So what is the different between a cartomizer and an atomizer? The simply explanation is that a cartomizer is a cartridge that contains a disposable atomizer while an atomizer is reusable and is attached to a cartridge which is usually refillable.

For instance, below is an atomizer. This is essentially the heating element that screws onto the electronic cigarette battery.

And here is a mouthpiece with a cartridge in it (pushed out using a toothpick) that slides over the atomizer (shown above). The little white cartridge shown can be filled and refilled with e-liquid. The mouthpiece slides on and off of the atomizer for easy refilling.

Now, compare that to a cartomizer, shown below. The cartomizer has an atomizer and a cartridge together. They do not come apart. Although some do manage to refill cartomizers (by popping off the end), for the most part they are one time use.

Refilling your own cartridges is cheaper. Using cartomizers is more convenient. The choice is up to you!

Buy Electronic Cigarette Cartomizers
Buy Electronic Cigarette Atomizers
Buy Electronic Cigarette Cartridges

From December 28th, 2009 through January 2nd, 2010 anyone who purchases the Instead Electronic Cigarette Kit + American Made E-Liquid will receive an extra free bottle of American Made E-liquid with their order.

Each of our kits comes in a unique tin with 2 rechargeable batteries, 2 atomizers, a wall/USB charger, 5 empty cartridges, and a velvet travel pouch. The electronic cigarette kit + American made e-liquid also includes a bottle of e-liquid that is equivalent to about 300 tobacco cigarettes. And now, until January 2nd, you get a second bottle of e-liquid for free. The free bottle will automatically be added to your order and will be the same size, nicotine level, and flavor as that selected for the original bottle of e-liquid.

We will also include another set of 5 empty cartridges with your order…..for free.

Don’t wait. Until January 2nd, when you purchase our most popular kit, the Instead Electronic Cigarette Kit + American Made E-Liquid you will get 2 bottles of e-liquid instead of 1, and 10 empty cartridges instead of 5.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Instead Electronic Cigarettes!

Looking for an easy, inexpensive way to try out an electronic cigarette? Need a Christmas gift for a smoker, but not sure if they will like using an e-cigarette? Instead now offers very simple electronic cigarette starter kits that allows smokers to quickly and easily try out the technology.

The kit consists of a USB passthrough and 2 pre-filled cartomizers (an atomizer / cartridge combination). It’s simple, just plug the USB passthrough into a USB port on your computer, screw in the cartomizer, and puff away! There is no need to charge any batteries or fill any cartridges. Of course this kit will only work while it is plugged into a USB port, but it will give any smoker the chance to try it out. If they like it, there are rechargeable batteries to e-smoke on the go, bottles of e-liquid with refillable cartridges, car chargers, and a variety of other accessories.

The USB passthrough is a must have for any e-smoker who spends any time on the computer. And the cartomizers produce good vapor, are simple to use, and last much longer than most other cartridges. In fact the average life of a cartomizer is approximately 15 tobacco cigarettes with light smokers getting an entire pack out of one cartomizer. Here is a picture of our new starter kits:

Buy The INSTEAD USB Passthrough Starter Kit on Sale!

Please note the e-liquid in the cartomizers is made in America, but it is not the same formulation as our American made e-liquid in the bottles. For those currently using the Instead brand e-liquid in the bottle, there is a taste difference with this e-liquid.

So what is a cartomizer?  Unlike the Instead Electronic Cigarette kit which comes with a reusable atomizer and refillable cartridges, the cartomizer is prefilled and contains a disposable atomizer.  Here are the pros and cons of the cartomizer:

Cons: they are more expensive to use as they shouldn’t be refilled.

Pros: easy to use (just screw it on and puff), produces good vapor with less inhalation pressure, they last longer than a refillable cartridge that is full (a cartomizer is about 15 cigarettes while a refillable cartridge filled up is about 2 or 3 cigarettes)

For those who already have the Instead Electronic Cigarette Set, YES, you can use our new cartomizers.  They fit the Instead batteries.  So if you are looking for a more convenient way to e-smoke, buy a pre-filled cartomizer to try out!