Revisiting a Classic Coil Debate: Tank Coils vs. Pod Cartridge Coils

If you’ve been a sub-ohm vaper for a while, you’re used to the fact that selecting the right coil for your device is just as important as finding the best-tasting e-liquid or the most powerful mod. On the flip side, when it pertains to pod-based vaping, the variety of coil designs that you’re used to just doesn’t exist.

Because of the nature of salt nic e-liquid, most pod systems are a little stricter than sub-ohm devices. In order for the e-liquid to properly vaporize, your coil’s resistance level must stay within a fairly small range. This means that you can’t really experiment with different coil builds like you can when you’re using a sub-ohm tank or an RDA.

What are the Main Differences Between Tank Coils and Pod Cartridge Coils?

Yes, pod cartridge coils and tank coils are dramatically different from each other in basically every way. As you’ll see, they each have different properties that promote two totally different vaping experiences.

Resistance Level

While vape tank coils tend to have resistance levels below one ohm, pod cartridge coils are often 1.2 ohms or higher. This is because of the fact that salt nic vape juice must be used with a mouth-to-lung device. A higher resistance level and a lower wattage level help preserve the integrity of the salt-based nicotine, allowing the e-liquid to be turned into smooth, satisfying vapor.

Size

If you’ve recently gotten a pod system, you may have struggled to locate the coil. Pod cartridge coils are extremely small. That’s because they don’t require a huge amount of e-liquid in order to create vapor. Sub-ohm coils, on the other hand, need to have enormous wicks in order to absorb a lot of vape juice at once.

Material

If you’ve been using sub-ohm coils with a conventional mod, you know that organic Japanese cotton is a must if you want to experience smooth, clean flavor and massive clouds. Surprisingly to many, pod cartridge coils typically don’t contain a cotton wick. That’s because cotton is so absorbent that it can cause the pod cartridge to flood. Pod mods are low-wattage devices that don’t require that their coils stay extremely saturated with vape juice. Therefore, they tend to have wicks that are made from synthetic fibers. This material absorbs just enough e-liquid to turn each hit into a satisfying experience.

Purpose

Many people who prefer sub-ohm devices are cloud chasers who crave abundant, thick vapor and high wattage levels. Pod systems are designed for people who want to experience a good throat hit and a nice nicotine buzz.

Sub-ohm coils are made to accommodate the needs of those who want to chase clouds. They’re specially designed to absorb a massive amount of e-liquid so that each hit produces a ton of vapor. Pod cartridge coils take in a small amount of e-liquid since the vaper wants a nice hit to the throat more than anything else.

Longevity

Because sub-ohm coils are heated to such high temperatures, they tend to die out pretty quickly. The average heavy vaper will go through one sub-ohm coil every two weeks. Because pod cartridge coils are exposed to lower wattage levels, they tend to last for long periods of time. Many vapers can go a month or so before it’s time to invest in a new cartridge.

Bottom Line: As you can see, pod cartridge coils and sub-ohm coils are extremely different in every way. And, if you’re new to pod vaping, it’s crucial that you understand how pod cartridge coils differ from the coils that you’re used to.