Elf Bar vs Aspire: Features, Price + More (2024)
The epic showdown: Elf Bar vs Aspire. 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 Elf Bar or rooting for Aspire, 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.
|
Further Reading: Discover more through: Check out these links: |
A Quick Intro to Elf Bar and Aspire
Elf Bars is an electronic cigarette brand that sells disposable vape devices coming in a wide range of flavors, nicotine levels, and sizes. Known for their fruity flavors and colorful appearance, Elf Bars are draw-activated devices, meaning they operate by inhaling through the top of the device. They are rechargeable devices designed to be used and disposed of after their e-liquid has run dry.
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.
Brand History and Background of Elf Bar and Aspire
Let’s look at how the two brands evolved.
Founded in 2018 and owned by parent company iMiracle Technologies, Elf Bar is the brainchild of active CEO Victor Xiao. They’re considered a pioneer in the flavor department of vaping, releasing a wide range of fruity blends and colorful device options. Elf Bar has faced criticism for allegedly marketing the products toward young adults with sweet, candy-like flavors. For this reason, they’re discontinuing several of their flavors in an attempt to curb the rising use of their products by underage people. In the US, they dropped the Elf Bar name because of a trademark dispute and actions taken by regulators to seize its imports. It has been renamed to EBCreate, selling products under the domain “EB Design.”
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.
Elf Bar vs Aspire Comparison Summary
Take a quick look at the features of Elf Bar and Aspire vapes before we get into the details:
|
|
Elf Bar |
Aspire |
|
Product Range |
Elf Bar BC/NC/TE/CR/BM/FB Series (Disposables) Elf Bar CIGALIKE (Disposables) Elf Bar Lux Series (Disposables) Elf Bar T Series (Disposables) Elf Bar 600 (Disposables) Elf Bar Mate Series (Pod Vape) Elf Bar ELFA pro (Pod Vape) ELFIQ E-Liquid (E-Juice) |
Pod systems: Raga AIO (All-In-One), Flexus, Cyber, Gotek, and Fluffi Series Sub-ohm tanks and mods: Huracan, Veynom, and Proteus Series
|
|
Nicotine-free options available? |
Yes |
No (most Aspire vapes are recommended to be used with nic salt e-liquids) |
|
Device Quality & Build |
Minimalist design, compact, round edges, sturdy body, plastic construction. |
Classic design theme, tactile PU and modern metal aesthetics, ergonomic design, vibrant colors, TFT Color/OLED screen (in select devices) |
|
Battery Capacity |
Elf Bar disposable range (non-rechargeable): ≈ 600 mAh Elf Bar disposable range (rechargeable): ≈ 650 mAh |
Minican 3 Pro Vape Kit: 900mAh Cyber X Pod Kit: 1000mAh Flexus Blok: 1200mAh BP Stik: 2500mAh R1 Disposable: 650mAh |
|
Pod Capacity, Nicotine Strength |
BC5000: 9.5-13ml of e-liquid. TE6000: 13ml Mate 500: 1.2ml Nicotine strengths (US): Nicotine Strengths (UK): |
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 |
|
Number of Puffs per Pod |
Mate 500: 500 puffs Elf Bar BC5000 (and BC series): 5000 puffs Elf Bar Cigalike: 400 puffs Elf Bar ELFA Pro: 600 puffs |
Raga AIO, BP Stik, Cyber S: 500 puffs Aspire R1 Refillable Disposable Vape: 3500 puffs |
|
Charging Time |
30 - 90 minutes |
Raga AIO: Around 1-1.5 hours |
|
Safety Features |
LED indicator, auto-shutoff, overcharge protection, overheat protection |
Precision airflow, Aspire ASP chipset, overheat protection, low voltage protection |
|
Device and Pod Cost |
BC5000: $15.00 TE6000: $9.99 Pi9000:$21.00 |
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) |
|
Customer Support and Warranty |
6 months |
90 days |
Now let’s compare these brands in detail:
1. Design and Aesthetics
Elf Bar’s design is sleek and compact, with a rounded, lightweight finish. They are very portable, discrete, and minimalistic. Elf Bars have no buttons or LCD screens - to activate them, you draw on the mouthpiece, making them very user-friendly.
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.
2. Performance and Battery Life
Elf Bars have batteries ranging from 500 - 650 mAh, which packs enough punch to keep you vaping for hours at a time. Their larger vapes typically contain a 650 mAh battery, providing up to 4 days of battery with casual use on a single charge of 90 minutes. Elf Bars come with temperature regulation and overcharge protection.
