I've used more than my fair share of inexpensive pens and mods in my day (I was scraping pennies together and buried under a mountain of debt).

Would you be surprised if I told you I had a pen that costs less than $15? Yes, those do exist but the quality is just terrible. But I remember when I was looking for the cheapest vape pen I could find, I wasn't concerned with quality. My throat took a beating because of it but I just wanted something that would get the job done. The devices below will get the job done without forcing you to pull from your retirement or thrashing your throat. (Click here for portable marijuana vaporizers.)

Affordable Portable Vapes

Brand Price Tank Battery Value
Eleaf iCare 140 $14.95 2mL 650mAh
SMOK Fit Ultra-Portable Pod Kit $15.99 2mL 250mAh
Vandy Vape Berserker MTL $19.99 3.5mL 1100mAh
Eleaf iJust ONE $22.95 2mL 1100mAh
Vaporesso Sky Solo Plus $24.99 8mL 3000mAh
SMOK Stick V9 (best deal) $34.95 5mL 3000mAh
Freemax Twister $36.99 5mL 2300mAh
HorizonTech Falcon Beak (best flavor) $49.99 7mL 3000mAh
Eleaf iJust 21700 $49.99 5.5mL not included
eleaf icare 140

The Cheapest Vape Pen We Approve – $14.95

Suprisingly, for just shy of $15 you can get a vapor pen that will get the job done. It'll produce decent vapor that can assist you in cutting back on the cigs or quitting all together. But at this price, don't expect a premium vaping experience. You can get a lot closer to a premium experience for an extra $5.

The Eleaf iCare 140 is a great pen for vapers on a budget. It has a sleek unibody design which makes it great for people of all (legal) ages. The tank is built into the base which make it nearly impossible to break. If you have butter fingers or just don't want to be bothered with the possibility of shattering your tank, then a unibody pen or a pod like the SMOK Fit would be perfect for you.

The iCare 140 has a 2mL tank, which is average for the price. This size is actually a sweet spot for many vapers who don't want to spend a lot of money on upgraded features.

For me, the main con with this pen is the small battery. I know, it's normal at this price range, but I still find myself wishing I had more power when I'm out and about with 650mAh devices. It'll be a non-factor if you're near a charger most of the day, but if you're mobile a lot, you'll find the 650mAh battery to be annoying.

You can get the iCare 140 at Direct Vapor for under $15.

 

SMOK Fit Pod System

SMOK Fit Ultra-Portable Pod Kit – $15.99

The SMOK Fit is one of the best kits around for people who are thinking about quitting smoking and want convenience. Those are the two areas where this vape really stands out.

It's a super easy to use pod vape that is designed to closely mimic the feeling that comes from smoking. This little device packs a punch and works best with strong e-liquids. Somewhere in the 35mg – 50mg (3.5% – 5%) nicotine e-liquid ballpark is where pod systems like the SMOK Fit excel.

It has a tighter draw, compared to vape pens. It's a loose mouth-to-lung draw. Remember, this device is supposed to mimic the smoking experience, and it's darn good at it. That's why it's the best device for people thinking about quitting.

Filling the pod is easy-peasy. You don't even have to remove the pod. You just pull the silicone flap on the side and fill it with e-liquid. It's the easiest device to maintain and use. If the pod goes bad, you just put in another pod and fill it up. You don't have to worry about taking tanks apart and replacing coils.

Most vape shops are selling this kit for $19.99 and above, but you can buy it for $15.99 at VaporDNA.

VandyVape Berserker MTL

Vandy Vape Berserker MTL – $19.99

The Berserker MTL is a great device for someone who is looking for a mouth-to-lung draw, but doesn't want a pod system. This device also has bottom-adjustable airflow, so you can customize the draw to your liking. If you open the airflow all the way up, you can even take direct-to-lung (DTL) draws.

The tank holds 3.5mL of e-liquid and is designed to take high-nicotine vape juice (nic salts), just like the SMOK Fit. But with the big tank on this device, you'll be able to use it for longer before having to refill the tank.

With the Berserker kit, you will get two MTL coils (1.5ohm & 1.8ohm) that both produce great MTL flavor. The flavor isn't as full-spectrum as DTL flavor, but it's intense and top notch for an MTL device. Definitely satisfying and enjoyable.

This is also a good device for you if you're looking to get off the cigs. This tank, paired with a strong nic salt will deliver nicotine effectively and efficiently.

