A picture featuring MIST's choices for the best vape mods in 2023.

10 Best Vape Mods and Box Mods in 2023

Here at MIST, we’re lucky enough to get our hands on almost every vape mod that gets released. This gives us the experience and authority to provide you with impartial advice on which are the best vape mods out there and which are likely to suit your requirements best.

The vape mods and box mods below were selected based on both past awards from us and great reviews and testimonies from our customers, so read on below to check out the best vape mods and new vape mods in 2023!

Photo of the best vape mod in 2023, the Aspire Zelos 3

The Best Vape Mod Overall Is The: Aspire Zelos 3 Mod 

So, what is the best vape mod in 2023? It’s no other than the Aspire Zelos 3. While not the most powerful mod, its 80W max is strong enough for most sub-ohm vapers. The 3200mAh battery is gigantic and lasts for days. It is also a jack-of-all-trades vaping mod because you can instantly switch between simple wattage adjustment and advanced features like Bypass and TC modes. 

No. of Products Tested

19

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The 10 Best Vape Mods in 2023 are:

  1. Aspire Zelos 3
  2. Geekvape Z200
  3. Lost Vape Thelema Quest
  4. Innokin Kroma 217
  5. Eleaf iStick Power 2
  6. Innokin Coolfire Z80
  7. Vaperz Cloud Odin V2
  8. Vaperz Cloud Empire Project Squonk
  9. Eleaf iStick i40
 

Aspire Zelos 3

Best Vape Mod

9.6/10
Total
Battery
9.7/10
Wattage
9.5/10
Functionality
9.9/10
Build Quality
9.6/10
Price
9.5/10
Price
£39.99
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Features We Love

All-Rounder

Perfect for MTL and DTL vaping

Hidden Power

Easy to switch from variable wattage to advanced modes

Beefy Battery

3200mAh goes the full distance

The Aspire Zelos 3 Mod is one of favourite vape devices here at MIST. And, yes, there are other vape mods with more power, features, or travel-friendliness, but they don’t compare how Zelos 3 balances all these aspects.
Let’s start with its size. The Zelos 3 has a small, pocket-friendly footprint, but somehow Aspire managed to fit it with a massive 3200mAh internal battery. This battery capacity is what allowed us to enjoy vaping for 2-3 days, switching from moderate to heavy use, without reaching for a charger. 

Another thing we love about the Zelos 3 is that it’s suitable for beginners and longtime vapers. What do we mean by this? If you are completely new to the vaping world, you’ll appreciate the simple variable wattage. But, if you consider yourself an intermediate or advanced vaper, Zelos 3’s Bypass and TC modes are a godsend. 

Based on our experience, both the simple variable wattage control and the Bypass and TC modes are very intuitive – we were able to toggle between them without breaking a sweat.  
Although we were disappointed that it doesn’t have IP68 protections, its build is still very durable and capable of taking a few knocks.

Combining all these features and pitting them against other vape mods, we can confidently recommend that the Zelos 3 is the best vape mod in 2023. It’s intuitive to use, has a large battery life, and is packed with features that both beginners and long-time vapers will appreciate.

Pros

  • Perfect for almost all uses
  • Massive internal battery life
  • Small enough for easy travel

Cons

  • Large battery results in a heavy build
  • Not quite powerful enough for dedicated cloud-chasers
Price
£39.99
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Geekvape Z200

Best for Power

9.5/10
Total
Battery
9.5/10
Wattage
9.8/10
Functionality
9.6/10
Build Quality
9.2/10
Price
9.5/10
Price
£38.99
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Features We Love

What A Wattage: 200W maximum power output 
Screen Queen: Gigantic 2.4” full-colour display screen 
Budget Bae: Low-cost version of the T200 Kit’s mod 

Based on personal experience, the price of the most powerful vape mods can put a huge dent in your wallet. So, we’re pleasantly surprised that the Geekvape Z200 Mod packs a lot of power while still being within the reasonable price range. 

How much power, you ask? A whopping 200W. It is one of the highest wattage power we were able to test on a vape mod. But that’s just the tip iceberg – the Z200 Mod has other features up its sleeves. 

