The Ultimate Guide to Ohms

The Ultimate Guide to Ohms on red background

Tips for Keeping Your Vape in Optimal Condition

Well, here you go. We will go over the basic facts. By the time you’re done reading this, you’ll have enough knowledge that you can make a choice. However, here is a little secret – it might be better for you to try all the different types of coils and pick the one that works for you.

What is an Ohm?

Ohms are a measure of electrical resistance. All substances, save superconductors, resist the flow of electricity through them. The electricity that doesn’t flow through an object is released as heat. This is how your toaster is able to heat bread and how your vaporizer is able to turn e-juice into vapor.

Why Use a Lower Ohm Coil than Standard?

Using a coil with a lower ohm rating than the one that came with your model means that it will run hotter. A higher coil temperature means more e-juice is evaporated with each puff. The results are warmer vapor and much larger clouds.

What are the Dangers?

By lowering the ohm rating of the coil, you’re changing the electrical circuit. More current is drawn through the same circuitry. Some vape batteries and systems are able to handle the extra draw. Some aren’t. You can permanently damage your system. In extreme cases, the battery or vape mod could catch fire.

What’s a Normal Rating for a Coil?

The majority of clearomizers come with a coil that is anywhere from 2.4 to 2.8 ohms. This is the standard chosen by the majority of consumers and the most common ohm range for replacement coils. Coils in this range have the least amount of problems.

What can I Expect with Low Ohm Coils?

Low ohm coils are usually rated between 1.5-1.8 ohms. You can expect larger clouds and warmer vapor, as well as more intense flavors. Those are the good sides. However, there are downsides as well. Depending on the flavor and the user, the vapor may taste burnt. Low ohm coils also use more e-liquid and drain your battery faster. Due to the increased draw in current, it may cause your battery to fail faster over time, but it is not likely to be dangerous like a sub-ohm coil.

What can I Expect with Sub-ohm Coils?

A sub-ohm coil is any coil rated at less than an ohm. However, to safely use these coils requires specific batteries and devices to prevent heat and electrical issues. Make sure your battery is compatible!

These coils are very popular right now among vaping aficionados because they produce extremely large clouds and even more flavor. Many units built for sub-ohm vaping have a way to adjust the airflow to counter the amount of heat in the vapor. In fact, this may be necessary to prevent premature coil burnout.

Expect to go through coils and e-juice much faster due to the increased heat. But if you’re doing competitive vaping (yes, this is a thing!) then you may need to go sub-ohm to get enough vapor to beat the competition.

What are Safe Ratings for my Battery?

This is a good reference to go by.

Battery/Voltage Single Coil Dual Coil
510, 901, 808 2.0 - 2.5 ohm NO!
eGo Batteries 2.0 - 2.5 ohms

1.5-1.7 ohms

3.7v (Go-go, Larger eGo, Riva) 1.7 - 3.2 ohms 1.5-1.7 ohms
5v (Variable Voltage)

2.5 to 3.2 ohms

2 ohms

6v (Variable Voltage) 3.2 ohms and up 2.5 ohms
7v (Variable Voltage) 4.5 to 5 ohms 3 ohms

I’ve Heard you can Build your own Coils?

Yes, but it’s not a practice for new vapers. It can be hard to buy a sub-ohm coil that fits your unit, so some vapers make their own. You must know the fundamentals of Ohm’s Law before you start.

However, building your own isn’t as necessary anymore. We’ve come a long way with chips and batteries since the beginning of vaping. So much, in fact, that variable wattage devices and sub-ohm vaping can be built into a kit safely. That said, if you have an electrical background and feel comfortable with tinkering, go for it!

So, there you have it. The guide to ohms and how they work to give you the vaping experience that you desire. Our advice would be to try all the ohm levels – standard, high, low, and sub ohm to see which you like best. Everyone is different and prefers a different temperature hit and strength of the flavor of the vape juice.

Find your “sweet spot” and stick to it!