How We Test & Review Vape Products
At VapingParts, every product recommendation is earned through real-world testing. We don’t publish spec sheets as reviews. Our team acquires products, puts them through structured testing protocols, and reports what we find — good and bad.
Why Testing Matters for Vape Hardware
Specifications only tell part of the story. A tank rated at 5mL capacity might leak at certain wattages. A coil rated for 40-80W might taste burnt at 60W with certain e-liquids. A mod’s “200W” output might sag under load with a single battery. The only way to know how a product actually performs is to use it — and that’s what we do.
Our Evaluation Process
- Initial Assessment — We evaluate build quality, materials, machining tolerances, threading quality, and included accessories. For tanks, we check o-ring quality and glass thickness. For mods, we test button responsiveness and screen readability.
- Compatibility Testing — We verify that products work with common accessories. Tanks are tested on multiple mods, coils are checked for cross-compatibility, and drip tips are tested for 510/810 fitment. This matters because you shouldn’t need to replace your entire setup for one new component.
- Performance Benchmarking — Each product category has specific metrics we track:
- Tanks & Atomizers — flavor production, vapor density, airflow smoothness, wicking speed, leak resistance
- Coils — break-in time, flavor at rated wattage, lifespan in days, sweetener tolerance
- Mods & Devices — power accuracy, battery efficiency, TC accuracy, firing speed
- Pod Systems — draw activation reliability, pod longevity, flavor consistency
- Endurance Testing — We use products for a minimum of one week before publishing recommendations. For coils, we track performance degradation over 7-14 days of daily use. For devices, we monitor battery health and button reliability over extended periods.
- Comparative Analysis — Every product is evaluated against direct competitors at the same price point. We identify clear winners and explain exactly why one product outperforms another.
Our Rating Criteria
| Criteria | What We Measure |
|---|---|
| Performance | Vapor quality, flavor accuracy, power delivery, coil efficiency |
| Build Quality | Materials, machining, threading, durability under daily use |
| Compatibility | Cross-brand coil support, standard connections, accessory availability |
| Ease of Use | Assembly, coil changes, filling, maintenance requirements |
| Longevity | Product lifespan, coil availability, firmware update support |
| Value | Performance per dollar, ongoing costs (coils, pods), warranty support |
Editorial Standards
- No paid placements. We accept products for testing but never accept payment for favorable coverage.
- Transparent recommendations. When a product falls short, we say so — and explain what alternative we’d choose instead.
- Regular updates. Vape hardware evolves quickly. We revisit our guides quarterly and whenever significant new products enter the market.
Affiliate Transparency
VapingParts earns affiliate commissions when you buy through our links. This supports our testing program and keeps our content free. Commissions never influence which products we recommend — placement in our guides is based purely on test results.
See our full Affiliate Disclosure for details.
Questions about our testing or want to suggest a product? Get in touch.