Vaping has become an increasingly popular alternative to smoking cigarettes. One of the reasons for its popularity is the ability to precisely control nicotine intake by purchasing e-liquid with a chosen concentration of nicotine. This allows the user to steadily decrease their nicotine intake over time if they wish to quit nicotine altogether. When purchasing vape products like e-liquid pods and cartridges, the amount of e-liquid is measured in milliliters (mL) and the usage is measured in puffs. A frequent question for new vape users is how long a vape cartridge or pod will last based on its size and the number of puffs it contains. Here is a detailed look at how many puffs a 500 puff vape cartridge or pod will provide and how long it will last the average user.
How is vape usage measured?
Vape cartridges and pods are filled with a certain amount of e-liquid, which is measured in milliliters (mL). The usage is measured by the number of puffs the cartridge or pod is rated for. A puff is the equivalent of inhaling from the vape for roughly 3-4 seconds. The number of puffs a cartridge can provide depends on the size of the cartridge and the size of each puff. Manufacturers rate their cartridges based on an average puff duration. For example, a 1.5mL cartridge may be rated for 350 puffs based on an average 3.5 second puff.
The number of puffs does not necessarily directly correlate to the amount of e-liquid in the cartridge. Longer puffs will use more e-liquid while shorter puffs use less. The puff rating is more of a guideline than a guarantee of the exact number of puffs available.
How many puffs are in a 500 puff vape cartridge?
As the name suggests, a 500 puff vape cartridge or pod is rated to provide approximately 500 puffs. However, the actual number of puffs you get may vary based on your usage habits.
On average, a 500 puff cartridge contains about 1mL of e-liquid. However, the size can range from 0.5mL to 1.2mL depending on the manufacturer. The battery life of your device will also affect how many puffs you can get from a cartridge.
Typical 500 puff cartridge sizes:
- 0.5mL cartridge
- 0.75mL cartridge
- 1mL cartridge
- 1.2mL cartridge
While the cartridges contain different amounts of e-liquid, they are still rated for approximatedly 500 puffs. Those with less e-liquid will produce smaller puffs while cartridges with more e-liquid will produce bigger puffs overall.
How long does a 500 puff vape cartridge last?
How long a 500 puff cartridge will last depends entirely on your usage habits. For example, someone who only takes around 50 puffs per day will make a 500 puff cartridge last around 10 days. For someone who vapes 200 puffs per day, the same cartridge will only last 2-3 days.
The average vape user is estimated to take around 150-200 puffs per day. For that level of use, here is how long a 500 puff cartridge will last:
- 150 puffs per day – the cartridge will last for 3-4 days
- 200 puffs per day – the cartridge will last for 2-3 days
For a pack per day smoker, a 500 puff vape cartridge is estimated to last:
- 1 pack (20 cigarettes) per day smoker – cartridge will last 2-3 days
Heavy vape users taking 300+ puffs per day may only get 1-2 days of usage out of a 500 puff cartridge.
Factors that affect 500 puff cartridge lifespan:
- The number of puffs you take per day
- Length and size of your puffs
- VG/PG ratio of e-liquid (higher VG provides larger puffs)
- Efficiency of your battery and coil
How many puffs per day is average?
The number of puffs a person takes per day can vary drastically based on their nicotine tolerance and usage habits. Here is an overview of the range:
- Light user – 50-100 puffs per day
- Average user – 150-200 puffs per day
- Moderate user – 200-300 puffs per day
- Heavy user – 300+ puffs per day
In one study of experienced vapers, the average number of puffs per day was 225.
For comparison, most cigarette smokers take between 8-12 drags per cigarette and smoke anywhere from 5 cigarettes to a pack or more per day.
Average puffs per day by smoking habits:
- 1/2 pack per day smoker – around 225 puffs per day
- 1 pack per day smoker – around 450 puffs per day
- 1 1/2 packs per day smoker – around 675 puffs per day
- 2 packs per day smoker – around 900 puffs per day
How can you extend the life of your 500 puff vape cartridge?
If you find yourself running out of puffs on your 500 cartridge too quickly, here are some tips to extend the cartridge’s lifespan:
- Take shorter puffs – Try inhaling for 2-3 seconds instead of 3-4.
- Reduce your puff frequency – Space out your puffs further apart.
- Adjust power settings – Use lower voltage and wattage settings.
- Switch e-liquid – Higher PG blends produce less vapor.
- Clean your device – Change coils and clean tank/pod system regularly.
- Charge battery fully – Running on low battery uses e-liquid less efficiently.
Making adjustments to your vaping habits and equipment can help 500 puff cartridges last longer between replacements.
How long do different sized vape cartridges last?
Vape cartridges come in a range of sizes from 100 puffs up to 1000 puffs or more. The number of puffs relates to the amount of e-liquid contained in the cartridge. Here is an overview of some typical vape cartridge sizes and how many days they will last the average user:
| Cartridge Size | Estimated Puffs | Days to Finish (200 puffs/day) |
|---|---|---|
| 150 puff | 150 | 0.75 days |
| 250 puff | 250 | 1.25 days |
| 280 puff | 280 | 1.5 days |
| 300 puff | 300 | 1.5 days |
| 350 puff | 350 | 1.75 days |
| 500 puff | 500 | 2.5 days |
| 550 puff | 550 | 3 days |
| 650 puff | 650 | 3.25 days |
Clearly the larger cartridges in the 1000 puff range will last considerably longer – approximately 5 days for a typical user.
Pro tips for making your vape cartridges last
Getting the most life out of your vape cartridges comes down to careful usage and maintenance. Here are some pro tips for maximizing cartridge lifespan:
Usage
- Take smaller, shorter puffs
- Space out puffing sessions further apart
- Avoid long continuous puffing sessions
- Use lower temperature and voltage settings
- Consider higher PG e-liquid blends
Maintenance
- Frequently change coils
- Clean tank and connections regularly
- Avoid chain vaping and dry hits
- Let tank cool down between puffs
- Keep vape stored upright when not in use
Equipment
- Use optimal wattage for your resistance
- Ensure battery is fully charged
- Consider a variable voltage/wattage mod
- Use the best matched tank/pod system
Finding the right vape cartridge size for your needs
With cartridges available in so many different puff ranges, it can be tricky finding the right size for your personal usage. Here are some tips:
- Estimate your average puffs per day
- Factor in frequency of vaping sessions
- Consider your previously used cartridge durations
- Leave buffer room in your estimate
- Try various cartridge sizes to dial in your ideal
- Consider keeping multiple sizes on hand
Matching your cartridge size to your habits will ensure you aren’t running out too quickly or wasting e-liquid in oversized cartridges.
Conclusion
Getting the maximum duration out of vape cartridges comes down to carefully matching the cartridge size to your usage and employing usage habits that extend cartridge lifespan. A 500 puff vape cartridge lasts the average vaper 2-3 days at 200 puffs per day. Adjusting your puff length, frequency, and making maintenance improvements can all help a 500 puff cartridge last longer.