One of the main selling points of any vape
mod
is its wattage capabilities – mainly, how high of a wattage the device
supports. Naturally, there are plenty of
benefits to vaping at a high wattage: bigger clouds, more vapor and stronger
flavor, to name a few. But, does that
mean that the highest wattage setting is always the best way to go? Not necessarily, as you’re about to learn.
Wattage: Pod Systems vs Box Mods
As we know, pod systems and box mods operate at
different general wattage ranges. Pod
systems of today tend to hover around 25 watts max, with some specialized
systems going higher to accommodate sub-ohm vaping as an advanced feature. Meanwhile, today’s box mods can reach up to
230 watts, which is nothing short of astonishing, and a true accomplishment
that speaks to the innovation of vape hardware companies.
The reason why there’s such a big difference in
wattage between these two types of devices is because they’re for two entirely
different styles of vaping.
- -Box mods are great for sub-ohm vaping,
which is also direct-lung vaping – the vapor is inhaled directly into the
lungs, allowing for larger clouds. Basically,
a higher wattage is needed to produce the right amount of vapor. - -Pod systems are less about lots of vapor,
and more about a satisfying nicotine hit – that’s why they’re made for
mouth-to-lung vaping, which introduces a smaller amount of vapor into the mouth
before it’s inhaled. This means lower
wattage levels are necessary.
What Determines the Ideal Wattage Level for Vaping?
Determining the
right wattage for your vaping session relies on many individual factors
pertaining to both your setup and what it is that you want out of a vaping
experience.
Coil
The coil that you’re using has the biggest role in the
wattage you should be vaping at. The
coil’s resistance level and the wattage of your device share an important
relationship. The higher your wattage is
set at; the lower your coil’s resistance level must be in order to properly
convert liquid into vapor given the power supply that it’s being given.
E-Liquid Type
Higher VG e-liquids
are better suited for higher wattage levels, because vegetable glycerin adds
viscosity to your e-liquid which makes it harder to vaporize unless it’s being heated
at a higher temperature. If you’re
vaping an e-liquid with at least a 70/30 VG/PG ratio, you’re going to want to
start looking at a higher wattage range.
Flavor
Wattage for sure can impact flavor, as higher wattages
can produce a stronger flavor. That
can be a good or bad thing depending on your tastes and the flavor of the
e-liquid itself. E-liquid flavor
profiles that contain a lot of sweetener, or artificial-tasting ingredients,
may become less enjoyable to the palate at high wattage levels. Similarly, menthol-heavy vapes may be too
cooling and almost harsh at high wattages for more sensitive individuals.
Your Vaping Preferences
The other thing that you need to consider is your own
personal preferences. How much vapor do
you want to inhale per puff? How
sensitive are you to strong hits of vapor that can feel a bit harsh? How important is cloud size to your vaping
experience? All of these things
determine the wattage that’s appropriate for you.
What Can Happen if Your Wattage is Too High?
Another thing that’s very important to keep in mind is
that going with the highest wattage setting of your device can really backfire
if you don’t have the right setup for it.
For instance, using the highest wattage with a coil that’s designed for
lower-wattage vaping will almost definitely burn out your coil right off the
bat, which is a waste. Also, if using lower-capacity batteries, your battery
life will drain very quickly so that you’ll find yourself always having to
charge.
Bottom Line:
The higher the wattage, the faster you will go through both your coils and e-juice.
How to Find the Perfect Vaping Wattage
All that being said, how do you know how high your
wattage should be? While it is certainly
possible to have a gratifying vape at the highest wattage level, you should
never adjust your wattage to the highest setting right off the bat. Instead, consider these two primary tips
below:
Tip #1: Check the Coil’s Compatibility
First off, you should check the compatibility of the
coil you’re using. Coils come with a
clear wattage range that’s appropriate for their resistance level, written on
the box. For instance, some coils are
rated for 50-70 watts, and others for 90-110 watts. You absolutely must use a wattage that is
allowable by the coil according to the manufacturer, or your coil will burn out
and your vape won’t be satisfying.
Top #2: Start Low and Slow
It’s always best to start with the lowest wattage
setting and work your way up in small increments until you’ve found your sweet
spot. This way, you don’t risk burning
your coil in any way.
Quick Reminder: By
carefully building up your wattage level, and considering your coil’s ideal
wattage range, you can find the right wattage for your vaping needs and setup
without it backfiring.
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