What Is a Vape Coil and How Does It Work?

In the world of vaping, few components are as essential — yet often overlooked — as the vape coil. It’s the powerhouse behind every puff, responsible for turning e-liquid into flavorful vapor. Whether you’re new to vaping or looking to refine your setup, understanding how vape coils work is key to getting the most out of your device.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down what a vape coil is, where it’s located, how it works, and the different types available — so you can make smarter choices and enjoy a smoother, more personalized vaping experience.

What Is a Vape Coil?

A vape coil is a heating element inside your e-cigarette that vaporizes e-liquid into the aerosol (commonly referred to as vapor) you inhale.

When the battery activates the coil, it heats up. This heat is transferred to a wicking material — usually cotton — that’s saturated with e-liquid. As the coil gets hot, it vaporizes the liquid, producing the clouds and flavor that define the vaping experience.

Think of the vape coil as the engine of your vaping device. Just as an engine burns fuel to create power, a vape coil heats e-liquid to produce vapor. It directly influences vapor production, flavor intensity, throat hit, and even how often you need to refill your device.

Where Is the Coil Located?

The coil is typically housed inside the atomizer, tank, or pod cartridge, depending on the style of device:

In tanks (sub-ohm or MTL): The coil sits at the base of the tank in a replaceable coil head.
In pod systems: The coil is either built into the pod or replaceable as a separate unit.
In rebuildable atomizers (RDAs/RDTAs/RTAs), Users build and install their own coils directly onto the build deck.

In all cases, the coil is placed in close contact with the wicking material and e-liquid to ensure efficient vaporization.

What Does a Vape Coil Look Like?

A vape coil typically appears as a small metal cylinder with a spiral-shaped wire inside, surrounded by wicking material. Depending on the coil type, the design may vary:

Traditional coils use single or dual wires in spiral form.
Mesh coils have a flat grid-like structure.
Clapton coils feature a textured, guitar-string-like appearance.

The complexity of the coil determines how quickly it heats up, how much surface area it covers, and how it impacts vapor and flavor output.

Types of Vape Coils

Vape coils come in many forms, each offering a different vaping experience based on resistance, material, and structure.

1. Standard Coils (Single-Wire, High Resistance)

Resistance: Typically above 1.0 ohm

Best for: MTL (mouth-to-lung) vaping, mimicking the sensation of smoking

Features: Lower wattage, tighter draw, less vapor, longer battery life

Ideal for: Nicotine salt or high-strength e-liquids

2. Sub-Ohm Coils

Resistance: Below 1.0 ohm

Best for: DTL (direct-to-lung) vaping

Features: High wattage, large vapor clouds, more intense flavor

Ideal for: Low-nicotine e-liquids and cloud chasers

Note: Consumes more e-liquid and battery power

3. Mesh Coils

Design: Flat mesh strip instead of wire

Advantages:

Even heating across a wide surface

Fewer dry hits or hot spots

Richer flavor and smoother vapor

Ideal for: Users who prioritize consistent performance and flavor

What Is a Vape Coil and How Does It Work

4. Clapton Coils

Structure: A thinner wire wrapped around a thicker core wire

Benefits:

Increased surface area = more vapor and flavor

Retains more e-liquid between wraps

Commonly used in: Rebuildable atomizers (RDAs, RTAs)

Note: Longer ramp-up time, requires more power

5. Ceramic Coils

Material: Uses porous ceramic instead of cotton wick

Pros:

Heat-resistant, less risk of burning

Clean, neutral flavor

Longer-lasting

Best for: Flavor chasers and those sensitive to wick material taste

6. Temperature Control (TC) Coils

Materials: Nickel (Ni200), Titanium (Ti), Stainless Steel (SS316)

Purpose: Work with TC-compatible mods to regulate coil temperature

Benefits:

Prevents overheating or dry hits

Delivers consistent vapor

Extends coil and wick lifespan

Ideal for: Experienced users wanting precision and consistency

7. Rebuildable Coils

DIY coils built manually for RDAs, RTAs, and RDTAs

Advantages:

Full customization of resistance, materials, and design

More cost-effective long term

Downsides:

Requires knowledge of Ohm’s Law, safety, and device compatibility

Best for: Advanced vapers who enjoy experimentation

What Are Vape Coils Made Of?

