A coil is one of the essential consumable parts in electronic cigarettes, atomizers, tanks, and some pod systems that enables the e-liquid to be heated. Inside the coil, a metal structure that heats up with electrical energy works in tandem with a cotton or wick system that carries the e-liquid.
Modern electronic cigarette coil types are not classified solely by resistance value. In addition to Mesh, Dual Mesh, MTL, RDL, and DTL coil options, there are various coil platforms from different manufacturers such as GTX, GTi, PnP X, Z Series, Nautilus, and similar ones.
When choosing a coil, looking only at ohm values like 0.6Ω, 0.8Ω, or 1.0Ω is not sufficient. First, the compatibility between the tank or pod used and the coil family must be checked, followed by the resistance and recommended wattage range.
The shortest answer to the question "What is a coil?" is that it is the part that heats the e-liquid within the electronic cigarette's atomizer or pod system.
Basic components of a pre-built electronic cigarette coil may include:
When the device is fired, electricity from the battery reaches the coil's heating element. The e-liquid carried by the cotton is heated to create an aerosol.
No. A coil and an atomizer are different components.
The consumable part located inside an atomizer or pod that heats the e-liquid.
The larger system that houses the coil, e-liquid reservoir, airflow channel, drip tip, and other parts.
In atomizers using pre-built coils, the coil that has reached the end of its life can be removed and a new one installed in the same tank.
To examine atomizer models, you can check the Electronic Cigarette Atomizer category.
A coil and a pod cartridge are also not the same product.
The pod cartridge houses the e-liquid reservoir. The coil may be fixed within the cartridge or replaceable.
The coil is fixed inside the cartridge. When the coil wears out, the entire cartridge is replaced.
The pod continues to be used, and only the coil inside is replaced.
Therefore, while some pod devices require purchasing separate coils, others require purchasing replacement cartridges.
Coil types can be grouped according to resistance, usage style, heating technology, and compatible device platform.
A mesh coil is a coil technology that uses a mesh or wide-surface metal heating element instead of a classic round wire.
Mesh structures are used today in both low-power pods and high-power sub-ohm tanks.
Therefore, the term "mesh coil" alone does not mean MTL or DTL.
For example, while the Vaporesso GTX coil platform includes different resistances from a 1.2Ω MTL option to a 0.15Ω DTL option, the GeekVape Z Series primarily consists of mesh coil options aimed at high-power DTL usage.
Dual Mesh refers to systems where two separate mesh heating surfaces or a dual-layer mesh structure is used within the coil, according to the manufacturer's design.
The operating method of Dual Mesh technology may vary from brand to brand.
Therefore, having "Dual Mesh" in the product name does not mean all Dual Mesh coils have the same performance, resistance, or wattage values.
MTL Coil refers to coil options for "Mouth To Lung" vaping systems.
MTL coils generally use higher resistance and lower wattage values compared to DTL coils.
In current products, for example;
there are different resistance and power options available.
RDL stands for "Restricted Direct Lung".
RDL coils use more open airflow than MTL and generally higher wattage.
For example, in the current VOOPOO PnP X series;
options are available.
DTL Coil refers to low-resistance and generally high-power coil options designed for "Direct To Lung" vaping.
Current DTL coil examples include;
various high-power options are available.
Ohm value alone is not enough to determine the usage style. Coil design, airflow, and the manufacturer's suggested wattage range should be evaluated together.
Ohm (Ω) represents the electrical resistance value of the coil.
In electronic cigarette coils, one may encounter resistances of 0.15Ω, 0.2Ω, 0.3Ω, 0.4Ω, 0.6Ω, 0.8Ω, 1.0Ω, 1.2Ω, and higher.
In general, as resistance decreases, the wattage used tends to increase; however, this is not a strict rule that can be applied to all coils on its own.
Two coils cannot be used interchangeably just because they have the same ohm value. The physical coil platform and tank/pod compatibility must always be checked first.
0.15Ω coil options are mostly seen in high-power DTL systems today.
For example, the VOOPOO PnP X 0.15Ω coil has a 60–80W operating range, while the GeekVape Z0.15Ω coil has an operating range around 70–90W depending on the version.
Coils of the same 0.15Ω resistance from different brands cannot be used interchangeably.
The 0.2Ω coil is also one of the common resistance options in sub-ohm DTL systems.
VOOPOO PnP X 0.2Ω is used at 40–60W, GeekVape Z0.2Ω at 70–80W, and Vaporesso GTi 0.2Ω at 60–75W ranges.
This example clearly shows that the same ohm value does not mean the same wattage.
0.3Ω coil options can be found in RDL or DTL usage depending on the product platform.
While the VOOPOO PnP X 0.3Ω coil is in the 32–40W DTL/RDL class, the Vaporesso GTX 0.3Ω coil is in the approximately 32–45W RDL usage class.
