List of common vaping styles: Your 2026 guide

TL;DR:

When starting to vape, choosing the right style is crucial as it determines the device, e-liquid, and technique. MTL is ideal for beginners and those switching from cigarettes, while DTL and RDL require more experience and more powerful hardware. The selection should always be based on personal needs, regulatory requirements, and individual preferences.

Newcomers to vaping are quickly faced with a confusing array of options. The list of common vaping styles ranges from the classic smoking simulation to spectacular cloud-chasing competitions. Each style places different demands on your device, liquid, and technique. The good news: if you know a few clear criteria, you will find the right style for you much faster. This guide explains the most important types of vaping, shows the advantages and disadvantages in a direct comparison, and provides practical recommendations for vapers in Switzerland.

Key Takeaways
1. The list of common vaping styles: Selection criteria
2. Mouth-to-Lung (MTL): The classic entry-level style
3. Direct-to-Lung (DTL): For experienced vapers and cloud chasers
4. Restricted Direct-to-Lung (RDL): The compromise style
5. Cloud Chasing: Vaping as a competition
6. Nicotine Salt Vaping: High nicotine strength without harshness
7. Temperature Control Vaping (TC): Precise vaping
8. Squonking: Liquid supply from the device
9. Vaping styles in comparison: Overview and recommendations
My assessment of vaping styles
Vaping products for every style at Snustrend
FAQ

Key Takeaways

Point	Details
Inhalation technique is crucial	MTL, DTL, and RDL differ fundamentally in terms of technique, hardware, and liquid requirements.
Hardware must fit	Coil resistance and wattage must be tuned to the chosen vaping style.
Consider liquid composition	The PG/VG ratio significantly influences wicking, flavor, and throat hit.
Regulation in Switzerland	Nicotine liquids are limited to 20 mg/ml, and many disposable products are non-compliant.
Adapt the style to your needs	Beginners benefit from MTL, while experienced vapers find more flexibility with DTL or RDL.

1. The list of common vaping styles: Selection criteria

Before diving into popular vape styles, it is worth understanding what you should actually be looking for. Choosing the right style depends on more than just personal taste. The following criteria will help with your decision:

Inhalation technique: Do you draw the vapor into your mouth first (MTL) or directly into your lungs (DTL, RDL)? This is the most fundamental difference between vaping types.
Hardware compatibility: MTL uses higher coil resistance of 0.8 to 2.5 Ω and lower wattages of 7 to 25 W. DTL works with sub-ohm coils and 40 to 200+ W.
Liquid composition: The PG/VG ratio determines how well the wick is saturated. MTL needs more PG for optimal wicking, while DTL requires a high VG content.
Personal preferences: Do you want a strong throat hit, lots of vapor, or intense flavor? The answer leads directly to a specific style.
Regulatory framework: In Switzerland, nicotine e-liquids are limited to a maximum of 20 mg/ml. Anyone unaware of these guidelines risks purchasing non-compliant products.

Pro tip: When buying a device, always start with the vaping style you are aiming for. An MTL device cannot simply be converted for DTL, and vice-versa.

The vape techniques you use will ultimately influence your entire experience. Skipping this step and simply buying the first device you find often leads to disappointment. The vape beginner's guide for Switzerland from Snustrend provides a great starting point for this.

2. Mouth-to-Lung (MTL): The classic entry-level style

MTL is the most natural entry into vaping, especially for people switching from smoking. The technique works exactly like smoking a cigarette: draw the vapor into the mouth first, hold it briefly, then inhale into the lungs.

The result is a strong throat hit, a discreet amount of vapor, and an intense flavor experience. MTL creates more airflow resistance and a strong throat hit, which will feel familiar to many smokers.

Technical features of MTL:

Coil resistance: 0.8 to 2.5 Ω
Wattage: 7 to 25 W
PG/VG ratio: typically 50/50 to 60/40 (more PG)
Nicotine strength: 12 to 20 mg/ml, nicotine salts are also suitable
Airflow: tight, with noticeable resistance when drawing

Who is MTL suitable for?

Those switching from cigarettes who prefer the familiar draw feel
Vapers who want to vape discreetly and produce little vapor
Individuals who require higher nicotine strengths
Beginners looking for a simple, affordable setup

The only downside: MTL offers little room for enthusiasts who want to produce clouds or push the limits of their flavors. If you want to develop further, you will eventually reach the limits of this style.

