Vape coils are the heating elements inside a pod or tank: a small wire or mesh strip wrapped in cotton that heats e-liquid into vapour. The number printed on a coil is its resistance in ohms, and as a general rule, higher-resistance coils (around 0.8 ohm and above) suit nic salts and a mouth-to-lung draw, while lower-resistance sub-ohm coils suit freebase liquid and bigger clouds. Coils wear out, so most pod kits let you replace either the coil or the whole pod.
What is inside a vape coil
A coil has three parts: a heating element made from resistance wire or a mesh strip, organic cotton that acts as the wick, and a metal housing with holes that let e-liquid reach the cotton. When the battery fires, current runs through the element, the element heats up, and the e-liquid in the cotton turns to vapour.
Vape coil resistance: what the ohm number means
Coil resistance is measured in ohms. For a given battery, a lower resistance draws more power and runs hotter, making more vapour; a higher resistance draws less power and runs cooler. That is why coil resistance and e-liquid type go together.
| Resistance (general guide) | Draw | Best with | Typical device |
|---|---|---|---|
| About 0.8 to 1.4 ohm | Mouth-to-lung (MTL), tighter | Nic salts, 5mg to 20mg | Pod kits |
| About 0.6 to 0.8 ohm | Restricted direct-to-lung | Lower-strength nic salts or freebase | Larger pod kits |
| Below about 0.5 ohm (sub-ohm) | Direct-to-lung (DTL), open | Low-strength freebase, high VG | Tank kits |
These ranges are general guidance; the coil and device maker always set the exact wattage range, and it is printed on the coil or its box. Stay inside it. Running high-strength nic salt through a low sub-ohm coil gives a much harsher hit than most people want.
Coil types: standard, mesh and ceramic
Standard wire coils
A round wire wound into a spiral. Simple and common, especially in MTL coils, with a slightly warmer, tighter vape.
Mesh coils
A mesh coil uses a flat strip of mesh instead of round wire. The larger surface area heats more evenly, which many vapers find gives fuller flavour and fewer hot spots. Mesh coils are now standard in a lot of pod kits, at both MTL and lower resistances.
Ceramic coils
A ceramic coil uses a porous ceramic core in place of, or alongside, the cotton wick. Makers say ceramic coils resist burning and last longer; how much longer depends on the device and the liquid. They are less common in pod kits than mesh.
| Standard | Mesh | Ceramic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heating | Round wire | Flat mesh strip | Ceramic core |
| Feel | Warmer, tighter | Even, flavour-forward | Smooth, slower to heat |
| Where you see it | MTL pods and tanks | Most modern pod kits | Some pods and tanks |
How to change a coil in a vape
On pod kits with a replaceable coil, swapping it takes about a minute. The exact fit varies by device, so check the instructions for yours, but the steps are broadly the same.
- Pull the pod off the battery. Most clip or slide off; never force it.
- Empty any old e-liquid or note how much is left.
- Pull the old coil out of the base of the pod. Many push in and pull straight out; a few screw in.
- Check the new coil's resistance matches what your device takes. Coils are made for specific pods and are not interchangeable between brands.
- Push or screw the new coil firmly into place.
- Fill the pod with e-liquid and let it stand for five to ten minutes so the cotton soaks through before your first puff.
- Start on the lowest power setting if your device has one, and work up.
Step six matters most. A dry coil burns its cotton on the first puff, and a burnt coil cannot be saved. Our coil priming guide covers it in full.
Signs you have the wrong coil resistance
- A very harsh, coughy hit with a 20mg nic salt usually means the coil resistance is too low for that strength.
- Thin, warm vapour with little flavour can mean the resistance is too high for the liquid, or the power is set too low.
- Spitting or popping often means the coil is flooding, which can happen with thin liquid in a coil built for thicker high-VG juice.
How long do vape coils last?
There is no fixed number. Coil life depends on how much you vape, the e-liquid and the power. Sweet liquids leave residue on the coil faster than plain flavours, and chain vaping or running the coil hot shortens it too. As a rough guide, many vapers change an MTL coil every week or two.
The signs a coil is finished are easy to spot: muted flavour, a harsh or dry hit, gurgling, or a burnt taste. Once you notice them, change the coil rather than turning the power up.
Can you clean a vape coil?
Most pod coils are not designed to be cleaned. The cotton wick is what wears out, and rinsing a coil does not restore it. Some vapers rinse a coil in warm water and dry it fully to clear a sweet residue, but results vary and a damp coil must be completely dry before it goes back in. For the small, cheap coils in a pod kit, replacing the coil is the reliable fix.
Wattage, heat and throat hit
On devices with adjustable power, the wattage should sit within the range printed on the coil. Too low and the vapour is thin and flavour weak; too high and the coil runs hot, the throat hit turns harsh and the cotton burns sooner. Start at the low end of the range and step up a watt or two at a time until the flavour comes through.
Pairing coils with nic salts
All three ranges we cover, Elfliq, Elux Legend and Bar Juice 5000, are 50/50 nic salts made for MTL pod coils around the higher-resistance end. If you are on 20mg and your device takes a choice of coils, pick the higher resistance. Browse every nic salt, or read what is a vape pod for how coils fit inside a pod.
Questions readers ask
Does any coil fit any vape?
No. Coils are made for specific pods and tanks, and fittings differ between brands and devices. Always buy the coil listed for your pod.
What coil resistance is best for nic salts?
As a general guide, MTL coils around 0.8 ohm and above suit nic salts. Check your device maker's recommendation for the exact range.
Are mesh coils better?
Many vapers prefer mesh for its even heating and fuller flavour, and most modern pod kits use it. Standard wire coils still work well, especially for a tight MTL draw.
How do I know when to change my vape coil?
Change it when the flavour fades, the hit turns harsh, it starts gurgling, or it tastes burnt. See why does my vape taste burnt.
Can I use the same coil for different flavours?
You can, but strong flavours can linger in the cotton. Many vapers fit a new coil when switching between very different flavours, such as menthol to fruit.
What is a ceramic coil?
A coil with a porous ceramic core instead of, or alongside, a cotton wick. Makers say they resist burning and last longer, but they are less common in pod kits than mesh coils.