Elf Bar AF5000 Review
Breaking free from conventional disposable vapes, the Elf Bar AF5000 unveils rechargeable technology that promises an increased lifespan of up to 5000 puffs! Join me as I put this brand-new product to the test.
Elf Bar is widely regarded as the leading name in the world of disposable vapes, and it’s easy to see why. Their iconic flagship device, the Elf Bar 600, was among the first of its kind; it not only redefined the pen-style disposable but also set an unparalleled standard of quality in the industry.
But as the landscape of disposable vapes is rapidly changing, Elf Bar remains determined to sit at the forefront of innovation. Now, they’ve just unveiled their first ever rechargeable disposable vape for UK markets— the Elf Bar AF5000.
Curious to explore this new technology for myself, I eagerly took on the task of putting the Elf Bar AF5000 through its paces. Join me as throughout this review I take a deep dive into the AF500; exploring its features, design, how it performs and giving you the lowdown on all 15 flavour profiles. So, let’s get started!
Product Overview
Before I try out this rechargeable Elf Bar, let’s take a closer look at the device itself.
What is Elf Bar AF5000?
The Elf Bar AF5000 is classed as a rechargeable disposable vape, which is a fairly new concept in the UK vape scene. Although rechargeable big puff vapes do exist, they’re not TPD compliant— that is, until now.
As TPD guidelines state that disposable vapes should contain no more than 2ml of e-liquid, most disposables sold here are limited to a puff count of around 600. But these new rechargeable vapes, such as the AF5000, can offer a massively increased puff count while still adhering to legal regulations.
How do they achieve this feat? By including a separate e-liquid reservoir that attaches to the body of the device. In the case of the Elf Bar AF5000, a 10ml e-liquid bottle can be attached to the device while only 2ml of e-liquid sits in the pod at any one time.
This ingenious rechargeable vape design allows for seamless refilling, extending the total puff count to a staggering 5000—an impressive leap in disposable vape technology.
As soon as I got my hands on the AF5000, I knew it was going to be unlike any Elf Bar disposable vape I’d ever tried.
Not only is the box itself far bigger than a regular Elf Bar disposable box, but it felt a lot heavier too.
Upon unboxing, I was met with the device sealed in the usual plastic wallet found on most disposable vapes, complete with Elf Bar vape branding.
At this point, I could already see that there was no charging cable included in the box, which was slightly disappointing, but by no means a deal breaker.
When I removed all packaging, I was met with a large instructions sticker explaining exactly what to do next, which involved attaching the 10ml e-liquid bottle to the device to begin releasing vape juice into the pod ready for vaping.
First Impressions: Design
The device itself felt good in my hand; compact albeit a little larger than any Elf Bar disposable vape I’ve used before. It features a wide duckbill-style mouthpiece and the exterior is part-metallic, part-matte while sporting a colour scheme that corresponds with the flavour inside.
I found the assembly pretty straightforward thanks to the in-depth instructions sticker. However, I did find it difficult to know if my device was refilling correctly. The instructions state to look out for “bubbles” in the e-liquid container, which indicates the pod is being refilled, but the semi-opaque design of the container made it tricky to see these bubbles without holding it up to a light source and squinting intensely.
While I did manage to successfully top-up the device, I wish Elf Bar would have made the container completely transparent to make this process a little easier.
I also noticed that the AF5000 is unable to stand upright. Due to its curved base, it falls over onto its side. While this was a little annoying and took a while to get used to, I quickly learned that the device constantly being on its side was actually refiling the pod, so this design feature was almost certainly intentional.
● Comfortable duckbill mouthpiece
● Smooth semi-metallic exterior
● LED battery life indicator
● Compact rectangular shape
Product Specification
● Battery Capacity: 650mAh
● Pod Capacity: 2ml
● E-Liquid Reservoir Capacity: 10ml
● E-Liquid Type: Nicotine Salts
● Nicotine Strength: 20mg/ml (2%)
● Coil Type: QUAQ Mesh
● Charging Type: USB Type-C (Charging Cable Not Included)
● Dimensions: 40mm x 93mm x 20mm
● Weight: 60g
Performance Testing
Now that my AF5000 is all set up, it’s time to put it to the test. Here’s how my experience went:
Draw
My first inhale of the AF5000 almost knocked my socks off, as it was a lot more intense than I was expecting! After trying out heaps of disposable vapes in the past, I was expecting a similar experience, but the Elf Bar 5000 couldn’t have been more different.