Unfortunately, this device is a hard one to keep in stock. You can buy the Berserker for just under $20 from VaporDNA and Element Vape. Both companies had some color options available at the time of this writing.

Vaporesso Sky Solo Plus

Vaporesso Sky Solo Plus – $24.99

The first thing that stood out to me about the Sky Solo Plus is the build quality. It's surprisingly solid for a $25 mod. Tip of the cap to Vaporesso.

With this kit, you'll get two options. You can get the smaller version, the Vaporesso Sky Solo (1400mAh/3.5mL). Or you can order the larger version, the Vaporesso Sky Solo Plus (3000mAh/8mL). Both options have a built-in battery and set-airflow (not adjustable).

In my opinion, the only reason to order the smaller version is if you want a smaller device. They use the same coils, but the Sky Solo Plus has over twice the battery capacity and the tank is 4.5mL larger. The price difference is $2, so I'd recommend the Sky Solo Plus.

With the Sky Solo Plus, you will have a big 3000mAh battery and an 8mL tank. That's huge on both ends. The battery should last you all day with moderate to moderately heavy vaping. It's a workhorse.

The kit comes with two 0.18ohm mesh coil heads that give off some high quality vapor. The flavor is pretty good for a starter device, one of the best. And it chucks some big clouds. If you don't want a lot of vapor production, this isn't the device for you. This one chucks.

You can order this kit for $24.99 from VaporDNA.

SMOK Stick V9 (Max)

SMOK Stick V9 (Max) – $34.95

The SMOK Stick V9 starter kit is one of the best deal on the market right now. For just shy of $35, you'll get a vape pen that performs like a $80 vape. This is ideal for anyone who wants to see what vaping is all about.

This is another kit where you can buy the smaller version, the V9 (3000mAh/5mL). Or the larger version for an extra $5, the V9 Max (4000mAh/8.5mL). Both versions come with one 0.15ohm mesh coil, and one 0.15 quad coil.

The SMOK Stick V9 is a performer. It chucks out nice flavorful clouds very consistently. Some of the cheaper pens have really tight draws and not a lot of power, which sometimes feels like you're just sucking air.

The Stick V9 is the opposite. It has adjustable airflow and is really powerful (60W), so you will definitely be able to feel and taste the vapor. It truly does perform like an $80 setup. Also, the tank is removable. So if you upgrade to a mod, you can still use this beast!

Since I'm trying to get you the best bang for your buck, I'm going to recommend the SMOK Stick V9. It's more than enough to give you a great vaping experience. You can order the V9 for $34.95 from Element Vape.

Freemax Twister

Freemax Twister – $36.99

The Freemax Twister is the only device on this list with adjustable power. Currently, unregulated style devices are trending. But the Twister bucks the trend and gives you the freedom of choice.

At the bottom of the battery you'll see a ring that twists, sort of how an adjustable airflow twists. With that ring, you can adjust the wattage in increments of 5W. You can vape as low as 5W and as high as 80W.

This starter kit features the Fireluke 2 sub-ohm tank (5mL) and a built-in 2300mAh. If you're vaping at mid to low wattage, you'll get all day battery life. The Fireluke 2 tank comes with adjustable airflow and two mesh coils (0.2ohm & 0.15ohm) that really put out some good vapor. The flavor is right on par with the top devices on this list. And the tank can be removed and used on a mod as well.

If you're new to vaping and don't want an extra thing to think about, then go with one of the other pens on this list. But if you want more control and the ability to fine tune your vaping experience, then this is a solid option. You can buy this tank for $36.99, which is a steal in my opinion.

HorizonTech Falcon Beak Kit

HorizonTech Falcon Beak – $49.99

The Falcon Beak has one thing that none of the other starter kits have…the Falcon sub-ohm tank! This tank has been a smash hit for HorizonTech. It utilizes the Falcon coil family to give you an unbelievably satisfying vape and intense flavor.

I am actually vaping on the Falcon M1+ coil right this very second. Except I have my Falcon tank mounted on a dual 18650 mod that costs more than this whole kit. That's how good these coils are! You will still want to use them even when you start buying box mods.

The built-in 3000mAh battery is enough to power you up all day with moderate usage. And the 7mL tank capacity will keep your coils saturated and ready to go for quite some time. Also, you can remove the tank and use it on a mod when you are ready.

With the Falcon Beak kit you're really getting the best of the best, no doubt about it. You'll be getting the same flavor and quality vapor as someone who spent twice as much money.

