We have been in the e-cigarette business for many years now, in one form or another. And during that time one thing has been consistent – the inconsistency of puff count claims. Many e-cig suppliers make outlandish claims of “200 puffs per cartridge” or more. Although in recent years there have been some developments in cartomizer technology that have allowed for higher puff counts, the vast majority of electronic cigarettes contain far less puffs than advertised. This discrepancy may come from marketing hype or direct from a manufacturer who based their count on a machine test, which rarely indicated real world use. Below are some general guidelines to figure out how many puffs your e-cigarette cartridge should realistically give you. Please remember the exact puff count will vary based on the exact e-cigarette model and user habits.
If you have a three piece e-cig model such as the original Njoy or Smoking Everywhere then you likely have a cartridge that can be detached from the atomizer. Inside you will see a cotton wick to soak up and hold the e-liquid. These cartridges can be refilled multiple times and usually hold enough e-liquid for 12 to 20 puffs.
If you have a cartomizer style electronic cigarette, then the atomizer and cartridge are one piece. These “cartomizers” should really only be used once. Multiple uses by refilling them can lead to burning of the wick on the inside, which means you will be inhaling stuff as bad as tobacco cigarettes. Cartomizers hold more e-liquid than regular cartridges. Puff counts range, depending the on the actual size of the cartomizer, between 20 and 40 puffs. Many newer brands sold in convenience stores use this cartomizer system, including disposables.
The last style is a tank system. This is where the e-liquid is contained within a tank with no wick. Models range from the Joyetech eGo-T to those with “clearomizers” which is a tank system with the heating element enclosed within the tank. Tanks hold much more e-liquid than either cartridges or cartomizers. Normal puff counts range from 50 puffs and up, depending on the tank size.
We hope these general guidelines help you pick the right e-cigarette model for your needs and help you avoid being disappointed with purely marketing driven claims.
E-Cigarette Cartridge and Atomizer System
E-Cigarette Cartomizer System
E-Cigarette Tank System