While the draw itself wasn’t particularly tight, it felt very warm rather than light and airy, which took me by surprise. This wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, as it helped to create a punchy throat hit that’s designed to provide a mouth-to-lung sensation that feels like smoking a real cigarette— and it certainly did!
Vapour
Although the AF5000 produced more vapour than standard Elf Bar vapes, it wasn’t anything more than you’d expect from a powerful MTL device.
I found that the vapour production varied depending on how long I inhaled and how long I left it before exhaling. For a more discreet experience, I recommend taking your time and avoiding taking rapid puffs with this device.
Flavour
I found the overall flavour to be pretty strong, which was certainly a good thing. I tested out two different flavours for this review; Tobacco and Watermelon Ice, and both were relatively potent.
Although I thoroughly enjoyed the taste of the Watermelon Ice blend, I can’t say the same for the Tobacco option. I found it to be incredibly intense and harsh, and while I usually enjoy Tobacco blends, this one just totally missed the mark for me. Rather than bursting with smooth and creamy notes, I thought it tasted rather stale and unpleasant.
As Elf Bar is primarily known for their more bold and fruity flavours, this wasn’t surprising. But if their Tobacco option was fused with creamier notes such as vanilla to create a Vanilla Tobacco profile, I think it could have tasted a lot better.
Battery Life
As the 650mAh battery is slightly larger than you’d find in regular Elf Bar disposable vapes, I was hoping it would have a longer lifespan— and it did! I found myself needing to recharge my AF500 roughly once every 36 hours, even with heavy use, which meant I could rely on it even when out and about for the whole day.
I found the LED battery life indicator extremely useful when working out how much power I had left, so I’m glad Elf Bar made the decision to include one.
My Final Rating
Design: ⭐⭐⭐
Flavour: ⭐⭐⭐
Performance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Battery Life: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Final Test Score: 3.75 out of 5
Elf Bar AF5000 Full Flavours List
I’ve already talked about the two AF5000 flavours I tried out, but did you know there are actually 15 different profiles to choose from? Here’s a rundown of all the Elf Bar flavours up for grabs in this collection, along with a little more about how they taste.
Blue Razz Lemonade: A blend of sweet and sour notes featuring juicy blue raspberries with the zesty tang of fresh lemonade.
Blueberry Ice: The succulent taste of freshly picked blueberries combined with a refreshing blast of icy menthol.
Blueberry Sour Raspberry: Enjoy this bountiful blend of ripe blueberries complemented by the zesty tang of sour raspberries.
Cherry Ice: Indulge in the luscious essence of sweet cherries, embraced by a frosty menthol breeze.
Grape: Delight in the natural sweetness of plump, succulent grapes, delivering a delicately flavourful vaping experience.
Kiwi Passion Fruit Guava: Transport your taste buds to a tropical paradise with a tantalizing blend of kiwi, passion fruit, and guava.
Lemon Lime: Experience a burst of citrusy freshness as zesty lemon harmonises with tangy lime, creating a revitalising vape.
Pineapple Mojito: Savour the essence of a refreshing cocktail with tropical pineapple infused with invigorating mint.
Pink Lemonade: Enjoy a classic lemonade soda twist, infused with the sweetness of mixed summer berries.
Sour Pineapple Ice: Indulge in the exotic tanginess of pineapple, tempered by an icy menthol breeze and a wickedly sour kick.
Strawberry Ice: Immerse yourself in the succulent flavour of ripe red strawberries, enhanced by a cool menthol finish.
Strawberry Raspberry Cherry Ice: Delight in a fruity trifecta of strawberries, raspberries, and cherries, completed by a frosty menthol touch.
Tobacco: Experience the timeless allure of rich and robust tobacco flavour, offering a classic and comforting vape.
Triple Mango: Indulge in a triple dose of mango goodness, delivering a juicy and tantalisingly tropical flavour explosion.
