What Are The Different Types of Vape Coils?

When it comes to wick and coil devices, the internal coil - part of the atomizer – is usually an important element that should not be overlooked. There are various types of vape coils according to the manufacturer and brand, and each type often has a different impact on a vaping experience. Otherwise known as the atomizer’s head, the coil is a small yet effective piece of wire which takes on a lot of responsibility in various vapes. For many 18+ smokers or vapers, the variety of vape coil types might seem confusing, so it is important to understand that they all generally serve the same purpose.

What Do Vape Coils Do?

Vapes, or e-cigarettes, produce a vapour instead of smoke. They typically achieve this by heating and consequently vapourising an e-liquid solution. Usually, a vape’s coil is partially responsible for this process, making it an important part of many vape devices. When activated, the battery in these vapes should power the atomizer containing the coil. When this happens, the coil will typically heat to a controlled temperature which, through the device’s wick, warms and thereby vapourises the e-liquid. While they all tend to work in the same way, the different types of vape coils each have a unique impact on the vaping experience. That is because they are not only made from different materials, but they also come in different forms and sizes too

Types of Vape Coils

When it comes to coils, there are plenty of ways to categorise them. The material is often an important factor but it is not the only variable - coils may come in different shapes and sizes, and even in multiples

For instance, some vapes will make use of dual coils. Dual coils generally vapourise e-liquid quicker than a single, or core coil variant. A greater number of coils may result in quicker vapourisation. Triple and even quadruple coils are also available, and they are likely to speed up the vapourisation process accordingly. This will of course depend on the product type and the brand. While swift vapourisation might seem appealing at first, multiple coils typically go through batteries and e-liquid quicker. This means personal preference could be important in determining whether or not an 18+ vaper should use a single or multiple coil. Mesh coils are another example of a different type of vape coil because they commonly don't use the shape and style of a traditional round wire. These modern coils typically have more surface area to vapourise e-liquid, generally speeding up the vapourisation process without putting additional strain on the battery and e-liquid.

Every vape coil type has its own unique impact on the vaping experience, depending on factors such as the shape, size, number of coils, and material. When it comes to materials, vape coils are often crafted from one of several metals.

Kanthal coils are a combination of iron, chromium and aluminum, that usually heat up quickly. The result is often quicker vapourisation but at the potential cost of greater reliance on the battery and faster e-liquid depletion.

Stainless-steel coils come in different grades of steel. They may feature an increased durability. No matter the grade, a stainless-steel coil is likely to last longer than its counterparts, but this depends on the exact coil and brand.

Nichrome coils are generally a blend of around 20% nickel and 80% chromium, which typically heat up rapidly and provide faster vapourisation. Nichrome coils might help to prevent oxidation, an unfortunate issue in some vapes where e-liquid becomes discoloured and foul-tasting

Titanium coils are soft and malleable

Ceramic Coils are porous and arguably provide a more flavourful experience. They may be able to tolerate higher wattages and the ceramic design tends to boost longevity while possibly helping to prevent oxidation.

Which Vaping Coil Type Is Right?

Fundamentally, there is no single answer to this question. There are plenty of options, and the right vape coil for one 18+ vaper is not guaranteed to be right for another. If you are an 18+ smoker switching from smoking, you may want to identify key preferences. Whether it is flavour, convenience, or less maintenance, it is worth identifying the number one priority in a vape device. This information could be crucial in finding the right vaping coil.

Resistance is also important when it comes to vaping. To give a brief overview, certain coils are usually required for higher or lower resistance vaping, depending on the preference. Lower resistance coils may use less e-liquid which might be useful for those looking to make theirs last. On the other hand, coils with a higher resistance often use more e-liquid. Coils with a higher resistance usually provide for a particular style of vaping known as sub-ohm vaping.

Keep in mind that coils will generally, and no matter the type, need to be replaced over time. Generally, the length of time varies depending partially on how much the device is used, and the type of coil. It is recommended to change a device’s coil with a like for like replacement. Device modification may have unintended consequences on a vape. Always follow manufacturer guidance according to your device.