A Deep Dive into Materials, Performance, and Safety

Vape coils may look like simple hardware, but the materials used in their construction play a crucial role in performance, durability, and user safety. Understanding what vape coils are made of can help you choose the right coil and customize your vaping experience for optimal flavor and vapor production.

1. Coil Wire Materials

The wire inside a vape coil is the heating element responsible for vaporizing the e-liquid. Different metals are chosen based on characteristics like thermal conductivity, resistance, and compatibility with either wattage mode or temperature control mode.

Kanthal (FeCrAl Alloy)

Kanthal is the most common material in standard coils. Known for its durability and reliability, it heats quickly and performs well in wattage mode — but it’s not compatible with temperature control.

Pros: Long-lasting, budget-friendly, easy to work with

Cons: Incompatible with TC mode

Stainless Steel (SS)

Stainless steel is a versatile coil material that supports both wattage and temperature control modes. It’s available in grades like SS316 and SS304 and is favored for its clean flavor profile.

Pros: Multi-mode support, fast heat-up time, clean flavor delivery

Cons: Can degrade if exposed to extremely high temperatures over time

Nichrome (Ni80/Ni60)

Nichrome is a nickel-chromium alloy known for its fast ramp-up time and low resistance. It’s lightweight and ideal for sub-ohm vaping at high wattages.

Pros: Quick heating, lightweight, great for cloud production

Cons: Not suitable for TC mode; may trigger allergic reactions in nickel-sensitive users

Nickel (Ni200)

Pure nickel (Ni200) is favored in temperature control vaping due to its highly predictable resistance changes. However, it’s soft, difficult to work with, and only usable in TC mode.

Pros: Excellent for TC precision and stability

Cons: Fragile, not safe in wattage mode, limited use cases

Titanium (Ti)

Titanium is another material for temperature control coils, offering stable performance and a smooth, clean vape if handled properly.

Pros: Stable in TC mode, produces pure flavor

Cons: Must be used carefully to avoid oxidation risks

2. Wicking Materials

The wick surrounds the coil and absorbs e-liquid, ensuring that it reaches the heating element for vaporization. A high-quality wicking material delivers stable vapor and clean flavor.

Cotton

Organic cotton is the most widely used wicking material due to its excellent absorbency and neutral taste. It’s cost-effective and commonly found in both prebuilt and rebuildable coils.

Pros: Great absorption, clean flavor, affordable

Cons: Can burn if not properly primed or if vaped dry

Ceramic

Some premium atomizers use ceramic wicks or combine ceramic with cotton. Ceramic excels in heat resistance and flavor purity, and reduces the risk of burnt hits.

Pros: Long-lasting, heat-resistant, enhances flavor clarity

Cons: More expensive, less common in mainstream devices

Silica (Silicon Dioxide)

Silica wicks are less common today but still used in some older or niche devices. They offer high heat resistance but often deliver a muted flavor compared to cotton or ceramic.

Pros: Durable, heat-resistant

Cons: Inferior flavor performance compared to modern alternatives

3. Coil Housing Materials

The outer casing that holds the coil and wick must be made from materials that can withstand high temperatures and long-term use.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is the standard for coil housings, offering excellent durability, heat resistance, and corrosion protection, even under heavy vaping conditions.

Aluminum

Aluminum is occasionally used for lightweight designs and as a cost-effective alternative. However, it’s less durable than stainless steel and more prone to deformation under heat.

How Does a Vape Coil Work?

At its core, the vape coil is the engine of any e-cigarette device. It transforms electrical energy into heat, which in turn vaporizes e-liquid to deliver the clouds and flavor vapers enjoy. The mechanics behind a vape coil are a smart fusion of physics and engineering, and understanding how it works can dramatically improve your vaping experience.

