Aspire vs Gold Bar : Comparing Devices, Price, Performance (2025)
The epic showdown: Aspire vs Gold Bar . We're here to dissect every puff, flavor, and cloud.
But how do they compare against each other in terms of product range, performance, flavors, value, and more?
Whether you're on team Aspire or rooting for Gold Bar , this detailed comparison guide is packed with juicy details!
And stick around, because we've got a twist for you – nicotine-free vapes from Cyclone Pods. Safer, smoother, and even more satisfying.
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Further Reading: Discover more through: Learn more with these references: |
A Quick Intro to Aspire and Gold Bar
One of the global leaders in vape brands, Aspire boasts more than a decade of R&D and manufacturing in electronic atomization products. Aspire offers a wide range of vaping devices, including pods, tanks, and mods, in over 30 countries, including the USA, through a network of over 150 distributors.
Crafted by the UK-based manufacturer Vape Gold, Gold Bar is known for their opulent vaping devices with a recognizable gold finish. Their lineup includes sleek disposable vapes and pod systems, available in a variety of flavors and a 20mg to 50mg nicotine strength. They’re simple (with few frills) but user friendly and highly portable for the everyday, casual vaper.
Brand History and Background of Aspire and Gold Bar
Let’s look at how the two brands evolved.
Established in 2010, Aspire traces its origins back to Shenzen, China. It is a brand owned by Shenzhen Eigate Technology Co., Ltd. The company is famous for developing several of the industry’s first technologies, such as the ‘Capillary System E-liquid Conduction.’ In 2021, Aspire was among the four e-cigarette brands that the US FDA requested social media marketing details from, due to concerns about vape marketing practices targeting youth.
Gold Bar is a relatively new brand founded in 2023 by Patrick James Taylor. The brand emphasizes elegance and sophistication, alongside high performance and careful quality control. Specific details about their regulatory compliance are limited. They seem to comply with the United Kingdom’s TPD (Tobacco Products Directive), and haven’t received any publicly available warnings from the US FDA. However, this lack of information doesn't guarantee product safety. It may indicate that Gold Bar, being a young brand, hasn’t yet attracted FDA scrutiny or received premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) approval.
Aspire vs Gold Bar Comparison Summary
Take a quick look at the features of Aspire and Gold Bar vapes before we get into the details:
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Aspire |
Gold Bar |
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Product Range |
Pod systems: Raga AIO (All-In-One), Flexus, Cyber, Gotek, and Fluffi Series Sub-ohm tanks and mods: Huracan, Veynom, and Proteus Series |
Gold Bar 600 Disposables (TPD) Gold Bar Reload Prefilled Pod Kit (TPD) Gold Bar Apollo Prefilled Pod Kit (TPD) Gold Bar 24Seven Disposables (Note: Availability differs by country)
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Nicotine-free options available? |
No (most Aspire vapes are recommended to be used with nic salt e-liquids) |
No |
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Device Quality & Build |
Classic design theme, tactile PU and modern metal aesthetics, ergonomic design, vibrant colors, TFT Color/OLED screen (in select devices) |
Sleek, matte gold finish, ergonomic black mouthpiece, aluminium and plastic construction |
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Battery Capacity |
Minican 3 Pro Vape Kit: 900mAh Cyber X Pod Kit: 1000mAh Flexus Blok: 1200mAh BP Stik: 2500mAh R1 Disposable: 650mAh |
Gold Bar 600 Disposables: 500mAh Gold Bar Reload Prefilled Pod Kit: 650mAh Gold Bar Apollo Prefilled Pod Kit: 1000mAh Gold Bar 24Seven Disposables: 850mAh |
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Pod Capacity, Nicotine Strength |
Raga AIO: 4.5ml BP Stik: 5ml PCTG reservoir Cyber S: 2ml/3ml (depending on the limit set by local regulations like TPD and CRC) Aspire typically recommends using their vapes with nicotine salt e-liquids ranging from 5-20mg nicotine strength |
Gold Bar 600 Disposables: 2ml, 20mg/ml (2%) Gold Bar Reload Prefilled Pod Kit: 2ml, 20mg/ml (2%) Gold Bar Apollo Prefilled Pod Kit: 2ml + 5ml refill tank, 20mg/ml (2%) Gold Bar 24Seven Disposables: 20ml, 50mg/ml (5%) |
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Number of Puffs per Pod |
Raga AIO, BP Stik, Cyber S: 500 puffs Aspire R1 Refillable Disposable Vape: 3500 puffs |
Gold Bar 600 Disposables: 600 puffs Gold Bar Reload Prefilled Pod Kit: 600 puffs Gold Bar Apollo Prefilled Pod Kit: 20,000 puffs Gold Bar 24Seven Disposables: 24,000 puffs |
