Disposable vapes in the past couple of years have suddenly got very popular with existing vapers and also for those who have decided to kick the habit and lead a better lifestyle and become smoke-free. Disposable vapes have some of the best E-Liquid flavours available and they are simple to use. With all the disposable vapes available, there is one that stands out from the crowd, the Elf Bar. Despite all the new brands and styles of Disposable vapes, there’s something about the Elf Bar which has managed to win the hearts of the vaping community and that’s what’s made them the market leader in disposable vape flavours.
The one negative about the Elf Bar 600 is that it’s a disposable device and isn’t the most economically friendly. Most disposable vapes can be recycled and we always suggest checking the manual for how to effectively dispose of them.
The Elf Bar Mate helps to tackle the above issue but the question is, how does it compare to the Elf Bar 600? Before we get to that we need to go into more detail about the “Mate”. The Elf Bar Mate isn’t a disposable vape but is a vape pod device which has disposable pods. These are very similar; they can still have the same vaping experience but are better for the environment.
Features & Specifications
- 500mAh Built-in Battery
- Pre-filled Pod Design
- Inhale Activated
- MTL Vaping
- Rechargeable Device
Appearance & Design
Many people who are used to Elf Bars and other disposable vapes tend to stick to disposables because they are easy and don't want to have to worry about the general maintenance which is required with normal vape kits. This is where the Elf Bar Mate could be the next best vape kit for you. It still retains the benefits of what worked so well in the past with the disposables you are used to. Vaping is easy because just like with disposable vapes that you are probably used to there is no button to press when inhaling, it continues to use smart inhale-activated technology.
The Elf Bar Mate is a different style and size to the Elf Bar 600 but I do prefer it, instead of a cylindrical body that has a flatter body with curved edges and it slips into your pocket much easier. It is Sleek, secure, and still feels natural to hold in your hand when vaping. Although it is slimmer, when the Prefilled Pod is inserted into the device it is slightly longer than the Elf Bar but it can still fit securely in your pocket without taking up valuable space, this is very different to your typical bulky vape kits that require its own pocket.
As I've mentioned, it has a sleek and slim design and is made from Military-grade aluminium and comes with a matte finish to it. The material is light but makes it tough enough to withstand the general daily wear and tear, I've dropped it a couple of times and though the paint has chipped it hasn't caused any damage which has impacted the usability of the device. It comes in five different colours which have metallic gradients; Black, Aurora Blue, Aurora Pink, Aurora Purple and Grey. I prefer the Black device as it looks smarter and thinks it works better with the colour of the Pods. And of course, it wouldn't be right if it didn't have the Elf Bar logo printed on it.
The Elf Bar Mate Device is chargeable and when purchasing the device, you are supplied with a Type- C charging cable. You can plug it into an adapter and charge from a socket on the wall but it also charges very quickly by plugging it into a PC or laptop. There is a small LED light towards the bottom of the device on the front, it lights up when you are inhaling and it also remains solid when it is on charge.
Elf Bar Mate 500 P1 Pre-filled Pod
The Device sounds and looks great but unlike Disposable vapes, you need to also buy Pods to be able to start your new vaping journey, don’t worry though, there’s no difficulty with installing the Pod, it’s incredibly easy so don’t let this put you off.
Elf Bar Pods are sold in packs of two and they are sealed separately in the packaging. They have silicone covers to protect any foreign materials from getting in and contaminating, you simply need to pull these out before inserting the Pod into the device. I like that they are sold in packs of two because when using disposables, you always have to carry a spare one in your pocket, just in case it runs out. The pods are only around 3cm long, so again this takes up minimal space in your pocket if you carry a spare.
Features & Specifications
- Pre-filled Pod Design
- 1.2 Ohm coils
- Leak-free pods
- Dual coil design
- 2ml pod capacity
Elf Bar Mate Pod Flavours
You’ve probably decided which colour device you want and now you’ve got to decide on what flavours you want. Just like the Elf Bar 600, you are still spoiled for choice when it comes to the flavours. There aren't as many this time round but there’s enough to keep your vaping needs satisfied. You have 23 flavours to choose from and nearly all of them are the same flavours we happily enjoyed from the disposable range.
As these are all flavours, we have tried in the past with the best-selling disposable vape, I’ll give a short brief description for each one but if you haven’t tried these flavours before you can check out the full flavour reviews at Elf Bar Review
Elf Bar Mate Replacement Pods
Banana
No fancy name here, this is meant to be simply Banana. We didn’t get a banana flavoured vape in the disposable range, we had Banana Ice. I’m not a big fan of Bananas but this wasn’t too bad. It doesn’t have a natural Banana flavour, it tastes like the Foam Banana sweets, it’s not very sweet but it tastes pretty good.
Blue Razz Lemonade
Here is one of the most popular flavours from the Elf Bar range and if you’ve tried it, you’ll know why. Blue Razz lemonade is a tangy sour vape that is bursting with flavour. It is packed with the sweet tanginess of Blue Raspberries and is complimented with a twist of sweet lemonade. The flavours work wonders together and it's a very smooth and refreshing vape.
