Vape airflow explained: find your perfect draw.
That little slider, dial or ring on your kit does a lot more than it looks. Airflow changes how your vape feels, tastes and sounds, and getting it right is one of the easiest upgrades you can make without spending a penny.
Here's what airflow actually does, how to set it for mouth-to-lung, restricted direct-to-lung and direct-to-lung vaping, and how to fix the common problems it causes.
Short version? Here you go.
What does airflow actually do?
Every time you take a puff, air is pulled in through small inlets on your kit, across the heated coil and up through the mouthpiece.
That air does two jobs. It carries the vapour from the coil to you, and it cools the coil and the vapour on the way. Change how much air gets in and you change the whole feel of the vape: how hard you have to pull, how warm it is, how much flavour comes through and how big the cloud is.
Most rechargeable kits now let you adjust it. On pod kits like the XROS 6 and XROS Pro 2 it's a slider on the side of the device. On tanks and pod mods it's usually a rotating ring at the top or bottom of the tank, or a dial on the pod itself.
Can't find it? Check your kit's manual. A few simple pod kits have fixed airflow, so the only way to change the draw is to switch to a pod with a different resistance.
What changes when you open or close it?
Think of it like sipping through a thin straw versus a wide one. Neither is wrong; they just feel different.
Tighter (more closed) airflow
Less air means the vapour stays warmer and more concentrated. Flavour tends to be punchier, clouds are smaller (handy if you want to keep things discreet) and the draw is firmer, much like a cigarette. The throat hit also feels stronger.
More open airflow
More air means cooler, airier vapour and bigger clouds. The draw is looser and feels smoother on the throat, but the flavour can taste a little more diluted because it's mixed with more air.
Somewhere in the middle
A half-open setting is a good all-rounder: moderate clouds, decent flavour and a comfortable temperature. If you're not sure where to start, start here.
Airflow for MTL, RDL and DTL vaping.
Your vaping style is the biggest clue to where your airflow should sit. If you're not sure which style you are, our guide to MTL vs DTL vaping explains the difference.
Mouth-to-lung (MTL)
You draw vapour into your mouth first, then inhale. This is the classic pod kit style and suits nic salts and 50/50 e-liquids. Set the airflow mostly or fully closed and open it a notch at a time if it feels too tight. MTL coils are usually around 0.8Ω and above.
Restricted direct-to-lung (RDL)
A halfway house: a looser draw that goes straight to the lungs, but without the huge clouds of full sub-ohm vaping. Try the airflow about halfway open. RDL suits coils of roughly 0.4–0.8Ω, like the 0.4Ω and 0.6Ω XROS pods.
Direct-to-lung (DTL)
You inhale straight into your lungs in one long breath, like breathing in. DTL needs wide-open airflow and is usually done on sub-ohm kits with coils below 0.5Ω and high-VG shortfills. Start fully open and close it slightly if it feels too airy.
Your airflow and your coil should agree with each other. A tight MTL airflow on a 0.15Ω sub-ohm coil will run hot and harsh, and a wide-open airflow on a 1.2Ω MTL pod will feel thin and airy. Pick the coil for your style first, then fine-tune the airflow.
How to adjust airflow in 60 seconds.
Finding your sweet spot only takes a minute. Here's the method we show customers in store:
1. Fill and prime first. Make sure your pod or coil is properly primed so you're judging the airflow, not a dry wick. Our guide on how to prime a vape coil walks you through it.
2. Start at one end. For MTL, start fully closed. For DTL, start fully open. For RDL, start in the middle.
3. Take a slow, steady puff. Notice how hard you're pulling, how warm the vapour is and how much flavour you get.
4. Move it one notch. Adjust the slider or ring a small amount, then try again. Small changes make a big difference.
5. Stop when it feels comfortable. There's no "correct" setting. If it tastes good and the draw feels natural, you've found it.
Once you've found your setting, make a note of where the slider sits (or line it up with a mark on the device). Sliders can get knocked in a pocket, so a quick glance before you vape saves guessing.
The best airflow setting isn't on the box. It’s the one that feels right to you.
Airflow, wattage and your coil.
Airflow doesn't work on its own. It's one part of a balance between coil resistance, wattage and air.
When you turn up the wattage, the coil makes more vapour and runs hotter. More air helps carry that extra vapour and keeps it from getting too warm. That's why sub-ohm kits running at higher wattage have big, wide airflow slots, while MTL pods running at lower power have tiny inlets.
