Geek Bar vs. Geek Boost: More Than Just a Knockoff?
I vape. It’s one of my last remaining vices. Let’s be clear, it’s not healthy, but I figure it’s a step up from smoking or, you know, inhaling tremendous amounts of narcotics. I’m writing this because I had a realization about what might be happening behind the scenes in the vape world, and I wanted to share the differences between two brands you might encounter: Geek Bar and Geek Boost.
I detest anything wasteful, and let’s be honest, disposable vapes are the definition of that. But for those of us who choose to vape (while we still have the choice here in America), allow me to share some thoughts.
My go-to has always been the Geek Bar. It’s made with high-quality components, is incredibly easy to use, and is consistently satisfying, no matter the flavor. That is, until about six months ago. I opened two duds in a row. Both were identical, and both tasted like I was inhaling a rancid, death-like flavor (I sincerely hope this doesn’t become a trend).
After some digging, I learned that Geek Bar had a counterfeiting problem. Low-quality knock-offs were flooding the market. Whether my local gas station was aware of what they were selling is neither here nor there. However, The fakes were remarkable; nearly indistinguishable without close scrutiny. But the tech always failed. The vape would keep burning after I stopped inhaling, it wouldn’t charge or shut off properly, and the taste… well, I hope to never experience it again.
Last week, at a new, reputable vape shop I found, I spotted a new product: the Geek Boost. It was a direct replica of the Geek Bar. I don’t know how such a blatant rip-off gets mass-produced without a lawsuit, but that’s not my department. The price, however, was impossible to ignore: $23.95 compared to the Geek Bar’s $36.95. Being low on funds, as is often the case, I decided to give the knockoff brand a try.
First Thoughts on the Geek Boost
My first theory was that the original counterfeiters had gone legit and created their own low-budget brand. The quality was certainly a step up from the terrible fakes I’d encountered before.
The tech inside was nearly as good as the original. The inhalation mechanism felt slightly off, forcing me to take longer draws to get a satisfying hit. The Geek Boost also charged about half as fast as the brand-name version.
But all in all, for the price, it was a decent vape. I still worry about low-budget vape juices, as there are no definitive long-term studies. In terms of battery life, both devices seem to drain at about the same speed for me—I use roughly 10% of the capacity per day.
Wrapping Up
Overall, I’m cautiously pleased with the Geek Boost. Whether it was originally a company that produced counterfeits will remain a mystery. However, the quality, especially when contrasted with the significant cost savings, is substantial enough for me to justify the switch for now.
What about you? Have you tried the Geek Boost or encountered Geek Bar counterfeits? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!