Choosing your e-cigarette as a beginner
Quitting smoking is a major challenge for many smokers, and the e-cigarette has become the most popular alternative among French people to ease this transition. With a multitude of kits available on the market (pod, box, puff), it is essential to choose the right equipment and e-liquids in order to maximize your chances of success.
In this category you will find the various options available to you for an optimal vaping experience to help you break free from tobacco.
Choosing your e-cigarette for a tobacco-free life
Choosing the right starter kit to get off to a good start
Choosing a good starter kit is crucial for getting off to a good start with vaping and increasing your chances of successfully quitting smoking. Here are the main criteria to consider:
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Ease of use: opt for an easy-to-use kit, especially if you are a beginner. For this, a pod or an automatic e-cigarette with a built-in battery offers a perfect solution;
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Battery life: a battery with a good capacity (expressed in mAh) will allow you to vape all day without frequent recharging. We recommend opting for a battery with a minimum of 600 mAh to meet your needs for several hours. If you still prefer a small compact kit, opt for an external battery or power bank to recharge at any time of day;
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Draw type: a tight draw (MTL) offers the same sensations as a classic cigarette, while a more airy draw (DL) is an option better suited to vapers who do not need nicotine. A tight draw (MTL) is generally recommended to best mimic a cigarette and can accommodate a high nicotine level;
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Compatibility with e-liquids: some kits are optimized for e-liquids with a high nicotine or nicotine salt content. It all comes down to the coils: the higher the value (1.8 ohm for example), the tighter the draw and the more compatible it is with a high nicotine level; the lower the resistance (0.15 ohm), the more vapor it will produce and the more compatible it will be with nicotine-free e-liquids;
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Value for money: a good balance between performance and cost is essential for a satisfying experience. To that end, Le Vapoteur Discount supports you all year round with the best prices and the best offers on the market for your vape device, your e-liquids, and your coils. Because vaping should never be a matter of compromise when it comes to your budget, and the price of an e-cigarette is no small detail.
Understanding the different e-cigarette formats
There are several types of e-cigarettes, each with its own advantages and disadvantages:
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The pod (the slim, flat e-cigarette): compact and easy to use, the pod kit can be a perfect fit for beginners. This pod can either be automatic, requiring no adjustments or e-liquid refilling, or it can rival complex, advanced e-cigarettes suited to "experts". The pod uses cartridges or tanks, empty or pre-filled with e-liquid. The pod is therefore the ideal companion: sturdy, small in size, it can go anywhere with you and slips into your pocket without being noticed;
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The box mod (large e-cigarette): more powerful and customizable, a box allows you to adjust various parameters such as wattage, temperature, and different settings. Ideal for experienced vapers, some box e-cigarettes can also be used by beginner vapers. Thanks to their battery life, which is often greater than that of a pod, the versatility of their clearomizer making them compatible with nicotine salts, and their "automatic" mode requiring no adjustments, the box e-cigarette adapts to all vaper profiles;
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The tube e-cigarette: also known as a "pen" or "vape pen", it was the first form of e-cigarette to come to market thanks to its resemblance to a traditional cigarette. It offers a good compromise between performance and ease of use, and its format continues to be a good option for many beginner vapers.
