Editorial policy

This page explains exactly how VapesBars produces its rankings and guides, what our claims are based on, and where we make money. If anything here is unclear or you think we have got something wrong, tell us.

What we are

VapesBars is an independent directory of established UK online vape retailers, currently listing 11 stores. We are not a retailer, we do not hold stock, and we are not owned by any of the companies we list.

What we do not do

We think it is more useful to be straight about our limits than to imply expertise we do not have:

• We do not run a hands-on device testing lab. Where we mention specific devices, we are reporting what recurs across UK expert round-ups and retailer bestseller data, and we say so.
• We do not publish fake reviews or invented ratings. You will not find a five-star score on this site that we made up to look authoritative.
• We do not give medical or tax advice. Our vape duty guide explains published rates and dates; it is not a substitute for HMRC guidance or a qualified adviser.

How we rank retailers

Rankings are based on factors we can actually verify from public information, weighted roughly in this order:

1. Range and availability. Breadth of kits, pods, coils and e-liquid, and whether the major UK brands are stocked.
2. Delivery speed and cost. Published dispatch times, courier used, and the spend threshold for free delivery. Weighted heavily, because a low price is worthless if your coils take a week.
3. Pricing and offers. Everyday shelf prices, multi-buy bundles and loyalty schemes.
4. Reputation and longevity. How long the retailer has traded and the balance of public customer feedback.
5. Compliance. TRPR-compliant stock, working age verification, and clear returns and contact details. This one is a gate, not a score: fail it and you are not listed at all.

How money works here

Some outbound links are affiliate links. If you click one and buy something, we may receive a commission from the retailer at no extra cost to you. That commission is what funds the site.

To be specific about what commission does and does not buy:

• Retailers cannot pay to be listed on this site.
• Retailers cannot pay to move up the rankings.
• Retailers cannot pay to have criticism removed or to approve copy before it is published.
• Affiliate links are marked with the rel="sponsored" attribute, as Google requires.

Where a retailer has no affiliate programme link in place, we link straight to their site instead. The ranking is the same either way.

Sourcing and corrections

Factual claims about regulation, duty rates and market data come from published sources, and each guide carries a note at the foot stating what its figures are based on. Where we calculate something ourselves, such as the post-duty price examples in the vape tax guide, we show the formula so you can check our working.

Retail details change constantly. Delivery thresholds, offers and prices are checked periodically rather than continuously, so always confirm on the retailer's own site before buying. Pages carry a "last checked" date. The retailer rankings were last reviewed in August 2026.

If you spot an error, email info@vapesbars.com and we will correct it.

Age and health position

This site is for adults aged 18 and over. Vaping products are intended as a less harmful alternative for people who already smoke. UK health bodies advise that vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking but is not risk-free, and it is not for non-smokers or under-18s. Nicotine is addictive. If you do not smoke, do not vape. For free NHS support to stop smoking, see NHS Better Health.