SUMMARY
The coil, also known as the "atomiser head", is one of the key elements in the operation of an electronic cigarette. It's what will define your vaping style, the equipment to use and the right eliquid. Nestled inside the tank of your clearomizer and/or your pod cartridge, its role is to transform the liquid into vapour, enabling you to vape. Given the major role it plays in the success of your vaping experience, Freevap is committed to using this guide to help you choose the right coil for your needs and preferences, and to explain how it works and its characteristics.
What is an electronic cigarette coil?
Coil composition
An electronic cigarette coil is made up of just 2 components (a resistive wire or a mesh) and cotton.
The resistive wire is a wire that is wound on itself, like a spring. It is the main element of a coil. It can be made from a variety of materials: kanthal, nichrome, nickel, stainless steel (SS), Ni80 (an alloy of nickel and chromium), Ni90, etc. Each of these materials has different characteristics, particularly in terms of flavour, reactivity, power and vapour.
There is also an alternative to the resistive wire: the mesh sheet that encloses the coil. This can be made of kanthal, stainless steel (SS316) or Ni80. This type of coil has the particularity of being more reactive in terms of heating, with a larger heating surface for better flavour and vapour reproduction. This coil is mainly used on DL (direct inhalation) equipment for high vapour volume, but also on RDL (semi-aerial) for a more restrictive draw.
Cotton is chlorine-free, bleach-free, particle-free and unscented. It is dedicated to vaping and is different from the more 'conventional' cotton found in supermarkets. It can be made from organic cotton or silica wicks.
Coil operation
No coil: no vapour, no flavour! When you press the "switch" or "fire" button on your box or battery, it triggers an electric current that heats up the resistive wire or mesh sheet that makes up your coil. The cotton will soak up the e-liquid by capillary action before being vaporised by the heating wire. Without the cotton, the coil wire would be drowned in the e-liquid and could not evaporate under the right conditions.
In other words, when you press the button and inhale on your electronic cigarette at the same time, the wire will heat up and, as it comes into contact with the cotton soaked in liquid, it will turn into vapour.
Good to know: A coil has its own value, expressed in Ohm. The principle is to provide a personalised vaping experience for every smoker profile. If you'd like to find out more about Ohm's law, take a look at our complete guide to "Ohm's law and vaping".
Using the coil according to the power of your equipment
When choosing your coil, there are two essential criteria to take into account: the ohm value and the power range in watts (W) for optimum use.
Coil over 0.8 ohm
Coils greater than or equal to 0.8 ohm are, in most cases, intended for tight draw vaping (MTL) or indirect inhalation. This style of vaping is suitable for those who want to experience sensations close to those of a traditional cigarette, such as beginners trying to give up smoking or expert vapers wanting to maintain the same sensation. MTL coils are recommended for low wattages.
Good to know: For each coil, there is a minimum and maximum power range recommended by the manufacturers. All these ranges are indicated on the product data sheets for our coils, engraved on the coil itself or indicated on the original box of the coils. Make sure you respect this range for optimum use of your vape equipment.
Coil less than 0.8 ohm
Coils with less than 0.8 ohm are better suited to overhead vaping (DL) or indirect inhalation, but also to RDL (semi-aerial) vaping. They produce a warm vapour, big clouds of vapour for fans of the genre and a good rendering of flavours. With this type of vape, the coil can tend to heat up more quickly, so watch out for damage to the coil. With sub-ohm coils, you'll be able to vape at high wattages.
Good to know: There are a few exceptions! Be sure to check which ohmic value corresponds to which type of draw. Some coils can be used for both overhead and tight draw (multi-purpose coils), and there are more and more of them!
Replacing and priming the coil
Changing the coil on your e-cigarette will quickly become routine in your new life as a vaper.
Here, we're talking about simple 'plug & play' coils for standard electronic cigarettes (clearomizers, podmods, etc.) and not 'Do It Yourself' (DIY) coils for rebuildable atomizers and drippers (RTA, RDA, RBA, RDTA).
Generally speaking, the coil is changed at the bottom cap of the clearomizer or cartridge. It can either be screwed on (less and less common), or plugged in (just push it into the coil slot). You'll find explanations on how to change coils on each of our product sheets.
