Vape Guides · 6 min
MTL, RDL or DL: Which Draw Style Suits You?
MTL, RDL or DL: ohm, watts, airflow, e-liquid and nicotine strength compared by draw style, and which pod system or tank suits your draw.
Vape Vape Guides · Part 3 of 4
What Matters in a Pod System? Draw Style, Battery and Pods
With a pod system, four things count: the resistance of the pod for your draw style, the battery, whether the coil is fixed in the pod or changed individually, and whether replacements exist for exactly your device. Pods only fit their own series. So check this before buying.
In this article9 chapters
The buying criteria at a glance
A pod system consists of the device with a built-in battery and the pod, which holds the e-liquid and coil. These values are shown on every product page and decide whether the device suits you.
| Value | What to look for | Guide value |
|---|---|---|
| Resistance | Does the pod suit your draw style? | MTL 0.8 to 1.2 ohm, RDL 0.4 to 0.6 ohm |
| Power | How many watts does the device deliver? | Pod systems usually 8 to 40 watts |
| Battery | How often do you have to charge? | Small devices from 400 mAh, large ones 2000 mAh and more |
| Coil | Fixed in the pod or replaceable coil? | Fixed: the whole pod is replaced. Replaceable coil: only the coil |
| Airflow | Can the draw be adjusted? | Turn the slider on the device or pod |
| Firing | Draw activation, fire button or both? | With both, you choose yourself |
| Filling | Where does the e-liquid go in? | Top fill, side fill or bottom fill |
| Replacements | Are there pods or coils for the device? | Check before buying |
Resistance: which pod suits your draw style?
The higher the resistance, the tighter the draw. Pods with 0.8 to 1.2 ohm are made for the mouth-to-lung draw (MTL) and suit nicotine salt. With 0.4 to 0.6 ohm you draw more openly; that is RDL, and e-liquid with less nicotine suits it. Many devices have pods for both. The Vaporesso Luxe XR Max 2 comes with an MTL pod with 0.8 ohm and a DTL pod with 0.2 ohm. More in the article MTL, RDL or DL.
Battery and charging
A pod system usually lasts a day with normal vaping. If you vape a lot, you charge almost daily. Small devices have 400 to 1000 mAh, large ones 2000 mAh and more. Charging is via USB-C, ideally at 1 to 2 amps rather than with your phone's fast charger. The OXVA Xlim Pro 2 with 1300 mAh is at 85 per cent in 25 minutes. The battery is built in and lasts roughly 300 to 500 charge cycles, so one to two years.
Fixed coil or replaceable coil?
On most small pod systems, the coil is fixed in the pod. When it is finished, you replace the whole pod. On devices with a replaceable coil, the pod stays and you just insert a new vaporiser head, such as the GTX Mesh Coils from Vaporesso. That creates less waste. A coil usually lasts one to three weeks, less with high power and sweet e-liquid. After changing, let the cotton soak for five to ten minutes.
Which pods fit my device?
Pods only fit the devices of their series, even if another pod looks almost the same. At Uwell, the Caliburn G and Caliburn A ranges have their own pods. Within the G range, the G5 also takes the pods of the G3 and G4. At Vaporesso, the pods of the XROS series fit all XROS devices. Which devices a pod serves is stated in its description. For these devices there are replacements in the shop:
| Device | Matching replacement | What you replace |
|---|---|---|
| Vaporesso Luxe X3 | Luxe X Dual Mesh Pod, Luxe X COREX 2.0 Pod | Whole pod |
| Vaporesso Luxe XR Max 2, Armour GS, GTX One Pro | GTX Mesh Coil | Coil only |
| Vaporesso Armour Ultra | GTI Dual Mesh Coil | Coil only |
| Vaporesso ECO Nano 2 | ECO Nano Pod, 0.8 or 1.2 ohm | Whole pod |
| Vaporesso ECO One, ECO One Pro | ECO One Mesh Pod, 0.8 ohm | Whole pod |
| Lost Vape Thelema Elite S | E Plus Dual Mesh Pod | Whole pod |
| Innocigs eGo Pod | eGo replacement pods, 1.2 ohm | Whole pod |
| RandM Tornado Pro | Tornado Pro Pods | Whole pod |
You will find all spare parts under pods with vaporiser and vaporiser coils.
Which pod system for whom?
Switching and mouth-to-lung draw: The Innocigs eGo Pod has 1000 mAh, a 2-ml pod with 1.2 ohm and draw activation. Draw, vape, done. The Vaporesso ECO Nano 2 also has 1000 mAh and pods with 0.8 or 1.2 ohm; it is filled from below.
Tight RDL with two modes: The Lost Vape Thelema Elite S delivers 5 to 40 watts from 1400 mAh. You vape by draw activation or fire button. The set contains an E Plus pod with 0.6 ohm; pods with 0.45 and 0.3 ohm draw more openly.
More vapour with RDL: The Vaporesso Luxe X3 has 2600 mAh and up to 45 watts. The set includes pods with 0.6 ohm for RDL and 0.4 ohm for the lung draw.
Lots of battery and a replaceable coil: The Luxe XR Max 2 brings 3200 mAh and up to 80 watts. You insert GTX coils into its pods, from tight MTL to the lung draw.
If you would rather plug in ready-filled pods, the article Prefilled or refillable helps. You will find all devices under refillable pod devices.
Pod with coil
The XROS 5 takes all pods of the XROS series; the coil is fixed in the pod.
Caliburn G
The Caliburn G4 Pro also takes the pods of the G3 range.
Fast charging
The Xlim Pro 2 with 1300 mAh is at 85 per cent in 25 minutes via USB-C.
Side fill
You fill the Typhos SE from the side; the 0.6-ohm coil is fixed in the pod.
Replaceable coil
The Armour GS takes coils of the GTX series and runs on a replaceable 18650 battery.
Typical mistakes when buying and rebuying
- Buying a pod by shape instead of by series. A similar pod does not automatically fit.
- Buying a device for which there are no replacement pods. Check beforehand whether pods or coils are available.
- Filling too thick an e-liquid into the MTL pod. 50/50 or 60/40 wicks well; from 70 per cent VG the coil scorches.
- Nicotine salt at 20 mg/ml in an open pod with 0.4 ohm or less. For that you use e-liquid with less nicotine.
- Vaping the new pod immediately. Let the cotton soak first, otherwise the first puff tastes burnt.
- Turning the power up too high. More watts than stated for the pod shortens the life of the coil.
If you are looking for a new pod system, you can enter your budget and existing device in the vape advisor. You still choose replacement pods by the exact device series on the product page.
Frequently asked questions
Does a pod with a similar shape fit my device?
No, only pods of its own series. Which devices a pod serves is stated in its description.
How many mAh does a pod system need?
With normal vaping, a pod system usually lasts a day. With 2000 mAh and more you last longer; you charge devices with 400 to 1000 mAh more often.
Which resistance suits nicotine salt?
0.8 to 1.2 ohm for the mouth-to-lung draw (MTL). In open pods with 0.6 ohm or less, you use e-liquid with less nicotine.
How long does a pod last?
Usually one to three weeks, depending on e-liquid and power. At the latest when it tastes flat or burnt, a new one goes in.
Fixed coil or replaceable coil, which is better?
With a fixed coil, you simply replace the whole pod. With a replaceable coil, the pod stays and you only replace the vaporiser head. That creates less waste.
Draw activation or fire button?
With draw activation, you simply draw on the mouthpiece, as with the disposable vape. Many devices also have a fire button, in which case you choose yourself.
About the author
Philip
Vape veteran
For this article
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