Guide to e-cigarettes: Which level suits you best?
The e-cigarette market has developed significantly over recent years. Where the first models primarily tried to resemble traditional cigarettes, modern e-cigarettes today are much more advanced, reliable, and flexible. Today's vape kits offer better battery life, more precise performance, improved flavour reproduction, and significantly more options for personalisation.
For many new users, however, it can be difficult to determine which type of e-cigarette best suits their needs. Some want a simple solution that works straight out of the box, while others seek maximum flavour, large vapour clouds, or the ability to adjust power, temperature, and airflow themselves.
Therefore, modern e-cigarettes are often divided into different levels, ranging from simple beginner sets to advanced sub-ohm and rebuildable systems. The higher the level, the greater the demands typically placed on the user's experience and understanding of coils, batteries, and safety.
Level 1 – Beginner-friendly e-cigarettes and starter kits
The beginner level is designed for users who want a simple, straightforward, and user-friendly introduction to vaping. Modern starter kits are far more effective than the older cigarette-like models and provide a significantly better experience in terms of flavour, battery life, and vapour production.
Most e-cigarettes at this level are designed with a focus on easy operation and minimal maintenance. Many models are automatically activated when inhaling, while others use a single button to activate and lock the device. This makes them ideal for users who want a hassle-free experience without complicated settings.
At the same time, today's starter kits are often built with modern safety features such as short-circuit protection, overheat protection, and automatic shut-off for prolonged activation. This means that new users get a more stable and secure introduction to vaping.
One of the biggest differences between modern e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes is the ability to choose your own e-liquid. This gives access to an enormous range of flavours, nicotine strengths, and VG/PG ratios. Flavour plays a big role in the experience for many, and many users quickly discover that different e-liquids can significantly change both the amount of vapour, throat sensation, and the overall experience.
In Denmark, the tank size of most e-cigarettes is limited to 2 ml due to TPD legislation. However, several manufacturers offer larger tanks or pods for markets outside the EU, and for some models, alternative tanks with larger capacity can be purchased.
Most starter kits use replaceable coils. The coil is the heating element that heats the e-liquid and turns it into vapour. Different coils provide different experiences. Some coils focus on high flavour intensity, while others produce more vapour or provide a warmer inhalation.
When you start using an e-cigarette, you quickly learn a number of basic things about maintenance and proper use. This includes correct filling of the tank, cleaning contact points, and replacing coils. Many new users also learn the importance of priming a coil correctly before first use. Priming means saturating the coil with e-liquid before activation so that the cotton does not burn dry on the first inhalation.
The lifespan of coils varies depending on the e-liquid, wattage, and the user's vaping habits. Sweet e-liquids and high wattage settings typically wear out the coil faster, while more moderate settings can significantly extend the lifespan. On average, a coil often lasts between one and two weeks.
Beginner-friendly e-cigarettes typically use mouth-to-lung inhalation, also known as MTL vaping. This inhalation technique most closely resembles the feeling of traditional cigarettes and provides a more controlled and tight inhalation.
Level 2 – Intermediate e-cigarettes with variable wattage and more customisation options
When the user wants more control over their vaping experience, they typically move to the intermediate level. Here, you start working with variable wattage control, airflow control, and more advanced tanks and coils.
This type of e-cigarette is particularly popular among users who want more flavour, greater vapour production, and the ability to customise the experience more precisely according to their own preferences.
One of the biggest differences in level 2 devices is the ability to adjust the wattage. By changing the wattage setting, the user can control how quickly the coil heats up, which greatly affects both flavour, warmth, and vapour production.
Lower wattage typically gives:
- Cooler vapour
- Lower liquid consumption
- More discreet vapour production
- Longer battery life
Higher wattage, on the other hand, provides:
- Warmer vapour
- Stronger flavour
- More intense inhalation
- Larger vapour clouds
At this level, airflow also becomes much more important. Many tanks allow for airflow adjustment, so you can choose between a tight cigarette-like inhalation or a more open and airy experience.
