What to Look For in a First Vape Starter Kit

Feb 09, 2026Amanda Cochrane

What to Look For in a First Vape Starter Kit: Coils, Pods, Charging and E-Liquids

Choosing your first vape starter kit is about finding a balance between simplicity, reliability, and compatibility. With so many device styles available, understanding how kits, coils, pods and e-liquids work together can help adult smokers and vapers make a confident, informed choice.

This guide explains what to look for in a first vape starter kit, using real products and brands available from Vape Dinner Lady.

1. Device Type: Pod Kits vs Pen-Style Kits

Most beginner kits fall into two main categories: pod systems and pen-style kits. Both are designed to be easy to use, but each suits different preferences.

Pod Systems (Compact & Low Maintenance)

Pod kits are one of the most popular choices for beginners because they are:

Compact and lightweight
Easy to refill or replace
Designed for low-wattage use

Examples available on Vape Dinner Lady include:

Aspire Pixo Aura Kit – slim, pocket-friendly and refillable
Aspire Flexus Pro Pod Kit – refillable pod system with replaceable pods or coils
Innokin ArcFire Pod Kit – simple draw-activated pod kit designed for everyday use

These devices are typically used with 50:50 e-liquids or nicotine salts.

Pen-Style Kits (Familiar Feel & Simplicity)

Pen-style kits are cylindrical devices that many beginners find intuitive to use.
The Innokin Endura T18X Kit, available on Vape Dinner Lady, is a good example of a straightforward pen-style vape designed for mouth-to-lung (MTL) use.

Pen kits often:

Have a single button or draw activation
Use higher-resistance coils
Pair well with 50:50 e-liquids

2. Coils: The Core of Your Device

The coil is the part of the device that heats the e-liquid. Choosing a beginner kit with easy-to-replace coils is important for ongoing use.

What beginners should look for:

Higher-resistance coils (commonly 1.0Ω or above)
Clearly labelled compatibility
Easy push-fit or screw-in replacement

Examples stocked by Vape Dinner Lady include:

Aspire Nautilus Coils – designed for MTL vaping and compatible with Aspire tanks
Innokin ArcFire Replacement Pods – pre-built pods with integrated coils

Replacing coils or pods regularly helps maintain consistent performance and flavour.

3. Pods vs Replaceable Coils

Some beginner devices use replaceable coils, while others use pods with built-in coils.

Replaceable coils (e.g. Aspire Nautilus coils) allow you to keep the same pod or tank and change only the coil
Built-in coil pods (e.g. Innokin ArcFire pods) are replaced as a complete unit

Built-in pod systems are often simpler for first-time users, while replaceable-coil systems offer more flexibility long term.

4. Battery Capacity & Charging

Beginner vape kits sold by Vape Dinner Lady typically use built-in rechargeable batteries, removing the need for separate battery handling.

Key features to look for:

USB or USB-C charging
Clear charging indicators
Battery capacity suitable for daily use

Examples include:

FUYL ESD Pod Battery and Charger – designed specifically for FUYL pod systems
Dinner Lady Pod Device Battery – compatible with Dinner Lady pod products

Built-in batteries keep starter kits safer and easier to manage.

5. Choosing the Right E-Liquids for a Starter Kit

Not all e-liquids suit all devices. Beginner kits generally work best with thinner e-liquids.

Best Options for Beginners

50:50 10 ml E-Liquids – balanced PG/VG for low-wattage devices
Nicotine Salts (50:50) – smoother delivery in pod kits

Popular examples available on Vape Dinner Lady include:

Lemon Tart 50:50 10 ml
Original Tobacco 50:50 10 ml
Key Lime Tart Nic Salts
Grape Nic Salts

Always check product descriptions to ensure compatibility with your device and coil.

6. Replacement Pods & Long-Term Use

A good first vape kit should be easy to maintain over time. Before choosing a device, it’s worth checking:

Replacement pods or coils are readily available
Multiple flavours or nicotine strengths are compatible
Batteries and chargers are easy to replace if needed

Vape Dinner Lady stocks replacement pods and accessories for Aspire, Innokin, FUYL and Dinner Lady-branded devices, making long-term use straightforward.

A good first vape starter kit should be easy to use, easy to charge, simple to maintain, and compatible with beginner-friendly e-liquids. Pod kits like the Aspire Pixo Aura and Innokin ArcFire, pen-style kits like the Innokin Endura T18X, and Dinner Lady and FUYL pod systems all offer accessible starting points for adult smokers and vapers.

By understanding how devices, coils, pods and e-liquids work together, choosing your first kit becomes far less overwhelming.

Explore the full range of vape kits here:
https://www.vapedinnerlady.com/collections/vape-kits