Same juice, different kit… very different experience.
One of the most common things we hear in the shop is:
“This juice was amazing in my old vape, but it tastes totally different in this one!”
And honestly? That’s completely normal.
If you've ever upgraded your device, swapped pod systems, or tried the same flavour on a mate’s kit, you've probably noticed it too. E-liquids can taste wildly different depending on what you vape them with — and there’s a good reason for that.
Let’s break it down so you can get the best flavour possible from your setup.
🎛️ 1. Coil Resistance & Wattage
This is one of the biggest factors in how your e-liquid tastes.
- Low resistance coils (sub-ohm, <0.6Ω) run at higher wattages and produce more vapour — but can sometimes mute subtle flavours or overheat sweeteners.
- Higher resistance coils (MTL, 0.8Ω – 1.5Ω) run cooler and tend to enhance flavour clarity, especially with nic salts.
Example: That lovely Blueberry Ice might be sweet and bold in your pod kit at 12W — but taste sharp or even “dry” in a 70W sub-ohm tank.
What to do:
Find out your coil’s best wattage range (usually written on the side of the coil) and stick to it. If you’re switching devices, be prepared for a bit of flavour variance — especially with dessert or complex blends.
💨 2. Airflow Settings
Some devices let you adjust airflow — and this makes a huge difference.
- Tighter airflow (MTL-style): Enhances throat hit, improves flavour sharpness
- Looser airflow (DTL-style): Produces bigger clouds, sometimes dulls flavour
Too much airflow can “wash out” flavour, especially with fruit blends. Too little, and it might feel overly concentrated or burnt.
What to do:
Tweak your airflow to suit the juice. If your flavour tastes weak, try tightening the airflow slightly and see if it sharpens up.
🔥 3. Power & Temperature
Higher power = more vapour… but not always more flavour.
Some juices (especially fruity or cool flavours) shine at lower temps, while dessert flavours often benefit from a warmer vape to bring out the creaminess.
One of our regulars found their custard tasted bland in a pod kit — but when they switched to a 40W setup? Game changer.
What to do:
Experiment with wattage within your coil’s safe range. Start low and nudge it up until you find the sweet spot for that juice.
🧪 4. PG/VG Ratio
Your device might prefer certain e-liquid blends:
- High PG (50/50 or 60/40) – Thinner, better flavour clarity, great for MTL kits
- High VG (70/30) – Thicker, smoother vapour, ideal for sub-ohm setups
If you put a 70/30 juice in a small pod system, the coil might struggle to wick it properly — and you’ll get muted flavour or even dry hits.
Likewise, 50/50 juices in a high-powered DTL device might feel harsh or spitty.
What to do:
Match your e-liquid’s PG/VG ratio to your device. If you’re unsure, just ask — we’ve matched thousands of customers to the right combo.
🔁 5. Coil Material & Design
Coils aren’t just wire and cotton — they come in all sorts of materials: mesh, kanthal, ceramic, SS316L, and more.
- Mesh coils generally offer better flavour and quicker ramp-up
- Standard round wire might take a little longer to heat up but gives more subtle flavour changes
- Ceramic coils tend to offer more consistency and longer coil life
Each has a slightly different impact on flavour.
What to do:
If you're trying a juice in a new kit, and it tastes off, it could be the coil material — not the juice itself.
🧽 6. Coil Age & Cleanliness
A brand-new coil vs. a week-old one will always make a difference.
If you're comparing flavour across devices and one coil is a bit gunked up or burnt, it’s not a fair test.
What to do:
Always try flavours on a fresh coil if you're doing comparisons. And if your flavour drops suddenly, check your coil isn’t past its prime.
🤔 So… Is the Juice to Blame?
Honestly? Probably not.
Most of the time, it’s not the e-liquid that’s changed — it’s the device, coil, airflow, or wattage. E-liquids are sensitive little things, and even a small tweak in setup can change how they taste.
That’s why we always recommend:
- Testing new juices on a setup you know and trust
- Giving each flavour time — sometimes it takes a few puffs to settle
- Keeping flavour notes if you like to switch things up regularly
I’ve got one juice I love in my pod kit — but can’t stand in my sub-ohm tank. It’s not bad — it just shines better at lower power.
Final Puffs from the Shop Floor
If your favourite e-liquid suddenly tastes different, don’t bin the bottle just yet. The culprit might be your new coil, tank, or airflow settings.
Come in and chat to us — we’ve helped customers rediscover flavours they thought they didn’t like, just by tweaking their setup.
We know our way around devices and juices, and we’re always happy to help you get the flavour just right.