What is Classic Vaping? 

Classic Vaping is a somewhat redundant term nowadays and is more commonly referred to as Mouth-To-Lung (MTL) Vaping. This style of vaping most closely mimics the experience of smoking traditional cigarettes. It involves drawing vapour into your mouth before inhaling it into your lungs, similar to how you would have smoked a cigarette. This style is particularly appealing to those newly transitioning from smoking to vaping or vapers who prefer a more discreet level of vapour from their e-cigarette.  

Characteristics of Classic MTL Devices

MTL devices are typically characterised by their high-resistance coils (above 0.8ohm, but typically 1.0ohm or higher), lower wattage output, and tighter airflow, designed to simulate the draw of a cigarette. These devices range from simple pen-style vapes and disposable vapes to pod kits, which all offer easy operation and portability. 

What is Sub-Ohm Vaping?

Sub-Ohm Vaping takes the vaping experience to new heights, emphasising large vapour production and intense flavour. As with ‘classic vaping,’ a more contemporary term for this style is DTL (direct-to-lung) vaping. With DTL vaping, you draw the vapour directly into your lungs rather than hold it in the mouth first, as with MTL vaping. The prefix "sub-ohm" refers to vaping using a device with a coil resistance of less than 1ohm. This style is favoured by those who enjoy vaping as a hobby and are keen on experimenting with their devices to create the biggest clouds and richest flavours possible. Not for nothing do such vapers proudly identify as ‘Cloud Chasers.’ 

Characteristics of Sub-Ohm DTL Devices 

Sub-Ohm devices, also categorised as advanced vape kits, are known for their powerful batteries and low-resistance coils, capable of heating a larger amount of e-liquid at a higher temperature. This results in more vapour and a warmer vape. These devices often come with advanced features such as Temperature Control, Smart Mode, and adjustable airflow controls, allowing vapers to customise their vaping experience to their liking. From box mods to advanced pod systems, Sub-Ohm devices offer lots of control over your vaping, with a range of settings for a truly optimised vape. 

Vapour Production:

• Classic MTL Vaping produces a modest amount of vapour, mimicking the smoke output of traditional cigarettes. It's perfect for vapers who prefer discretion. 
• Sub-Ohm DTL Vaping, on the other hand, is all about producing large, dense clouds of vapour. It's best for vapers who enjoy cloud chasing and a more visually impactful vaping experience. 

Throat Hit and Nicotine Intake:

• Classic MTL Vaping offers a pronounced throat hit, especially when using high-PG e-liquids or nicotine salts. It allows for a higher nicotine intake, satisfying former smokers' cravings more effectively. 
• Sub-Ohm DTL Vaping typically results in a smoother throat hit, due to the higher VG content in the e-liquids used. This style often involves lower nicotine levels, as the large volume of vapour delivers nicotine more efficiently. 

Flavour Experience:

• Classic MTL Vaping is known for delivering clear and precise flavours, making it ideal for vapers who prioritise taste over vapour production. 
• Sub-Ohm DTL Vaping enhances the flavour experience by heating more e-liquid at a higher temperature, offering a more intense and often more nuanced flavour profile. 

E-Liquid Compatibility:

• Classic Vaping is best paired with high-PG, 50/50 e-liquids or nicotine salts, which are thinner and provide a stronger throat hit and higher nicotine strength. 
• Sub-Ohm Vaping works well with high-VG e-liquids, which are thicker and produce more vapour, offering a smoother vape with less nicotine hit per puff.

Device and Coil Requirements:

• Classic MTL Vaping devices are generally simpler, with higher resistance coils (above 0.8ohm) and lower power requirements. They're user-friendly and often more portable than advanced vape kits. 
• Sub-Ohm MTL Vaping requires more advanced devices capable of handling low resistance coils (below 8ohm) and higher wattages. These devices offer more customisation options but can be bulkier and more complex to use.

Don’t know which coil to use with your device? Use our handy Coil Finder tool.

*PG/VG – two main components of our UK made e-liquid. PG stands for Propylene Glycol and VG stands for Vegetable Glycerin. A high or Max VG liquid would be thicker in consistency than a high PG liquid. VG is essentially a thickener and PG a thinner. The Vapouriz Group use a Propylene Glycol of high-quality pharmaceutical grade organic compound, which combined with nicotine and other flavourings, helps to promote a great ‘throat-hit’. Glycerin itself is a sweet-tasting and viscous liquid which helps to produce more vapour and holds more flavour.

Why Is Sub-Ohming So Popular?

Sub-Ohm vaping has developed so much in recent years it now provides a platform for novice vapers to not only cut the habit but also to understand more about the industry. It also allows individuals to customise devices to their own standards and preferences.

RTAs*, RBAs* and RDAs* are now more popular, widely used methods across both the UK and the rest of the world. This allows an individual to buy the components as well as access the instructions (which are widely spread over the internet) to be able to re-build their own coils and adjust the settings of a device in a way suitable to their preferences — opening up many doors to the public.

To summarise, the main reasons why Sub-Ohming has become so popular are:

1. Much denser clouds due to a high VG liquid, which in turn mean that there is a totally different inhalation/exhalation sensation compared to both classic vaping and cigarette smoking.
2. High VG liquids hold more diversity with regards to complex flavour combinations.
3. Due to the density of the cloud, one can taste much more flavour of the e-liquid while Sub-Ohming, compared to classic vaping.
4. Generally speaking, Sub-Ohm devices are better engineered than standard e-cigarette pens due to the fact they are more robust and have a solid structure.
5. More diversity with airflow, types of coils, wire, cotton, wattage etc, so much more input and creativity permitted for individuals.
6. Financial savings as dripping onto coils and RBA’s tend to be substantially cheaper than regular vaping as you don’t need to buy the coils themselves, only the components to make them.

*RBA - ReBuildable Atomizer; Encompasses all variations of a rebuildable device.
*RTA - Rebuildable Tank Atomizer; A pressure differential tank system that holds juice to feed the atomizer. More convenient for on-the-go usage as they can automatically saturate the wick and carry a lot of juice.