Welcome to our favorite yearly feature at eCig One: The Best E-Cigarettes of 2016. This list contains a mix of the old and the new. New brands such as VaporFi have arrived to challenge the old guard with an exciting array of stylish products. Meanwhile, some of the most well-known brands from the formative years of the e-cigarette industry are back with retooled product lineups that are certain to turn some heads.

In discussing the best e-cigarettes of 2016, we can be certain that this year will have two very big winners: temperature control vaping and box mods in general. More than ever, when we see people vaping on the street, we see box mods — and why not? Even at price points under $100, box mods boast more than sufficient performance to keep up with the nicotine demands of virtually any smoker looking to make the switch to e-cigarettes. Combine that with the simplicity and vapor production of today’s sub-ohm tanks, and there is little reason why a new e-smoker should ever need to use an e-cigarette shaped like a real cigarette.

However, it has to be said that not every smoker in the world wants to exchange his or her cigarettes for a fog machine. If you’re looking for something that comes in a smaller package, look no further than the latest offerings from V2 Cigs and NJOY. These two companies have tinkered tirelessly with the “cigalike” platform, creating tiny e-cigarettes that are sleek, reliable, and pack plenty of punch.

Experienced e-cigarette users can expect many of the best e-cigarettes of 2016 to include temperature control functionality. This feature — found in devices such as the VaporFi VOX 60 TC — gives you the ability to set a maximum temperature for your nickel or titanium atomizer coil. If the coil exceeds your set temperature, the device automatically reduces power. This prevents the “dry hits” that can occur if you forget to refill your tank.

Without further ado, we present our list of the best e-cigarettes of 2016.

Best E-Cigarette of 2016 (Beginners): V2 Cigs

Best E-Cigarettes 2016 V2 Cigs

Price: $24.95

In 2016, we have seen many e-cigarette companies move away from smaller e-cigarettes in favor of larger offerings geared toward those looking to upgrade. We imagine that this is because many beginners are now starting with locally available offerings such as the Vuse instead of shopping online. However, Vuse users are really missing out on the best experience available from a small e-cigarette. The V2 Cigs EX series looks nicer and produces more vapor per puff. Its cartridges last longer than Vuse cartridges, too. V2 Cigs also offers superior customer service, with a money-back guarantee, lifetime warranty and downloadable quality control reports for every cartridge and bottle of e-liquid. There really is no better e-cigarette company for beginning e-cigarette users.

Best E-Cigarette of 2016 (Beginner Alternative): NJOY Convenience Vaping System

Best E-Cigarettes 2016 NJOY Convenience Vaping System

Price: $9.99 and up

The NJOY Convenience Vaping System is an interesting new take on an e-cigarette for beginners. Rather than using a cigarette-shaped design, the Convenience Vaping System uses a larger “eGo” battery that’s closer in size to a small cigar. The tanks for the Convenience Vaping System cost $5.99 each and hold 3 ml of liquid. It’s an amount that should be enough to last almost anyone all day, if not longer. Although cartridges for the Convenience Vaping System aren’t the cheapest in the world, NJOY does offset the cost by not charging shipping on any order within the United States. NJOY offers a satisfaction guarantee as well as a one-year warranty on non-consumable items. The NJOY Convenience Vaping System is a good compromise for a heavier smoker or anyone who wants the convenience of a beginner’s e-cigarette with the added vapor production of a larger device.

Best E-Cigarette of 2016 (More Vapor): Halo Tracer

Halo Tracer Best ECig 2016

Price: $59.99

With devices such as the Halo Tracer, sub-ohm vaping has gone completely mainstream in 2016. The Tracer is a self-contained unit with a 2,600 mAh battery and no controls to fiddle with except a fire button. It includes its own sub-ohm tank designed to produce the optimal level of flavor and vapor at the Tracer’s single voltage setting. To sweeten the deal further, the Tracer even includes a full-sized bottle of Halo’s new V-Type e-liquid, formulated for best performance in sub-ohm devices. The Tracer boasts maximum vapor production and total simplicity — we love it.

