If you are a smoker, you might be considering switching to vaping due to the well-documented dangers of the habit – or if you are a health-conscious vaper, you might also be wondering about how to enjoy your vaping while keeping it as safe as possible.

To help you understand the health risks of vaping, and also to help you choose the best models to use if you want to avoid any potential problems, in this post, we give you our picks for the safest vape to give you an idea about some of the top devices to consider.

Is vaping safe?

Before we look at the safest vapes, let’s think about an even more basic question – is vaping safe?

Vaping is a relatively new concept, so no extensive studies into the long-term safety of vaping have been carried out.

However, while cigarettes contain over 7,000 harmful compounds, many of which are known to be carcinogenic, the potentially harmful elements of vaping are comparatively few.

Indeed, it is thought that, despite the possible dangers, vaping is still around 95% safer than smoking cigarettes – so if you are a smoker, vaping is likely to be a far healthier alternative.

At the very least, we can say that it makes logical sense to switch to something that might be harmful rather than continue to do something you know is extremely harmful because the likelihood that vaping is somehow worst than smoking is virtually nil.

However, there are still some risks associated with vaping, so let’s look at them now.

What are the risks associated with vaping?

The risks associated with vaping can be divided into two categories: health risks, those inherently associated with vaping, and mechanical risks, those that come from using poor or faulty vaping equipment or using equipment wrongly.

Health risks

As we just mentioned, not enough is known about the long-term effects of vaping, but some possible risks have been identified.

In recent years, a number of cases of what’s known as “E-cigarette or Vaping Use-Associated Lung Injury” (EVALI) have been reported. By 2020, over 2,000 cases had been recorded – including 68 deaths.

However, the majority of these cases were related to the use of THC carts, which often contain vitamin E acetate, the thickening agent that’s thought to be responsible. This means that since non-THC vapes don’t contain this thickening agent, there’s only an issue if you vape THC oil.

Another risk is vape-related bronchiolitis obliterans, also known as “popcorn lung”.

This is a condition where the smallest airways in the lungs are damaged, and it can be caused by inhaling diacetyl, an ingredient sometimes used to flavor microwave popcorn, hence the condition’s nickname.

The link between diacetyl and popcorn lung is disputed, but diacetyl is now banned in vapes in the EU and the UK. It is still allowed in the US, but fewer companies now include it in their vape juices due to health concerns, and this chemical is something you may wish to avoid.

However, one of the biggest risks related to vaping is that you don’t always know what chemicals are present in the juice you are buying – and even if you do, we don’t yet always know if those chemicals will turn out to be harmful in the long run.

Mechanical risks

The other category of risk related to vaping is mechanical, which has to do with the equipment you are using.

This could include the risk of vapes overheating, catching fire or exploding during use, batteries overheating, catching fire or exploding during charging, vapor that is too hot being inhaled into your lungs and other similar issues.

Nowadays, the technology has improved immensely since the early days of vaping, and risks like these are constantly diminishing, especially if you use a high-quality vaping device, but choosing vapes with good safety features is still important.

How to choose the safest vape – buyer’s guide

Before we give you our top picks for the safest vapes, first, let’s think about some of the features you should look for that make a vape as safe as possible to use.

1. Open, closed or disposable?

When it comes to the safety of vapes, one of the key areas to consider is whether a particular device is an “open system” model, a “closed system” version or a disposable.

Open system

Open-system vapes are those with refillable cartridges or tanks. The advantage of using one of these is that it gives you the greatest degree of freedom and flexibility over what juice you use since you can add any kind of juice to your device and vape it.

However, there are also some drawbacks that make this possibly the least safe type of vape to use.

Being able to vape any kind of juice puts you at a higher risk of using low-quality juice or juices that haven’t been approved by local health authorities – although this risk can be minimized by always using juices bought from reputable vendors.

Handling juice also increases the risk of spills, which in itself is not a huge safety risk, but using open-system vapes also increases the possibility of contamination.

Finally, with these kinds of vapes, it’s also more likely that you will experience leaks inside your vape, which may cause it to stop working or malfunction, increasing the possibility of something like overheating, fire or explosion.

These risk factors can be minimized through careful handling of your vape during the refilling process, but they are risk factors you simply don’t have to worry about when using closed-system vapes or disposables.

