Faced with a wide of models, in which it is sometimes very difficult to find one's way, the consumer is often left to his own devices. Beyond the aesthetic aspect, which is inevitably a determining factor when choosing a product, it is important to know the main classifications of each type of box. This will help you choose the right model for your needs. The main criterion of choice? The power supply of the box, in other words its operation via its battery(ies). These determine the autonomy of your device and depend directly on the model of atomizer that will be added, the usual power of vape and the frequency of puffs.

There are three main battery formats: 18350, 18650 and 21700.

- 18350 battery box 

Although this battery format is now quite rare, there are still a few boxes (often SbS, Side by Side) that work with it. The main advantage of these boxes is their compactness, but this is at the expense of a very limited autonomy.

- Box with integrated battery or simple 18650 battery 

The most popular category, with a compact size and a decent battery life, is the box with integrated or single 18650 battery. In general, they offer more autonomy than a 18350 battery, but above all they stand out and are characterised by their simplicity. Unfortunately, a box will not be able to continue to accompany you in your vape experience when the battery reaches the end of its life.

- Single battery box 21700 

The new trend in the last year or so has been the proliferation of single battery 21700 boxes. And it is of course possible to find compact ones (only slightly larger than the previous ones), which offer a 30-40% increase in capacity compared to an 18650 battery, as well as a much better discharge.

- Dual 18650 battery box 

This is a true queen of the pack, with a reasonable size and a much higher capacity and maximum power. They are more robust, but less ergonomic and easier to transport. 

- 21700 Dual Battery Box 

Although some of them are reasonably heavy, their dimensions and weight make them ideal for home use. They are difficult to carry around, but they do provide a very substantial autonomy. A huge advantage that cannot be overlooked.

- Triple/quadruple 18650 battery boxes 

Although triple battery boxes had their heyday a few years ago, they are now virtually unobtainable, supplanted by 2x21700 boxes with similar performance. As for the quadruple-accumulator boxes, they remain anecdotal and reserved for a minority of vapers.

- BF Box (Bottom feed) 

These boxes have the advantage of incorporating a vial of e-liquid. They will be chosen mainly to accompany a BF dripper (RDA or RSA), avoiding having to pour e-liquid every 4-5 puffs in an atomizer without a tank. They will most often be available with a single battery, but some of the less popular models carry batteries. All these values are grouped in the following table, indicating the total capacity (and therefore the autonomy), the recommended vape power and the recommended type of atomizer.

Legend :

MTL (Mouth to Lung): very restrictive draw

RDL (Restricted Direct Lung): medium restrictive draw

DTL (Direct to Lung): air draft

Single/Dual coils: number of heating elements in the resistors or assembly

Dripper (RDA): atomizer without a tank, with a simple tank requiring regular refilling of e-liquid.