The essential components of an e-cigarette
Getting to know the basic components of my kit
An e-cigarette is made up of several essential components:
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The battery: provides the energy needed to heat the e-liquid. Its capacity is expressed in mAh. In the vape market, models generally range from 150 mAh to a maximum of 5000 mAh. The more mAh your battery contains, the longer it will last without recharging. However, bear in mind that this battery life depends on your vaping style, and above all on the value of your coil, which will require more or less power (in watts) and therefore affect battery life. The battery cell (or battery pack) is most often built-in, but removable battery box mods can be found, generally reserved for advanced vapers;
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The atomizer, clearomizer or cartridge: contains the coil, the tank and often the airflow. The clearomizer is the part that holds the e-liquid as well as the essential components for producing vapor, such as the coil. Its tank can hold an average of 2 to 6 ml depending on the model. On a standard clearomizer, you will find a stainless steel body and a pyrex glass tank. For some years now, cartridges (pods) have been good options for beginners as they feature a plastic tank (less breakable) and are easier to maintain;
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The coil, mesh or coil: heats the e-liquid and produces vapor. It consists of a coil of heating wire wound like a spring, surrounded by cotton, which is itself encased in a steel body. The e-liquid saturates the cotton through to the wire. When the wire heats up, it transforms the e-liquid into more or less dense vapor. Its value is expressed in "ohms" and coils range from 1.8 ohm down to 0.15 ohm, requiring more or less power (watts) and producing more or less vapor. These coils are consumables that need to be replaced on average every 10 days to a maximum of 3 weeks;
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The tank: holds the e-liquid. It can be integrated into a clearomizer and be made of pyrex or plastic in a pod cartridge. Tanks hold from 1 ml up to a maximum of 10 ml. Their material is designed to withstand heat and not degrade on contact with e-liquid and nicotine.
Choosing your e-liquid to quit smoking
Selecting the right nicotine level
The choice of nicotine is crucial to satisfy the cravings felt by former smokers and avoid the sensation of "craving" (nicotine withdrawal). Here are some recommendations:
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0 mg/ml (nicotine-free): a great option for non-smokers or vapers who have completely stopped using nicotine. These e-liquids are perfect with sub-ohm type e-cigarettes that produce a lot of vapor;
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3-6 mg/ml: for light smokers (fewer than 10 cigarettes per day);
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9-12 mg/ml: for moderate smokers (10 to 20 cigarettes per day);
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16-20 mg/ml: for heavy smokers (more than 20 cigarettes per day).
Regular nicotine or nicotine salts?
For some years now, nicotine salts have been considered the best option for beginner vapers looking to quit smoking.
This new product has multiple advantages for quitting smoking:
• Better nicotine absorption and faster satisfaction;
• A throat hit close to that of a traditional cigarette;
• Less irritating than regular nicotine;
• Can be used with small e-cigarette models (pod);
• Greater satisfaction with less consumption.
Nicotine salts are therefore a very interesting option for heavy smokers or people wishing to stick with minimalist e-cigarettes.
How do I know if my nicotine level is right for my needs?
It is commonly considered that a reasonable consumption of e-liquid is around 2 to 5 ml. However, it can happen, especially in the early stages of quitting, that this amount is exceeded.
When your nicotine level is too low: if you consume more than 5 ml of e-liquid per day, over several days, it is possible that your nicotine dosage is not high enough. Try the next dosage up and measure your consumption again.
When your nicotine level is too high: if you experience mild headaches, dizziness, or nausea, you will need to reconsider your nicotine dosage and reduce it. If symptoms persist, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Discovering available flavors
E-liquids offer an impressive variety of flavors, ranging from classic to exotic fruits, as well as mint. The choice of these flavors or tastes is an integral part of your approach to quitting smoking. A flavor you enjoy will greatly help you stay committed to your e-cigarette and therefore break free from tobacco.
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Classic flavors: ideal for new vapers looking for an experience close to that of a cigarette;
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Fruity flavors: such as kiwi, mango, strawberry and even rarer fruits like soursop;
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Indulgent flavors: chocolate, caramel or vanilla for dessert;
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Menthol flavors: perfect for a smoother and more controlled throat hit.
Usage tips and maintenance for your kit
Maximizing your battery life
To extend the life of your battery:
Understanding your draw and adjusting your wattage
Adjusting the wattage and draw is essential for a satisfying vaping experience.
