Starting out with vaping can feel overwhelming. Walk into any vape shop and you're immediately faced with hundreds of devices, dozens of brands, nicotine strengths nobody explained to you, and a whole vocabulary that makes no sense yet.

We've been helping beginners find their first vape at our Delta store since 2015. This guide cuts through all of it — no jargon, no pressure, just a straight answer to the question we get asked most: "Where do I even start?"

First — The Two Questions That Decide Everything

Before you look at a single device, answer these honestly:

1. Did you smoke cigarettes before this?

This matters more than anything else. Ex-smokers need a device that closely mimics the feel of a cigarette — a tight, punchy draw with higher nicotine. New-to-nicotine beginners need something much smoother and lighter, otherwise vaping will feel harsh and unpleasant from day one.

2. Do you want zero maintenance, or are you okay with a tiny bit of upkeep to save a lot of money?

Disposables require nothing — open, vape, done. Refillables require you to fill a pod with e-juice every few days and swap the pod every few weeks. Two minutes of effort. But refillables cost dramatically less over time. Your answer here shapes everything below.

Path 1 — Zero Maintenance: Start With a Disposable

Disposables are the easiest entry point into vaping. No filling, no charging hassle (most are USB-C rechargeable), no settings to figure out. Open it, inhale, and it works. When it's done, it's done.

The key is matching the type of hit to your background. There are two categories — Intense and Smooth — and picking the wrong one is the most common beginner mistake.

If You Smoked Cigarettes — Start Here: Fog Formula 1600 — $20.00

This is the device we hand to more ex-smokers than anything else in our store — and our best-selling product for years running. The Fog Formula delivers what's called an Intense or Hybrid hit — a punchy, tight draw that feels remarkably close to a cigarette. At 20mg nicotine, the satisfaction is immediate and genuine.

This matters enormously if you're switching from smoking. Devices that feel too light or too airy often fail to satisfy, and people go straight back to cigarettes. The Fog Formula's intensity is the bridge that makes the transition work.

At $20 and 1,600 puffs it lasts 2–3 days for a typical new vaper — long enough to genuinely try vaping without a big commitment. With 32 flavour options covering tobacco, menthol, fruit ice, and dessert profiles, you'll find something that works.

Honest trade-off: the Fog Formula 1600 is the most expensive form of vaping per mL of e-juice. It's a great trial device, not a long-term strategy. Think of it as your test run.

If You Never Smoked Cigarettes — Start Here: BECO Slim 10K — $19.99

This is our go-to recommendation for beginners who have never smoked. The BECO Slim delivers a smooth, clean hit — easy on the throat, flavour-forward, and genuinely enjoyable without any harshness. A customer put it perfectly: "Small and perfect. Rips very smoothly and taste is amazing."

An intense cigarette-like hit would likely be too much for a fresh beginner — it can feel harsh, cause coughing, and put you off vaping entirely. The BECO Slim's smooth draw is designed for exactly this situation. At 10,000 puffs from a $19.99 device that fits in any pocket, it's also exceptional value for a first device. Rechargeable via USB-C, sleek aluminum finish, 8 flavours.

Not sure which category you fall into? Browse our full Smooth Disposables collection — these are all devices with a gentler, more flavour-focused draw. Any of them work well for new-to-nicotine beginners.

Path 2 — Smart Long-Term: Start With a Refillable

If you've read our other posts you already know the math — a device that costs $20–$50 once, paired with a $27.99 bottle of e-juice per month plus a $5 coil, brings your monthly spend to roughly $32.99. That's significantly cheaper than regular disposable use, and the experience is equal or better.

The small trade-off is filling your pod every few days. Genuinely — that's it. Modern refillable pod systems are designed to be as simple as possible.

