Gold Bar Reload vs Gold Bar Apollo Pod Kits: What's the Difference?
The Gold Bar Reload and Apollo 20K represent two distinct approaches to prefilled pod vaping: one prioritising sleek portability, the other maximizing capacity and longevity. This comprehensive comparison breaks down everything you need to know about these innovative systems to find your perfect match.
Few industries are as restless and ever-evolving as the vaping industry and in 2025 we’ve seen a welcome shift toward more sustainable and reusable alternatives to single-use products. Leading this transition, Gold Bar has developed two outstanding prefilled pod systems that maintain everything vapers love about our popular flavours while offering more eco-conscious, cost-effective solutions. The Gold Bar Reload and Gold Bar Apollo 20K each bring unique strengths to the table, catering to different vaping preferences and lifestyles.
Both systems deliver the authentic Gold Bar flavours you know and love through innovative prefilled pod technology, but they differ significantly in design, capacity, and functionality. Whether you prioritise ultimate portability and frequent flavour switching or prefer extended vaping sessions with minimal maintenance, understanding these differences will help you choose the perfect Gold Bar system for your needs.
In this comparison, we'll examine the distinctive features, specifications, and benefits of both the Reload and Apollo 20K, providing all the information you need to make an informed decision about your next vaping device. As regulations continue to favour reusable systems over disposables, these pod kits represent the future of convenient, satisfying vaping.
Key Takeaways:
Design: Reload offers a sleek, pocket-friendly metallic design; Apollo 20K is slightly larger to accommodate its higher-capacity system.
Battery: Reload provides all-day use with fast USB-C charging; Apollo 20K features a robust 1000mAh battery for extended sessions.
Puff Capacity: Reload pods deliver approximately 600 puffs each; Apollo 20K's pod + refill system provides up to 4000 puffs per refill pack.
Flavour Range: Reload offers 13 distinct flavours; Apollo 20K features 10 carefully selected options from Gold Bar's collection.
Best For: Reload suits vapers prioritizing portability and flavour variety; Apollo 20K ideal for those wanting fewer replacements and longer vaping between refills.
Consistent Quality: Both use 20mg nicotine salts and Hyper Mesh coil technology for premium flavour and satisfaction.
Understanding Prefilled Pod Systems: The Future of Vaping
Prefilled pod systems combine a rechargeable battery with replaceable e-liquid pods, offering the simplicity of disposables with the sustainability of refillable devices. They're gaining popularity as regulations shift away from single-use products, providing a familiar experience for disposable users without the learning curve of more complex vape kits.
These systems significantly reduce waste by keeping the battery component while replacing only the pod. This approach also delivers better value over time; the initial investment in a pod kit quickly pays for itself through savings on replacement pods versus buying multiple disposables.
For vapers seeking convenience without compromise, prefilled pod kits like the Gold Bar Reload and Gold Bar Apollo 20K represent the perfect middle ground: simple operation, authentic flavours, and a more wallet-friendly, environmentally responsible vaping solution.
Gold Bar Reload: Style, Simplicity and Flexibility
The Gold Bar Reload represents a perfect balance of elegant design and practical functionality. This compact device stands out in the vaping market with its premium metallic finish and user-friendly approach to prefilled pod vaping.
Whether you prefer fruity blends, refreshing menthol combinations, or more complex flavour profiles, our Nic Salt range offers something to satisfy every palate. Each bottle delivers approximately the equivalent e-liquid of five disposable vapes, making them an excellent value while maintaining the premium Gold Bar experience you love.
Design and Build Quality
The Reload battery combines sophisticated aesthetics with pocket-friendly dimensions. Its sleek form factor feels comfortable in hand while remaining easy to carry throughout the day. Constructed from high-quality materials, the gleaming finish makes a style statement while maintaining durability for daily use.
Battery and Performance
Featuring a rechargeable battery with USB-C fast charging, the Reload ensures you're never without power for long. The battery is designed to last a full day on a single charge for average vaping habits. Its draw-activated mechanism eliminates buttons entirely, making the vaping experience intuitive and straightforward, particularly appealing for newcomers.