Before installing your new coil, it's essential to prime it correctly to preserve its lifespan and optimise your vape experience. To do this, soak the cotton wool and place a few drops of e-liquid on the openings of the coil. Set it up and wait a few minutes for the magic to happen (manufacturers recommend you wait around ten minutes).
Should the clearomizer tank be emptied before changing the coil?
Some tanks don't allow you to change the coil while the tank is still full of e-liquid. In this case, to avoid leaks and/or wastage, we recommend that you either finish your e-liquid completely before changing it, or collect the surplus using a DIY syringe (for ease of use) or another container before pouring it into an empty bottle.
Other tanks make it easy to change coils without having to empty the liquid. All you have to do is turn your clearomizer and/or cartridge upside down, insert your coil into the dedicated slot and you're ready to go!
Other models use an even more practical technology (an automatic closing valve, for example), allowing you to remove the coil without any risk of your liquid escaping from the tank, like the Nautilus 3 clearomiser from Aspire, for example.
Good to know: Before each coil change, you can dismantle and clean your tank by running it under clear water, to get rid of any residue from your old flavouring. What's more, if you use several aromas (e.g. one fruity and one gourmet), we recommend that you change the coil for each of these aromas so that you can fully enjoy their flavours.
How do you choose the coil for your electronic cigarette?
To make the best choice for your coil and get the best vape experience, there's more to it than ohm law and the power of your equipment. In fact, you may have preferences in terms of the sensation you expect, and these will also be added to the equation.
What coil for more flavour?
Want maximum flavour? Then coils above 0.8 ohm dedicated to tight draw vaping (MTL) will be your best friends. Mesh coils and multi-purpose coils are also perfect for exceptional flavour delivery.
Coils over 0.8 ohm are generally compatible with high levels of nicotine, nicotine salts or CBD.
Which coil for more vapour?
The lower the ohm value, the more vapour there will be. If you want to produce big clouds, or if you're a big cloud enthusiast, you'll need to go for sub-ohm or RDL coils.
With coils below 0.8 ohm, we recommend vaping e-liquids with low nicotine levels for the best sensations.
Which coil for which PG/VG ratio?
E-liquids have a variable ratio of propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerine (VG). The more PG an e-liquid contains, the smoother it is and the more suitable it is for use in a tight MTL draw. On the other hand, the more VG an e-liquid contains, the thicker and more viscous it is, and the more likely it is to be used in sub-ohm aerial draws.
Propylene glycol vaporises at moderate temperatures, while vegetable glycerine, which is thicker, vaporises at high temperatures. Hence the importance of choosing a coil according to the PG/VG ratio of your liquid.
So which coil should you use according to the PG/VG ratio of your liquid?
Summary table
| PG/VG ratio | Inhalation type | Compatible coils |
|---|---|---|
| 60PG/30VG to 100%PG | Tight draw (MTL) | Coils greater than or equal to 0.8 ohm |
| 50PG/50VG | Tight draw (MTL) - Air draw (DL) or semi-aerial draw (RDL) | All types of coils |
| 40PG/60VG to 100%VG | Air draw (DL) or semi-aerial draw (RDL) | Coils less than 0.8 ohm |
Good to know: We strongly recommend that you follow these recommendations to extend the life of your coil and optimise the flavour of your liquid. This will avoid any problems such as liquid splashes, leaks, seepage, etc.
For more information on the PG/VG ratios to choose, go to "How to choose the right PG/VG ratio".
When should the coil of an electronic cigarette be changed?
As a coil is a recurring product (consumable), it needs to be changed regularly (every 1 to 3 weeks depending on the coil model). There are several signs that it's time to replace it with a new one. Freevap will show you how to identify them.
My vape is losing flavour and vapour
A loss of flavour and a reduction in vapour production are the most common and easiest signs to identify. Damaged resistive wires take longer to heat up and the cotton no longer soaks in properly, so it's time to change your coil to make way for a new one and get back to the way you were before.
Good to know: Be careful not to confuse this with agueusia, a familiar symptom among vapers. This is a saturation of the taste buds with aromas, giving the sensation that any e-liquid no longer has any taste. If this happens to you, first try other e-liquids and hydrate with water. If that doesn't help, we advise you to go through withdrawal with a menthol e-liquid, until you fully recover the taste of your favourite liquid. This is a rare occurrence, but it can happen if you vape a lot or stay with the same flavour for too long.
