Guide to choosing a new device

At some point you may find you need to upgrade your device, whether it is because your device has seen better days or because you are looking for a more powerful mod with more options for personalising your vaping experience. In this guide we will explain all the things to look for when choosing a new device, and what options you might come across.

When should you consider upgrading your device?

There are a few reasons you may want to think about upgrading your device;

Unfortunately, e-cigarettes don’t last forever. Starter kits tend to have a built-in battery and that is charged through a cable. These powerful Li-ion batteries are used in many electronic items, including mobile phones and laptops, however, they will start to degrade over time, and usually after about a year you will find you have to charge your device more frequently than when you first got it as the battery doesn’t last as long. This is normal, and at this point you might want to consider upgrading to a new device.

If you started off vaping with a small and simple starter kit like a pre-filled pod system, as a way to give vaping a try and see how it could work for you, you might reach a point where you have given up smoking and would now like to try a different device which will give you more freedom with e-liquid flavours and strengths, in addition to a more powerful battery.

Alternatively, if you have been vaping for a little while you might want to upgrade to a more powerful device that gives you more options such as variable wattage and adjustable airflow. If you are using a starter kit, at this point you might like to consider a more intermediate vape kit.

What is adjustable airflow?

Adjustable airflow refers to that part of a tank where the airflow window can be made larger or smaller depending on the user’s preferences. Many smaller devices have a fixed airflow design which cannot be changed, which is usually designed to mimic that of a cigarette to help the device feel familiar and comfortable to those using it as a stop smoking aid. However, once someone has been vaping for a little while, and has become comfortable with using an electron cigarette, they may want to consider a tank with adjustable airflow, so they can experiment with different settings and find the airflow setting that they enjoy the most. If you are considering a tank with adjustable airflow, the Innokin Zenith tank, Aspire Cleito tank or HorizonTech Falcon tank are all examples of adjustable airflow options.

What does variable wattage mean?

A variable wattage device allows the user to change the power output of the device, sending more or less power to the coil. Many starter kits are a set wattage, meaning new users don’t have to worry about changing the settings, but as a vaper gets more comfortable with using an e-cigarette, they may be interested in experimenting with variable wattage devices.

There are two different options for variable wattage device; the first is a device with different power settings, usually low, medium and high. This gives the user the chance to choose the power setting they feel most comfortable with and get more or less vapour from their device. Examples of devices with multiple wattage settings are the Innokin EZ.WATT and the Vaptio Cosmo.

Alternatively, there are devices that allow you to adjust the wattage output of the device using a + and – button, moving the output up and down one watt at a time. These devices tend to be more intermediate and advanced mods, and will often be equipped to give quite high wattage outputs. When using a device like this you can adjust the wattage to find the exact output that you enjoy, your ‘sweet spot’ but you will need to consider the coil you are using. Coils are rated to be run at different wattages depending on the size and build of the coil. The recommended wattage range will be stated on the packing and often also printed on the side of the individual coil. If you run the coil at a wattage lower than the stated wattage it may not work to it’s full potential, whereas if you run the wattage too high it could burn the coil out prematurely. Examples of variable wattage devices are the Innokin Kroma-A, The OBS Cube and the  Vaporesso Swag.

What is the difference between external and internal battery devices?

Starter kits will usually utilize an internal battery, which means the battery is built in and cannot be removed or replaced. These devices are charged via a charger cable plugged into the charge port on the device. This kind of battery is small and so is perfect for the smaller designed starter kits. Examples of devices with internal batteries are the Aspire PockeX, Vaptio Solo F1 and Innokin T18 II.

Larger, more advanced devices require more power, and while some will still utilize a built-in internal battery, many will require external batteries. These are rechargeable batteries which can be removed from the device and charged separately in a battery bay charger, which allows the users to keep multiple sets of batteries and swap them out as and when needed so they do not need to stop using their device while the battery is charging. Examples of these kinds of devices include the VOOPOO Drag 2, the SMOK X-Priv and the GeekVape Aegis Solo.

What does MTL and DTL mean?

MTL and DTL refer to different vaping styles or preferences. MTL stands for mouth to lung, this refers to when the vapour is inhaled first into the mouth and then again into the lungs, this is usually how one would smoke a cigarette and so most starter kits are designed for MTL vaping. For example, the Innokin T20S, JUUL or Vaptio Tyro are all designed for MTL vaping.

DTL stands for direct to lung and refers to the vaping style where the vapour is inhaled directly to the lungs. This is usually more common in more advanced vape kits with large airflow designed and substantial vapour production such as the SMOK Stick P25, FreeMax Twister and VOOPOO Drag Mini.

Some devices such as the SMOK Nord allow for both MTL and DTL depending on the users preferences, there are two different coils which are designed to suit each of the different vaping styles.