What Is Sub Ohm Vaping? A Simple Beginner’s Guide

If you’re relatively new to vaping, “sub ohm” may not be a familiar term to you. Maybe you’ve seen the massive clouds some kits are able to produce and wondered, “Why can’t my vape do that?” This guide breaks down sub-ohm vaping in plain & simple terms, so you can decide if it’s right for you.

What is Sub Ohm Vaping? A Simple Explanation

Technically, sub ohm vaping means using a vape coil with electrical resistance below 1.0 ohm. However, this definition is slightly outdated, as most would not consider 0.8 ohm coils ideal for high-VG DTL vaping.

Low resistance lets your device push more power through the coil, heating it faster and hotter. The result? Massive clouds of vapour that regular vaping can’t match.

Think of it like this: regular MTL (mouth-to-lung) vaping is like drinking through a straw, where you draw the vapour in with an expanding mouth vacuum. DTL (direct-to-lung) vaping, comparatively, is more like using an inhaler. There’s no ‘stopover’ in the mouth; it’s a direct route to the lung.

While that might sound harsh and intense, the high-VG, low-strength e-liquids used in sub-ohm vaping are FAR smoother on the throat.

Why Sub Ohm? Three Key Benefits Explained

1. Maximum Vapour Production – Sub ohm vaping produces dense, billowing clouds that can fill a room. For many vapers, cloud chasing becomes a hobby in itself.
2. Smoother Inhales – Most vapers agree that, due to the VG content and low nic strengths, sub-ohm vaping is – bizarrely! – a gentler experience on the chest.
3. Juice Value – While this is changing gradually over time to include MTL vapers, DTL vapers tend to have better shortfill deals on offer.

The Essential Gear: Sub-Ohm Tanks, Coils, and Mods

Sub Ohm Coils

Sub-ohm coils have resistance ratings like 0.5, 0.3, or 0.15 ohms. They’re built with thicker wire and larger wicking ports to handle high power without burning.

Sub Ohm Tanks

These sub-ohm tanks feature wide airflow slots and bigger juice channels. The extra airflow cools the large volume of vapour, while the larger channels feed thick e-liquid to the power-hungry coils.

High-Power Mods

You need a regulated mod that can safely deliver 40 watts or more. Look for devices with temperature control and other safety features. Popular choices range from compact 80W mods to powerful 200W+ devices.

Choosing the Right E-Liquid and Nicotine Level

Use High-VG E-Liquid

Choose e-liquids with at least 70% Vegetable Glycerin (VG). The thick consistency produces dense clouds and smooths out the DTL inhale. Thinner 50/50 liquids can feel harsh and may leak through sub-ohm tanks designed to hold thicker liquids.

Need more info about high VG e-liquids? We have a comprehensive What Is a High VG E-liquid? guide.

Use Very Low Nicotine

Because you’re inhaling so much vapour, nicotine hits harder in sub-ohm setups. Start with 3mg nicotine – even former heavy smokers rarely need more than 6mg. Higher strengths can burn your throat and make you feel sick.

Sub Ohm Vaping Chart Nicotine Guide

Vaping Style	Recommended Nicotine	E-Liquid Type	For Users Who…
Sub Ohm (DTL)	0mg – 6mg	High VG (70/30+)	Prioritise cloud production
Standard (MTL)	6mg – 20mg+	50/50 or Nic Salts	Need a cigarette-like feel and concentrated flavour

Crucial Sub-Ohm Vaping Safety Rules

Use Regulated Mods ONLY

Stick to mods with safety chips that prevent overheating, short circuits, and battery problems. Unregulated ‘mechanical mods’, which lack safety protections, are more volatile, and are rarely available from UK retailers.

Check Your Batteries

Buy batteries from Sony, Molicel, Samsung or other reputable battery manufacturers – never rewrapped generics. Replace any battery with a torn wrapper, dent, or signs of damage immediately. A damaged battery can vent or explode. Take note: DO NOT TAKE RISKS with damaged batteries. They are inexpensive and widely available.

Prime New Coils

Before using a new coil, drip e-liquid directly onto the cotton until it’s saturated. Let it soak for 10 minutes. Skip this step, and you’ll get a horrible burnt taste that ruins the coil. Priming your coils can also prevent a bland vape.

Recommended Sub-Ohm Kits for Beginners

Ready to jump into the world of sub-ohm vaping? Here are our top three sub-ohm kit recommendations: Need more options? You can read our best sub-ohm vape review.

Is Sub Ohm Vaping for You?

Sub-ohm vaping offers an intense experience with massive clouds and rich flavour. It’s perfect if you want to explore what vaping can really do beyond just replacing cigarettes. That said, it’s not for everyone.

If you need high nicotine to stay off cigarettes, want something discreet for work, or prefer the familiar throat hit of smoking, stick with Mouth-To-Lung vaping. Sub-ohm vaping requires more e-liquid, drains batteries faster, and produces clouds that might annoy people around you.

Ready to try it? Start with a beginner-friendly kit, grab some 3mg or nicotine-free high-VG e-liquid, and remember the safety rules. Take your time learning the DTL inhale – it feels strange at first but becomes natural quickly. Most importantly, enjoy exploring this new side of vaping!