Elf Bar vs VAPORESSO: Features, Price + More (2024)
The epic showdown: Elf Bar vs VAPORESSO. 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 VAPORESSO, 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: Check out these links: Check out these links: |
A Quick Intro to Elf Bar and VAPORESSO
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, VAPORESSO offers a wide array of flavored pods, vape pens, tank mods, and accessories. Their sleek, portable gadgets are ideal for both amateur and seasoned vapers.
Brand History and Background of Elf Bar and VAPORESSO
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 2015 by parent company SMOORE, VAPORESSO launched its first product from the TARGET Series in 2016. In 2020, VAPORESSO’s first round of PMTA (Premarket Tobacco Product Application) applications were accepted by the FDA, within three days of submission. However, in 2021, the FDA inquired into the brand's marketing strategies, scrutinizing its social media presence, reach, and the implementation of age restrictions online. In 2023, VAPORESSO won the prestigious Golden Leaf Award for Innovation for its product VAPORESSO COSS.
Elf Bar vs VAPORESSO Comparison Summary
Take a quick look at the features of Elf Bar and VAPORESSO vapes before we get into the details:
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Elf Bar |
VAPORESSO |
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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) |
XROS CUBE, XROS 3, XROS 3 NANO, XROS 3 MINI, XROS 2, XROS NANO, XROS, XROS MINI, LUXE X/XR, LUXE Q2, LUXE Q2 SE, LUXE QS, LUXE Q, ZERO 2, ZERO, ECO NANO, VAPORESSO COSS, OSMALL 2, X MINI, BARR, OSMALL (Rechargeable pods) LUXE X PRO, LUXE XR MAX, GEN PT60 | 80S, GEN AIR 40, LUXE PM40, TARGET PM80 (Rechargeable pod mods) ARMOUR MAX | S, GEN 200 I 80S iTank 2, GEN 200 | 80S, GEN 200/80S MOD, GEN FIT 40, TARGET 200, TARGET 100/80 (iTank), TARGET 80, TARGET 200 MOD, TARGET 100/80 MOD, LUXE 2 MOD, GEN X MOD, GEN NANO MOD, GTX ONE MOD (Tank mods) VECO GO, GTX GO, Sky Solo | Plus, Orca Solo Plus, Veco Solo | Plus, Veco One | Plus (Rechargeable pen styles)
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Nicotine-free options available? |
Yes |
Yes (VAPORESSO XROS) |
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Device Quality & Build |
Minimalist design, compact, round edges, sturdy body, plastic construction. |
Sleek devices with an ergonomic body, a glossy exterior, and polished aluminum finish |
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Battery Capacity |
Elf Bar disposable range (non-rechargeable): ≈ 600 mAh Elf Bar disposable range (rechargeable): ≈ 650 mAh |
XROS CUBE: 900 mAh LUXE Q2: 1000 mAh ZERO 2: 800 mAh ECO NANO: 1000 mAh OSMALL 2: 450 mAh LUXE X PRO: 1500 mAh TARGET PM80: 2000 mAh ARMOUR MAX | S: 21700 mAh GEN FIT 40: 2000 mAh VECO GO: 1500 mAh Sky Solo | Plus: 1400/3000 mAh Orca Solo Plus: 1200 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): |
XROS CUBE: 2 ml LUXE Q2: 2 ml/3 ml ZERO 2: 2ml/3 ml ECO NANO: 6 ml/2 ml OSMALL 2: 2 ml LUXE X PRO: 5 ml/2 ml GEN AIR 40: 4.5 ml/2 ml TARGET 80: 5 ml/2 ml VECO GO: 5 ml Sky Solo | Plus: 8 ml/2 ml Orca Solo Plus: 2ml |
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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 |
TARGET 200: 200-240 |
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Charging Time |
30 - 90 minutes |
ZERO 2: 45 minutes LUXE Q2: 30 minutes |
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Safety Features |
LED indicator, auto-shutoff, overcharge protection, overheat protection |
LED light indicator, auto-shutoff, short circuit protection, low voltage protection, over charge protection, and age verification at purchase |
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Device and Pod Cost |
BC5000: $15.00 TE6000: $9.99 Pi9000:$21.00 |
XROS CUBE: $27.90 LUXE Q2: $33.90 ZERO 2: $29.90 ECO NANO: $14.90 - $16.90 OSMALL 2: $15.90 LUXE X PRO: $47.90 GEN AIR 40: $36.90 TARGET 80: $69.90 VECO GO: $24.90 Sky Solo | Plus: $28.90 Orca Solo Plus: $20.90 |
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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.
