How Long Does A Vape Last?

How long a vape lasts depends on the type of vape device you purchase. A disposable vape may last for a few days; a custom-built box mod, on the other hand, can last for years with proper care (and by replacing parts as they degrade).

In this article, we’re going to tell you how long different vaping devices last; we’ll also get into tips and tricks to tell you how to extend your vape’s life, as well as the signs that it’s time to replace your vape. That’s a lot to cover, so let’s dive right in! 

How Long Does A Vape Last? Lifespan By Type

What Affects How Long A Vape Lasts?

The #1 thing that affects how long a vape lasts is its construction. Disposable vapes are not built to last; it’s right there in the name. Other types of vape with replaceable parts, on the other hand, can last for years - you just need to replace the replaceable parts as they wear away.

The other major factor that affects the lifespan of a vape is care. Proper cleaning, storage, and battery usage can all dramatically increase the lifespan of your device. 

How Long Does A Disposable Vape Last?

A disposable vape’s lifespan has one major limit: The amount of juice available in the vape. These devices aren’t refillable, so once you’re out of juice, it’s done. 

This made for an interesting side quest: We wanted to figure out how many puffs a day the average user takes, to give you a breakdown of how long you can expect a disposable to last. To do this, we collected data from several studies:

• Measurement of Electronic Cigarette Frequency of Use Among Smokers Participating in a Randomized Controlled Trial

• E-cigarette use behaviors and device characteristics of daily exclusive e-cigarette users in Maryland: Implications for product toxicity

• Real-Time Characterization of E-Cigarettes Use: The 1 Million Puffs Study

• Circadian Puffing Behavior and Topography Among E-cigarette Users

• Week-Long Topography Study of Young Adults Using Electronic Cigarettes in Their Natural Environment

• Vaping Topography and Reasons of Use Among Adults in Klang Valley, Malaysia

• Electronic cigarettes abuse liability, topography and subjective effects

• The 2020 Youth and Young Adult Vaping Project

These studies are not without flaws; many are regionally based, many are for e-cigs (not disposables), and they reveal large deviations between the puff counts of different vape users. We can, however, still derive an average puff count among average users and take the extremes of the studies to find low and high puff counts. Using these counts, we can predict the average lifespan of a disposable based on estimated puff count and usage:

Average Lifespan Of A Disposable Vape Based On Usage & Estimated Puff Count

Several factors will impact these estimates; a four-second puff is going to take a lot more juice than a two-second puff, and vaping at higher wattages will increase the amount of liquid you use with each puff. 

The data should still help you estimate how long your disposable will last, though, and that’s what we’re here for! 

These lifespans hold true for rechargeable disposable vapes, but for non-rechargeable disposables, remember that the life of the battery is another limit. Once it’s out of charge, you’re done! 

How Long Will A Disposable Last If I Don’t Use It?

Let’s imagine a world where you buy a disposable vape, forget about it, and find it in your drawer 6 months later. Should you take a puff?

Here, the limiting factor is the lifespan of the vape juice. Most e-liquids only last for a year or two with proper storage; if you puff them after that, you’ll probably find the taste is off or that the nicotine has lost some potency. 

This means that most disposables only last for 1 to 2 years max, even if you never use them. 

How Long Does A Box Mod Last?

Box mods are modular; you can swap out the mouthpiece, tank, airflow ring, coil, battery, e-liquid, and more. This makes it very difficult to predict how long a box mod will last; it depends on:

• The parts you use

• How well you care for those parts

• How often you use the vape

• How willing you are to replace parts once they wear out

Theoretically, a box mod can last forever if you just replace parts over and over again - but then is it really the same box mod? 