You get access to the full suite of functions, including TC and Bypass modes for RDA users. There’s also a Custom Power Curve mode that allows you to set personalised power fluctuations, along with a helpful Smart mode for newbies worried about burning their coils.
From our experience, all the modes performed beautifully – there were no hiccups or noticeable delays. 

Those familiar with the T200 vape device may see the Z200 as a bit of a step-down, but despite the lack of durable construction and touch functions, the Z200 puts a dual battery juggernaut of extreme vape power in your palm for less than £40, an incredibly thoughtful gesture that seeks to bring high-power vaping to all.

Pros

  • Extraordinarily powerful 200W max power
  • More affordable version of the T200 mod
  • A huge suite of use-functions

Cons

  • Lacks the damage protection of the T200
  • Very bulky and hard to travel with
Price
£38.99
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Lost Vape Thelema Quest

Best for User Modes

9.5/10
Total
Battery
9.5/10
Wattage
9.8/10
Functionality
9.8/10
Build Quality
8.9/10
Price
9.3/10
Price
£43.99
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Features We Love

Cinco Modo: Five different user modes to select between 
Save Your Fave: Save up to three different output settings 
Translucent: Optional translucent battery door for sci-fi style 

While numerous mods expect you to make do with simple wattage modes and maybe a Smart mod, Lost Vape are keen to provide you with an altogether more sophisticated suite of functions with their Thelema Quest Mod.

Once the dual 18650 batteries are fitted behind the (optionally translucent!) bay panel, a veritable trove of functions make themselves available to you. Yes, you can enjoy a simple 5W – 200W Wattage setting, but you can also have the power displayed as Variable Voltage as well.
Bypass and Temperature Control modes are available for RDA and RDTA users, with an additional Variable Power Curve mode in place for intricately-adjusted manual power fluctuations that suit your vaping style.

And if all that wasn’t enough, three separate user records are in place that save your favourite power and function load-outs that you can switch between instantly, personalising your vape mod more than any other device can hope to offer.

Despite having several user modes, we can confidently say that it’s not overwhelming at all. If you are a complete beginner, we do, however, suggest reading the manual and familiarize yourself with the modes. 

The Lost Vape Thelema Quest Mod is an advanced device intended for expert use, and anyone who wants to get into the nuts & bolts of power adjustment will find this to be the best box mod in 2023.

Pros

  • Contains a plethora of user-modes
  • Suited for all styles of DIY coil building
  • Save up to three optimal power and use settings

Cons

  • Slightly flimsy build quality
  • Uncomfortable to grip
Price
£43.99
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Innokin Kroma 217

Best for Single 18650 Battery

9.5/10
Total
Battery
9.2/10
Wattage
9.6/10
Functionality
9.6/10
Build Quality
9.4/10
Price
9.6/10
Price
£34.99
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Features We Love

Battery Bandolier: Compatible with 18650, 20700 and 21700 batteries 
Tacti-Cool: Pistol-grip design for comfort and style 
Maximum+: 80W max for 18650, 100W max for 20700 & 21700 

Some single-battery vape mods can be a little sparse on features and functionality, but the Innokin Kroma 217 Mod seeks to provide you with a full spectrum of vaping styles from a single power cell.

Boasting greater battery compatibility than any other vape mod, the Kroma 217 can fit a 18650, a 20700, or a 21700, making every vape cell a valid option for this single battery mod. We also love the unique and stylish pistol-grip design that feels very comfy in the palm. For RDA or RDTA users, the Kromo 217 Mod also has a 510-thread connection. We tested it with Innokin’s Zenith II, and it fits perfectly. 

But perhaps the most outstanding feature we know you’ll love is the Refresh mode – yes, the same flavour-boosting tech featured in the Coolfire Z80. You will also get the new Coil+ mode, which uses short bursts of power to knock residual, lingering juice from your wicking materials, ensuring fresh flavour with every puff.

While the display screen is a little confusing at times, there’s little that can go wrong when using the Kroma 217 due to its relatively simple functions and lack of RDA modes, making it the best single-battery vape mod for UK vapers seeking a flavoursome and versatile single-battery vape mod.

