Elf Bar vs UWELL: Features, Price + More (2024)

The epic showdown: Elf Bar vs UWELL. 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 UWELL, 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 Elf Bar and UWELL

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.

UWELL, a Shenzhen, China-based company, offers a large line of innovative vape products, from sleek and discreet pod systems to robust and stylish pod-mod vapes – all packed with new tech.

With products marketed in over 80 countries, UWELL has quickly established itself as a leading global vape brand focused on innovation and optimizing user experience.

Some of its popular products include the Caliburn series, the Crown series, and the Nunchaku series.

Brand History and Background of Elf Bar and UWELL

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.”

UWELL, established in 2015, became well-known in the vaping world after launching its Caliburn vape kits in 2019. These kits are designed to provide varied vaping experiences and feature advanced technologies like Pro-FOCS to improve the taste.

The company has been recognized for its technological innovations and awarded with designations like "NATIONAL HIGH-TECH ENTERPRISE" and "SHENZHEN HI-TECH ENTERPRISE" in China.

It received a warning from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2010 against selling products with stealth pockets that can conceal e-cigarettes.

Elf Bar vs UWELL Comparison Summary

Take a quick look at the features of Elf Bar and UWELL vapes before we get into the details:

 

 

Elf Bar

UWELL

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)

Crown, Caliburn, Kalmia, Sculptor, Cravat, Whirl, Popreel, Valyrian SE, Tripod (Pod Vapes)

Crown (M & D), Nunchaku, Havok V1 (Pod Mods)

Crown IV, Valyrian 2 & 3 (Mod Kits)

(Note: Availability differs by country)

 

Nicotine-free options available?

Yes

No

Device Quality & Build

Minimalist design, compact,  round edges, sturdy body, plastic construction.

High-quality, rugged, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, and plastic construction

Battery Capacity

Elf Bar disposable range (non-rechargeable): ≈ 600 mAh

Elf Bar disposable range (rechargeable): ≈ 650 mAh

Varies between 500mAh to 1500mAh, depending on the device

Caliburn Explorer: 1000mAh

Valyrian Pod: 1250mAh

Pod Capacity, Nicotine Strength

BC5000: 9.5-13ml of e-liquid.

TE6000: 13ml

Mate 500: 1.2ml

Nicotine strengths (US): 
- 0mg (0%)
- 20mg (2%)
- 50mg (5%)
- 70mg (7%)

Nicotine Strengths (UK):
- 0mg (0%)
- 10mg (1%)
- 20mg (2%)

Disposable range: 4-20ml, come with 20-50mg nic salt vape juice

Reusable pod vapes: typically 2-4ml, recommended to be used with 5mg - 20mg nic salt vape juice

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

Caliburn Bar: 12,000 puffs
Mirage: 15,000 puffs
Gabriel: 8,000 puffs

Charging Time

30 - 90 minutes

Caliburn GK3, A3, AZ3 Grace, GZ2: 15 mins (2A fast charging)
Whirl F: 45 - 60 mins

Safety Features

LED indicator, auto-shutoff, overcharge protection, overheat protection

Childproof, leak prevention, temperature regulation, auto-shutoff

Device and Pod Cost

BC5000: $15.00

TE6000: $9.99

Pi9000:$21.00

Caliburn range: $17 - $44.99

Crown X Pod Kit: $44.99

Whirl: $17.99

Gabriel BF8000: $17.99

(Prices from online retailers)

Customer Support and Warranty

6 months

6 months

 

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.

UWELL vapes are designed to have a minimalistic aesthetic. Most of UWELL’s products contain translucent shells that display LED lights when in use and side-mounted fillings for easy refills.

To add a playful twist to their collection, their Valyrian range was created as a tribute to the hit TV series Game Of Thrones, with the design resembling the sigil of House Stark.

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.

The battery life of UWELL products varies depending on the specific model and usage patterns.

For instance, the UWELL Caliburn GK3 features a 900mAh internal battery, with reviews indicating it can last through a day of moderate vaping.

Conversely, the UWELL Crown X Pod Kit offers a 1500mAh battery capacity designed for long-lasting use that can potentially extend over a day for heavy vapers.

