If you’ve been vaping for a while and you’re looking for power and customisation in your e-cigarette, vape mods are where it’s at!
These often powerful, advanced vapes usually come with a range of settings and modes, so you can keep it fresh and exciting.
These heavy-duty devices allow vapers to fine-tune their vaping experience, from adjustable wattage and temperature control to experimenting with different coils and tanks.
Here we take an in-depth look at vape mods to find out what they are, which type of vapers they suit and what makes them such a popular style among many e-cigarette users.
What Is a Vape Mod and How Does It Work?
A vape mod is an advanced e-cigarette that offers more settings and enhanced customisation for users. Most mods carry significantly more power and settings than a standard pen device or pod kit, delivering greater control over your vaping.
Vape mods are usually made up of a battery component that provides the power to heat the coil, a tank that holds the juice, and a circuit board that regulates the device’s functionalities.
Unlike traditional e-cigarettes, vape mods come with a variety of adjustable settings, allowing users to change the wattage, voltage, and temperature of the vapour. This means you can fine-tune vaping or alter your experience whenever you fancy a change, which you won’t usually get with other, more basic devices.
The mechanics behind a vape mod are relatively straightforward. When the button is pressed, the battery is activated, which then supplies power to the coil. This then heats up and vaporises the e-liquid stored in the tank.
The mod’s ability to cater to a variety of vaping styles, coupled with its advanced features make it a must-have for anyone who considers themselves a vape enthusiast.
Different Types Of Vape Mods
Vape mods are usually split into two types: mods with built-in batteries and mods with external batteries.
Box Mods
Box mods are the most common type of vape mod on the market. They come in a rectangular or boxy shape, hence the name, and can be powered by internal or external batteries.
Many box mods are the most powerful vape devices around, and they’re also the most customisable. So if it’s a vape kit with a bit of oomph that provides the tailored experience you’re looking for, then this should be your first port of call.
Tube Mods
Resembling a tube or cylinder, these devices are more compact than box mods. Like box mods, the batteries can be built-in or external, but unlike their rectangular counterparts, tube mods are more accessible and pocket-friendly.
They typically have slightly less power than a box mod, although some do still pack a punch. So if you want something that’s powerful but won’t take up too much space in your pocket or bag, this one may cater to your needs.
Mechanical Mods
These rudimentary devices come without electronic components like circuit boards or safety features. This means mechanical mods rely on the user’s knowledge of Ohm’s law and battery safety, so unless you’re clued up in this area, you probably should avoid them as accidents can occur.
If you start to get seriously deep into this hobby and go down the mechanical mod route, delicious flavour and unyielding control over your vaping experience await. However, you’ll need to do your research to use this device safely.
Squonk Mods
Squonk mods are innovative vaping devices equipped with a built-in e-liquid reservoir, offering a unique solution for vapers who want to combine the great flavour and cost-saving benefits of dripping with the convenience of a tank.
Squonk mods feature a bottle housed within the mod that allows users to squeeze and feed e-liquid directly to the atomiser through a squonk-ready pin. Unless you’re a serious vape enthusiast, then the novelty may soon wear thin, but for those who take vaping seriously, the Squonk mod may be just what you’re looking for.
Pod Mods
Compact and user-friendly, while providing more functionalities than a standard pod kit, these mods are designed for those who want simplicity and convenience, but with a little bit of customisation on top!
Pod mods use disposable or refillable pods and are ideal for beginners or vapers who enjoy some variety in their vaping. If you get bored of one flavour, just switch pods, and you can vape a new one without emptying or cleaning your tank.
Hybrid Mods
These mods combine elements of mechanical and regulated mods with direct battery-to-atomiser connections.
Like mechanical mods, to use them safely, these require an in-depth understanding of battery safety and Ohm’s law due to their unregulated nature, so if this is an area you’re unfamiliar with, then we’d advise staying away from these kits.
Most Popular Features Of Vape Mods
As we’ve touched on already, vape mods give you much more control over your vaping with a variety of settings and modes that put you in the driving seat.
Although the settings and features that come with mods will depend on their type and the brand/model, here are some of the most common:
Variable Wattage (VW)
Allows users to adjust the power output, offering control over vapour production and flavour intensity. It is beneficial for tailoring the vaping experience to personal preferences and different coil resistances.
