Vaping techniques compared: the practical guide

In short: Your draw style affects flavour, vapour volume and nicotine intake more than any device on its own. The three main techniques are Mouth to Lung (MTL), Restricted Direct Lung (RDL) and Direct to Lung (DTL). Draw style, device and e-liquid need to match.

Vaping means inhaling vapour from an electrically heated e-liquid, without burning tobacco. When you compare vaping techniques, you quickly notice that the draw style shapes flavour, nicotine intake and vapour volume more than the choice of device. The three core methods are Mouth to Lung (MTL), Direct to Lung (DTL) and Restricted Direct Lung (RDL). Each suits a different user profile. If you know your draw style, you can choose the right setup and avoid bad purchases.

1. What really makes the difference

At their core, all vaping techniques differ in one point: how directly the vapour reaches the lungs. That sounds like a small detail, but it has a big impact on coil resistance, wattage, choice of e-liquid and the overall vaping experience.

The draw style also determines which nicotine strength makes sense. MTL comes closest to the draw on a cigarette and is therefore common among adult smokers. DTL is about volume and intensity, but requires more experience and a different setup. RDL sits in between.

2. Mouth to Lung (MTL): the classic technique

MTL means: draw the vapour into your mouth first, hold it briefly, then inhale it into your lungs – just as you would draw on a cigarette.

Typical features of an MTL setup:

• Coil resistance above 1.0 Ω
• Power between 8 and 20 W
• Tight airflow
• Low vapour volume per puff
• Freebase nicotine or nicotine salts in higher concentrations

The so-called throat hit, the scratchy feeling in the throat, is particularly pronounced with MTL. Freebase nicotine intensifies this effect. Nicotine salts feel smoother in the throat, even at higher concentrations.

The limit of this technique is vapour volume: MTL does not produce big clouds. An MTL device is also not suitable for DTL draws, because the airflow and coil are not designed for it.

Tip: MTL setups typically use coils between 1.0 and 1.6 Ω. For nicotine strength, choose as low as possible. If you do not smoke, do not start vaping.

3. Direct to Lung (DTL): lots of vapour, intense flavour

DTL is the opposite of MTL. The vapour is drawn straight into the lungs, like a deep breath. More e-liquid is vaporised per puff, producing more vapour and a more intense flavour.

What a DTL setup needs:

• Sub-ohm coils of 0.2–0.5 Ω
• Power from around 30 W, considerably more depending on the device
• Wide-open airflow
• Low nicotine concentrations (3–6 mg/ml)
• E-liquids with a higher VG content for denser vapour

The low nicotine strength is no coincidence: with DTL you inhale much more vapour per puff. High concentrations quickly lead to nausea or dizziness. So-called cloud chasers, who are mainly interested in big clouds, use DTL almost exclusively.

DTL is not suitable as a first draw style. The open airflow and high power feel unfamiliar; coughing or too much nicotine are typical consequences.

4. Restricted Direct Lung (RDL): the middle ground

RDL combines elements of MTL and DTL. The airflow is slightly restricted – not as tight as with MTL, but not as open as with DTL. The result: more vapour than MTL and often a more pronounced flavour than DTL.

Typical RDL values:

• Coil resistance of 0.6–0.8 Ω
• Power around 18–30 W
• Medium nicotine strengths (6–12 mg/ml)
• E-liquids with a balanced PG/VG ratio

RDL suits vapers who want more vapour than with MTL but do not want to go straight to sub-ohm vaping. Many experienced vapers stick with RDL because the technique is flexible in everyday use. You will find an overview of other styles in our list of common vaping styles.

5. Less common techniques

Slow MTL: The vapour stays in the mouth longer before being inhaled very slowly. This emphasises the flavour but produces hardly any visible vapour.

Power vaping: Vaping at very high power with the airflow fully open. It is purely about vapour volume; the nicotine strength must be very low. This technique is not meant for everyday use.