1. The Role of Electricity

The basic principle behind a vape coil is resistance heating. When you press the fire button, the device sends current from the battery to the coil. The coil, made of resistive wire, converts electrical energy into heat.

High-resistance coils (above 1 ohm): Require less power, produce less heat, ideal for mouth-to-lung (MTL) vaping with higher nicotine strengths.

Low-resistance (sub-ohm) coils (below 1 ohm): Require more power, produce more heat, and are best suited for direct-to-lung (DTL) vaping with large vapor production.

2. The Heating Process

As the coil heats up, it transfers that heat to the saturated wicking material (usually cotton). The absorbed e-liquid reaches its boiling point, turning into vapor, which is then inhaled through the mouthpiece.

3. Vaporization and Flavor Delivery

The “magic” of flavor happens during vaporization. As e-liquid heats, its molecules break down, releasing flavor compounds and aromas. The coil material and structure affect heat distribution.

Even heating: Mesh coils distribute heat more evenly, reducing hot spots and enhancing flavor consistency.

Surface area: Larger coil surface areas vaporize more liquid at once, creating denser clouds and stronger flavor.

4. Airflow and Vapor Production

Airflow has a significant effect on coil performance. How you adjust it can alter:

Temperature of the vapor

Density and volume of clouds

Smoothness of the draw

Airflow Styles:

Tight airflow (MTL): Mimics the sensation of smoking a traditional cigarette; produces less vapor but more concentrated flavor.

Open airflow (DTL): Supports higher vapor production with a cooler and airier inhale.

5. Temperature Control (TC)

Advanced vape devices offer Temperature Control Mode, which works with specific coil materials like nickel (Ni200) or titanium (Ti). The system:

Monitors the coil’s resistance changes during heating

Adjusts power output to maintain a consistent temperature

Prevents overheating, dry hits, and premature coil failure

6. Coil Resistance, Efficiency, and Materials

A coil’s resistance level is affected by:

The material used

Wire thickness and length

Coil design (standard, mesh, Clapton, etc.)

Usage Guidelines:

High resistance: Works with low-wattage devices and high-nicotine e-liquids.

Low resistance (sub-ohm): Ideal for high-wattage mods, delivering maximum cloud and flavor production.

7. Coil Maintenance and Burnt Taste Prevention

Proper coil maintenance is essential for performance and longevity. Over time, residue from sweet or thick e-liquids builds up on the coil, reducing efficiency and causing a burnt taste.

Why does my vape taste burnt with a new coil?

The coil may be dry-fired or improperly primed.

Always soak the wick with e-liquid before use, and allow it to sit for a few minutes.

Burnt cotton cannot be reversed and may permanently damage the coil.

⚠️ If you’re using a brand-new vape and experience a burnt taste immediately, it may be a defective coil — contact the retailer for a replacement to avoid wasting time and e-liquid.

⚠️ If the burnt taste occurs after extended use, your coil may have reached the end of its lifespan. It’s time to replace the coil — or the entire disposable device if applicable.

Important Safety Tip:

New users should not disassemble vaping devices. Mishandling batteries may lead to explosions or fire, and e-liquid leakage can damage your hands or clothing.

Vape Coil FAQs

1. When is a vape coil completely dead?

A well-maintained e-cigarette coil can extend its life. But sweet e-liquids, burnt residue, or a dirty tank can drastically reduce its lifespan.

2. Why does my coil keep popping or spitting?

This usually occurs due to:

Excess wattage

Oversaturation

Inadequate preheating

Try lowering your wattage, closing the airflow slightly, and allowing the coil to fully absorb the liquid before vaping.

3. Are mesh coils really better than standard coils?

Mesh coils don’t hold more e-liquid, but their larger surface area enables faster, more efficient vaporization, resulting in smoother flavor and denser clouds. Whether they’re “better” ultimately depends on your personal preference, so the best way to decide is to try them yourself.

Final Thoughts

While the vape coil may seem like a small component, its material, structure, resistance, and performance have a major impact on your overall vaping experience.

Understanding how coils work — and the differences between them — empowers you to choose the best setup for your needs, optimizing both flavor and vapor output.