Temperature Control (TC)
TC regulates the temperature of the coils, preventing dry hits and ensuring consistent flavour. This also prolongs coils and provides a smoother vape.
Variable Voltage (VV)
Offers control over the voltage output, allowing the user to adjust power for optimal flavour and vapour production. It’s beneficial if you’re trying to find the ideal vaping experience based on different e-liquid and coil combinations.
Bypass Mode
This mode simulates the output of a mechanical mod, delivering maximum power directly from the battery. This one is beneficial for experienced vapers seeking a direct power output similar to mechanical mods.
Preheat Function
The preheat function allows users to set a higher initial wattage for a specified duration, heating the coil quickly for immediate vapour production. It’s beneficial for a quicker vaping experience if you’re short on time and want to get a good hit as soon as possible!
Memory Settings
This allows users to save their preferred settings, so it’s always ready and raring to go just how you want it. Beneficial for convenience, this ensures consistent vaping experiences and avoids the tedious and time-consuming task of reconfiguring the settings each time you vape.
Curve Mode
Offers a customisable wattage or temperature curve over time. This setting makes it easier to fine-tune the vaping experience at different intervals during each puff, enhancing flavour and vapour production.
Screen Display
Although many of the more basic pods and pen devices don’t come with a screen, many mods do. This means you can see key information such as wattage, puff count, and battery life for a convenient experience.
Vape Mods’ Tanks Explained
There are multiple types of tanks that are used on mod devices. Here are the most common:
Sub-Ohm Tanks
These are the tanks most commonly found on mod devices. Ideal for cloud chasers and direct-to-lung (DTL) vapers, sub-ohm tanks use low-resistance coils that are designed for high-wattage vaping, producing large plumes of tasty vapour.
RTAs (Rebuildable Tank Atomizers)
RTAs offer the flexibility of building custom coils and wicks while having a tank to hold e-liquid. RTA’s are best-suited to intermediate to advanced users and they strike the ideal balance between customisation and tank convenience.
RDAs (Rebuildable Dripping Atomizers)
These tanks require the user to manually drip e-liquid onto the coils and wicks. They’re preferred by enthusiasts craving maximum flavour and vapour production, although they can be time-consuming and tedious if you’re not fully invested in your RDA kit!
RDTAs (Rebuildable Dripping Tank Atomizers)
A sort of hybrid of RDAs and RTAs, RDTAs feature a tank section to hold e-liquid and a build deck similar to an RDA. They offer the convenience of a tank with the flavour benefits of dripping so if that’s what you’re looking for then this should tick these boxes!
Clearomizers
Clearomizers are beginner-friendly tanks with replaceable coil heads that typically have transparent glass, making it easy for users to see the e-liquid level. These basic tanks suit those who prefer hassle-free vaping with pre-built coils.
Mesh Coil Tanks
Many tanks now take mesh coils, and mod tanks are no exception. These cover more surface area, providing excellent flavour, enhanced cloud production, and coil longevity. Naturally, they would suit any vaper looking for enhanced flavour and longer-lasting coils.
Best Vape Mod For Beginners
As we’ve learned in this guide, if you’re inexperienced and you use the wrong type of vape mod, then it can be quite dangerous. So when it comes to choosing a vape mod as a beginner, you need to know you’re buying something that suits your level of experience.
In the past, beginners were advised to stay away from pretty much all types of mods, as they were deemed unsafe for those who didn’t understand battery safety and vape storage. However, these days, most mods come with a range of safety features that mean pretty much anyone can use them.
So if you’re a beginner, you should be fine to use a box mod or tubular mod, as well as a pod mod. Just remember that mechanical and hybrid mods are for those who are experienced and have a good understanding of battery safety and Ohm’s laws, so if you’re a beginner, then avoid these kits.
Box mods offer a range of customisable options for vapers looking to take their vaping to the next level. By allowing you to change the settings and utilise a range of features, you can take full control of your vaping, helping you achieve the flavour and cloud production that suits your needs and preferences perfectly.
At DIY e-Liquid we stock a range of mods that are suited to all experience levels. So if you’re on the lookout for a mod device to pair with your e-liquid then check out our range and you should find precisely what you’re looking for.
