If you are new to vaping, you may be wondering what wattage should I vape at? Many vapers have preferences when it comes to this, but there is no right answer. Different people will prefer different levels of power for the vapor that they produce. However, here are some things that can help guide your decision on what wattage to vape at!
Table of Contents
What Does Wattage Mean?
Wattage means the power output of your vape mod. When you vape, the wattage that your mod delivers is what heats up your coils. The higher the wattage, the hotter it gets. This heat vaporizes e-juice to create clouds of delicious smoke!
How Does Wattage Affect Your Vaping Device?
Wattage is a significant component in the taste, vapor production, and throat hit of your e-liquid; all of these variables must be considered when optimizing your vape experience [1].
The wattage of your device also determines the length of time your coils will last. If you vape at a higher wattage, your coils will heat up more and therefore wear down faster [source]. It is important to find the sweet spot for your device; too high or low of wattage can produce an unsatisfactory vaping experience.
To figure out what wattage you should be vaping at, start by considering the type of device you are using. Sub-ohm tanks and coils require more power than traditional ciga-likes or vape pens. If you are using a sub-ohm tank, it is best to start at around 30 watts and work your way up from there. If you are using a standard device with higher resistance coils, start around 15 watts and adjust as needed. Be sure to read your device’s manual for specific instructions on how to set the wattage.
Wattage: Pod Systems vs Box Mods
Box mods, on the other hand, may have wattages ranging from 10 to 200 watts. The majority of pod systems and box mods operate at different maximum wattage ranges. Today’s pod systems typically range between 25 and 100 watts, with some specialized systems going higher to accommodate sub-ohm vaping as an advanced function.
Meanwhile, today’s box mods may deliver up to 230 watts, which is remarkable in itself and emphasizes the creativity of vape hardware manufacturers [2].
For beginners, it is recommended that you start with a sub-ohm tank if your device can support one. Sub-ohms are more forgiving for less experienced vapers. If you want to keep things simple and use an advanced box mod right away, make sure the maximum output of the unit does not exceed 100 watts or 230 watts (if applicable).
What Determines the Ideal Wattage Level for Vaping:
1) Coil Resistance
When you look at a coil and read its resistance, it is important to remember that the actual amount of voltage applied to the device will be less than what is shown on your e-cigarette’s screen.
The reason for this discrepancy has to do with Ohm’s Law. However, we won’t get into all of that here. When you know how much “less” voltage will actually reach your atomizer or cartomizer, then you can adjust accordingly in order to achieve an optimal output.
Remember, when vaping an atomizer above its recommended range, not only could damage occur but also vape juice flavor suffers greatly due to dry hits. For example, if a 0.25-ohm coil were set to fire at its maximum wattage range of 75 watts, it would receive only 60 watts of actual power [3].
2) E-Liquid Type
The thickness of the e-liquid can affect your atomizer’s coil and wicking material. A juice that is too thick may not flow through fast enough to prevent it from getting “saturated”, which is when a dry hit occurs if you don’t vape for a few minutes.
On the other hand, vaping with an overly thin liquid produces harsh hits due to burn-off (vaporized juice). If there isn’t enough fluid in the chamber at any given time, then vapor will be completely nonexistent or very underwhelming.
Additionally, thinner juices tend to gunk up coils faster than thicker ones do. However, this tends only to occur in re-buildable devices rather than prebuilt units because the atomizer heads tend to be replaced more regularly in the latter.
3) Flavor Preferences
How much you vape also determines the wattage level needed to reach your ideal taste.
Let’s imagine you like a flavor very strong; in order for it not to be underwhelming, then vaping at 80 watts would produce enough heat and vapor production so that the sweetness of the juice could come through without any muted tastes or dry hits taking place.
Conversely, if you prefer subtle flavors but don’t want them too weak or lacking presence, then 40 watts might work best because this is where low-wattage devices tend to excel with producing satisfying light draws.
4) Temperature Control Vaping
Temperature control mode does not rely on Ohm’s Law as standard power settings do (it uses resistance levels rather than voltage).
However, many vapers still prefer using wattage mode for battery life and coil lifespan reasons. It is important to note that the maximum temperature in TC vaping occurs at a higher setting than when you use standard power settings (it can reach up to 600°F).
So if your mod has an output range of 200-600 watts but you usually vape around 400 or 500, then it would be best not to try to push all of those numbers because the extra heat could damage your materials over time. This rule applies even more so with re-buildable devices. However, they are meant for experimenting more on different coils and wicking setups anyway which is why this type isn’t recommended for beginners who want to stay on the safe side.
5) Your Vaping Preferences
In the end, it all comes down to what you are vaping and how you like it. With experience, vapers eventually learn which wattages work best for them in terms of flavor and vapor production.
