for first-time users, because they add a fill step and a 5 to 10 minute priming wait on a new coil. Closed pod systems stay simplest: click in a fresh pod and draw. After 2 or 3 refills, the open pod routine becomes muscle memory in under a minute.
Closed for simplicity, open for choice and cost per ml. Both sit in the same UK-compliant category, and Royal Vapery ships both across the UK.
Vaping products are sold to adults aged 18 and over only, with age verification at checkout. All e-liquids and kits are MHRA-notified and TRPR-compliant: 20mg/ml maximum nicotine, 2ml maximum pod capacity, 10ml maximum bottle size.
