Starting to Vape: The Complete Beginner's Guide 2026

mars 27, 2026
News

So you have decided to switch to an e-cigarette? Excellent decision. But between kits, pods, e-liquids, boosters and nicotine strengths, the first steps can look complicated. This guide walks you through it stage by stage so you can start vaping properly, without the headache.

Step 1: choosing your first kit

There is no need to aim for complicated gear when you are starting out. A pod or a simple kit is more than enough. What matters is a compact device that is easy to use and holds its charge.

Our recommendation: the Argus G2 Mini+ kit

Voopoo's Argus G2 Mini+ Kit is the ideal kit to begin with. Compact and slim, it sits perfectly in the hand. Its 1500 mAh battery comfortably lasts a full day. And it is simple to use: no fiddly settings, you fill it and you vape.

Why a pod? Pods are the simplest devices out there. No button to adjust, no coil to change by hand at the start. The draw is close to that of a cigarette, which makes the switch easier.

Other kits to start with

Depending on your budget and your preferences, here are other excellent beginner kits:

Kit	Type	Battery	Best for
Argus G2 Mini+	Compact pod	1500 mAh	Maximum simplicity, small budget
GTX Go 40	Simple tube	1500 mAh	Easy to get to grips with, tube format
GTX Go 80	High-performance tube	3000 mAh	Long battery life, regular vaper
Kroma Z	Advanced pod	3000 mAh	Versatility, adjustable wattage
Drag X2	Powerful pod	External battery	Big clouds, room to grow

You will find all our kits in the Hardware section.

Step 2: understanding e-liquids

E-liquid is the "fuel" of your e-cigarette. It is what produces the vapour and carries the taste. At Unicorn Vape you will find two main formats, each with its own advantages.

Format 1: 10ml e-liquids (with nicotine)

This is the simplest format to begin with. Our Unicorn 10ml e-liquids are made in France and come in 3mg, 6mg and 12mg of nicotine, ready to use.

Five essential flavours to choose from:

Menthe Glaciale — Pure, crystal-clear mint
Blond — Light blond tobacco
RY4 — Smooth caramelised tobacco
Cactus Citron Corossol — Exotic freshness
Custard — Smooth vanilla cream

The advantage of 10ml: You can go all the way up to 12mg of nicotine. It is the only format that allows it in a ready-to-use bottle. Ideal if you smoke heavily and need a high strength at the start.

Format 2: the large formats (nicotine-free + booster)

This is where the real choice of flavours lives — and it is our speciality. E-liquids in 50ml, 100ml or 200ml are sold without nicotine (0mg). To add nicotine, you drop in an Unicorn Boost, our 20mg/ml booster.

Format	To reach ~3mg	Recommended maximum nicotine
50ml (60ml shortfill)	1 booster	~3mg
100ml (120ml shortfill)	2 boosters	~3mg
200ml	4 boosters	~3mg

Why not go above 3mg in a large format? The more boosters you add, the more you dilute the flavour of your e-liquid. That is why large formats are perfect for vaping at 3mg with the taste at its best. If you need more nicotine, use Unicorn 10ml alongside them.

The huge advantage of the large formats: hundreds of flavours to choose from — fruity, dessert, fresh, classic tobacco — and an unbeatable price per litre.

Our best-sellers for discovering the large formats

Crookie — Crunchy cookie
Dubai Chocolate Bar — Chocolate and pistachio
Granola Cream — Creamy granola
Grand Écran — Salted butter caramel popcorn

You will find our whole collection in the 10 Ans Unicorn range.

Step 3: choosing your nicotine strength

Nicotine strength is the thing that makes or breaks your switch to vaping. Too low and you will still want a cigarette. Too high and the throat hit will be unpleasant.

Your profile	Cigarettes/day	10ml format	Large format
Light smoker	1-5	3mg	3mg (1 booster/50ml)
Moderate smoker	5-15	6mg	3mg
Regular smoker	15-25	12mg	3mg + 10ml alongside
Heavy smoker	25+	12mg	3mg + 10ml alongside

The winning strategy for heavy smokers: Start with Unicorn 10ml at 12mg for the moments when the craving bites hardest (first thing in the morning, the coffee break). Top up with a large format at 3mg for the rest of the day, when you need less nicotine. That way you get the strong hit when it counts, and varied flavours the rest of the time.

To go further on this, read our complete guide to nicotine strength.

Step 4: good habits, day to day

1. Keep your pod charged
A flat pod means the temptation to smoke. Charge it every evening, the same way you do your phone.

2. Always keep a spare bottle
Running out of liquid is the number one cause of relapse. With our large formats, you are covered for weeks.

3. Vary your flavours
Flavour fatigue ("vaper's tongue") sets in when you stay on the same flavour for too long. Alternating between a fruity, a dessert and a fresh keeps your taste buds awake.

4. Do not draw on it like a cigarette
A vape is drawn more slowly and for longer than a cigarette. Gentle, steady puffs give better vapour and more taste.

Beginner mistakes to avoid

Buying a kit that is too powerful: A big 200W mod is not made for beginners. Start simple with a pod.
Choosing a nicotine strength that is too low: Better to start slightly above what you need and come down afterwards.
Not changing the coil: When the taste goes off or turns burnt, it is time to change the coil or the pod (every 1 to 3 weeks depending on use).
Vaping on an empty tank: If the tank is nearly empty, refill it. Vaping dry ruins the coil and gives a burnt taste.

Your first basket: our suggestion

To get going without overcomplicating things, here is what we recommend:

Product	Why
Argus G2 Mini+ Kit	Your device: compact and reliable
2-3x Unicorn 10ml (at the right strength)	Your first e-liquids with nicotine
1x Crookie 50ml or another large format	To discover the dessert flavours
1x Unicorn Boost	Booster to add 3mg to your large format

Ready to make the jump? Have a look at the Argus G2 Mini+ Kit, our Unicorn 10ml e-liquids and the whole 10 Ans Unicorn range for your first setup.

Frequently asked questions

Is the e-cigarette better than smoking?
Health authorities consider vaping to be considerably less harmful than the conventional cigarette. It produces no tar, no carbon monoxide and none of the thousands of chemicals that come from combustion.

How much does it cost per month?
The average vaper spends between €30 and €50 a month on e-liquid and coils, against €200 to €300 for someone smoking a pack a day. The saving shows from the very first month.

10ml or large format to begin with?
Both. Unicorn 10ml for simplicity and a nicotine strength that suits you, large formats to explore the flavours at a lower cost. Most vapers use the two side by side.

Do you have to quit smoking overnight?
Not necessarily. Plenty of vapers cut down gradually. What matters is having your e-cigarette within reach, so you can replace each cigarette with a few puffs of vape.

The easy way to start: our NEW TO VAPING selection brings together the simplest kits and beginner-friendly 10ml e-liquids.