So if you change one, you may need to tweak the other:
Turned the wattage up? Open the airflow a little to keep the vapour comfortable.
Closed the airflow down? Consider dropping the wattage slightly so the vapour doesn't get too hot.
Switched to a lower-resistance pod? It'll usually want more air and more power.
For help choosing the right power for your coil, read how to find the perfect wattage for your rechargeable vape.
Want more control over your draw?
These kits all let you fine-tune the airflow, from tight MTL pod kits to a pod mod that goes all the way to DTL. Prices are correct at the time of writing.
Common airflow problems and how to fix them.
The vape tastes hot or harsh
Too little air for the power you're running is a common cause. The coil and vapour get too hot.
Open the airflow a notch, or drop the wattage slightly. If it still tastes burnt, the coil may be worn out. See how to know when to change your coil.
Flavour tastes weak or watery
Very open airflow on a low-power MTL pod can dilute the flavour.
Close the airflow a little to concentrate the vapour. If that doesn't help, our guide to why you can't taste your vape covers the other usual suspects.
Gurgling, spitting or liquid in the airflow
Pulling very hard on a tight airflow creates strong suction, which can drag e-liquid through the coil before it vaporises. Condensation can also build up in the airflow channel over time.
Take gentler draws or open the airflow slightly. Remove the pod and wipe the contacts and airflow area with a dry tissue or cotton bud. If liquid keeps appearing, read why is my vape leaking?
The draw suddenly feels tighter
The slider may have been knocked, or the inlet could be partly blocked by fluff from a pocket or your fingers covering it as you hold the kit.
Check the slider position, clean the airflow inlet gently with a dry cotton bud, and hold the device so your fingers aren't over the air holes.
Airflow cheat sheet.
A quick reference for where to start. Use it as a starting point, then adjust to taste.
| Style | Airflow setting | Typical coil | Best e-liquid | What it feels like |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MTL | Mostly or fully closed | 0.8Ω and above | Nic salts, 50/50 | Firm, cigarette-style draw; strong flavour |
| RDL | About halfway open | Roughly 0.4–0.8Ω | 50/50, 60/40 | Looser, airier draw; more vapour |
| DTL | Wide open | Below 0.5Ω (sub-ohm) | 70/30 high-VG shortfills | Big, cool clouds; smooth lung hit |
| Too hot or harsh | Open a notch | Check coil isn't worn | — | Cooler, smoother vapour |
| Flavour too weak | Close a notch | Check coil and liquid | — | Warmer, more concentrated flavour |
Not sure which e-liquid suits your setup? What is PG & VG in e-liquid? explains why thicker liquids pair with more open airflow.
Pop in and we'll help you find your draw.
Bring your kit into any I Love Vapour store and our team can show you how to set the airflow, match it to your pod or coil, and help you pick the right e-liquid for your style.
Or browse adjustable-airflow kits online, with free UK delivery on orders over £20.
Shop pod kits →Vape airflow: your questions answered.
Should my vape airflow be open or closed?
It depends on your vaping style. For mouth-to-lung vaping, keep it mostly closed for a tight, cigarette-style draw. For restricted direct-to-lung, try halfway. For direct-to-lung on a sub-ohm kit, open it fully. Then fine-tune to taste.
Does closing the airflow give more flavour?
Usually, yes. Tighter airflow keeps the vapour warmer and more concentrated, so flavour often tastes stronger. Go too tight at high wattage, though, and it can start to taste hot or harsh.
Does airflow affect how much e-liquid I use?
Airflow on its own makes little difference. What uses more e-liquid is the setup that tends to go with open airflow: lower-resistance coils at higher wattage, which produce more vapour per puff.
Why does my vape feel tight even with the airflow open?
Check the inlet isn't blocked by pocket fluff or dried e-liquid, and that your fingers aren't covering the air holes. Some MTL pods also have small fixed inlets inside the pod, so a lower-resistance pod may give a looser draw.
Can airflow cause my vape to leak?
Airflow holes are where leaked liquid often shows up, but the airflow itself is rarely the cause. Hard pulls on a tight setting, overfilling and worn coils are more common culprits. On some tanks, closing the airflow while you refill can help.
What airflow setting is best for nic salts?
Nic salts are made for MTL vaping on higher-resistance coils, so a tight or mostly closed airflow usually works best. Open it a touch if the draw feels too restrictive.
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