A Beginner’s Guide To Vape Coils

If you’re just getting into vaping, or even if you’ve been vaping for a while, you’ve probably heard the word coil mentioned a lot. And if you’ve ever experienced a burnt taste or a drop in flavour, it was probably your coil’s way of saying “I’ve had enough, mate.”

But what is a vape coil really? How does it work? And how do you choose the right one?

Let’s break it all down, with no techy jargon, just practical, honest advice to help you vape smarter.

What Is a Vape Coil?

A vape coil is a small but essential part of your vape kit. It’s the component that heats up and turns your e-liquid into vapour.

Here’s how it works:

• Inside every coil is a thin piece of wire (usually made from Kanthal, stainless steel, or mesh).
• Wrapped around or near this wire is a wick, normally made from cotton.
• The cotton wick absorbs your e-liquid, and when you press the fire button, the wire heats up and vaporises the liquid soaked in the cotton.

Boom, flavour, throat hit, clouds. No coil, no vapour. It’s that simple.

Vape Coil Resistance: What Does “Ohms” Mean?

Let’s talk about coil resistance, often shown as a number with the symbol Ω (Ohms). This number tells you how much power your coil needs, and what kind of vaping experience it’ll give you.

Here’s the simple version:

High Resistance Coils (≥1.0Ω)

• Style: MTL (Mouth-to-Lung)
• Feels Like: Smoking a traditional cigarette
• Vapour: Discreet clouds
• Best For: Beginners, ex-smokers, nic salt users
• Power Needed: Low (10–20W)
• E-Liquid: 50/50 or high PG, 6–20mg nicotine

Low Resistance Coils (<1.0Ω)

• Style: DTL (Direct-to-Lung)
• Feels Like: Taking a deep breath straight to the lungs
• Vapour: Big, thick clouds
• Best For: Experienced users, cloud chasers
• Power Needed: High (25–100W+)
• E-Liquid: High VG, max 6mg nicotine

The lower the Ohm rating, the hotter the coil gets, and the more vapour it produces. But that also means faster e-liquid consumption and shorter battery life.

The Different Types of Vape Coils (And Who They’re For)

1. MTL Coils (Mouth-to-Lung)

These mimic the feeling of a cigarette, perfect for beginners and ex-smokers. You draw the vapour into your mouth, then inhale it into your lungs.

• Resistance: 1.0Ω and above
• Power: 10–20W
• Ideal Liquids: Nic salts or 50/50 freebase e-liquid
• Best With: Pod kits, starter kits

Why you’ll love it: Satisfying throat hit, lower e-liquid usage, great for quitting cigarettes.

2. Sub-Ohm Coils (Direct-to-Lung)

These are all about clouds and flavour. You inhale directly into your lungs, kind of like taking a big breath through a straw.

• Resistance: Less than 1.0Ω
• Power: 25–100W+
• Ideal Liquids: 70/30 VG/PG or higher VG
• Best With: Sub-ohm vape kits, box mods

Why you’ll love it: Rich flavour, huge vapour clouds, smoother inhale with low nicotine.

3. Mesh Coils

Mesh coils use a sheet of metal instead of a single wire. This creates a larger surface area, which means:

• Faster heating
• Smoother draw
• Longer lifespan
• Stronger flavour

Pro Tip: Many modern pod kits (like the OXVA Xlim or Elf Bar ELFX) now come with mesh coil options pre-installed.

4. Rebuildable Coils (DIY Coils)

For experienced vapers only, rebuildable coils let you craft your own coils from scratch using wire and cotton.

• Used with RDAs, RTAs, and RDTAs
• Full control over resistance, flavour, and airflow
• Cost-effective in the long run

Heads up: Not recommended for beginners. You’ll need to understand Ohm’s Law and battery safety to avoid any mishaps.

What Wattage Should I Use with My Coil?

It depends entirely on the coil’s resistance and material. Luckily, most coils come with a recommended wattage range printed right on them.

For example:

“Recommended: 12–18W”

Always start at the lower end of the range and slowly increase the wattage until you find your sweet spot. Going too high too quickly is the fastest way to burn your coil.

Here’s a general guide:

Which E-Liquid Works Best With Each Coil?

Choosing the wrong e-liquid for your coil can lead to burnt hits, leaks, or just an underwhelming experience.

For MTL Coils:

• Nicotine Strength: 6mg–20mg
• E-Liquid Ratio: 50/50 VG/PG or high PG
• Best For: Nic salts, freebase e-liquids

For Sub-Ohm Coils:

• Nicotine Strength: 0–6mg (higher will hit too hard)
• E-Liquid Ratio: 70/30 VG/PG or high VG
• Best For: Shortfills, cloud-chasing flavours

Top Tip: If you’re switching from disposables to a pod kit, look for nic salts with 50/50 ratios, they’re smoother and deliver fast nicotine relief.

How Long Do Vape Coils Last?

Coil lifespan varies based on your vaping habits and the type of e-liquid you use. Here’s a rough guide:

• Heavy vaper (daily use): 4–7 days
• Moderate user: 7–10 days
• Light user: Up to 2 weeks

Signs You Need a New Coil:

• Burnt taste
• Weak or muted flavour
• Less vapour than usual
• Gurgling or leaking
• Dark, sludgy e-liquid

Don’t wait for a coil to fully die before replacing it, doing so can ruin your juice, your vape experience, and even your pod or tank.

How to Change a Vape Coil (Step-by-Step)

1. Remove the pod/tank from the device.
2. Unscrew or pull out the old coil.
3. Prime the new coil – Add a few drops of e-liquid onto the cotton holes.
4. Insert the coil firmly (but don’t overtighten).
5. Refill the pod or tank, then wait 5–10 minutes for the wick to soak.
6. Start vaping at a lower wattage, and gradually increase.

Pro Tips to Make Your Coils Last Longer

• Use the right wattage – Too high = burnt coil.
• Prime before use – Never skip this step.
• Avoid chain vaping – Give your coil a breather.
• Avoid super sweet juices – They gunk up your coil fast.
• Keep your device clean – Residue affects coil performance.

Final Thoughts

Vape coils might seem a bit technical at first, but once you get the hang of how they function, they become key to a smoother, more satisfying vaping experience. Whether you’re using a compact pod system, chasing clouds with a sub-ohm setup, or experimenting with rebuildables, picking the right coil and maintaining it properly makes all the difference in flavour and performance. For a closer look at how modern devices optimize coil efficiency and flavour delivery, check out our detailed OXVA XLIM SQ Pro 2 Review at Vape Nexus. That way, the next time your vape tastes off, you’ll know exactly what to do and how to prevent it in the future.