Vape Mods

What Are Vape Mods?

If you’ve been vaping for a while and want to take your experience to the next level, it might be time to invest in a vape mod. Vape mods are some of the most advanced and customisable vape products on the market, and are far more easily adapted to create your perfect vape experience than some of the more beginner-friendly devices available.

Vape mods are almost always the recognisable “box” shape that is ubiquitous among vapers. In the past, before vaping was as popular as it is today, almost all high-performance vapes were made by users putting parts and batteries together on their own to create powerful and exciting new devices. To hold these modified, or “mod” devices, they needed a box, which is why we now use the terms “vape mod” and “box mod” interchangeably. Today, many vape mods aren’t actually “modified” in the traditional sense of the word, and come in kits or packages put together already. Advanced vapers do still “mod” their vapes, but the term today generally refers to any advanced mod with the distinctive box shape. Advanced vapers often prefer vape mods as they give users the freedom to experiment with a massive variety of factors and settings on their vape, from the choice of e-liquid, the temperature of their device, how intense the nicotine rush is, how large and thick the clouds of vapour they create are, and so much more.

Why Choose A Vape Mod?

The larger size of these devices means they have more room for powerful, and sometimes multiple, batteries, as well as more advanced circuitry, including heat sensors and indicators, plus different coils, meshes and chambers. For advanced vapers, there are very few smaller devices that compare to the massive variety of options available with vape mods, as well as the level of experimentation and customisation of your vape experience available with this kind of device. From sub-ohm vaping and cloud chasing to mouth-to-lung styles that give you an intense nicotine rush, there are very few devices that can compare to vape mods as far as performance and versatility goes. 

How Are Mod Vapes Different From Vape Pens?

The most obvious difference between vape pens and vape mods is their appearance. While vape pens generally come in a small, slender, rectangular or cylindrical casing, vape mods are the distinctive “box-shaped” vape that has become ubiquitous in modern vaping. Despite the big difference in how they look, however, most vapes are very similar when we get down to basics. All e-cigarettes and vapes, no matter their shape or size are fundamentally made from a couple of vital main parts - the power unit and the atomiser. The power unit is the battery in your vape - they come in different voltages, with different lasting power and different sizes, depending on what it is you want from your vape. In many beginner kits and smaller vape pens, the battery is fully integrated into the device, and can’t be switched out without discarding the entire device. For many more advanced vapers, this isn’t ideal, but it works well when making things simple, efficient and practical for brand new and inexperienced vapers using beginner kits. In many vape mods, however, the batteries are removable, interchangeable, and in some cases adaptable, offering a customisable range of voltages to allow users to give their vape more power (often anywhere from 5 to 200 volts), and therefore more heat, which changes your vape experience. Many vape mods also have room for more than one battery, giving you even more power, longer battery life and the ability to not only power the vape device effectively, but also accessories, like lights and LED screens for a truly modern vape.

The atomiser is the part of your vape that heats and vaporises the e-liquid. Atomisers are made up of a metal coil wrapped in a material that soaks up the e-liquid to surround the coil with liquid. This material is usually cotton, but can also be a poly blend or other form of absorbent material. Then, when the user activates the coil, it heats up and heats the liquid around it to create vapour, in the same way that heating water creates steam (though you should never use plain water in your vape, as it is incredibly dangerous and can result in severe steam burns in the mouth and throat, plus you also won’t actually get any significant vapour). Common activation systems include draw-activated, which is triggered when you inhale air through the vape device, and button activated, which, unsurprisingly, triggers when you press a button on the device. Like batteries, in beginner vapes, the atomising element is held completely inside the main device, and can’t be changed or customised. This is one of the major draws of vape mods, as they give users the chance to change and enhance their atomiser through many different techniques and parts. The atomiser is arguably the part of the vape that has the biggest impact on what your end experience will be like. With a vape mod, you can change the material of the coil to something like titanium, nickel or kanthal alloys to help it resist higher temperatures more effectively if you want more heat production in your vape, or to optimise your vape for certain temperatures and voltages.

