Gold Bar vs FRESOR: Comparing Devices, Price, Performance (2025)
The epic showdown: Gold Bar vs FRESOR. 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 Gold Bar or rooting for FRESOR, 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 Gold Bar and FRESOR
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.
FRESOR, based in Shenzhen, China, offers two types of disposables — the FRESOR MAX series and the FRESOR NOVA series. The brand name is an acronym for Faith, Revolution, Exploration, Science, Optimization, and Responsibility.
Brand History and Background of Gold Bar and FRESOR
Let’s look at how the two brands evolved.
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.
FRESOR is a vaping brand founded in 2022 by ALD Group Limited. In early 2024, the brand made waves at the Total Product Expo in Las Vegas with the launch of FRESOR N10000. This model from the FRESOR NOVA series is one of the brand’s first high-capacity transparent disposable vapes. It also created one of the world’s first wireless charging vape devices, the FRESOR MAX Beast, from the FRESOR MAX series. All FRESOR products are developed in laboratories accredited by the CNAS (China National Accreditation Service for conformity assessment). However, its vapes are not yet FDA-authorized for sale in the US.
Gold Bar vs FRESOR Comparison Summary
Take a quick look at the features of Gold Bar and FRESOR vapes before we get into the details:
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Gold Bar |
FRESOR |
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Product Range |
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) |
CUBIK, LUMINO, LUCENT, MAX Beast (Disposables from FRESOR MAX series) CUBIK PRO, VIGO PLUS, KING, COMBO 4-IN-1, FRESOR N10000 (Disposables from FRESOR NOVA series)
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Nicotine-free options available? |
No |
No |
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Device Quality & Build |
Sleek, matte gold finish, ergonomic black mouthpiece, aluminium and plastic construction |
Rectangular shape with rounded edges and a smooth metallic finish |
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Battery Capacity |
Gold Bar 600 Disposables: 500mAh Gold Bar Reload Prefilled Pod Kit: 650mAh Gold Bar Apollo Prefilled Pod Kit: 1000mAh Gold Bar 24Seven Disposables: 850mAh |
CUBIK: 850mAh |
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Pod Capacity, Nicotine Strength |
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%) |
CUBIK: 2ml |
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Number of Puffs per Pod |
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 |
CUBIK: Up to 6000 |
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Charging Time |
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 |
While FRESOR does not specify exact charging times for each device on the website, a general guideline for vape battery charging is around 2-4 hours, depending upon the size |
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Safety Features |
LED indicator, no firing button (inhale activation), short-circuit protection, overcharge protection, age verification at purchase, batch number product verification |
Overcharge protection, child safety lock, and anti-leak design |
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Device and Pod Cost |
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 |
MAX Beast: $15.99 |
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Customer Support and Warranty |
6 months (devices) |
12 months |
Now let’s compare these brands in detail:
1. Design and Aesthetics
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.
Most FRESOR devices have a rectangular shape with integrated mouthpieces. A few models from the NOVA series, like the VIGO KIT, Click Turbo Kit, and Flex Turbo Kit, embrace the classic vape pen style. The vapes are crafted from a blend of durable plastic and metal. The MAX Beast series takes convenience to the next level with an animated screen, allowing you to track e-liquid levels and battery life.
2. Performance and Battery Life
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.
FRESOR vapes offer decent battery life, but they’re not built for long vaping sessions. Most models, like the CUBIK, LUCENT, and MAX Beast (850mAh), last a good few hours, while the VIGO PLUS (1000mAh) is the best pick for all-day use. On the flip side, FRESOR N10000 (600mAh), COMBO 4-IN-1 (650mAh), and CUBIK PRO (700mAh) might leave you reaching for a charger sooner than you’d like.
3. Longevity
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.
Most FRESOR vapes pack some serious puff counts, but the battery life doesn’t always keep up. For example, you’ll need to recharge KING (25,000 puffs, 750mAh), LUCENT (20,000 puffs, 850mAh), MAX Beast (15,000 puffs, 850mAh), and LUMINO (22,000 puffs, 800mAh) a few times to get through all those puffs. Meanwhile, CUBIK (6000 puffs, 850mAh) and CUBIK PRO (6000 puffs, 700mAh) offer a better battery-to-puff ratio, making them reliable but not long-lasting. On the other hand, COMBO 4-IN-1 (4000 puffs, 650mAh) has the smallest battery and lowest puff count, making it suitable for short-term use or casual vapers
4. Flavor Selection and Nicotine Options
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.
FRESOR disposables are available in various fruit-based flavors, including:
5. Vaping Experience
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.
FRESOR devices like CUBIK, LUMINO, LUCENT, MAX Beast, and KING come with dual mesh coils, delivering richer flavor and bigger clouds. Meanwhile, CUBIK PRO and VIGO PLUS step it up with FRESOR NOVA flat mesh coil technology, giving you 30% more puffs than standard mesh coils. Most models let you adjust airflow for a customized draw while the display screen helps you keep an eye on battery life. LUMINO and KING have anti-leak technology, whereas CUBIK and COMBO 4-IN-1 come with visible juice tanks for easy refills.
6. Health and Safety Concerns
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.
FRESOR products contain nicotine, which can pose health risks and lead to addiction. Additionally, some nicotine vapes may contain vitamin E acetate, diacetyl, and other harmful chemicals.
7. Regulatory Compliance and Legal Issues
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.
FRESOR is yet to receive marketing authorization from the FDA for selling their products in the US.
Note: Consumers must also verify adherence to the latest local laws prior to any purchase of devices from these brands.
8. Nicotine Content
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.
FRESOR’s nicotine content varies widely, catering to both casual and heavy vapers. KING (24ml), LUMINO (22ml), LUCENT (20ml), and MAX Beast (16ml) pack high e-liquid capacities, making them ideal for long-term use but potentially too intense for light vapers. On the other hand, CUBIK, CUBIK PRO, and VIGO PLUS (2ml) suit those preferring milder nicotine hits. The COMBO 4-IN-1 (2ml*4) offers variety but limited capacity per pod.
9. Compatibility with Other Products
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.
FRESOR vapes work exclusively with their own e-liquids and aren’t compatible with third-party vape juices.
10. Availability and Accessibility
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.
The availability of FRESOR vapes may vary depending on local regulations and market presence. Check with local retailers or online stores that ship to your country to confirm availability.
11. Cost vs. Quality
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.
FRESOR's MAX Beast is priced at $15.99, offering 15,000 puffs with a 16ml e-liquid capacity. Given its substantial puff count and innovative features like wireless charging, the MAX Beast provides good value for its price. For other models including CUBIK, CUBIK PRO, LUCENT, and KING, pricing details are available upon request from FRESOR's official website.
Pros and Cons of Gold Bar and FRESOR
To summarize, here are the benefits and drawbacks of both these brands:
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Pros of Gold Bar |
Cons of Gold Bar |
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Pros of FRESOR |
Cons of FRESOR |
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In short, both Gold Bar and FRESOR stand out in the vaping market with their unique strengths and offerings.
However, both Gold Bar and FRESOR are not without their regulatory challenges.
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