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Charging Time |
Raga AIO: Around 1-1.5 hours |
Gold Bar Reload Prefilled Pod Kit: 1 hour 45 mins Gold Bar Apollo Prefilled Pod Kit: Fast charging time not specified Gold Bar 24Seven Disposables: Fast charging time not specified |
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Safety Features |
Precision airflow, Aspire ASP chipset, overheat protection, low voltage protection |
LED indicator, no firing button (inhale activation), short-circuit protection, overcharge protection, age verification at purchase, batch number product verification |
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Device and Pod Cost |
P Stik: $24.57 Flexus AIO Kit: $32.40 Gotek Pro: $20.25 Cyber G Pod Kit: $18.99 Onemore X1: $13.98 (prices from online Aspire store) |
Gold Bar 600 Disposables: £6 or $8 Gold Bar Reload Prefilled Pod Kit: £6 (~$8) for the starter kit; £6 (~$8) for 2 x pods Gold Bar Apollo Prefilled Pod Kit: £9 (~$12) for the starter kit; £5 (~$7) per refill pack Gold Bar 24Seven Disposables: ~$13 to $19 |
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Customer Support and Warranty |
90 days |
6 months (devices) |
Now let’s compare these brands in detail:
1. Design and Aesthetics
Aspire vapes are sleek with a modern design, with a focus on sustainability and performance. For instance, the Raga AIO is built from sustainable nylon ceramic material which is strong, durable, and sports a high-end look and feel. Some Aspire vapes, such as the Hurricane series, feature ergonomic, metal aesthetics with TFT color screens for added visual appeal. A few drawbacks include the stiffness of the airflow control ring in the Aspire Nautilus 2, which could affect the vaping experience. Also, having to remove the Breeze 2’s mouthpiece for airflow adjustment makes the design less intuitive than it could be.
Gold Bar devices feature a sophisticated gold finish and a compact, rectangular shape with rounded edges for ergonomic handling. They’re highly portable and hassle free, with no buttons or screens, making them very user-friendly. However, the simple design won’t impress users who enjoy bells and whistles like digital displays and advanced safety protections.
2. Performance and Battery Life
Aspire vapes offer reliable performance and battery life. For instance, the Aspire AVP features a 700mAh battery that lasts a full day on medium to high strength nic salts. The device provides consistent output and charges in about 50 minutes, offering pass-thru vaping while charging. However, some users may find the lack of adjustable airflow a drawback. Similarly, the Cyber G vape pen comes with an 850mAh battery, offering nearly two full pods of vaping on a single charge, showcasing impressive battery life for its size.
Gold Bar’s battery capacities range from 500mAh (non-rechargeable) to 1,000mAh (rechargeable), offering decent longevity for casual use. However, some users report slower charging times compared to similar devices. The reusable batteries in Reload and Apollo kits support environmental sustainability. They use USB-C charging for convenience. Meanwhile, the disposables are single-use, including the batteries.
3. Longevity
Most of the Aspire vapes, like Raga AIO, BP Stik, and Cyber S, offer close to 500 puffs per pod. Similarly, the R1 Refillable Disposable Vape offers up to 3500 puffs per pod. Aspire coils are designed to last longer than traditional ones, with users reporting extended periods of use before needing a replacement, depending on their vaping habits and type of e-liquid used. With proper care and maintenance, Aspire devices can last between 6 and 24 months.
The average puff count per ml for pod-based vapes is around 300 puffs. So, the Gold Bar 600 Disposable and Reload are right on par with industry standards and offer decent longevity. The 24Seven Disposable is packed with puffs but it only sports an 850mAh battery, which could mean frequent recharging. Meanwhile, the Gold Bar Apollo shines with an impressive 20,000 puffs and the highest battery capacity (from this brand) at a relatively low price.
4. Flavor Selection and Nicotine Options
Aspire offers a diverse range of flavor selections to cater to different preferences and tastes. Some popular flavor categories include fruit, beverages (tea and coffee), tobacco, and menthol.
Gold Bar offers an extensive flavor selection across its product ranges: Across the devices, you can find mainly fruity flavors with some minty and tobacco profiles in the mix. However, users may find the pod vape and 24Seven flavor ranges disappointing compared to their vast 600 Disposable range.