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.
3. Longevity
There’s a reason Elf Bars are so popular in the vaping world - large batteries and larger tanks. Designed as disposable vapes, Elf Bar lifespans are primarily measured in terms of puffs rather than days. Here are some estimated durations based on usage patterns:
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.
4. Flavor Selection and Nicotine Options
Elf Bar has an almost endless flavor range. However, we can break them down into five major categories:
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.
5. Vaping Experience
Elf Bars offer a flavorful and simplistic vaping experience. Using only nicotine-salt-based e-liquids, Elf Bar vapor is generally soft on the throat and substitutes well for smoking. Being easy to use, with an endless flavor range and a variety of nicotine strengths to choose from, Elf Bar can appeal to a wide audience - veterans and beginners alike.
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.
6. Health and Safety Concerns
Elf Bars are generally considered safer than smoking cigarettes, yet they carry risks of addiction and various health concerns. Nicotine content of 6% in some of their products is great for transitioning smokers, but they can get more and more users addicted to nicotine in no time. These can range from dizziness and nausea to cardiovascular disease, largely due to their high concentrations of liquid nicotine and the general tendency for misuse.
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.
7. Regulatory Compliance and Legal Issues
Elf Bar has faced regulatory compliance and legal issues due to its unauthorized sale in the United States. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warning letters to 189 retailers in 2023 for selling unauthorized tobacco products, including Elf Bar. In addition to the FDA's actions, Elf Bar has faced legal challenges and has been involved in trademark disputes. The company has been forced to drop the Elf Bar name after losing a trademark case to a smaller company.
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.
Note: Consumers must also verify adherence to the latest local laws prior to any purchase of devices from these brands.
8. Nicotine Content Potential
Elf Bars contain varying levels of nicotine, ranging from sub-mild 20mg (2%) all the way up to an astounding 50mg (5%) nicotine. For reference, in the UK, Elf Bars are limited to a maximum nicotine concentration of 20mg/ml (2%) to comply with regulations.
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.
9. Compatibility with Other Products
Elf Bar’s proprietary design limits its cross-compatibility, but its popularity has spurred a market of counterfeit pods and accessories, though these can be hit or miss in terms of quality.
Many Aspire are compatible with third-party pods and accessories, allowing you to customize your vaping setup according to your preferences.
10. Availability and Accessibility
Having found a way to work around the US vape import ban, Elf Bars are widely available in various locations and through multiple channels. They can be found at brick-and-mortar vape shops, convenience stores, petrol stations, and online retailers.
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.
11. Cost vs. Quality
Elf Bars are considered to be a budget-friendly option for disposable vapes, with prices ranging from $5 to $20 depending on the vendor, location, and any promotions or discounts. However, it's important to note that the cost of vaping products should not be the only factor considered when choosing a product.
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.
Pros and Cons of Elf Bar and Aspire
To summarize, here are the benefits and drawbacks of both these brands:
|
Pros of Elf Bar |
Cons of Elf Bar |
|
|
|
|
Pros of Aspire |
Cons of Aspire |
|
|
|
In short, both Elf Bar and Aspire stand out in the vaping market with their unique strengths and offerings.
However, both Elf Bar and Aspire are not without their regulatory challenges.
Now, if you’re on the lookout for a nicotine-free alternative without compromising on the vaping experience, we’ll tell you what’s best.
Cyclone Pods: The Safest, High-Quality, Nicotine-Free Alternative
Cyclone Pods is a game-changer for vapers looking to ditch nicotine without losing the vaping experience. We offer a wide range of nicotine-free vapes, making it easier than ever to cut down or stop nicotine consumption.
Our innovative products include the Surge, and the Gust Super disposable range. Pick from our stunning range of:
- Fruity vapes, including mango vapes, guava vapes, raspberry vapes, and more
- Classic vapes, such as tobacco vapes and mint vapes
- Exotic flavor blends
We use only high-quality flavorings, vegetable glycerin, and propylene glycol in our vape juice giving you big clouds and the purest of flavors. There’s absolutely no vitamin E acetate, diacetyl, or any other addictive substances, including nicotine.
We're committed to providing choices that make your nicotine-free journey both enjoyable and satisfying.
So, why wait?
Find out which nicotine-free vape you’d like to start with now.