Vape coils for vaping devices are like the heart for the human body, responsible for heating and vaporising the e-liquid. Understanding these is necessary to enjoy a personalised and satisfying vaping experience. This is why we have compiled this guide to explain you everything about vape coils and help with informed purchasing.
What is a Vape Coil?
A vape coil is a heating element, usually a coiled wire, with a wicking material (like cotton) threaded through it. When you press the button to activate your vape device, or puff to start vaping (draw-activated devices), power from the battery flows through the coil, causing it to heat up. This vaporises the e-liquid absorbed by the wick to create vapours that you inhale.
Anatomy of a Vape Coil
Wire: The heating element that is coiled around the wick material. Some coils use a mesh design, which is a strip of metal with multiple tiny holes forming a grid.
Wicking Material: A cotton material which absorbs the e-liquid and feeds it to the heated coil.
Housing/Casing: A metal casing that holds the coil and wick together. It has small holes to allow e-liquid to saturate the wick.
Types of Vape Coils
Vape coils are available in various types, distinguished by their construction and the heating element’s material.
Standard Wire Coils
These are the traditional coils, made from a single strand of wire that is often coiled tightly. These utilise Kanthal, Stainless Steel, and Nickel materials in manufacturing. Each of these has different properties regarding resistance and temperature control capabilities. For example, Kanthal is known for affordability and stable resistance in different temperatures, but it is not suitable for temperature control modes. Similarly, stainless steel is praised for its versatility, i.e., it suits both VW and TC modes, offers good flavour, and heats up relatively quickly.
Mesh Coils
Instead of a single wire, mesh coils use a strip of mesh material, which provides a larger surface area for heating the e-liquid. This often results in more intense flavour, denser vapour, and a faster ramp-up time. The examples include Aspire Nautilus Mesh Coils, SMOK TFV16 Lite Coils, and Vaporesso GTI Replacement Mesh Coils.
Rebuildable Atomiser (RBA) Coils
These are not pre-built coils but rather a deck where users can build their own coils. This offers customisation in terms of wire type, resistance, and wicking. It's more advanced and requires some DIY skills. Some examples include Voopoo Vinci PnP RBA Coils.
Coil Formats
There are two standard coil formats in the vaping industry, check them below:
Replacement Coils
This term refers to coils that are pre-manufactured by the vape brand for easy replacement in a specific tank or pod system. When the coil wears out, you can unscrew the old one and replace it with a new, identical one. Most beginner-friendly vape kits include the Uwell Caliburn G2, SMOK Nord 5, and Voopoo Drag S/X (and other PnP-compatible devices) use replacement coils because they are convenient and require no building.
Integrated Coils
These are the coils that are pre-installed in vape pods to offer maximum convenience to the user.
Integrated coils refer to a design where the heating element (coil) and the wicking material are permanently built into the vape pod or cartridge itself. When the coil wears out or burns, you dispose of the entire pod or cartridge and replace it with a new one. This offers maximum convenience for beginners, as there's no need to handle small coil components, press-fit coils, or worry about correct installation. The examples include Vaporesso XROS Series (e.g., XROS 3, XROS Pro), Uwell Caliburn A Series (e.g., Caliburn A2, Caliburn A3) and Geekvape Wenax K1.
What is Coil Resistance?
Coil resistance, measured in ohms (Ω), is one of the most critical factors influencing your vaping experience.
Lower Resistance/Sub-Ohm/DTL coils, with resistances below 1.0 ohm, produce more vapour and a warmer vape because they allow more current to pass through, heating the e-liquid at a faster rate. As the name suggests, these are for DTL vaping, where you inhale vapour directly into your lungs, similar to taking a deep breath. They work best with e-liquids that have a higher VG content (e.g., 60% VG and above). The common examples are TFV 16 Replacement Coils by Smok, Aspire Odan Coils (0.2/0.3/0.18 Ω), and VOOPOO ITO Replacement Coils (0.5 ohm ITO-M0 Coil) are good examples of lower resistance coils.
Higher Resistance Coils with resistance above 1.0 ohms produce less vapour and a cooler vape. They are ideal for Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) vaping, which mimics the draw of a traditional cigarette. They are generally preferred for e-liquids with higher PG (Propylene Glycol) content or nicotine salts. Common examples are Aspire Nautilus X coils, Innokin T18E Coils (1.7 ohms), and VOOPOO ITO Replacement Coils (1.0-ohm ITO-M2 Coil and 1.2-ohm ITO-M3 Coil), which are examples of higher resistance coils.
Knowing The Brand/Model of Your Coil
Each device has its own specifications and similarly there is no one size fits all option in coil. Picking a right coil is as necessary for pod’s smooth performance as water for a fish. Most vape pods come with pre built-in coil once e-liquid ends, you dispose the pod and place new- the ultimate sigh of relief!, however pod compaiblity check is vital here. For kits with replaceable coils, usually one or two coils come with the device. When you need a new one, consider your device’s compatibility and make sure to order the same for a break-free experience.
When to Change Your Coil?
If you notice any of the following symptoms, it's time to replace the coil. You'll know it's time to change your coil when you experience:
Burnt Taste: This is the most common sign. If your vape tastes burnt, the wick is likely dry or degraded.
Diminished Flavour: The taste of your e-liquid becomes muted or less clear.
Reduced Vapour Production: Your device produces less vapour than usual.
Gurgling Sounds/Leaking: A gurgling sound or an increase in leaking indicates that the coil is oversaturated or nearing the end of its lifespan.
The lifespan of a coil varies depending on your vaping habits, the type of e-liquid you use, and the coil itself. On average, coils last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks.
Maintaining Your Coils
Coil maintenance is essential to extend its life and enjoy a high-quality vape throughout. Here is how you can do it hassle-freely:
Prime Your Coils: Drip a few drops of e-liquid directly onto the wicking material and letting the filled tank rest for 5-10 minutes to ensure proper wicking and prevent dry hits.
Use the Right E-liquid: Match your e-liquid's VG/PG ratio to your coil's resistance. Higher VG e-liquids are thicker and best for sub-ohm coils, while higher PG or balanced PG/VG e-liquids are thinner and suitable for higher resistance coils.
Clean Your Tank Regularly: This helps prevent e-liquid residue buildup, which can affect coil performance.
Vape Within Recommended Wattage: Most coils have an output power mentioned on them or their packaging. Vaping outside this range can shorten coil life and lead to a burnt taste.
Wrap Up
Understanding vape coils is key to enjoying your vaping experience. By choosing the right coil for your style and maintaining it properly, you can ensure consistent flavour and vapour production.
For more information and a wide range of vape coils, you can visit Vapegala.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 0.6 and a 0.8 ohm coil?
A 0.6 ohm coil provides a warmer vape with more vapour and flavour, ideal for Restricted Direct-to-Lung (RDL) or Direct-to-Lung (DTL) vaping. A 0.8 ohm coil offers a slightly cooler and smoother vape with less vapor, often preferred for a looser Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) or RDL experience. Generally, 0.6 ohms uses more e-liquid and battery, while 0.8 ohms is more efficient.
At VapeGala, our content comes from Nick Nortcliffe, a "VapeSavvy" Chen, who runs the store in Old Swan,
Liverpool. Nick himself is an ex-smoker who switched to vaping and is dedicated to helping people do the same.
With over 8 years in the vaping industry and over a decade writing for YMYL sites, he is the best at what he
does. Now, he is significantly utilising his practical experience and expertise to make vaping easy to
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