Juul vs Gold Bar : Comparing Devices, Price, Performance (2025)
The epic showdown: Juul vs Gold Bar . 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 Juul or rooting for Gold Bar , 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 Juul and Gold Bar
Hailing from San Francisco, USA, Juul is the go-to for sleek, minimalist vape pens and pods. Their arsenal includes a range of enticing flavors and varying nicotine strengths, tailored for the modern, style-conscious vaper. These are perfect for those seeking a user-friendly, portable vaping experience with a touch of class.
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.
Brand History and Background of Juul and Gold Bar
Let’s look at how the two brands evolved.
Founded in 2015 by James Monsees and Adam Bowen, Juul was initially marketed as an alternative to traditional cigarettes for adult smokers. It later faced criticism for attracting teenagers with its advertising and fruity flavors. Despite the controversy, Juul's market share and revenue grew significantly, making it a major player in the US e-cigarette industry. In Jun ‘22, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a ban on Juul products from being sold in the US. It is on hold until the FDA reviews Juul’s marketing application again. (Juul products are available to buy on their website and in retail stores while the stay is in effect.)
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.
Juul vs Gold Bar Comparison Summary
Take a quick look at the features of Juul and Gold Bar vapes before we get into the details:
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Juul |
Gold Bar |
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Product Range |
Juul2 (Rechargeable) |
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)
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Nicotine-free options available? |
No |
No |
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Device Quality & Build |
Sleek, minimalist design, sharp edges, aluminum body, user-friendly interface. |
Sleek, matte gold finish, ergonomic black mouthpiece, aluminium and plastic construction |
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Battery Capacity |
Juul2: 350 mAh |
Gold Bar 600 Disposables: 500mAh Gold Bar Reload Prefilled Pod Kit: 650mAh Gold Bar Apollo Prefilled Pod Kit: 1000mAh Gold Bar 24Seven Disposables: 850mAh |
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Pod Capacity, Nicotine Strength |
Juul2: 1.2ml, 18mg/ml (3-5%) |
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%) |
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Number of Puffs per Pod |
200 puffs |
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 |
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Charging Time |
Around 1 hour |
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 |
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Safety Features |
LED indicator, auto-shutoff, and age verification at purchase |
LED indicator, no firing button (inhale activation), short-circuit protection, overcharge protection, age verification at purchase, batch number product verification |
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Device and Pod Cost |
Juul device: $9.99 Pods: $13.49 (2-pack), $21.99 (4-pack) |
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 |
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Customer Support and Warranty |
1 year |
6 months (devices) |
Now let’s compare these brands in detail:
1. Design and Aesthetics
Juul's design is sleek and minimalistic, with a slender rectangular shape and a range of trendy color options. It's incredibly portable, fitting easily in your pocket. It has no buttons to turn it on – you simply draw on the mouthpiece. Some might find its lack of buttons less user-friendly.
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.
2. Performance and Battery Life
Juul's sleek stick comes with a 200mAh battery, small but mighty like a caffeine shot in your morning espresso. It charges up in a swift 60 minutes, ready to deliver about 200 puffs. It's got a temperature-regulation tech to prevent overheating. It comes with a JUULid system to help you detect counterfeit pods.
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.
3. Longevity
For the vaper who needs both cost-efficiency and device longevity, Juul offers a mixed bag of pros and cons. A single Juul pod generally delivers around 200 puffs, equivalent to a traditional pack of cigarettes. However, the cumulative cost can become significant, especially given that a 4-pack of Juul pods is priced at about $21.99.
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.
4. Flavor Selection and Nicotine Options
Juul's flavor game has been a rollercoaster, especially with regulatory clampdowns. Once boasting a vibrant array of options, they've now streamlined to tobacco and clear flavors.
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.
5. Vaping Experience
Juul offers a great vaping experience, with its vapor production being 30% more efficient than its predecessor Juul1, giving you bigger clouds. It offers a smooth throat hit for casual users, while more experienced vapers love the nicotine delivery system that mimics the sensation of traditional smoking, delivering about 59 mg of nicotine per ml of liquid.
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.
6. Health and Safety Concerns
Juul has been in the hot seat for health concerns, especially with its high nicotine content leading to worries about addiction and potential cardiovascular impact. It's a go-to for smokers switching over but raises concerns for those trying to cut down on nicotine. There's also the buzz about exposure to harmful substances like benzoic acid in their pods, though they're generally considered less harmful than traditional cigarettes.
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.
7. Regulatory Compliance and Legal Issues
Juul has faced hefty FDA scrutiny and legal challenges, particularly over marketing tactics, leading to a restricted flavor lineup and tighter sales regulations. This regulatory heat has notably squeezed Juul's market presence and product range.
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.
Note: Consumers must also verify adherence to the latest local laws prior to any purchase of devices from these brands.
8. Nicotine Content
Juul packs a punch with its nicotine salt formula, offering pods in 3% and 5% nicotine strengths. They’re known for their rapid nicotine delivery.
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.
9. Compatibility with Other Products
Juul's proprietary design limits its cross-compatibility, but its popularity has spurred a market of third-party pods and accessories, though these can be hit or miss in terms of quality.
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.
10. Availability and Accessibility
Juul products are available in some retail stores, online stores, and on the website in the US. But, look out for specific location-based restrictions, especially in regions with strict e-cigarette regulations or flavor bans.
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.
11. Cost vs. Quality
Juul's rechargeable device, priced at an accessible $9.99, offers a user-friendly vaping experience, complemented by its pods ($13.49 for 2-pack, $21.99 for 4-pack) known for consistent flavor and quality. However, with a 4-pack of Juul pods priced at $21.99, the cumulative cost can become significant.
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.
Pros and Cons of Juul and Gold Bar
To summarize, here are the benefits and drawbacks of both these brands:
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Pros of Juul |
Cons of Juul |
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Pros of Gold Bar |
Cons of Gold Bar |
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In short, both Juul and Gold Bar stand out in the vaping market with their unique strengths and offerings.
However, both Juul and Gold Bar 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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