Pod System and Puff Count
Each Reload prefilled pod contains 2ml of 20mg nicotine salt e-liquid, optimised for a satisfying mouth-to-lung experience. The pods incorporate advanced Hyper Mesh Coil technology alongside a dynamic atomiser, ensuring consistently smooth, rich vapour with enhanced flavour clarity. A single pod provides approximately 600 puffs of robust, flavourful vapour before needing replacement.
Available Reload Kit Flavours
The Gold Bar Reload system currently offers a rich palette of more than 13 bespoke flavours carefully curated from the most popular disposable collections. Options include refreshing fruit profiles like Watermelon Ice and Blue Raspberry, tropical blends such as Oasis and 24K Mango, cooling options like Spearmint, and speciality creations such as Bora Bora. This impressive variety ensures there's something for every palate preference.
Available Reload Pod Flavours
The Gold Bar Reload system currently offers a wide variety of bespoke flavours carefully curated from the most popular disposable collections. Here’s just a few Reload pod flavours that are customers can’t get enough of:
Enjoy the creamy richness of Banana Ice, blending sweet banana with a cool menthol finish,
Enjoy the creamy richness of Banana Ice, blending sweet banana with a cool menthol finish,
Gold Bar Apollo 20K: Capacity and Convenience Combined
The Gold Bar Apollo 20K represents a significant innovation in prefilled pod technology. This remarkable system combines the convenience of prefilled pods with an impressive puff capacity that rivals much larger vaping setups, all while maintaining a relatively compact form factor.
Design and Build Quality
The Apollo 20K features a practical design that balances portability with expanded capacity. While slightly larger than the ultra-compact Reload, it remains pocket-friendly and comfortable to hold. The device includes thoughtful safety features, including a child-resistant cover for added security. Gold Bar's attention to quality manufacturing ensures consistent performance throughout the device's lifespan.
Battery and Performance
At the heart of the Apollo 20K sits a built-in 1000mAh rechargeable battery that can be quickly replenished via its USB-C port. This substantial battery capacity provides extended vaping sessions between charges. Like the Reload, the Apollo 20K utilises intuitive inhale activation for straightforward operation without any buttons or complicated settings.
The Innovative Pod and Refill System
What truly sets the Apollo 20K apart is its unique pod and refill system. Unlike standard prefilled pod kits, the Apollo 20K comes with both a 2ml prefilled pod and a 5ml refill container. This clever design allows for up to six refills of the 2ml pod from the 5ml container, dramatically extending the device's lifespan between replacements.
When the pod starts to run low, simply tilt the device to refill from the 5ml container. This automatic refill mechanism maintains compliance with UK regulations while delivering an impressive potential 4000 puffs per refill pack, though exact puff count varies depending on personal usage patterns.
Available Flavours
The Gold Bar Apollo Prefilled Pods and Kit are available in a selection of more than 10 handpicked flavours that have proven to be massive customer favourites. Options include refreshing fruit profiles such as Watermelon Ice and Blue Raspberry, zingy citrus blends like Lemon Lime, cooling Spearmint, and unique mixed creations including Summer Berries and Pineapple Watermelon Lemonade. All flavours feature the same premium 20mg nicotine salt formulation and Hyper Mesh coil technology for authentic taste experiences.
Replacement Refills for the Apollo 20K kit can be purchased as 2ml Prefilled Pod and 5ml Refill packs or (2 x) 5ml Refill packs:
Gold Bar Apollo Prefilled Pods in Blue Raspberry bring a burst of tangy Blue Raspberry flavour with each puff.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Reload vs Apollo 20K
Design and Portability
The Reload wins on pure portability with its slimmer profile and lightweight design, making it virtually unnoticeable in a pocket or bag. The Apollo 20K remains compact but adds slightly more bulk to accommodate its refill system. Both feature quality construction, with the Reload offering perhaps a more fashion-forward metallic finish versus the Apollo's practical design focused on functionality.
