Cheap Vape Box Mods

In the hierarchy of vaping (a hierarchy based strictly on knowledge and experience), box mods are the penultimate step to the top, which I think most people would agree, ends with the mech mod. The box mod is a step up from vape pens and other vape mods, which themselves are step ups from e-cig mods and cig-a-likes.

Since box mods occupy that middle-ground between beginner and intermediate vaper, they attract a lot of people into their midst, which is why box mod vaping is one of the most popular ways to vape.

Rushing to fill that demand, vape companies have released hundreds upon hundreds of box mods, tanks, coils, and other support accessories to keep their customers happy and busy. This explosion of box mods has flooded the market, and it has become harder and harder to separate quality, long-lasting mods from those that don’t exhibit either of those features.

And because of their more complicated nature and their need for more expensive individual components, box mod vaping is already out of the reach of most people, both financially and regarding skill level.

It is particularly hard, also, to find a great-performing device that won’t put a dent in your wallet. But there is hope. We here at vapingdaily.com have decided to help you sort through all the vape and fury and find the best, inexpensive vape box mods that are available right now.

We’ll also share our thoughts and advice concerning box mod safety, and make comparisons between high-priced box mods and cheaper ones. We’ve tried to get at this objectively, by keeping in mind key factors like performance, vapor production, ease of use, and battery life, but we’ve also included models we thought were great based solely on subjective factors like design, looks, or brand.

Cheap Vape Box Mods: Should I, Shouldn’t I?

There are a lot of things to consider when making a move to box mod vaping from disposables or cig-a-likes. Box mods are next-level vaping, and they require more time, effort, and money to be maintained and modified.

But strictly from a money perspective, you should know that there are hundreds of models out there that perform well and don’t put a dent in your wallet. And this leads us to the main reason why a cheap box mod is great to start off with:

Personalization

Box mods are all about personalization; about how much of yourself you can put into it. The beauty of box mods is that they lend themselves easily to being modified.

So, let’s say you start off with a relatively cheap box mod starter kit. It’ll come with the basic box mod setup: tank, coils, mod. But from there, as you use the box mod more and more, you’ll start to get a feel for what you like and don’t like about the stock setup that you have.

This might mean you want to use a different tank with your mod, or you might want to swap out the coils inside your tank for different ones. Or maybe you like all the things about your tank and atomizer, and you want to use a different mod; well, with box mods, all that is possible.

However, when looking for your first box mod starter kit, you also want to keep something else in mind. Any decent, cheap starter kit should offer the following the quality if it wants to rise above the rest.

Versatility

Versatility is a feature built-in to nearly all box mods. But some are more adept at it than others. You want, when shopping for a box mod, to make sure that it allows for more versatility than other models; this can mean many things.

You want to make sure that small things like the mouthpiece or drip tip are 510 adaptable (some models come with their proprietary drip tip and cannot be swapped out). You also want to check if the tank included can come apart wholly (made of separate pieces), which then means you can replace or modify certain things more efficiently.

Most modern box mods have 510 connectors and threading, meaning that they can be used on just about any other box mod or tank that has similar 510 threads. But, of course, make sure that your device does have them because there are a few exceptions out there that do not.

Durability

Durability is something that naturally follows after versatility. For example, many devices feature removable batteries, which is excellent for the overall life of your device, because the batteries can be replaced.

Some models have built-in batteries, and the length of their performing life is invariably tied to the life of the battery – as goes the battery, so goes the mod. Cheaply priced mods might not be made from the best materials, but their price points don’t make them that difficult to replace.

And the nature of box mods also means that any faulty or broken parts (like a glass tube, drip tips, and coils) can be replaced or swapped out for new ones, adding more life to your box mod setup.

Cheap Vape Box Mods: Safety

The safety of box mods, especially cheaply priced ones, depends on how it’s handled and how extensive a user’s knowledge is of its potential dangers. With that said, however, many box mods come installed with safety features that protect against most of the possible hazards that surround any battery-powered device.