Pros

  • Compatible with any single vaping battery
  • Useful coil and flavour-preserving user modes
  • Lightweight and sturdy zinc-alloy build

Cons

  • A rounded screen can be hard to read in well-lit spaces
  • Somewhat confusing spec readouts on the display
Price
£34.99
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Eleaf iStick Power 2

Best for Internal Battery

9.4/10
Total
Battery
10/10
Wattage
9.5/10
Functionality
9/10
Build Quality
9.1/10
Price
9.5/10
Price
£39.99
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Features We Love

Mammoth mAh: Awe-inspiring 5000mAh battery capacity 
Gentle Giant: Rounded matte edges with a soft panel for comfort 
Simple Screen: Straightforward display interface 

We know that carrying and charging external batteries is not everyone’s cup of tea. So, what should you get if you want a vape mod with a large internal battery capacity? We recommend that Eleaf iStick Power 2 mod. 

Within the – admittedly huge – build rests a stunning 5000mAh battery. Out of the vape mods with internal batteries we’ve tested in this list, the iStick Power 2 has the largest battery capacity. This mammoth mAh ensures you can vape even at sub-ohm wattage levels for the better part of a week without having to worry about running out of charge. We highly salute Eleaf for opting for a Type C charging port for speedy power recovery.  

As expected, the iStick Power 2 Mod is chunky. But we appreciate Eleaf for making the edges rounded with a soft and pliant pleather palm panel so it won’t feel unwieldy in the hands.

And while it’s a little disappointing that the maximum power level is only 80W, which fails to take advantage of that gigantic charge capacity, you can still get impressive cloud production off at those heights of output.

Pros

  • The biggest internal battery in any vape to this day
  • Remarkably gentle and comfortable design despite the size
  • Detailed and informative display screen

Cons

  • 80W is a bit disappointing when considering the battery potential
  • Extremely large and difficult to travel with
Price
£39.99
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Innokin Coolfire Z80

Best for Flavour

9.4/10
Total
Battery
9.1/10
Wattage
9.5/10
Functionality
9.6/10
Build Quality
9.2/10
Price
9.5/10
Price
£38.99
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Features We Love

Coil Messiah: Preserve your coil flavour potential with Refresh mode 
FØr You: FØ Mode uses alternating currents for maximum flavour 
Quick-Fire: Super-quick 0.0003s ignition speeds 

While Innokin is best known for its user-friendly starter kits, the Coolfire Z80 Mod, based from our tests, offers a slightly more advanced device that can produce a great depth of flavour than any other vape mods. How? This new vape mode is equipped with FØ Mode and Refresh mode. 

Let’s talk about the FØ Mode first. It uses alternating current while you vape to draw the most flavour possible from the coil. From our tests, we were able to consistently draw the same flavour after several puffs.  Once the flavour started to diminish, we used the Refresh mode, and it blew us away. It was able to automatically prime the coils, giving us a constant fresh supply of new e-liquid, ensuring the freshest flavour for every puff.

So, if you’re after a vape mod for flavour, the Innokin Coolfire Z80 is the best vape mod for nic salts. If you hate slow ramp-ups, the Z80 also features a super-quick firing speed rated at 0.0003!

Pros

  • Retain flavour-carrying potential with Refresh mode
  • Unique user modes promote coil longevity
  • Rare Innokin mod that lets you select your battery

Cons

  • Slight ‘rattle’ to the build
  • A bit too tall for a kit with an 80W max
Price
£38.99
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Vaperz Cloud Odin V2

Best for Dual Batteries

9.3/10
Total
Battery
9.6/10
Wattage
9.8/10
Functionality
9.4/10
Build Quality
9.5/10
Price
8.4/10
Price
£79.99
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Features We Love

Cells Akimbo: Compatible with dual 21700s and dual 18650s 
Instant Swap: Quick-release aluminium battery cove
Old School Cool: Classic ‘mech’ style design with regulated protections 

For the best vape mode for dual batteries, we highly recommend Vaperz Cloud’s Odin V2.  During our tests, we were able to switch from dual 21700 and 18650 batteries by simply removing the aluminium panel. As expected, it is a bit bulky, but when we compared it to the first gen of the Odin it is significantly thinner and more lightweight. 