Blueberry
For those that may prefer single flavoured flavours, I'd strongly recommend Blueberry. Elf Bar has managed to replicate freshly picked blueberries to create this scrumptious vape. Here we have bold notes of sweet blueberries with natural fruity undertones. It's a great-tasting vape that shouldn't be ignored.
Blueberry Raspberry
We know the blueberry tasted great so why shouldn’t it be used again with another fruit? Fruity combos are very common in the Elf Bar range and though Raspberries don’t often appear on their own in vape juices, it is a perfect match with Blueberries. Blueberry Raspberry wasn’t one of the original flavours that came with the Elf Bar, it was added into the range after their launch. It’s very similar to the Blueberry Sour Raspberry but if you haven’t guessed yet, there’s no added sourness. It’s a delicious vape that is bursting with flavour.
Cola
Cola E Liquids have been around for a long time and there’s no reason why we shouldn’t appreciate it in Elf Bar form. It has the distinct flavour of cola but I found that there’s always a slight icy touch to it too, maybe it has been made to mimic the effect of a cool glass of cola. It has also been described as tasting like the cola bottle sweets which on occasions I’ve also experienced.
Cotton Candy
We’ve previously had Cotton Candy Ice from the Disposable range but it seemed like they dropped the ice. I thought this would be better as I found the ice was a bit too much but I found that even with this one there was a touch of ice. I’ve tried a couple of Cotton Candy Pods and they were all the same. It is still delicious though. How they’ve replicated the taste of Cotton candy has blown my mind and I love it. The sweet candy flavour with subtle fruity undertones makes this a great all-day vape.
Cream Tobacco
I’ve been looking forward to trying this flavour again. I’ve mentioned before in other reviews that there are not enough Tobacco flavours in disposable vapes and I loved the Elf Bar one. Luckily it doesn’t seem like they’ve changed anything with this one.
It doesn’t have a very strong tobacco taste but the earthy tobacco is smoothed off with the sweet, creamy notes of vanilla. If you are a fan of sweet tobacco flavours, you'll want to check out this Elf Bar Mate 500 Refillable Pods
Energy
Elf Bar Energy is a delicious invigorating vape juice that is a great replication of a sweet energy drink. We previously had energy ice and oh boy was that a refreshing vape. It doesn’t seem like the ice has been dropped from the ingredients which I like. I think without the ice it would maybe seem like a flat soda. It’s got some great fruity flavours inside. Even if you tend to avoid energy drinks, I would suggest trying this as the flavour is very distinct and it is a great vape.
Grape
Grape for many years has been a go-to flavour for most vapers. The delicious taste of this stunning fruit makes for a real refreshing vape and the Elf Bar Grape is no exception. Elf Bar has chosen to go with the favourite of them all and we can now enjoy the taste of freshly-squeezed red grapes with a little bonus. They've even put a very slight candy not to create the perfect amount of sweetness.
Kiwi Passion Fruit Guava
There is absolutely no wonder why this flavour has made it into the range. Kiwi Passion fruit Guava is an all-time best seller and it is a masterpiece. This is packed with a fruity combo of some of the best-tasting fruits in the world. Exotic Kiwis paired with tropical guava and finished with some tantalising Passion fruit. Each puff on this will transport you to a desert island.
Mango
Here is one of the most mouth-watering e liquids from the Elf Bar collection. They have done a marvellous job of creating a sweet and naturally juicy tasting Mango vape juice that is perfect for any hot summer's day. I normally prefer fruit combos but this Mango is one of my all-day vapes.
Peach Ice
Peach ice is a very refreshing vape that has shown to be a popular choice in the range. On the inhale you're instantly met with a wave of sweet flavoursome peach and on the exhale is where a blast of ice-cold menthol cools you off. It's got so much flavour in this and is a unique vaping experience.
Pink Lemonade
Pink lemonade has been a much-loved vaping E-Liquid for years and many disposable vape devices have chosen to create their own versions. Elf Bar made a good shout adding this to the selection of flavours for the Mate vape pods. Just like many other versions, this is a classic fizzy lemonade which has been mixed with delicious fresh ripe berries. It has a sweet and zesty flavour that just tastes so unique that you won’t want it to end.
Spearmint
Menthol lovers, here’s one for you. There’s not much to say about Elf Bars Spearmint, it tastes like natural spearmint but it does have a kick to it. It seems like they’ve added some sweetener into this to help make it a smoother vape. Menthol E liquids are a good shout if you start experiencing vapers tongue. If you find that you can no longer taste your favourite vape juice, you need to have a break and vape some menthol e liquids instead. Menthol is a great palate cleanser and will help you to enjoy your all-day vape again.