VAPORESSO devices are slim yet sturdy and available in translucent colors (ice blue, rose pink, neon sunset, etc.) and monotones (black and gray). Most devices are slender with rounded edges but a few devices (ECO NANO, XROX CUBE, and others) have a cube-like shape. On the other hand, XROS 3 and LUXE X PRO may have practical issues like tinted pods that make it hard to see juice levels. The GEN mod's extensive feature set and modes can be overwhelming for beginners.
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.
VAPORESSO devices like TARGET 80 and ARMOUR MAX have a battery capacity of 3000 mAh and 21700 mAh, promising extended vape sessions. However, OSMALL 2's 450 mAh will need frequent charging and can be a letdown for heavy users. But, most models like the XROS series and LUXE line hit the sweet spot with around 1000 mAh, balancing portability with decent battery life.
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:
VAPORESSO TARGET 200's reliance on dual 18650 batteries offers a solid foundation for longevity, allowing users to easily replace batteries and extend the device's life. However, its puff count range of 200-240, may not impress heavy users seeking all-day vaping without interruptions.
4. Flavor Selection and Nicotine Options
Elf Bar has an almost endless flavor range. However, we can break them down into five major categories:
VAPORESSO doesn’t produce its own line of flavored e-liquids. You have to choose e-liquids from other brands, going for fruity or tobacco flavors, whatever floats your boat.
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.
VAPORESSO devices are equipped with COREX heating technology, helping you capture the true taste of different e-liquids. These devices also offer adjustable airflow to deliver a customizable MTL (mouth-to-lung) vaping experience. They also deploy the SSS leak-resistant technology where the e-liquid is locked inside the pod securely. Further, the AXON chipset in VAPORESSO devices act like the discreet assistant that makes sure every puff is just right.
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.
VAPORESSO products may pose health risks, including nicotine addiction and exposure to harmful ingredients, such as diacetyl and vitamin E acetate. However, the brand also offers nicotine-free options for those seeking a safer vaping alternative.
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 2021, the FDA looked closely at VAPORESSO's marketing methods — how it used social media and promoted their products, especially amongst the younger demographic. The agency asked for documents related to the brand's social media ads and marketing strategies, such as what they post, how much they spend, and how they plan to keep underage kids from seeing their advertisements, among other things. As of 2024, VAPORESSO has completed the FDA Remote Regulatory Assessments.
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.
VAPORESSO products offer a range of pod capacities from 2 ml in XROS CUBE to 8 ml in Sky Solo | Plus, accommodating varying nicotine levels based on your preference and choice of e-liquid.
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.
VAPORESSO offers refillable pod systems that are compatible with e-liquids from other brands. However, these devices shouldn’t be paired with third-party pods and chargers as the design and dimension of products may vary from brand to brand, making them incompatible and rendering the device non-functional.
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.
VAPORESSO products are available from retailers worldwide, including countries in Asia Pacific, North America, South America, and Europe. You can also purchase these products online in the UK, US, various European countries, and other parts of the world. The availability and shipping of vaping products can be impacted by location-specific regulations and restrictions.
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.
Some may find VAPORESSO's pricing to be on the premium side, compared to other brands that offer rechargeables under $10. While ECO NANO and OSMALL 2 are priced under $20, TARGET 80 and GEN FIT 40 command prices up to $69.90 — thanks to their powerful battery life, superior build quality, and different pod capacity options. It may not be the best choice for those on a tight budget, but it is of value to those in search of a great vaping experience, thanks to its cutting-edge technology.
Pros and Cons of Elf Bar and VAPORESSO
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 VAPORESSO |
Cons of VAPORESSO |
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In short, both Elf Bar and VAPORESSO stand out in the vaping market with their unique strengths and offerings.
However, both Elf Bar and VAPORESSO 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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