3. Direct-to-Lung (DTL): For experienced vapers and cloud chasers

DTL is the opposite of MTL. You draw the vapor directly into your lungs without pausing in your mouth, similar to taking a deep breath. This creates massive vapor clouds and intense flavor directly in the lungs.

A woman enjoying her e-cigarette on her apartment balcony on a sunny day.

DTL has almost no airflow resistance and produces a lot of vapor, but offers less of a throat hit. This is exactly why it appeals to many experienced vapers.

Technical features of DTL:

Coil resistance: 0.1 to 0.5 Ω (sub-ohm)
Wattage: 40 to 200+ W
PG/VG ratio: 30/70 to 0/100 (mainly VG)
Nicotine strength: 0 to 6 mg/ml (higher values can become too harsh)
Airflow: wide open, almost no resistance

Anyone who vapes DTL will automatically head towards cloud chasing. Professional cloud chasers use RDA atomizers with coil resistances below 0.5 Ω and VG contents of 70% or higher.

Who is DTL suitable for?

Experienced vapers with knowledge of sub-ohm hardware
Cloud chasers participating in competitions or those who simply want to produce impressive clouds
Vapers who prefer no nicotine or very low strengths
Individuals who want to experience flavors at maximum intensity

Important: DTL hardware is more expensive, energy-intensive, and more complex to operate. It is rarely the right start for beginners.

4. Restricted Direct-to-Lung (RDL): The compromise style

RDL sits right between MTL and DTL. You inhale directly into the lungs, but with slight resistance due to restricted airflow. The result: more vapor than MTL, less than DTL, and a pleasant balance between throat hit and volume.

Many modern atomizers allow for stepless adjustment between DTL and RDL using an airflow ring. This makes RDL particularly attractive for vapers who want to stay flexible.

Typical RDL features:

Coil resistance: 0.3 to 0.8 Ω
Wattage: 25 to 60 W
PG/VG ratio: 40/60 to 30/70 (slightly VG-leaning)
Nicotine strength: 3 to 12 mg/ml
Airflow: medium, adjustable via airflow ring

RDL appeals primarily to vapers who want to grow out of MTL but aren't yet ready for the full sub-ohm experience of DTL. It is a style that many keep as a permanent favorite because it is simply versatile.

5. Cloud Chasing: Vaping as a competition

Cloud chasing is strictly a sub-form of the DTL style, but it deserves its own mention. In cloud chasing, the focus shifts away from nicotine toward vapor volume and the perfection of draw timing.

Professionals systematically test their coils before competitions and practice their breathing technique specifically to generate reproducible, massive vapor clouds. Wattages of 80 to 150 W and RDA atomizers with very open airflows play a central role here.

For most everyday vapers, cloud chasing is not a realistic style. It requires special equipment, knowledge of how to build your own coils, and a genuine interest in the technical side of vaping. For enthusiasts, however, it is a discipline in itself with an active community and regular events.

Pro tip: Cloud chasing requires patience to learn the coil-building technique. Pre-made coils are a good start. Build your own once you have the basic knowledge.

6. Nicotine Salt Vaping: High nicotine strength without harshness

Nicotine salts, or "nic salts," are a special liquid formulation that combines high nicotine strengths with a mild throat hit. This makes them particularly attractive for MTL vapers and those switching from smoking.

The chemical difference from freebase nicotine lies in the composition: nic salts are combined with an acid, which accelerates absorption and reduces harshness at high concentrations. The result feels more natural to many than classic e-liquids with freebase nicotine.

Nic salts are suitable exclusively for MTL setups with high resistance. In sub-ohm devices, the nicotine doses per draw would be far too high. Those thinking about nicotine-free alternatives will now also find very good nic-salt liquids without nicotine on the market.

7. Temperature Control Vaping (TC): Precise vaping

Temperature control is a feature of modern devices, not an independent draw style. However, it changes the experience so much that it must be mentioned in any overview of common, popular vaping practices.

TC devices measure and limit the coil temperature in real-time, typically between 150 and 300 degrees Celsius. This prevents dry burns, protects the liquid from overheating, and ensures consistent flavor throughout the entire session.

TC vaping is suitable for DTL and RDL setups, but requires compatible coil materials such as nickel, titanium, or stainless steel. Not all devices and coils support this function. Anyone who values consistency and protection against dry burns should consider TC as an addition to their preferred style.

8. Squonking: Liquid supply from the device

Squonking is a technique for experienced RDA users. A squonk mod has a built-in bottle in the device body. When you press this bottle, liquid rises through the pin directly into the atomizer and saturates the coil.

