Vape Coils Explained: Types, Resistance, Lifespan & Replacement

Vape coils are the heating elements inside vape kits and e-cigarettes that heat the vaping liquid to produce vapour. Depending on the design, the coil may be a separate replaceable component, built into a refillable pod, or integrated into a prefilled pod or cartridge.

Coils come in different resistances, materials and designs, and these can affect vapour production, flavour, power requirements and the type of vaping experience a device provides. In this guide, we explain how vape coils work, what coil resistance means, the main types available, how long coils typically last and when they need replacing.

What Is a Vape Coil?

A vape coil is the heating element that turns e-liquid into vapour. The term "coil" is used across different types of vape device, although the component itself is not always a traditional coil of wire. Many modern designs use a strip or grid of mesh instead.

How the heating element is replaced depends on the device. Some vape tanks and pods use a separate replaceable coil, while other refillable pods have the coil built into the pod itself. Prefilled pods and cartridges also contain an integrated heating element, so the pod or cartridge is replaced rather than the coil on its own.

Most vape coils combine a metal heating element with a wicking material that holds e-liquid close to it. When power is supplied, the heating element warms the e-liquid in the wick to produce vapour.

Coil resistance is measured in ohms (Ω). Resistance is one factor that influences how a device performs, but it should not be considered on its own. Coil design, recommended wattage, airflow and the device itself all affect vapour production, warmth and the overall draw.

What Are the Main Types of Vape Coil?

Stainless steel is another coil-wire material used in both pre-built and rebuildable coils. Depending on the coil and device, it can be used in standard wattage mode and in compatible temperature-control setups.

Nichrome

Nichrome is a nickel-chromium alloy used in some vape coils. It has relatively low electrical resistance and heats quickly, which has made it useful in a range of pre-built and rebuildable coil designs.

Nickel and Titanium

Nickel and titanium wire are mainly associated with temperature-control vaping and specialist rebuildable setups. They are much less relevant to most people choosing modern pre-built replacement coils or pods, so always follow the coil and device manufacturer's compatibility guidance.

Mesh Coil

A mesh coil uses a thin sheet or grid of metal rather than a traditional round wire as the heating element. The larger surface area allows more of the wick to be heated at once, which can help produce consistent vapour and flavour across the coil.

Mesh designs are now widely used in both replacement coils and integrated pod coils. Their performance still depends on correct wattage and keeping the wick properly saturated, so mesh does not remove the possibility of a dry or burnt hit.

What Does Vape Coil Resistance Mean?

Vape coil resistance is measured in ohms (Ω) and describes how strongly the coil resists the flow of electrical current. You’ll usually see the resistance printed on the coil, pod or product specification, for example 0.4Ω, 0.8Ω or 1.2Ω.

Resistance is one part of how a coil performs, but it should not be considered in isolation. Coil design, recommended wattage, airflow and the device itself all affect vapour production, warmth, e-liquid consumption and the style of draw.

As a general guide, lower-resistance coils are commonly designed to operate at higher power and produce more vapour, while higher-resistance coils are usually paired with lower-power setups and a more restricted draw. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommended wattage range for the specific coil or pod you are using.

If you’re comparing different resistance options, our guide to choosing the right coil resistance explains what the numbers mean in more detail.

What Is a Sub Ohm Coil?

A sub-ohm coil has a resistance below 1.0Ω. These coils are commonly used in devices designed for higher vapour output, including many direct-to-lung (DTL) and restricted direct-to-lung (RDTL) setups.

Sub-ohm coils often operate at higher wattages than higher-resistance MTL coils, but the correct power range depends on the specific coil design. Lower resistance alone does not tell you how much power a coil should receive, so always use the wattage range recommended by the manufacturer.

Because higher-output setups vaporise more e-liquid with each puff, they can use e-liquid and battery power more quickly than lower-powered MTL setups.

How Does Coil Resistance Relate to MTL Vaping?

MTL vaping usually uses lower power and a more restricted airflow than DTL vaping, and many MTL coils have a higher resistance as a result. However, resistance alone does not determine whether a coil is designed for mouth-to-lung use.

Modern MTL coils can also have resistances below 1.0Ω, so it is more useful to consider the coil’s recommended wattage, airflow and intended vaping style together rather than relying on the resistance number alone.

If you prefer a tighter, mouth-to-lung draw, you can compare our range of MTL vape coils.

How Long Do Vape Coils Last?

There is no fixed lifespan for a vape coil. How long it lasts depends on factors such as how often you vape, the power used, the coil design and the e-liquid running through it.

Sweetened e-liquids and higher-output vaping can cause residue to build up on the coil and wick more quickly, while frequent or repeated use can also shorten its usable life. Rather than replacing a coil according to a strict timetable, it is better to look for changes in flavour, vapour production and how the device is performing.

Our guide to when to change your vape coil explains coil lifespan in more detail and the warning signs that indicate a replacement is due.

Signs Your Vape Coil Needs Replacing

A change in flavour is one of the clearest signs that a coil is nearing the end of its usable life. You may notice that flavours become muted, taste different from usual or develop a persistent burnt taste even when the coil or pod is properly saturated.

Other signs can include reduced vapour production or a noticeable decline in the device’s usual performance. Gurgling or leaking can sometimes occur alongside a worn coil, but these symptoms can also have other causes, including overfilling, damaged seals or an incorrectly fitted coil.

If a coil contains permanently scorched wicking material, replacing it is usually the appropriate solution rather than trying to continue using it.

How to Change a Vape Coil

The exact replacement process depends on the device. Some tanks use screw-in coils, others use push-fit coils, and many refillable pod systems have the coil built into the pod, which means the whole pod is replaced instead.

For a device with a separate replacement coil, first switch the device off and remove the tank or pod if required. Remove the old coil according to the manufacturer’s instructions, fit the new one securely and refill the tank or pod with a suitable e-liquid.

If the new coil contains exposed cotton, adding a small amount of e-liquid to the visible wick can help begin the saturation process. Once the tank or pod is filled, allow the wick time to absorb the e-liquid before vaping. Always follow the device or coil manufacturer’s priming and wattage guidance, as the required setup can vary between products.

Many refillable vape pods use integrated coils, so there is no separate coil to remove: replace the pod itself when the coil reaches the end of its life.

What About Rebuildable Coils?

Can You Clean A Vape Coil?

Most pre-built replacement coils and integrated pod coils are designed to be replaced rather than cleaned. Once the wick is permanently burnt or heavily degraded, cleaning will not restore the coil to its original condition.

If flavour has become muted or the coil tastes burnt, first check that the pod or tank contains enough e-liquid and that the wick has had time to saturate. If the burnt taste remains, replacing the coil or pod is usually the correct solution. If you are dealing with a burnt vape coil, our troubleshooting guide explains the likely causes and what you can do next.

Rebuildable atomisers are maintained differently because the heating element and wick can be serviced separately, but that process does not apply to standard replacement coils or integrated pods.

How Do I Know Which Vape Coil Fits My Device?

Vape coils are not universally compatible, so the first thing to check is the exact device, tank or pod you use. Manufacturers usually design specific coil ranges for particular tanks or device families, and a coil that looks similar may still use a different fitting or operating range.

If your device uses a separate replacement coil, check the product manual, the existing coil or the manufacturer’s compatibility information for the correct coil series. You can then choose between the available resistance options within that range based on the recommended wattage and the style of draw you prefer.

If your device uses a pod with an integrated coil, you need a compatible replacement pod rather than a separate coil. Some pod ranges are available in several resistances, while others use a single fixed option.

You can browse our replacement vape coils by brand and device range if you already know which series your kit uses.