A Beginner's Guide to Sub-ohm Vaping

If you’ve ever considered trying sub-ohm vaping, odds are that you’ve heard it’s an excellent way to take your vape experience to the next level. Sub-ohm vaping has grown increasingly popular in the community, but there’s still quite a bit of mystery surrounding this vape style – particularly for those who have yet to try it. The absence of widespread understanding of the topic has unfortunately led to a certain amount of controversy surrounding sub-ohm vaping, with many people unsure whether or not it’s safe. The good news is that with some education and an intelligent approach, sub-ohm vaping can be a safe, enjoyable way to maximize flavor and vapor production.

Wondering how you can try sub-ohm vaping for yourself? Here’s a handy guide to everything you need to know to get started safely, including what exactly it is, how to do it, and what supplies you’ll need to make the most of your experience.

What is Sub-Ohm Vaping?

Many vapers are surprised to learn that sub-ohm vaping is rooted in science, precisely a physics concept known as Ohm’s Law. German physicist Georg Ohm created this law of physics, which established that when an electrical current passes through a conductor from one point to another, it will be directly proportional to the supplied voltage and inversely proportional to the conductor’s resistance. To break it down in plain English, Ohm’s Law essentially means that the lower the resistance and the higher the voltage of your device, the higher the level of current that can pass through it (and vice versa).

In the vaping world, this complex physics concept has opened the door for devices that boost the amount of usable vaping power, allowing vapers to use lower resistance levels to maximize the current flow. In turn, it produces incredibly flavorful, voluminous clouds that most vapers find impossible to resist.

How Does Sub-Ohm Vaping Work?

Initially, vapers attempted to bump up battery power to reach new flavors and vapor heights. The reasoning was that higher power levels could be achieved with higher voltage. As it turned out, amperage limits quickly showed vapers that this method wouldn’t work – so it was back to the drawing board. When the resistance was reduced, a greater current flow was possible, allowing for flavorful, fluffy clouds unlike ever before.

Even for novice vapers, the concept of resistance level is something they’ve seen, at least in passing. Atomizer coils are labeled with their specific resistance level, defined in ohms, and directly connected to the current that can run through that specific coil. The lower the resistance, the greater the potential for current (even as the voltage is kept constant). The coils can reach a higher temperature and more effectively vaporize your e-juice of choice. Most standard atomizer coils fall between 1.5 and 3 ohms, whereas specifically designed sub-ohm coils have resistance levels of 1 ohm or less.

To try sub-ohm vaping, you’ll need one of the following set-ups:

  • An RDA (rebuildable dripping atomizer), which requires you to drip the e-liquid every few puffs manually
  • An RTA (rebuildable tank atomizer) that utilizes a clearomizer and built-in coil (eliminating the need for manual dripping)
  • A specially designed sub-ohm tank, which is often compatible with a wide range of vape mods and uses disposable coils

What’s a Sub-Ohm Tank?

For quite some time, sub-ohm vapers had very few options regarding their vape set-up – and plenty of challenges. For those who chose an RDA, manually dripping e-juice onto the wick was a significant hurdle in terms of convenience. Vapers who used an RTA had a considerably easier time, and this option remains pretty popular today.

When sub-ohm tanks arrived on the market, the vaping community was changed for the better. These tanks make it straightforward to sub-ohm vape anytime, anywhere, providing an incredibly user-friendly, high-performance experience. Nowadays, most sub-ohm tanks can be purchased as an “upgrade” to the mod of your choice, as long as the mod operates at 30 watts or higher. The significant difference between sub-ohm tanks and RTAs lies in their coils: a sub-ohm tank uses disposable coils, unlike an RTA. Now, you can easily purchase a sub-ohm tank from nearly every major vape brand, with plenty of options to customize your experience from top to bottom.

The Best E-Juices for Sub-Ohm Vaping

Technically, you can use just about any e-juice for sub-ohm vaping – but you don’t want to. Sub-ohm vaping requires a much higher temperature than standard vaping, and not all e-liquids can withstand heat. If you choose the wrong e-juice, you’ll end up with a disappointing (and possibly very unpleasant) vape experience, with flavorless or even burnt-tasting vapor.

Pay close attention to your vape juice's VG/PG ratio, looking for one with a well-balanced ratio. Additionally, you’ll want to choose a juice with high-quality ingredients to make the most of your sub-ohm experience. For some sub-ohm vapers, a slightly higher ratio of VG to PG is preferable for a reduced throat hit, while others also prefer lower nicotine levels when sub-ohm vaping. With some experimentation, you can find the perfect juices for the sub-ohm vape you enjoy.

Sub-Ohm Vaping with VV/VW Devices

Another topic within sub-ohm vaping is the dual concept of variable voltage (VV) and variable wattage (VW). With modern-day devices, you don’t need to worry about purchasing a VV/VW device because there are plenty of options for high-powered, regulated devices on the market. In years past, sub-ohm vaping required a certain amount of risk, with vapers manipulating devices to achieve high power levels that went beyond safe capacity. Thankfully, manufacturers now design sub-ohm setups that make it simple to calibrate to your chosen resistance level and adjust as needed, all while performing considerably better than old-school options.

Sub-Ohm Vaping Safety

Batteries

No matter how you choose to vape, battery safety is essential. However, it becomes especially critical with sub-ohm vaping. Ensure you’ve selected the correct battery for your device, and consider choosing an unprotected IMR or hybrid lithium battery. These types are among the most popular because they are typically safer due to their unique structure and chemistry. Never use batteries from an unknown or cheap brand, and permanently toss damaged or dented batteries – it’s just not worth the risk.

Batteries with high continuous amperage limits are often ideal for sub-ohm vaping, though you should always stick to the specific amperage limit of your chosen battery. Also, take the time to check with an Ohms reader to ensure your batteries are at an appropriate resistance level.

Everything You Need for Sub-Ohm Vaping from VaporFi

Ready for your first sub-ohm experience? Get everything you need from VaporFi, your number-one vape retailer. Our selection of sub-ohm vape devices and accessories is top quality, so you can shop confidently, knowing that you’re browsing the best. From premium e-juices to sub-ohm tanks, VaporFi has it at the best prices.