MTL, DTL & RDL - Vaping Styles Explained

October 2, 2025 By: Dan Judd

Chances are, you didn’t start vaping to think too hard about how you inhale. Once the coughing stopped and cigarettes were out of the picture, it was easy to focus on finding the right device and e-liquid instead.

But how you vape matters just as much as what you vape. If you’ve come across terms like Mouth to Lung (MTL), Direct to Lung (DTL), or Restricted Direct to Lung (RDL) and aren’t quite sure what they mean, you’re not alone. Each vaping style affects flavour intensity, throat hit, vapour production, and the type of device and e-liquid that will suit you best. Understanding the differences makes it far easier to find a setup that feels right.

Mouth to Lung vs Direct to Lung Vaping

In simple terms, there are three common vaping styles: Mouth to Lung (MTL), Direct to Lung (DTL), and a hybrid style known as Restricted Direct to Lung (RDL). Most devices are designed with one of these styles in mind, meaning many people adapt their vaping style to suit their kit without giving it much thought.

Understanding the differences can help you get far more enjoyment from your setup, especially if you’re new to vaping or thinking about changing devices.

Mouth to Lung Vaping: What is it?

Mouth to Lung vaping closely mimics the way you smoke a cigarette. Vapour is first drawn into the mouth, held briefly, then inhaled into the lungs with a second breath. This pause allows your taste buds to pick up more flavour and creates a tighter, more controlled inhale.

MTL vaping is especially popular with ex-smokers because it feels familiar. The draw is tighter, the vapour cooler, and the experience more subtle overall, all of which helps make the transition away from cigarettes easier.

If you want a more detailed breakdown of mouth to lung vaping, including ideal devices, coil resistances, and e-liquid types, our guide to MTL vaping explains everything in more depth.

Direct to Lung Vaping: What is it?

Direct to Lung vaping works very differently. Instead of holding vapour in your mouth first, you inhale it straight into your lungs in one smooth, continuous breath, similar to taking a deep breath of air.

DTL vaping produces much larger clouds, delivers a warmer vape, and tends to feel more intense overall. It’s commonly used by experienced vapers who enjoy bold flavour, dense vapour, and a looser airflow. This style usually pairs with more powerful devices and higher VG e-liquids.

For a deeper look at direct to lung vaping, including airflow, coil choice, and how it differs from MTL in real-world use, our guide to DTL vaping covers it in full.

Restricted Direct to Lung Vaping: The Middle Ground

Restricted Direct to Lung vaping sits between MTL and DTL. It delivers vapour directly to the lungs like DTL, but with a tighter airflow and lower power output. The result is a warmer, flavour-rich vape without the extreme cloud production of full DTL.

RDL has grown in popularity alongside refillable pod kits, many of which include airflow control and multiple coil options (commonly 0.4Ω, 0.6Ω, or 0.8Ω). This flexibility makes RDL a great option for vapers who want more vapour and flavour than MTL, but without the intensity of a full sub-ohm setup.

A Different Result With Each Style

Each vaping style delivers a distinct experience. DTL vaping tends to feel more powerful, producing larger clouds and a stronger inhale, which can be overwhelming for beginners. MTL vaping, on the other hand, offers a cooler, more restrained experience that highlights flavour and closely resembles smoking.

Modern vape kits and e-liquids give you plenty of flexibility. With the right adjustments to airflow, coil resistance, and liquid choice, you can fine-tune your setup to suit your preferred style.

Mouth to Lung Vaping: Pros and Cons

Pros:

Your best bet for quitting smoking: With an inhaling mechanism that couldn’t be more similar to cigarette smoking, the biggest pro of MTL vaping is that it mimics tobacco smoking. You still get that satisfactory throat hit, it’s more gentle than DTL vaping, and nicotine is always on the table as an option.
Uses less juice: While vaping is significantly cheaper than the £3000 a year that smoking 20 a day will cost you, it’s still an expense. Daily vapers will have their eye on the amount of e-liquid they’re going through, so a huge advantage of MTL vaping is the slower vapourisation rate. You’re inhaling more slowly here. The juice is used more sparingly, leaving you with more cash to spare.
Better flavour: Flavour chaser vs. cloud chaser. Vapers will forever debate this one. Because MTL holds the vapour in the mouth, your taste buds have more of a chance to enjoy the flavour. By using high PG-eliquids, you choose a higher ratio of the PG component of e-liquid that is the flavour carrier. The result is definitely noticeable.
Way more discreet: We find it pretty hilarious that “stealth vaping” is an actual phrase, but it couldn’t be more bang-on. Sitting at home blowing your giant clouds is all good and well, but if you’re popping outside the office or a pub garden gathering, you’ll be aware of your vapour. MTL vaping takes smaller hits. Smaller hits = smaller clouds.
More Nicotine: MTL vaping opens you up to nicotine salt vaping which offers the highest nicotine strengths available. So if you are a heavy smoker and you want to make your switch to vaping a successful one, you be sure that you will be able to satisfy your cravings and enjoy that satisfying throat hit you're familiar with.
Really easy to use: Refillable MTL pod kits are degined to be as hasle free as possible. Quick refilling, easy pod or coil changes and buttonless inhale activation are all there to make your transition from smoking seamless and enjoyable.

