How We Test & Review Vape Products
Every product recommendation on GotMyVape is backed by hands-on testing. We do not rewrite manufacturer specs or copy other review sites. Our team purchases or receives products, tests them under real-world conditions, and shares honest assessments — including the products we choose not to recommend.
Our Testing Process
When a new device or e-liquid arrives, it goes through a structured evaluation before we publish any recommendation:
- Unboxing & First Impressions — We evaluate packaging quality, included accessories, build materials, and initial setup experience. If a beginner would struggle to get started, that goes in our notes immediately.
- Break-In Period — New coils and wicking materials need time to reach optimal performance. We give every product at least 2-3 full tank fills or 24 hours of regular use before forming any judgments about flavor or vapor quality.
- Multi-Variable Performance Testing — This is where we spend the most time. We test across multiple conditions:
- Vapor production at low, medium, and high wattage settings
- Flavor accuracy using benchmark e-liquids we know intimately — a tobacco, a fruit blend, and a dessert profile
- Battery life measured from a full charge to the low-battery warning under consistent usage patterns
- Coil longevity tracked over 1-2 weeks of daily use to estimate realistic replacement costs
- Leak resistance tested during pocket carry, overnight storage, and temperature changes
- Draw resistance evaluated for both mouth-to-lung and direct-lung styles where applicable
- Comparative Testing — No product exists in a vacuum. We test devices against direct competitors in the same category and price bracket. A $30 pod system is measured against other $30 pod systems, not against an $80 box mod. This keeps our recommendations practical and fair.
- Beginner vs. Experienced Assessment — A product that is excellent for experienced vapers might frustrate a beginner, and vice versa. We evaluate every device from both perspectives and clearly label who each product is best suited for.
- Long-Term Follow-Up — We revisit products after 30 or more days of use. Does the finish chip? Are replacement coils still in stock? Has a firmware update changed anything? Our initial impressions get validated or revised based on real long-term ownership.
How We Rate Products
We evaluate every product across six core criteria. A product needs to perform well across most of these to earn a spot in our buying guides:
| Criteria | What We Evaluate |
|---|---|
| Flavor Quality | Accuracy of flavor reproduction, richness, and consistency across different e-liquid profiles and over the life of a coil |
| Build Quality | Materials used, fit and finish, button responsiveness, threading quality, and durability after daily carry |
| Battery Life | Real-world usage time between charges, charging speed, accuracy of the battery level indicator |
| Ease of Use | Initial setup complexity, menu navigation, coil change process, filling method, and overall learning curve |
| Vapor Production | Cloud density, warmth, smoothness of the draw, and throat hit consistency at recommended settings |
| Value | Price relative to performance, ongoing coil costs, accessory availability, and warranty support |
Products that score well across all six criteria earn a place in our category buying guides. Products that excel in one specific area may receive a specialty designation — for example, “Best for Flavor,” “Best Budget Option,” or “Best for Beginners.”
What We Will Not Do
- We do not accept payment for positive reviews. Manufacturers can send products for evaluation, but sending a free device does not guarantee a recommendation. Products that underperform get noted or excluded regardless of how they arrived.
- We do not recommend products we have not evaluated. If a product is not in our guides, it is either because we have not tested it yet or it did not meet our standards. We never pad our guides with filler recommendations.
- We do not hide the downsides. Every product has trade-offs. A device with incredible flavor but poor battery life will have both facts mentioned prominently. We believe informed buyers make better decisions.
- We do not promote products to underage users. Vaping products are intended for adults only. All of our content is directed at adults who are current vapers or smokers looking to switch.
Affiliate Relationships & Editorial Independence
GotMyVape earns commissions when you purchase products through our links. This revenue funds our product testing, server costs, and content creation. However, affiliate relationships never influence which products we recommend or how we rate them.
Our process works the other way around: we test and evaluate products first, then add affiliate links to the ones that earn a recommendation. We have turned down lucrative partnership offers from brands whose products did not meet our standards.
For complete details, see our Affiliate Disclosure page.
How Often We Update Our Guides
The vaping market evolves rapidly, with new devices launching every month. We review and refresh our buying guides on a regular cycle:
- Monthly — We check for discontinued products, price changes, and availability issues
- Quarterly — We conduct full guide reviews, testing new releases against our current recommendations
- As needed — When a significant new product launches or a safety concern arises, we update immediately
Each buying guide displays a “Last Updated” date so you always know how current our recommendations are.
Have Questions?
We welcome feedback on our testing process. If you have questions about how we evaluated a specific product, or if you would like to suggest a product for review, please contact our team.