Vape Coils

Vape coils are the key component inside your vape tank or pod that heats your e-liquid, turning it into the vapour you inhale. Whether you’re a casual user or an advanced hobbyist, the coil is what drives flavour, vapour production, and overall performance. Selecting the right coil for your device and vape style is essential for achieving the best experience.

With various resistance levels, materials, and designs available, vape coils are far from one-size-fits-all. Each type is suited to different types of e-liquids, wattage levels, and vaping preferences – from smooth nicotine salt draws to dense clouds from high-VG shortfills.

Vape Coils

What Are Vape Coils Made Of?

A vape coil is typically composed of:

  • Metal heating wire (Kanthal, stainless steel, mesh, etc.)
  • Cotton wick, which absorbs the vape liquid
  • Metal housing, designed to fit specific tanks or pods

When your device activates, the coil heats up the saturated cotton, vaporising the e-liquid for inhalation.


Types of Vape Coils

Choosing the correct type of coil is essential to match your vaping style and device compatibility. Here are the most common categories:


🔁 Replaceable Pre-Built Coils (Pre-Made Coils)

These are the most widely used coils and come ready to install in your tank or pod system. They’re disposable, simple to replace, and designed for specific devices.

Sub-categories include:

Standard Wire Coils

  • Made with a single wrapped wire
  • Typically found in starter kits or MTL devices
  • Provide a tighter draw and more intense throat hit
  • Ideal for freebase nicotine or nicotine salts

Mesh Coils

  • Use a mesh strip instead of a traditional wire
  • Heat more evenly and efficiently
  • Deliver enhanced flavour and vapour
  • Often used in sub-ohm kits and DTL tanks

Ceramic Coils

  • Use ceramic material instead of cotton
  • Provide cleaner flavour and longer life
  • Common in pod systems and refillable disposable alternatives

🔧 Rebuildable Coils (RBA, RDA, RTA Use)

For advanced vapers using rebuildable tanks, rebuildable coils allow users to create and install their own coil builds using wire and cotton. These are highly customisable and economical over time.

Benefits include:

  • Control over resistance and airflow
  • Cheaper in the long term
  • Ideal for hobbyist vapers seeking tailored experiences

Understanding Coil Resistance (Ohms)

Resistance is measured in ohms (Ω) and plays a big role in how your device performs:

Resistance Vaping Style E-Liquid Type Vapour Throat Hit Flavour
Above 1.0Ω MTL (Mouth-to-Lung) 50/50 or nicotine salts ⚫⚫ ⚫⚫⚫⚫ ⚫⚫⚫⚫
Below 1.0Ω DTL (Direct-to-Lung) High-VG shortfills ⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫ ⚫⚫ ⚫⚫⚫⚫

Best Coil Type for Your Vape Style

Vaping Style Recommended Coil Type Best With…
Starter kits & pods High-resistance wire/ceramic Nic salts or 50/50 vape juice
Sub-ohm mods Low-resistance mesh coils High-VG shortfills & cloud chasing
Disposable alternatives Prefilled or mesh pods Salt-based prefilled flavours
Rebuildable devices Custom wire builds Hobbyist custom vaping setups

Coil Maintenance & Replacement

To get the best from your coils:

  • Prime new coils before first use by saturating the cotton
  • Avoid dry hits by keeping your tank topped up
  • Don’t exceed the coil’s recommended wattage range
  • Replace coils every 5–10 days, or when flavour fades or tastes burnt

Conclusion

Whether you’re seeking smooth nicotine delivery from a pod system or chasing thick clouds on a sub-ohm kit, the vape coil you use makes all the difference. Choosing the right coil ensures optimum flavour, vapour production, and longevity of your device.

Explore our wide range of vape coils to find the perfect fit for your kit — from mesh sub-ohm powerhouses to reliable MTL pods and rebuildable options for advanced users.

Vape Coils – Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a vape coil?

A vape coil is the heating element inside your vape tank or pod. It’s made of a wire (usually Kanthal, mesh, or stainless steel) wrapped in cotton. When activated, the coil heats up and vaporises the e-liquid absorbed by the cotton, producing the vapour you inhale.


2. How long do vape coils last?

Most vape coils last between 5 to 10 days, depending on usage, the type of e-liquid, and the wattage used. Signs that a coil needs replacing include burnt taste, reduced vapour, or gurgling sounds.


3. How do I know when to change my vape coil?

Common signs include:

  • Burnt or dry taste
  • Gurgling, leaking or spitting
  • Decreased vapour production
  • E-liquid tasting weak or off
    If any of these occur, it’s time to replace your coil.

4. Can I clean and reuse vape coils?

While some advanced users rinse and dry-burn rebuildable coils, most prebuilt coils are designed for single use. Cleaning may temporarily extend coil life, but eventually the cotton will degrade and the coil will need replacing.


5. Are all vape coils the same?

No. Coils vary by:

  • Resistance (ohms)
  • Material (mesh, wire, ceramic)
  • Device compatibility
    Always choose coils that match your tank or pod system, and refer to the recommended wattage range printed on the coil.

6. What’s the difference between mesh and regular vape coils?

  • Mesh coils use a mesh strip instead of wire, offering:
    • Faster heating
    • Better flavour
    • More even heat distribution
    • Longer lifespan
  • Traditional wire coils may provide a more focused throat hit but are generally less efficient.

7. What does coil resistance mean?

Resistance, measured in ohms (Ω), affects how your vape behaves:

  • High resistance (1.0Ω or more) = lower wattage, tighter draw, better for nic salts and MTL vaping.
  • Low resistance (sub-ohm, under 1.0Ω) = more power, larger clouds, best for high-VG liquids and DTL vaping.

8. What wattage should I use for my coil?

Each coil has a recommended wattage range printed on its side. Staying within that range helps prevent burning and ensures the best performance. For example:
0.2Ω coil: 50–70W
1.2Ω coil: 10–15W


9. Do different e-liquids affect coil lifespan?

Yes. Sweet, dark, or high-VG e-liquids can gunk up coils faster, shortening their life. Nicotine salts and 50/50 liquids tend to be easier on coils used in lower-powered pod systems.


10. How do I prime a new vape coil?

Priming helps prevent dry hits and extends coil life. To prime a coil:

  1. Add a few drops of e-liquid directly onto the cotton
  2. Install the coil into the tank or pod
  3. Fill the tank and let it sit for 5–10 minutes
  4. Take a few dry puffs (without firing)
  5. Start at lower wattage, then gradually increase

11. Can I use a different brand’s coils in my tank?

Not usually. Coils are device-specific, meaning they’re designed for certain tanks or pods. Always check product compatibility — even if two coils look similar, they may not fit or work properly.


12. What is a rebuildable coil?

Used in RDAs (Rebuildable Dripping Atomisers) or RTAs (Rebuildable Tank Atomisers), these coils require the user to manually install and wick them with cotton. They’re popular with experienced vapers who want customisation and cost savings.


13. Do I need different coils for nic salts and high-VG vape juice?

Yes:

  • Nic salts & 50/50 liquids: Use higher resistance coils (MTL)
  • High-VG liquids & shortfills: Use lower resistance, sub-ohm coils (DTL)

14. Why is my coil burning out quickly?

Possible reasons include:

  • Chain vaping without cooling time
  • Using too high a wattage
  • Not priming properly
  • Using sweet or thick e-liquids
  • Vaping on a near-empty tank

15. Where can I buy replacement vape coils?

You can purchase coils directly from reputable vape retailers, both online and in shops. Always ensure you’re buying the correct coil type for your device, and that they’re genuine manufacturer products.