Vape Battery Safety

Serious problems with vape batteries are rare (the London Fire Brigade have voiced their support for vapes in place of cigarettes to reduce house fires), but there are a few things you should consider when it comes to battery safety and getting the most out of them. Modern e cig designs have a lot of safety features already in place - however the more complicated your vape is, the more you’ll need to know. In this guide we’ll cover what sort of batteries you can get, how to charge them safely, how long they last and what to use to charge them.

• Today’s beginner-friendly pod kits feature sleek, integrated battery systems that are easier to use, more powerful, and better suited to current vaping preferences. Built-in batteries eliminate the need for separate components like tanks and threaded connections. Capacities range from 500 mAh to 2000 mAh, ensuring longer usage times for entry-level vapers. Many modern pod systems feature draw-activated firing, meaning you only need to inhale to activate the device. Others may offer a single-button operation for simplicity. Examples: Vaporesso XROS, Uwell Caliburn, and Oxva Xlim.

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• Variable voltage/wattage devices have evolved into more advanced pod mods and compact vape kits that offer adjustable power settings. These devices are good for intermediate vapers seeking greater customisation without the complexity of advanced mods. Most pod mods and compact devices now allow you to adjust wattage or voltage to fine-tune flavour and vapour production. Some even feature smart modes that auto-adjust power based on the coil. Examples: Vaporesso Luxe Q or Voopoo Drag X series.

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• Sub ohm battery. The V8 engine of the vaping world if you will. Operating at higher a power and deliver larger levels of current meaning a better flavour and some immense cloud production potential. Types of batteries include high-drain external batteries (e.g., 18650, 21700) or large integrated batteries, ensuring compatibility with low resistance sub-ohm coils. Examples: Smok RPM 5 Pro and the Geek Vape Aegis Legend 3.

• Mechanical mods have become a niche product for experienced vaping hobbyists and are the batteries you need to be most aware of when it comes to safety - usually used by experienced vapers only, these are unregulated devices and have no circuits so wattage/voltage cannot be changed. This means all the power goes directly into the coil meaning checking you have the right coil resistance is super important - as mechanical mods are something you build yourself, if they short out, your battery is at risk of damage or worse - catching on fire.

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Most vape devices have built in batteries that can be charged using a USB-C connection. The more powerful sub-ohm vapes like advanced mods may use external 18650 and 21700 batteries, which need to be charged using a seperate battery charger. If this is the case, it’s a good idea to have a few spares on hand so you can still enjoy your vape while the dead batteries recharge.

Pay attention to the coil resistance of your vape too - if it’s too high or too low, the battery won’t activate and you won’t be able to use it.

Like with all electronic devices, batteries do eventually wear out and won’t hold their charge anymore. As far as how long you expect to keep them for, usually the 12 to 18 month mark is about right - after that and they charge very quickly, but also drain quickly too. However, the good thing about lithium batteries is a part-charge is actually healthier for the battery than always going for the full charge, meaning if you only have time to top it up for 20 minutes before you go out, you’re not actually going to do it any damage. These batteries are designed for frequent use, so they last longer when you use them every day.

A bigger battery isn’t always the answer. As mentioned, the voltage and coil play a big part in how long your battery will last but experienced vapers often prefer the box mods with removable rechargeable batteries so you can switch them out when your power gets low.

If you’re an absolute vaping beast and are chugging on your e cig all day, you might want more than one - it all comes down to personal preference. If charging when you’re out is going to be difficult, it’s good to have a spare on hand so you don’t end up with a flashing red light and no more power to use.

All our starter kits come with at least one battery and if they’re charged with a USB, you’ll get a cable for that too. It’s important to use the right charger to avoid the possibility of leakage, battery failure or in extreme case, explosion.

A lot of this stuff is common sense - apply the same ideas you would when charging any electronic device. You’ll want to use the correct charger for a start, make sure you buy a legitimate one designed for your device. Don’t charge overnight either - keep them in the room with you when they’re plugged in so you can keep an eye on them. It’s also best practice to charge on a hard surface so it can’t overheat as well and, if you notice any warping on your batteries, don’t use them. Delegate them to the designated battery recycling bin and get yourself some new ones. It’s a good idea to switch your ecig off when you’re not using it - you’ll save power but you’ll also avoid accidentally activating it while it’s in your bag or pocket.

If all of that was a bit much work, the take home from it is:

• Don’t charge your batteries overnight - you can overcharge them, reducing their life span and if they don’t have a function that stops charge from running when they’re full you can cause battery failure too.

• If a battery doesn’t look right, or gets really hot when you’re vaping - stop using it. All batteries have a limited life so you’ll want to replace them.

• Vape batteries, whilst they carry some risks, are a lot safer than cigarettes in the home - since 2013/14, there have been 5,978 house fires related to cigarettes in London alone. Even when you factor in how many more smokers there are than vapers, cigarettes are still 300x more likely to cause a fire than a faulty vape battery

• Make sure you use the right kind of charger for your device - you’ll be safer, and increase your battery lifespan while you’re at it.

• If you are flying in a plane with vapes then you need to make sure that all devices are switch off, batteries stored in a protective casing and that they are packed in your hand luggage only.

If you are a beginner and would like to know more, then take a deep dive into the world of vaping with our Ultimate Beginner Vape Guide.

Or take a look at our Help Centre for further support with any pruchases you have made with us.