If you're ready for one of the best vaping experiences available, order the Falcon Beak from VaporDNA and then pat yourself on the back.

Eleaf iJust 21700

Eleaf iJust 21700 – $49.99

The iJust 21700 is a stick device that does not have a built in battery. You have to buy the battery separately ($10-$12)I just want to be clear about that so you don't end up with a nice vape pen without power.

With this kit, you'll get the innovative ELLO Duro sub-ohm tank. It holds 5.5mL of e-liquid and has some pretty cool features. The tank and coils are the first of their kind, featuring a brand new bottom airflow design and a “self-cleaning” design.

iJust 21700 airflowDon't be fooled by the term, “self cleaning.” The coils will still need to be replaced, but the technology prevents leaks and condensation build up. I hate a leaky tank!

The airflow is adjustable and super smooth! It has a prong that sticks up in the middle of the coil and directs the air right into the mesh. The result, top notch flavor and one helluva smooth vape.

Your battery capacity will depend on the battery you buy, but should be in the ballpark of 3000mah to 4000mah. This kit kicks out 80W, so you'll get good battery life, but not great. However, your vaping experience will be great and you'll have to ability to carry a spare battery.

If you're ready to make the plunge into external battery vaping but not quite ready for a mod, this kit should be one you consider. You can buy it for $49.99 at VaporDNA, but don't forget the battery!

Cheaper Vapes From Previous Years

Joytech eGo AIO Kit – $19.95

Okay, so this pen has a built-in tank as well, but it's different. The difference is, the glass is part of the built-in tank. With the Smok Vape Pen 22, the glass is a loose piece that you have to place on the base. It's exposed, meaning it's more likely to break. If it breaks, you're SOL because it doesn't come with a replacement. However, the glass on the eGo AIO starter kit is highly unlikely to break because it's not exposed as much.

The battery on the eGo AIO is a long lasting 1500mAh. You'll be vaping for quite some time before needing to recharge. The built-in tank holds 2mL of e liquid. The pen comes in at 19mm in diameter which means it's nice and sleek. You'll get to use two different drip tips with this pen; a glass drip tip and a spiral one. The spiral drip tip enhances the flavor.

Joytech has become famous for their eGo line of pens and for good reason. They vape nicely and are reliable. What more can you ask for in a $20 pen. When buying cheap vapes, it's always good to go with trusted ones like the pens on this list. You can pick this up at Central Vapors for $19.95.

Joytech eGo AIO Starter

SMOK Vape Pen 22 – $19.95

This quirky little vaporizer pen would make a great first pen if it wasn't for one fatal flaw which we'll discuss later. It has beginner friendly features such a low resistance, short circuit, and low voltage protection. It has a micro USB charging port which supports pass-through charging. That's great for those of us who forget to charge our gear. I called this kit quirky because the tank is built into the base of the pen but the glass isn't, just like the iJust One. That means you can't swap out or upgrade the tank.

You probably wouldn't want to anyway since whatever tank you would upgrade to would probably cost more than this whole kit. Only the bottom half of the tank is built into the base. When you get the pen you'll have to screw in the atomizer, place the glass on top of the base, and screw on the wide bore Delrin drip tip.

Of course, make sure you have some e liquid in the tank and you're all set. The tank holds 2mL of vape juice. It boasts a powerful 1600mAh battery so you'll be able to vape for quite some time on it. The 22 in the name of this pen is for the 22mm diameter.

One thing that's worth mentioning, this pen seriously kicks out some massive clouds and also produces great flavor. That's mainly why I put it on the list. I'm not the biggest fan of the built-in tank but the Vape Pen 22 gives off excellent vapor for it's pay grade. You'll feel like you're vaping on a $60 pen. It's that good.

But it has one flaw that made me reduce it down to 3 stars. It friggin' leaks. If you don't screw the coil head in with all your might, it leaks like a son of a gun. I read reviews that said screwing it in tight fixes it, and I tried that. It was still leaking on me but hasn't leaked in a while. I keep mine standing upright now so I'm not sure if the coil trick fixed the leak or not. Either way, I don't think you should have to read special instructions to operate a beginner pen. It loses a star for not being intuitive to use and being prone to leaking. Other than that, I love the vapor this little device kicks out. It's awesome for the size.

You can buy this little beast for under $20 at DirectVapor.

 

smok vape pen 22 starter kit

VaporFi's New Air 2 Mini Vaporizer – $19.99

This little device came out on June 12th, 2017. There was a lot of buzz surrounding its release.

