ZampleTalk Episode 59: Juul vs Abay Vape Device Review
Some say good things come in small packages. We say awesome things do. In ZampleTalk Episode 59, Chris and Ian put two closed pod systems head to head: JUUL, the pod that had become a household name, and a newer challenger called ABAY.
Watch the video on the ZampleBox YouTube channel
Why pod systems were taking over
At the time, closed pod systems were changing vaping. They were simple, easy to use and small enough to fit in a pocket, and many adults who smoked found them an approachable first device. A closed pod comes prefilled, so there is no bottle to pour and no coil to change. When a pod runs dry, you swap in a new one.
The head-to-head
The episode came down to two questions: which device delivers the better flavor, and which one is the better value? Chris and Ian tested both and gave their verdict on camera. ABAY also earned a spot in our roundup of the best 2019 starter kits.
If you are weighing pod systems today, the same questions still apply, plus a couple more:
- Flavor. Try to taste before you commit, since pods can vary a lot from one brand to the next.
- Value. Look at the ongoing cost of replacement pods, not just the price of the device.
- Nicotine. Many pod systems are built for nicotine salts, often at higher strengths. The Zamplebox Club‘s Salt Nic Box delivers four 30 ml nic salt bottles a month for $39.99. Our guide to nicotine salts explains how they differ from regular e-liquid.
- Open or closed. Refillable pods let you choose your own vape juice, while closed pods limit you to one brand’s flavors.
Where things stand now
JUUL went on to sit at the center of the national debate over flavored vapes, and the pod market has changed a lot since. Every vaping product in the US needs FDA premarket authorization, many are still under review, and flavor rules vary by state and city, so check the rules where you live. Nicotine is addictive and no vaping product is FDA-approved as a quit-smoking aid, so adults who smoke and are thinking about switching should talk to a doctor.
WARNING: This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical. For adults 21+ only.