The Pen-Styled E Cigarette - surely one of the most popular models on the market. This is my unabashed review of this e cigarette model with opinionated observations. For the sake of my commentary, I will review the model which requires refillable e cigarette juice.

I started using the pen-styled e cigarette (as seen in my image) from a starter kit and used it for about 6 months. These are an excellent choice for beginners and can always be found in starter kits. It is the most affordable and doesn't require a large investment for those of you who simply want to try it.

Parts: This model is made up of 4 parts. A lithium battery, an atomizer, a cartridge (or filter), and e cigarette juice. The atomizer is the heating unit which is screwed into the battery while the cartridge is fitted into the top of the atomizer. The cartridge also has a synthetic padding which acts as a sponge and holds your e-liquid. Assembled pen-styled cigarettes range from 5 inches to 7, depending on your vendor's models. Let's now break down each of the parts.

Lithium Battery: The lithium battery lasts a heavy "vaper" 4-5 hours while for a moderate "vaper" it lasts 7-8 hours. Recharging the battery takes about 2-3 hours from either from an electric outlet or a USB connector to your computer. This is a sophisticated little battery which turns on and off with each drag you take. The colorful tip illuminates when it turns on, mimicking a real cigarette. The tip also blinks for 20-30 seconds when it is void of power and needs recharging. Vendors will tell you one thing, but the life of these complicated batteries lasts about 1-2 months.

Atomizer: This is the part of the e cigarette which heats a filament and vaporizes your e cigarette juice. This atomizer produces an average amount of vapor. The atomizer for this e cigarette must be cleaned about once a week or per bottle of juice that you smoke. Otherwise, the filament builds up with sediment and stops producing as much vapor. Cleaning an e cigarette's atomizer is not difficult, but you must know how to do it. Atomizers for this model last about a month for a moderate to heavy vaper.

Cartridges: Cartridges (or filters) for the pen-styled e cigarette come both hard and soft-tipped. The padding inside of them holds about 25-30 drops of vapor juice. Count on refilling your cartridge about every 2-3 hours. The padding inside must be changed about once per week or per bottle of juice you smoke. Cartridges are quite inexpensive (I pay about $0.85 per) and some vendors will even give you a free one for each bottle of juice you buy from them.

Cost & Maintenance: Atomizers and batteries do not last forever for any model of e cigarettes, and certainly not this one. Be prepared to replace either/both of these every 1-2 months (based on moderate vaping.) Keeping your atomizer clean is key to its longevity. Cartridges are used up about once a week.

Including these issues, the pen-styled e cigarette is still one of the most affordable models on the market. They are easy to use, refill, and provide sufficient vapor for the beginners who are starting for the first time. You will not lose much if you decide e cigarettes are not your thing.

Overall: (3 out of 5) I give this model 3 stars based on its expense, ease, and simplicity. The sensation of smoking a real cigarette is heightened by the mechanism of its battery. When you take a drag, it provides the vapor automatically. The vapor is rewarding enough, but the continuous cleaning and replacements of parts (on a monthly average) will soon grow tiresome and you will be looking forward to taking it to the next level.

For all of you pen-styled "vapers" out there, please leave me a comment or additional information I may have missed.