Coils are the heart of every vaping device. These small heating elements transform e-liquid into vapor, and understanding them is key to optimizing your vaping experience. This guide covers everything from basic concepts to advanced coil selection.
What Is a Vape Coil?
A vape coil is a heating element made of resistance wire wrapped around a wicking material (usually cotton). When electricity flows through the wire, it heats up, vaporizing the e-liquid absorbed by the wick.
Basic Components
Every coil contains:
- Resistance wire: The metal that heats up
- Wicking material: Absorbs and delivers e-liquid
- Housing: The metal casing that holds everything together
The quality and configuration of these components determine vapor production, flavor quality, and coil lifespan.
Types of Vape Coils
Standard Round Wire
The most common and affordable option. A single wire wrapped in a coil shape.
Characteristics:
- Simple, proven design
- Quick heat-up time
- Good flavor
- Affordable
- Easy to build (for rebuildables)
Clapton Coils
Named after guitar strings, Clapton coils feature a thin wire wrapped around a thicker core wire, like the winding on a guitar string.
Characteristics:
- Increased surface area
- Enhanced flavor
- More vapor production
- Slower heat-up
- Higher power requirements
Mesh Coils
Instead of wrapped wire, mesh coils use a strip of metal mesh for heating.
Characteristics:
- Maximum surface area
- Excellent flavor
- Even heating (fewer hot spots)
- Faster heat-up despite larger surface
- Longer lifespan
- Currently the most popular innovation
Ceramic Coils
Use ceramic materials for heating or as a wicking medium.
Characteristics:
- Very clean flavor
- Extremely durable
- Resistant to dry hits
- Slower heat-up
- Less common now
Exotic Coils (Advanced)
For rebuildable atomizers, complex coil builds include:
- Fused Clapton: Multiple core wires with outer wrap
- Alien: Wavy outer wire pattern
- Staggered: Alternating wire configurations
- Framed Staple: Flat wire stacked inside round wire frames
These require building experience and high-wattage devices.
Coil Materials
Kanthal (FeCrAl)
The standard material for most vaping coils.
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Temperature Control | No |
| Ease of Use | Excellent |
| Durability | Very Good |
| Best For | Power/wattage mode vaping |
Kanthal is reliable, affordable, and works in any device.
Stainless Steel (SS316L)
Versatile material that works in both power and temperature control modes.
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Temperature Control | Yes |
| Flavor | Slightly better than Kanthal |
| Durability | Excellent |
| Best For | TC and power mode flexibility |
Nickel (Ni200)
Pure nickel wire, specifically for temperature control.
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Temperature Control | Yes (required) |
| Power Mode | Never (dangerous) |
| Sensitivity | Precise TC performance |
| Best For | Dedicated TC users |
Warning: Never use nickel coils in power mode. The rapid heating can release harmful compounds.
Titanium
Another TC-specific material with safety considerations.
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Temperature Control | Yes (required) |
| Safety | Must avoid dry-burning |
| Performance | Excellent TC accuracy |
| Best For | Experienced TC vapers |
Understanding Resistance
Coil resistance, measured in ohms (Ω), determines how the coil interacts with your device.
Sub-Ohm (Below 1.0Ω)
- Higher power requirements
- More vapor production
- Warmer vapor
- Direct-to-lung vaping style
- Faster e-liquid consumption
Above 1.0Ω
- Lower power requirements
- Less vapor
- Cooler vapor
- Mouth-to-lung vaping style
- More flavor-focused
Resistance Guidelines
| Resistance | Typical Wattage | Style |
|---|---|---|
| 0.15-0.25Ω | 60-120W | Sub-ohm, clouds |
| 0.3-0.5Ω | 30-60W | Sub-ohm, balanced |
| 0.6-1.0Ω | 15-35W | Restricted DTL/MTL |
| 1.0-1.8Ω | 8-15W | MTL, pods |
Choosing the Right Coil
For Flavor
- Mesh coils for maximum flavor with pre-built options
- Lower wattage within range preserves subtle notes
- Single coil setups often outperform dual for flavor
For Clouds
- Lower resistance (0.15-0.3Ω)
- Higher wattage (within coil limits)
- Dual coil configurations when available
- High VG e-liquids (70%+ VG)
For Battery Life
- Higher resistance coils (1.0Ω+)
- Lower wattage requirements
- Single coil over dual
For Coil Longevity
- Mesh coils typically last longest
- Avoid sweetened e-liquids (gunk coils quickly)
- Prime thoroughly before first use
- Don't chain vape excessively
Coil Maintenance
Priming New Coils
Before first use, saturate the wicking material:
- Apply e-liquid directly to exposed cotton
- Fill tank and wait 5-10 minutes
- Take a few primer puffs without firing
- Start at lower wattage, gradually increase
Skipping priming causes immediate burnt taste and ruins the coil.
Signs Your Coil Needs Replacing
- Burnt taste: The most obvious sign
- Reduced vapor: Coil efficiency has dropped
- Muted flavor: Gunk is blocking flavor transfer
- Gurgling sounds: Wicking is degraded
- Discolored e-liquid: Coil is leaching residue
Expected Coil Lifespan
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Sweetened e-liquids | Reduce life 50-75% |
| Chain vaping | Reduces life |
| High wattage | Reduces life |
| Proper priming | Extends life |
| Regular cleaning | Extends life |
Average lifespan: 1-4 weeks depending on usage and liquid type.
Cleaning Coils (Rebuildables)
For rebuildable atomizers, coils can be cleaned:
- Remove cotton wicking
- Dry burn at low wattage
- Brush with coil cleaning tool
- Rinse with water (fully dry before use)
- Re-wick with fresh cotton
Pre-built coils cannot be effectively cleaned and must be replaced.
Common Coil Problems
Burnt Taste Immediately
Cause: Inadequate priming Solution: Always saturate new coils fully
Spitback (Hot Liquid)
Cause: Flooded coil or low power Solution: Increase wattage slightly, fire briefly without inhaling
Dry Hits
Cause: Wicking can't keep up with vaporization Solution: Take shorter puffs, lower wattage, or switch to higher-flow coil
Short Coil Life
Cause: Usually sweetened e-liquids Solution: Use less sweetened juice, clean tank regularly
Temperature Control vs Power Mode
Power Mode (Wattage)
- Set a fixed power output
- Coil heats based on wattage
- No temperature limit
- Works with all wire types
- Simpler to use
Temperature Control
- Set maximum temperature
- Device modulates power to maintain temp
- Prevents overheating and dry hits
- Requires specific wire types (SS, Ni, Ti)
- More consistent experience
Temperature control provides safety benefits but requires compatible coils and proper setup.
The Bottom Line
Coils might seem like simple components, but understanding them improves your entire vaping experience. Key takeaways:
- Mesh coils offer the best combination of flavor, vapor, and lifespan for most users
- Prime every coil before first use without exception
- Match resistance to your vaping style (lower for clouds, higher for MTL)
- Sweeteners kill coils faster than anything else
- Replace coils at the first sign of burnt taste for best experience
The right coil transforms a mediocre vape into an excellent one. Experiment with different types to find what works for your preferences.
Related: MTL vs DTL Vaping Explained