The are so many vaping options available at the moment, which can become overwhelming and make it difficult to decide which vape is best for you.
If you’ve ever heard about MTL or DTL but don’t know what they mean and what the difference is between them, we explain it in this blog. We cover how each vaping style works, its pros and cons and how to decide which one is best for you.
MTL (Mouth-to-Lung) and DTL (Direct-to-Lung) are two different vaping styles. Understanding the difference will help you pick the right vape kit, coils, and e-liquids for you.
What Is MTL Vaping?
MTL stands for Mouth-to-Lung vaping. With this vaping style, you draw vapour into your mouth first, pause briefly, then inhale it into your lungs. It’s the same method people use when smoking a cigarette.
Who Uses MTL?
MTL vaping is one of the most popular ways to vape, especially for beginners or individuals who used to smoke. MTL gives throat hit without producing large clouds, and it also gives you more control.
Best E-Liquid, Nicotine and PG/VG Ratios for MTL
MTL kits work best with 50/50 e-liquids or nicotine salts. A higher PG level increases the flavour and gives a stronger throat hit. Most MTL devices work best with 12 mg and 20 mg nicotine strengths. Another reason why people choose MTL setups is that they use less e-liquid, which makes them cheaper for people who vape daily.
Pros and Cons of MTL
Pros:
-
Gives you a similar feel to smoking
If you are someone who wants to quit smoking or is transitioning from smoking to vaping, this is the best vaping method. Because it’s so similar to smoking cigarettes, it makes the process easier.
-
Uses less e-liquid
For people who like to vape daily and use a lot of vape juice, this is a huge advantage, as MTL is significantly cheaper because the vaporisation rate is slower. This way, your juice bottles last longer.
-
Gives a stronger flavour
Because MTL vaping keeps the vapour in your mouth for several seconds, your taste buds get more time to pick up the flavour.
-
Works well with higher nicotine levels
Since MTL vaping pairs well with nicotine salts, it gives you a higher nicotine strength, even if there’s a smaller amount of vapour.
-
Smaller and more discreet vapour clouds
The vape clouds created by MTL devices are much smaller and lighter. This is an advantage for people who often vape in public or want to be considerate of others. Even if the vapours are smaller, because of the high nicotine levels, you still get a strong throat hit.
Cons:
-
Smaller vapours
On the other side, for people who like dense vape clouds and enjoy blowing them because of how cool they look, MTL might not be the right choice.
-
Less powerful hit compared to DTL
MTL vaping gives a softer and more controlled inhale. You can still get a good throat hit, especially if you decide to have a higher nicotine strength, but some people believe that MTL vaping is weaker than DTL.
What Is DTL Vaping?
DTL stands for Direct-to-Lung. With DTL, you inhale vapour straight into your lungs in one slow and continuous breath, without holding it in your mouth.
Who Uses DTL
DTL vaping is used by experienced vapers who enjoy getting large clouds and like a more intense experience.
Best E-Liquid, Nicotine and PG/VG Ratios for DTL
DTL kits have a better performance with high-VG e-liquids (70VG/30PG or higher). VG produces thicker clouds and smoother vapour. To prevent harsh throat hits, it’s best to keep the nicotine levels low (3 mg to 6 mg). DTL vaping uses more e-liquid, which makes you have to refill your tank more regularly.
You can find good options in your high VG e-liquids and shortfill e-liquid categories. You can also add low-strength nicotine with nicotine shots.
Airflow, Coils and Device Specs
DTL vaping needs open airflow and sub-ohm coils (below 1.0 ohm). The best devices for DTL are sub-ohm vape kits, box mods, and tanks with adjustable wattage, which give more control and intensity.
Pros and Cons of DTL
Pros:
-
Creates denser and bigger vapour clouds
One of the main reasons why people like DTL, it’s because it creates big and thick clouds, which creates a nice vaping experience and looks impressive.
-
Stronger flavour
DTL devices can provide a stronger flavour because of the larger amount of vapour and airflow.
-
Customisable settings
Cons:
-
Uses more e-liquid
Contrary to MTL devices, DTL vaping uses more e-liquid and can become more expensive in the long term. People often mention that their e-liquid bottles don’t last as long and need to be refilled more frequently.
-
Requires more battery power
DTL vaping requires higher wattage, which can drain your battery quicker. Since these devices use more powerful coils to get larger clouds, you might have to recharge your battery more often.
-
Not suitable for high nicotine levels
DTL vaping can feel a bit harsher, and since it works best with low-nicotine e-liquids, if you use high-nicotine juice, it can be too overwhelming. DTL setups are more about flavour and cloud production than nicotine strength.
-
Needs coil maintenance
For DTL devices, there is a higher chance of the coils burning prematurely, so you have to constantly check the e-liquid level and refill it on time.
How to Choose The Best Vaping Style For You
To pick the right vaping style for you, think about:
-
Your Vaping Experience Level
-
Your Nicotine Needs
-
The Flavour Strength and Amount of Clouds You Want to Create
-
Your Budget and E-Liquid Costs
-
How Easy It Is to Use
-
The Flexibility the Device Gives You
MTL vs DTL FAQs
Can I change between MTL and DTL?
Yes, you can, but not all devices allow it. Some vapers switch between MTL and DTL so they can experience both vaping styles, but in order to do so, you’d have to change your coil, airflow, and e-liquid type. There are some hybrid devices that let you adjust the settings easily.
Is it better to vape in your mouth or lungs?
It depends on your vaping style and preferences. MTL (mouth-to-lung) is more similar to smoking and has a stronger throat hit, but DTL (direct-to-lung) makes bigger clouds and has a smoother inhale.
Is MTL or DTL better for throat hit?
MTL vaping gives a stronger throat hit because it uses higher nicotine levels. DTL vaping feels smoother and softer as it focuses more on flavour and cloud production rather than throat sensation.
Is direct-to-lung vaping worse?
Not necessarily, it’s just a different vaping style. Direct-to-Lung vaping isn’t worse, but it uses more e-liquid and makes bigger clouds, which can feel a bit intense if you’re used to MTL or higher levels of nicotine.
