Where Are the Top Brands of Disposable Vapes Manufactured?

Over the past decade, disposable vape devices have grown from niche smoking alternatives into a booming global industry. Offering convenience, variety, and stylish designs, these single-use devices now dominate the shelves of vape shops and online stores worldwide. But where exactly are the top brands of disposable vapes manufactured?

In this article, we’ll explore the manufacturing hubs behind the world’s leading disposable vape brands, the reasons behind their locations, and how these production centers shape the global vape market.

1. China: The Global Powerhouse of Vape Manufacturing

Without a doubt, China is the epicenter of disposable vape manufacturing, producing an estimated 90% of all vape hardware globally. The city of Shenzhen, located in Guangdong Province, is the undisputed vape capital of the world. Known for its advanced electronics ecosystem, Shenzhen houses hundreds of vape factories and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

Top Brands Manufactured in China:

• Elf Bar

• Lost Mary

• Geek Bar

• HQD

• Puffmi

• Vaporesso (Smoore)

• ATVS

These brands either originate from or are produced in Shenzhen-based factories. The synergy of experienced engineers, vast supply chains, and fast-paced innovation makes China the ideal location for manufacturing everything from simple disposables to advanced vape systems.

Why China?

• Established supply chain for electronics and batteries.

• Cost-effective labor and production costs.

• Rapid prototyping and scalability.

• Dedicated vape manufacturing parks, like in Bao’an and Longhua districts.

While some brands are Chinese-owned, others are Western brands that outsource production to Chinese OEM due to cost and expertise.

2. United States: Design Headquarters and Niche Manufacturing

Though most disposable vape hardware is made in China, many well-known American brands focus on product design, marketing, and distribution rather than local manufacturing.

U.S.-based Brands That Rely on Chinese Manufacturing:

• Puff Bar

• Hyde

• Esco Bars

• Juice Head Bars

Most of these products are designed in the U.S. but manufactured in China. For example, Puff Bar’s early iterations were developed by American entrepreneurs but produced in factories in Shenzhen.

Emerging Domestic Manufacturing:

Due to rising regulatory pressure from the FDA and increasing concerns about product authenticity and quality, some companies have started exploring domestic production of certain vape components or packaging. However, full-scale manufacturing is still rare due to higher labor and production costs in the U.S.

3. United Kingdom: Regulatory-Focused Development

The UK has become one of the most vape-friendly markets in terms of regulation and public health messaging. Brands like Dinner Lady and IVG Bar are UK-based companies that focus heavily on formulation, product design, and TPD (Tobacco Products Directive) compliance.

Where Are UK Vape Products Manufactured?

Although many UK brands are headquartered in cities like Manchester or Birmingham, the actual hardware is mostly produced in China, with the e-liquid sometimes filled and assembled in the UK to meet regulatory standards.

Examples:

• Dinner Lady Disposable Vape – Designed in the UK, manufactured in China, filled in UK factories.

• IVG Bar – Hardware from China, TPD-compliant formulations in the UK.

UK-based manufacturing is mostly about final assembly, quality control, and e-liquid formulation, rather than hardware production.

4. Canada and Australia: Import-Heavy Markets

Canada and Australia have some well-known vape retailers and regional vape juice brands, but they do not host significant manufacturing for disposable vapes. Most of the top-selling disposable brands in these countries — such as ENVI Apex, ALLO, and GUNNPOD — are manufactured in China.

However, Canadian and Australian companies are involved in branding, distribution, and sometimes e-liquid production, especially where domestic regulations require specific formulation or labeling compliance.

5. United Arab Emirates (UAE): An Emerging Regional Hub

The UAE, particularly Dubai, is becoming a vape trade hub in the Middle East. While not a manufacturing powerhouse like China, the UAE is home to several premium vape brands that contract with Chinese factories to produce devices under custom specifications.

Key Brands Operating in the Region:

• VGod

• MYLE

• First Vape

These brands often combine Western design aesthetics with Chinese manufacturing and UAE-based distribution networks.

6. Malaysia and Indonesia: Regional Players

While most of the hardware is still imported from China, Malaysia and Indonesia are becoming active players in the Southeast Asian vape market, particularly in e-liquid manufacturing. Some disposable vape brands in these regions are assembled or filled locally, often using Chinese hardware.

Why These Regions Matter:

• Growing domestic demand for flavored disposables.

• Established vape communities.

• Competitive labor costs compared to Western countries.

However, these markets face frequent regulatory challenges, and the vast majority of branded disposables still trace their hardware origins to Shenzhen.

7. OEM and ODM Relationships: The Backbone of Disposable Vape Brands

Many of the popular disposable vape brands on the market are not directly manufactured by the company that markets them. Instead, they rely on OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) or ODM (Original Design Manufacturer) partnerships, especially with Shenzhen-based companies.

This means a single Chinese factory might produce different vape products under multiple brand names, often with slight design tweaks or custom branding. For example, a well-known disposable like Elf Bar could have variants made under license by third-party factories for different markets.

8. Quality Control and Regulatory Compliance

Top brands often choose to partner with reputable Chinese manufacturers that adhere to strict ISO standards, CE certifications, and RoHS compliance. Brands with international reach must also ensure their products meet local standards such as:

• TPD (Europe)

• PMTA or FDA compliance (U.S.)

• MHRA registration (UK)

• Health Canada requirements (Canada)

To manage this, many brands now conduct final quality control and product testing in local facilities, even if the core manufacturing is in China.

9. One Global Industry, Many Local Touchpoints

The disposable vape industry is truly global in nature — but it revolves around one central manufacturing hub: Shenzhen, China. Even the most recognized Western or international brands rely heavily on Chinese factories for hardware production, while maintaining local operations for branding, e-liquid formulation, packaging, and regulatory compliance.

As the industry continues to grow and evolve, we may see more decentralized manufacturing, especially in response to rising tariffs, regulatory demands, and consumer calls for transparency. But for now, if you’re using a top-tier disposable vape, chances are high that its journey started in a factory just outside of Shenzhen.