Is Vaping Cheaper Than Smoking?
If you smoke, you already know how quickly the cost of cigarettes adds up. So it makes sense to ask whether vaping costs less.
It often can, but the answer depends on the device you choose, how much you vape and how you buy your vape juice. This guide breaks down the costs on both sides, shows you how to compare them using your own numbers, and shares practical ways to keep vaping costs down.
Short version: Vaping has an upfront cost for the device, then ongoing costs for e-liquid or pods and coils. A refillable device with bottled vape juice is usually the most economical way to vape, while disposables usually cost the most over time. Run your own numbers to see how they compare with what you spend on cigarettes.
What smoking costs
Cigarette costs are easy to work out: packs per day, times what you pay per pack, times 365. Prices vary widely from state to state, mostly because of state and local taxes, and they tend to rise over time, so use what you actually pay.
Keep the result handy. It is the number to beat when you add up what vaping would cost you.
What vaping costs
Upfront costs
A refillable device is a one-time purchase until it wears out or you upgrade. A simple pod system costs less up front than an advanced box mod with a tank. A mod that takes removable batteries also needs batteries and an external charger.
Ongoing costs
- E-liquid. Your biggest ongoing cost with a refillable device. How much you use depends on your setup: pod systems and other mouth-to-lung devices use far less liquid than sub-ohm tanks, which go through vape juice quickly.
- Coils and pods. Coils wear out and need replacing, and so do refillable pods. Prefilled pods cost more over time because you buy the liquid and the pod together every time.
- Disposables. There is no upfront hardware cost, but every device comes with its own battery and coil. For regular use, that usually makes disposables the most expensive way to vape.
- Batteries. Removable batteries wear out and need replacing now and then.
Putting it together
To estimate your monthly e-liquid spend, figure out how many milliliters you go through on a typical day, multiply by 30, and divide by the size of the bottles you buy. That tells you how many bottles you need a month, so multiply by the price per bottle. Add coils or pods at the rate you replace them, and spread the device cost over the months you expect to use it.
Taxes apply to vaping too. Many states and some cities tax vaping products, and rates vary and change, so include tax when you compare.
Ways to spend less on vaping
- Choose a refillable device. Bottled vape juice usually costs less per milliliter than prefilled pods or disposables.
- Match your device and nicotine strength. A setup that suits you means less chain-vaping and less wasted liquid. Our guide to nicotine strength explains the options.
- Make your coils last. Prime new coils before the first puff, stay within the coil’s wattage range and replace coils only when they need it. See our guides to dry hits and when to change your coils.
- Buy bigger bottles. Larger bottles usually cost less per milliliter than 30 ml bottles, which adds up fast if you use a sub-ohm tank.
- Store e-liquid properly. Keep bottles capped, cool and out of sunlight so nothing goes to waste. Here is how long vape juice lasts.
- Shop the deals. Check our vape deals page before you stock up, and compare prices across our full vape juice range.
- Look after your gear. Clean your tank regularly, protect your batteries and skip cheap knockoff hardware that fails early. Start with how to clean your tank.
Where the Zamplebox Club fits in
The Zamplebox Club is a monthly vape box curated to your taste. You choose your nicotine strength and the flavor families you like, and each month you get 30 ml bottles picked for you, each with a short reason it made the cut.
- 3 Bottle Box — three 30 ml bottles, $23.99 a month
- 6 Bottle Box — six 30 ml bottles, $33.99 a month
- 12 Bottle Box — twelve 30 ml bottles, $53.99 a month
- Salt Nic Box — four 30 ml bottles of nicotine salts, $39.99 a month
- Big Juice Box — four 100 ml+ bottles, $49.99 a month
- Disposable Vape Box — three disposable devices, $39.99 a month
There is also a Salt Nic Box for pod systems, a Big Juice Box for heavy sub-ohm use, and a Disposable Vape Box with three devices.
The club helps you avoid waste, too. You can swap any bottle before your box ships, mark flavors as never send, and skip a month or pause when you have plenty on hand. You can cancel anytime with no fees. Learn more in how ZampleBox works.
Common questions
Is vaping always cheaper than smoking?
Not always. It depends on your device, how much you vape, what you pay for vape juice and local taxes. A refillable device with bottled vape juice is usually the most economical option, and disposables usually cost the most over time.
What is the cheapest way to vape?
For most people, a refillable device with bottled vape juice and well-maintained coils. Rebuildable atomizers cut coil costs further, but they take tools and know-how.
How much vape juice will I use?
It depends on your device. Mouth-to-lung pod systems use relatively little, while sub-ohm tanks can go through a lot. Track your use for a week to get a realistic number.
Should I switch from smoking to save money?
Cost is only one part of that decision. Nicotine is addictive, no vaping product is FDA-approved as a quit-smoking aid, and public-health bodies disagree on the details. If you smoke and are thinking about switching, talk to your doctor first.
WARNING: This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical. For adults 21+ only.