Complete user guide to all types of vape

 

coils (2026)

The coil is the heart of every vape device — it determines flavour intensity, cloud production, e-liquid consumption, and how long your setup lasts. Whether you use a pod kit, a sub-ohm tank, or a rebuildable, understanding coil types helps you choose the right one and get the best out of your vape. This guide covers every coil type by shape, material, and resistance.

Contents

How a vape coil works
Coil types — click to explore
Coil resistance explained (ohms)
Coil materials compared
Mesh vs round wire coils
How to prime a new coil
When to replace your coil
Choosing the right coil for your setup
FAQs

How a vape coil works

A vape coil is a length of resistance wire shaped into a spiral (or flat mesh sheet) that heats up when electrical current passes through it. The coil is wrapped around — or sits inside — a cotton wick that absorbs e-liquid from the tank or pod. When you fire the device, the coil heats the saturated cotton, vaporising the e-liquid and creating the vapour you inhale.

The resistance of the coil (measured in ohms, Ω) determines how much power is needed and how hot the coil gets. Lower resistance = more heat = more vapour and e-liquid consumption. Higher resistance = less heat = tighter, more efficient draw.

Key point: The coil material and resistance together determine your vaping experience — not just one or the other. The sections below cover both dimensions.

Coil types — tap to explore

The six most common coil types used in UK vape devices. Tap any card to see full specs, pros, and cons.

Mesh coil Most popular

Sub-ohm · DTL · Flavour & clouds

Round wire coil

MTL · Sub-ohm · Traditional

Ceramic coil

Pod kits · Smooth flavour

Clapton coil Advanced

RBA · DTL · Cloud chasing

Dual / multi coil

Sub-ohm · High power · Clouds

Pod / integrated coil

Pod kits · MTL · Beginner

Coil resistance explained (ohms)

Resistance is measured in ohms (Ω) and is one of the most important factors in your vaping experience. Here's what each range means in practice:

0.1–0.3Ω

Ultra sub-ohm

Max clouds, high wattage, fast wick drain

0.4–0.8Ω

Sub-ohm

Warm DTL vape, good flavour & clouds

1.0–1.2Ω

Mid resistance

Restrictive DTL or loose MTL, balanced

1.3–1.8Ω

MTL

Tight mouth-to-lung draw, nic salt friendly

1.8Ω+

High resistance

Very tight MTL, low power, coolest vape

For UK nic salt users: Pod kits typically use coils in the 0.8Ω–1.8Ω range. These are designed for the 50/50 PG/VG nic salt e-liquids common in 10 ml bottles. Sub-ohm devices (under 0.5Ω) should be used with nicotine-free shortfills or very low nic content liquids.

For most UK vapers using pre-built coils in tanks or pods, the material is Kanthal, stainless steel, or ceramic — the choice is made for you by the manufacturer. Material selection matters most for rebuildable atomisers (RTAs and RDAs) where you build your own coils.

Mesh vs round wire coils

This is the most common question when upgrading a sub-ohm tank or buying replacement coils. Here's the practical difference:

Mesh coils

Mesh coils use a flat sheet of perforated metal instead of a wound wire. The larger surface area in contact with the cotton wick means faster, more even heating — which translates to better flavour, faster ramp-up, and longer coil life. Mesh coils dominate the market for good reason: they consistently outperform round wire in flavour tests and are now the standard in most quality sub-ohm tanks and pod kits.

Round wire coils

Traditional wound wire coils produce a slightly cooler vape with a firmer flavour profile. Some vapers prefer them for mouth-to-lung vaping where a cooler, more restricted draw is desirable. They are also more common in lower-wattage pod systems. Round wire coils tend to be cheaper and remain popular in MTL tanks.

Quick rule: If cloud production and flavour intensity are your priority, choose mesh. If you prefer a cool, tight MTL draw similar to a cigarette, round wire at higher resistance (1.2Ω+) is often the better choice.

How to prime a new coil

Priming is the process of saturating the cotton wick before first use. Skipping this step causes "dry hits" — a burnt, harsh inhale that permanently damages the coil.

Remove the new coil from packaging and locate the e-liquid inlet holes on the side (the small visible cotton ports)
Apply 3–5 drops of e-liquid directly onto each cotton inlet hole and one drop into the centre of the coil if accessible
Install the coil into your tank or pod and fill with e-liquid
Wait 5–10 minutes before vaping — this gives the cotton time to fully saturate from the inside out
Take 2–3 primer puffs (inhale without firing the device) to draw liquid deeper into the wick
Start at the lowest recommended wattage and gradually increase over the first few puffs

Priming correctly extends coil life significantly. A well-primed coil typically lasts 1–3 weeks; a dry-fired coil may last only a day before producing off-flavours.

