Starter Kits
A vape starter kit bundles the device, the tank or pod, and at least one coil into a single purchase, so you get everything you need to start vaping except the e-liquid. Shop pod system kits and box mod kits from SMOK, GeekVape, Vaporesso, Uwell, VooPoo and Suorin, all sourced through authorized distribution.
Most beginners should start with a pod kit. They run at low wattage, need no settings adjustment, and give a tight mouth-to-lung draw that feels close to a cigarette, so they pair with salt nic at 25mg to 50mg. Box mod kits deliver far more power and customization for sub-ohm tanks and high-VG freebase juice at 0mg to 6mg, but they ask more of you. There's a full comparison further down this page, along with a five-step setup guide.
Two things to add alongside your kit: vape juice or salt nic at the right strength for your device, and a pack of spare coils and pods. Most kits ship with only one or two coils, and coils last one to two weeks. Browse the rest of our vape hardware for tanks, mods, and replacement parts.
- A vape starter kit bundles the device, the tank or pod, and at least one coil into a single purchase.
- Starter kits do not include e-liquid. You pick your own juice and nicotine strength separately.
- Pod kits are the right call for most beginners. Mod kits offer more power but a steeper learning curve.
- Buy spare coils with the kit. Coils last 1 to 2 weeks and most kits only include one or two.
- Prime every new coil before the first puff, or you'll burn it on day one.
What Is a Vape Starter Kit?
A vape starter kit is exactly what it sounds like: the device, the tank or pod, and at least one coil, bundled together so you don't have to piece a setup together from three separate product pages and hope the parts are compatible. It's the fastest, cheapest way into reusable vape hardware, and it's how nearly everyone starts.
The one thing a starter kit doesn't come with is e-liquid. That's deliberate, not stingy. Nicotine strength is a personal decision that depends on your smoking history, and flavor is entirely down to taste, so no manufacturer is going to guess for you. Pick the kit, then pick the juice to match it.
What's Actually in the Box?
Kit contents vary by manufacturer, but the two families break down fairly predictably. Here's what you can generally expect, and what you'll still need to add.
| Item | Pod Starter Kit | Mod Starter Kit |
|---|---|---|
| Device / Battery | Included, internal battery | Included; external cells often sold separately |
| Tank or Pod | Included, usually 1 to 2 pods | Included, sub-ohm tank |
| Coils | 1 to 2, often pre-installed | Typically 2, different resistances |
| Charging Cable | USB-C included | USB-C included |
| E-Liquid | Not included | Not included |
| Juice to Pair | Salt nic, 25mg to 50mg | Freebase, 0mg to 6mg, high VG |
| Learning Curve | Minimal. Fill, charge, vape. | Moderate. Wattage, coils, battery safety. |
What Else You'll Need to Buy
A starter kit gets you most of the way there, but not all of it. Add these to the same order and you're genuinely ready to go the moment the box lands.
- E-Liquid at the Right Strength — Salt nic for a pod kit, freebase for a sub-ohm mod kit. This pairing is not optional, and getting it backwards is genuinely unpleasant.
- A Pack of Spare Coils — The kit gives you one or two. They last a week or two each. Do the math and add coils and pods to the cart now rather than scrambling later.
- Batteries, If It Takes Them — Some mod kits ship without the 18650 or 21700 cells they need. Check the listing before you assume.
- A Second Flavor — Not strictly necessary, but nobody loves their first pick forever. Two bottles beats one and a flavor you've grown tired of.
Setting Up Your Starter Kit in 5 Steps
- Charge it fully first. Devices ship partially charged at best. Top it off before the first session.
- Install the coil. Screw it into the tank, or drop it into the pod. Some kits arrive with one already seated.
- Prime it. Drip e-liquid straight onto the exposed cotton in the wicking ports until it looks saturated.
- Fill and wait. Fill the tank or pod, then let it sit 5 to 10 minutes so the cotton fully absorbs the juice.
- Start low. On an adjustable device, begin at the bottom of the coil's wattage range and work up until it tastes right.
