Elf Bar vs LOST MARY: Features, Price + More (2024)
The epic showdown: Elf Bar vs LOST MARY. 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 LOST MARY, 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: Discover more through: |
A Quick Intro to Elf Bar and LOST MARY
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.
Headquartered in Shenzhen, China, LOST MARY has a product lineup that includes disposable and rechargeable vapes and pods. Ideal for the on-the-go vaper, these devices offer a satisfying experience for both beginners and seasoned vapers.
Brand History and Background of Elf Bar and LOST MARY
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.”
Founded in 2021, LOST MARY quickly established itself as a go-to brand for disposable vapes and gained popularity for its diverse flavor offerings. However, 2023 brought challenges when Booker Group, a British wholesale distributor, withdrew Lost Mary BM600 disposable pods. This was followed by Daily Mail’s investigation that revealed some Elf Bar products contained tank capacities above the legal limit for the UK market. Since Elf Bar and Lost Mary are owned by the same Chinese firm Shenzhen iMiracle Technology, the products of both brands came under scrutiny. Later in 2023, the brand made headlines again for its sustainable practices by using recyclable materials and eco-friendly packaging.
Elf Bar vs LOST MARY Comparison Summary
Take a quick look at the features of Elf Bar and LOST MARY vapes before we get into the details:
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Elf Bar |
LOST MARY |
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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) |
BM16000, BM600S, BM600S GOLD, BM3500, BM5000, BM600, MO10000, MO5000, OS5000 COSMIC EDITION, OS5000, OS4000, MT15000 TURBO, QM600, AM600, CM1500 (Disposables) LOST MARY CD, PSYPER, TAPPO AIR, TAPPO, DM1200 (Rechargeable pod systems)
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Nicotine-free options available? |
Yes |
Yes (OS5000, BM600, and BM3500) |
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Device Quality & Build |
Minimalist design, compact, round edges, sturdy body, plastic construction. |
Portable vapes with smooth, durable aluminum bodies |
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Battery Capacity |
Elf Bar disposable range (non-rechargeable): ≈ 600 mAh Elf Bar disposable range (rechargeable): ≈ 650 mAh |
BM16000: 650 mAh MO5000: 500 mAh OS5000 COSMIC EDITION: 550 mAh MT15000 TURBO: 600 mAh CM1500: 850 mAh DM1200: 850 mAh TAPPO AIR: 750 mAh LOST MARY CD: 650 mAh |
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Pod Capacity, Nicotine Strength |
BC5000: 9.5-13ml of e-liquid. TE6000: 13ml Mate 500: 1.2ml Nicotine strengths (US): Nicotine Strengths (UK): |
BM600S: 2 ml, 20 mg/ml MO5000: 50 mg/ml QM600: 2 ml, 20 mg/ml AM600: 2 ml, 20 mg/ml CM1500: 5%, 2% DM1200: 2 ml, 20 mg/ml TAPPO AIR: 2 ml, 0 mg/ml or 10 mg/ml or 20 mg/ml PSYPER: 50 mg/ml |
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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 |
BM16000: Up to 16000 MO10000: Up to 10000 OS5000 COSMIC EDITION: Up to 7500 MT15000 TURBO: Up to 15000 QM600: Up to 600 AM600: Up to 600 CM1500: Up to 1500 DM1200: 1200 LOST MARY CD: Up to 12000 PSYPER: Up to 5500 |
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Charging Time |
30 - 90 minutes |
1-2 hours |
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Safety Features |
LED indicator, auto-shutoff, overcharge protection, overheat protection |
LED indicator, auto-shutoff, and age verification at purchase |
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Device and Pod Cost |
BC5000: $15.00 TE6000: $9.99 Pi9000:$21.00 |
BM16000: $31.99 BM5000: $15.99 MO10000: $19.99 MO5000: $15.99 OS5000: $15.99 MT15000 TURBO: $29.99 LOST MARY CD: $23.99 PSYPER: $10.99 |
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Customer Support and Warranty |
6 months |
1 year |
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.
LOST MARY devices have an innovative design with dynamic battery indicators in green, blue, red, and orange. Most devices are equipped with the dual mesh coil and are available in contrasting color combinations.
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.
LOST MARY vapes offer a mixed bag in terms of performance and battery life. Models like DM1200 and CM1500 stand out with their 850 mAh batteries, promising longer sessions. On the other hand, MO5000 with its 500 mAh battery may not be the best option for heavy vapers.
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:
LOST MARY's vape lineup offers a wide range of puff count, from 600 to a whopping 16,000, appealing to different user needs. However, the longevity of each device heavily leans on a particular model’s battery capacity, and not just the puff count. While BM16000 promises an impressive puff count of up to 16000, its 650 mAh battery may be a limiting factor. Alternately, DM1200 offers only 1200 puffs but comes with a powerful 850 mAh battery that’s designed for longer sessions.
4. Flavor Selection and Nicotine Options
Elf Bar has an almost endless flavor range. However, we can break them down into five major categories:
LOST MARY disposables come in different fruit-based and tobacco flavors, including watermelon, kiwi, blueberry, banana, coffee, apple, lime, and more.
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.
LOST MARY vapes are a good option for both cloud chasers and flavor aficionados. Quite a few models, including DM1200, TAPPO AIR, LOST MARY CD, and QM600, are designed using the QUAQ mesh technology – key to better flavor and vapor production. PSYPER pod devices come with adjustable airflow control giving users a personalized vaping experience.
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.
LOST MARY vapes come with the risk of developing a nicotine dependency and being exposed to other harmful compounds. Particularly, their disposables containing 5% nicotine present a considerable risk for addiction. However, if you want a safer vaping option, the brand offers nicotine-free alternatives in the US and UK.
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.
Besides the regulatory issues we mentioned earlier, in December 2023, the US FDA issued a warning letter to LOST MARY on the grounds of selling unauthorized e-cigarettes and violating vape regulations. Around the same time, NJOY, a rival company, sued LOST MARY, arguing that the latter didn't have the FDA's legit permission to sell their products.
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.
LOST MARY vapes offer a range of nicotine levels, from 0 mg/ml for those seeking a nicotine-free experience to a robust 50 mg/ml for those who like a stronger hit. The choice of nicotine concentrations ensure smooth delivery for casual vapers as well as satisfying throat hits for those wanting a higher nicotine dose.
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.
LOST MARY’s disposable vapes come with pre-filled pods and aren’t meant to be refilled or replaced. If you’re looking for customizable vaping experiences, explore other devices that pair with third-party interchangeable pods and e-liquids. Likewise, charging LOST MARY vapes with chargers that aren't specifically made for these devices can lead to risks like overcharging, short-circuiting, or damaging the battery.
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.
LOST MARY products can be bought in retail stores (in the US) and online stores (in the US, UK, Switzerland, France, and other European countries). However, regulatory restrictions tied to specific locations can impact their availability and distribution.
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.
LOST MARY offers both high-end and affordable products, ranging from $10.99 for pod systems like PSYPER to $31.99 for disposables like BM16000. The varied price points cater to diverse user needs, offering value for both budget-conscious users and vapers seeking premium, advanced devices.
Pros and Cons of Elf Bar and LOST MARY
To summarize, here are the benefits and drawbacks of both these brands:
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Pros of Elf Bar |
Cons of Elf Bar |
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Pros of LOST MARY |
Cons of LOST MARY |
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In short, both Elf Bar and LOST MARY stand out in the vaping market with their unique strengths and offerings.
However, both Elf Bar and LOST MARY 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.
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- Exotic flavor blends
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