How Long Do Vape Cartridges Last?

July 23, 2021

Curious about using disposable vape cartridges versus using disposable vape pens or refillable cartridges? How long do disposable vape pods last?

As a vaper, it's important to be mindful of how often you should expect to replace your vape pods. However, the cartridge lifetime is not the same for every user, and it will depend on a lot of different individual factors.

Lucky for you, we have all the details on what factors affect the rate at which your e-liquid runs out. Read on to learn how to make the most of your vape cartridges.

How Long Does a Vape Pod Last?

Understanding how often you should expect to replace your cartridges will require you to pay close attention and be mindful of your vaping sessions. Several factors such as the frequency of your vape sessions and how you vape will play a role in how fast your e-liquid starts to run out.

First off, as should be obvious, the amount of e-liquid that is in the cartridge to begin with determines how long the cartridge lasts. Most disposable vape pods contain between 1 and 3 milliliters of fluid. The larger the volume of the cartridge, the longer it should last under normal use.

The strength of e-liquid is also an important factor. For vapers using an e-liquid containing nicotine, e-liquids with lower levels of nicotine concentration will probably run out faster, as you'll need to vape them more often to maintain the effects of nicotine. E-liquids with high levels of nicotine concentration tend to last longer, as you probably won't vape as frequently.

Finally, the length of each individual inhale from the device that you take, as well as the frequency of your vaping sessions, will play a large part in determining the rate at which your e-liquid diminishes. Longer inhales will use more fluid, causing it to run out faster, and it stands to reason that more frequent usage will have the same effect.

To give a ballpark estimate, electronic cigarette users who vape an average amount, meaning a few times a day, will probably have to replace their cartridges once every three to five days. 

More frequent vapers may need a replacement cartridge in as little as one to two days.

How Do You Know When a Vape Pod is Running Out?

Now we understand the plethora of factors that go into determining exactly how long a single vape cartridge will last. 

But if you vape too irregularly or infrequently to have a regular vape cartridge replacement schedule, how can you tell that the pod is starting to run out?

There are a few different ways to tell when your cartridge is low on e-liquid. Some depend on the brand and model of the cartridge itself. If the cartridge is transparent and you can see the e-liquid inside, it should be easy to check how close you are to running out by removing the pod from your vape device and visually examining it.

But what if your vape cartridge is opaque? Don't worry; there are still a few tell-tale signs to look out for that will let you know that you'll be needing to replenish your cartridge supply soon. 

We will briefly examine the three most important low fluid warning signs down below.

Dry Hits

The most obvious and most important of the low fluid warning signs is a dry hit. This is what happens when you go too long without changing out your cartridge. It means that every last drop of e-liquid in the cartridge has been vaporised, so the device is trying to vaporise empty air inside the pod and the material making up the device. 

This can cause severe damage to your vape pen, such as burning out the coil, harming the battery, and it can lead to your device needing to be repaired or replaced.

How do you know when it happens? It will be hard to miss. It will taste like a potent, harsh burning in your throat, and the vapour will be irritating to inhale. It is certainly not a pleasant experience, so you'll want to avoid this by changing out your cartridges regularly before too much of the liquid has been vaporised.

So how can you tell that your cartridge is running low and change it in advance to save your vape pen's coil? The two other most common indicators are the changes in flavour and vapour content.

Less Flavour 

If the vapour has a weak flavour when vaping from your device or seems to have less flavour than usual, this could indicate that the cartridge is almost out of oil. If the vapour has a bitter or burnt taste, this could be an indicator of diminishing fluid.

The reason for the change in flavour is simple to understand. If there isn't enough oil in the cartridge, the device doesn't have as much liquid to vaporise. When vaping with a cartridge low on oil, the oil's flavour gets more diluted throughout the vapour, and thus the taste is less intense.

While this certainly produces a less satisfying vaping experience, it's not nearly as bad as what will happen when the pod runs out of oil. So when the flavour is not coming through with the intensity that it should, you should heed the early warning sign and get a replacement cartridge before the oil runs out entirely.

Less Vapour

Suppose your vape pen produces smaller amounts of vapour during normal use than the relatively higher amounts you're used to. In that case, this can also be an indication that the cartridge won't continue working for much longer. As with the flavour quality, a smaller amount of e-liquid will produce a smaller amount of vapour.

How Can You Make Vape Pods Last Longer?

So, what can you do to make your vape cartridges last longer? Here are a few best practices to make your vape pods last as long a time as possible.

Drag Length - First of all, pay attention to the length of the drags that you take when vaping. The longer you inhale, the more e-liquid will be used up. Try to limit the length of your inhalations when you use your device to make your e-juice last longer.

Higher Nicotine Concentration - If you find yourself unsatisfied with the shorter drags, you could consider buying cartridges with a comparatively high nicotine concentration. Of course, this only applies to vapers who use e-liquids containing nicotine. Approach this tactic with caution as nicotine is highly addictive, so it’s important to strike a balance.

Clean Device Often - Make sure to clean your device regularly and keep up with any necessary repairs. Even with infrequent use, a vape device that doesn't undergo proper maintenance is more likely to have problems that lead to wasted e-liquid.

Don’t Use High-Concentrated VG & Sugary E-Juice - When selecting cartridges and e-juices, use options with lower VG concentrations, as these tend to last a long time compared to other varieties. 

You should also avoid e-liquids that are high in sugar, as the sugar can caramelise and cause residue to build up within your device, which can lead to your cartridge running out faster and cause issues with the battery.

The Bottom Line

Many factors affect the length of time that a vape cartridge will last. By maintaining an awareness of all of these things, you can form a reasonable estimate of when you'll need to change it. 

The best thing you can do in addition to the above is to make sure you always buy high-quality vape cartridges and devices that are created with innovative, premium practices and guaranteed to be reliable.

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