Don't Forget the Juice and the Spares
A kit without e-liquid is a paperweight, and a kit without spare coils is a paperweight in two weeks.
How to Choose Your First Vape Starter Kit
Start With the Draw You Want
If you're coming off cigarettes, you want a tight mouth-to-lung draw, and that means a pod kit. It'll feel familiar. If you already know you want big clouds and an open, airy pull, you're looking at a sub-ohm mod kit. This single decision drives everything else, so answer it honestly rather than buying the more impressive-looking device.
Be Realistic About Maintenance
Pod kits are close to maintenance-free. Fill, charge, swap a pod occasionally. Mod kits ask more of you: wattage settings, coil compatibility, battery care, more frequent cleaning. Neither is wrong, but plenty of people buy a mod kit, find it fussy, and quietly go back to disposables. If you know you won't fiddle with it, don't buy the one that requires fiddling.
Check the Coil Supply Before You Commit
This is the one people never think about and always regret. A device whose coils nobody stocks becomes useless the moment you run out. Buy into a widely supported coil family and you'll be able to restock for years.
Top Starter Kit Brands We Carry
These are the manufacturers with the track record and, just as importantly, the coil availability to back their devices up long-term.
SMOK's Novo and Nord lines are the workhorses of the pod category, and their coils are stocked absolutely everywhere. GeekVape builds tanks and mods that survive real-world abuse, particularly the Aegis series. Uwell's Caliburn line is a consistent favorite for anyone who wants a tight MTL draw with almost no setup. Vaporesso and VooPoo both sit in the sweet spot between simple and capable.
Why Buy Your Starter Kit from West Coast Vape Supply?
Your first kit sets the tone for whether vaping actually works out for you. Buy a bad one, or a counterfeit one, and you'll conclude that vaping is leaky, harsh, and disappointing, when really you just bought the wrong hardware from the wrong place.
Everything in this collection comes through authorized distribution, so what you receive is the real device with the real warranty behind it. We stock the coils and pods for the kits we sell, so you're not orphaned in a month. And we've been at this long enough to have opinions about which kits hold up and which ones leak, rattle, or die. If a device has a bad track record, we don't put it on the shelf, no matter how well it would sell.
Frequently Asked Questions: Vape Starter Kits
What is a vape starter kit?
A vape starter kit bundles the device, the tank or pod, and at least one coil into a single purchase. It gives you everything needed to start vaping except the e-liquid, which is sold separately.
Does a vape starter kit come with e-liquid?
No. Vape starter kits do not include e-liquid. You choose your own juice and nicotine strength separately. Pod kits pair with salt nic at 25mg to 50mg, while sub-ohm mod kits pair with high-VG freebase e-liquid at 0mg to 6mg.
What is the best vape starter kit for a beginner?
Most beginners are best served by a pod system starter kit. Pod kits are compact, run at low wattage, require no settings adjustment, and deliver a tight mouth-to-lung draw similar to a cigarette. Box mod kits offer more power and customization but have a steeper learning curve.
What else do I need to buy with a starter kit?
You will need e-liquid at the correct nicotine strength for your device, and a pack of spare coils or pods. Most kits include only one or two coils, and coils typically last one to two weeks, so buying spares up front prevents downtime.
How do I set up a new vape starter kit?
Charge the device fully, install the coil, prime it by dripping e-liquid onto the exposed cotton, fill the tank or pod, then let it sit 5 to 10 minutes before your first puff. Skipping the priming step burns the coil immediately.
How long does a vape starter kit last?
The device itself typically lasts a year or more with reasonable care. The consumable parts wear out much faster: coils last one to two weeks, and pods last a few weeks to a month depending on use and e-liquid type.
Whether it's your first kit or a replacement for a device that finally gave out, West Coast Vape Supply has the vape starter kits, the juice, and the spare coils to get you running properly. Authentic hardware from brands worth trusting, with replacements in stock when you need them. Shop the kits above, and reach out if you want help picking the right one.