Closed system

Closed-system vapes are those that accept disposable cartridges. These vapes still allow you to enjoy a wide range of juices from any brands that produce cartridges that are compatible with your vape but remove many of the risk factors associated with open-system vapes.

However, that’s not to say that they are risk-free.

It’s still possible to buy sub-standard juices, and you can sometimes be sold counterfeit cartridges, so unless you’re buying from a reputable seller, you still might be taking a risk with your juice.

Then there’s the issue of using cartridges that are not compatible with your vape.

Sometimes, a cartridge might be sold as being compatible with your device, but when you try to use it, you may find it doesn’t work.

This may just mean that the cartridge doesn’t work and you can’t vape with it, but it could also lead to leaks or malfunctions, which might cause your vape to do something dangerous.

Disposable

Many would argue that disposable vapes are the safest option, especially for beginners.

This is because they come pre-filled and ready to use, so you don’t need to think about refilling or replacing the cart – you just buy it, vape from it, discard it when it’s empty and then buy a new one.

However, there is one caveat to go with this.

You need to be sure that the disposable you are buying is genuine and is produced by a reputable brand.

If you buy a high-quality disposable with reliable components and 100% safe ingredients, it’s hard to find a safer way to vape.

However, if you buy a sub-standard disposable, you’re exposing yourself to all the inherent risks of using cheap equipment and cheap vape juice.

The other downside of using a disposable is that you can’t change the flavor – but this is a sacrifice that increasing numbers of vapers are willing to make in return for a user-friendly, hassle-free experience.

2. High-quality coil

One important factor associated with safety when choosing your vape is the quality of the coil since a high-quality coil will ensure the juice in the vape is converted efficiently into vapor.

Coils all need to be replaced – except in the case of disposables – but choosing a vape with a high-quality coil will mean you don’t have to replace it as often.

It will also reduce the chance of you taking a hit from a burnt coil and getting a lungful of bad-tasting chemical-flavored vapor.

3. Heating Chamber

The heating chamber is another important component of your vape, and choosing a vape with a heating chamber made of ceramic or stainless steel will ensure you are vaping only pure vape juice that’s uncontaminated by the materials the vape is made of.

The same is true of the materials the vapor comes into contact with as it travels up the vape towards your mouth. If your vape includes plastics containing BPAs, these potentially harmful chemicals may leach out and be inhaled with the vapor.

Instead, make sure any plastics are BPA-free and food-grade for the highest levels of safety.

4. Safe “on” switch and auto-shutoff

One issue that can occur with some vapes is that they might switch on in your pocket accidentally. This might cause them to start producing vapor, or they could leak.

In some cases, they might even start to heat up in your pocket or bag, so having an “on” switch that is not easy to activate accidentally is vital.

Many vapes also turn themselves off if you don’t use them for a certain amount of time, which may also reduce the risk of accidental discharge.

5. Anti-leak tech

If you use the type of vape that needs to be refilled manually rather than a disposable or one where you just pop a new cart in and start vaping, you should also consider what anti-leak features your device includes.

This will prevent leaking or condensation when the vape is in use, and it will also ensure that you can minimize the risk of leaks and spills during the refilling process.

6. High-quality battery

Using a vape with a high-quality built-in battery – or choosing a high-quality battery for your vape if you buy it separately – will reduce the risk of overheating, fire or explosion.

7. Compatible charger

Making sure the charger you use is compatible with your vape is an important way to make sure nothing untoward happens during charging.

8. Enhanced safety features

For extra safety, vapes may also include some enhanced safety features – and these are especially important in more advanced, more sophisticated models.

For example, look out for things like short circuit protection, overheating protection, overcharging protection and overcurrent protection, all features that will shut the vape off before anything dangerous can happen if something goes wrong.

Most high-quality vapes include these kinds of features as standard.

Another point to note if you have children is that some vapes come with features designed to prevent children from using a vape or gaining access to the juice if they somehow manage to get hold of your vaping equipment.

For vapers who have children, this could be something very important to consider when choosing which vaping device to buy.

9. One to avoid – unregulated mech mods

Although most modern vapes are considered extremely safe to use, the exception is unregulated mech mod vapes since they don’t have any safety circuitry between the battery and the coil.

