You’ve just bought your first proper vape kit. Then you realise it didn’t come with spare coils, or the ones it came with are already tasting burnt. You head online and suddenly you’re faced with about seventeen different options, all with numbers and letters that mean absolutely nothing to you.
For most people switching from smoking, start with a 1.0-1.2ohm coil. These give you a smooth hit similar to a cigarette, don’t guzzle battery or liquid, and work brilliantly with nic salts. Simple as that. But there’s a bit more to choosing vape coils depending on what you actually want from your device. Let me break it down properly.
What Actually Is a Vape Coil?
Think of vape coils as the engine of your device. They’re the bit that heats up your e-liquid and turns it into vapour. Without them, you’ve just got an expensive paperweight.
Inside every coil, you’ll find:
- A metal wire (usually kanthal, stainless steel, or mesh)
- Cotton or another wicking material that soaks up the liquid
- A metal casing that screws into your tank
Coils don’t last forever. The cotton gets gunked up, the wire degrades, and eventually it starts tasting like you’re licking a burnt bin. That’s when you chuck it and screw in a fresh one. Most coils last anywhere from 3 days to 3 weeks, depending on how much you vape and what liquid you’re using.
Understanding Ohms
Right, this is where people’s eyes glaze over, but stick with me. The “ohm” number on vape coils tells you the resistance of the wire inside
Low resistance coils (0.15-0.6ohm):
- Create loads of vapour
- Need more power (higher wattage)
- Drain your battery faster
- Use more e-liquid
- Give a “lung hit” (breathe straight into your lungs)
High resistance coils (1.0ohm and above):
- Create less vapour
- Need less power
- Battery lasts longer
- Use less liquid
- Give a “mouth-to-lung hit” (like smoking a cigarette)
If you’re coming from smoking, you want the higher resistance vape coils. Trust me on this one.
Different Types of Vape Coils Explained
Standard Round Wire Coils
These are your basic, bread-and-butter vape coils. A single strand of wire wrapped into a spring shape with cotton threaded through the middle.
Good for: Beginners, people who want simple and reliable performance.
Not so good for: Cloud chasers who want massive vapour production.
They’re cheap, easy to find, and do the job perfectly well. No fancy bells and whistles, just solid performance.
Mesh Coils
Instead of a round wire, mesh vape coils use a thin sheet of metal with holes in it. Looks a bit like a very fine tea strainer.
Why they’re better:
- Heat up faster and more evenly
- Last longer than standard coils
- Give better flavour
- Produce more vapour
The catch: They cost a bit more and use liquid slightly faster. If your tank supports mesh vape coils, I’d recommend trying them. The flavour difference is noticeable, and they genuinely do last longer in my experience.
Ceramic Coils
These use ceramic instead of cotton for the wicking material. They were all the rage a few years back.
Pros:
- Can last ages (sometimes a month or more)
- Clean flavour
- Handle higher temperatures
Cons:
- More expensive
- Can crack if you’re not careful
- Not as widely available anymore
Honestly? I’d skip these unless your specific device is designed for them. The market’s moved on a bit.
Coil Resistance: What Should You Actually Buy?
Let me make this dead simple for you based on what you’re after.
For Ex-Smokers (Mouth-to-Lung)
Buy: 1.0-1.8ohm vape coils
These mimic the draw of a cigarette. You suck the vapour into your mouth first, then breathe it into your lungs. Feels natural if you’ve been smoking for years.
Best with:
- Nic salt e-liquids (10-20mg)
- Small pod systems or MTL tanks
- Lower wattage (10-15W)
This is what most people need when they first switch. Don’t let anyone tell you different.
For Cloud Chasers (Direct-to-Lung)
Buy: 0.15-0.6ohm vape coils
These are for sub-ohm vaping. You breathe the vapour straight into your lungs like you’re taking a deep breath. Produces absolutely massive clouds.
Best with:
- Freebase e-liquids (3-6mg max)
- Big box mods or sub-ohm tanks
- Higher wattage (40-80W)
Fair warning: this style will absolutely hammer your e-liquid and battery. Budget accordingly.
