3-Sep-2025

How Do Vapes Work?

Vapes, otherwise known as electronic cigarettes, are battery-powered electronic devices that rely on the same fundamental components to function: a battery, heating element, and e-liquid.

For adult users, learning about vaping and how vapes work could help you keep the device in better condition, get your vape coils to last longer, and improve the vape’s battery life. With all this in mind, exactly how do electronic cigarettes work? Read on to explore how different types of vapes function.

Understanding How Different Vapes Work

There are a variety of different types of vapes on the e-cigarette market. Some of the types you might have heard of include:

·       Cigalikes: As the name suggests, these are vaping devices that generally resemble the look of cigarettes. They are usually disposable, but some may be rechargeable and use replaceable cartridges. They are a type of electronic cigarette.

·       Vape pens: these are typically slim, long, rechargeable vape devices with a vape tank.

·       Box mods: often a large, high-tech device that also utilises a tank.

·       Pod mods: generally, pod mods are rechargeable, compact electronic nicotine delivery systems that use pre-filled pods or refillable cartridges.

·       Vape bars: these are disposable vape devices that come pre-filled with e-liquid and pre-charged, offering a convenient and compact option for adult users without the need for refilling or recharging.

So how does a vape work? All of these models will typically follow the same basic principles outlined below:

The device is powered by a battery.

E-liquid is used, either pre-filled in a pod/cartridge or added manually to the device’s tank by the adult user.

The wick draws vape juice to the coil.

The heating element (coil) heats the e-liquid into a vapour for adult users to draw out of the device’s mouthpiece.

While all these different types of vapes may operate in the same fundamental way, there can still be some distinct differences between models. For example, vape pens and box mods often use a tank, whereas pod mods and cigalikes typically make use of pods or cartridges instead.

Different vaping devices may also activate differently. Some can come with buttons you’ll need to press to turn the device on, while others may be buttonless and draw-activated.

Are you looking for more details? Explore vape types and prices in Egypt.

What Are the Main Parts of Different Types of Vapes?

There is a range of different vape components that could be included in vape or pod devices. While the fundamental mechanism behind vapes is generally the same across different models, the actual components they comprise can vary.

Discover more on the components for different types of vapes below – just keep in mind that these are the general components you may find in different vapes. The exact design of a device will depend on the product in question.

Battery

Batteries are typically found in all vapes.

Vapes are powered by batteries. Many vapes feature an in-built battery that can be recharged via USB. Some models may have removable batteries – like classic AAs – that can be recharged with a mains-powered charging kit.

Atomiser, Wicks & Coils

Atomisers, wicks, and coils are typically found in all vapes.

This is the part of the vape that includes the heating coils and wick. The coil assembly—also known as the atomiser head—is what enables the device to turn vaping liquids into vapour.

The atomiser, often referred to as the atomiser head, is what enables the device to turn vaping liquids into vapour.

Tanks

Tanks are typically found in different types of vapes, including vape pens and box mods.

The tank is the part of a vape that generally contains the atomiser. It’s also where vape juice is inserted before it’s turned into vapour. Some tanks include an adjustable airflow system, allowing adult users to customise the draw resistance and vapour production to their preference.

Pods

Pods and cartridges are found in different types of vapes, including pod mods and cigalikes.

In vapes, pods and cartridges have the same function as a tank – they house the vaping liquids. Cartridges are easily inserted and removed in compatible pod mods or the battery base of a cigalike. The cartridge or pod contains the heating element, so there is no need for separate vape coil replacements.

Some pre-filled pods may include nicotine salts in their formulation to deliver a smoother experience for adult users, while certain pod mods may use a closed system, functioning exclusively with specific pre-filled pods.

Learn more about vape pods in our detailed guide.

Activation Button

Activation buttons are typically found in different vape devices, including vape pens, box mods and some pod mods.

The activation (fire) button is a common feature in certain vapes and can be used to start up the device. When the fire button is pressed, the heating element vaporises the e-liquid. Some advanced vape devices may also use integrated circuits to regulate power output and ensure consistent performance.

In practice, this means that adult users need to press the button every time they use the vape. You may encounter buttonless cigalikes and pod mods. Otherwise known as draw-activated electronic cigarettes, these devices start automatically when drawn on.

In some devices, the draw experience may also be affected by the built-in airflow system, which can impact vapour density and inhalation.

Vaping Liquids

Vaping liquids are typically found in all vapes.

All vapes use e-liquid formulations, but some need to be manually filled with the user’s compatible vaping liquids of choice. Others use pods pre-filled with e-liquid. Common ingredients include vegetable glycerine (VG), propylene glycol (PG), flavourings, and liquid nicotine.

E-liquids are available in different nicotine forms, such as freebase nicotine, which offers a stronger inhalation at lower concentrations, or nicotine salts, which provide a smoother experience for adult users.

Also known colloquially as smoke juice, these liquids come in different PG/VG ratios, which can subsequently create different vaping experiences based on the vape technology used.

The choice between freebase nicotine and nicotine salts often depends on personal preference and the type of vape kit used, such as low-wattage pod systems or higher-powered mods.

Other Alternatives to Smoking

While this guide covers the basics of the different types of vapes and how they work, these devices aren’t the only potential alternatives to smoking. IQOS heat-not-burn tobacco products are another option you may want to consider over continuing to smoke, including one of our latest heated tobacco device series – IQOS ILUMA I KIT BUNDLE.

IQOS ILUMA SMARTCORE Induction Technology heats tobacco instead of burning it to deliver the taste of real tobacco, without producing cigarette smoke, ash, or carbon monoxide.

Heat-Not-Burn Tobacco Products

While vape devices remain a popular smoke-free option, heated tobacco products offer a different approach for adult users seeking alternatives. Unlike vapes, which use e-liquid, heat-not-burn tobacco products heat real tobacco without combustion, producing a tobacco vapour rather than smoke.

Read more in our article on heated tobacco vs e-cigarettes vs smoking cigarettes.

Visit the IQOS blog for more information on alternatives to continued smoking and the potential role of electronic nicotine delivery systems in smoking cessation journeys.

IQOS is not risk-free and provides nicotine, which is addictive. Only for use by adults.