Best E-Cigarette of 2016 (More Vapor Alternative): VaporFi VOX TC

Best E-Cigarettes 2016 VaporFi VOX TC

 

Price: $159.99

At $159.99, the VaporFi VOX TC costs quite a bit more than the Halo Tracer. However, while the Tracer operates at one voltage only, the VOX TC is adjustable from 7-50 watts and selects the correct voltage for your desired wattage automatically. The VOX TC also includes a 35-amp battery and your choice of three different tanks. The VOX II features solid construction for maximum durability and has a great feel in the hand. It also uses a removable battery, allowing you to continue using the device if you like while you charge dead batteries with an external charger. Add the tank of your choice for an extra $20.

Best E-Cigarette of 2016 (Premium Mod): VaporFi VOX 60 TC

 

Best E-Cigarettes 2016 VaporFi VOX 60 TC

Price: $169.99 and up

The VaporFi VOX 60 TC might be the most luxurious e-smoking device we’ve ever seen. The zinc alloy case is thick and solid and the fire button feels just right — this device has a level of polish that surpasses anything else. If you choose the black option, you’ll also get a rubberized coating that helps to prevent hand slippage. The dual lithium polymer internal battery system has a total capacity of 2,600 mAh. The VOX 60 TC also features a maximum output power of 60 watts and supports nickel and titanium temperature control coils. As an added safety bonus, the VOX 60 TC won’t fire in wattage mode if you’re using a temperature control coil. Although it certainly isn’t cheap, the VaporFi VOX 60 TC is easily the best e-cigarette currently on the market. If you can afford the best, this is the device you want. Add the tank of your choice for an additional $20.

Best E-Cigarette of 2016 (Premium Mod Alternative): Halo Reactor

Best eCigs 2016 Halo Reactor

Price: $69.99

The VOX 100 TC is one of the best box mods on the market, hands down. It is also one of the most expensive, though. Not everyone has over $200 to drop on an e-cigarette, and there is no shortage of great box mods to consider if you’re on a budget. Our favorite is the Halo Reactor, a rebranded ELeaf iStick 50. Although you can find this device for less elsewhere, the unique value proposition of the Halo Reactor makes this package the one to buy. The package includes a great sub-ohm tank, wall and USB chargers, two coils, a stainless drip tip, a glass trip tip and a 30 ml bottle of Halo’s new V-Type e-liquid. You’ll find that the less expensive packages available elsewhere include a USB cable only. The Halo Reactor features a compact design and a 4,400 mAh battery. It operates in variable-voltage mode up to 10 volts or variable-wattage mode up to 50 watts.

Best Disposable E-Cigarette of 2016: NJOY Daily

Best Disposable E Cigarette 2016 NJOY Daily

Price: $5.99 each, quantity discounts available

NJOY established itself as the clear leader of the disposable e-cigarette industry in 2013 with the release of the NJOY King. The King boasted top notch performance along with an appealing soft “filter tip” and incredibly light weight. It was an instant hit, and the new NJOY Daily improves on it in several ways. The NJOY Daily is slightly larger than the King, although it has a similar soft design and light weight. The Daily also draws from the battery in rapid pulses to maintain a high level of vapor production, making it even more like a real cigarette in terms of the satisfaction level achieved. If you’ve tried other small or disposable e-cigarettes and don’t find them as satisfying as tobacco, the NJOY Daily is likely to be a revelation.

Best E-Cigarette of 2016 (Mechanical Mod): Volcano Pele

Best Mechanical Mod 2016 Volcano Pele

Price: $199.99

Essentially, a mechanical mod is nothing but a tube, an atomizer connection and a fire button. You can buy one for next to nothing. That’s part of the appeal. Why, then, would anyone want to spend $200 on a mechanical mod? We recommend the Pele because it is a truly premium product designed and built in Hawaii. The Pele features a stainless steel body with brass connectors, a locking recessed fire button and a sleek design that blends perfectly with the included Caldera rebuildable atomizer — also built in Hawaii. The Pele is the perfect device for competition vaping. It’s also ideal for a full-time mechanical mod user who simply wants the very best.

