Not all vaping is created equal — here's how to find your perfect puff.
When someone asks me, “What vape should I get?”, my first question back is always:
“Do you vape MTL or DTL?”
More often than not, I get a puzzled look — and that’s completely fair.
If you’re new to vaping, or you’ve only used disposables, chances are no one’s ever explained what these letters mean.
But trust me: knowing whether you're an MTL or DTL vaper makes everything easier — from picking the right device to choosing your e-liquid. It can even help prevent dry hits and wasted money.
Let’s break it down in plain English.
🫁 What Do MTL and DTL Mean?
-
MTL (Mouth-To-Lung):
You draw the vapour into your mouth first, then inhale into your lungs — just like smoking a cigarette. -
DTL (Direct-To-Lung):
You inhale the vapour straight into your lungs, like a deep breath — more like a shisha or big cloud vape.
If you’ve ever used a disposable vape, chances are you’ve already been vaping MTL without even realising it.
🔍 Key Differences Between MTL and DTL Vaping
| Feature | MTL Vaping | DTL Vaping |
|---|---|---|
| Inhale style | Mouth first, then lungs | Straight to lungs |
| Draw feel | Tight and cigarette-like | Loose and airy |
| Vapour | Discreet clouds | Big, thick clouds |
| Best for | Beginners, ex-smokers | Hobbyists, cloud chasers |
| E-liquid | Nic salts (10mg–20mg) | Shortfills (0mg–6mg) |
| Coil resistance | Higher (0.8Ω – 1.5Ω) | Lower (0.1Ω – 0.6Ω) |
| Device type | Pod kits, pen-style | Sub-ohm kits, box mods |
🔌 MTL Vaping: Why You Might Prefer It
If you’re:
- Coming off cigarettes
- Using vaping to curb cravings
- Prefer a stronger throat hit
- Want something simple and compact
… then MTL is likely your style.
MTL vapes tend to be smaller, more discreet, and work best with nic salt e-liquids in 10mg or 20mg. You’ll get a satisfying nicotine hit without huge clouds.
When I first switched from smoking, MTL was the only style that scratched the itch. It felt familiar — and let’s be honest, it was way more practical on the bus.
Popular MTL kits at Vapeology:
💨 DTL Vaping: Why It Might Be for You
If you’re:
- More into flavour and cloud production
- Already comfortable with vaping
- Using lower nicotine or no nicotine
- Happy with a bigger device that uses more juice
… then DTL could be your jam.
You’ll need a sub-ohm device and e-liquid with higher VG (usually 70VG/30PG), often in shortfill bottles. These give you massive clouds and rich, smooth flavour — but less of a throat hit.
Great DTL kits to check out:
🧠 Not Sure Which One You Are?
Here’s a quick test:
Imagine taking a puff...
- If you’d naturally sip first, then inhale → MTL
- If you’d inhale like a deep breath → DTL
Still not sure? Try both styles in-store. We've got testers and kits on display, and we're happy to talk you through it without any pressure.
🔁 Can You Switch Between MTL and DTL?
Absolutely. Some vapers:
- Use MTL in the day (work, out and about)
- Switch to DTL at home for bigger hits and relaxing
- Use both styles while stepping down their nicotine
There are even dual-mode devices now — like the Voopoo Drag S or the Vaporesso Luxe X — that let you switch airflow and coil types to do both.
It’s not either-or — it’s about what fits your mood, your environment, and your vape goals.
Final Draws
MTL and DTL are just two sides of the same coin — and once you know which one suits you, everything clicks into place. Your coils last longer, your flavour hits better, and you stop wasting money on kits that aren’t built for your style.
Still unsure which way to go? Pop in and we’ll match your vaping style to the right setup — no jargon, no upsell, just good advice.