Since batteries and their use (or misuse) are what lead to most box mod malfunctions, the protections installed into most mods have to deal with overcharging protection, short-circuit protection, and automatic cut-offs. These features do not just apply to high-priced mods. They come standard on most new, inexpensive mods as well.

The Best Cheap Vape Box Mods Out Right Now

Innokin iTaste SmartBox iSub V

Innokin is a company well-known for making its devices both technically proficient but accessible, regarding price points, as well. The iTaste SmartBox iSub follows in that tradition. It has a moderate maximum power output at 45W and is powered by a single, removable 18650 battery.

The entire kit (which includes an Innokin iSub tank with two coil options) retails for less than $30, and that’s an incredible deal considering what you get. The Innokin iTaste is great for versatility, personalization, and durability.

It has that external battery, the tank and mod have 510 threading, and it has a spill-proof reservoir that allows for easy replacing of the coil. There are also some “smart” features like coil recognition (which then sets the appropriate wattage) as well as protections like reverse polarity protection and short-circuit protection.

Price of the Innokin iTaste SmartBox iSub V Starter Kit: $25.95

Innokin iTaste SmartBox iSub V Starter Kit: Pros

• Easy to use
• Compact and portable
• A lot of extras included
• Many “smart” features and protections

Innokin iTaste SmartBox iSub V Starter Kit: Cons

• Battery and charger sold separately

SMOK R-Steam Mini 80W

SMOK (aka SMOKTech) is yet another vape company known for catering to both sides of the price spectrum. Their output is well-known in the vaping world, since they release almost four new devices a month, and some of those box mods skew toward the top-shelf, and others to the bargain bin.

But one device that is ideally suited for both is the SMOK R-Steam Mini 80W with its sturdy and durable zinc alloy construction, and its OLED screen, which reads out all your crucial vaping information. Its 80W power output is perfect for flavor-chasers, and the single, sold-separately, 18650 battery ensures an even longer-lasting performance life.

The mod features temperature control, which is a protection and features a 510 connector for easy use with any 510 threaded tanks. Another point for the SMOK R-Steam Mini in the versatility department is the fact that SMOK has released free, downloadable firmware that you can install into the chipset to upgrade the options available on the mod.

Price for the SMOK R-Steam Mini 80W (without a tank): $24.95

SMOK R-Steam Mini 80W: Pros

• Simple design and operation
• Well-built
• Downloadable firmware
• Compact, portable
• OLED screen

SMOK R-Steam Mini 80W: Cons

• Does not come with a tank included

Eleaf iStick Pico 75W Starter Kit

Eleaf is not as well known in the vaping world as Innokin or SMOK, but they have managed to put out some great products that appeal both to hardcore vaping veterans and new vapers. The iStick Pico 75W starter kit comes with the Melo III tank that can take coils designed and manufactured by other vape companies, so right away, the tank is compatible with almost any atomizer.

The iStick Pico is powered by a single-cell, 18650 removable battery that gets loaded at the top of the device. The iStick Pico can also be upgraded via downloadable firmware, and also features a small OLED screen. The kit comes with two sub-ohm coils included, but the device can still vape at above-ohm resistances with its highest being 3.5ohms in variable wattage mode.

Price for Eleaf iStick Pico 75W Starter Kit: $38.95

Eleaf iStick Pico 75W Starter Kit: Pros

• Small, compact design
• Secure, top-loading battery
• Free downloadable firmware
• Multiple coil options
• Moderate power output

Eleaf iStick Pico 75W Starter Kit: Cons

• Small tank capacity (2ml)

Kanger Subox Mini-C Vape Starter Kit

The Kanger Subox Mini-C Vape box mod is yet another miniature device that, while smaller than most, stills packs a lot of extra features into its tiny frame. The mod is powered by a single, removable 18650 battery and can output at least 50W.