Intermediate devices often use more powerful batteries with higher capacity. Many models use external 18650 or 21700 batteries, providing longer runtime and higher performance. However, this also places greater demands on the user's understanding of battery safety and proper charging.
Coils at this level are available as both standard coils and sub-ohm coils. Standard coils are typically over 1.0 ohm and are often used for more traditional vaping with moderate vapour production. Sub-ohm coils are below 1.0 ohm and require higher power to function optimally.
The choice of e-liquid becomes even more important. E-liquids with high PG often provide more throat hit and clearer flavour, while high VG gives smoother vapour and larger vapour clouds. Therefore, high VG is often used with more powerful coils and higher wattages.
Many users experience level 2 as the point where vaping truly becomes personal. Here, it's no longer just about nicotine or quitting smoking, but also about flavour, technique, and user experience.
Level 3 – Sub-ohm vaping and advanced vape mods
Sub-ohm vaping is designed for users who want maximum flavour intensity, very large vapour clouds, and high performance. The term sub-ohm means that the coil has an electrical resistance of less than 1.0 ohm.
When the resistance is lower, more current is drawn from the battery, causing the coil to heat up faster and produce much more vapour. The result is a significantly more powerful vaping experience compared to traditional starter kits.
Sub-ohm devices are often used with direct lung inhalation, also known as DL vaping. Here, the vapour is inhaled directly into the lungs instead of being held in the mouth first. This provides a more open and intense inhalation with greater air volume and higher vapour production.
Modern sub-ohm tanks are designed with large airflow systems and powerful mesh coils, which provide quick heating and very efficient flavour reproduction. Mesh coils have largely replaced traditional spiral coils today because they provide more even heat distribution and better durability.
Sub-ohm vaping typically requires e-liquids with a high VG ratio. The thicker liquid helps the coil handle the high heat without giving dry hits or leakage problems. At the same time, most sub-ohm users use lower nicotine strengths, as the large vapour production provides a more intense nicotine absorption.
Although many modern sub-ohm devices have become safer and more user-friendly, this type of vaping still requires an understanding of batteries, resistance, and power. Incorrect use of batteries or incompatible coils can lead to serious issues such as overheating or damage to the device.
Therefore, it is important to use quality batteries from reputable manufacturers and always follow the manufacturer's recommendations regarding wattage range and compatibility.
Level 4 – RBA, RDA, and RTA: Build your own coils
The most advanced level in vaping is rebuildable systems, where the user builds coils and installs wick material themselves.
This type of device is primarily used by very experienced vapers who want maximum control over flavour, airflow, resistance, and vapour production. Here, vaping is no longer just about nicotine or convenience, but also about technique, precision, and personal customisation.
Rebuildable systems come in several forms. RDAs typically focus on maximum flavour and vapour production, while RTAs combine rebuildable coils with tank systems for greater liquid capacity.
When building your own coils, understanding Ohm's law, battery load, and resistance becomes crucial. Even small errors in coil building can create short circuits or unstable performance.
Experienced users therefore always measure their coils thoroughly before use and check that the resistance is within safe limits. Many also use advanced regulated mods with comprehensive safety systems to minimise risk.
Rebuildable vaping offers an extreme degree of flexibility and the possibility to optimise the experience down to the smallest detail, but it is also the level that requires the most knowledge and responsibility from the user.
Which e-cigarette suits you best?
The best e-cigarette depends on your experience, your preferences, and the type of vaping experience you desire.
New users will often get the best experience with a simple starter kit or a modern pod system, which is easy to use and requires minimal maintenance.
Users with more experience often choose intermediate or sub-ohm devices because they offer greater flexibility, stronger flavour, and more vapour production.
For the most dedicated vapers, rebuildable systems offer almost unlimited possibilities for personal customisation, but at the same time require great technical understanding and a focus on safety.
Regardless of which level you choose, it is important to use compatible coils, quality batteries, and e-liquids that suit your device. This not only provides a better experience but also contributes to longer lifespan and higher safety.