MTL vs DTL Vaping: What’s the Difference? A Simple Guide
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In This Guide
MTL vs DTL Vaping: What's the Difference?
At some point, every vaper scratches their head and asks: what on earth are MTL and DTL? The vape world loves an acronym, and these two crop up everywhere, on kits, coils and e-liquid bottles alike.
Don't worry. MTL vs DTL is simply about how you inhale, and once you know the difference, choosing the right kit and e-liquid becomes a whole lot easier. By the end of this guide, you'll know exactly which style suits you.
MTL vs DTL at a Glance
| MTL (mouth-to-lung) | DTL (direct-to-lung) | |
|---|---|---|
| How you inhale | Into your mouth, then your lungs | Straight into your lungs |
| Feels like | Smoking a cigarette | Taking a deep breath |
| Airflow | Tight | Wide open |
| Vapour | Discreet | Big clouds |
| E-liquid | 50/50 or nic salts | 70/30 or higher VG |
| Nicotine | Higher, around 10mg to 20mg | Lower, usually 3mg or 6mg |
| Typical kit | Compact pod kit | Larger sub-ohm kit |
What Is MTL Vaping?
MTL, or mouth-to-lung, vaping feels just like smoking a cigarette, which is exactly why ex-smokers love it. It's a simple two-step technique:
1
Draw into your mouth
Take a slightly longer, smoother draw than you would on a cigarette, holding the vapour in your mouth.
2
Inhale into your lungs
Breathe it in, taking a little extra air through your nose or mouth as you go.
How it feels
A familiar throat hit like a cigarette, or much smoother with nic salts or lower strengths.
Your strength, your choice
From 0mg up to 20mg, the UK legal limit, instead of whatever's in the packet.
Welcome to flavour town
Thousands of flavours to explore, including tobacco if you really miss it.
MTL is usually the easiest way to switch from smoking to vaping. It feels familiar, and it's far less harmful than smoking:
“In the short and medium term, vaping poses a small fraction of the risks of smoking.”
Nicotine vaping in England: 2022 evidence update. Read it on GOV.UK
MTL Vape Kits and E-Liquids
What makes a good MTL kit
- ✓Tight airflow, like drawing on a cigarette
- ✓Inhale activation for a natural feel
- ✓Compact enough to slip in a pocket
- ✓Refillable pods with built-in coils
- ✓A built-in, USB rechargeable battery
- ✓Simple or automatic power settings
The best e-liquids for MTL
- ✓Nic salts for a smooth, fast nicotine hit
- ✓Higher strengths, around 10mg to 20mg for salts or 6mg to 18mg for freebase
- ✓A 50/50 PG/VG ratio for flavour and a satisfying throat hit
- ✓Any flavour you like, from classic tobacco and menthol to fruit
Find your match
Personal preference plays a big part, so experiment with different flavours and strengths until you find the one you love.
What Is DTL Vaping?
DTL, or direct-to-lung, vaping is how you get those huge clouds you've seen billowing out of car windows in traffic. It's the exact opposite of MTL: instead of drawing into your mouth first, you breathe the vapour straight into your lungs, like a deep breath.
Slow and steady wins the race
You don't need sharp or intense inhales. Take a long, slow, steady breath. It can feel strange at first, and some people cough until they get the hang of it.
Big clouds, big flavour
Dense, flavourful vapour that's a lot of fun once you're past the cigarette habit.
Lower nicotine
Most DTL vapers use 3mg or 6mg, as higher strengths feel harsh. A great route if you want to work down to 0mg.
A bit more upkeep
Tanks and connections need cleaning more often than a simple pod kit.
DTL Vape Kits and E-Liquids
What makes a good DTL kit
- ✓Large, adjustable airflow
- ✓A separate tank, usually with a 510 connection and replacement coils or a rebuildable deck
- ✓A wider drip tip, often 810 size
- ✓Higher, fully adjustable power
- ✓A screen showing battery, wattage and resistance
- ✓Either a built-in battery or removable 18650 or 21700 batteries
The best e-liquids for DTL
- ✓High VG, 70% or more, for dense clouds and smooth inhales
- ✓Low nicotine, from 0mg to 6mg
- ✓Bold flavours such as fruits, desserts and custards
- ✓Shortfills, which give great value for big-cloud vaping
Check your coil
Always check your device and coil recommendations. Thick high-VG liquids are made for sub-ohm coils, so avoid using them in small MTL pods.
The Middle Ground: RDL Vaping
Can't decide? There's also RDL, or restricted direct-to-lung. You inhale straight into your lungs like DTL, but with tighter airflow, giving a little more flavour and less vapour. Many modern pod kits let you switch between MTL and RDL just by sliding the airflow, so you can try both with one kit.
MTL vs DTL: Which Is Right for You?
Choose MTL if you
- ✓Are switching from smoking
- ✓Want a familiar, cigarette-like draw
- ✓Need higher-strength nic salts
- ✓Prefer a small, discreet kit
Choose DTL if you
- ✓Are well past the cigarette habit
- ✓Love big clouds and bold flavour
- ✓Want to vape at low or zero nicotine
- ✓Don't mind a bigger kit and a little more upkeep
MTL vs DTL FAQs
What is the difference between MTL and DTL vaping?
With MTL (mouth-to-lung) vaping, you draw vapour into your mouth first, then inhale, just like a cigarette. With DTL (direct-to-lung) vaping, you breathe the vapour straight into your lungs, like a deep breath, which makes much bigger clouds.
Which is best for ex-smokers?
MTL is usually the best place to start. It feels familiar, works with higher-strength nic salts and is used in simple, discreet pod kits.
What nicotine strength should I use for DTL?
Most DTL vapers use 3mg or 6mg, or even 0mg. Because you inhale so much more vapour, higher strengths can feel very harsh.
What is RDL vaping?
RDL (restricted direct-to-lung) sits in between. You inhale directly into your lungs, but with tighter airflow than full DTL, which gives a little more flavour and less vapour. Many modern pod kits can do both MTL and RDL.
Conclusion
So there you have it. The MTL vs DTL question really comes down to how you like to inhale. Fresh off cigarettes and want something familiar? MTL is your friend. Ready for big clouds and bold flavour? DTL is calling. And if you can't decide, RDL gives you a taste of both. Whichever you choose, the right kit and e-liquid will make all the difference.