5. Vaping Experience
Aspire vapes have innovative coil technologies like the BVC (Bottom Vertical Coil) and mesh coils, which lead to efficient e-liquid absorption and heating. So, you get a consistent and satisfying vaping experience. In terms of throat hit, Aspire vapes cater to diverse preferences, offering options for mouth-to-lung (MTL), direct-to-lung (DTL), and restricted direct-to-lung (RDTL) vaping. But, there are a couple of issues too. The limited 2ml capacity of the Nautilus 2 might frustrate heavy users due to frequent refills. The Aspire AVP is often criticized for lacking adjustable airflow and difficulty in filling with thicker nozzles, and so on.
Gold Bar vapes provide a smooth throat hit and consistent vapor production with a relatively airy draw. They’re great if you enjoy simplicity and ease-of-use. However, if you are a cloud head or love to customize your vaping experience (such as adjustable airflow or power), you may find the experience less satisfying.
6. Health and Safety Concerns
Aspire claims to conduct rigorous safety checks to ensure a safe vaping experience. However, most of their products are recommended to be used with nicotine e-liquids. And nicotine is known to be a highly addictive stimulant that can harm respiratory and cardiovascular health.
Gold Bar vapes offer devices with 20mg (UK) or 50mg (US) nicotine strength, lacking nicotine-free options, which may not suit users seeking to avoid nicotine. Nicotine is highly addictive and can pose a risk to cardiovascular health. The brand also doesn't clearly share what's in their e-liquids, which might worry vapers who prioritize their health.
7. Regulatory Compliance and Legal Issues
Aspire has faced some regulatory compliance and legal issues in the US market. For instance, the FDA raised concerns about Aspire importing new tobacco products, such as Aspire Breeze, without premarket authorization. In the UK market, Aspire vape pods were found non-compliant with certain vape regulations that mandate tanks with a maximum of 2ml capacity, nicotine strength under 20mg/ml, and display of manufacturer details and health warnings.
Gold Bar complied with TPD regulations, which, among other points, limits tanks to 2ml. However, they have used a common loophole for their Apollo pod kit, providing multiple 2ml tanks that can attach to the device at once. The TPD regulations are enforced for consumer protection, so this workaround may be something to take note of. But, there’s little information regarding Gold Bar’s compliance with the US FDA.
Note: Consumers must also verify adherence to the latest local laws prior to any purchase of devices from these brands.
8. Nicotine Content
Most Aspire vapes are recommended to be used with nicotine salt e-liquids ranging from 5-20mg in strength. Some of Aspire’s sub-ohm devices, such as Revvo Mini Tank, are more compatible with low nicotine e-liquid. But, vape pods, such as Cobble and Breeze 2, with high ohm ratings and low wattage, can also be used for low-nicotine e-liquids.
Gold Bar vapes use nicotine salts, offering a smooth and satisfying hit with a nicotine strength of 20mg/ml for all TPD devices. The 24Seven vape is not TPD compliant (not sold in the UK), and contains 50mg/ml (5%) nicotine.
9. Compatibility with Other Products
Many Aspire are compatible with third-party pods and accessories, allowing you to customize your vaping setup according to your preferences.
Gold Bar products are designed as standalone systems, meaning their pods and devices are not compatible with other brands. However, the rechargeable devices use a standard USB-C charger, making charging convenient and compatible with commonly available cables.
10. Availability and Accessibility
Aspire vapes are easily available online and in local vape stores in the US, UK, and other regions. While location-based restrictions may apply in other areas, Aspire products are generally accessible to vapers worldwide through authorized retailers and online platforms.
Gold Bar vapes are primarily available in the UK through online retailers and select vape shops. They can be hard to come by in the US, though some online wholesalers sell the 24Seven disposable.
11. Cost vs. Quality
Aspire balances cost and quality, providing durable and reliable products at competitive prices. For example, devices like the Aspire Minican and the AVP series, are well-known in the vaping community for their reasonable prices and reliable performance. However, users must note that Aspire warranty coverage may not include coils or accessories, which may lead to additional replacement costs.
Gold Bar vapes generally align with standard market value, offering 600-puff disposables for $8 to 24,000 puff disposables for around $13 to $19. However, a few factors (like limited customizability and lack of transparency around ingredients) can make alternatives appealing at a similar price point.
Pros and Cons of Aspire and Gold Bar
To summarize, here are the benefits and drawbacks of both these brands:
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Pros of Aspire |
Cons of Aspire |
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Pros of Gold Bar |
Cons of Gold Bar |
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In short, both Aspire and Gold Bar stand out in the vaping market with their unique strengths and offerings.
However, both Aspire and Gold Bar are not without their regulatory challenges.
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