Let’s be real — if you’re browsing nic salt pods aiming for that 20mg nicotine strength, chances are you’re no stranger to the smoky sticks or you need something that hits hard enough without leaving you hanging. Devices like the Hayati Pro Max promise a smooth vape experience, but what do they actually offer? And how do they stack up cost-wise and convenience-wise against other options from brands kreafolk.com like Elf Bar or Lost Mary?
In this post, I’ll cut through the marketing fluff to help you understand if the 20mg nic salt pods in the Hayati Pro Max are too strong, when a closed pod system works, and when it just adds needless limits. We’ll compare refillable setups to prefills, break down real-world monthly costs, and address a common newbie mistake: being a flavor enthusiast trapped in a closed pod system.
What Do You Actually Need? Understanding Nicotine Strength and Pod Systems
First off, the 20mg nicotine strength in nic salt pods like those in the Hayati Pro Max isn’t some random number. This level mimics the throat hit and satisfaction heavy smokers expect, so it’s often targeted at recent quitters or those heavily dependent on nicotine.
Is 20mg nicotine too strong? For a casual vaper or someone used to lower nicotine, yes—it can be. But for a vape for heavy smokers, this is the sweet spot that stops cravings without chaining you to the cigarette pack.
The Hayati Pro Max primarily employs closed pod system technology. This means you buy pre-filled pods, snap them in, and vape. Convenience is king here—no messy refilling or complicated coil swapping. However, there's a trade-off.
Common Mistake: Flavor Enthusiasts Choosing Closed Pod Systems
Here’s a typical scenario: Someone who loves trying different e-liquid flavors opts for a system like the Hayati Pro Max, thinking they’re covered. Reality check: while their pods offer decent flavor, the selection is restricted. Unlike brands such as Elf Bar and Lost Mary which offer a variety of prefilled pods, or better yet, refillable systems where you can mix and match flavors endlessly, closed pods put you in a flavor box.
If variety is your jam, and you’re not just chasing nicotine watts, you’ll hit a wall fast. And since closed systems rely on proprietary pods, you’re stuck with their offerings—no garage-mixing or boutique juice runs.
Cost vs. Convenience in Vaping: Crunching the Numbers
Let’s talk money—because vaping isn’t just about nicotine; it’s a lifestyle choice that packs ongoing costs.
Hayati Pro Max Plus: The Closed Pod System Experience
- Initial Device Cost: Typically £20-£35 Pods: Usually £5-£7 each, delivering roughly 300-350 puffs Nic Salt Strength: 20mg (strong enough for heavy smokers) Total Puffs per Pod: ~300
Assuming you vape 300 puffs daily (moderate-heavy smoker replacement), you use one pod per day, costing approximately £6 daily.
Timeframe Pods Used Cost Monthly (30 days) 30 Pods £180 (£6 x 30) Annually 365 Pods £2,190No, you didn’t misread that—over £2k a year on this closed pod system if you consume one pod a day. That is the price of ultimate convenience, but it’s not sustainable for most.
Refillable Systems: The Cost-Effective Alternative
The other side of the scale uses refillable pods or tanks paired with mesh coils (which I’ll address shortly).
- Device Cost: £40-£60 initially Mesh Coils: About £3 each, lasting 1-2 weeks E-liquid: £15-£20 for 100ml of nic salt e-liquid (20mg)
Say you vape around 3-4 ml daily (~120 puffs), so roughly 90ml per month if we’re conservative.
Item Monthly Use Monthly Cost E-liquid (nic salt 20mg) ~90ml ~£18 Mesh Coils 2 per month £6 Amortized Device Cost Monthly (~£50 / 12 months) ~£4.20 Total Monthly ~£28Annualized, you’re looking at around £336, a fraction of closed pod costs.
Hayati Pro Max Plus vs. Basic Prefilled Pods (Elf Bar, Lost Mary)
Both Elf Bar and Lost Mary offer prefilled pod or disposable devices with 20mg nic salts. They essentially fall into the same cost bracket as Hayati’s closed system: convenience at a premium.
- Elf Bar: Known for simplicity, varying flavors, disposable and refillable options. Lost Mary: Pivots more toward flavored disposables but same nic salt strengths. Hayati Pro Max: Has an LED display for puff count and battery life, a slight ergonomic and tech edge.
What it does offer is a minor quality-of-life improvement — that LED display helps track battery and puff life (something you don’t get in most disposable pens). But don’t mistake that for better value long-term.
Mesh Coils and LED Displays: Why They Matter in Refillable Vapes
If you lean towards refillables, here’s why these tech pieces are not buzzwords:
- Mesh Coils: They heat the e-liquid more evenly than traditional wire coils, giving fuller flavor and longer coil life. That means fewer coil changes per month and better value. LED Display: For refillables, this can show puff count, battery %, and sometimes wattage settings. Helps you avoid “blind vaping” — better management means you use your device efficiently.
Sadly, most closed pod systems skip these features, which is why the Hayati Pro Max’s inclusion is a notable perk. Still, it doesn’t offset the recurring pod costs.
Analyzing Real-World Monthly Vaping Costs: What to Expect
To summarize the cost breakdown for a heavy smoker switcher aiming for 20mg nic salt strength:
Closed Pod Systems (Hayati Pro Max, Elf Bar, Lost Mary)- £150 to £300 annually? That’s a conservative lowball. Realistically £180+ per month is more accurate if you vape heavily. Convenience is absolute; zero refilling, no coil changes. Flavor options limited mostly to what the brand provides.
- £150 to £300 annually is possible—better if you buy e-liquid in bulk or DIY. Moderate upkeep (coil swaps every 1-2 weeks), but freedom to pick flavors. Initial learning curve but long-term satisfaction and cost benefits.
Did You Recently Switch from Smoking? Here's the Bottom Line
If you’re fresh off cigarettes, you want something that works without hassle. Hayati Pro Max’s 20mg nic salt pods are a solid choice for nic strength — not too light, not overkill.
But if you’re a flavor chaser or budget-conscious, don’t fall for the convenience trap that gobbles your wallet faster than you realize. Take a moment to calculate your daily puff needs and what you’re willing to swap: convenience or choice and value.
My advice: Start with a Hayati Pro Max or similar for the nicotine hit and simplicity, then consider a refillable mesh coil setup to broaden flavor and save money once you're comfortable.
Final Thoughts
Nothing is perfect. The Hayati Pro Max’s 20mg nic salt pods make sense for heavy smokers or recent quitters craving a strong hit with hassle-free vaping. But the high ongoing pod cost means it’s more lifestyle convenience than pure financial sense.
Brands like Elf Bar and Lost Mary offer alternatives in the disposable or prefilled space, comparable to Hayati but without the LED advantages.
Refillables with mesh coils and LED displays combine both worlds if you’re willing to invest time and effort.
At the end of the day, the question isn’t “Is 20mg nicotine too strong?” but “What compromises am I willing to make between cost, convenience, flavor, and long-term satisfaction?”