How much is a vape pen?

Before vape pens, smoking weed had its inconveniences. You had to pick through stems, use a grinder, hand-roll your joints, and deep clean your bong. The old way of getting high seemed messy, less discrete, and required a ton of cleanup. 

Vape pens are sold in various styles, some more sophisticated and expensive than others. Many newcomers to the world of vaping are scratching their heads wondering how much it costs to vape. 

We’ll go over everything you need to know about finding a quality vape pen for your needs and budget.

Vape pen costs at a glance 

Type of vape pen	Vape pen cost
General vape pens	$15-$100
Disposable vape pens	$5-$40
High-quality vape pens	$60-$200+
Cig-a-likes	$8-$50
Pod mods	$10-$60+
Vape mods	$15-$300+

 

Cost of replacement vape coils

Vape coils hide inside the atomizer with a wicking material, the part of the vape where the e-liquid turns into vapor. With frequent vaping, leaking, or taste fluctuations, you may need to replace the coiled wires housed within the atomizer. 

This essential component runs between $2-$35, depending on the shape and vape brand. People with advanced vape experience may be able to save money by tinkering with a customizable replacement coil.

How much does vape juice cost?

Vape juice is often the pricest recurring expense for vape owners. Whether you vape casually or continuously throughout the day, you should expect to spend an amount within the $5-$70 range.

Pre-filled

Pre-filled vape juice refers to a disposable cartridge (commonly known as a “cart”) that saves vape owners the time of having to disassemble and refill the cart when it’s empty. Nicotine and nicotine-free vape juice costs less than CBD and THC versions. Generally speaking, the prices are as follows: 

• Nicotine/nicotine-free carts: $10-$20
• Cannabis carts: $30-$70

Bottles

Bottled vape juice refers to a container with a childproof cap that’s filled with 30mL-100mL of e-juice. They may or may not come with a dropper to make fill up easier. Similar to pre-filled carts, cannabis bottles run higher than nicotine and nicotine-free versions. Here’s an estimated range for each one:

• Nicotine/nicotine-free bottles: $5-$20
• Cannabis bottles: $40-$80

How much do electronic cigarettes cost?

Popular e-cigarette products cost $8-$20. The cigarette alternative typically comes with a battery, but if you buy a kit, you might get a starter nicotine tank. These cost so little because they’re not meant to last very long. Budget shoppers may invest in these first before moving up to a more dependable version. 

How much do disposable vape pens usually cost?

Another product on the low end of the market, single-use (aka disposable) vapes cost less thantwo-piece vapes with a battery core and an attachable cart. Single-use pens, in case it wasn’t clear, means you use them until the e-juice is gone and then throw them away. For this reason, they range from under $5 (for nicotine/nicotine-free) to under $50 (for 0.5g-1g cannabis).

How much does a vape mod usually cost?

Different from a pod mod, which is smaller and stubbier, vape mods have a boxy base and draw more power than regular vape pens. Some versions have a tube-like shape. 

Given the customization options (wattage, coils, voltage), vape mods cost more than disposable vapes/e-cigs, but not necessarily as much as high-quality vape pens. The average cost is anywhere from $15-$50. High-price versions with different engineering techniques and package deals start at $60 and go as high as $300+

How much does a vape tank usually cost?

Vape tanks are the same as pod mods, except they’re (usually) glass. They hold the e-liquid that vaporizes inside the atomizer. Assuming you buy a pre-filled tank, they can cost anywhere from $15-$70. However, it may be more cost-efficient to buy an empty tank and then refill it with bottled e-juice. In that case, empty vape tanks cost less than $5, sometimes less than $1.

Additional costs associated with vaping 

Vaping can start to add up when you look at these additional costs: 

Charging stations: $3-$50

Most vapes come with a charger, although some models may not. USB cables are compatible with many vapes, or you can also invest instationary charging stations to plug into an outlet. 

Vape pen case: $5-$25

This may not seem like a must if you’re not planning on taking your vape outside the house, but if you do, you’ll need atrustworthy case to protect your goods. 

Cleaning tools: Under $5

Vapes develop dark, cakey residue after continuous use. For safety reasons, it’s important toclean your vape, while regular maintenance also makes your vape last longer. Rubbing alcohol, Q-tips, and small brushes can keep you and your vape in tip-top shape.  

Replacements for lower quality: Varies

With vapes, you get the quality you pay for. The cheaper you go, the higher the chances you’ll need to replace malfunctioning cartridges or batteries.  

Oil cartridge costs: $15-$80

Buying CBD: THC vape oil is an ongoing expense when you own a vape. Oil goes for around $35 per gram, but this varies from brand to brand. 

What are the monthly vaping costs?

When it comes to vaping, understanding the ongoing costs is as crucial as the initial investment. Here’s a brief breakdown of expenses you can expect on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis:

Per Day

On a daily basis, the average vaper might spend around $1 to $5, depending on factors like the frequency of use, the type of e-liquid, and the efficiency of the vape pen. Frequent vapers may spend more, especially if they prefer premium e-liquids.

Per Week

Expanding this to a weekly estimate, an average vaper could be looking at an expenditure of about $15 to $35. This includes the cost of e-liquid refills and occasional replacements of parts like coils or pods, which typically need changing every 1 to 2 weeks, depending on usage.

Per Month

Monthly, the cost can vary significantly based on usage habits and maintenance needs. On average, a vaper might spend $40 to $120. This encompasses e-liquids, occasional coil or pod replacements, and potential minor accessories like replacement mouthpieces or charging cables.

Per Year

Annually, a regular vaper could incur costs ranging from $700 to $1,800. This estimate includes not just the day-to-day consumables but also factors in periodic investments in new vaping equipment or upgrades, which most vapers tend to do at least once a year.