How much vapor do you want to breathe in each puff? How sensitive are you to strong puffs of vapor that may be harsh? What role does the size of the cloud play in your vaping experience? All of these aspects influence your wattage requirement [4]. There is no “right” or “wrong” answer; it’s up to you to find that sweet spot!
What Can Happen if Your Wattage is Too High?
These are unpleasant tasting and can be quite harsh on your throat. It’s important to find the right wattage for your device so that you can enjoy your vaping experience without any problems!
How to Find the Perfect Vaping Wattage?
1) Check the coil’s compatibility with your device:
- If it’s a sub-ohm coil (less than one Ohm), you should vape at above 40 Watts and not more than 60 Watts [5];
- If it’s an MTL (mouth to lung) coil, the vaping wattage is around 15-20 Watts for beginners. As time goes by, you can increase this number depending on how much vapor you want to inhale instead of mouth to lung draw which simulates the tobacco smoking experience;
Another way of finding out what range would be perfect for your coils is checking online forums or asking other vapers who have the same mod as yours about their experiences with certain types of e-liquids and they are using.
2) Start low and slow
It’s usually best to start with the lowest wattage setting and work your way up in small increments until you’ve found your sweet spot. You won’t damage your coil this way. In fact, you might even prolong the life of your coil by vaping at a lower wattage.
When increasing the wattage, start with just a small increase and then wait a minute or two to see how the vape feels. If it’s too warm or harsh, reduce the wattage back down until you find a level that’s comfortable for you.
Finding the right wattage is all about trial and error, so don’t get discouraged if it takes some time to figure out what works best for you. Just keep experimenting until you hit on that perfect combination.
How Much Wattage To Vape:
1. If you want more or less vapor
If you want to make thicker and warmer vapor from your e-liquid, consider increasing the wattage. Before you do this, be sure to check your vape device for the highest suggested watt range; it may be printed on the coil. If you use too much wattage, your coil may burn out and have to be replaced.
If you want to make cooler and less dense vapor from your e-liquid, consider decreasing the wattage. Before you do this, be sure to check your vape device for the lowest suggested watt range; it may be printed on the coil. If you use too little wattage, there won’t be enough power to create a satisfying cloud of steam or flavor.
Wattage is the measure of electrical power supplied to the coil. Higher wattage means more power goes to the coil. The higher the power, the hotter and larger the clouds of vapor produced by your vape — ideal for creating tricks like smoke rings. However, if you simply decrease the wattage, you’ll get colder vapor clouds instead.
Despite this, keep in mind that more e-liquid is required to produce more vapor. As a result, if you’re vaping at around 40 to 50 watts, you’ll probably use 10ml of e-liquid every day [6].
2. If you want a stronger or smoother flavor
If you want a stronger flavor from your e-liquid, consider increasing the wattage. This will heat up the coil more and cause the liquid to evaporate at a faster rate. The trade-off is that this also creates harsher vapor.
If you want a smoother flavor from your e-liquid, consider decreasing the wattage. This will heat up the coil less and cause the liquid to evaporate at a slower rate. The trade-off is that this also creates weaker vapor.
In general, if you increase or decrease the wattage by more than 5 watts, you’ll start to see a significant difference in how your device vapes.
3. If you want more or less throat hit
If you want a throat-wrecking hit, increase your wattage to the highest level. When the coil is operated at a higher wattage, it generates more vapor and delivers a more conventional cigarette sensation to the throat — ideal for people who are trying to quit smoking.
However, if you want to get the most out of your vape, consider lowering the wattage on your device.
Keep in mind that, just like with any other battery-operated device, the lifespan of your battery will be shorter if you use it at the highest wattage setting all the time.
4. Sub-ohm vaping – big vapor clouds & more taste
With sub-ohm vaping, the ideal wattage settings for a given device will be stated. A 0.4-ohm mod might recommend a setting of 23 to 28 watts, while a 0.8-ohm mod may recommend using up to 35 watts. Some recommendations can reach extremely high numbers (e.g., 200 watts).
The reason for this is that, when the resistance of the coil is lowered (sub-ohm vaping), more wattage is needed to reach equilibrium. This will then heat up the coil and the e-liquid much faster, producing a larger quantity of vapor in a shorter amount of time.
However, it’s important to note that sub-ohm vaping requires significantly more power and can quickly drain your battery if you’re not using an external charger. In addition, sub-ohm tanks usually require different coils than those used for standard vaping, so make sure you have the right equipment before attempting these high settings.
The best sub-ohm equipment works with a high VG vape juice (e.g., a VG/PG ratio of 70/30). A higher VG ratio generates larger vapor clouds and richer tastes than does a high PG ratio, which emphasizes throat hits [7].
5. E-liquid devices over 1 ohm
Vapers with more expertise enjoy the more personal throat hit of vaping over the social aspect of sweet fragrances and thick clouds.
