Lots of people think you need to spend £50, £70 or more just to get a decent starter vape. That’s not true. You can buy vape kits under £30 that still give you good flavour, battery life, and safety, without hurting your budget.
Did you know? About 10% of adults in Great Britain vape, that’s 5.5 million people. Over half of those vapers used to smoke tobacco, and many switched completely. Affordable, reliable vape kits UK help make that possible.
To make sure you feel confident choosing one, in this post, I’ll:
- Explain basic vaping terms: pods, coils, nicotine salts, and MTL draw, so you’re not confused by jargon.
- Walk through how to pick a good starter kit.
- Show you the Top 5 affordable vape kits under £30 from a trusted UK retailer.
- Compare features, share real-user stories, answer key FAQs, and help you decide what to do next.
Let’s get into it.
Why do many people go for cheap kits?
Let’s be real; if you’re new to vaping, spending £60 or more on your first device feels risky. It makes more sense to start with something cheaper. A kit under £30 lowers that barrier.
What counts most is how usable it is:
- Can you easily refill pods or buy replacements?
- Are coils easy to find?
- Does it leak or stay dry?
Then there’s legality and safety. In the UK, pods or tanks can’t be bigger than 2 ml, and nicotine strength is capped at 20 mg/ml.
So even a budget device can be safe if it follows those rules.
That’s why buying pods and kits from a trusted retailer like AstroVape is important. Astro Vape sells only authentic, TPDR-compliant kits and parts. That kind of honesty matters when you're picking a cheaper device, you want to avoid fakes or imports that don’t follow regulations.
How to choose a solid vape starter kit UK
Before we list the kits, here’s a simple checklist. Use this to judge any proposal you see online.
Battery & build: vape starter kit uk essentials
- Aim for at least a 300–500 mAh battery in a pod kit or compact kit.
- Good charging port (USB-C or micro USB) with safe cutoff.
- Solid pod or tank connection to reduce leaks.
Coils & maintenance: Vape pods compatibility
- Easy replacement of coils or pods is key.
- Coil resistance options help you balance flavour vs battery life.
- Pods that snap or screw in securely help avoid flooding.
E-liquid & nicotine type: Vape kits for beginners under £30
- Use nicotine salts in low-wattage kits for smoothness.
- Some kits expect certain e-liquid ratios (PG/VG); follow guidance.
- Check whether your chosen retailer stocks spare pods/coils; you’ll need them.
Top 5 Affordable Vape Kits Under £30 (with pros & trade-offs)
Below are five kits pulled from a UK retailer’s catalogue. All are priced under £30 and satisfy many of the practical criteria above.
Aspire BP Stik: Best vape kits UK beginner pick
This is a well-rounded kit like the Aspire BP Stik for around £24.99. It balances battery, pod ease and flavour. Many new vapers find its draw comfortable and consistent.
Uwell Caliburn A2: vape starter kit UK favourite
The Uwell Caliburn A2 is a highly portable vape starter kit, and the flavour output is impressive for the price. It’s a great option for commuting—just don’t expect huge battery life.
Elf Bar pod kit: Buy pod kits online on a budget
Priced at only ~£5.99, the Elf Bar Pod Kit is an ultra-low-cost option that’s perfect for testing whether vaping suits you. Don’t expect it to last long—treat it as a short-term experiment.
Innokin T20S: Vape pods & classic MTL option
At ~£19.99, the Innokin T20S comes from a trusted brand. Its replaceable coil and pod system make it a solid “step up” kit that’s still budget-friendly.
Riot Squad pods: Best cheap pod kits for flavour
For ~£7.99, the Riot Squad Pods offer access to strong flavour selections. Ideal if flavour is your priority—just note that the battery size is smaller compared to premium kits.
Buying & maintaining: what to watch out for
Verify compliance & authenticity.
Make sure devices are regulated. In the UK, the law limits tanks & pods to 2 ml, nicotine to 20 mg/ml, and requires safety labs, warning labels, and tamper-evident packaging. Buying from a retailer that guarantees these things matters.
Choose the right nicotine strength.
If you were a heavy smoker, start with a stronger nicotine salt (e.g. 20 mg) and reduce over time. Low-power kits usually don’t deliver well with very low strengths.
Take care of your device.
- Empty and let the pod sit before refilling
- Clean connections gently
- Replace pods/coils when the flavour declines or you taste burnt
- Don’t overfill beyond the fill line
Tip with feeling: If the flavour starts dulling or you taste a burnt hit, that’s your device asking for a fresh pod. Don’t fight it.
Pick, try, refine
Affordable vape kits UK under £30 make getting started easier. The five kits above give you distinct options: balance, portability, testing, and flavour. Use the checklist I shared to judge any kit you see, not just these.
If I were you, I’d start with Aspire BP Stik or Uwell Caliburn A2 as my go-to picks. Use them for a week, see how your throat, flavour and battery feel. Then adjust, maybe to a flair-centric pod kit or a battery-extensive upgrade.
Ready to try one? Start vaping with confidence with a compliant starter kit from a trusted retailer like Astro Vape - stepping into vaping doesn't have to cost a fortune.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the best beginner vape kit under £30?
From this list, the Aspire BP Stik or Uwell Caliburn A2 are strong candidates, trustworthy, have good build, and support for spare parts.
Q2: Are cheap vape kits actually usable?
Yes, when chosen carefully. If they follow UK rules, have good pods/coils, and come from a reputable source, they can be perfectly usable.
Q3: Can I buy vape kits UK online and still get fast shipping?
Yes, many UK retailers offer tracked 24-hour delivery on orders over a threshold. Always check shipping policies.
Q4: How long does a pod coil last?
Normally 7–14 days, depending on how much you vape and the nature of your e-liquid (sweeter juices tend to shorten coil life).
Q5: Which vape pods give the strongest flavour?
Brands like Riot squad and Elf Bar pods tend to offer bold, diverse flavours. Match them with the kits above, and you’ll see good results.