The Kanger Subox Mini-C has a small OLED screen for easy adjustability, although the vaping outputs are not that complicated. There are some different safety protections available on the chipset, as well, like open charging protection and short-circuit protection.

The mod, as well as the Melo III tank, have universal 510 threading, and the Melo III tank is compatible with other Kanger-made coils.

Price for the Kanger Subox Mini-C Vape Starter Kit: $33.95

Kanger Subox Mini-C Vape Starter Kit: Pros

• Beautiful design
• Well-made
• Great for sub-ohm vaping
• Easy to use

Kanger Subox Mini-C Vape Starter Kit: Cons

• Can only fit 22mm tanks and no bigger

Eleaf iStick 200W Mod

The Eleaf iStick 200W mod is the most powerful device on this list, maxing out at a 200W output. And it reaches those high-levels of vaping by being powered by three removable 18650 batteries. The Eleaf iStick 200W mod is a little more advanced regarding power output, but everything else about it is pretty straightforward.

The iStick 200W has a three-button operation, a big and bright OLED screen, 510 threading and an ample top-surface that’ll allow use with larger tank sizes. With its more massive power output, the iStick 200W has more safety features and protections than it has vaping features.

With the iStick 200W, users are protected from dual-circuit misfires, low voltage, no atomizer attached, and overheating. There are also multiple alerts that’ll inform you of unbalanced battery levels and low battery levels.

Price for the Eleaf iStick 200W Mod (no tank included): $30

Eleaf iStick 200W Mod: Pros

• High-power output
• Multiple “smart” and safety features
• 510 threaded
• Downloadable firmware
• Removable batteries

Eleaf iStick 200W Mod: Cons

• Too advanced for some

Wismec RX Mini 80W TC

Wismec is one of the more high-end vape companies in operation right now, which is why, on a list of the best and cheapest box mods, the RX Mini is the most expensive device, retailing at close to $40.

Wismec scored an early success with their Reuleaux line of box mods, which come in various sizes, strengths, and designs. The Wismec RX Mini 80W TC mod is the smallest iteration of the Reuleaux line, but it hits a perfect balance of compactness and strength by outputting just 80W as its maximum.

The RX Mini is also the only device on this list with a built-in battery, but with a capacity of nearly 2100mAh and the quality guaranteed by a Wismec device, you are sure to have a long and fruitful life with the RX Mini. It also features a slew of safety features that protect against a dual-short circuit and reverse polarity (putting your batteries in the wrong way).

Price for the Wismec RX Mini 80W TC (no tank included): $40

Wismec RX Mini 80W TC: Pros

• Easy to use
• Intelligent chipset
• Long-lasting battery life
• Compact but powerful

Wismec RX Mini 80W TC: Cons

• Built-in battery

The Best Cheap Vape Box Mods: In the End

People who start vaping with e-cigs and cig-a-likes might eventually get tired or bored with the same vaping format. The limited amount of customizable features, coupled with the limited amount of e-juices that can be vaped, the disposability of an e-cig and its low power output can irk some people over time.

This annoyance with the cloistered world of disposable e-cigs is what brought about the box mod movement. Box mods consist mostly of a box-like, or box-shaped battery (or mod) that is attached to a tank and atomizer, which then produces vapor with the power produced by the mod.

While it may seem deceptively simple from that description, the simplicity of box mods fosters a great deal of creativity and curiosity as to how they can be modified. Almost everything about a box mod can be modified and swapped out for other parts.

This is why box mods can sometimes get expensive – all those interchangeable parts. But there are enough box mod options out there that come fully loaded with quality-made parts that they do require such heavy tinkering.

It’s hard to advise whether you should get a cheap or expensive box mod, becomes so much comes down to personal preference. But, no matter, how much you spend upfront, any kind of box mod (cheap or expensive) will allow you to upgrade or improve upon the original design; that’s just the nature of box mods.