Technique	Airflow	Vapour volume	Nicotine strength	Typical profile
MTL	tight	low	higher (e.g. 12–20 mg/ml)	classic cigarette-like draw
RDL	medium	medium	medium (6–12 mg/ml)	intermediate users
DTL	wide open	high	low (3–6 mg/ml)	experienced users, cloud chasers
Slow MTL	tight	very low	higher	focus on flavour
Power vaping	fully open	very high	very low (< 3 mg/ml)	demonstrations

6. Combining device, e-liquid and nicotine correctly

Technique alone is not enough. Coil, e-liquid and nicotine type have to match. Understanding this combination matters more than an expensive device.

What to consider for your setup:

• Always match coil resistance and power
• Freebase nicotine for MTL, nicotine salts for a smoother MTL or RDL
• E-liquids with a high PG content for more flavour and throat hit
• E-liquids with a high VG content for more vapour with DTL
• Know the differences between e-liquid and pods before you buy

A common mistake when switching technique: the nicotine strength stays the same even though the inhaled volume multiplies. If you switch from MTL to DTL and keep using 12 mg/ml, you take in far too much nicotine per puff. Dizziness and nausea are the result.

A gentle, steady draw of about 3–5 seconds gives the best result on most devices. Drawing too hard can push e-liquid into the mouthpiece.

Tip: Store your device upright and do not blow into the mouthpiece. This prevents leaks and malfunctions.

Knowing the vaping terminology helps you understand product descriptions better. Terms such as airflow, sub-ohm and throat hit are not expert jargon, but practical guidance.

7. Which technique suits which device?

Not every device supports every technique. Pod systems are almost always designed for MTL or RDL; many refillable pods offer adjustable airflow and therefore suit both styles. Disposable vapes are usually set up for MTL. For DTL you generally need a mod with a sub-ohm tank.

If you want to choose the right e-cigarette, decide on your preferred draw style first and then choose the device – not the other way round. A device that does not suit your style is frustrating from the start.

Good to know: since 1 October 2024, Switzerland has levied an e-cigarette tax (CHF 1.00 per ml for disposable e-cigarettes, CHF 0.20 per ml for nicotine-containing e-liquids), and e-cigarettes may only be sold to persons aged 18 and over. More on this in our article on vape tax in Switzerland.

Key takeaways

Topic	Details
MTL	Tight airflow and higher coil resistance – the classic, cigarette-like draw.
RDL as the middle ground	Coils of 0.6–0.8 Ω at 18–30 W deliver good flavour with moderate vapour volume.
DTL requires experience	Sub-ohm coils and low nicotine strengths are a must to avoid nausea.
Adjust nicotine	The more vapour per puff, the lower the nicotine strength.
Think of the setup as a whole	Coil, e-liquid and draw style have to match.

Our assessment

Many vapers are dissatisfied because their device does not suit their draw style – not because the product is bad. Often an expensive device is bought while coil resistance and e-liquid composition are ignored. A simple pod system with the right e-liquid is often a better choice than an expensive mod with the wrong coil.

Sometimes just opening the airflow slightly or adjusting the nicotine strength changes the experience noticeably. If you switch from MTL to RDL or DTL, always reduce the nicotine strength.

Matching products at Snustrend

At Snustrend you will find pod systems, disposable vapes as well as e-liquids and nicotine salt e-liquids in various strengths, including ELF BAR and Aroma King.

FAQ

What is the difference between MTL and DTL?

With MTL, the vapour is first drawn into the mouth and then inhaled. With DTL, the vapour is drawn directly into the lungs, which produces more vapour.

Which technique is most common with pods and disposable vapes?

MTL. Most pod systems and disposable vapes are designed for tight airflow and the classic, cigarette-like draw.

Which nicotine strength suits which technique?

As a guide: around 12–20 mg/ml for MTL, 6–12 mg/ml for RDL and 3–6 mg/ml for DTL. The more vapour you inhale per puff, the lower the nicotine strength should be.

How long should a puff last?

A steady draw of about 3–5 seconds gives the best result on most devices. Drawing too hard can push e-liquid into the mouthpiece.

Can I use the same device for MTL and DTL?

Generally not. MTL devices are designed for higher resistances, while DTL needs sub-ohm coils and considerably more power.

Read more: How disposable vapes work · Vape safety: understanding the risks · Disposable vape bans in the cantons

Note: Nicotine products are for adults aged 18 and over only. Nicotine is addictive.