As for vaping performance, the Odin V2 did not let us down. There are Wattage and Voltage modes, along with TC settings for a variety of RDA coil materials. Plus, its maximum wattage capacity is 200W! And thanks to the full-colour display screen, navigating through modes and other settings is a breeze. 

Don’t be fooled, though. The Odin V2 might look like a mech mod, but it’s actually equipped with regulated protections to prevent battery shorts and charging issues. 

Pros

  • Classic dual battery box mod design
  • Thinner aluminium build than past versions
  • Designed for experienced, high-intensity use

Cons

  • A bit inaccessible for new vapers
  • Lack of Smart mode to protect coils
Price
£79.99
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Vaperz Cloud Empire Project Squonk

Best for Clouds

9.2/10
Total
Battery
9.5/10
Wattage
9.6/10
Functionality
9.7/10
Build Quality
9.5/10
Price
7.9/10
Price
£114.99
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Features We Love

Cloud Squirter: Designed for cloud-intensive RDA use 
Bottle Bros: Comes with two silicone squonk bottles 
DIY Delight: Bypass and TC modes for maximum cloud generation 

Any DIY vaper will tell you that using a Rebuildable Dripping Atomizer is the tastiest and cloudiest method. The only problem is that it’s frustrating to constantly apply e-liquid to the coil deck. This is where Vaperz Cloud’s Empire Project Squonk Mod comes in. 
If it’s your first time to come across a squonk mod, let us explain it to you in the most simple way. Instead of pouring e-juice directly into an RDA, you squeeze the squonk bottle. The vape juice will then move upwards, momentarily flooding the deck of the RDA. The cotton will then soak up the e-liquid and wet the coil. 

Based on our tests, the Empire Project Squonk Mod flawlessly transfers the e-liquid to the tank deck. Every time we press the bottle, a fresh lashing of tasty juice is directly into the wicking cotton without any problems.  In addition to its seamless “squonking,” we also love that it takes a single 21700 battery to power its 100W capacity. Like many other mods in our review, it is also fitted with TC and Bypass modes. 

The Vaperz Cloud Empire Project Squonk Mod is not for beginners, but it makes DIY coil vaping simpler than it’s ever been before.

Pros

  • Specifically intended for use with cloudy RDAs
  • TC modes for all coil building materials
  • Easy to swap squonk bottles out

Cons

  • Not for beginners
  • Superfluous for those not intended to use RDAs
Price
£114.99
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Eleaf iStick i40

Best for Beginners

9.1/10
Total
Battery
9/10
Wattage
8.9/10
Functionality
8.8/10
Build Quality
9.2/10
Price
9.7/10
Price
£30.99
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Features We Love

Starting Line: Perfect for new vapers 
Moderate Mod: Simple use functions and lower 40W max wattage 
Comfy King: Soft pleather wraparound grip panel 

We completely understand that new vapers browsing mods may be intimidated by the powerful, large builds on offer. 
Based on our tests, the Eleaf iStick i40 Mod is a great contender for your needs. It provides vapers, new and old alike, with a simple, user-friendly MTL mod that’s as comfortable as it is easy to master.
Its battery is only rated at 2600mAh, a far cry from Zelos 3’s 3200mAh. This is understandable since its wattage is half (40W, to be precise) than the 80W maximum wattage of Zelos 3. With that in mind, it’s not as powerful as other vape mods, but we can recommend that the iStick i40 Mod is the best choice for MTL vaping and a moderate amount of RDL.

In terms of appearance, there are several funky colours to choose from, displayed on the wraparound pleather panel, which provides you with soft grip comfort. We do, however, must admit that the panel can be a little stark when compared to other vape mod designs, but aesthetics have never been one of Eleaf’s primary focuses.

Overall, we believe that the Eleaf iStick i40 Mod is the perfect beginner’s vape mod. Based on our tests, it is simple to use and has a battery that’ll go the distance for cigarette-replacement vaping.

