What types of e-cigarettes are there? All models at a glance

Anyone standing in front of a shelf of e-cigarettes for the first time mostly sees one thing: lots of devices that hardly differ at first glance. In our shop in Freiburg, “What types of e-cigarettes are there?” is one of the most common questions from adults who want to switch from smoking. In this guide we explain the four most important device types, how they work and who they suit. Real examples from our range help you find your way.

What types of e-cigarettes are there?

Today there are four main groups: disposable e-cigarettes, prefilled pod systems, refillable pod systems and box mods with a tank. They differ mainly in whether you can refill them, how much power they have and how much you can adjust yourself.

How does every e-cigarette basically work?

Big or small: every e-cigarette consists of a battery, an atomizer with a heating element and a tank or cartridge for the liquid. The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) describes it like this: the liquid is not burned but heated and, in most devices, vaporised at 150 to 200 degrees Celsius. The main ingredients of the liquid are usually propylene glycol and glycerin, plus flavourings and, depending on the product, nicotine.

The BfR roughly divides the development into generations: the first models looked like tobacco cigarettes and were disposable. The second generation was refillable and more powerful, while the third (“mods”) can also be adjusted in voltage or power.

What is the difference between open and closed systems?

With an open system you fill the liquid into the tank yourself; with a closed system you replace a prefilled capsule. The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) uses this distinction too. Open systems offer more choice of liquid, while closed systems are particularly straightforward.

What is a disposable e-cigarette?

Disposable e-cigarettes, often called “disposables”, are the simplest form. You unpack them and start vaping, with no button and no settings.

A disposable e-cigarette is prefilled with liquid at the factory and can be neither refilled nor recharged. One example is the Elfbar 800: it has a built-in 550 mAh battery and a prefilled tank with nicotine salt liquid. In Germany, the Tobacco Products Act (TabakerzG, § 14) limits the fill volume of nicotine-containing disposable e-cigarettes and single-use cartridges, and the liquid may contain a maximum of 20 mg/ml nicotine.

What do you need to consider when disposing of it?

Disposable devices contain a lithium-ion battery and therefore never belong in household waste. According to the German Federal Environment Ministry, since 1 July 2026 all retailers of e-cigarettes must take back used devices, even without a new purchase. So you can also hand in your old devices at our shop. We explain more in the guide How do you dispose of e-cigarettes correctly?.

What are prefilled pod systems?

Prefilled pods are the intermediate step between disposable and refillable devices. The battery stays; only the capsule is changed.

With a prefilled pod system you attach a ready-filled cartridge to a rechargeable battery. When the cartridge is empty, you replace it and charge the battery via USB-C. In our range, examples include the Elfbar Elfa battery (500 mAh) with Elfa Pods, the Linvo Pod Lite or the SKE Crystal Plus battery. There is a wide choice of flavours for the cartridges.

The advantage: you get the simplicity of a disposable but don’t throw away the battery every time. The disadvantage: you are tied to the manufacturer’s flavours. For some models there are now empty pods for self-filling, such as the Elfbar Elfa empty pod.

What are refillable pod systems?

For many adult switchers, refillable pods are the standard. They are compact but leave you free to choose your liquid.

A refillable pod system consists of a battery and a pod that you fill with liquid yourself. Depending on the model, the heating coil is built into the pod or is a replaceable coil head. Most devices fire automatically when you draw and are designed for mouth-to-lung vaping. Examples are the GeekVape Wenax M2 (1,200 mAh, 0.8 Ohm cartridge), the Uwell Caliburn G4 Mini (1,100 mAh, 46 g), the Vaporesso ECO Nano Plus (1,400 mAh) and the Vaporesso XROS Pro 2 with display and wattage control from 15 to 30 watts. Technical data of further models can be found in the overview of pod systems.

We explain in detail how a pod system works and what to look out for when choosing one in the guide What is a pod system?. The replacement pods and coils available for each device are shown in the overview of pods and coils. Nicotine strengths and mixing ratios of the liquids can be found in the overview of 10 ml liquids.

What are box mods and tanks?

Box mods are the most powerful group of devices. They are aimed mainly at experienced vapers who want to adjust a lot themselves.

A box mod is a box with electronics onto which you screw a separate tank (atomizer). You set power, mode and sometimes temperature via a display. One example is the GeekVape Aegis Legend 5 kit with Z Subohm Tank 5 (see overview of e-cigarettes): the mod delivers up to 200 watts and needs two replaceable 18650 battery cells. More compact is the GeekVape Aegis Solo 3 with one 18650 cell and up to 100 watts. Battery cells and replacement glass tanks are listed in the overview of accessories .

What is a pod mod?

