RELX vs Gold Bar : Comparing Devices, Price, Performance (2025)
The epic showdown: RELX 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 RELX 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.
Further Reading: Discover more through: Explore these resources: |
A Quick Intro to RELX and Gold Bar
Hailing from Beijing, China, RELX has a product lineup that includes sleek pod vapes, disposable e-cigarettes, and a wide array of flavorful pods, catering to both novice and seasoned vapers.
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 RELX and Gold Bar
Let’s look at how the two brands evolved.
RELX was founded in January 2018 by Kate Wang and later that year the founder was awarded with the title of “Innovation China 2018 New Entrepreneur”. In 2021, an investor filed a lawsuit against the vaping company claiming that they misrepresented its financial performance and hid potential regulatory risks. This caused the company’s shares to drop by 70% in the NYSE. Despite this legal setback, RELX continues to be a popular brand among seasoned vapers. Its products bagged awards in three different categories at the Vapouround Global Awards 2023, UK. Despite this legal setback, RELX continues to be a popular brand among seasoned vapers. Its products bagged awards in three different categories at the Vapouround Global Awards 2023, UK.
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.
RELX vs Gold Bar Comparison Summary
Take a quick look at the features of RELX and Gold Bar vapes before we get into the details:
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RELX |
Gold Bar |
Product Range |
RELX MagicGo GA600, GA2500, GA3500 RELX MagicGo Plus SA600, DM6000 Disposable Vape RELX Bar, RELX Infinity, Infinity 2, Infinity Plus, Artisan, and Essential (Rechargeable) RELX Pod and RELX Pod Pro (Flavored Pods) |
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)
|
Nicotine-free options available? |
Yes |
No |
Device Quality & Build |
Portable, lightweight vapes with a leak-resistant maze-like structure and an ergonomic shape. |
Sleek, matte gold finish, ergonomic black mouthpiece, aluminium and plastic construction |
Battery Capacity |
RELX Classic: 350 mAh RELX Infinity: 380 mAh RELX Infinity 2: 440 mAh RELX Infinity Plus: 380 mAh RELX MagicGo GA600: 400 mAh RELX MagicGo GA2500 and GA3500: 1000 mAh RELX MagicGo Plus DM6000: 850 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 |
Pod Capacity, Nicotine Strength |
RELX Infinity, Infinity 2, and Infinity Plus: 1.9 ml RELX Pod and Pod Pro: 18 mg/ml RELX MagicGo GA600: 2 ml (1.55%/3%/5%) RELX MagicGo GA2500 and GA3500: 6 ml (1.55%/3%/5%) RELX MagicGo Plus DM6000: 12 ml (1.55%/3%/5%) Disposable Vape RELX Bar: 2 ml, 19mg/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%) |
Number of Puffs per Pod |
RELX MagicGo GA600 and MagicGo Plus SA600: Up to 600 RELX MagicGo GA2500: Up to 2500 RELX MagicGo GA3500: Up to 3500 RELX MagicGo Plus DM6000: Up to 6000 Disposable Vape RELX Bar: Up to 600 |
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 |
Charging Time |
RELX Essential: 40 mins approx. RELX Infinity and Infinity Plus: 45 mins |
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 |
Safety Features |
Designed with a child-resistant mechanism, RELX Infinity 2 has SmartPace vibration alert system, auto-shutdown feature, short circuit protection, low voltage protection, and overcharge protection. |
LED indicator, no firing button (inhale activation), short-circuit protection, overcharge protection, age verification at purchase, batch number product verification |
Device and Pod Cost |
RELX Essential: $14.90 RELX Infinity and Infinity 2: $29.90 RELX Infinity Plus: $29.99 RELX Artisan: $46.90 RELX Pod Pro: $11.40 RELX Pod: $10.29 RELX MagicGo GA600: $6.89 Disposable Vape RELX Bar: $6.99 |
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 |
Customer Support and Warranty |
Pod: 18 months from the date of manufacture. Device: 12 months from the date of original retail purchase. |
6 months (devices) |
Now let’s compare these brands in detail:
1. Design and Aesthetics
RELX devices flaunt a sleek, minimalist design, and are available in chic color options, such as robin blue, indigo denim, bright mandarin, and more. They’re lightweight and compact with an intuitive, user-friendly interface.
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
RELX devices cater to different user needs — from RELX Classic's 350 mAh battery, offering a good balance of size to performance to RELX MagicGo GA3500 with a 1000 mAh battery, designed for extended use. RELX Infinity 2 stands out with a 440 mAh battery and an ultra-fast charging feature – reaching 80% battery in 15 minutes.
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
RELX is a fine choice for someone looking for a high puff count per pod. RELX Infinity series offers a robust battery life tailored to heavy use and the RELX MagicGo line provides puff counts up to 6000. So there's a good-quality, economically viable option for every user.
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
RELX offers a wide range of over 30 flavors, including passion fruit, lychee ice, lemon zest, orchard rounds, and more.
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
All RELX devices are designed with the brand’s independently-developed Super Smooth™ Performance technology. They are equipped with either ceramic or cotton atomizers, which vaporize the e-liquid at the right temperature to unlock the full-bodied flavor.
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
Like most vaping products, RELX isn’t free from risks of nicotine and other harmful chemicals like glycerol, propylene glycol, flavorings, and nicotine salt. However, the brand does offer nicotine-free vapes for a safer experience.
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
RELX hasn’t faced any serious legal trouble in the US in the past.
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
RELX pods are packed with varying nicotine strengths at 5% (50mg/ml), 3% (30mg/ml), 1.8% (30mg/ml), and 0% giving you the flexibility to tailor your vaping experience based on your nicotine preference. Vapers may also opt for nicotine-free options to enjoy the sensation of vaping without the harmful effects of nicotine.
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
RELX doesn’t offer any pairing options with third-party pods and accessories.
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
RELX products can be bought in retail stores (in the US), online stores (in countries like the UK, Canada, Germany, France, Spain, and more), and on their website. However, there may be limitations on getting products delivered in certain areas, depending upon their local regulations related to tobacco and nicotine products.
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
RELX Pods are available at $10.29 for a 2-pack, while the Pro version is priced at $11.40 for the same quantity. Both options offer a wide flavor variety, but RELX Pods Pro gives a better vaping experience with its Super Smooth™ Performance technology. In general, the brand offers a satisfying vaping experience at an affordable price.
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 RELX and Gold Bar
To summarize, here are the benefits and drawbacks of both these brands:
Pros of RELX |
Cons of RELX |
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Pros of Gold Bar |
Cons of Gold Bar |
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In short, both RELX and Gold Bar stand out in the vaping market with their unique strengths and offerings.
RELX operates free from regulatory limitations, unlike Gold Bar , which is subject to restrictions.
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