Introduction
Sub Ohm & MTL Vaping are two different vaping styles and if you want to get a little more technical, RDTL falls into the middle of both. There are different ways of defining each style and we’ll provide you an in-depth analysis of each variation.
- RDTL = Restricted Direct to Lung
- MTL = Mouth to Lung
Mouth to Lung Vaping
MTL vaping is a form of vaping where you draw on your e-cigarette in the same way as you would draw on a cigarette. This style of vaping is characterised by the following:
- Low Wattage
- Restricted Airflow
- Light Draw
- Traditional in Terms of Experience & Sensation
- Less Cloud Production
- Cooler Flavour & Vapour
Starters tend to make the move to vaping with MTL vaping. The overall style of it is closer to the traditional draw of cigarettes. It also allows you to take your nicotine as high 20mg, the highest permitted under the TPD regulations in the United Kingdom. In terms of coil resistance, an MTL atomiser will have a resistance of 1.0Ω or above. Due to this, MTL devices should only be used with e-liquids have a 50VG/50PG ratio. If you choose an e-liquid that has a higher VG content, you can expect an unpleasant and troublesome experience. We have a wealth of information all over our website to help you make the correct choices in terms of e-liquid.
Mouth to Lung vaping was the first style of vaping and has always remained the most popular. Even when sub-ohm vaping became popular, a lot of users were still opting for MTL devices. The basic needs and requirements of your average vaper are easily satisfied with a simple device that allows them to experience a nicotine hit.
It can be argued that MTL vaping is more socially friendly. It doesn’t create plumes of large clouds and its easier to have a more discrete draw.
Sub-Ohm Vaping
Sub-Ohm Vaping, or Direct to Lung Vaping is a style of vaping that is characterised by large clouds, high wattage, powerful vape devices, better flavour, wide airflows, and lower nicotine. People who sub-ohm will draw on their e-cigarette like a shisha pipe, rather than a cigarette. Its easy to spot a sub-ohm vaper. If you see someone with a large amount of vaper production around them, they will be using a powerful direct to lung device.
Sub-Ohm vaping is more about flavour and clouds, and we would never recommend a heavy smoker to start on a direct to lung setup. There is a restriction on nicotine with sub ohming. You cannot sub ohm on an e-liquid higher than 6mg and 3mg is generally favoured by people who do this form of vaping. A higher nicotine concentration with sub-ohm vaping can cause a harsh throat hit and make you take back an excess amount of nicotine, resulting in dehydration and headaches. Most people wouldn’t be able sub-ohm a high amount of nicotine.
Like MTL vaping, the ratio of your e-liquid is also important for DTL vaping. You can only use e-liquids that have a higher (70%) vegetable glycerine ratio in your sub-ohm tanks. The higher VG content makes the e-liquid thicker and allows it to be vaped at higher wattages. It also creates bigger clouds. If you choose an e-liquid that has a 50/50 ratio, you can expect a harsh throat hit, premature coil burnout, leakages, and reduced flavour. The overall experience will be very unpleasant. For sub-ohm or direct to lung vaping, a coil must be rated at 0.5Ω or below.
The powerful nature of sub-ohm vaping does tend to mean it burns through the most e-liquid, which is why higher VG e liquids are generally supplied in larger shortfills. Some DTL tanks are more efficient than others but if you want large clouds with a powerful wattage, you can expect your e-liquid to run out faster. On the other hand, sub-ohm e liquids are cheaper per ml.
Restricted Direct to Lung
Restricted Direct to Lung vaping or RDTL falls in between sub-ohm and MTL vaping, it isn’t as restricted as MTL vaping and it isn’t as free flowing and powerful as direct to lung. For a coil to be RDTL, they should have a resistance between 0.9Ω to 0.6Ω. E Liquids should have a 50/50 ratio to be used with RDTL coils and you can take your nicotine strength up to 20mg. However, please note, vaping high strengths with RDTL can be harsher than MTL.
RDTL vaping has grown in popularity alongside nic salts. Nicotine salts can be vaped at a higher strength without the harsh throat hits that would be experienced with freebase nicotine. This means they can be vaped at a slightly higher output with RDTL devices. Overall output of RDTL coils generally peaks at 28 watts.
The flavour produced by RDTL kits is generally better than MTL devices but not quite as good as sub-ohm tanks.
Which Style is the Best?
This question depends on a variety of factors, and each vape style has its own merits and drawbacks. The best style is the one that suits each user the most. We don’t recommend starting with a sub-ohm device if you are new vaper and ex heavy smoker. Sub-Ohm vaping may seem a little unnatural compared to traditional cigarettes and you won’t be able to take your nicotine strength high enough to satisfy those stubborn nicotine cravings.
Sub Ohm vaping is best for people who want a high-quality flavour experience with a reduced nicotine hit and large clouds. MTL is ideal for people who want a more authentic experience with a better nicotine hit and reduced clouds. RDTL vaping combines the best of both worlds, striking a balance between clouds, flavour, and nicotine sensation.
Conclusion
RDTL, MTL & Sub Ohm vaping are three major styles of vaping with distinctive characteristics to draw the lines between them. Each style attempts to meet the requirements of specific vapers. MTL and RDTL are currently the most popular variations as people opt for pod systems and starter kits over larger DTL setups.