Eleaf vs Gold Bar : Comparing Devices, Price, Performance (2025)
The epic showdown: Eleaf 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 Eleaf 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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A Quick Intro to Eleaf and Gold Bar
Eleaf is a China-based vaping company that offers a wide range of electronic cigarettes, including mods, tanks, and starter kits, catering to both novice and experienced users. They’re known for simple designs at affordable prices.
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 Eleaf and Gold Bar
Let’s look at how the two brands evolved.
Eleaf was founded in Shenzhen in 2011. The 2014 launch of the iStick series, known for its compact design and ease of use, bolstered the company’s reputation among a diverse user base. As the brand evolved, it broadened its offerings with various mods, tanks, and starter kits, prioritizing tech advancement and customer satisfaction. Eleaf has faced regulatory scrutiny from the US FDA and has been subject to health debates, but the company remains focused on product safety and compliance.
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.
Eleaf vs Gold Bar Comparison Summary
Take a quick look at the features of Eleaf and Gold Bar vapes before we get into the details:
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Eleaf |
Gold Bar |
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Product Range |
iStick Series, iJust Series, Pico Series (mod and tank mod vapes) IORE Series, iSOLO Series (pod mods) IORE 500 Disposable, iStick D Disposable (disposable vapes) EN Series, EP Series, GTL Series, MELO Series, GS Series, iJust Series, ELLO Series (tanks) EN Series, EP Series, GTL Series, EC Series, GX Series, GZ Series, HW Series, GT Series, EF Series (coils) (Note: Availability differs by country) |
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 |
No |
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Device Quality & Build |
High-quality, smooth, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, leather (on select products only), and plastic construction |
Sleek, matte gold finish, ergonomic black mouthpiece, aluminium and plastic construction |
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Battery Capacity |
Varies between 1050mAh to 5000mAh, depending on the device Mini iStick 10W: 1050mAh iStick (standard): 2200mAh iStick Power 2: 5000mAh |
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 |
Disposable vape range: 1.5-2.3ml, comes with 50mg (5%) nic salt vape juice Reusable tanks: typically 2-5ml, recommended to be used with 5mg - 20mg nic salt vape juice Reusable pods: 2ml, recommended to be used with 5mg - 20mg nic salt vape juice Disposable pods: 1.5ml, used with 20mg nic salt vape juice |
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 |
IORE 500 Disposable: 500 puffs IORE Lite Disposable pod: 3000 puffs GX Series and MELO series coils: 2000 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 |
Stick Power 2: 120 minutes iStick 30W: 120 minutes iJust Start: 180 minutes |
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 |
Short circuit protection, battery level indicator, automatic shut off, 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 |
iStick range: $22.99 -$53.99 IORE range: $10.09 - $16.09 |
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 limited warranty |
6 months (devices) |
Now let’s compare these brands in detail:
1. Design and Aesthetics
Eleaf vapes are known for their innovative designs and aesthetics across the board. Most Eleaf vapes incorporate tanks into their designs, as well as smooth, flush finishes that give off a sophisticated feel and tone. The IORE range introduced ultra-lightweight pod-based vapes that pack a punch with fast charging and sleek, minimalistic designs. But users have raised some functional issues like inconvenient refill mechanisms on some models, like in the iJust's atomizer design and the iStick P100's overly turbulent and noisy airflow. So, while Eleaf excels in functionality and affordability, there's room for enhancing design, convenience, and overall aesthetic appeal.
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
The battery life of Eleaf products varies depending on the specific model and usage patterns. The Eleaf iStick, for example, features a compact design with a 2200mAh capacity, reaching up to 20W output wattage and adjustable voltage settings. On the other hand, the iStick Power has an impressive 5000mAh battery capacity, supporting up to 80W output and various modes like VW, Bypass, Smart, and TC for different vaping experiences.
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
Eleaf incorporates leather, aluminum, and ABS plastic in its vapes to boost its longevity. However, the longevity of Eleaf products, such as the Eleaf iStick and iCare, varies depending on usage and maintenance. Fortunately, repair and maintenance is easy and convenient, as replacement parts like coils and tanks, pods, and glass tubes are readily available and easy to install.
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
Eleaf offers a diverse range of e-liquid flavors and products designed to enhance the vaping experience:
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
Eleaf vapes allow you to select from a wide range of personalized coils and cutting-edge features like temperature control and power outputs. You can personalize your vape's taste, vapor production, and power output – whether you prefer large, smooth clouds or chasing that throat kick.
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
The Eleaf brand's official website and product pages are upfront about the addictive qualities of nicotine, making it clear that their offerings are strictly for adult users. But, nicotine use is widely associated with addiction, nausea, breathing difficulties, and cardiovascular issues.
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
In 2020, The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning letter to Eleaf USA regarding health and safety concerns associated with their Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS). This letter highlighted issues related to new tobacco products without required marketing authorization, which are considered adulterated and misbranded. Since then, Eleaf has abided by US regulations and continues to sell in the US.
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
Eleaf’s disposable vapes contain either 17mg, 30mg, or 50mg (1.7%, 3%, and 5%) nic salt vape juice in 2.3-4ml capacities. Note: Eleaf pod and mod vapes are compatible with third-party e-liquids of varying strengths (check coil compatibility before use).
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
Eleafs’ proprietary design limits its cross-compatibility with other pods. However, Eleaf devices are compatible with third-party e-liquids.
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
Eleaf products are widely available through various online vape stores and their official online stores across the US and the UK.
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
Eleaf vapes offer a variety of vaping options across different price points. For example, the Eleaf iStick range is priced between $24 and $47. Other Eleaf products with limited features, such as the IOre range, are more cost-effective and are priced between $10 - $16. Eleaf’s disposable vapes are typically around $6.
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 Eleaf and Gold Bar
To summarize, here are the benefits and drawbacks of both these brands:
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Pros of Eleaf |
Cons of Eleaf |
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Pros of Gold Bar |
Cons of Gold Bar |
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In short, both Eleaf and Gold Bar stand out in the vaping market with their unique strengths and offerings.
However, both Eleaf and Gold Bar are not without their regulatory challenges.
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