The myriad potential benefits of electronic cigarettes are leading more and more smokers to make the switch every day. The only problem is that electronic cigarettes are essentially still a brand new technology, and it’s easy to feel out of your depth when you’re first considering the different brands and the various options. Making the decision isn't as hard as it might seem, though; it just takes a little bit of time and perseverance to find the best e-cigarette for your needs. Here are some essential tips to help you make your choice!
Read the Reviews!
E-cigarette reviews are all over the internet for a reason. New brands spring into existence with increasing regularity, and established manufacturers such as V2 Cigs, Green Smoke, Blu Cigs, and Njoy regularly update their product lines to offer more to their customers. Whilst it isn't the wild west of manufacturing the media would have you believe, some are obviously better than others – and the evidence is in the quality of products. If you’re considering an electronic cigarette, read as many reviews as you can to get a feel for the pros and cons before you decide to make the purchase.
Choose a Reliable Reviewer
This tip is tied to the last one, because there is no use reading a review if it’s overly positive. Some review sites are funded through affiliate marketing, and this often leads them to ignore the negative aspects of a product and produce a review that is merely marketing spiel in disguise. Find a review site where they give both the positives and the negatives, and where everything they say is based on extensive testing (find out why our reviews are different). User reviews can be useful (there are plenty on the E-cigarette Forum), but opinion can differ wildly, so the consistency offered by review sites is often preferable when you’re making comparisons.
Research the Brand
Some review sites will also give you an insight into the companies themselves to help you make your decision, but often you might have to do a little bit of research. Check the brand’s website and look for their Facebook page. If either has an “About” section, you’ll learn some crucial facts such as how long they've been operating and hopefully something about their manufacturing process. The Facebook page is invaluable, because you get to see how they deal with comments or complaints from customers first-hand. They know this, of course (so are likely to be extremely helpful), but some brands actually ignore negative comments or give bland, unhelpful answers – these are red flags!
Money Back Guarantees and Warranties
It isn't an infallible rule, but a money back guarantee is a stamp of approval for an e-cig manufacturer. Unless they operate in an extremely underhanded fashion (so the guarantee is hard to claim, for example), the guarantee is offered because they know the majority of people won’t claim it. It tells you that the manufacturer is confident in their product – enough to risk their fee on your satisfaction. Similarly, a genuine warranty tells you that they know their e-cigs are probably going to function perfectly, and they want to keep you happy if it doesn't.
Do the Math
It might not be what you want to hear, but it can help to do a little math when you think about which electronic cigarette to buy. Some may offer affordable starter kits but charge way more than the competition for the replacement cartridges, for example. If you’re comparing to the cost of smoking cigarettes, remember that a single e-cigarette cartridge (which are usually bought in packs of five) is roughly equivalent to a pack of 20 cigarettes. Remember that it’s worth spending a little extra money if it means better quality – you’ll still save loads compared to toxic analogue (tobacco) cigs.
Think About Your Nicotine Consumption
Different e-cig manufacturers offer cartridges or e-liquids in different nicotine strengths, so thinking about what you need before you make a purchase is essential. The “standard” nicotine levels are 0mg (no nicotine), 6mg, 12mg and 18mg, but some brands offer a 24mg option (or even higher) which are better for the heaviest smokers. If you’re hoping to reduce your nicotine consumption, it’s better to choose a brand that sticks to regular, 6mg gaps between nicotine levels. For more information about Nicotine, read the list of studies we've put together.
The Cigarette Factor
If you’re switching from analogue cigs, you need to think about how much you want your vaping (e-cig using) experience to be like smoking a cigarette. Some brands have automatic batteries (which are operated just like a cigarette) and look a lot like analogue cigs, offering an accurate sensory replication. If this isn't important you can explore options like manual batteries (which are button-activated and generally increase vapor output) and cool designs.
Make Sure You Have Support
Finally, support from your loved ones is essential when you’re switching to electronic cigarettes. Many people have been misinformed about e-cigs, so your family might have some reservations about your switch. Learn about electronic cigarettes, so you can explain how they contain exponentially lower levels of toxins than a cigarette, and aren't dangerous to people in the room when you’re vaping. With the support of your family, you’ll be ready to ditch the tar-ridden, pungent analogues and start a healthier life.
Resources to Help You Get Started With E-Cigs
E-Cigarette Starter Kit Reviews: Read reviews on electronic cigarette starter kits from companies such as Blu, Njoy, V2 Cigs, and Green Smoke.
Disposable E-Cigarette Reviews: Disposable electronic cigarettes are a great way to experience vaping at the lowest cost possible.
E-Cig Mod Reviews: E-cigarette mods are for advanced users. Our reviews include rebuildable mods (APVs), atomizers, tanks, and more.
E-Cigarette Coupons: Browse through our large database of coupons from e-cig companies as well as e-liquid manufacturers and online vape stores.
Information About E-Cigarettes: Learn more about e-cigarettes, what they are, how they work, pros and cons, and more.
If you have any questions on how or where to buy an electronic cigarette, post a comment below!