The vape industry has transformed from a niche alternative to a global cultural phenomenon. This rapid evolution means that vape brands must constantly innovate to stay relevant. The key to success often lies not just in a strong brand identity, but in a strong partnership with a custom vape supplier. A reliable manufacturer provides the foundation—quality hardware, unique designs, and a stable supply chain—that allows a brand to capture the attention of consumers and build a loyal following. For brand owners and importers targeting the dynamic Latin American market, choosing the right partner is the most critical business decision. With that in mind, this article will introduce ten of the top vape manufacturers relevant to brands looking to succeed in Mexico and beyond.
ELF BAR
- Location: Shenzhen, China
- Company Type: Vape Brand & Manufacturer
- Year of Establishment: 2018
- Number of Employees: 4,000+
- Main Products: Disposable Vapes
- Other Products: Pod Kits, E-liquid
ELF BAR, owned by Shenzhen Imiracle Technology Co. Ltd., has become one of the most recognizable disposable vape brands worldwide. Their success is built on a massive portfolio of flavors and user-friendly, instantly recognizable product designs. Their rapid innovation cycle ensures they consistently release products that align with current consumer trends, from compact, pocket-friendly devices to high-puff-count models. This market agility makes them a formidable presence in any region they enter.
For wholesalers and brand owners, ELF BAR represents a case study in effective branding and product-market fit. While primarily known for their own brand, their manufacturing capabilities highlight the importance of supply chain scale. Their global distribution network and massive production capacity demonstrate the infrastructure needed to support a top-tier international brand, a key consideration for importers seeking to secure a consistent and high-volume supply of popular products for their target markets.
GEEK BAR
- Location: Shenzhen, China
- Company Type: Vape Brand & Manufacturer
- Year of Establishment: 2015
- Number of Employees: 3,000+
- Main Products: Disposable Vapes
- Other Products: Vape Kits
GEEK BAR is another powerhouse in the disposable vape sector, often associated with the renowned hardware company GeekVape. This connection gives them a strong foundation in product engineering and quality control. GEEK BAR made its mark with robustly designed devices that deliver consistent flavor and performance from the first puff to the last. They focus on creating a premium user experience, often incorporating advanced mesh coils and high-quality materials into their disposable products.
For B2B clients, GEEK BAR’s strengths lie in their commitment to product quality and compliance. They have extensive experience navigating international regulations, providing partners with the assurance of a compliant product. Their reputation for durable and reliable hardware is a significant asset for any distributor or brand owner looking to offer their customers a product they can trust, reducing issues with defects and enhancing brand credibility in competitive markets.
SMOK
- Location: Shenzhen, China
- Company Type: Vape OEM/ODM Manufacturer
- Year of Establishment: 2010
- Number of Employees: 2,000+
- Main Products: Pod Systems, Mod Kits, Tanks
- Other Products: Coils, Vape Accessories
SMOK, a brand under IVPS Technology, is one of the original and most prolific vape hardware manufacturers in the industry. They are known for their powerful, feature-rich mod kits and an extensive catalog that covers virtually every category of vaping, from beginner pod systems to advanced sub-ohm tanks. SMOK’s longevity is a testament to its strong research and development capabilities, consistently pushing the boundaries of power, performance, and hardware design.
For brand owners seeking a versatile OEM/ODM partner, SMOK offers a deep well of experience and technology. Their ability to produce a wide range of devices makes them a one-stop shop for brands looking to build a diverse product lineup. Their established manufacturing processes and global logistics experience provide importers with the confidence that they can handle large, complex orders and deliver high-quality, market-ready products on schedule.
JUUL
- Location: Washington, D.C., USA
- Company Type: Vape Brand
- Year of Establishment: 2015
- Number of Employees: ~900
- Main Products: Pod System Vapes
- Other Products: Proprietary E-liquid Pods
Juul Labs fundamentally changed the vaping landscape with its proprietary closed-pod system. The sleek, USB-like design and utilization of nicotine salts to create a smoother experience set a new standard for the industry. Although Juul operates as a self-contained brand and does not offer OEM/ODM services, analyzing its trajectory offers invaluable lessons for any aspiring vape brand. Their focus on user experience, minimalist design, and creating a unique brand ecosystem became a blueprint for many others.
Importers and brand owners can learn from Juul's initial market dominance and subsequent regulatory challenges. It underscores the importance of not only design innovation but also proactive compliance and understanding the regulatory environment of target markets. Juul’s history serves as a critical reminder that long-term success in the vape industry requires a balanced strategy of aggressive marketing and responsible, sustainable business practices that anticipate regulatory shifts.
Blu
- Location: London, UK (HQ of parent company)
- Company Type: Vape Brand
- Year of Establishment: 2009
- Number of Employees: 500+ (within vape division)
- Main Products: Pod Systems, Disposable Vapes
- Other Products: E-liquids
Blu is a veteran vape brand, now owned by tobacco giant Imperial Brands. This backing gives it significant resources for marketing, distribution, and research. Blu primarily focuses on user-friendly products for the mass market, including their myblu closed-pod system and a line of disposable vapes. Their strategy often revolves around securing widespread retail presence in convenience stores and gas stations, making them highly visible to entry-level vapers.
