Best Vapes for Heavy Smokers UK: From 20 a Day to Zero

If you’re brand new to vaping and want something that just works straight out of the box, the MeMers Wukong V10000 is hard to beat. This is a true plug and play device. No buttons, no settings, no faffing around. You just inhale and it fires. For someone coming off 20 or more cigarettes a day, that simplicity is everything.

The pen shape feels natural in your hand, similar to holding a cigarette, which helps with that hand-to-mouth habit. It comes with a 1000mAh rechargeable battery and uses pre-filled pods with 20mg nicotine salt, so the throat hit and nicotine delivery are on point for heavy smokers.

If you want something that feels as close to a cigarette as possible, the Nexel Aero 7K is one of the best options out there. This is one of the shortest devices in this list, and the slim pen shape makes it easy to hold between your fingers just like you would with a cigarette. It is light enough to hold in your mouth hands-free, which is something a lot of ex-smokers miss when they switch to bulkier vapes.

There are absolutely no settings to worry about here. No buttons, no screens, no menus. You just inhale and it fires. The 20mg nicotine salt pods deliver a really satisfying throat hit, which is exactly what heavy smokers need to feel like they have actually had a proper draw. If you found other vapes too airy or weak, this one should sort that out.

The SKE Bar 15K is where things start to get serious in terms of puff count. With up to 15,000 puffs from a single kit, this pod kit will last most heavy smokers a good while before needing a pod change. It comes from SKE, the same brand behind the popular Crystal Bar, so the flavour quality is solid and consistent.

Like the previous two options, this is a completely beginner-friendly device. No buttons, no settings, just inhale and go. The 20mg nicotine salt pods deliver a smooth throat hit, and the MTL draw feels natural for anyone coming from cigarettes. It ticks all the boxes you need as a heavy smoker making the switch.

The only downside is the size. It is a little bit chunkier than the Wukong and the Nexel Aero, so it does not feel quite as cigarette-like in your hand. But if you can live with the slightly bigger form factor, the extra puff count makes it well worth it.

For further information you can read our exclusive SKE Bar 15K Review.

Now we are stepping into slightly more advanced territory. The Maxfel Ultra Pro 35K still ticks all the boxes for heavy smokers, but it introduces a dual mode setting that lets you switch between two different vaping styles. This is the first device on the list that has any kind of settings, so it is a small step up from the pure plug and play options above.

The big selling point here is the puff count. With up to 35,000 puffs per kit, this thing will last you ages before you need to think about replacement pods. On top of that, each kit comes with two different flavours built in, so you can switch between them whenever you fancy a change. That variety can be a real help when you are transitioning from cigarettes and still figuring out what flavours work for you.

The trade-off is the size. It is a bit bulkier than the slimmer pen-style devices, so it does not have that cigarette-like feel in your hand. But if puff count and flavour variety matter more to you than portability, the Maxfel Ultra Pro is hard to beat.

This is where we move into intermediate territory. The Aspire PockeX is a battle-tested device that has helped millions of heavy smokers make the switch, myself included. This amazing Aspire vape kit has been around for years and remains one of the most reliable options on the market for anyone serious about quitting cigarettes.

The standout feature of the PockeX is the throat hit. It delivers one of the strongest, most satisfying hits of any device on this list, which is exactly what heavy smokers need to feel like they have actually had a proper draw. The 1500mAh battery is a beast as well. Because the device does not use much power, a single charge can easily last you a full day or even longer.

Very Important Points

The catch is that this is a refillable device, so you will need to buy your own e-liquid. This requires a bit of knowledge.

• For best results, stick to nicotine salts (Can buy from here) with a nicotine strength of 10mg (if you smoke around 10 cigarettes/day or your cigarette is not as strong) or 20mg (if you smoke more than 15/day). If you use the wrong type of liquid, you will not get the satisfaction you need.
• You will also need to replace the coils every week or two depending on how much you vape, which is an extra thing to keep on top of. You can find the compatible coil for Aspire Pockex in here 

It is also a bit heavier than the pre-filled pod kits, but that solid build is part of what makes it so reliable.