It's a solid device and performs like a champ. As far as quality goes, it doesn't get any better than this for this price range. Even though this is a solidly build pen, it's not for everyone.

The biggest drawback to this pen is the fact that it has a 350mAh battery. That makes it tough to recommend this pen as a go to pen. However, it does make for a great complimentary device for when you need a smaller, stealthier device.

You can also buy some extra atomizers that will allow you to convert this pen into an oil vaporizer. The upgraded atomizers costs $8, but they're unnecessary if you are only going to be using it for e-liquids.

The best thing about the Air 2 Mini is the size and quality. Sometimes a small device is exactly what you need, especially if you normally use one of those big brick box mods. Don't get me wrong, I love box mods but sometimes I just want to wear athletic shorts and a tank top and slide a little pen into my pocket. This one is perfect for that.

If you're looking for an all-day vape, this isn't it. But if you just want something that's portable, convenient, and high quality, look no further.

You can only buy it from VaporFi since it's their baby.

air 2 mini
vaporfi air 2

Eleaf iJust ONE – $22.95

This device is another great option, especially if you can catch it when it goes on sell. For just 23 bucks (free shipping), you will get an easy to use device with a 1100mAh battery. That's what sets this vape pen apart from other pens. For it's size, it has a nice battery capacity. They usually have a 650mAh battery, which won't last nearly as long as this battery.

For a $23 vaporizer, there aren't really any cons when you consider the price range. If you remove the price range and compare it to the $50 vape on this list, the Rocket 3, then it does have some cons. The tank is 1.5mL smaller than the Rocket 3 which is nearly twice the size. It would be nice to have a bigger tank, but you would also have to sacrifice a little bit of portability.

Also, the Rocket 3 has variable wattage and temperature control which is super rare for starter pens. Most manufacturers don't put features like that in these devices which makes you have to pay up for a fancy box mod if you want variable wattage and temp control. The Rocket 3 also has a much bigger 2500mAh battery. It more of a deluxe pen. If you're willing to pay over 3x the price, go with the Rocket 3. It's a sound investment. But if you're looking to get the most bang for your buck, the Eleaf iJust One is the best deal on the market.

The 2mL tank is average size for these sub $20 devices. If it were 3mL or bigger it would have made this deal even better. A 2mL tank is a good size but I like bigger tanks myself. If you switch flavors a lot, 2mL is good. But if you want to avoid having to refill so much, go with a bigger tank. They're more convenient.

Another thing that makes this pen a great first device is that it has a top-filling tank. Bottom-fill tanks are prone to leaking and just all around harder to refill. They're a pain in the butt. I don't like bottom-fill tanks for beginners, and don't like them for myself either. This tank is a top-fill tank so you can refill it a lot easier and has a very good seal to keep the e-liquid inside the tank. For $23, this starter kit is a good bargain, but there are $20 pens that can do just as much.

This kit comes with two sub ohm coil heads which both produce excellent vapor. The flavor and clouds are easily the best in this price range. You will be able to taste deep flavors in your e-liquid, flavors you won't be able to taste with other similarly priced kits.

If you decide to give this pen a rip, save money and order the iJust One with free shipping from Direct Vapor.

eleaf ijust one

Quick Hitting Eleaf iJust2 Mini – $25.95

The iJust2 Mini starter kit is a nice option. It should last you a long time, even if you decide to upgrade the battery. The tank is a sub ohm tank and it can handle up to 80W.

Of course, the iJust2 Mini battery cannot put out that much power for too long, but you'll have a tank that will still be solid once you eventually upgrade to a mod that can kick out some juice. This is a mini device so it's nice and portable. The tank can hold 2mL of e-liquid which is right on par for the price range, even though it's a compact device.

The one thing I don't like about the tank is that it is a bottom-fill tank. I'm not a big fan of those. When I was new to vaping, I would accidentally unscrew the top of the tank when trying to remove the tank from the battery. It resulted in me spilling quite a bit of e-liquid. When using a bottom-fill tank, just be careful and make sure you unscrew it properly.

The atomizer has a resistance of 0.3ohm which will give you a nice sub ohm vaping experience. You'll get great vapor quality from this tank. It also was designed with the latest heat dissipation technology, allowing your tank to stay cool to the touch even when vaping at high wattages.