Tips for saving money on vapes

• Invest in durable vape technology: Budget considerations aside, it’s common sense: a vapewith patented technology, a warranty, and customizable voltage settings saves you money when compared to a $20 disposable version. 
• Vape mindfully: To keep your monthly vape costs down, take smaller puffs and see if you can train yourself to vape with intention, as opposed to vaping out of boredom. 
• Buy e-liquid bottles: Pre-filled carts run out, then you toss them in the trash. An e-liquid bottle may help you stretch your money if you know how to fill them correctly. Watch a few videos to familiarize yourself with the process before committing to bottled e-juice. 
• Go for vape kits: Rather than fork out money on separate vape pieces, kits usually come at a discounted price and package everything together. Ideally, you’ll want tobuild your own vape kit as opposed to settling on a bundle that’s not your style. 

Factors that affect cost

Although vape pens look like complicated handheld robots, understanding how much to spend is easier when you know what to look for. You don’t need to be a super techie person to shop for a vape. Here’s a list of the factors that affect vape cost and what to consider before investing:

Design

As you can see from the chart above, vaporizers come in many shapes and sizes. Portable vape pens are popular for their handheld design, making them ideal travel companions. Vape mods are big and boxy, but give you more customization than disposable vape pens, pod mods, and cig-a-likes. High-quality vape pens cost more because of their durability, temperature control, and battery life.  

Heating Method

Vape pens generate heat in two ways:convection andconduction. Convection vapes are optimal for temperature control because they use an indirect heating source, such as steam, to warm cannabis and enhance its flavor without coils. This process makes convection vapes more expensive than conduction vapes, which transfer heat directly to dry herb or wax via coils.  

Battery Life

That is, how many smoke sessions you get before your vape needs to charge. Vapes either have removable or integrated batteries. Batteries with higher mAh (milliampere-hour) capacity last longer and as a result, cost more. Battery life is impacted by many factors as well - heat settings, oil viscosity, consumption habits, and even cold weather will dictate how long a single charge may last.

Compatibility 

How you choose to smoke affects vape costs. For example, if you prefer to load cannabis buds or wax into a vaporizer, you’ll need to choose a vape with the technology to heat those items. Smoking distillate or live resin, on the other hand, doesn’t require as many parts. You just attach the cartridge to the battery and start vaping. 

Accessories 

Somevapes are sold as a kitto enhance your vape experience. Starter kits can come with a battery, charger, extra coils, screens, or glass stems, depending on the vape. The kits are great for beginners because they include everything you need to start vaping. You also might want to accessorize your vape with astorage solutionthat keeps your investment clean, protected and organized.

Additional costs associated with vaping 

Vaping can start to add up when you look at these additional costs: 

Charging stations: $3-$35

Most vapes come with a charger, although some models may not. USB cables are compatible with many vapes, or you can also invest instationary charging stations to plug into an outlet. 

Vape pen case: $5-$25

This may not seem like a must if you’re not planning on taking your vape outside the house, but if you do, you’ll need atrustworthy case to protect your goods. 

Cleaning tools: Under $10 

Vapes develop dark, cakey residue after continuous use. For safety reasons, it’s important toclean your vape, while regular maintenance also makes your vape last longer. Rubbing alcohol, Q-tips, and small brushes can keep you and your vape in tip-top shape.  

Replacements for lower quality: Varies

With vapes, you get the quality you pay for. The cheaper you go, the higher the chances you’ll need to replace malfunctioning cartridges or batteries. 

Oil cartridge costs: $20-$50

Buying CBD: THC vape oil is an ongoing expense when you own a vape. Oil ranges anywhere from $20 to $50 for 1,000mg, but this varies from brand to brand.

Vaping marijuana vs. smoking marijuana-which is cheaper?

It’s hard to put a price on smoking marijuana when it essentially boils down to preference. Glass pieces such as bowls, bongs, and bubblers are all priced differently. How often you smoke and what products you use are also considerations. For example, dabbing is pricier than buying prerolls. The verdict? Vaping is cheaper because it stretches your weed longer, plus it’s more concentrated. 

Again, this is highly variable from person to person. 

How to save money on vaping

Go for quality 

We understand why people choose to buy cheap, disposable vapes, but when you think about the long-term costs of replacing defective parts, it’s best to go for quality over quantity. That means choosing a long-lasting vaporizer, even if it costs more, to ensure optimal vape functioning. 

All-in-one vapes  

Consider buying a vape kit or building your own (here at Vessel) so you don’t have to purchase all of your accessories individually. 

Warranty 

Vapes that include a warranty end up saving you money if your battery stops working. Most vape companies offer warranty coverage on the battery system, not the cartridges. 

To sum it up

Before you invest in a vape pen, you’ll need to weigh your options and look at your budget. If you can, try to take advantage of higher-priced, quality vaporizers that last longer than inexpensive, disposable models. 

FAQs

How much does a vape pen usually cost?

The range is anywhere from $15 to $100. Prices change depending on design, heating method, battery life, and compatibility. However, the biggest vape brands have been known to charge $150 and up. 

Is it cheaper to smoke or vape?

There isn’t a straightforward answer because of how variable people’s smoking/vaping habits are. That said, vaping could be more cost-efficient given the higher concentration of THC: CBD (translated: you may feel the effects from vaping more strongly than smoking and need less cannabis to “get you there”.) 

How much does a vape cartridge cost?

The average cannabis oil cartridge cost is $20-$50. 

What is the financial cost of vaping? 

The cost depends on your budget. If you have $100 to spare, you can buy a solid vape pen along with a battery, charger, and cartridge and have everything you need for a great experience.

How much does a vape cost at the gas station?

Gas station vapes are some of the cheapest (and arguably the worst) models on the market. Adults over 21 can usually buy a disposable vape pen, minus the cart, under $20.