Watermelon Ice: Quench your thirst with the sweet and juicy essence of watermelon, accompanied by a refreshing menthol breeze.
Alternatives to Elf Bar AF5000
As these types of rechargeable disposable vapes have only just entered the market, there aren’t many devices and brands to choose from just yet. Although, there is one brand that was first on the scene, and one that I’ve already tried out for myself— the Instafill 3500.
When thinking about alternatives to the Elf Bar AF5000, the Instafill is without a doubt the closest comparison. Much like the AF5000, the Instafill is a rechargeable vape and contains a 10ml e-liquid container that refills the 2ml pod attached to the body of the device.
While the filling mechanism on the Instafill differs from that of the AF500 as it requires manually pushing a button, the way it operates is almost identical. I recently tried out the Instafill myself, so be sure to check out my Instafill 3500 review for a complete rundown of how it performs.
Curious to find out more about how the Instafill 3500 compares to the Elf Bar AF5000? Head over to my Elf Bar AF5000 Vs Instafill 3500 Comparison Review to find out which rechargeable disposable vape comes out on top when tested side by side.
Elf Bar AF5000 FAQs
Who is the Elf Bar AF5000 Designed For?
As it’s a disposable vape that delivers a mouth-to-lung experience, the AF5000 is a great option for those trying to quit smoking and break away from traditional cigarettes. However, its compact and rechargeable nature also makes it perfect for more experienced users looking for a low-maintenance backup device.
For those already familiar with disposable vapes, this big puff disposable vape can provide a longer-lasting alternative without investing in a larger, more complex kit.
Who is the Elf Bar AF5000 Designed For?
You can refill your AF5000 using the refill container provided by tilting the device upside down. However, when your 10ml refill container is empty, it can’t be refilled and must be disposed of responsibly.
Is the Elf Bar AF5000 easy to use?
While using the Elf Bar AF5000 disposable vape kit involves a few extra steps than an ordinary disposable vape, it’s still very straightforward to use. Plus, this kit comes with a detailed instruction sticker providing a step-by-step guide to help you get started in no time.
Elf Bar AF5000 Verdict
As the Elf Bar AF5000 is one of the first rechargeable vapes I’ve ever tried, this testing process has been an interesting journey.
There’s no denying that it boasts all the charm of an Elf Bar vape product, complete with a high-quality build, sleek design and plenty of practical features to enhance the user experience. Yet, I did encounter some minor design quirks, like the semi-opaque refill container and its inability to stand upright, which may require some getting used to.
Performance-wise, I have no complaints. The intense but satisfying draw coupled with its moderate vapour production leaves a lasting impression, with a sensation that’s spot-on for ex-smokers. Despite a slight hiccup with the Tobacco blend, the overall flavour experience is commendable, especially given Elf Bar's expertise in crafting bold and fruity blends.
In my experience, the Elf Bar AF5000 earns a solid rating, reflecting its well-rounded performance and innovative design. While there’s certainly room for refinement in a few areas, the AF5000 sets a promising precedent for the future of rechargeable disposable vapes. As Elf Bar continues to evolve, I eagerly anticipate their next offering.
Elf Bar at myCigara
At myCigara, we exist to make the UK smoke-free. We believe that offering customers viable alternatives, such as a rechargeable disposable vape from Elf Bar, helps bring us that much closer to achieving our goal.
If you’re a beginner, be sure to check out our New To Vaping guide where we cover all the basics to help you get started from scratch. Alternatively, our Basic Guide to Vaping contains all the vital information you’ll need before taking that first step on your quit smoking journey.
We want to make sure that all of our customers have the greatest possible first vaping experience, so don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. Alternatively, head down to your local myCigara store, where our expert staff will be happy to help you.
Jemma Wolfe
Lead Content Writer @myCigara
I'm Jemma, a writer and ex-smoker with a passion for vaping. Since ditching the cigs over a year ago, I've used a whole host of vaping products to help me stay smoke-free and live a healthier lifestyle.
Now, my goal is to help others along their quit smoking journey by writing expert reviews and providing vaping guidance. When I’m not writing, you can find me curled up with a good book, hanging out with my cats or watching live music.