A better way to talk about the lifespan of a box mod is to discuss how long each of the components might last on average. Let’s do that now:

• Mouthpiece/Drip Tip: Years or decades with regular cleaning; consider changing it if it becomes uncomfortable

• Tank: Again, years or decades unless you drop or damage it

• Airflow Control Ring: Years or decades

• Coil Assembly: 1 to 4 weeks

• The metal in the coil can last for years or decades

• The wick will wear out much more quickly; this means vape coils typically need to be replaced once or twice a month

• O-rings in the coil assembly will degrade and need to be replaced a few times a year

• Battery: 1 to 5 years, though you’ll notice that your vape’s battery capacity will drop before the battery stops working altogether

How Long Does A Pod Mod Last?

Pod mods are vape assemblies with disposable pods. Once the pod is out of juice, you replace it, but the other components of the vape (like the body, mouthpiece, and battery) are reused for its entire lifespan.

You might go through vape pods every week or two, but we’re not going to count that against the lifespan of the device. 

For pod mods, the vape battery is the biggest lifespan bottleneck; most pod mods have vape batteries that last for about 1 to 3 years with proper care. 

How To Make Your Vape Last Longer

Proper Maintenance & Care

Regular Cleaning

Regularly cleaning your disposable isn’t going to do much (though you can feel free to gently clean the mouthpiece between uses), but both box mods and pod mods can benefit from regular cleaning. Detach all of the detachable pieces, clean pods and tanks, gently swab connections, clean the mouthpiece, and you’ll boost the lifespan of your device! 

Charging The Battery Properly

You might be tempted to drain your battery all the way to 0% then charge it back to 100%, but that has a negative impact on your battery’s lifespan. 

Keeping your battery life between 20% and 80% keeps it alive for longer. You should avoid charging your vape overnight if you can, and you shouldn’t charge it when temperatures are too high or too low; room temperature is typically best. 

Replacing Coils & Pods

When your disposable pod runs out, replace it! When you’re getting burnt hits because your coil is worn out, replace it! Neither of these things will have a dramatic impact on the lifespan of your vape, but they will have an impact on the quality of your vaping experience - and we care about that, too. 

Best Practices For Extending Vape Life

Using The Right E-Liquid

For most pod mods, you won’t have to worry about using the right e-liquid; just get a compatible vape pod, and you’re golden. For pod mods with refillable pods and box mods, however, choosing the right e-liquid is important.

Most pods are not sub-ohm, so you should opt for liquids with a PG/VG ratio of around 50/50 (slight deviations won’t hurt too much, though); the same is true for box mods that aren’t sub-ohm.

Sub-ohm vapers are usually trying to make clouds; for them, higher VG ratios are often better.

Remember that the liquids you use will also affect your coil; sweeter juice may contain more sugars, which can degrade the quality of your coil faster. 

Proper Device Storage 

Store your device in a cool, dry place to maximize its lifespan. The simplest tip of the whole article! 

When Should You Replace Your Vape?

Signs It’s Time To Replace Your Vape

The signs that it’s time to replace your vape depend on the type of device you’re using:

• Disposable: Replace it when it’s out of juice or your hits start tasting funny

• Pod Mod: Replace it when the battery no longer holds a charge or the interface stops working properly

• Box Mod: Replace parts as needed

Is It Safe To Use An Old Vape?

We hesitate to answer this question because if you’re eyeing an old vape and your instincts are telling you to ask if it’s safe to use, chances are that something is making you unsure if you should use it - that means you probably shouldn’t.

Sometimes, an old vape will be okay to use. Have a disposable that’s 6 months old? You’re probably fine. Have one that’s 5 years old? That juice won’t be any good at all; at best, you’ll have a very unpleasant vaping experience.

Pod mods and box mods? Whether or not they’re safe to use will depend on a number of factors. Our biggest concern is the battery; if your device has a swollen battery, do not use it! Move it carefully into a fireproof container and store it somewhere cool and dry until you can make it to a hazardous waste facility. Do not charge the device. Do not use the device. 

Want A Vape That Goes The Distance?

Visit Cold Turkey, your Winnipeg vape shop, in-store or online! We’ll help you find a long-lasting device, whether you’re looking for a disposable or for new parts for your box mod.