NJOY vs Gold Bar : Comparing Devices, Price, Performance (2025)
The epic showdown: NJOY 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 NJOY 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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Further Reading: Check out these links: Check out these links: |
A Quick Intro to NJOY and Gold 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.
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 NJOY and Gold 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.
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.
NJOY vs Gold Bar Comparison Summary
Take a quick look at the features of NJOY and Gold Bar vapes before we get into the details:
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NJOY |
Gold Bar |
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Product Range |
NJOY Ace (Rechargeable) NJOY Ace Pods NJOY Daily (Disposable) |
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, compact design, easy to grip, with soft-touch finger pads and oval-like shape. |
Sleek, matte gold finish, ergonomic black mouthpiece, aluminium and plastic construction |
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Battery Capacity |
NJOY Daily: 1000 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 |
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) |
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 |
NJOY Daily: 300 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 |
NJOY Ace: Under 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, 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 |
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 |
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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 NJOY and Gold 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 Gold Bar |
Cons of Gold Bar |
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In short, both NJOY and Gold Bar stand out in the vaping market with their unique strengths and offerings.
However, both NJOY 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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