How Airflow Affects Your Vape Experience
Open or restricted? Adjustable airflow can completely change the flavour, cloud production and throat hit of your device. Here's how to dial it in.
What Is Airflow?
Airflow refers to the amount of air that passes over the coil and through the mouthpiece when you inhale. Most modern devices have adjustable airflow rings or slots that let you control this. The airflow setting affects three things: flavour intensity, vapour production, and throat hit.
Restricted (Tight) Airflow
Closing the airflow creates a tighter draw, similar to smoking a cigarette. This produces less vapour but concentrates the flavour, making each puff more intense. It also increases the throat hit. Restricted airflow is preferred by mouth-to-lung (MTL) vapers and those using nicotine salts or higher-strength e-liquids.
Open (Loose) Airflow
Opening the airflow lets more air through, producing larger clouds and a cooler, smoother vape. The flavour may feel more spread out, but the overall experience is airier and more relaxed. Open airflow suits direct-to-lung (DTL) vapers using sub-ohm coils and lower-nicotine e-liquids.
Finding Your Sweet Spot
Start in the middle and adjust from there. A good method is to close the airflow completely, then slowly open it while taking test puffs until you find the balance of flavour, cloud and throat hit that feels right. There's no wrong answer — it's entirely personal preference. Many vapers adjust their airflow depending on the e-liquid they're using.