The kit comes in at 22mm in diameter and has a 1,100mAh battery. The battery provides enough juice for you to vape for hours while still being small enough to easily fit in your pocket or purse. The battery is just 61mm tall. Click here to get the high performance iJust2 Mini for a basement bargain.

ijust2-mini

Discontinued

Single Coil Kanger Top Evod – $14.95

The Kanger Top Evod is a decent pen made by one of the most reputable companies in the vaping arena. Kanger specializes in making devices for the every day person. You'll see vaping enthusiast with a Kanger device every now and then, but not too often. They're solid devices but don't have all the bells and whistles as some of the other high-end devices.

The Top Evod sports a 650mAh battery and has a 1.7mL tank capacity. It has safety features like overcharge, low resistance, and short circuit protection. You'll also get a warning from the LED indicator when your battery is low. For less than $15, this pen is a steal. It has some cool features that make this pen legit.

If you are looking to get the most out of your vaping experience and enjoy all the little nuances of vaping, this isn't the pen for you. But if you're just looking for something good and cheap to start vaping with and eventually quit smoking, this is a solid purchase.

cheap-kanger-top-evod

SmokeStik ULTRA Portable – $18.95

This is a little pen but it has a big heart! It comes in at a slim 14.5mm (0.57 inches) wide and 137mm (5.4 inches) tall. That's pretty damn small. It boasts a milliliter tank and a 650mAh battery that will power up this little portable pen with pride.

You'll be able to get a couple hours of continuous vaping out of this pen on one charge. If you're not pounding this pen then it'll last longer. Batteries of this size are not designed to last all day.

Another upside is the size. It's highly portable and can fit in your pocket without much of a bulge. It's about the size of the thinner Sharpies which is awesome.

The best use for a pen like this is to give vaping a try. If you're not sure if you want to switch over to the whole vaping thing but want to give it a shot, this is a small investment that's well worth it.

You'll risk $18.95 and you may not like it. Worst case, you're out of 19 bucks. But the upside potential is huge. If you do happen to like it, you're down 19 bucks (which you'll save in no time since vaping is cheaper) but you no longer have to inhale all the chemicals in cigarettes.

I'm sure you know all about the chemicals in cigarettes so I'm not going to get into a passionate rant here. But I'm passionate about this and I know the upside potential is huge to these little cheap starter kit. You can buy this kit from SmokeStik ULTRA.

SmokeStik ULTRA

Platinum E Series Pen Mod – $24.99

This is a good starter pen. It's a simple pen that will do a good job of helping you make the transition from smoking to vaping or from e-cigs to vaporizers. The highlight of this pen is the size. It a very slim pen coming in at just 14mm in width. You could have it in your pocket and it would not make a big bulge. A dry erase marker would stand out more than this pen.

As you could probably guess, with a slim pen you have to sacrifice something. The battery is pretty good, coming in at 1100mAh but the tank is on the smaller side. It only holds 1.5mL of vape juice. That makes it the smallest tank on this list. The next smallest is the Kanger Top Evod at 1.7mL. Honestly, you wouldn't really notice the a 0.2mL difference, but a tank that is 0.5mL bigger would be very noticeable.

The other great thing about this starter kit is that it comes with everything you need to start vaping, literally. The E Seriest starter kit comes with a free 10mL bottle of vape juice. This pen made the list because it's cheap, well liked by vapers, comes with vape juice, and can definitely help you make the switch. It's reliable and produces good vapor. You can buy this starter kit from Platinum Puffs' website.

platinum puffs starter kit

How Much Does a Vaping Pen Cost

You can get a decent vape pen for $15. A high end pen will cost around $50.

Alternatively, you can purchase a box mod for $30 to $250. Box mods are more advanced and usually offer a lot more features. Starter pens are simpler to use and generally much cheaper.

Final Thoughts On Vaping With Cheaper Devices

You don't have to spend a ton of money to get your hands on a reliable sub ohm vaporizer than performs well. You may not even want a fancy dual coil device that can chuck a cloud like no other.

A simple mouth-to-lung (MTL) device can be more than enough to get the job done. Actually, if you are new to vaping, I'd recommend it. Or at least checkout some simple sub ohm tanks that perform above their cost.

It's easy to get caught up in the latest flashy vaporizers that these brands are releasing quite frequently. But they're not necessary. All you need to get started vaping is a cheap vape pen that will deliver nicotine efficiently. That's it.

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Kendall

Kendall

A vape a day will keep the doctor away. Smoking sucks
Kendall

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