The Elf Bar – particularly the Elf Bar 600 – has become a well-loved fixture in the vape community in a relatively short period of time. There are many reasons for this: the device’s ease of use, its sleekly attractive and comfortably ergonomic design, its robustness and its great range of flavours are all factors. There is something about good design that is always attractive and the Elf Bar range is a masterclass in the marriage of form and function.

Now however there is a new kid on the block which is doing the unthinkable – challenging the Elf Bar 600 for supremacy. A device with a sleek new design boasting some genuinely innovative technology that has the potential to make a real impact on vaping culture. We are, of course, talking about the Elf Bar V2. How does this young pretender to the vaping throne compare the original?

The first thing to note is that both devices come from Elf Bar, which means that high quality is baked in. Both devices also contain the same strength and quantity of nicotine salt e-liquid – the maximum 2ml of 20mg nicotine strength liquid permitted under UK regulations. Both devices are powered by the same 360mAh battery too, which means that both devices can deliver around six hundred puffs of vapour to the average vape enthusiast. 

With both of the devices those puffs are all that is required to activate them. Neither device subjects the user to fiddly little dials or switches to bother with because they both feature “draw activation” – essentially all you need to do to activate the heating coil and produce a puff of vapour is breathe in through the mouthpiece. This what enables both devices to be so compact, so light, and so portable, making them both incredibly easy to carry and use anywhere – genuine everyday companions as you go about your day.

So far, so similar. Clearly the regular Elfbar 600 and the Elfbat V2 have a great deal in common - so how exactly do the Elf Bar 600 and the Elf Bar 600 V2 differ? Well, at a superficial level the aesthetics are a little different. The Elf Bar 600 arrives with that familiar matte finish and cylindrical shape that we have all grown to love. The V2 version mixes things up a bit and boasts a metallic finish and a slightly more tapered shape.

Perhaps the most noticeable difference as you look at it between the original and the V2 design is the mouthpiece. The V2 has also had some tweaks to the mouthpiece which are intended to make it more comfortable and ergonomic when in use. This might be of particular interest to those who get a lot of use out of their device and could contribute to an improved vaping experience.

Apart from that both devices offer a similar experience when in use. Both look great, so when style matters both will fit the bill perfectly. Should you feel the need to be more discreet about your vaping both are small enough – not all that much bigger than an old fashioned cigarette - to cup discretely in your hand as you vape.

Perhaps the main – and most important – difference that discerning vapers may notice is a  difference in the flavour that the devices deliver. This is at least in part due to another innovative development in the Elf Bar V2. The Elf Bar 600 is fitted with a nichrome coil, which is a common, tried and tested type of heating coil which heats up very quickly and produces decent flavour. The Elf Bar V2 is fitted with a QUAQ coil as standard. This is a striking advance in heating coil technology which utilises an advanced mesh material to drastically increase the surface area for significantly better heat distribution.

The QUAQ coil technology is intended to deliver a more consistent flavour for an enhanced taste experience. It should also offer higher e-liquid utilisation, and better flavour reproduction than the nichrome coil. There are some variances in terms of flavour choice too. The Elf Bar 600 has a range of 34 fantastic flavours to choose from, while the Elf Bar V2 has only 30 flavours. There is some crossover with flavours such as Strawberry Ice, Watermelon, and Grape being available on both devices. The Elf Bar V2 is home to some exclusive flavour options however, including Blueberry Kiwi, Mojito, and Elfbull Ice.

Both devices are also equally affordable, coming in at the same low price point. This also means that both versions of the Elf Bar are highly competitive with rival devices from other manufacturers, making them incredible value for money as well as super stylish additions to your “everyday carry” equipment.

Both devices are tough enough to cope with the stresses involved in being carried around all day every day too. The lack of fiddly and fragile switches means that there is nothing to catch on your pocket or bag, meaning that they slide easily into the tightest carrying space and there is nothing that can be snapped off or damaged. This does not only make these smart little devices easier to carry around it also means that you will not have to worry about breaks or spillages as you do so.

In short, the Elf Bar 600 and the Elf Bar V2 are both brilliant disposable vapes which are very similar in many respects. Some people might prefer the metallic finish or the redesigned mouthpiece on the V2, while others might have a preference for the more classic lines of the original Elf Bar 600. The more advanced heating coil featured in the V2 is an obvious attraction for those who like to be on the cutting edge while those already familiar with the nichrome coil may well see no reason to change something they are already enjoying.

It all comes down to personal preferences in the end. Fortunately, because both devices are so affordable vapers can easily afford to try both and having made the comparison settle on the version that they enjoy the most. That is one of the real advantages of a disposable vape – quite apart from the ease of use and avoidance of all that fiddly refilling, with a disposable vape you are not making a long term, expensive commitment to anything so you are giving yourself the freedom to experiment.

Of course, whichever Elf Bar you choose the quality is so high you will not feel the need to exercise that freedom to explore for very long. Once you have tried the Elf Bar experience you rarely look back - so why not order one of each and see the differences for yourself?