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A tight draw (MTL): for a sensation close to that of a classic cigarette. This is also referred to as indirect inhalation, meaning a two-step inhalation. MTL stands for Mouth To Lung. This draw is recommended in the early stages of quitting, as it is compatible with the addition of nicotine;
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An airy draw (DL): for greater vapor production. This is also referred to as direct inhalation, similar to a hookah. A large volume of vapor is inhaled directly into the lungs;
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Adjusting the wattage: depending on the equipment chosen, you will find indications printed on the coil (expressed in watts). You should then adjust the power of your e-cigarette according to this information. If your setting is too low, the e-liquid may flood the coil and leak; if the wattage setting is too high, it could give a burnt taste or wear out your coil too quickly.
Expert and user opinions
Consulting reviews and recommendations
Expert and user reviews can help you choose the best equipment and the most suitable e-liquids for your needs. It is recommended to:
- Read the product descriptions. Generally, beginner equipment is clearly indicated in the catalog;
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Read user reviews and feedback;
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Ask for advice via the chat or in a Le Vapoteur Discount store in Marseille, Cannes or Nice.
The best vape brands for beginners
While manufacturers all compete in creativity to offer you a choice of high-performing vape devices, some brands stand out when it comes to choosing the right kit to quit smoking. Discover all these options in the Le Vapoteur Discount catalog at the best price!
The Wenax Kit by Geekvape: the Wenax is a tube format with a simple-to-use pod cartridge that is perfectly suited to nicotine salts. The Wenax Kit is a compact model from the major brand Geekvape, which was previously better known for its expert sub-ohm devices. With the Wenax, GeekVape proves its expertise by addressing the needs of new vapers.
The Nexi One by Aspire: a pod equipped with pre-filled cartridges and a long battery life. Winner of the Vapexpo 2024 innovation award, Aspire teamed up with Le Vapoteur Discount for the V2 of this excellent kit: the Kit Nexi One Dual LVD. Compared to the Nexi One, the Nexi One Dual offers increased battery life with 1120 mAh. It also comes with 2 vape pens (versus 1 for the Nexi One), and of course it is designed in the image of Le Vapoteur Discount at an unbeatable price.
The Kiwi Go+ Kit by KIWI: the 2025 winner of the best pre-filled pod kit award, the Kiwi Go+ Kit is an ultra-simple tube-format vape device with pod cartridges with integrated coils pre-filled with nicotine salt e-liquids. The Kiwi Go+ offers a battery life of 500 mAh and stands out for its very attractive price and its wide range of available flavor options.
The Luxe Kit by Vaporesso: a range of easy-to-use pod kits equipped with pod cartridges with integrated coils. Building on the success of the first Luxe kit, Vaporesso has expanded this flagship model with various options all compatible with new vapers.
The GTX Kit by Vaporesso: available on the market for several years, the GTX by Vaporesso is a box format with excellent coils accessible to beginner vapers.
Innokin and the Zenith / Zlide clearomizer: designed in collaboration with Phil Busardo, the Zenith by Innokin has, by all accounts, marked a turning point in MTL vaping. Innokin has expanded it into many box models all suited to new vapers. Innokin also offers numerous pods such as the Sceptre Kit, the Trine or the Klypse, which are perfectly suited to nicotine salts.
Voopoo and the Argus & Drag pods: among the prolific manufacturers of devices designed to create non-smokers, Voopoo ranks among the top. Drawing on its experience with pods, Voopoo has created the best-selling Argus and Drag series tailored for beginners.
Le Vapoteur Discount: the best choice for quitting smoking at the best price
The e-cigarette is an effective alternative for quitting smoking, provided you choose the right equipment and e-liquid. By taking your needs into account and following expert advice, you will maximize your chances of success in your transition to a tobacco-free lifestyle.
That is why Le Vapoteur Discount is committed to offering you only the best in vaping at the best price. Because choosing your first e-cigarette is no small matter, don't hesitate to contact us for more information.
Expert advice at Le Vapoteur Discount stores
Why not let the Le Vapoteur Discount stores in Nice, Cannes and Marseille help you choose your first e-cigarette? Find your favorite brands such as GeekVape, Innokin, Aspire, Voopoo and many more, and benefit from advice from vaping professionals at online prices!
Details, opening hours and info on the our stores page