Users of electronic cigarettes in the UK have always had a much smaller range of products to choose from compared to those smokers lucky enough to live in the USA. The basic reason for this comes down to the fact that the larger country is a much bigger market for the products so more companies are going to set up shop over there. UK residents have always been able to import their e cigs if they so wished, but shipping costs were usually so high to make it uneconomical to do so, and that’s not to mention the ridiculous costs added on in import taxes when your shipment reaches this country.
These days things are starting to look up a little and the number of e cigarette retailers is on the increase. No matter how much you are looking to spend on your vaping device you should be able to pick something up, but that’s not to say the quality will always be what you are expecting.
Since I’ve been lucky enough to sample a very wide range of e cigarettes both from the UK and the US over the last three years I thought it might be helpful if I did a quick rundown of the brands available so that you can make a better decision when you are looking to buy a starter kit.
These are my top picks for the best e cigarettes currently on the UK market:
1. Green Smoke

Since I first put this web site online back in 2009 Green Smoke has been the company I’ve pointed my readers to when they are looking to get their hands on a top rated e cigarette. This is a company which has been around since near the beginning of the e cigarette boom in the States and we were lucky enough that they decided very early on to target the UK market with it’s very own distribution centre.
When most of the big names in the industry such as V2, Safe Cig and Blu were all but ignoring the UK, Green Smoke was making it a major part of their plans for domination of the E Cig world. As luck would have it, Green Smoke is actually my favorite e cigarette from all those available in the USA so we’re particularly lucky they are so easy to buy in this country (as you can see from my other web site @ ecigaretteshop.com).
Green Smoke is a company which has poured it’s all into the production of the product it puts to market. They might take longer than many other companies to bring out new accessories or upgrades to their e cig, but when it becomes available you can be sure it’s going to be of a very high quality.
Whereas many other brands are content to use off-the-shelf e cigarettes and accessories, Green Smoke are selling a product which is unique and unavailable from any other vendor.
Why Are Green Smoke The Best Electronic Cigarettes?
- These electronic cigarettes produce the most realistic smoking experience thanks to their massive vapor production and the great taste of their refill cartridges.
- The customer service at Green Smoke is renowned for being absolutely awesome. I received my starter kit the day after I placed my order, and everyone I’ve talked to praises their behaviour whenever you contact them with a problem.
- The new long lasting cartridges they are now selling use a special technology which ensures there is no heating of the plastics in the carts. This leads to a vastly improved flavor over much of the competition, and it’s going to be a lot better for your health too.
- The batteries they use are just about the best on the market. There’s no need to take a primer puff before taking your main draw, just inhale and get that great taste right away.
- Their e cigarette delivers a fantastic throat hit so that it more closely emulates real smoking.
What’s Not To Like About Green Smoke E Cigarettes?
- Green Smoke costs a bit more than much of the competition but sometimes you have to pay extra to get the quality you deserve.
- Their web site is in need of a redesign. Not that this makes a difference to the smoking experience but it would be nice if they would put a bit more effort into producing a shop front that matches their product.
If you are looking to get the best e cigarette possible and are wiling to spend a little extra to do so then I’m telling you right now the Green Smoke is the product you want. I’ve been using e cigs for the last 3 years, have tried just about every product available on the UK and US market and nothing comes close to the smoking experience you get with the Green Smoke.
Using the link below will get you 10% off your order automatically deducted when you get to the checkout. Remember, you don’t have to take my word for it. If you decide you don’t like the Green Smoke you can return your starter kit within 30 days and get your money back no questions asked.
Click Here to buy Green Smoke E Cigarette from the company’s official online store
2. E-Lites E-Cigarettes

