Vape Coils Explained: Resistance, Wattage, and When to Replace

If you use a refillable vape kit, the coil is one of the most important components you need to get to grips with.

It impacts everything from vapour output to flavour and even your vape's battery life. If you're new to vaping, it can be hard to know which coils are right for your needs.

We'll cover everything about vape coils in this post, from resistance and wattage to when to replace them.

What Is a Vape Coil?

Vape coils are the heating elements inside the tank or pod. They heat up and vaporise your e-liquid, allowing you to inhale the flavour and nicotine. The coil has two elements:

1. Metal Wire: The metal wire produces heat by drawing electrical power from the battery. It uses this heat to create a vapour.

2. Cotton Wick: The cotton wick absorbs e-liquid, which helps the metal heating elements produce vapour.

The coils naturally wear down over time because they're repeatedly heated. So, they'll eventually need to be replaced.

If you have a pod kit or a starter vape pen with clearomisers, the coil is contained in each refill. However, other vape pens or mod devices require you to manually change the coil.

Coil Resistance Explained

Coil resistance determines the vaping experience you have. It's measured in ohms (Ω) and affects the amount of power your vape consumes.

Coils fall into two categories: low-resistance and high-resistance.

Low Resistance Coils (Sub-Ohm Coils)

Low-resistance coils, also known as sub-ohm coils, have a resistance below 1.0Ω. They're popular for mod devices that allow direct-to-lung vaping, as the coils have a fast heating time and produce large vapour clouds.

Most sub-ohm coils come in different strengths, including:

• 0.15Ω

• 0.3Ω

• 0.6Ω

High Resistance Coils

High-resistance coils are the standard option, because they suit mouth-to-lung vaping styles. The coils don't produce as much heat, which means there's less vapour and a subtle flavour.

Most MTL coils are 1.0 ohm or higher, with popular resistance levels being:

• 1.0Ω

• 1.2Ω

• 1.5Ω

You'll often find them in lower wattage devices like vape pens and pod kits.

DTL Vaping vs RDTL Vaping vs MTL Vaping

Your vaping style defines the coils you use, so it's vital to choose the right option. There are three main vaping styles:

MTL (Mouth-to-Lung)

Mouth-to-lung vaping is the most popular, as it replicates the smoking experience. You get a strong throat hit when you take the vapour into your mouth and inhale it into your lungs. MTL vaping requires 50/50 or high PG vape juices, with pod kits or pens.

For this reason, the ideal coil strength is 0.8Ω to 1.2Ω.

DTL (Direct to Lung)

Direct-to-lung vaping works differently: you inhale the vapour directly into your lungs. You can produce larger vape clouds and enjoy intense flavours. Because DTL vaping produces thicker clouds, it requires high VG e-liquids and sub-ohm coils.

Choosing a coil strength of around 0.4 gives you a looser draw.

RDTL (Restricted Direct to Lung)

Restricted direct-to-lung vaping balances flavour with vapour production. Some advanced vape pens and pod kits support RDTL vaping styles, with optimal coil resistances ranging from 0.5Ω to 0.7Ω.

Understanding Vape Wattage

Last but definitely not least, we have vape wattages. The wattage of your vape determines how much power it delivers to the coil, which in turn influences its heat output and the amount of vapour produced.

For example, if you're a mouth-to-lung vaper with higher resistance coils, the device won't need as much power. Standard vape pens and pods typically range between 10W and 20W.

However, RTDL and DTL vaping require a higher wattage device to heat the e-liquid sufficiently. A sub-ohm vape kit can range from 30W to 80W.

Why is Wattage Important?

The wattage of your vape kit directly influences your experience. For example, if you choose a higher-wattage kit and try to use it with standard 50/50 e-liquids and the wrong coils, it can cause a burning taste and lead to faster coil replacements.

But when the wattage is too low, it can affect flavour delivery, produce gurgling sounds, and cause vape juice to leak out of your device.

When to Replace Your Vape Coil

All vape coils have a lifespan, and they will need replacing eventually. An average coil usually lasts for two weeks, but it depends on your vaping frequency and style.

For example, if you're a heavy user, you might need to replace the coil every few days, while light users may get weeks' worth of usage before the coil begins to wear down.

There are certain signs that mean your coil needs changing, including:

• Burnt Taste: If you experience a smoky or burnt flavour when vaping, it's time to change the coil.

• Less Vapour: The coil's wick and heating element will gradually wear down, which will impact the amount of vapour your kit produces.

• Flavour Issues: When the flavour starts to fade, it's a sign that you need a new coil.

• Leaking and Noises: If the coil is worn down, it won't be able to vaporise the e-liquid correctly, which can cause gurgling noises and leaking.

To make vape coils last longer, keep your tank topped up to prevent dry hits, moderate your vaping frequency, and always stay within the recommended wattage for your device.

How to Choose the Best Coil for Your Needs

If you're using a pod or pen kit, higher-resistance coils are best because they deliver a stronger throat hit while preserving battery life. Sub-ohm tanks require low resistance coils, while RDTL vaping falls somewhere in the middle, with recommended coils ranging between 0.4Ω and 0.8Ω.

Unsure which vape coil resistance you need? Get in touch with us today for advice. Our vaping experts are here to help you find the right vape device, e-liquids, and coil types for a seamless experience.