0.4Ω coil options can be seen in RDL or some DTL systems.
While the Vaporesso GTi 0.4Ω coil is used in high-power DTL tanks around 50–60W, the Aspire Nautilus 2S 0.4Ω coil operates in a much lower wattage class, such as 23–28W.
0.4Ω does not equal a specific wattage value. Each coil's own manufacturer wattage range should be used.
0.6Ω coil options are frequently used between MTL and RDL in modern pod and Pod Mod systems.
An 18–23W operating range is specified for the VOOPOO PnP X 0.6Ω coil.
Another manufacturer's 0.6Ω coil may have a different wattage range.
0.8Ω coils or cartridges with integrated coils are very common in low-power MTL pod devices.
The VOOPOO PnP X 0.8Ω coil is one of the options for MTL usage in the 12–16W range.
The 0.8Ω value is also frequently seen in refillable pod systems.
1.0Ω coil options are common in tight MTL and low-wattage usage.
The VOOPOO PnP X 1.0Ω coil operates at 10–13W, while the Aspire Nautilus Mesh 1.0Ω coil operates at 13–15W levels.
Coils with 1.2Ω and higher resistance can be used especially in low-power MTL systems.
In the Aspire Nautilus platform, 1.6Ω and 1.8Ω BVC coil options are still listed as compatible with current tanks.
This shows that high-resistance MTL coil platforms have not completely disappeared today.
Sub-ohm coil is the general term used for a coil with an electrical resistance below 1.0Ω.
However, not all coils under 1.0Ω are high-power DTL.
For example, just as there are 0.8Ω or 0.6Ω MTL/RDL coils, there are also high-power DTL coils at 0.15Ω–0.2Ω levels.
Pre-built coils are designed to operate within a wattage range determined by the manufacturer.
For example, if 60–80W is written on a coil, the manufacturer recommends this operating range for this coil.
The device's maximum wattage capacity is not the wattage at which the coil should be used.
200W mod + 60–80W coil does not mean 200W should be used. The operating range specified on the coil should be taken as the basis.
In adjustable wattage devices, the wattage range specified by the manufacturer should be checked when a new coil is installed.
For a new coil, one can start from the lower end of the recommended range and adjust within these limits according to usage preference.
For example, if a 60–80W coil is used, one should stay within the coil's own operating range instead of going directly to the device's maximum power.
Very low wattage often causes the coil to fail to reach its intended performance.
One of the more significant risks for a burnt coil is running the coil well above the recommended value or firing before the cotton has absorbed enough e-liquid.
The following sequence can be followed when choosing the right coil:
For example, using a Vaporesso device does not automatically mean that all Vaporesso coils will fit.
Not always.
Manufacturers may have independent coil platforms for different devices and atomizers.
For example, in Vaporesso's current product family;
The coil family used in LUXE XR, TARGET PM, and specific Pod Mod/compact tank platforms.
A separate coil family used in iTank and higher-power DTL tank platforms.
GTX and GTi are physically and technically different coil families and are not used interchangeably.
Vaporesso GTX Coil is a coil platform with a wide resistance range.
Current options range from approximately 0.15Ω DTL to 1.2Ω MTL levels.
Some of the common options include;
GTi Coil is one of Vaporesso's high-power DTL tank platforms.
Current GTi options include power classes such as;
GTi and GTX are not the same coil family.
VOOPOO PnP X is one of the current coil platforms offering a wide range of resistance options from MTL to high-power DTL.
The resistances at which the PnP X coil can be used may also change depending on the pod or tank version. Therefore, one should not look only at the "PnP X compatible" information.
GeekVape Z Series Coil is a DTL coil family used primarily in the Z Sub-Ohm platform.
Some of the current options include;
Aspire Nautilus Coil is one of the coil platforms that has been used for a long time and continues to offer a wide range of resistance options in current Nautilus tanks.
In the current official Nautilus platform;
options are available.
This coil family offers a wide resistance range, especially for MTL and RDL.
SMOK devices also do not have a single coil platform.
There are many separate coil systems for RPM, RPM 2, RPM 3, RPM 4, LP1, LP2, Nord, TA, D Coil, and different device families.
For example, while new coil options like RPM 4 Mesh 0.6Ω are found in current SMOK records, different coil platforms like LP2 0.23Ω have also been used in older RPM 4 devices.
Therefore, the term "SMOK coil" is not sufficient on its own to identify the correct spare part.
There are many separate platforms in the electronic cigarette coil market.
When a new coil is installed, the cotton or wick section must fully absorb the e-liquid.
Instead of running the coil at high wattage immediately after filling the tank or pod, the manufacturer's waiting recommendation should be followed.
Many current manufacturers recommend waiting approximately 5–10 minutes for a new coil.
Do not fire a new coil dry. Firing before the cotton has absorbed enough e-liquid can cause the coil to give a burnt taste from the very first use.