When to replace your coil

Coils don't last forever — here are the clear signs it's time to swap:

A burnt, harsh, or "off" taste even with a full tank and clean e-liquid
Noticeably reduced vapour production at your usual wattage
Gurgling sounds that don't clear after blowing through the mouthpiece
Visible discolouration of the e-liquid — very dark brown liquid indicates a burnt coil
Leaking that begins suddenly after previously leak-free use
Inconsistent flavour between puffs (some normal, some burnt)

Typical coil lifespans: pod coils 1–2 weeks, sub-ohm tank coils 1–3 weeks, MTL tank coils 2–4 weeks. Heavy vapers (30+ ml/day) should replace more frequently.

Choosing the right coil for your setup

Use this simple guide to match your coil to your device type and vaping style:

Pod kit user (MTL, nic salt): Use the pre-built integrated coil that came with your device. Replace when flavour deteriorates. If you have a refillable pod with replaceable coils, choose 1.0Ω–1.8Ω mesh or round wire.
Sub-ohm tank user (DTL, shortfill): Mesh coils in the 0.2–0.5Ω range give the best flavour and vapour. Always match the coil to your tank brand — coils are not cross-compatible between most manufacturers.
MTL tank user (tight draw, nic salt): Round wire or mesh coils at 1.0Ω–1.8Ω. Look for coils labelled "MTL" by the manufacturer.
Temperature control user: Use stainless steel, nickel, or titanium coils — Kanthal and Nichrome do not work in TC mode.
Rebuildable user (RTA/RDA): Kanthal or Ni80 for flavour builds; SS316L for flexibility between wattage and TC modes. Clapton, fused Clapton, or alien wire for maximum surface area.
Frequently asked questions

What does the ohm number on a coil mean?

The ohm (Ω) number is the electrical resistance of the coil. Lower numbers (0.1–0.5Ω) mean the coil heats up more and produces more vapour at higher wattages. Higher numbers (1.0Ω+) mean a cooler, tighter vape at lower power — ideal for mouth-to-lung vaping and nic salt e-liquids.

Are all vape coils compatible with all devices?

No. Coils are designed specifically for the tank or pod they were made for. A Vaporesso XROS coil will not fit a SMOK tank, for example. Always buy replacement coils from the same brand and model as your device. Check the packaging or product listing for compatibility information.

Why does my new coil taste burnt?

A burnt taste from a new coil almost always means the cotton wick wasn't primed before first use. The dry cotton scorched on the first fire. Unfortunately this damage is permanent — you will need a new coil. Always apply e-liquid to the inlet holes and wait at least 5 minutes before vaping a new coil.

What is the difference between a mesh coil and a regular coil?

A mesh coil uses a flat perforated sheet of metal rather than a wound wire. This gives a much larger surface area in contact with the cotton, resulting in faster and more even heating, better flavour, bigger vapour production, and longer coil life. Mesh coils are generally considered superior for sub-ohm vaping.

Can I use any e-liquid with any coil?

Not ideally. Sub-ohm coils (under 0.5Ω) work best with high-VG shortfill e-liquids (70VG+), which are thick enough to produce large clouds at high power. MTL and pod coils (1.0Ω+) work best with 50/50 PG/VG or higher-PG nic salt e-liquids. Using high-VG liquid in a pod coil can cause flooding and reduced flavour.

What is temperature control vaping and which coils support it?

Temperature control (TC) mode lets your device limit the maximum temperature reached by the coil, preventing dry hits and producing a more consistent vape. It requires coils made from materials whose resistance changes predictably with temperature — stainless steel (SS316L), nickel (Ni200), and titanium (Ti) all support TC. Kanthal and Nichrome do not.

How long do vape coils last?

Pod coils typically last 1–2 weeks for average users. Sub-ohm tank coils last 1–3 weeks. MTL tank coils can last 2–4 weeks due to lower operating temperatures. Lifespan shortens with heavy vaping, sweetened e-liquids (which caramelise on the coil), and chain vaping without allowing the wick to re-saturate.

Why do sweetened e-liquids burn through coils faster?

E-liquids containing sucralose or other sweeteners leave a sticky, caramelised residue on the coil after each vape. This "gunks up" the cotton and wire over time, reducing wick absorption and producing an off, sweet-burning taste. Unsweetened or lightly sweetened e-liquids extend coil life significantly — often by 50% or more.