NJOY vs Elf Bar: Features, Price + More (2024)
The epic showdown: NJOY vs Elf 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 NJOY or rooting for Elf 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 NJOY and Elf Bar
NJOY is a vaping brand based in Arizona, US, offering disposable e-cigarettes, flavored pods, and e-liquids. Their products are designed to cater to both novice and experienced vapers, focusing on ease of use and satisfying experiences.
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.
Brand History and Background of NJOY and Elf Bar
Let’s look at how the two brands evolved.
Founded in 2006 by Mark Weiss and his brothers, NJOY was one of the first major e-cigarette brands in the US. In 2010, NJOY won a lawsuit against the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in which the court decided that the FDA couldn't regulate e-cigarettes like drugs or medical devices unless they were marketed for therapeutic purposes. By 2014, NJOY was ranked number one by the market research company, IRI in US vaping retail sales with over 90,000 points of distribution. Later, the company stopped the production and sale of fruit-flavored e-liquids as legal authorities were concerned about underage people getting addicted to them. In 2023, Altria Group acquired 100% control of NJOY.
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.”
NJOY vs Elf Bar Comparison Summary
Take a quick look at the features of NJOY and Elf Bar vapes before we get into the details:
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NJOY |
Elf Bar |
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Product Range |
NJOY Ace (Rechargeable) NJOY Ace Pods NJOY Daily (Disposable) |
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)
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Nicotine-free options available? |
No |
Yes |
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Device Quality & Build |
Sleek, compact design, easy to grip, with soft-touch finger pads and oval-like shape. |
Minimalist design, compact, round edges, sturdy body, plastic construction. |
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Battery Capacity |
NJOY Daily: 1000 mAh |
Elf Bar disposable range (non-rechargeable): ≈ 600 mAh Elf Bar disposable range (rechargeable): ≈ 650 mAh |
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Pod Capacity, Nicotine Strength |
NJOY Daily Rich Tobacco and Daily Menthol: 4.5% NJOY Daily Extra Rich Tobacco and Daily Extra Menthol: 6% NJOY Ace Pods Classic Tobacco: 2.4% and 5% (1.9 ml) NJOY Ace Pods Menthol: 2.4% and 5% (1.9 ml) NJOY Ace Pods Rich Tobacco: 5% (1.9 ml) |
BC5000: 9.5-13ml of e-liquid. TE6000: 13ml Mate 500: 1.2ml Nicotine strengths (US): Nicotine Strengths (UK): |
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Number of Puffs per Pod |
NJOY Daily: 300 puffs |
Mate 500: 500 puffs Elf Bar BC5000 (and BC series): 5000 puffs Elf Bar Cigalike: 400 puffs Elf Bar ELFA Pro: 600 puffs |
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Charging Time |
NJOY Ace: Under 1 hour |
30 - 90 minutes |
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Safety Features |
LED indicator, age verification at purchase |
LED indicator, auto-shutoff, overcharge protection, overheat protection |
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Device and Pod Cost |
NJOY Ace device: $9.99 NJOY Ace Pods Menthol and Classic Tobacco: $6.99 (1-pack), $9.99 (2-pack) NJOY Ace Pods Rich Tobacco: $5.99 (1-pack), $9.99 (2-pack) NJOY Daily Rich Tobacco, Daily Extra Rich Tobacco, Daily Menthol, and Extra Daily Menthol: $5.99 |
BC5000: $15.00 TE6000: $9.99 Pi9000:$21.00 |
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Customer Support and Warranty |
1 year |
6 months |
Now let’s compare these brands in detail:
1. Design and Aesthetics
NJOY's vaping device is a sleek blend of form and function. It’s lightweight design makes it portable and perfect for on-the-go vaping. However, it doesn’t have any buttons and comes in only one color combination — black and grey.
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.
2. Performance and Battery Life
NJOY devices charge up to 100% battery capacity in under an hour. It’s equipped with the pass-through charging feature so you can use it while it’s plugged in. Typically, a fully charged NJOY Ace device can last you approximately 24 hours, unless you’re a heavy vaper. The device comes with a light that turns off once it's fully charged, helping you prevent overcharging.
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.
3. Longevity
NJOY devices offer around 300 puffs, with a robust 1000 mAh battery, ensuring value per use. However, the non-refillable nature of its pods and disposables might lead to high long-term expenses compared to refillable systems. The brand offers a cost-effective entry point but a seasoned, heavy vaper may want to consider pod costs for the long haul.
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:
4. Flavor Selection and Nicotine Options
NJOY Ace Pods come in three flavors – Classic Tobacco, Rich Tobacco, and Menthol, with 5% and 2.4% nicotine. Earlier the brand offered other fruity flavors, like blueberry, watermelon, and mint. However, those were discontinued due to regulations tightening around flavor offerings.
Elf Bar has an almost endless flavor range. However, we can break them down into five major categories:
5. Vaping Experience
NJOY uses ceramic coil heating technology to provide you a smooth vaping experience – so lesser chances of leaking, poor flavor, or burnt hits due to insufficient wicking. Its vapor output is comparable to smoke from a cigarette. For the best draw, hold the vaping device at 45 degrees with the airway pointing to your mouth and the charging port pointing to the ground.
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.
6. Health and Safety Concerns
NJOY, like all vaping products, comes with health implications — from potential nicotine addiction to exposure to chemicals like glycerin and propylene glycol. The higher concentrations, especially the 6% options, pose a significant addiction potential.
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.
7. Regulatory Compliance and Legal Issues
NJOY’s tug of war with the FDA continues even after the vaping company won the lawsuit in 2010. In 2022, the FDA allowed multiple NJOY Ace products to be legally marketed in the US. At the same time, they passed Marketing Denial Orders (MDOs) for some NJOY Ace products. Consequently, two menthol-flavored Ace e-liquid pods remained under FDA review.
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.
Note: Consumers must also verify adherence to the latest local laws prior to any purchase of devices from these brands.
8. Nicotine Content Potential
NJOY offers varied nicotine strengths in its pods (2.4% and 5%) and disposable vapes (4.5% or 6%). This caters to varying preferences and nicotine tolerances.
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.
9. Compatibility with Other Products
NJOY Ace Pods are designed to work with their own branded e-liquids for a better vaping experience and consistency. Using third-party pods, e-liquids, or accessories with NJOY devices is not recommended, as compatibility and functionality isn’t guaranteed.
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.
10. Availability and Accessibility
NJOY products can be bought at select retail stores in the US and through authorized online retailers. However, location-based restrictions can apply due to varying state and country regulations on vaping products, affecting availability and shipping.
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.
11. Cost vs. Quality
NJOY's rechargeable device, sold at an affordable rate of $9.99, offers a premium vaping experience. The pods ($6.99 for 1-pack and $9.99 for 2-pack) come in a few different flavors and nicotine strengths, allowing vapers to find their match for a satisfying vape session. However, similar rechargeable vapes in the market might offer lower long-term costs with refillable options.
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.
Pros and Cons of NJOY and Elf Bar
To summarize, here are the benefits and drawbacks of both these brands:
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Pros of NJOY |
Cons of NJOY |
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Pros of Elf Bar |
Cons of Elf Bar |
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In short, both NJOY and Elf Bar stand out in the vaping market with their unique strengths and offerings.
However, both NJOY and Elf 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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