For Somewhere in Between
Buy: 0.6-1.0ohm vape coils
This middle ground gives you decent flavour and vapour without going mental on your battery or liquid consumption. Good option if you’re not sure what you prefer yet, or if you want something versatile.
How Long Should Vape Coils Last?
This is like asking how long a piece of string is, but here’s a rough guide:
You’ll get about:
- 3-7 days with really sweet liquids
- 1-2 weeks with standard liquids
- 2-3 weeks with simple tobacco or menthol flavours
Things that kill vape coils faster:
- Sweet, dessert-flavoured liquids (they gunk up the cotton)
- Chain vaping (not letting the coil cool down)
- Running your device at too high a wattage
- Letting your tank run dry
If your vape starts tasting burnt, don’t push through it hoping it’ll get better. It won’t. Change the coil.
How to Make Your Vape Coils Last Longer
Want to save some cash? Here’s how to squeeze more life out of each coil:
Prime your coils properly: Before you screw in a new coil, drip some e-liquid directly onto the cotton. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes. This stops it burning on the first hit.
Start low: When you first use a new coil, start at a lower wattage for the first tank. Break it in gently.
Avoid sweet liquids: I know they taste amazing, but dessert and candy flavours will murder your vape coils in days. Save them for special occasions.
Keep your tank topped up: Never let it get below about 25% full. Dry hits will wreck your coil instantly.
Different Vape Coils for Different Devices
Not all vape coils fit all devices. Obvious, but worth saying.
Pod systems: Usually use proprietary coils that only fit that specific brand. Sometimes the whole pod is the coil and you chuck the lot.
Rebuildable tanks: These don’t use pre-made vape coils at all. You build your own with wire and cotton. Cheaper long-term but faffy to learn.
Standard tanks: Usually have a range of compatible coils from the same manufacturer. Check what your tank supports before buying.
Always check compatibility before you order. Nothing more annoying than buying a five-pack of vape coils that don’t fit your device.
Where to Buy Vape Coils
Your best bets:
- Reputable UK vape shops (online or high street)
- Directly from the manufacturer’s website
- Established retailers like VapesDaddy
Avoid:
- Random eBay or Amazon sellers
- Suspiciously cheap bulk deals from unknown sites
- Anyone who won’t verify your age
Fake vape coils are a real thing, and they’re absolute garbage. They leak, taste horrible, and can be dangerous. Not worth saving a quid.
Quick Shopping Guide
Here’s what I’d recommend based on your situation:
Just quit smoking?
- Buy 1.2ohm vape coils
- Get a pack of 5 to start
- Use with 20mg nic salts
- Replace every 1-2 weeks
Been vaping a while?
- Try mesh vape coils for better flavour
- Buy in bulk to save money
- Experiment with different resistances
- Stock up on your favourites
On a budget?
- Stick to higher resistance coils (use less liquid)
- Avoid super sweet flavours
- Prime properly to make them last
- Buy multipacks when on offer
Signs You Need to Change Your Coil
Don’t guess. Here are the dead giveaways:
Replace when:
- Burnt taste (even after letting it sit)
- Muted or weird flavour
- Gurgling sounds
- Leaking that wasn’t happening before
- Visible gunk or discolouration on the cotton
Some people try to push coils past their best. Don’t bother. A fresh coil costs less than a pint and makes your vape actually enjoyable again.
Last Words
Let’s wrap this up with what you should actually do.
Today:
- Check what vape coils your device needs – Look at the coil or check the manual
- Buy a pack of the right resistance – 1.0-1.2ohm for most ex-smokers
- Learn to prime them properly – It takes 5 minutes and saves you money
This week:
- Try mesh vape coils if you haven’t already
- Note how long each coil actually lasts you
- Stock up when you find ones you like
Going forward:
- Keep spares on hand (running out is rubbish)
- Replace them before they taste burnt
- Experiment once you’re confident
Choosing vape coils doesn’t need to be complicated. Start with what works for ex-smokers, learn what you prefer, and stick with it. Now stop overthinking it and go enjoy your vape. You’ve earned it.