Moreover, some UWELL devices, like Caliburn Tenet, feature a built-in rechargeable battery, while others, like Crown 5 Tank, require external batteries that can be replaced as needed.

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:

  • Heavy Vapers: 2–4 days, consuming around 4–6 ml of e-liquid daily.
  • Average Vapers: 5–7 days, consuming around 2–4 ml of e-liquid daily.
  • Casual Vapers: 7–10 days, consuming around 1–2 ml of e-liquid daily.

UWELL implements multiple quality control systems to ensure consistent product reliability. This is done per their commitment to providing long-lasting, high-performance vaporizers.

4. Flavor Selection and Nicotine Options

Elf Bar has an almost endless flavor range. However, we can break them down into five major categories:

  • Fruit favors
  • Beverage flavors
  • Candy flavors
  • Ice flavors
  • Mixed fruity flavors

UWELL offers a diverse range of e-liquid flavors and products designed to enhance the vaping experience. Some of the flavors available for UWELL products include:

  • Iced Apple
  • Mango
  • Coffee
  • Quad Berry
  • Watermelon
  • Lemon Mint
  • Peach
  • Pink Lemonade
  • Pound Cake
  • Red Apple
  • Tropical Fruit Mix

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.

UWELL vapes are highly regarded for their excellent flavor experience and vapor production.

Several UWELL products boast the patented “Pro-FOCS Flavor Technology” - a feature that promises a pure and consistent 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.

The UWELL 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.

It's important to note that nicotine use is widely associated with addiction, nausea, breathing difficulties, and cardiovascular issues.

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.

In 2020, The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to UWELL regarding a few products, including the Caliburn, stating that they did not have proper marketing authorizations and were thus considered adulterated and misbranded.

As a result, UWELL has faced regulatory actions and has had to address these violations to remain compliant with US laws. Since then, legal scrutiny has eased up, and UWELL continues to sell its products in line with legal regulations.

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.

UWELL’s disposable vapes pack a punch with 20-50mg nic salt vape juice in 4-20ml capacities, catering to those who prefer a stronger nicotine hit with the convenience of disposability. Their reusable pod vapes, holding 2-4ml, are best paired with 5mg to 20mg nic salt vape juice, offering a customizable nicotine delivery to suit your vaping style.

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.

UWELL’s proprietary design limits its cross-compatibility with other pods. However, UWELL devices are compatible with third-party e-liquids.

UWELL makes replacement pods that may be compatible with more than one UWELL product range.

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.

UWELL's products are widely available in most vape store chains across the US and available online.

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.

UWELL vapes offer a variety of high-quality options across different price points. For example, the UWELL Caliburn A3 and AK3 are priced at approximately $30 and $32, respectively.

Other UWELL products, such as the Caliburn X, are more expensive due to additional features like an OLED screen and adjustable wattage.

Across the board, UWELL maintains a reputation for producing reliable and well-designed e-cigarettes, making them a popular choice among vapers.

Pros and Cons of Elf Bar and UWELL

To summarize, here are the benefits and drawbacks of both these brands:

 

Pros of Elf Bar

Cons of Elf Bar

  • Convenient, easy-to-use design
  • High nicotine content provides a satisfying hit for smokers transitioning to vaping
  • Long-lasting battery life
  • Replacement warranty for device malfunctions

  • High nicotine content can lead to addiction, especially for beginners
  • Regulatory and legal challenges hamper product availability
  • Doesn't allow customizing nicotine levels or flavors
  • Restriction in flavor range due to regulations.

 

 

Pros of UWELL

Cons of UWELL

  • High-quality construction using aluminum alloy and stainless steel
  • Large variety of products
  • Easily available online
  • Innovative technology (e.g., PRO-FOCS Flavor Technology)

  • Availability varies based on region
  • Some models require more maintenance
  • Short battery life compared to other vape brands

 

In short, both Elf Bar and UWELL stand out in the vaping market with their unique strengths and offerings.

 

However, both Elf Bar and UWELL 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:

 

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.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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