How Much Do Vapes Cost vs Cigarettes?

Smoking isn't getting any cheaper. With cigarette prices climbing year after year, smokers looking to switch want to know one thing before anything else: how much do vapes cost?

While many people make the switch for health-related reasons, the potential money savings can be significant too.

But not all vaping set-ups are equal. The cost of vaping varies depending on the types of vapes you use, how often you vape, and the e-liquid you choose.

In this guide, we break down the real-world costs of vaping in the UK, compare different device types, look at how many cigarettes a vape is roughly equivalent to, and show you how much you could save over the course of a week, month and year. Spoiler alert: the numbers are pretty eye-opening.

Key takeaways

➔ Around 300 vape puffs can be compared to approximately 20-30 cigarettes by puff count

➔ Vaping is generally far cheaper than smoking cigarettes

➔ Refillable vape kits usually offer the lowest long-term running costs

➔ Most smokers who switch to vaping could save hundreds or even thousands of pounds every year

➔ Buying quality e-liquid and maintaining your device properly can help reduce costs even further.

How many cigarettes is a vape equivalent to?
How much does a vape cost in the UK?
How much does vaping cost per week?
Vaping vs smoking: weekly, monthly and yearly costs
Tips to keep vaping costs down
Choose the best vape for you

How many cigarettes is a vape equivalent to?

One of the most common questions new vapers ask is how a vape compares to cigarettes.

The honest answer is that it’s not an exact science. This is because different devices produce different amounts of vapour. Different nicotine strengths deliver different experiences, and not everyone takes the same length or strength of puff.

That said, “puff count” gives us a pretty good benchmark to work with. A typical cigarette provides around 10 to 15 puffs. A pack of 20 cigarettes therefore delivers somewhere between 200 and 300 puffs.

To compare, a standard UK-compliant bottle of 10ml vape e-liquid will provide most users with at least 300 puffs. You can also get pre-filled recyclable pods that last for approximately 600 puffs.

How much does a vape cost in the UK?

There are a wide range of different vapes available, which can vary a lot in cost. Disposable vapes were banned from sale in the UK in 2025, meaning that all vape kits available now can be reused or refilled.

Vape kits, including a vape device with rechargeable battery, usually cost anywhere between £4 to £30, depending on the unit’s features and battery size. A new vape kit will usually include e-liquid as well as the device to get you started.

The refill pods or liquids that you’ll need to carry on vaping also vary widely in cost, with multi-buy offers and other deals often bringing the cost down further. The cost for your refill e-liquid or pod will depend on the brand, quantity and strength i.e. the amount of nicotine it contains.

Some refillable vape devices also contain heating coils, which create the vapour. These will usually also need to be replaced periodically.

Your initial vaping costs will depend on the specific device or kit that you choose, and your ongoing vaping costs will depend on how much you use it.

How much does vaping cost per week?

Daily Vape Use	Approx. 10ml Bottles Used	Weekly Cost at 4 for £9.99
100 puffs per day	2-3 bottles per week	£5-£7.50
200 puffs per day	4-5 bottles per week	£10-£12.50
300 puffs per day	7 bottles per week	£17.50
400 puffs per day	9-10 bottles per week	£22.50-£25

If you’re vaping at a level that replaces around 20-30 cigarettes per day, you may be using around one 10ml bottle daily. That means your weekly e-liquid cost could be around £17.50.

You’ll also need to factor in coils if your device needs these to be replaced regularly. These vary by device, but a rough allowance of £2-£5 per week is reasonable for many refillable vape users.

So, for a 300-puff-per-day vaper, a realistic total weekly ongoing cost might be around:

Cost Element	Weekly Estimate
E-liquid	£17.50
Coil allowance	£2.50
Total weekly vaping cost	£20.00

Vaping vs smoking: weekly, monthly and yearly costs

Now for the part that really matters: how do vape costs in the UK compare with smoking?

According to government stats, the average cost of a pack of 20 cigarettes is currently around £16.60. We’ve used this, along with our average vaping costs, to directly compare the ongoing costs of smoking vs vaping.

APPROXIMATE CIGARETTE SMOKING VS VAPING COSTS

Smoking Level	Weekly Cost	Monthly Cost	Yearly Cost
10 cigarettes per day	£58	£251	£3,016
20 cigarettes per day	£116	£502	£6,032
30 cigarettes per day	£174	£754	£9,048

Vaping Level	Weekly Cost	Monthly Cost	Yearly Cost
100 puffs per day	£7	£30	£364
300 puffs per day	£20	£87	£1,040
400 puffs per day	£27	£117	£1,404

vaping vs smoking the real cost comparison

That could be a saving of over £7,600 a year if you usually smoke around 30 cigarettes a day.

That’s not pocket change. That’s a new sofa, emergency fund, weekend breaks and still money left over territory.

If you’re vaping daily, cost per puff becomes more of a big deal. Using refillable e-liquid means more choice over things like flavour, strength, the quantities you’re buying in, and better long-term value.

Tips to keep vaping costs down

If you switch to vaping, then you’re already saving bigtime when compared to smoking cigarettes, but we’ve got more tips to help ensure you’re not paying more than you need to for vape supplies.

1. BUY MULTIPACKS AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SPECIAL OFFERS

Buying e-liquids or replacement pre-filled pods as you need them may be convenient, but taking advantage of offers to buy several at once, or larger quantities of e-liquid, such as our shortfills, can help make your spending go much further if you’re a regular vaper.

2. MATCH YOUR NICOTINE STRENGTH TO YOUR NEEDS

Getting the right strength of e-liquid for you can mean that every puff is more satisfying and it‘s easier to avoid vaping more than you need to. Take a look at our guide to vape strengths to learn more.

3. MAXIMISE THE LIFETIME OF YOUR VAPE COILS

If your vape device uses a coil, you can help prolong its life by priming it properly with e-liquid before the first use. Find out more about preparing your vape coils.

4. LOOK AFTER YOUR VAPE’S BATTERY

Rechargeable batteries like the one in your vaping device last for longer when they’re looked after properly, which means you won’t have to replace your vape as often. Tips include:

✓ Don’t let it fully drain down - Recharging your vape’s battery when it hits around 20% puts less stress on it than charging from totally empty.

✓ Always use the correct charging plug and connectors - Make sure you use the provided or recommended cable for your device rather than any random charger, as some (especially high-speed phone chargers) can provide too much power, which could damage the battery.

✓ Watch the temperature - Never leave your vape on a sunny windowsill, next to a radiator or in a hot car, as this can cause battery damage.

Choose the best vape for you

If you're looking to get the most value from your vaping budget, choosing the right device matters. Alongside our range of award-winning e-liquids, we offer a selection of rechargeable vape kits that are built for performance, convenience and long-term value.

Whether you choose our grab-and-go Connex kit and pods, the Oxva Nexlim or one of our Aspire devices, a quality reusable vape can help you enjoy great flavour while keeping ongoing costs lower than many alternative vaping options. Browse our rechargeable vape kits to find the set-up that works best for you.