Pod mods combine both worlds: they have a built-in battery like a pod system but offer more power and a display. The GeekVape Aegis Hero 5 (2,000 mAh, up to 50 watts) and the Vaporesso LUXE XR MAX 2 (3,200 mAh, up to 80 watts) belong to this group. With coils below 1 Ohm they are intended for direct lung inhales, so-called sub-ohm vaping. Read more in the guide What are sub-ohm e-cigarettes?.

Which inhale style suits which device?

Besides the design, it is above all the inhale style that decides which device suits you. There are three common terms.

MTL (mouth to lung) feels similar to a tobacco cigarette, DL (direct lung) produces much more vapour, and RDL lies in between. For MTL, atomizers of about 0.8 Ohm or more and nicotine salt liquids are usually used; for DL, lower-resistance coils and rather low-nicotine liquids with a high VG content. According to the BfR, sub-ohm devices produce more vapour, which can lead to higher nicotine intake. Our guide explains what lies behind ohm values and heating coils: What is a coil in the atomizer?.

Which model suits you?

The choice depends on your inhale style and your daily routine. This overview helps you narrow it down:

Device type	Refillable	Inhale style	Operation	Example (as of 10/2026)
Disposable e-cigarette	no	MTL	no settings	Elfbar 800
Prefilled pod	no (cartridge)	MTL	no settings	Elfbar Elfa, Linvo Pod Lite
Pod system	yes	MTL / RDL	very easy	Wenax M2, Caliburn G4 Mini, ECO Nano Plus
Pod mod	yes	RDL / DL	display, watts	Aegis Hero 5, LUXE XR MAX 2
Box mod + tank	yes	DL (sometimes MTL)	many modes	Aegis Legend 5 kit, Aegis Solo 3

We explain which running cost factors matter for each device type in the guide What are the running costs of an e-cigarette?. Tips on choosing a device when switching will soon be available in the guide to choosing a device when switching.

Which questions do we hear most often in the shop?

Finally, the questions our customers in Freiburg ask most often about device types.

Is a vape the same as an e-cigarette?

Yes. According to the BfR, “vape” derives from the English “vaporiser” and is used synonymously with e-cigarette.

What is an e-shisha?

According to the BfR, these are mostly nicotine-free e-cigarettes whose flavour or mouthpiece is modelled on the water pipe. Technically they hardly differ from other e-cigarettes.

Are there e-cigarettes without nicotine?

Yes, many liquids and pods are also available with 0 mg/ml. However, according to the BfR, nicotine-free does not mean harmless. More on this in the guide Are there e-cigarettes without nicotine?.

Are e-cigarettes harmless?

No. The BfR and DKFZ point out that e-cigarette vapour can also contain harmful substances and that nicotine is highly addictive. Little is yet known about long-term effects. According to the DKFZ, non-smokers and young people should not use e-cigarettes. We summarise what studies have shown so far in the guide Is vaping healthier than smoking? .

From what age can you buy e-cigarettes?

From 18. The German Youth Protection Act prohibits supply to minors, including nicotine-free products and including mail order.

Note: This guide is intended exclusively for adults. We sell all products only to persons aged 18 and over. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance. This article does not replace medical advice. If you want to quit smoking, you can find free help on the rauchfrei portal of the German Federal Institute for Public Health.

About the authors – Team Dampfstelle Freiburg: We are an owner-managed specialist shop in Freiburg-Zähringen and have been advising customers in our shop every day since August 2022. Our team has been vaping for over 10 years and knows the devices, liquids and typical problems from personal experience.

Last updated: 14.10.2026 · Product examples and data based on the shop range as of 14.10.2026

Which sources is this article based on?

1. German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR): E-cigarettes: anything but harmless – questions and answers, as of 08.04.2025 (in German). https://www.bfr.bund.de/fragen-und-antworten/thema/e-zigaretten-alles-andere-als-harmlos/
2. German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ): Facts on smoking – health risks of e-cigarettes, 2024 (PDF, in German). https://www.dkfz.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Krebspraevention/Download/pdf/FzR/FzR_2024_E-Zigaretten.pdf
3. German Tobacco Products Act (TabakerzG), § 14 Composition of electronic cigarettes and refill containers (in German). https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/tabakerzg/__14.html
4. German Youth Protection Act (JuSchG), § 10 Smoking in public, tobacco products (in German). https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/juschg/__10.html
5. German Federal Environment Ministry (BMUKN): Retailers of disposable e-cigarettes must take back used devices from 2026, press release of 30.12.2025 (in German). https://www.bundesumweltministerium.de/pressemitteilung/haendler-von-einweg-e-zigaretten-muessen-ab-2026-ausgediente-geraete-zuruecknehmen
6. German Federal Institute for Public Health: rauchfrei portal (in German). https://www.rauchfrei-info.de/
7. Product data: manufacturer information in the product descriptions on dampfstelle-shop.de (retrieved 14.10.2026).