Vape coils are the small heating parts that turn your e-liquid into vapour, so they matter more than almost any other component. When a coil is fresh, the flavour is crisp and the vapour is smooth. However, once it wears out, you get a burnt taste and weaker clouds. This guide explains how vape coils work, what the ohm rating means, the difference between mesh and standard coils, and exactly when and how to change one.
What is a vape coil?
A vape coil is the heating element inside your tank or pod. In simple terms, it is a length of resistance wire, or a flat sheet of mesh, wrapped around a cotton wick. When you press fire or take a draw, the battery sends power to the coil, and it heats up. Because the wick is soaked in e-liquid, that heat turns the liquid into the vapour you inhale. Therefore the coil does the real work in every puff, which is why its condition affects both flavour and clouds so directly.
How a vape coil works
The process is a simple loop that repeats with every puff. First, e-liquid soaks into the cotton wick through small holes in the coil housing. Next, power from the battery heats the wire or mesh. Then the hot metal vaporises the liquid held in the wick, and you breathe it in. Finally, fresh liquid wicks back in to replace what was used, ready for the next draw. As a result, keeping the wick properly fed with liquid is the key to a clean, consistent vape.
Understanding coil resistance (ohms)
Every coil has a resistance value printed on it, measured in ohms and shown with the symbol Ω. This number is the single most important spec, because it decides how the coil behaves. Broadly, coils fall into two camps, and picking the right one depends on the vape you want.
| Coil type | Resistance | Draw style | Best with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sub-ohm | Below 1.0Ω | Airy, direct-to-lung (DTL), big clouds | High-VG shortfills, lower nicotine |
| Plus-ohm (MTL) | 1.0Ω and above | Tight, mouth-to-lung, cigarette-like | 50/50 nic salts, higher nicotine |
In practice, a lower-ohm coil pulls more power, so it makes warmer, bigger clouds and drinks through liquid faster. A higher-ohm coil, by contrast, gives a cooler, tighter draw that suits nic salts and pod kits. If you vape nicotine salt e-liquids, a higher-resistance MTL coil is usually the better match, whereas cloud chasers lean sub-ohm. Our PG/VG ratios guide explains how liquid choice ties into this too.
Mesh vs standard coils
Modern coils come in two main builds, and the difference is easy to feel. A standard coil uses a round wire wrapped into a spiral, which has been the classic design for years. A mesh coil, meanwhile, uses a flat perforated metal strip instead. Because mesh has a larger surface area, it heats more evenly and faster, so it tends to give purer flavour and a smoother vape. For that reason, most newer pods and tanks now ship with mesh coils as standard.
Mesh coils
Even, fast heating and cleaner flavour, with a smoother draw. Great for both MTL pods and sub-ohm tanks.
Standard wire coils
The classic spiral build. Still reliable and often cheaper, though generally a touch less refined than mesh.
Which to pick
If your device offers both, mesh is usually the better everyday choice for flavour and longevity.
When should you replace a vape coil?
No coil lasts forever, and using a worn one ruins the experience. Typically a coil lasts one to two weeks, though heavy vaping or dark, sweet liquids can shorten that. Rather than guess, watch for these clear warning signs.
- A burnt taste: the biggest giveaway, and a sign the wick is scorched.
- Weaker flavour: your favourite liquid suddenly tastes flat or muted.
- Less vapour: the coil produces noticeably smaller clouds than when new.
- Gurgling or leaking: often a sign the coil is worn or flooded.
Overall, if the vape no longer tastes right, the coil is usually the cause. Swapping it is quick and cheap, so it is worth doing as soon as you notice these signs.
How to change and prime a new coil
Fitting a new coil takes a minute, but priming it first is the step people skip. Priming simply means soaking the cotton before you vape, which stops that first-puff burn. Here is the reliable method.
- Empty or remove the tank or pod, then unscrew or pull out the old coil.
- Drip a few drops of e-liquid directly onto the cotton wicking holes of the new coil.
- Fit the new coil and fill the tank or pod with liquid.
- Let it stand for five to ten minutes so the wick fully soaks.
- Take a few gentle priming puffs without firing, then start at a lower power and build up.
Because a dry wick burns instantly, this soak step is what protects your new coil. Skipping it is the most common reason a fresh coil tastes burnt straight away.
Replacement coils and pods at VSHUB24
Coils are device-specific, so always match the pack to your kit. Here are real replacement coil and pod packs in stock now, for some of the most popular pod systems. Tap any product for full details and to buy.
Caliburn G2/GK2 Pods and Coils
Drag X/S PnP Coils Voopoo
Feelin X Nevoks Mesh Coils
If you are not sure which coil your device takes, check the resistance printed on your old one and match it. You can also browse the full coils, batteries and hardware category, or explore the Voopoo brand page for its PnP range.
Coil care: how to make them last longer
A few simple habits stretch the life of every coil. First, always prime a new coil and never fire it dry, since a burnt wick cannot be undone. Secondly, keep your tank or pod topped up, because vaping on low liquid scorches the cotton. It also helps to vape at a sensible power, as running a coil too hot ages it fast. Finally, sweet or dark liquids gunk coils quickly, so expect to change them more often if you love dessert flavours.
The verdict
Vape coils are small, but they shape every puff you take. Once you understand the ohm rating, choose mesh where you can, and prime each new coil properly, you get better flavour and longer coil life for very little effort. Watch for the burnt-taste warning sign, keep a spare pack on hand, and match the coil to your device every time. When you need replacements, browse the coils and hardware category to find the right pack for your kit.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I change my vape coil?
Most coils last one to two weeks with regular use. Heavy vaping and dark, sweet liquids wear them faster, so the real guide is taste: as soon as you notice a burnt or muted flavour, it is time for a new coil.
What does the ohm number on a coil mean?
The ohm rating is the coil’s resistance. Lower ohms (sub-ohm, below 1.0) draw more power for bigger, warmer clouds, while higher ohms give a tighter, cooler mouth-to-lung draw that suits pod kits and nic salts.
Why does my new coil taste burnt?
Almost always because it was not primed. Before use, drip e-liquid onto the cotton, fill the tank and let it soak for five to ten minutes. Firing a dry wick scorches it instantly, and that damage cannot be reversed.
Are mesh coils better than standard coils?
Mesh coils generally heat more evenly and faster thanks to their larger surface area, so they tend to give cleaner flavour and a smoother vape. Where your device supports both, mesh is usually the better everyday choice.
Can I use any coil in my device?
No. Coils are specific to each tank or pod, so you must use the coil designed for your device. Check the model name or the resistance printed on your old coil, then match the replacement pack to it.
How do I make my coils last longer?
Prime every new coil, keep the tank topped up so the wick never runs dry, and vape at a sensible power. Sweeter, darker liquids gunk coils faster, so switching flavours or cleaning regularly also helps.
Related guides
For adult vapers (18+) only. Vape coils are used with nicotine-containing e-liquids in most setups, and nicotine is addictive. Keep devices and e-liquids away from children and pets, and recycle used coils responsibly.
