Why the Right Accessories Matter
Accessories are the bits that keep everything else running. They rarely get much thought until something breaks or runs out, but the right spare at the right time saves you a lot of bother.
A good charger keeps your device powered. A spare coil keeps the flavour fresh. A case stops your kit getting knocked about in a bag. None of it is glamorous, but it's the difference between a device that keeps working and one that lets you down mid-day.
At Pirate Vapes, we stock the everyday vape accessories that keep a kit going, and the one rule that runs through all of them is fit: an accessory has to match your exact device, so we list what each one works with.
Chargers, Cables, and Batteries
The most-replaced accessories are the ones that power your device.
• USB-C cables: most modern kits charge over USB-C, so a decent spare cable is worth keeping. Lose one and your device is stuck on a flat battery
• External battery chargers: for kits that take removable cells, a dedicated charger tops them up safely outside the device, and charges more than one at a time
• Batteries: removable cells like 18650s and 21700s, for mods built to take them. These aren't the built-in batteries in pod kits; they're separate cells for advanced kits
Getting the right one comes down to your device: a pod kit usually just needs a cable, while a mod may need cells and a charger.
Choosing the Right Battery
If your kit takes removable batteries, this is the section that matters most, and it's worth getting right.
Most mods use one of two sizes: the 18650, or the larger 21700. The 21700 holds more charge, so it lasts longer between charges, but your device has to be built for it, so check your kit before you buy.
Just as important is the amp rating, which needs to be high enough for the power you run. A cell with too low a rating for your setup is unsafe, so match it to what your mod needs. If you're not sure, ask us before ordering rather than guessing.
Stick to genuine, reputable cells too. Batteries are the one accessory where quality genuinely matters for safety.
Charging Safely
Most devices charge over USB-C, so a decent cable and a standard 5V plug cover day-to-day charging.
For removable batteries, a dedicated external charger is the better option where you can, since it charges cells evenly and safely outside the device. It's worth avoiding cheap, unbranded chargers and high-output plugs that push more current than your device is rated for.
A few simple habits keep charging safe: don't leave a device or batteries charging unattended overnight, use the right cable and plug, and stop using anything that gets unusually hot.
Carrying Cases and Storage
Once you've spent money on a device, it's worth protecting it.
• Carrying cases: keep your device, spare pods, and e-liquid together and safe from knocks when you're out
• Battery cases: essential if you carry loose 18650s or 21700s, since bare cells in a pocket with keys or coins are a real hazard
• E-liquid holders and lanyards: small touches that keep your bottle or device to hand
For anyone carrying spare batteries, a case isn't optional; it's a safety must. For everyone else, it's a cheap way to keep a kit looking and working like new.
Replacement Parts: Coils, Pods, Tanks, and Glass
The parts that wear out are the ones you'll buy most often, and keeping a spare saves you being caught short.
• Coils: the heating element in a tank or pod. They're consumable and need replacing regularly. Our Coils collection lists them by device
• Pods and tanks: replace a worn pod or tank to fix leaks, weak flavour, or a burnt taste. See our Tanks collection
• Replacement glass: sub-ohm tanks use a glass section that can crack if dropped, so a spare glass tube is worth having in the drawer
All of these are specific to your device, so match them by kit and model. Each product lists exactly what it fits.
Drip Tips Explained
Drip tips come in a couple of standard fittings, and getting the right one matters:
• 510: the most common, narrow fitting, used on most MTL tanks
• 810: a wider bore, common on sub-ohm tanks for more airflow and vapour
They also come in different materials, like resin, metal, and Delrin, which change the look and how warm the tip gets in use. It's a cheap way to tweak comfort or the feel of your draw, but check your tank's fitting first.
When to Replace What
Keeping a kit running well is mostly about swapping worn parts before they cause trouble. A rough guide:
• Coils: every one to two weeks, sooner with heavy use or very sweet e-liquids. Muted flavour or a burnt taste means it's overdue
• Pods: every few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the kit
• Tanks and glass: only when damaged or cloudy, so these last a long time
• Cables and chargers: replace if the cable frays or the connection gets loose
Staying on top of it keeps the flavour fresh and the device reliable, and it works out cheaper than replacing a whole kit.
Fitting Accessories, and Will They Fit?
This is the part worth slowing down for, because accessories are specific.
Most parts fit only the device they're made for. A coil, pod, tank, or drip tip has to match your exact kit and model, so the safest route is to match the original by name. We never assume an accessory fits everything, so every product lists the devices it's confirmed to work with.
Fitting is usually simple once you've got the right part: coils screw or push into place, pods click in, and drip tips fit into the top of a tank. If your device isn't on a product's compatibility list, don't guess. Get in touch, and the Pirate Vapes team will tell you whether it fits before you order, which saves you buying something that won't sit right.
Battery Safety
If you're buying external batteries, treat them properly:
• Use cells with the correct amp rating for your device
• Never use a battery with torn or damaged wrap
• Carry loose cells in a proper case, never with keys or coins
• Charge with a dedicated charger, and don't leave them unattended
If you run two cells, keep them paired: bought, used, and charged together
Our Vape Guide covers battery care in more detail.
Looking After Your Kit
A little care makes accessories last longer, and your device run better:
• Keep battery contacts and the 510 connection clean for a solid connection
• Rinse and dry tanks when you change coils or flavours
• Keep drip tips clean, since they're the part your mouth touches
• Keep a spare coil, pod, and cable in the drawer, so you're never caught out
Look after the small stuff, and the big stuff tends to look after itself.
