What’s Your Vaping Style? A Beginner's Guide to MTL, RDL & DTL

What is a Vaping Style? 

A vaping style simply describes the way you draw vapour from your e-cigarette into your lungs. The method you use has a significant impact on the overall sensation, including the intensity of the flavour, the warmth of the vapour, and the tactile "throat hit" you feel. Each style is best suited to different types of hardware and e-liquids, so understanding them is the first step to building your perfect setup. 

Mouth-to-Lung (MTL): The Classic, Cigarette-like Draw 

What it is: Mouth-to-Lung is a two-step inhalation process. First, you draw the vapour into your mouth, hold it for a moment, and then inhale it into your lungs. The sensation is very similar to how most people smoke a traditional cigarette, which is why it's the most common and recommended style for new vapers. The draw is typically tight and controlled, much like sipping a drink through a narrow straw. 

Why choose it: The primary appeal of MTL vaping is its familiarity. It mimics the action of smoking, making it a natural and comfortable starting point for those moving away from cigarettes. This style is also excellent for flavour clarity, as holding the vapour in your mouth allows you to appreciate the nuances of your e-liquid. It produces a discreet amount of vapour, making it ideal for use in public. 

What you need: 

• Devices: Low-powered devices are best for MTL. This includes most Starter Kits and a huge variety of Pod Kits. 
• Coils: Higher-resistance coils, typically 1.0ohm or above, are used to provide the tight draw and require less power. 
• E-Liquids: Thinner e-liquids work best. Choose 50/50, High-PG, or Nic Salt e-liquids for the best performance.

Direct-to-Lung (DTL): For Maximum Vapour and a Smooth Inhale 

What it is: Direct-to-Lung vaping is a single-step process where you inhale the vapour directly and deeply into your lungs, bypassing holding it in your mouth. The draw is very open and airy, similar to taking a deep breath through a snorkel. This style is often referred to as "sub-ohm" vaping because it uses coils with a resistance below 1.0ohm. 

Why choose it: DTL vaping is all about producing large, dense clouds of vapour. The sensation is smooth, warm, and intense, delivering a powerful rush of flavour and vapour. This style is generally preferred by more experienced vapers and hobbyists who enjoy cloud-chasing and a more impactful, full-bodied vape experience. 

What you need: 

• Devices: High-powered Advanced Kits (or "box mods") with adjustable wattage are required to power the low-resistance coils. 
• Coils: Low-resistance (sub-ohm) coils, typically 0.6ohm or below, are essential. 
• E-Liquids: Thick, High-VG e-liquids (usually 70% VG or higher) are necessary to produce large clouds and prevent leaking in sub-ohm tanks. 

Restricted-Direct-Lung (RDL): The Best of Both Worlds 

What it is: RDL is a modern hybrid style that sits perfectly between MTL and DTL. The inhale is still a direct-to-lung draw, but it's done with more resistance, or "restriction," than a full DTL vape. This creates a draw that is significantly looser and airier than MTL, but tighter and more controlled than DTL. 

Why choose it: RDL has become incredibly popular because it offers a fantastic balance of flavour and vapour. You get a richer, warmer vape and more substantial clouds than MTL, but without the full-on intensity (or battery drain) of a DTL setup. It's often considered a natural next step for MTL vapers who want a bit more "oomph" from their vape. 

What you need: 

• Devices: The rise of RDL is largely thanks to modern, versatile pod kits that feature adjustable airflow and a range of coil options. 
• Coils: Mid-range resistance coils, typically between 0.6ohm and 0.8ohm, are perfect for RDL. 
• E-Liquids: This style works well with a variety of e-liquids, but 50/50 blends are often ideal, providing a great mix of flavour and vapour production.