Nicotine Strength for Refillable Beginners — Important

Unlike disposables which come fixed at 20mg, refillables give you a choice. Here's our honest guidance:

• Ex-smokers: Start at 20mg Salt Nic. You need that nicotine level to satisfy cravings and make the switch stick. Going lower early is a common mistake that leads people back to cigarettes.
• New to nicotine: We recommend starting at 12mg Salt Nic. It gives you a genuinely satisfying vape without being overwhelming. You can always go lower (6mg, 3mg) as you get comfortable, or stay at 12mg — many vapers do.
• Just want the flavour, not the nicotine: 0mg and 3mg options are available. Start wherever feels right.

Best for Beginners Who Want Disposable Simplicity — Uwell Caliburn G5 Lite — $19.99

Our top recommendation for beginners going the refillable route from day one. Same price as a Fog Formula — but this device lasts years. Draw-activated with no button, just like a disposable. A simple LED shows your battery level. Fill the pod, vape, refill when it's empty. That's the entire operation.

Pair it with a 12mg or 20mg Salt Nic e-juice and the experience is smooth, satisfying, and very beginner-friendly. One pod handles roughly one 30mL bottle of e-juice before needing replacement.

Best for Beginners Who Want More Control — Uwell Caliburn G4 — Our Staple Starter Kit

Our most recommended starter kit for beginners ready to get serious about vaping. Adjustable wattage means you can dial your draw tighter or airier — something no disposable can offer. Long battery, easy-fill pods, optional button (draw-activate if you prefer the disposable feel). The sweet spot between simplicity and customization, and our consistent top-selling refillable.

Best for Beginners Who Love Compact Boxy Devices — Uwell Caliburn G4 PRO KOKO

If the square, boxy shape of devices like the Frutti Bar appeals to you, the KOKO is the refillable equivalent — and significantly more capable. A 2.0" HD touchscreen, 2000mAh battery, 35W of power, stunning colour options. The most technically impressive beginner-friendly device we carry. It looks premium, and it is.

Which E-Juice to Start With

Going the refillable route? Here are our two most recommended starting e-juices:

Flavour Beast Salt Nic — $27.99 — Our #1 selling e-juice. Over 75 flavour options derived directly from their disposable lineup. Available in 20mg for ex-smokers and lower strengths for fresh beginners. If you've tried a Flavour Beast disposable and liked the flavour, you'll get the exact same profile here in bottle form.

GCore Salt Nic — $27.99 — Our #2 seller. Versatile flavour range, smooth delivery, and the favourite of customers switching from GCore disposables. Available in multiple nicotine strengths.

The Quick Decision Table

Three Things Every Beginner Should Know

1. Intense vs Smooth — know which one you need. Intense devices (Fog Formula, BECO Slim Intense) deliver a tight, punchy draw — great for ex-smokers. Smooth devices (BECO Slim, Frutti Bar) are airier and flavour-forward — better for fresh beginners. Choosing the wrong type is the most common beginner mistake and the main reason people think vaping "isn't for them."

2. Let your coil prime before the first puff. On a refillable, after filling your pod for the first time, let it sit for 5 minutes before vaping. This lets e-juice saturate the coil and prevents a burnt taste on your very first pull. Takes 5 minutes, makes a big difference.

3. Don't chain vape. Take a draw, wait 10–15 seconds, then another. Especially important in the first few weeks. Chain vaping overheats the coil, burns through liquid faster, and can deliver more nicotine than you expected. Take it slow when you're starting out.

Come In — We'll Set You Up Right

If you're in the Lower Mainland and want to talk through your options in person, come visit us. We'll ask you the same two questions from the top of this post and put the right device in your hands — no pressure, no upsell, just honest advice from people who've been doing this since 2015.

📍 11951 88 Ave, Delta, BC, V4C 3C9
📞 778-591-9754

Prefer to order from home? We offer same-day local delivery across the Lower Mainland, 363 days a year.

• Shop Smooth Disposables →
• Shop Intense Disposables →
• Shop Beginner Starter Kits →
• Shop Flavour Beast Salt Nic →

— Neil Singh, Futuristic Vapes
Established 2015 · Delta, BC · Same-day local delivery across the Lower Mainland