As a result, they are at the highest risk of overheating, malfunctioning or even exploding, so if you are a vaping newbie who places a high value on safety, these vapes are best avoided until you have a little more experience.

Instead, we recommend sticking to disposables or pod vapes while you find your feet in the world of vaping tech and equipment.

10. High-quality vape juice

Almost all commercial vape juices contain propylene glycerol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG). Both are included to carry the flavorings when the juice is turned to vapor, but PG is also included to create the “throat hit” while VG is there to increase the size of the vapor cloud.

Both of these are considered safe to inhale, but you should still make sure that the flavorings in your juice are also made of safe ingredients.

For example, diacetyl has been connected to popcorn lung and vitamin E acetate, found in THC oil vapes, is thought to be the cause of many cases of EVALI, as mentioned above – so vape juices containing ingredients such as these should be avoided.

In short, if you choose a disposable vape, make sure it comes from a reputable brand that uses high-quality, safe juice – or if you use a refillable vape, make sure the juice you buy meets the highest standards of safety.

11. Nicotine

Nicotine is the addictive substance found in tobacco, but it isn’t the substance that’s responsible for most of the harm that cigarettes do to health. However, it is still a drug that has certain harmful effects.

It can raise heart rate and blood pressure, and it also boosts adrenaline levels, so it can increase the risk of things like heart attacks and strokes – especially for those already at higher risk due to medical conditions or medication such as estrogen-based contraceptives.

This means you should be careful when using vape juices with high levels of nicotine – or you should use nicotine-free vapes to eliminate this risk entirely.

What is the safest vape on the market?

All vapes legally sold in North America, Europe and many other parts of the world will have been rigorously tested to meet stringent standards, so most vapes you buy will have a high level of safety – but here are our recommendations for vapes that are especially safe to use.

1. Spiritbar Katana BP10000 (Top Pick)

At the top of our list of safe vapes is the Katana BP 10000 disposable from Spiritbar, a new company on the vaping scene that is already making waves with its high-quality and innovative products.

The Katana BP 10000 takes its design inspiration from the iconic Japanese katana sword and offers vapers up to 10,000 puffs per device, providing you with the ultimate combination of convenience, style and of course, safety.

The vape comes loaded with 18ml of e-liquid and is currently available in eight original flavors, including Peach Mango Watermelon and Blue Razz Ice.

The vape is charged via USB-C and is ready to use again after only around 10 minutes – you can use any regular USB-C charger to quickly and safely top up the battery.

The device incorporates a reliable mesh coil, and the juice itself is free from any of the nasty harmful ingredients like diacetyl that you’ll want to avoid, so you can be as sure as possible you’re not gambling with your health.

The juice also contains 50mg/ml of nicotine, so if you’re looking for a vape to turn to that will help you kick your smoking habit, this could be a smart choice.

Another great feature is the clear OLED display that gives you information about how much battery and vape juice you have left.

Generally speaking, this vape is designed to be as simple and intuitive to use as possible, so it’s practically foolproof with almost no possibility of user error, so there’s almost no way you can harm yourself through normal use.

So in short, if you’re looking for an elegant, luxurious and above all safe disposable vape that’s extremely easy to use, taking away all the risk associated with vaping using a more complex device, the Spiritbar Katana BP 10000 is an option that’s well worth checking out.

2. Spiritbar Jack’s Flask 9000 Puffs (Runner up)

Up-and-coming vape manufacturer Spiritbar also produces another model, the Jack’s Flask 9000 Puffs, and since there’s very little to choose between them, we feel this high-end disposable is also worth a mention.

As the name implies, this vape is inspired by the freedom and adventure of the high seas.

The shape of the vape resembles a pirate’s flask, but instead of being filled with rum, it contains 20ml of top-end vape juice, providing users with up to 9,000 puffs before it needs to be replaced.

Like the Katana BP 10000, this vape is available in a range of exciting flavors such as Pineapple Mango Ice and Pomelo Pear Grape, and it also boasts a clear OLED display screen that tells you how much juice and battery you have left.

It also incorporates the same high-quality components such as the premium mesh coil and reliable battery as its sister model, delivering a smooth and enjoyable experience while not cutting any corners when it comes to safety.

The Jack’s Flask is recharged using a regular USB-C charger, so it’s quick, easy and safe to recharge when the battery runs low.

