Sub-ohm kits are powerful vaping devices that can generate vast clouds of tasty vapour. Although they are slightly less popular than MTL refillable pod kits, they maintain a dedicated following who prefer the sensation of big cloud production over the moderate vapour and high nicotine strength ordinarily associated with MTL vaping.
Read on for a detailed and informative explanation of what precisely a sub-ohm vape kit is and how it operates.
What is a Sub-Ohm Vape Kit?
“Sub-ohm” refers to the coils used in sub-ohm vape kits. Most vapes use coils with resistances of 1.0Ω and up; these coils require small power output from the vape battery and fight against the charge, resulting in moderate to large vapour production. This is also the reason why sub-ohm vapes are intended for direct-to-lung vaping. For further explanation of different vaping styles, check out our guide on MTL vs DTL vaping.
Compared to other vape types, sub-ohm vape kits use coils with much lower ohmage ratings, often between 0.15Ω – 0.6Ω. These low-resistance coils permit far more power to surge through them, producing a much more considerable amount of vapour. As such, sub-ohm vape kits will allow far greater power output, often in the range of 30W – 100W.
Aside from the huge wattage capacity and more vapour production, this vape type is equipped with multiple modes that are often geared toward experienced vapers.
Does Sub-Ohm Use More Battery?
Sub-ohm vaping uses more battery life due to the increased power output necessitated by sub-ohm coils. As a result, most sub-ohm kit vapes with integrated batteries will often have a capacity ranging between 1500mAh – 3000mAh.
Other sub-ohm advanced vape kits will require external batteries that charge within the mod casing, usually 18650 or 21700 batteries. This need for increased power often results in larger kits than MTL units, and they are usually a bit heavier and trickier to transport as well.
What Is the Best Wattage for a Sub-Ohm Vape?
Due to DTL vape devices’ much more comprehensive range of coil resistances, sub-ohm wattage varies far more than on MTL kits. For the average sub-ohm kit coil, the optimal variable wattage is often in the range of 30W – 55W, though, as mentioned, this varies. We recommend you always check the suggested wattage for any installed coil.
What is the Best Juice Ratio for Sub Ohm Vape Kits?
Sub-ohm kits and their coils require vape juice with a high VG ratio. The baseline VG / PG mix ratio for sub-ohm vape juice is 70 VG / 30 PG, and it’s not uncommon to find higher VG contents in many e-liquids intended for sub-ohm use.
Most (though not all) of the best shortfill e-liquids are intended for sub-ohm vaping. Be sure to check the VG / PG ratio on the product page before purchasing any shortfills for your sub-ohm kit.
What Is the Best Sub-Ohm Vape Kit?
There’s no all-time best-ever sub-ohm vape device, as vaping is a personalised pursuit, with kits and hardware to suit every individual’s needs.
Some enjoy a classic dual-battery mod and tank sub-ohm kit, whereas others prefer the convenience of a portable sub-ohm pod vape with an internal battery and disposable pods.
If you look closely at some of the best sub-ohm vape kits, you’ll find one that meets all your criteria for greatness.
The Best Sub-Ohm Vape Kits Are:
- Vaporesso Target 200 Kit (iTank 2 Edition)
- Eleaf iStick Power Mono
- SMOK RPM C Pod Kit
Vaporesso Target 200 Kit (iTank 2 Edition)
Best Sub-Ohm Vape
9.3/10
Total
Features We Love
Tooth Hurty
230W outputs can generate insane cloud volumes
Skinny Sub-Ohm
Slim and portable for a dual 18650 mod
Button Bliss
Button-release spin-top refill port on the iTank 2
We chose the Vaporesso Target 200 (iTank 2 Edition) as our winning sub-ohm vape kit because it combines everything you want from a direct-to-lung device.
Do you need a long battery life? Dual 18650’s will provide. Like a giant cloud? 230W outputs can fog up any room. Want a casual walkabout kit? It can fit in your pocket. Would you prefer a more in-depth DIY experience? Bypass mode’s got you sorted.
And that’s to say nothing of the tank! The first time you press the release button on the tank and feel the lid spin-off with the force of a switchblade, you’ll fall in love on the spot.
The Vaporesso Target 200 (iTank 2 Edition) Vape Kit has everything. It’s powerful, pretty, and the best DTL vape for you cloud fans.
Pros
- Very powerful 230W max outputs
- Several power modes are available
- Easy to carry around
Cons
- No damage protection rating
- The colour screen may drain the battery somewhat
Price
Shop now
£52.99
Eleaf iStick Power Mono
Best for: Battery Life
9.1/10
Total
Features We Love
Chunky Charge: Massive 3500mAh battery life capacity
Round & Sound: Soft textures and round edges for grip comfort
Hybrid Heaven: GTL Pod Tank is easy to fill and provides excellent taste
Sub-ohm vape kits like the Vaporesso Target 200 above use external cells to provide long life, but we appreciate that many of you find storing, charging and rotating batteries tiresome. For you, we’d recommend the Eleaf iStick Power Mono Kit instead.
You’re not going to have to worry about the 80W output draining your battery when you’re clutching 3500mAh of pure power in your palm. You’ll be surprised, too, because the mod is weirdly lightweight, if a little vast in scale.
The GTL Pod Tank is easy to refill and takes both MTL and DTL coils, though we acknowledge the tapered mouthpiece isn’t ideally suited to huge inhales, and the acrylic pod can shatter if dropped.
But so can glass, and ultimately, if the pod tank is a stopping point for you, then just grab the mod and whack any sub-ohm tank on there instead!
Pros
- Biggest battery life of any vape kit
- Simple 5W – 80W wattage adjustment
- Very comfortable to hold and grip
Cons
- It has a wide design
- The pod tank’s mouthpiece can be restrictive
Price
Shop now
£49.99
SMOK RPM C Pod Kit
Best for: Price
9.1/10
Total
Features We Love
Value Vaping: Very reasonably priced sub-ohm vape kit
Pocket Puffs: Compact build you can take anywhere
Ride the Slide: Easy refills with a simple sliding pod top mechanism
Some of the sub-ohm vape kits in this list are sold for more than £50, and we understand that isn’t a price point everyone can comfortably manage. If you’re on a bit of a budget, kits like the SMOK RPM C allow you to enjoy some fat clouds without breaking the bank.
Priced at only £19.99, the RPM C doesn’t make many sacrifices for the sake of cost. The battery is 1650mAh, larger than on the Geekvape H45 Classic, which costs almost twice as much. Refilling is particularly satisfying with this kit, thanks to the sliding top-fill pods, which are a bit of a staple in SMOK’s more recent RPM devices.
Is it the best sub-ohm vape kit? No. There are no ingress protections, the shaded pod is hard to see through for juice gauging, and the screen is too small for our liking. But for less than £20, it’s the best sub-ohm vape pen and a bargain.
Pros
- Affordably priced sub-ohm vaping pen
- Small and pocket-friendly design
- Easy to refill
Cons
- 1650mAh battery not up to all-day 50W use
- A shaded pod makes juice gauging tricky
Price
Shop now
£19.99
Need More Help
We hope reading this article has given you a better sense of what sub-ohm vape kits are and what makes them distinct from MTL devices. If you’d like to acquire a sub-ohm vape, visit the MIST online store for great deals and free e-liquid with most vape kits.
Check out the MIST Youtube channel for videos on sub-ohm vaping, vape juice, hardware and essential things to know about vaping.
Leave a Reply