High PG ratios (e.g., a 70/30 PG/VG ratio) indicate e-liquids that produce a stronger impact with less focus on taste intensity and vapor clouds.
You will see the wattage setting recommended in the device’s product information. For example, you could discover that a 1.6-ohm coil requires 12 watts. Higher-ohm coils are meant to vaporize e-liquid at a lower temperature because hotter temperatures that generate thicker vapors are not necessary.
6. The optimum nicotine hit
Vaping with nicotine is more sensitive than vaping without any nicotine. Keep in mind that, as you reduce the amount of e-juice (e.g., by using a PG ratio of 100/0), your throat hit will be stronger and so too will the vapor clouds produced.
Some companies sell pre-mixed high VG juice to satisfy vapers who want an intense taste experience without having to figure out all of these numbers themselves.
FAQ
1. What is a good wattage to vape at for beginners?
If you’re just starting out with vaping, a low wattage of 7 watts is ideal. As you get more experienced, increase your wattage to at least 12 watts [8].
2. Is it bad to vape at low wattage?
No, it’s not bad to vape at low wattage. In fact, many people prefer to start out at a lower wattage in order to get used to the sensation of vaping before moving up to higher wattages.
Remember that using a lower wattage will also produce less vapor and therefore may be ideal for people who are trying to quit smoking.
Keep in mind that using a lower wattage can also extend the life of your battery.
3. What voltage and wattage should I vape at?
With sub-ohm vaping, the ideal wattage settings for a given device will be stated. A 0.40-ohm mod might recommend using up to 28 watts, while a 0.80-ohm mod may recommend as much as 35 watts [9].
The reason for this is that lower resistance coils require more power and larger vapor clouds in order to heat them up fast enough to produce an enjoyable vape experience with less delay from inhaling it.
However, keep in mind that sub-ohm vaping requires significantly more power and can quickly drain your battery if you’re not using an external charger. In addition, sub-ohming usually requires different coils than those used by standard vaping so make sure you have the right equipment before attempting these high settings.
4. What vape wattage has the best flavor?
Vaping with a high PG ratio (e.g., 70/30) usually results in more intense flavor and less vapor production.
For example, you could discover that a 100% VG e-liquid produces much larger clouds than does one containing only 30%. This is because the higher PG ratios generate stronger throat hits and smaller vapors.
5. What wattage should I vape at 0.16 ohm?
The 0.16-ohm coils should be used with a wattage range of 25 to 50 watts, with the optimum wattage set at 40 watts. These coils are built for sub-ohm/direct to lung (DTL) vaping and produce bigger clouds and richer tastes [10].
6. What setting should my vape be on?
Your vape’s wattage should be set to the same as the recommended wattage for your coil. For example, if you have a 0.50-ohm coil, your wattage setting should be between 25 and 50 watts. If you’re using a sub-ohm coil (0.40 ohm or below), increase the wattage to 28 watts or more.
Remember that not all devices are compatible with every type of coil, so make sure you know what kind of coils your device uses before making any changes to the wattage settings.
7. What wattage should you vape NIC salts at?
Make adjustments in 5W increments until you achieve a workable vape. If it’s at 15W, that’s it; if it’s at 20W, that’s it [11].
8. Should my vape crackle?
No, your vape should not crackle. If it is making a loud popping noise, you may be using too high of wattage or the wrong type of coil for your device. Reduce the wattage setting until the popping stops.
9. Does higher wattage burn coils faster?
No, higher wattage does not burn coils faster. In fact, using a lower wattage can actually extend the life of your coil.
Remember to always check the manufacturer’s recommended wattage range for each coil and never exceed it. Doing so may damage your device or cause unsafe conditions.
Useful Video: What Wattage Should I Vape At?
References:
1. https://www.wotofo.com/blogs/vape-guide/what-wattage-should-i-vape-at
2. https://thevapemall.com/blog/should-you-always-vape-at-max-wattage-level/
3. https://www.88vape.com/blogs/news/what-wattage-should-i-vape-at
4. https://thevapemall.com/blog/should-you-always-vape-at-max-wattage-level/
5. https://thevapemall.com/blog/should-you-always-vape-at-max-wattage-level/
6. https://www.vapourcore.com/blog/how-do-you-know-what-wattage-to-vape-at.html
7. https://www.88vape.com/blogs/news/what-wattage-should-i-vape-at
8. https://breazy.com/blogs/education/what-wattage-to-vape
9. https://openvapeshop.com/blogs/news/variable-voltage-vape-battery-guide
10. https://www.vapourdays.co.uk/vape-coils/smok-coils/smok-rpm2-mesh-0-16ohm-0-6ohm-replacement-coils-single-coils-and-packs
11. https://www.reddit.com/r/electronic_cigarette/comments/9a65i3/what_wattage_to_vape_nic_salts_at/