Similar to Juul, Blu operates as a major consumer brand rather than an open OEM partner. For importers and distributors, Blu’s value lies in its strong brand recognition and established distribution model. Partnering to distribute a brand like Blu can provide immediate access to a market-tested product with a built-in consumer base. Its business model highlights the power of corporate backing and a distribution-first strategy in capturing market share.
VaporFi
- Location: Florida, USA
- Company Type: E-liquid & Hardware Brand
- Year of Establishment: 2013
- Number of Employees: ~200
- Main Products: E-liquids, Mod Kits, Vape Pens
- Other Products: Tanks, Coils
VaporFi operates a unique model, combining direct-to-consumer retail with its own branded line of hardware and e-liquids. They are particularly known for their extensive e-liquid offerings, which allow for a high degree of customer customization. On the hardware side, they offer a curated selection of products ranging from beginner kits to more advanced mods, often in partnership with established manufacturers. Their focus is on quality and customer service, building a loyal following in the US market.
For international brand owners, VaporFi demonstrates the power of a customer-centric approach and the value of building a strong community. While they are not a traditional OEM manufacturer for external brands, their success with customizable e-liquids provides a key insight for the Latin American market: consumers value choice and personalization. Brands that can offer a wide variety of flavors and nicotine options are well-positioned for success.
Waka
- Location: Shenzhen, China
- Company Type: Vape Brand & Manufacturer
- Year of Establishment: 2021
- Number of Employees: 1,000+
- Main Products: Disposable Vapes
- Other Products: High-puff count disposables
Waka is a fast-growing brand that has gained significant traction by focusing on stylish and high-performance disposable vapes. As a brand under the umbrella of a major industry player, RELX Technology, Waka benefits from top-tier R&D and manufacturing excellence. Their products often stand out with bold, colorful designs and a focus on delivering a premium and reliable vaping experience, particularly in their high-puff-count devices. They emphasize flavor consistency and device reliability.
For distributors and importers, Waka represents the new wave of disposable brands that combine eye-catching aesthetics with robust performance. Their affiliation with RELX provides a strong assurance of quality control and supply chain stability. For brands looking to source white-label products, Waka’s design philosophy is worth studying—it proves that even within the disposable category, there is significant room for design innovation and brand differentiation.
iPLAY
- Location: Shenzhen, China
- Company Type: Vape OEM/ODM Manufacturer
- Year of Establishment: 2015
- Number of Employees: 1,000+
- Main Products: Disposable Vapes
- Other Products: Pod Kits
iPLAY is a dedicated vape manufacturer that has carved out a strong niche in the disposable vape market with its focus on high-puff-count devices. Their product names, like the "iPLAY MAX" and "iPLAY X-BOX," clearly communicate their primary selling point: longevity. They invest heavily in battery technology and e-liquid capacity to ensure their devices deliver on the promised puff count while maintaining consistent flavor performance.
For B2B clients, iPLAY is an attractive ODM partner for creating high-capacity disposable products. Their experience in this specific sub-category means they have solved many of the technical challenges associated with larger devices. They offer extensive customization services, allowing vape brands to create unique products tailored to their market's demand for longer-lasting disposables. Their focus makes them a specialist partner for brands wanting to compete in the high-puff segment.
OXBAR
- Location: Shenzhen, China
- Company Type: Vape Brand & Manufacturer
- Year of Establishment: 2022
- Number of Employees: 500+
- Main Products: Disposable Vapes
- Other Products: Pod Systems
OXBAR is the sister brand of OXVA, a company founded by a team of experienced designers and engineers from the vape industry. This heritage is evident in OXBAR’s products, which are known for their innovative designs and exceptional build quality. They often feature transparent shells and intricate internal aesthetics, setting them apart on crowded store shelves. Beyond looks, OXBAR integrates high-performance mesh coils to ensure excellent flavor production across their entire product line.
For brand owners seeking a partner for creating visually distinctive and high-performing products, OXBAR is an excellent choice. Their strong R&D background means they can provide sophisticated OEM and ODM solutions. They are ideal for brands that want to build a reputation based on quality and innovative design rather than simply competing on price. Their flexible production and customization options make them a valuable partner for brands aiming for the premium segment of the market.
BAE Vapor
- Location: Shenzhen & Dongguan, China; Indonesia
- Company Type: Vape OEM/ODM Manufacturer
- Year of Establishment: 2016
- Number of Employees: 5,000+
- Main Products: Custom Disposable Vapes, Pod Systems, CBD/THC Vape Hardware
- Other Products: Nicotine Pouches, Vaporizers
BAE Vapor is a one-stop manufacturing partner built by industry veterans to serve the specific needs of vape brands, importers, and wholesalers. With production facilities in Shenzhen and Dongguan China, the company offers strategic manufacturing and supply chain flexibility. It specializes in providing fully customized OEM and ODM solutions, from initial product design and mold creation to bespoke flavor development, branding, and packaging. Its hardware is engineered for top-tier performance and reliability.
For customers, BAE Vapor is like an extension of their team. The company prides itself on offering rare and innovative hardware styles that help brands stand out in a market as competitive as Mexico, and BAE Vapor works with specialised freight forwarders to smoothly ship customer-ordered vapes to Mexico.