Strawberry
There are a lot of different flavours in the original Elf Bar range which has strawberries in it and I find it strange that they’ve decided to go with a strawberry on its own for the Elf Bar Mate range. My favourite was Strawberry Kiwi so it’s a shame they didn’t choose that. Nevertheless, Strawberry on its own is still a delicious choice. If you love the taste of freshly picked strawberries with a slight candy note, well this is the one for you.
Strawberry Banana
Strawberry fans are in for a treat, we have another strawberry-based Elf option. As this has banana in it, it won't be on my go-to list but this is also a very popular flavour from the range. It features the sweet notes of strawberries alongside the taste of creamy tropical bananas.
The strawberries are super sweet and the flavour sticks to your taste buds. The strawberry is the base flavour and it's super sweet, the banana is a natural tasting banana that is incredibly creamy which results in a very smooth vape.
Strawberry Ice Cream
Here's the one I've been waiting for; strawberry ice cream has always been a favourite of mine and I love the Elf Bar version. We have a wonderful taste of creamy notes of ice cream that are then perfectly blended together with sweet summer strawberries. This tastes like a sweet strawberry ice cream and reminds me of being a child at the seaside enjoying a delicious cold treat.
Cherry Ice
Cherry Ice is a cool frosty vape that will help clear your airways and also tease your taste buds at the same time. Featuring dark notes and a tangy taste of juicy cherries, you'll certainly be satisfied with this delicious vape. On the inhale you get a blast of rich cherries and on the exhale, you get the full force of crushed ice. For all the ice lovers out there, you'll want to try this invigorating vape.
Honeydew Grape
And here we have a brand-new flavour which I'm looking forward to trying. Not only is it another Grape flavoured juice but it's got Honeydew. Honeydew is a very sweet and mouth-watering fruit that is perfect on its own but Elf Bar has decided to combine it with some big juicy Purple Grapes.
These two go perfect together and it creates a perfect all-day vape, I strongly recommend trying Elf Bars Honeydew Grape.
Red Apple
Elf has previously made apple flavoured disposables before and I'm happy to see another appearance of it with this range. Red apples have a distinct crisp taste and it is bursting with lots of sweet juiciness, I think there may be a touch of candy also in this. On the exhale I picked up a bit of ice in it, I know they've previously created a red apple ice so maybe they've just toned it down a bit for this one.
Strawberry Lemonade
We know how good Pink Lemonade tastes and we also love the strawberry vape juices, so surely these two flavours should pair together to create another best E-Liquid? The sweet juicy strawberry concentrate is the same one that's been used in other Elf Bar creations, when blended with zesty lemonade, it's like a match made in heaven. It's a bold vape which I couldn't say is better than Pink Lemonade as it's very different but it does taste superb.
Watermelon
Here is another Elf Bar classic watermelon and there's no disappointment from me. We tend to always see watermelon in disposable ranges and it's for the plain and simple fact that it tastes amazing.
Watermelon is very mouth-watering and it's truly remarkable how much this tastes like the real thing. Elf Bar knows that it's a best seller and I think they made the right choice adding it here.
Watermelon Strawberry
The last in the range is combining some of the best fruits in my opinion. What more could we really want; Watermelon Strawberry is a stunning fruity concoction that will satisfy all your vaping needs. The freshly picked, summer berries blended together with juicy watermelon is incredibly exhilarating and is a perfect flavour to enjoy this summer.
How to use an Elf Bar Mate
Installing the Elf Bar P1 pod is very easy and although there are instructions in the box, we will quickly go over it. Normally with prefilled Pod cartridges, you simply take it out of the packaging and insert it into the device. You still have to do this with the Elf Bar Mate but there’s one extra step in the middle.
After you take the Pod out of the packaging, you’ll realise that at the bottom you’ll see red plastic sticking out. This is a leak proof seal that has been cleverly designed to ensure that the coil and E Liquid is kept separated, this prevents devices leaking during transit. You simply need to push the bed button/ seal into the pod and then wait ten seconds, then insert it into the top of the device. Due to the shape of the device and pod, you’ll be able to see that there’s only one way to connect them. Insert the pod and hey presto you’re ready to get your vape on.
Elf Bar Mate Warning
Although the Elf Bar Mate is very similar to the Elf Bar disposables, there is one big difference that everyone needs to be made aware of. Disposable vapes are designed to run out of battery at the same time of the E Liquid running out. This is NOT the same for the Elf Bar Mate, as the device is rechargeable and can last longer than one full pod, you need to make sure you do not continue trying to vape on an empty Pod. When vaping an empty pod, you will be met with a horrible burnt taste. In the vaping world this is known as a dry hit and the experience has been described as being in hell.
Final Thoughts
I am a big fan of the Elf Bar Mate and I’m glad Elf has made a Pod device which doesn’t have as much wastage. I love the design of the device and the Pods are super easy to use. There’s plenty of flavours to choose from and being able to have a small backup pod ready and waiting which doesn’t take up lots of space is brilliant. It does work out cheaper to use the Elf Bar Mate instead of the Elf Bar disposables, which is another big advantage.
