Choosing a vape in 6 steps: find the right setup

In short: choosing the right vape follows a clear order: goal, draw style, device type, coil and power, liquid, then priming and maintenance. Following it helps you avoid typical bad purchases. In Switzerland, e-cigarettes with and without nicotine may only be sold to people aged 18 and over.

The easiest way to the right vape setup is a fixed process: define your goal, determine your draw style, choose the device type, match coil and power, select the liquid, then test and maintain. If you stick to this order, you buy the right thing the first time and avoid the most common mistakes, such as an overly complex device or an unsuitable nicotine strength.

The six steps at a glance:

Step 1: Clarify your goal. Easy handling, flavour or lots of vapour? The goal determines everything else.
Step 2: Set your draw style. Tight draw like a cigarette (MTL) or an open, direct lung draw (DL)?
Step 3: Choose the device type. Disposable, pod system, starter kit or adjustable mod?
Step 4: Match coil and power. Resistance and wattage must suit your draw style and liquid.
Step 5: Select the liquid. PG/VG ratio, nicotine type (freebase or nicotine salt) and strength.
Step 6: Test, prime and maintain. Saturate the coil, break in the power, set up a maintenance routine.

Important first: vapes are for adults only. Nicotine is addictive, and smoke-free products are not risk-free either. If you don't smoke, don't start.

How is a vape device built?

A vape device has four core components: battery (or mod), tank or pod, coil and airflow control. Each one affects how the device feels and what to look for when buying.

The battery supplies the power. Its capacity in milliamp hours (mAh) determines how long you can vape between charges. If you are on the go a lot, around 1,000 mAh works well. At home less is fine, as long as a charging cable is close by.

The tank or pod holds the liquid. Pods are easy to swap, tanks are refillable and more flexible in liquid choice. For beginners, pods are usually more practical.

The coil heats the liquid and produces vapour. Resistance (ohms) and power (watts) must match: coils above 1 ohm suit a tight MTL draw at low power, coils below 0.5 ohm produce more vapour, need more power and suit a DL draw.

Airflow controls how much air flows in as you draw. Little airflow gives a tight draw, lots of airflow an open, vapour-rich draw.

Battery and draw style go together: an 800 mAh MTL pod often lasts a whole day because it runs at low power. A 50-watt DL device drains the same battery in a few hours.

Tip: check coil compatibility. Not every coil fits every tank – make sure replacement coils or pods are available for your device before you buy.

Which device type suits which goal?

Simple and hassle-free: MTL pod system with auto-draw, no button, no settings.
Flexible in liquid and strength: refillable pod system or starter kit.
Lots of vapour: adjustable mod with sub-ohm tank, DL draw, high power.

Device type	Handling	Maintenance	Draw style
Disposable vape	Very easy	None	MTL
Pod system	Easy	Low (pod change)	MTL
Starter kit (open)	Medium	Medium (coil, filling)	MTL to RDL
Mod with tank	Demanding	High (coil, cleaning)	RDL to DL

MTL or DL is the most important decision before buying. MTL (mouth-to-lung) means drawing vapour into your mouth first, then inhaling – similar to a cigarette. DL (direct lung) means inhaling straight into the lungs. MTL devices use higher resistance and less power and are usually paired with nicotine salt liquids. DL devices produce more vapour and are used with lower nicotine strengths, because each puff contains more vapour.

Rule of thumb for getting started: a simple MTL pod system with auto-draw. Complex, adjustable mods often lead to handling errors and frustration at first. You'll find a wide selection among our pod systems.

Good to know for Switzerland: rechargeable pod systems such as ELFA Pro or Aroma King SMART are not disposables. According to the Federal Supreme Court (14.04.2026), disposable e-cigarettes may have a tank of no more than 2 ml, which must not be extended by an additional tank. Some cantons, such as Valais and Geneva, ban disposable vapes – more in the article on the disposable vape ban in the cantons.

How do you choose the right liquid?

Three decisions determine whether a liquid suits you and your device: the PG/VG ratio, the nicotine type and the nicotine strength.

PG/VG ratio: PG (propylene glycol) carries the flavour and gives a noticeable throat hit. VG (vegetable glycerine) produces more vapour, tastes slightly sweet and is thicker. Liquids with 50/50 or 60/40 PG/VG suit MTL devices with tight airflow. Thick liquids with 70% VG or more can struggle to feed narrow pods.