If you liked the idea of the Aspire PockeX but want something smaller and lighter, the Vaporesso XROS 3 Mini is worth a serious look. This thing is tiny, almost the same size as the Nexel Aero we mentioned earlier, but it is a proper refillable device with all the benefits that come with that.

The throat hit is completely acceptable for heavy smokers, and the 1000mAh battery will get you through most of a day without needing a charge. One big advantage over the PockeX is that instead of fiddly coil changes, you simply replace the whole pod when the flavour starts to fade. For some people, that is much easier to deal with.

Vaporesso is a well-known brand that consistently puts out quality products, and the XROS range has been a winner for years. This is a proper MTL vape that delivers a tight, cigarette-like draw. Like the PockeX, you will still need to choose the right e-liquid, so stick to nic salts with decent nicotine strength for the best results.

Very Important Points

The catch is that this is a refillable device, so you will need to buy your own e-liquid. This requires a bit of knowledge.

• For best results, stick to nicotine salts (you can buy from here) with a nicotine strength of 10mg (if you smoke around 10 cigarettes a day or your cigarette is not as strong) or 20mg (if you smoke more than 15 a day). If you use the wrong type of liquid, you will not get the satisfaction you need.
• Unlike the PockeX, you do not need to change coils separately. Instead, you replace the whole pod every week or two depending on how much you vape. You can find the compatible pods for the Vaporesso XROS 3 Mini here.

Important Note on Pod Choice: 1.0Ω or 1.2Ω are Best for heavy smokers. These provide a tighter MTL draw, stronger throat hit, and work best with higher nicotine strengths (10mg-20mg). If you are coming straight from cigarettes, start here.

The Vaporesso XROS 5 is the most feature-packed device on this list, but that is exactly why it sits at the bottom. For heavy smokers making the switch, simplicity is king. The more settings and options a device has, the more overwhelming it can be when all you really want is something that feels like a cigarette.

Do not get me wrong, for a vapour who has already done the switch this is probably the best device in the list. You get a massive 1500mAh battery that can last up to 2 days on moderate use, 3A super-fast charging that goes from empty to 80% in just 20 minutes, an OLED display, adjustable airflow, and power modes to play with. The COREX 2.0 pod technology delivers great flavour and longer pod life. It is genuinely impressive.

But here is the thing. When you are trying to quit cigarettes, you do not need impressive. You need easy. You need something you can pick up and use without thinking about wattage settings, airflow sliders, or which power mode to choose. That is why the simpler devices rank higher on this list.

That said, if you have already made the switch using one of the easier options and now want more control over your vaping experience, the XROS 5 is a fantastic upgrade. It is a device you grow into, not one you start with.

Very Important Points
Like the XROS 3 Mini, this is a refillable device, so you will need to buy your own e-liquid.

• For best results, stick to nicotine salts (you can buy from here) with a nicotine strength of 10mg (if you smoke around 10 cigarettes a day or your cigarette is not as strong) or 20mg (if you smoke more than 15 a day). If you use the wrong type of liquid, you will not get the satisfaction you need.
• Use e-liquids with 50% VG or higher PG for best performance with this device.
• You replace the whole pod when the flavour starts to fade, typically every week or two. You can find the compatible pods for the Vaporesso XROS 5 here.

Important Note on Pod Choice:

The XROS 5 is compatible with COREX 2.0 pods in 0.4Ω, 0.6Ω, 0.8Ω, 1.0Ω, and 1.2Ω resistances. Each offers a different vaping experience:

• 1.0Ω or 1.2Ω – Best for heavy smokers. These provide the tightest MTL draw, strongest throat hit, and work best with higher nicotine strengths (10mg-20mg). If you are coming straight from cigarettes, start here.
• 0.8Ω – A balanced MTL option with slightly more vapour but still a satisfying throat hit.
• 0.6Ω – A looser RDTL draw with richer flavour, better once you have reduced your nicotine intake.
• 0.4Ω – The loosest draw with the most vapour, suited for experienced vapers who prefer bigger clouds.

For heavy smokers making the switch, I recommend starting with the 1.0Ω or 1.2Ω pods for the closest cigarette-like experience.