What's the Difference Between Low and Higher Resistance Coils?

When you first start vaping, getting to grips with your device and the sheer range of e-liquids can be confusing. One aspect of vaping that never fails to be a head-scratcher is coils and the different resistance levels.

What's the difference between low and higher resistance coils? It is a common question that many vapers ask themselves. There are some important factors to consider before choosing which type of coil you should be using, but it generally comes down to your vaping preference.

In this blog post, we'll look at the differences between high and low resistance coils, so you can decide which is best for your needs.

What Exactly Is a Coil?

Before we delve into the differences between high and low resistance coils, let's take a quick look at what coils are.

A coil is made up of wire that is wrapped around a core. This wire is then heated by an electrical current, which vaporises the e-liquid in contact with it. The more wraps the coil has, the higher the resistance level.

Most standard coils use Kanthal or Nichrome, but some advanced vapers prefer to build their own coils and use different wire types.

All coils come with wicking material, which helps absorb the e-liquid and transport it to the coil. This material is usually made from cotton, but some manufacturers use synthetic materials.

Why Do I Need a Vape Coil?

An e-cigarette without a coil is like a traditional cigarette without a lighter. The coil is responsible for heating e-liquid and turning it into a vapour, so without it, you'd have - well - basically, nothing.

Coil resistance depends on numerous factors, but the most important is the type of wire, gauge, and wraps. If you're a vaper, you'll notice that each coil has an Ohm rating, which is central to determining which resistance you need.

The Ohmmeter refers to how resistant the coil is, and while this sounds incredibly complicated, you don't need a Science degree to figure it out.

You won't have any issues if you know which resistance you require for your chosen device, vaping style and e-liquid. So, let's look at both high resistance and low resistance coils in more detail.

What Are High Resistance Coils?

High resistance coils are more common than their low resistance alternatives and are best for standard vaping. If you buy an e-cigarette starter kit, the coils included will most likely be of high resistance.

High resistance coils have a higher wattage limit, meaning that you can vape at a higher voltage without causing any damage to the coil. They also last longer than low resistance coils and are less likely to produce dry hits.

The main downside of high resistance coils is that they don't produce as much vapour, which has led to the rise of sub-ohm vaping. However, high resistance coils are ideal for new vapers and those who prefer a more traditional vape style over cloud chasing.

Pros:

• Ideal for starters
• Long-lasting

Cons:

• Fewer clouds
• Not ideal for people that prefer high VG liquids

What Are Low Resistance Coils?

You can probably guess from their name that low resistance coils have a lower Ohm rating than their high resistance counterparts. If you're an existing vaper who's used to standard vaping, then low resistance coils will be perfect for your needs.

Low resistance coils can also be used with temperature control devices, which is one of the main reasons why they're so popular among newer vapers.

The downside to low resistance coils is that their wattage limit tends to be lower than high resistance ones, meaning you'll need to use a device that can handle high wattages. They also have a shorter lifespan and are more likely to produce dry hits.

Pros:

• Highly customisable
• Huge clouds

Cons:

• Less flexibility with devices
• Will run out quicker

Which Type of Coil Is Right for Me?

As we've mentioned, the type of coil you need depends on your vaping style and preferences. If you're not sure which one is right for you, then you might want to experiment until you find the right one.

If you're a new vaper who wants something easy to use and similar to traditional smoking, then high resistance coils are your best bet. On the other hand, if you prefer cloud-chasing or sub-ohm vaping, low resistance coils will be ideal for your needs.

Which Sub Ohm Vape Kit Is Best?

If you'd like to try sub-ohm vaping, it's best to get a kit that will deliver the best user experience. While many devices are available, we feel the best sub-ohm vape kit comes from vaping giant Aspire.

The PockeX is designed to be lightweight and compact while delivering vast vapour clouds for those of you who love doing tricks. While there are more advanced sub-ohm kits out there, it's best to stick to something simple before you advance to building your own coils and customising your experience.

What About E-Liquid?

As we've mentioned before, the type of coil you need is also influenced by your e-liquid. If your liquid doesn't have much nicotine in it or if you're using a high VG blend, then low resistance coils are best for delivering huge clouds without burning out too quickly.

Some people might find high PG e-liquid too harsh, and in rare cases, it can create an allergic reaction. If this happens, it's best to switch to a high VG e-liquid, but remember that you'll need to change your vape kit and coils too.

Final Thoughts

Vaping might seem complicated, but it's pretty simple once you get the hang of it. The important thing to remember is that e-cigarettes are a much safer choice than traditional smoking because there's no tar or carbon monoxide.

While e-liquids do contain some chemicals, they're nowhere near as dangerous as those found in cigarettes. With so many people switching to vaping as a healthier alternative to smoking, you can finally kick that habit and enjoy sampling the many e-liquid flavours and strengths available.