Freebase or nicotine salt: freebase nicotine is the classic form and can give a harsh throat hit at higher strengths. Nicotine salt feels smoother on the draw, even at higher strengths, which is why it is mainly used in MTL pods. Browse our nicotine salt liquids and the full liquid range.

Nicotine strength: if you have smoked until now, base your choice on your previous consumption and start on the cautious side. If you start too strong, you'll notice dizziness or nausea – take a break straight away. The nicotine content guide explains how to find the right strength.

Tip: thick, high-VG liquids need a low-resistance coil and more power. For an MTL pod system, a 50/50 liquid is best; for a sub-ohm tank, choose a liquid with at least 70% VG.

Choosing flavours: many start with familiar tobacco flavours and later try fruit or menthol. The article on popular vape flavours gives an overview.

Step by step to your finished setup

The principle: goal first, technology last. Starting from the goal, you choose the right device without detours.

Define the goal. As simple as possible, as much flavour as possible, or lots of vapour?
Determine the draw style. Tight draw? Then MTL. Lots of vapour? Then DL. Unsure? Start with MTL.
Choose the device type. To start, a pod system or starter kit, not a mod.
Check coil and power. What resistance does the manufacturer recommend? Is the power within the recommended range? Never run above the maximum.
Select the liquid. PG/VG to suit the device, nicotine type to suit the draw style (nicotine salt for MTL, freebase for DL).
Prime and test. Insert the coil, fill with liquid and wait 5–10 minutes before your first puff.

Checklist before buying

Is the battery capacity enough for your daily needs?
Does the coil resistance match your draw style?
Are replacement coils or pods available?
Does the liquid viscosity suit the coil?

Tip: buy a small bottle (10 ml) the first time before ordering a large one. Flavours taste different as vapour than in the bottle.

Troubleshooting: coil changes, leaks and burnt taste

The two most important maintenance steps are changing the coil regularly and priming carefully when filling. With daily use, a coil often lasts 7–14 days. Sweet, high-VG liquids gunk up the coil faster.

Burnt taste (dry hit): coil not primed enough, too little liquid, power too high.
Leak: tank overfilled, coil not screwed in tightly, seal damaged.
Weak flavour: coil worn out, liquid doesn't suit the coil, power too low.
Battery problems: dirty contacts, aged battery, faulty charging cable.

Fixing a dry hit

Pause immediately and switch the device off.
Remove the coil and check whether the cotton is burnt; if so, replace the coil.
Insert a new coil, fill with liquid and wait at least 10 minutes.
Start at the lowest recommended power and increase gradually.

Fixing a leak

Stand the device upright and remove liquid from the air channel.
Check that the coil is seated firmly.
Don't fill the tank above the mark.
If leaks persist, check the O-rings or replace the coil.

What does vaping cost in Switzerland?

Since 1 October 2024, Switzerland has levied an e-cigarette tax: CHF 1.00 per ml on disposable e-cigarettes (including nicotine-free ones) and CHF 0.20 per ml on nicotine-containing liquids and refills, plus 8.1% VAT. Refillable systems are therefore usually cheaper per ml than disposables. You'll find a sample calculation in the article on the vape tax in Switzerland.

Budget tips: don't skimp on coil quality – cheap coils taste worse and need changing more often. For liquid, a branded product with clear labelling is worth it. The device itself doesn't have to be expensive, as long as spare parts are available.

What are the legal and safety rules?

The Tobacco Products Act (TabPG) has been in force since 1 October 2024. E-cigarettes with and without nicotine may only be supplied to people aged 18 and over, including online with age verification.

Everyday safety tips:

Don't fully drain the battery; recharging early extends its life.
Check the battery wrap regularly for cracks and stop using damaged batteries.
Only charge with the supplied or a compatible charger.
Don't carry the device loose in a pocket with coins or keys (risk of short circuit).
Store liquids cool, dark and out of reach of children. If swallowed: Tox Info Suisse 145, in an emergency 144.

Disposal: disposable vapes and batteries contain lithium and must be returned to the point of sale or an e-waste collection point, not put in household waste.

What beginners often underestimate

The biggest mistake is expecting everything to work perfectly right away. The first puffs feel unfamiliar, a liquid may taste odd at first, and a new coil needs a little time. Knowing this, you give your setup a fair chance.

People often buy a complex device too quickly. A simple MTL pod system with auto-draw is unspectacular, but reliable. Read more about nicotine strengths in snus and vapes in the article understanding nicotine strength.