Priming is the process of sufficiently saturating the cotton section of a new coil with e-liquid before the first use.
Waiting after the coil is installed in the tank and liquid is added is the basic part of the priming process.
Depending on the model, applying a few drops of e-liquid to the visible cotton intake holes of the coil may also be included in the manufacturer's instructions.
Manufacturer recommendations should be followed.
Current Aspire user manuals state that after a new coil is installed and the tank is filled, one should wait approximately 5 minutes until the cotton absorbs the e-liquid.
In Vaporesso's current coil guides, there is a recommendation to wait 5–10 minutes before the first use for many coils.
There is no definite number of days applicable to all products for coil life.
Coil lifespan can change significantly depending on;
Therefore, definite statements like "every coil definitely lasts 2 weeks" or "every coil is used for 1 month" are not accurate.
Common signs that it is time to change the coil may include;
One of the most obvious signs that a coil is burnt is a persistent burnt or dry cotton taste.
If this taste continues despite newly added liquid, the coil may have reached the end of its life.
It should not be expected that a burnt coil will return to its original state by adding more liquid.
There can be many reasons why a coil deteriorates faster than normal.
Intensive vaping done in short intervals one after another can make it difficult for the coil cotton to absorb enough e-liquid between each puff.
If firing is done again before the cotton is sufficiently saturated, dry hits or coil damage may occur.
Liquid feeding time is especially important for DTL coils with high wattage and high liquid consumption.
Dry Hit is the condition of a dry and burnt taste that occurs as a result of heating the coil when the cotton or wick section is not carrying enough e-liquid.
Dry Hit can occur due to reasons such as;
Pre-built factory coil systems are designed to be replaced with new ones when they reach the end of their service life.
It is not possible to effectively renew the cotton inside a pre-built coil without completely dismantling it.
In rebuildable atomizers like RTA or RDA, the maintenance structure is different because the coil and cotton system can be prepared separately by the user.
A pre-built coil and an RTA/RDA coil do not have the same usage system.
Prepared by the manufacturer with metal body, cotton, and heating element combined. It is a plug-and-play system.
The user places the appropriate coil/wire on the deck and prepares the cotton themselves.
For RTA atomizer options, you can check the RTA Atomizer category.
The e-liquid selection to be used with a coil should not be made solely based on the ohm value.
In the selection;
should be evaluated together.
To examine liquid options, you can check the Electronic Cigarette Liquid category.
Salt liquid is commonly used in low-power MTL coil and pod systems.
However, not all coils are suitable for high-nicotine Salt liquid usage.
For example, a high-resistance MTL coil operating at the 10–15W level and a 0.15Ω DTL coil operating at 60–80W should not be evaluated in the same nicotine usage class.
For Salt liquid options, you can check the Salt Liquid category.
Freebase liquids with appropriate nicotine concentration and VG/PG ratio can be used in different coil systems.
Low-nicotine Freebase liquids are commonly used, especially in low-resistance RDL and DTL coils.
There are also Freebase options prepared for MTL.
E-liquids with a high VG ratio have higher viscosity.
High-power DTL and sub-ohm coils with large liquid intake channels are used more frequently with High VG liquids.
For example, while VG ranges of approximately 50–70% are specified for 0.15Ω–0.45Ω DTL/RDL coils on VOOPOO's current PnP X platform, 50% VG levels stand out for high-resistance MTL coils.
50VG/50PG liquids are among the common viscosity ratios that can be used in many MTL and low/medium power pod coil systems.
However, it cannot be said that every coil should be used with 50/50 liquid.
If there is an e-liquid recommendation given by the manufacturer for the coil, this information should be evaluated with priority.
The coil itself or improper seating of the coil inside the tank/pod can be one of the reasons for leakage.
Leakage can be contributed to by;
However, the coil is not the cause of every leak.
This situation depends on the tank or pod design used.
While some modern tanks have systems that reduce e-liquid flow during coil changes, in some tanks, it may be necessary to empty the liquid before the coil is changed.
The product's user manual should be followed.
The best coil is not the same product for everyone.
First, the coil must be compatible with the tank or pod used.
Then, selection can be made according to the usage style.
Coil prices can vary according to brand, coil platform, technology used, number of pieces in the package, and resistance option.
For example, comparing a five-pack of coils with single or triple products solely based on the total sale price may not be accurate.
In price evaluation;
should be examined together.
E-cigarette coil prices are not determined solely by the ohm value of the product.
Two different 0.2Ω coils may have different manufacturers, different tank platforms, and different package quantities.
Therefore, when comparing prices, the exact product name and package content should be checked.
When evaluating buy coil options, the tank or pod model used should be determined first.
Then, the Compatible Models, Resistance, and Recommended Wattage information in the product description should be checked.
Knowing only the brand name of the device may not be enough for the correct coil selection.