This is an e cigarette brand which I only used for the first time very recently thanks to getting a free starter kit from the manufacturer to do a review. When you take a look at the E-Lites web site the first thing you’ll probably notice is the fact that this is a discount e cigarette in comparison to brands such as Green Smoke. A starter kit can be yours for an amazing £25.99, that’s price which it could be difficult to turn own if you are looking to spend as little cash as possible.
We all know that there is more to buying consumer electronics than paying as few pounds as possible, so let’s see if this e cig still looks like good value for money when the Royal Mail posts it through your letter box.
What I Like About E-Lites
- These electronic cigarettes produce a mass of vapor which makes them a lot of fun to use. They aren’t quite up to the standards of the Green Smoke but are very good none the less.
- For the price paid this is a well made e cig which doesn’t look out of place in terms of quality next to the Green Smoke or something like the V2 from the US. The only e cigarettes I’ve tried which are obviously superior would be something like the Safe Cig or White Cloud.
- This device has good air flow which makes it nice and easy to take a draw
- There’s a decent throat hit for the user
- The product is supplied in a funky box that looks just like the one used for regular ciggies.
What I’d Like To See Improved In E-Lite E Cigs
- The flavor of their e cigarette cartridges isn’t up to the standard offered by Green Smoke, tasting a little artificial to my palette.
- Refill cartridges are expensive compared to much of the competition which means this cheap e cigarette will work out to be more expensive than it initially looks.
- Starter kits are only supplied with a single battery which will probably only be enough for a light smoker. Heavier smokers will have to pick up an extra battery with their kit, incurring an additional cost.
Click Here to buy E-Lites E Cigarette from the company’s online store
3. Halo E Cigarettes

Halo are a brand of e cigarette that’s sold by one of the most prominent retailers on the UK market, E Cigarette Direct. As far as I can tell they have this product branded and packaged by a manufacturer in China by a company who creates some of the other brands which are easily available in the UK. In fact the Halo is so similar to the E-Lite E Cigarette I wouldn’t be surprised if both products were made in the same factory. The batteries for each brand is almost identical and the chargers supplied by both seem to be interchangeable with the refill cartridges having the same screw mechanism. That’s not to say the Halo isn’t worth buying as a number of the e cigs you’ll find for sale are very similar to each other in many respects.
The Halo electronic cigarette comes packaged in a pretty standard cardboard box which is constructed to a reasonable standard. Inside I found 2 batteries, an unbranded USB charger and 10 refill cartridges.
Things I Liked About The Halo Electronic Cigarette
- Nice and easy to get a draw out of
- Decent vapor production
- Constructed to a good standard, much like the E-Lites product
- Tobacco flavor carts are better than those from E-Lites in my opinion
What’s Not So Good About Halo E Cigs
- I found them rough on the throat
- Menthol flavor has that same slightly artificial flavor I got with the E-Lites and Apollo
4. Apollo Electronic Cigarettes

Apollo is another company that operates in both the US and UK markets. They seem to be targeting those of us who are looking to spend a little bit less on our starter kit. They are certainly quite a bit cheaper than the Green Smokes with a 2 battery kit being available for about £40.
The first thing you notice about the Apollo e cigarette is the fact that is a really big device, much larger than the other products I’ve talked about on this page. This won’t bother a number of you, but I think the majority of people will be looking for an e cig which is closer in size of a regular death stick.
The advantage of the large batteries and carts this company sells is that you get plenty of power to produce bags of smoke, and the carts last a long time compared to most brands out there.
What Do I Like About The Apollo E Cig?
- Large battery size means plenty of power for great vapor production and throat hit
- Carts are large too which means they last longer
- Their low price point will appeal to those looking for a bargain
What’s Not So Good?
- The large battery and cart means this device is a bit cumbersome compared to most e cigs
- Flavor of the carts isn’t as good as the Green Smoke
The Apollo electronic cigarette isn’t a bad product by any means but I would rather point you in the direction of the Green Smoke if you are looking to purchase your first starter kit.
Overall I still have to say that the Green Smoke is my top rated e cigarette as it has been for the last 2 years. It is a bit more expensive than all the other options in the UK but for me it’s a price worth paying. That’s not to say any of the other products I’ve reviewed here aren’t worth the cash and if you are looking for a discount e cigarette then they are definitely worth taking a look at.