No more annoying dripping, no need to remove the atomizer to fill it up. Squonking combines the advantages of RDA atomizers (direct contact, intense flavor) with the convenience of a tank.

The barrier to entry is high: squonk mods are more expensive, handling takes some getting used to, and refilling the internal bottle requires practice. For vapers who love RDAs and want to increase their efficiency, however, squonking is an elegant solution.

9. Vaping styles in comparison: Overview and recommendations

Now that you know the different vape styles, a direct comparison will help you decide. Here is a structured comparison of the three main styles:

Criterion	MTL	RDL	DTL
Inhalation technique	Mouth, then lungs	Direct to lungs, slight resistance	Direct to lungs, open
Coil resistance	0.8 to 2.5 Ω	0.3 to 0.8 Ω	0.1 to 0.5 Ω
Wattage	7 to 25 W	25 to 60 W	40 to 200+ W
VG/PG ratio	More PG (50/50 to 60/40)	Balanced to VG-heavy	Mainly VG (70/30 to 100/0)
Throat hit	Strong	Medium	Weak
Vapor volume	Low	Medium	High
Nicotine strength	12 to 20 mg/ml	3 to 12 mg/ml	0 to 6 mg/ml
Target group	Beginners, switchers	Advanced	Experienced vapers

Pro tip: Vaping styles require a balanced combination of inhalation technique, device, and liquid. For example, anyone filling a DTL device with a high-nicotine MTL liquid risks an unpleasantly strong hit and poor flavor.

For Swiss vapers, the following also applies: if you are looking for tips on vaping styles and want to pay attention to compliant products, you should rely on reputable dealers. 91% of the disposable e-cigarettes tested in the canton of Basel-Stadt showed at least one regulatory deviation. This shows that product quality and compliance are not a given. The article on vape regulation in Switzerland explains more about the legal framework.

My assessment of vaping styles

In practice, I keep seeing the same pattern: beginners buy a sub-ohm device because it looks impressive. Then they struggle with too much nicotine harshness, dry burns, or unsatisfactory flavor. Not because the device is bad, but because the style doesn't match their expectations.

My clear opinion: there is no objectively best vaping style. MTL is not worse than DTL just because it produces less vapor. What matters is the fit between style, hardware, liquid, and personal needs.

What I find particularly important in the Swiss vaping community: the topic of regulation is underestimated. The high rate of non-compliance in disposable products shows that consumers must actively pay attention to product safety. Buy where products are tested and honestly labeled.

My advice: Start with MTL if you are switching. Switch to RDL if you want more vapor. Only try DTL once you know what you are doing. And no matter which style you choose: coordinate your hardware, liquid, and technique.

— Lukas

Vaping products for every style at Snustrend

Snustrend carries a range that caters to both beginners and experienced vapers. Those who prefer MTL will find pod systems and suitable liquids with a higher PG content. For DTL and RDL, there are powerful devices and high-VG liquids to choose from. Brands like Elfbar and Vozol are represented in the shop, complemented by regular special offers and fast delivery in Switzerland. Those who want to get an overview first can find a structured decision-making guide in the Swiss buying guide. And for those who would like to explore other pleasurable products alongside vaping, they can try, for example, the classic Pöschl Schmalzler Südfrucht, a proven product in the broader Snustrend assortment.

FAQ

What is the difference between MTL and DTL?

MTL means drawing vapor into the mouth first and then into the lungs, similar to smoking. DTL means drawing the vapor directly into the lungs, which creates more volume and a more intense aroma, but less throat hit.

Which vaping style is suitable for beginners?

MTL is best suited for beginners and those switching from smoking, as the technique is similar to smoking and the hardware is simpler and more affordable.

Which nicotine strength matches which style?

MTL setups handle 12 to 20 mg/ml well. RDL setups suit 3 to 12 mg/ml. DTL setups should be limited to 0 to 6 mg/ml, as the vapor consumes significantly more liquid per puff.

Are all vaping products authorized in Switzerland?

No. In Switzerland, nicotine e-liquids are limited to 20 mg/ml, and a large portion of the disposable vapes available on the market do not meet these requirements. Only buy from verified retailers.

What is RDL vaping?

RDL stands for Restricted Direct-to-Lung and refers to a puff style where the vapor is drawn directly into the lungs, but with a slightly restricted airflow. It is a compromise between MTL and DTL that can be adjusted using flexible airflow systems.