My coil tastes like burning
The burnt taste is another warning sign that a change of coil is imminent. This "burnt" taste will continue to evolve with each puff, so it's advisable to switch at the first whiff of barbecue.
Good to know: It's important to distinguish between a burnt taste and a dry hit. A dry hit can occur in the following cases (the most common):
- You try to inhale a puff when your tank is empty, as the cotton is no longer supplied with liquid.
- When priming your coil, you don't wait long enough for your coil to soak.
- You are using too much power for the coil to handle.
- You are using a liquid that is too thick or viscous for your coil, which is not suitable for high VG (high vegetable glycerine content).
Find more detailed information in our guide "Why does my electronic cigarette taste burnt?".
E-liquid sprays in my mouth
Occasionally, your coil may produce unusual noises (like gurgling, for example), which may cause small amounts of liquid to splash into your mouth. This may be a sign of a change in coil, generally caused by incorrect use.
Initially, there's no need to be alarmed, as these splashes are not a health hazard in themselves. There are several possible causes:
- Saturation of the coil, i.e. there is too much liquid in the coil.
- Incompatibility between the PG/VG ratio of your liquid and the type of coil you've chosen (as explained in the section "Which coil for which PG/VG ratio").
- Excessive inhalation, e.g. vaping too hard.
- The liquid has been in the coil for too long, the cotton is too soaked (flooded) and it rejects a small part of the e-liquid which goes back into the drip-tip. If you find yourself in one of these situations, we advise you to change your coil, so that you can get back on the right footing and optimise its lifespan through optimum use.
Find more information on the subject in the guide "Why is my electronic cigarette leaking?"
What is the average lifespan of a clearomizer coil and how can I extend it?
Average lifetime of a coil
There is no golden rule for the lifespan of a coil. It depends on a number of criteria, such as the structure of the coil, the frequency of vaping, the e-liquid used, etc...
Generally speaking, a coil has an average lifespan of 1 to 3 weeks. This is based on standard daily use on an MTL electronic cigarette with a simple e-liquid, no additives and respecting the power range given by the manufacturer.
Good to know: under-dosing nicotine in relation to your needs can lead to over-consumption of e-liquid and distort this average. A 10 ml bottle for standard use should last you a minimum of 2 to 3 days.
In the interests of risk prevention, we recommend changing the coil at the slightest doubt and before the 1ᵉʳˢ signs arrive.
How can you extend the life of your coil?
To preserve the life of your coil, we recommend that you first respect the optimum conditions of use outlined above, such as the power range, the ohmage according to your style of vaping, the PG/VG ratio of your liquid, the priming of your coil, etc. If these criteria are respected, your vaping experience will be even better. If these criteria are respected, your vape experience will be all the better for it.
Freevap has a few more tips on how to maximise the lifespan of your coil:
- If you have several e-cigarettes or are a one-off vaper, it's important that you don't let e-liquid stagnate for too long in a tank without using it. If it's only been a few days, shake your tank before use. If it's been more than a week, we recommend you change your coil.
- Avoid exposing your tank to UV light when not in use. This will oxidise your e-liquid and the nicotine (if present) inside. This is not a health risk, but it can change the colour and taste of your e-liquid.
- When storing your coils, avoid removing them from their protective packaging before changing them. The packaging is hygienic and allows the coil to retain all its sanitary integrity, without any dust or other elements getting inside.
Making your own coil for a rebuildable atomizer (experts)
We've talked about ready-made coils that you simply place in your clearomizer, but there are also rebuildable coils that you can make yourself. This type of coil is placed in a rebuildable atomizer (or dripper). They are ideal for totally personalised, economical vaping.
For these expert vapers, Freevap offers a selection of pre-made coils, cottons, mesh sheets, coils, tools and accessories for making these coils. As this is a more complex subject, we'll be covering rebuildable coils in more detail in another guide.
The best brands for your e-cigarette coils
In the world of vaping, there are a multitude of brands of electronic cigarette coils. However, each clearomizer and/or cartridge is only compatible with a certain type of coil, from a certain brand. For each of our kits, podmods, clearomizers and/or cartridges, you'll find the compatible coils on our product sheets to make your search easier. In most cases, coils are sold in packs of 2 or 5. With a view to always offering you quality products, Freevap recommends the following brands for your choice of equipment and coils:
Of course, there are other brands on the vape market, but we believe these are the 'top' most reliable and recommendable brands.