Pros

  • Easy to use vape mod
  • Designed for MTL uses
  • Ergonomic build design

Cons

  • Will leave you unsatisfied if used for DTL vaping
  • Underwhelming visual design
Price
£30.99
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FAQ

What Is A Vape Mod?

A vape mod is what you attach the best vape tanks to in order to atomise your e-juice. Vape box mods are often varied in their designs, but there are a few standardised aspects to all mods. It will consist of the frame itself, which is what you hold and interact with. Within will either be a battery bay or an internal battery pack, depending on whether you selected a mod that takes external batteries or not. Of course, the inside will include the chipset.

The front will usually consist of three buttons; a large fire button for ‘firing’ the vape and two smaller ones for navigating menus and power settings, under which you’ll usually find the charging port, which at the time of writing is almost universally USB-C. Simply put, a vape mod houses the power supply, vape chipset, and other electronic components.

What Is A Vape Mod Kit

If referring to a vape mod kit, you get the mod itself, a tank (typically attached to the mod through a 510-thread connection), and (internal or external) batteries. Of course, in order to make any vape mod kit useable, you’ll need an e-liquid and coils.

How Do Vape Mods Work?

Vape mods work by sending a set electrical charge up into the tank’s coil, which is connected to the vape mod via a 510 screw-in plate at the top. Some older or more MTL-focussed vape mods have a pre-set amount of electrical charge, which they discharge at a consistent rate, whereas other vape mods – such as those featured above – instead allow you to set the electrical charge rate before firing the mod.

This is usually displayed to the user through the medium of wattage, as it’s a very precise measurement that lets you be particular about how much power you’re using. However, it isn’t uncommon to find variable voltage modes as well as ‘bypass’ modes, which remove discharge limits and simply send the maximum level of power possible up to your coil, yet this function is generally only enjoyed by those using RDAs and other rebuilding coil decks.

As you’ve seen in this review, there are many different vape mods with a variety of different functions, but the absolute baseline functionality of a vape mod is always the same; it generates the power you need to transform your e-liquid into a breathable vapour.

What Are Vape Mods Used for? 

Vape mods, like pod kits, are used for MTL or DTL vaping. However, some people opt for vape mods because there are more modes and settings available. For instance, the best vape for clouds includes other functions such as Bypass mode and TC modes.

There will usually also be a display screen to help you track your power level, battery charge, and coil health.

Does Vape Mod Affect Flavour? 

You’re not likely to suffer lessened flavour when switching vape mods, though there are devices such as the Innokin Coolfire Z80 Mod and the Innokin Kroma 217 Mod that have modes installed that can improve the health of your coil.

Are Vape Mods Safe? 

Even the best cheap vape mods are safe to use when purchased through reliable UK retailers.

While mechanical mods have caused issues for people in the past, these are uncommon these days, as regulated mods can generate vast amounts of power while still providing battery safety.

What Are the Benefits of Vape Mods

There are a variety of benefits to using even the best small vape mods. Vape mods provide a degree of customisation and personalisation that no other vaping device can offer.

This makes it even less likely that you’ll return to smoking, as no form of tobacco smoking can be sure intricately curated to your specific tastes. Among the benefits of using a vape mod:

Is a Vape Mod Better Than a Pod Kit?

A vape mod will always provide much more functionality than a pod kit, so we would say it’s usually a more robust experience than pod vaping.

That being said, vaping is never a world in which ‘more features = better for everyone.’ Many prefer the simple convenience of a no-thrills pod kit and find manual settings a pain to try and understand. For this reason, we won’t definitively say that a vape mod is always better than a pod kit, as it varies on a case-by-case basis.

Need More Help? 

Thanks for reading, we hope this roundup of the best vape mods in the UK has been informative and left you in a better position to make a choice that suits your needs. If any of the top vape mods above struck your fancy, then don’t hesitate to visit the MIST online store today to acquire the best mod vape for your needs. And be sure to check out and subscribe to the MIST Youtube channel for many videos covering the various aspects of vaping, e-juice and industry innovations.

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