If you’ve been vaping for any amount of time, you’ve probably heard the terms MTL and DTL thrown around. But what exactly do they mean? With so many different types of vape devices available these days, it can get confusing trying to figure out which style of vaping is right for you.
MTL stands for Mouth To Lung, while DTL stands for Direct To Lung. They are two different ways of inhaling your vapor, and both offer a completely different vaping experience. Whether you’re a beginner just getting into vaping or a more experienced vaper looking to try something different, understanding the difference between MTL and DTL can help you find the right setup. So, what’s the difference between MTL and DTL? Keep reading as We Vape Mods breaks it down for you.
What Is MTL Vaping?
MTL stands for Mouth To Lung. This is probably the most familiar style of vaping, especially if you’re coming from smoking traditional cigarettes. With MTL vaping, you first draw the vapor into your mouth before inhaling it into your lungs. It’s a similar motion to smoking a cigarette, which is why many new vapers find this style much easier to get used to. MTL vaping generally produces a smaller amount of vapor compared to DTL vaping. The draw is also usually tighter, meaning you’re not pulling a huge amount of air through your device with every puff.
MTL devices are commonly used with higher nicotine vape juices and lower wattage coils. Pod systems and smaller vape kits are perfect examples of devices that are often designed around an MTL vaping experience. If you’re looking for something that feels more like smoking a cigarette, MTL is definitely worth considering.
What Is DTL Vaping?
DTL stands for Direct To Lung. Unlike MTL vaping, you inhale the vapor directly into your lungs rather than holding it in your mouth first. This creates a much more open draw and allows you to inhale a much larger amount of vapor with each puff. If you’ve ever seen someone blowing huge clouds of vapor, there’s a good chance they’re using a DTL setup.
DTL vaping is generally associated with sub-ohm tanks, lower resistance coils, higher wattages, and more powerful vape mods. These devices are designed to move a lot more air and vapor through the tank. The result is a much bigger hit with more vapor production. DTL can also produce some seriously impressive flavor depending on the tank, coil, and vape juice you’re using.
MTL vs DTL: What’s The Difference?
So now that we know what MTL and DTL mean, what actually separates the two? The biggest difference is how you inhale the vapor. With MTL, you draw the vapor into your mouth before inhaling it into your lungs. With DTL, you inhale the vapor directly into your lungs. There are also some pretty noticeable differences when it comes to the amount of vapor produced, the type of device you’ll use, and the type of vape juice that works best.
MTL (Mouth-to-Lung)
- Tighter draw
- Less vapor production
- Lower wattage
- Higher nicotine
- Smaller devices
- Pod systems
- Similar to smoking
DTL (Direct-to-Lung)
- More open draw
- More vapor production
- Higher wattage
- Lower nicotine
- Larger devices
- Sub-ohm tanks
- Large, direct inhale
Neither style is necessarily better than the other. It really comes down to what kind of vaping experience you’re looking for.
Which Is Better For Beginners?
If you’re completely new to vaping, MTL is generally going to be the easier place to start.The tighter draw and smaller amount of vapor can feel much more natural if you’re used to smoking cigarettes. You also don’t need a large, powerful vape mod to get a good MTL experience.
Smaller pod systems are particularly popular for MTL vaping because they’re easy to carry around, simple to use, and don’t require a lot of messing around with settings. That doesn’t mean beginners can’t use DTL devices. It just takes some getting used to when you’re suddenly inhaling a much larger amount of vapor than you would with an MTL device.
Which Produces More Vapor?
If big clouds are what you’re after, DTL is the clear winner. DTL devices use more airflow, larger coils, and higher wattages to produce significantly more vapor. This is why you’ll commonly see DTL setups being used by people who enjoy cloud chasing.
MTL devices aren’t designed to compete with this type of vapor production. Instead, they’re more focused on providing a tighter draw and a vaping experience that is closer to smoking. Of course, there is more to cloud production than simply choosing DTL. Your coil, wattage, airflow, e-liquid, and even the tank you’re using can all make a difference.
What About RDL Vaping?
There is actually another style of vaping that sits somewhere between MTL and DTL. It’s known as RDL, or Restricted Direct To Lung. As the name suggests, RDL gives you a more restricted draw than a traditional DTL setup, but it’s still inhaled directly into the lungs. Think of it as the middle ground between MTL and DTL.
RDL can be a great option if you find MTL too restrictive but don’t want the wide-open airflow and massive vapor production that can come with DTL vaping. A lot of modern vape devices can also be adjusted to give you more control over the airflow, allowing you to find that sweet spot somewhere between the two.
MTL Or DTL: Which One Should You Choose?
Ultimately, there isn’t a right or wrong answer when it comes to MTL vs DTL. If you prefer a tighter draw, smaller clouds, and a vaping experience that feels more familiar to smoking, MTL is probably going to be your best bet. If you enjoy large clouds, an airy draw, and a more powerful vaping experience, DTL is the way to go.
And if you’re somewhere in the middle, RDL might be exactly what you’re looking for.
The good thing about vaping is that there are so many different devices and setups available that you can experiment until you find what works best for you.
MTL vs DTL: The Bottom Line
MTL and DTL are simply two different ways of vaping. MTL gives you a tighter draw and is generally more similar to smoking, while DTL gives you a much more open draw and produces significantly more vapor. If you’re new to vaping, MTL is usually the easier place to start. More experienced vapers who enjoy bigger clouds and a more powerful setup may prefer DTL. Either way, there’s no reason you have to stick with one forever. Try different devices, coils, and airflow settings and see what works for you.
So, are you an MTL or DTL vaper? Let us know in the comments!