While the main components of a vape are very similar across almost all devices, it is the extra capabilities and customisation options that make vape mods so appealing for advanced and hobby vapers.

What To Think About When Choosing Your Vape Mod

When choosing a vape mod, you have to be careful to strike a safe balance between power, heat, performance and more to make sure you’re not damaging your vape or potentially hurting yourself. This is especially true when it comes to sub-ohm vaping, which is something many advanced vapers want from their vape mods as a way of creating large, thick vapour clouds.

When you’re picking out a vape mod, there are a few important things to consider to make sure you get the perfect vape device for you.

Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) or Direct-to-Lung (DTL)?

Most experienced vapers will know that there are two different ways to inhale your vapour, mouth-to-lung and direct-to-lung. Mouth-to-lung is the inhaling technique that is closest to the sensation of smoking a cigarette, making it popular with beginner vapers and ex-smokers in particular. When mouth-to-lung vaping, users inhale the vapour into the mouth, before inhaling it through the lungs. This requires more initial inhalation and is similar to drinking through a straw in sensation. Mouth-to-lung was the standard for many years as early e-cigarettes were designed to emulate the physical sensation of cigarette smoking, however today it is the choice of many vapers for its ease of use, as well as the ability to absorb nicotine more comfortably and effectively with mouth-to-lung vape styles. Mouth-to-lung vaping also offers excellent flavour and is ideal for vaping more complex and layered flavours in e-liquid. Mouth-to-lung vaping is also far more pleasant when inhaling e-liquids with high concentrations of nicotine.

Direct-to-lung, on the other hand, is when the vapour goes straight from the device to the lungs, without being held in the mouth. This is a far more physically relaxed style of vaping, and is more popular with advanced vapers, as it is better for creating bigger vapour clouds, which are popular with many more experienced users. The sensation of direct-to-lung is much more like simply breathing in and out as normal, so the vapour doesn’t stop in the mouth before entering the lungs. Because of this, many direct-to-lung vapers find that this style of vaping is more intense and satisfying than mouth-to-lung, especially among cloud chasers and hobby vapers. This style of vaping is less popular with ex-smokers as you generally need to use a low or nicotine strength e-liquid with direct-to-lung vaping - high nicotine content can cause an intense and uncomfortable throat hit. We also recommend using a high VG/PG e-liquid when vaping direct-to-lung, for example, a 70/30 mix or 100% VG e-liquid, as these will result in a smoother, more comfortable inhalation experience, and create larger and more dense vapour clouds.

It’s also worth noting that some devices are designed specifically for DTL vaping, while others are incompatible with this style of vaping, so if you have a style you strongly prefer, make sure that the device you choose is compatible with, if not fully optimised for, your preferred inhalation style.

Sub-Ohm Vaping With Vape Mods

Sub-ohm vaping is a style of vaping that is used by cloud chasers and users who enjoy the thick, fluffy clouds of vapour as part of their vape experience. Sub-ohm vaping is most popular with direct-to-lung vapers, as it makes this style of inhalation much easier and more comfortable. So, what is it?

Sub-ohm vaping is a style of vaping that uses coils with a resistance level of less than one ohm. This sounds pretty confusing, and if you’re getting into making your own coils or have a device without built-in controls, you will need to have a strong understanding of chemistry and Ohm’s Law, but if you’re looking for vape mod kits that can give you a little bit more guidance on this front, you’ll be okay with a basic understanding of sub-ohming. All coils have a resistance level, which is how much heat they can withstand before essentially jumping the circuitry and damaging not only the coil itself but also potentially other circuitry in the device and the batteries, which can get quite dangerous. Higher resistance = higher possible temperatures. So why wouldn’t you go for the highest resistance coil you can find? Well, for one thing, it takes a lot more power to heat a high-resistance coil than a low-resistance one, meaning your batteries will run out far more quickly and you’ll need to charge them more often. High resistance, high temperature vaping can also create a bit of a “burnt” taste with some e-liquids, ruining complex flavours and adding a bitter aftertaste. A lower-resistance coil is much more easily heated, and when combined with increased airflow and the right kind of e-liquid, is the best way to get those signature clouds of vapour.