Cons:

Can feel weaker than DTL: This is mostly a complaint that you see with DTL vapers who are used to their intense clouds. They might have vaped MTL-style when they quit smoking, but they’ve moved onto DTL. Stick an MTL device in their hands, and they can be left feeling a bit deflated.
Chance you can whinge that it feels “outdated”: Anyone who has upgraded from a starter vape kit to a Sub Ohm vape kit might raise their hands with this one. Advanced box mods and Sub-Ohm tanks are 100% designed to bring you the ultimate vaping experience, so finding yourself back at square one can feel a bit outdated.
Can’t accommodate big hits: Although discretion is a pro here, the one downside of MTL vaping is that you can’t take all the air in the world and channel it into one giant cloud. You’re taking two breaths here versus one. Until you become a superhero with super lungs, you’ll be limited with MTL vaping. You can still pack a punch, hit-wise, though. Just select a high PG-e-liquid.

Direct to Lung Vaping: Pros and Cons

Pros:

Way more satisfying: A direct lung hit is straight-up more powerful than a MTL hit. Anyone wanting a throat hit that packs more of a punch will want to give sub-ohm vaping a try. The best equipment for this will be a Sub-Ohm tank, an RDA and a high VG-eliquid. You can tailor your e-liquid search by PG/VG ratio by browsing our shortfill vape juice range then selecting your ratio.
Way bigger clouds: If blowing nuclear clouds is a priority for you, then DTL is where you want to be. Guaranteed thick plumes of vapour. Sorted.
An easier draw: You’re vaping with one breath, not two here. It’s half the work, so you’ll notice an easier draw overall with DTL vaping.
Hello, huge hits: With no interruption from using one breath to hold the vapour in your mouth before inhaling into the lungs, DTL vaping is dedicated as it gets for huge hits. If you’re looking to DTL vape discreetly, you can use a high ohm coil, take that deep lung hit and squeeze in a few seconds of holding to allow the vapour to dissipate before you inhale.

Cons:

More work to avoid harsh hits: Hey, you want to play with the big boys, you learn. Avoiding harsh throat hits with DTL vaping is easier than you think, though. Lower your PG by switching to a high VG-eliquid and consider lowering your nicotine.
Risk of burnt cotton: You’ll want to keep an eye on your juice not running dry here. It’s called having one eye on the tank. Beginners who don’t want to be fussed with refilling e-liquids are best opting for the JUUL or fuss-free Pod Kits, especially since so many of them accommodate nic salts. Vape with no juice in the tank, and you’ll burn the cotton.
More PG and nicotine limitations: Since DTL vaping can feel harsher, you might find you have no choice but to reduce your PG and nicotine levels (not for everyone).

“Ultimately, how you vape is down to you. Trying both is a good starting point. Asking us for advice is even better.”

Which Vaping Style Is Right for You?

There’s no single “best” way to vape, it comes down to what feels comfortable and satisfying for you. Many people start with MTL vaping when quitting smoking, then experiment with RDL or DTL as their preferences evolve.

Trying different styles, adjusting your airflow, and matching your e-liquid to your device will help you find the setup that works best. If you’re unsure, getting advice early can save a lot of trial and error.

Final Notes

Understanding how you vape is just as important as choosing the right device or e-liquid. Whether you prefer the familiarity of MTL, the intensity of DTL, or the balance of RDL, knowing the differences helps you make better choices and enjoy vaping more.

If you want to explore further, our vape guides cover everything from e-liquids and nicotine strengths to beginner-friendly kits and advanced setups - all designed to help you get the most from your vape.

www.vapesuperstore.co.uk contains general information about vaping and vapour products. The information provided is not medical advice, and should not be relied upon unless explicity cited. We do not make any warranties surrounding the health benefits, reliability and accuracy of written copy across all pages on our website, including blog content and content posted on social media.

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About the Author: Dan Judd

Head of Digital

Dan Judd is Head of Digital at Vape Superstore and has been with the company since 2018. He combines practical product knowledge with a background in Business Management & Marketing (Leeds Beckett University) to support clear, responsible content across the site. Dan helps ensure information is accurate, easy to follow, and aligned with our editorial standards for a regulated category.

This article was created in line with our Editorial Policy & Standards.

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