Best Rebuildable Atomizer of 2016: Volcano Caldera

Best Rebuildable Atomizer 2016 Volcano Caldera

Price: $59.99

The best rebuildable atomizer of 2016 is the Volcano Caldera, available by itself or as part of a set with the Pele mechanical mod mentioned above. We love the Caldera for the simplicity of its three-post dual-coil design and stainless steel construction along with the fact that it’s built in Hawaii. The Caldera also features a unique design element: a spiral top that encourages excess vapor to condense and drip back to the coil, minimizing wasted e-liquid.

Best E-Cigarette Tank of 2016: VaporFi Edge

Best E Cigarette Tank 2016 VaporFi Edge

Price: $59.99

E-cigarette tanks weren’t quite ready for prime time when they initially hit the market. People loved their convenience, but their failure to consistently feed e-liquid to the coil led to dry hits and dissatisfaction. Tanks came a long way in 2015, though, and they’re set to improve even further in 2016 with the release of tanks like the VaporFi Edge. The Edge features huge feeding holes for e-liquid that allow it to operate reliably at up to 80 watts. The clever heat sink near the top of the tank helps to dissipate heat before it reaches the lips. If you’re ready to upgrade to a temperature control device in 2016, the Edge will be ready with its available nickel coils.

Best E-Liquids of 2016

Halo V-Type E-Liquid

Best E-Liquid 2016 Halo V Type

Price: $5.99 and up

Halo was one of the first companies to mass-produce e-liquid in the United States, making a huge splash at the time with e-cigarette users who had become increasingly concerned about buying Chinese-made e-liquids. Originally, Halo’s e-liquids used the blend that was popular at the time: mostly propylene glycol for superior flavor, plus a dash of vegetable glycerin for vapor volume. However, today’s sub-ohm device users have grown to prefer a much higher percentage of vegetable glycerin for maximum vapor production. Halo has finally responded with V-Type, the best e-liquid of 2016. The V-Type line featured all of Halo’s most popular flavors at launch, and more flavors are gradually being added. V-Type e-liquids feature a 70/30 VG/PG blend and the same great quality the put Halo on the map so many years ago.

Black Note E-Liquid

Best E-Liquid 2016 Black Note

Price: $29.00 and up

For tobacco lovers, Black Note offers a truly premium experience that nothing else can match. The world’s first lab-certified e-liquid with naturally extracted tobacco, Black Note features an all-tobacco lineup of eight different flavors. Black Note e-liquid features the exotic extracts of some of the world’s most popular tobaccos, including Virginia, Havana, Burley and Cavendish. The relatively high price of Black Note e-liquid is testament to the fact that lab-certified natural tobacco extracts aren’t cheap to produce. However, Black Note offers an unconditional satisfaction guarantee. If you don’t like it, Black Note will even pay the postage for your return. This is a great way to run a company focused on customer satisfaction, and we hope that other e-liquid companies will follow suit.

NJOY Artist Collection

Best E-Liquid 2016 NJOY Artist Collection

Price: $19.99 and up

NJOY is one of the oldest e-cigarette companies in the United States and one of the first brands widely distributed in brick-and-mortar stores. When NJOY began, the American e-cigarette market was almost exclusively their territory and their prices reflected that. NJOY has evolved with the times, though, introducing revolutionary new products at dramatically lower price points. The NJOY Artist Collection encapsulates the company’s new direction, featuring creative new flavor blends designed by well-known e-liquid creators around the world. The flavors are interesting and subtle enough to satisfy lovers of both sweet and savory e-liquids — and the price is low enough for an all-day vape.

Jason Artman

About the Author: Jason Artman

Jason Artman founded eCig One after switching from smoking to vaping in 2010 and has been a professional writer and SEO consultant since 2007. His work has been featured on television and in leading publications, and it has been referenced in numerous peer-reviewed journals. Jason works with leading vape brands around the world to generate targeted web traffic and increase their revenue.