The juice is made with only the best ingredients, so you don’t need to worry about contaminants or potentially harmful chemicals like diacetyl that can damage your lungs.

However, the juice contains 50mg/ml nicotine, so it offers an efficient way to satisfy your nicotine cravings without all the health risks of smoking combustible tobacco.

Many would say that using disposables is the simplest and safest way to vape as long as you can trust the brand you are using – and with Spiritbar products like the Jack’s Flask, you know you have a device that is as safe as any other product on the market.

3. Vaporesso XROS 3

The Vaporesso XROS 3 is the latest addition to the Vaporesso XROS family and is one of the best – and safest – refillable pod vapes currently available.

Vaporesso is a brand known for making vape juices that are bursting with flavor, and with the device, you’ll be able to experience the company’s range of juices in all their glory.

With the 0.6-ohm MESH pod pre-installed, it’s ideal for use with nicotine freebase products – but it also comes with a 1.0-ohm MESH pod included in the pack, so you also have some scope for experimentation.

It comes fitted with the Axon chip and a powerful 1,000 mAh high-density battery that can give you up to 48 hours of vaping per charge. This vape also allows you to precisely adjust the airflow to customize the experience to your preferences, including both DTL and MTL delivery.

The device is designed with advanced anti-leak tech to avoid leaks and malfunctions. The pack also includes a USB-C charger, making it perfectly safe and convenient to charge wherever you go.

We also like the effective firing button that makes it easy to use but very difficult to set off in your pocket by accident.

This is a luxurious vape full of exceptional features, and if you don’t want to go down the disposable route, it’s also among the safest vapes you’ll find.

4. OXVA XLIM v2

Another stylish high-performance refillable pod vape – and one that’s also among the safest options currently available – is the OXVA XLIM v2.

This mini pod vape comes with a built-in battery that holds 900mAh, enough for you to keep vaping for a long time before you need to plug it in and recharge.

When the time comes for a recharge, it could hardly be simpler. It uses a standard USB-C charger, and the kit comes with a cable, so you know you have the most perfectly compatible equipment to use right from the start.

The pod refills from the side, and this design ensures that spills are easy to avoid – and the device features anti-leak technology that also prevents condensation, helping to keep the vape in perfect working order.

The airflow control is located conveniently on the side, so you won’t need to worry about blocking it by mistake.

It comes fitted with a 0.6-ohm coil, which is perfect for freebase nicotine juice, and this vape delivers a powerful throat hit for those who like to feel what they’re vaping. The pack also includes a 0.8-ohm coil, allowing you to experiment with the delivery.

This is a great looking vape that does everything it’s designed for perfectly, and there’s very little chance of anything going wrong, making it another top pick if you’re looking for the safest vape possible.

5. Smok Nord Pro

The Smok Nord Pro vape is a high-quality piece of kit that’s also extremely safe to use.

It can operate in either auto mode or by using the firing button, letting you choose the safest setting for your needs. It also has a child lock, so you won’t have to worry about your kids getting hold of it if you have children in the house.

The “on” button requires three clicks to activate it, so there’s little chance of it switching on by itself in your pocket or bag.

We love the range of colors the vape is available in – it’s definitely a great option for the style-conscious vaper.

Out of the box, it comes fitted with a 0.6-ohm coil, which is ideal for freebase nicotine juices – but it also includes a 0.9-ohm coil if you prefer to switch to salts.

As well as being nice to look at, this vape is designed with durability in mind, so it won’t break easily or malfunction if it receives a little rough treatment.

The 1,100mAh battery inside provides you with plenty of vaping time and is charged using a USB-C charger, making it quick, easy and safe to top up when the battery runs low.

Other notable features include the easy-to-understand LED indicator and the elongated airway that allows for more efficient vapor generation.

So all in all, this is another top-notch vape with plenty of great features and a great aesthetic that is also designed with safety in mind, making it another recommended product.

No shortage of products to pick from

As we mentioned, depending on where you live, all vapes need to pass strict tests before they are allowed to be sold, so if you live in North America, Europe or most other parts of the world, any vape bought from a reputable vape seller should meet the minimum safety requirements.

That said, some vapes are still safer than others – in terms of the juice they contain or in terms of the technology of the hardware and safety features they contain. And now, with our suggestions in this post, you should know about some of the best models to consider.

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