IVG Pro 12 vs Fully Refillable Pod Kits
Prefilled convenience or refillable control? Here is how the Pro 12 stacks up against open pod systems on cost, effort, flavour and nicotine choice.
Prefilled kits like the IVG Pro 12 and fully refillable pod kits solve the same problem in opposite ways. The Pro 12 prioritises simplicity, while a refillable system prioritises control. Neither is better outright; the right one depends on how much effort you want to put in, how much you care about cost, and whether you want freedom over your flavour and nicotine. This guide explains the trade-offs so you can decide which camp you fall into.
Shop the IVG Pro 12 KitIllustrative comparison of maintenance, not a measured figure.
The core difference
With the Pro 12, the liquid comes prefilled and the pod feeds itself from a sealed container. You never handle e-liquid. With a refillable kit, you buy bottles of e-liquid separately and fill the pods yourself, and you often replace coils periodically as they wear out. One approach is hands-off; the other is hands-on. That single difference drives almost everything else.
| Factor | IVG Pro 12 (prefilled) | Refillable pod kit |
|---|---|---|
| Setup effort | Minimal, click and vape | Fill pods, prime coils |
| Flavour choice | Set IVG range | Almost any e-liquid |
| Nicotine options | Fixed strengths | Choose your own strength |
| Running cost | Higher per ml, lower hassle | Lower per ml, more effort |
| Mess risk | Very low, sealed system | Possible spills when filling |
| Maintenance | Replace the whole refill | Replace coils, clean pods |
| Best for | Convenience seekers | Tinkerers and value hunters |
Cost over time
Refillable kits usually win on raw cost. Buying e-liquid in larger bottles is cheaper per millilitre than buying prefilled pods, and once you own the device your ongoing spend can be low. The trade is your time and a little learning, plus the occasional coil replacement. The Pro 12 costs a bit more per ml but removes the faff entirely, which many people happily pay for. The right answer depends on whether you value money or convenience more, and how much you vape.
Flavour and nicotine control
A refillable system lets you use almost any e-liquid at any legal strength, including the lower nicotine levels that help if you are trying to cut down gradually. You can chase specific flavours, mix shortfills, and tune the experience precisely. The Pro 12 keeps things simple with a curated flavour range at a fixed strength, which is easier but less flexible. If choosing your own nicotine level matters to you, perhaps because you want to step down over time, read about UK strengths in our UK vape regulations guide.
Effort and learning curve
This is the deciding factor for many people. A refillable kit asks you to learn a few things: how to fill a pod without flooding it, how to prime a new coil, when to replace a coil, and how to keep everything clean. None of it is hard, but it is a routine. The Pro 12 asks almost nothing of you beyond charging and swapping a refill pack. If you found disposables appealing precisely because they were effortless, the Pro 12 keeps that feeling while a refillable kit reintroduces some work.
Which should you choose?
- Choose the Pro 12 if you value zero hassle, consistent flavour and a tidy, mess-free experience, and you are happy within the IVG range at a fixed strength.
- Choose a refillable kit if you want the lowest running cost, full flavour and nicotine freedom, and you do not mind filling pods, priming coils and a little upkeep.
Some people use both: a Pro 12 for easy, on-the-go vaping, and a refillable kit at home where the cost savings and flavour freedom matter more. There is no rule that says you must pick only one.
A worked cost example
The cost picture is the clearest way to understand the trade-off. With a refillable kit, you buy the device once and then bottles of e-liquid, which are cheaper per millilitre than prefilled pods, plus the occasional replacement coil. With the Pro 12, you buy the device and then refill packs, which cost more per millilitre but require no effort and no extras. Over a heavy month, the refillable route generally costs less in pure liquid terms, while the Pro 12 costs a little more but saves you time and hassle. Both are far cheaper than a daily disposable habit, so either is an upgrade in value terms.
What maintenance a refillable kit needs
The hidden cost of a refillable kit is upkeep, and it is worth being honest about it before choosing. You will need to fill pods without overfilling or flooding them, prime new coils before first use, replace coils every week or two as they wear out, and clean the pod and connections occasionally. None of this is difficult, and many vapers enjoy the control it gives, but it is a routine. The Pro 12 removes all of it: there is nothing to fill, no coils to change, and no cleaning ritual beyond an occasional wipe.
Who should choose each, in detail
Choose the Pro 12 if your priority is a clean, foolproof experience, you are happy within a curated flavour range at a fixed strength, and you value your time over saving a little money per millilitre. It is also the better first device for most people leaving disposables. Choose a refillable kit if you want the lowest running cost, the freedom to use any e-liquid and any legal nicotine strength, including lower strengths for cutting down, and you do not mind a little regular upkeep in exchange.
Common myths
- "Refillable is always cheaper." Cheaper per millilitre, yes, but only if you factor in your time and the cost of coils. For light users the gap can be small.
- "Prefilled is just a disposable." No. The Pro 12 is rechargeable and reused with refill packs, which is exactly what makes it legal and less wasteful.
- "Refillable kits are complicated." They have a routine, but it is easy to learn. The real question is whether you want a routine at all.
Flavour variety: a real difference
One genuine advantage of a refillable kit is the sheer breadth of flavour available, since you can use almost any bottled e-liquid on the market. If you love hunting down new and unusual flavours, that freedom is appealing. The Pro 12 offers a curated range instead, which is more than enough for most people but is, by design, a fixed selection. If endless variety excites you, lean refillable; if a solid, reliable range is plenty, the Pro 12 keeps things simple.
Time cost versus money cost
The cleanest way to frame this choice is as a trade between time and money. A refillable kit saves money per millilitre but costs you time and a little learning: filling, priming, replacing coils and cleaning. The Pro 12 costs a little more to run but saves you all of that effort. Which matters more is personal. Busy people who just want a vape that works often happily pay the small premium for the Pro 12, while those who enjoy tinkering and want the lowest cost gravitate to refillables.
You can switch between them
It is worth remembering that this is not a permanent, either-or decision. Many vapers start with a prefilled kit like the Pro 12 for its simplicity, then move to a refillable system later once they know what flavours and strengths they prefer. Others keep both, using the Pro 12 for easy on-the-go vaping and a refillable kit at home. Starting with the Pro 12 is a low-risk way in, and nothing stops you exploring further down the line.
Frequently asked questions
Is the IVG Pro 12 cheaper than a refillable kit?
Usually no, on a per-millilitre basis. Refillable kits cost less to run because bottled e-liquid is cheaper than prefilled pods. The Pro 12's advantage is convenience, not raw cost.
Can I choose my nicotine strength with the Pro 12?
Only from the strengths it is sold in, commonly 20mg. A refillable kit lets you pick any legal strength, including lower ones for cutting down.
Is a refillable kit hard to use?
Not hard, but it has a routine: filling pods, priming and replacing coils, and occasional cleaning. The Pro 12 removes all of that.
Which is better for a beginner?
The Pro 12 is the easier starting point. Many people move to a refillable kit later once they know what they like.