If you’ve been in the vaping world for a while now, you may have heard the term sub-ohm vaping being used in your local vape shop or seen it online when ordering a refill on your favourite e-liquid flavour. You may be wondering what sub-ohm vaping is and how it differs from regular vaping.
To address this, we’ve put together this guide on everything you need to know about sub-ohm vaping. Keep reading to find out more!
What Is sub-ohm vaping?
The resistance level of a coil affects how much current, or electricity, can pass through it and how hot the coil gets. The lower the coil's resistance, the more electric current can pass through the vape coil. This generates more heat and produces more vapour and flavour.
Sub-ohm vaping is called sub-ohm because it requires a device capable of handling a coil that uses under 1 ohm of resistance. When vaping with a coil under 1 ohm, you allow much more current to pass through the coil, meaning your vape mod will heat your e-liquid to a higher temperature and produce much more vapour.
Sub-ohm vaping is all about higher vapour production and stronger flavour experiences. It can be much more intense than regular vaping, which is why more experienced vapers often prefer it.
What Kit Do You Need for Sub-Ohm Vaping?
If you’re just getting started in the world of sub-ohm vaping, there are some great bits of kit that can help to get you started.
Most sub-ohm kits allow you to vary the power when sub-ohm vaping. There are a few exceptions to this, such as the PockeX Kit from Aspire. It is also important to note your kit will need a battery that can handle the higher power used in sub-ohm vaping.
We have a huge range of sub-ohm kits specifically designed for sub-ohm vaping that, when used with a compatible sub-ohm tank and sub-ohm coil, offer a brilliant vaping experience.
Some of our favourite kits for sub-ohm vaping include:
- Innokin Kroma 217 Kit: a compact but powerful sub-ohm vape device that features adjustable airflow for customisability.
- Voopoo Drag 5 Kit: a fantastic choice, boasting impressive power and a taste that will leave you wanting more.
- Voopoo Argus GT2 Mod: compatible with Voopoo sub-ohm tanks, this kit is fast-charging and features innovative technology for water, dust, and shock resistance.
How to Sub-Ohm Vape
So, you’ve got the kit sorted, so what’s next? Now, you need to learn how to sub-ohm vape.
You need to start your vape mod at the lowest possible power setting. Take a hit and then slowly increase the power each time you take a hit until you get to a level of vapour production you’re happy with.
When you take a hit, remember you’re breathing directly into your lungs rather than with a mouth to lung technique, so you want to inhale as you would breathe in regular air.
It’s important to increase the power gently, bit by bit, rather than turning it all the way up. By getting yourself used to the increased power and amount of vapour, you can allow your coil to ‘break in’. Too much power too fast is likely to burn your coil.
Benefits of Sub-Ohm Vaping
If you’re looking to take the next step in your vaping journey and move on from compact vape pens or basic tank mods, sub-ohm vaping could be for you. Sub-ohm vaping is ideal for people who began vaping as a way to quit smoking but now no longer rely on a hit of nicotine and, instead, vape for the enjoyment of the flavour hit and vapour production.
- Bigger clouds of vapour
Sub-ohm vaping allows you to create much larger vapour clouds than regular vaping. This is because you’ll be able to use more power with your mod, and the thicker wire means more surface area is in contact with the e-liquid-soaked cotton.
Because of the bigger vapour cloud production, most people save their sub-ohm vaping for at home or among other vapers to avoid blowing vapour clouds around the office or out in public.
- A more intense, smoother flavour
As sub-ohm vaping heats the e-liquid to a much higher temperature than regular vaping, it requires a thicker e-liquid.
Glycerine liquids, also known as VG e-liquids, are preferred for sub-ohm vaping as they’re thicker and offer a smoother flavour experience. Most e-liquids come in a mixture of vegetable glycerine and propylene glycol, so for sub-ohm vaping, it’s best to look out for the e-liquids with the highest vegetable glycerine content.
It’s worth noting here that there are also some specific pure vegetable glycerine e-liquids made specifically for sub-ohm vaping to ensure the smoothest throat hit and best flavour experience.
- A deeper lung hit
Regular mouth-to-lung vaping tends to replicate cigarette smoking and is the preferred method for beginners as a way to quit smoking. Because the vapour is held in the mouth before it’s inhaled, the hit on the lungs isn’t so intense.
But, with sub-ohm vaping, where the inhalation is direct to the lung, the hit is a lot stronger. When you sub-ohm vape, you breathe the vapour directly into your lungs, which gives a much more powerful sensation.
Drawbacks of Sub-Ohm Vaping
Although sub-ohm vaping is fun and offers a more intense experience, it’s important to ensure that you are doing it safely and that you’re aware of how it can affect your vape and vaping experience. A few things to keep in mind about sub-ohm vaping include:
1. Battery Usage
Using a sub-ohm device at high wattages tends to reduce the battery life quite quickly. So, be sure to carry some spare charged batteries around in a protective case! This will ensure you never have to go without vaping.
For more on batteries, be sure to learn about vape battery safety.
2. Higher Juice Usage
The larger vapour clouds created by sub-ohm vaping require more e-liquid than regular mouth-to-lung vaping. Sub-ohm vaping may not be the right choice for you if you are looking to save money!
3. Sub-ohm vaping is not subtle
Any vapers trying to go unnoticed should not opt for sub-ohm vaping – this style of vaping produces large, thick clouds, which can be off-putting for those around you. For the discrete vaper, stick to mouth-to-lung vaping, which offers a much more subtle look when out and about.
Have a Question about Sub-Ohm Vaping?
If you want to know more about sub-ohm vaping, or if you have any questions about what kit you need to start sub-ohm vaping, get in touch with one of our vaping experts, and they’ll be more than happy to help out.
Additionally, for more vaping insights, be sure to take a look at our blog.