As a consumer of the best-selling devices (e.g., Elf Bar, Lost Mary, Geekbar), you know well how hard it is to tell when your disposable vape is about to die. The majority of devices do not have gauges on them, therefore, we need to use our senses to figure it out.
After months of testing over 40+ different products, I have determined the best way to find out when your vape has run out of juice, is by listening to your sense of smell and taste.
The Clear Signals of an Empty Device
Most disposable vape manufacturers want you to spend money on another product, therefore, they make it difficult to check your vape's condition. However, there are three ways to determine if your vape has been used up. Your senses are the best tool you have to check your vape.
Your Taste Buds Will Tell You First
The first sign that your disposable vape is getting close to being empty, is that you will lose the flavor of your e-liquids. When the e-liquid starts to run low, the cotton wick will begin to burn away. As the cotton wick burns away, your vape will lose the flavor of your favorite flavors (i.e., strawberry ice or blue razz). As the flavor continues to fade, the flavor will eventually turn into a nasty burnt taste, which is the worst thing that can happen to a vape. At this stage of the process, your vape is dead, and there is nothing you can do to fix it.
Physical Performance Drops Dramatically
At the same time that you notice that the flavor is beginning to disappear, you will notice that the vapor that you normally get when you take a drag will be greatly reduced. As the vapor decreases, you will notice that the amount of vapor that you get will be reduced to small wisps of vapor or even nothing at all. The feel of the drag will also change, and you will feel like you are taking a drag through air instead of through a normal vape.
The Blinking Light of Death
If your disposable vape has an LED light on it, the flashing of the light will signal that your vape is dead. Most of the time, if your vape is flashing, it is because the battery is dead, especially since most disposable vapes do not allow you to recharge the battery. If your rechargeable vape is flashing, it usually indicates that the e-liquid has run out, and not the battery.
Modern Features That Remove the Guesswork
Fortunately, some of the new high-capacity disposable vapes now include features that eliminate the guess work associated with determining when your disposable vape has run out of juice.
- Smart Displays: For example, new premium devices such as the VooPoo NEXA Ultra 50K & Geekbar Pulse X have OLED displays that display real time percentage battery & e-liquids levels so you won't get caught off guard again.
- Visible Tanks: The NEXA Ultra 2 has a clear (transparent) e-juice tank/ window, so you can see how much liquid is left in the tank.
- Design Improvements: The NEXA Ultra 2 uses an improved short wick design, which will allow it to utilize 100% of the e-juice in the tank and prevent wasted liquid that other devices may waste by not using the all of the e-juice in the tank.
How to Make Your Vape Last (And What to Do When It Doesn't)
Your habits directly affect how long your disposable vape will last. To keep your disposable vape going longer:
- Don't Chain Vape: If you take two or more drags right after each other, you will cause the coil to heat up too fast, and you won't be giving the cotton wick enough time to re-saturate itself. This causes the cotton wick to burn prematurely and wastes the e-liquid in your tank. Try to pause between puffs for at least 10-20 seconds.
- Store it upright: Storing your disposable vape upright helps prevent the e-liquid from leaking out of the bottom of the vape, and it helps keep the e-liquid evenly distributed throughout the tank and coil.
- Take A Moderate Drag: If you take extremely long drags, you will waste a lot more e-liquid than you would if you took shorter drags. Manufacturers test their products using a 1-2 second drag.
When your disposable vape finally reaches the end of its life, dispose of it responsibly. Disposable vapes contain batteries and electronic parts that should not be put in your regular household trash. Check your area for local electronics recycling programs or battery recycling programs.
The Bottom Line: Trust Your Senses Over the Screen
After testing many different types of disposable vapes, ranging from simple products such as Elf Bars to more complex products such as the SWFT 3TK 40000, I can say that one thing remains constant: your personal experience is what matters most. The number of puffs stated by the manufacturer (usually 5,000) is simply an educated guess made under ideal laboratory conditions. Ultimately, the performance of your disposable vape depends upon your individual vaping style, how you draw, and the quality of the disposable vape that you purchased.
So, the next time you are wondering whether to continue using your disposable vape, look to your senses to guide you. Continue to use your vape as long as it tastes good and creates vapor. Once the flavor goes bad and/or the vapor disappears, it is time to replace it. By recognizing these indicators, you will consistently enjoy a good vaping experience and avoid the disappointment of running out of juice.