Battery Life and Charging
The Apollo 20K's 1000mAh battery provides significantly longer runtime between charges compared to the Reload. Both utilise USB-C fast charging, though the larger Apollo battery naturally requires more time to reach full capacity. For power users or those away from charging options frequently, the Apollo 20K offers a clear advantage in battery endurance.
Pod Capacity and Longevity
This represents the most substantial difference between the systems. Reload pods provide approximately 600 puffs before requiring replacement, while the Apollo 20K's pod plus refill container system delivers up to 4000 puffs from a single refill pack. This translates to roughly 6-7 times more vaping between purchases, making the Apollo 20K considerably more cost-effective for regular vapers despite similar pricing for replacement options.
Beyond Prefilled Pods: Gold Bar Nic Salt E-Liquids
For vapers who prefer using their own refillable devices, our Gold Bar Nic Salt E-liquid collection brings the same exceptional flavours to a versatile 10ml bottle format. With a perfectly balanced 50VG/50PG ratio, these e-liquids are optimised for mouth-to-lung vaping in pod systems and starter kits. Available in both 10mg and 20mg nicotine strengths, they offer a smooth throat hit with rapid nicotine satisfaction across nearly 20 distinct flavours.
The Gold Bar Nic Salts pair perfectly with a wide range of MTL vape devices, making them an excellent option for those who already own a refillable pod kit or want maximum flexibility in their vaping setup. Each 10ml bottle is equivalent to approximately five disposables, offering outstanding value while maintaining the authentic taste profiles that have made Gold Bar a favourite among UK vapers.
Choosing Your Perfect Gold Bar Pod System: Recommendations & Next Steps
New to vaping or former smokers: Both systems excel with familiar MTL draw and satisfying nicotine delivery. Choose Reload for a more cigarette-like form factor.
Heavy/frequent vapers: The Apollo 20K's 4000-puff capacity and 1000mAh battery make it ideal for those who vape regularly throughout the day.
Occasional/social vapers: The Reload's elegant design and variety of flavours make it perfect for those who vape less frequently or enjoy switching flavours often.
On-the-go vapers: The ultra-portable Reload slips effortlessly into any pocket without bulk.
Value-focused vapers: Apollo 20K delivers substantially more puffs per pound with its innovative refill system.
Both the Gold Bar Reload and Apollo 20K represent excellent transitions from disposables to more sustainable vaping, offering the same authentic flavours and satisfaction you expect from Gold Bar. The Reload provides ultimate portability and style, while the Apollo 20K delivers impressive longevity and value.
As regulations continue to favour reusable systems, these prefilled pod kits offer perfect solutions without compromising on quality or convenience. Ready to experience the Gold Bar difference? Explore our complete range today or contact our friendly Customer Services Team for personalised recommendations and support.
FAQS:
How long do Gold Bar prefilled pods last?
The Reload pods typically provide approximately 600 puffs each, while the Apollo 20K system can deliver up to 4000 puffs from its combined pod and refill container. Actual puff count varies based on individual usage patterns, including the length and intensity of each draw.
Which system offers better value for money?
For regular vapers, the Apollo 20K provides substantially better value with its potential 4000 puffs per refill pack. However, the Reload still offers excellent value compared to disposables while providing more flexibility for flavour switching.
Can I refill the pods with my own e-liquid?
Gold Bar prefilled pods are designed as closed systems and aren't intended to be refilled with other e-liquids. For the best performance and flavour experience, we recommend using only official Gold Bar replacement pods. If you prefer using your own e-liquid, consider our Gold Bar Nic Salt range with a compatible refillable device.
How do I know when to replace my pod?
It's time to replace your pod when you notice a decrease in vapour production, diminished flavour, or when the e-liquid is visibly depleted. With the Apollo 20K, you'll need to replace both the pod and refill container when they're empty.
Are Gold Bar prefilled pod systems suitable for beginners?
Absolutely. The draw-activated operation, absence of complicated settings, and pre-filled nature of the pods make these systems ideal for beginners. They provide a satisfying experience without the learning curve associated with more complex vaping devices.
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