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VAPEWISSENLEXIKON · BY VAPE GURU · 18+For example coil, MTL or nicotine salt …Glossary
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VAPEWISSEN · Comparisons

Vape comparisons without marketing fog

Compare device types, draw styles and liquids factually and understand the technical differences.

Product finder

What kind of vaper are you?

Filter the devices and liquids in our range by form factor, brand, puff count and nicotine strength. Only technical data is shown – no prices, ratings or purchase recommendations.

Type/model
Brand
Puff count
Nicotine content
143 results

Comparison matrix

What actually differs, technically

These overviews compare device classes, draw styles and nicotine forms by verifiable properties. They deliberately contain no brands, prices, ratings or purchase recommendations.

Device classes side by side

The four designs differ less in appearance than in which parts you can replace – and in the running costs and disposal routes that follow from that.

CriterionDisposable vapePrefilled podRefillable podMod with tank
Refilling liquidnot intendedswap the whole podfill the pod yourselffill the tank yourself
Batterybuilt in, not chargeablebuilt in, rechargeablebuilt in, rechargeableintegrated or removable cell
Heating elementfixed, not replaceablesits inside the podpod or coil replaceablecoil replaced on its own
Outputset at the factoryset at the factoryadjustable on some modelsfreely adjustable
Consumablesnonepodspods, coils, sealscoils, wicking, seals
Learning curvevery lowlowmoderatehigh
Return routewhole device as e-wastedevice as e-waste, pods separatelydevice as e-waste, coils separatelydevice and cells returned separately

Scroll the table sideways to see every column.

The table describes what each design typically implies. The manual of the specific model always takes precedence.

Official sources and further reading:German Environment Agency: Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act and waste-device returnsGerman Environment Agency: Proper handling of lithium batteries and rechargeable batteriesEuropean Commission: Product safety and CE marking

Draw styles: MTL, RDL and DTL

Draw style is not a device setting but the result of airflow, coil resistance, wattage and liquid. If those four do not match, switching flavour will not help either.

CriterionMTLRDLDTL
Draw behaviourinto the mouth first, then inhaledirect, but with resistancestraight to the lung
Airflowtightmediumwide open
Typical coil resistanceroughly 0.8–1.6 ohmroughly 0.6–1.0 ohmbelow 0.6 ohm
Typical wattagelowmediumhigh
Matching liquidthinner, more PGbalancedthicker, more VG
Typical nicotine strengthhighermediumlower
Aerosol volumesmallmediumlarge
Liquid consumptionlowmediumhigh

Scroll the table sideways to see every column.

The figures are orientation ranges, not settings to copy. The marking on the coil and the manufacturer's release remain decisive.

Official sources and further reading:German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment: E-cigarettes: anything but harmlessEuropean Commission: Product safety and CE marking

Nicotine form and strength

Freebase and nicotine salt contain the same active substance but differ in their chemical preparation – and therefore in how an mg/ml figure should be read.

CriterionFreebase nicotineNicotine saltNicotine-free
Chemical formbase, unmodifiedbound to an acid as a saltcontains no nicotine
Throat harshnessnoticeable at high strengthmilder even at high strengthnot caused by nicotine
Typical device classtanks and sub-ohm devicespods and disposablesevery device class
Label statementmg/ml of nicotinemg/ml plus the formexplicitly “0 mg”
Limit in Germany20 mg/ml at most20 mg/ml at mostno nicotine limit
Sale to minorsprohibitedprohibitedprohibited as well

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Nicotine is addictive. This overview is a factual classification, not a dosage or consumption recommendation.

Official sources and further reading:German Federal Ministry of Justice: German Tobacco Products OrdinanceEuropean Union: Directive 2014/40/EU, especially Article 20German Federal Ministry of Justice: Section 10, Youth Protection ActGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment: E-cigarettes: anything but harmless

Decision helper

From your question to the right term

Most buying decisions fail not on the brand but on one unanswered basic question. Here is which property answers each of them.

How much maintenance do you want to take on?

The more a device lets you replace, the more has to be replaced regularly. Coils, seals and wicking are wear parts with a limited service life.

Every property named here is explained separately in the glossary. All terms from A–Z

Guides

Knowledge for everyday use

Our editorial promise

We explain neutrally, separate facts from recommendations and flag sensitive health and legal information. Commercial links are disabled.

Note: This content is for general information and does not replace medical or legal advice.