As well as thick, fluffy vapour clouds, sub-ohm vaping is also a great way to vape for the ultimate in intense flavour. Low resistance coils vaporise a lot more e-liquid per session than their higher-resistance counterparts, meaning you get a stronger, more concentrated hit of flavour with sub-ohm vaping - ideal for complex flavour combinations and e-liquids with great depth of flavour! Some vapers also enjoy the warmth you can get with sub-ohm vaping. When the vapour is warm, some people find it much easier and more comfortable to vape, especially when vaping direct-to-lung. You also get increased airflow with sub-ohm vaping, as more air is needed to cool the stronger heat from the coils, which also makes inhaling directly to the lungs more comfortable, as well as giving great potential for big, puffy clouds of vapour.

However, sub-ohm vaping isn’t for everyone. It can be difficult to get the balance right, especially for beginner and first-time sub-ohm vapers, and takes a fair amount of trial and error to find the perfect combination of settings for you. If you’re an ex-smoker, sub-ohming might not be right for you as in order to get the best results, most sub-ohm vapers use e-liquids very low nicotine concentrations, or without any nicotine at all, so don’t expect sub-ohming to curb the body’s nicotine cravings in the same way regular mouth-to-lung vaping does. Sub-ohm vaping is also more expensive than other styles - not only do you need to purchase higher-end devices and machinery, you’ll need replacement parts and will likely get through a few different options before finding your perfect combination. Sub-ohm vaping also means you get through e-liquid far more quickly than mouth-to-lung vaping, so you’ll need to restock on your favourite e-liquids more regularly than most beginner vapers.

It’s important to take all of these into consideration when choosing a vape mod, but with a bit of thought and the excellent selection of high-quality devices available at V2Cigs, it couldn’t be easier to find the perfect option for you. Plus, our team are available on live chat to give you insider help and advice if you’re spoilt for choice or struggling to pick the right vape for you. 

The Best Vape Mods For You

At V2 Cigs, we offer a wide range of carefully curated vape mods and accessories to help you find a brilliant, high-quality device that works perfectly with how you like to vape.

After the legendary Smok Alien has been discontinued, one of the best all-rounder vape mods Smok Rigel. This device is one of the UK’s most popular high-end vape devices, and features a TFT screen to allow you to quickly and easily switch between vaping styles and accurately tailor your experience to your own preferences every time. The Smok Rigel Kit is a high powered, compact, portable box mod (85mm x 44mm x 28.4mm) that puts out a massive 230W.  As well as looking great, the Smok Rigel is one of the easiest vape mods to use. This device has a maximum output of 230W, which is ideal for cloud chasers and sub-ohm vaping as it puts out the power that this style of vaping needs with ease, and the built-in Watt mode is a perfect starting point for vape method. If you’re seeking a device which is not just easy on the eye but safe too, it’s equipped with a safety lock feature for the top cap. This not only helps to prevent leaks but protects against children using it as well. Plus, the TFV9 tank provides a slide-to-fill system for your favourite e-liquid refills, which is really easy to top-up. With your Smok Rigel Kit, you’ll get:

• 1x Smok Rigel Device
• 1x Smok TFV9 EU Tank (2ml)
• 1x V9 Meshed 0.15Ω Coil (Pre-Installed)
• 1x V9 Meshed 0.15Ω Coil (Spare)
• 1x USB Type-C Charging Cable
• 1x User Manual

At V2Cigs, we know the world of mod vapes and advanced vaping can be a confusing one, which is why we’ve curated a selection of brilliant high-end devices to suit all tastes. If you’re still finding it hard to choose, get in touch with our experienced team who will be able to guide you through your decision to make sure you get the perfect product!