An electronic cigarette cartridge is one of the three main parts components that make up a complete e cigarette. The cartridge (or mouthpiece, filter or cart as it's sometimes known) sits at the top, the atomiser in the middle and the battery with its LED light, at the bottom.

Electronic cigarette cartridges, which are available in black or brown, come with either a whistle-shaped, tapered or the more familiar rounded end. On a tobacco cigarette, the counterpart to an electronic cigarette cartridge is the filter.

A pre-filled e cigarette cartridge contains a piece of absorbent lint-type fabric, the cartridge filler,which is impregnated with e liquid. When the e cig is used over a period of time, the e liquid is gradually used up until the cartridge filler dries out.

The cartridge can then be replaced with another pre-filled cart or it can be re-cycled by re-wetting the cartridge filler with e liquid, at home. E liquid can be purchased from suppliers in bottles for this purpose.

PRE-FILLED CARTRIDGES

Pre-filled electronic cigarette cartridges are usually offered in multi-packs. There are various flavours to choose from with nicotine concentrations ranging from zero to 18mg (1.8%).

Pre-filled electronic cigarette cartridges are usually offered in multi-packs. There are various flavours to choose from with nicotine concentrations ranging from zero to 18mg (1.8%).

SO HOW LONG DOES AN ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE CARTRIDGE REALLY LAST?

Some less reputable e-cig suppliers make inaccurate claims that a single cartridge lasts the equivalent of 20 tobacco cigarettes. This is simply not true.

In reality, the length of time each electronic cigarette cartridge lasts before it needs replacing or refilling depends largely on the e cig model type and how often it's used (not that helpful, we know)!

Obviously, lighter use of an e cig means fewer carts, but to give you some idea, in our experience a typical 20 a day smoker might expect to use between 3 and 5 cartridges a day.

REUSING CARTRIDGES

There is no doubt that ripping open a packet and popping on a new, pre-filled cartridge is quick and easy.  However, it's a relatively expensive way to enjoy vaping. Many people prefer to cut down on costs and waste by refilling used cartridges at home.  Many suppliers now sell empty or 'blank' cartridges for this purpose.

Why not have fun experimenting with the wider range of e liquid flavours available in bottles? Take a look at our refilling cartridges page for some helpful tips!

THE CARTOMISER

The cartomiser is a relatively new addition to the e cigarette family. A cartomiser does away with a separate atomiser and cartridge by combining the two. Cartomisers are generally sold in small multi-packs and come pre-filled with e liquid.

Like traditional pre-filled electronic cigarette cartridges, cartomisers may be re-used by re-filling with e liquid when depleted.

Feel free to take a 'wander' around the e-cigs.co.uk store if you'd like to see our own range of e liquid flavours, cartomisers, blanks and pre-filled electronic cigarette cartridges.