MTL vs DTL Vaping: Which Inhale Style is Right for You?

Your lungs have 2 doors. Which will you open?

Vaping isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some are into slow and steady. Some crave big, bold pulls.

That’s where two common styles pop up. MTL and DTL. 

Both use the same basic gear. Both paths deliver vapor and flavor. They just take different routes. One path is a tight, familiar sip. The other is a deep, open breath.

So, they create totally different experiences.

The inhale style changes 3 things. The throat hit. The nicotine rush. The cloud size. Then again, they do more than these. 

8 Key Differences Between MTL & DTL Vaping

- Into quality puffs? Pick one from VapeDeal!

What Is Mouth-To-Lung Vaping?

Like smoking a stick?

MTL is short for mouth-to-lung. It’s a vaping style where you pull vapor into your mouth first, hold it for a second, then inhale it into your lungs with a second breath. This gives a tight and controlled inhale.

Such a vaping style is old school. It came from the very first vapes in the mid-2000s. Those devices looked like cigarettes. They were called "cigalikes." 

Companies built them to feel exactly like smoking. They needed a familiar inhale to help people switch. That’s why 95% of vapers start with MTL. 

It’s the classic method. The perfect training wheels for quitting cigarettes.

Key Characteristics of MTL Vaping

• Tight inhale with restricted airflow
• Slow, steady pulls
• Small and discreet vapor output
• Works best with higher PG or 50/50 e-liquids
• Stronger throat hit

MTL Vaping Pros & Cons 

What Is Direct-To-Lung Vaping?

Deep, open, lung-full inhale style.

Short for Direct-To-Lung. DTL vaping is a style where you inhale vapor directly into your lungs in one continuous breath. It’s similar to how you breathe in deeply or take a big breath before a run. 

The airflow is open, smooth, and airy. This lets a large amount of vapor fill your lungs in one pull.

This style got big later. It became popular with "sub-ohm" vaping around the mid-2010s. New coils allowed for lower resistance. This meant more power and bigger clouds. 

One survey found that only about 5% of vapers used this method at first. It wasn't for quitting smoking. Rather, it was for cloud chasing and flavor. 

Key Characteristics of DTL Vaping

• Loose, airy draw, which feels like breathing openly
• Creates big, dense clouds
• More air cools the vapor down
• Uses more power. Needs bigger batteries
• Requires low nicotine, as high nicotine would be too harsh
• DTL Vaping Pros & Cons 

MTL vs DTL Vaping

Vaping Inhale Techniques

The core difference. How you breathe it in. 

In MTL, vapor first sits in the mouth, then moves to your lungs. This is a two-step process. It mimics traditional smoking. 

You’ll find it way slower and more controlled. Because the vapor stays in the mouth for a while, the tongue detects more subtle flavors. 

It’s also gentler on the lungs. That’s why different beginners and ex-smokers pick it. 

For DTL, vapor flows down your windpipe and goes directly into the lungs in one long inhale. No pause in the mouth. It kind of imitates sub-ohm vaping style. 

Since it hits the lungs straight, you feel it stronger and faster. This kind of style gives more vapor and taste per puff. 

Hence, DTL is suitable for cloud chasers and flavor freaks who are into bold hits. 

Airflow Settings

A slot or hole that your devices may come with. Airflow controls how much air mixes with the vapor. It affects smoothness and throat hit. 

For MTL, you want tight airflow. So, you turn the control to make the hole small. This gives you that restricted pull. Such a style creates suction that pulls the e-juice into the coil properly. 

The clouds feel denser. And you get to enjoy more concentrated and nuanced flavors. Why? Because the cloud stays in the mouth. This allows the taste buds to absorb subtle notes. 

For DTL, you want open airflow. So, you make the hole big. This lets air flood in. The air flows freely and cools the hot coil for you to take a long, deep inhale without burning. 

The style makes the clouds bigger and fluffier. The flavors taste more voluminous and intense. It comes from the large amount of vapor inhaled directly into the lungs. 

Vapor Production

How much cloud do you wish for? 

MTL vaping makes less vapor. 

• The tighter draw
• The higher resistance coil
• The lower wattage

They all work together to bring a smaller amount of clouds. 

That’s more discreet. You can take a puff in public without filling the room. Your e-juice bottle will also last you days. Maybe weeks. 

If you’re into subtle, casual vaping, try MTL. 

DTL creates lots of clouds. 

• The open draw
• The low resistance coil
• The higher wattage 

All these make huge, dense clouds. It’s for show. The style is just right for witnessing the room fill up with vapor. But there’s one tiny issue. You may soon run out of e-juice LITERALLY. 

If you care about massive clouds and doing tricks, DTL is just right. 

Throat Hit

Throat hit is that feeling in the back of your throat. Some people love that kick. Some don’t. 

MTL gives a more pronounced throat hit. 

This happens for 2 reasons. First, you often use high nicotine in MTL. Nicotine irritates the throat. Second, you use higher PG juice. PG also brings a sharper throat sensation. 

Such a scratchy feeling is what lots of ex-smokers miss. So, it makes the vape feel satisfying. 

DTL comes with a smoother throat hit. 

How? Because you typically use very low-nicotine and high-VG juices. VG makes it smooth and thick. Also, all that air from the “open draw” dilutes and cools the vapor. The result is a creamy, soft inhale. 

You feel the clouds filling your lungs. No scratchy feeling. That’s what several beginners love. 

Throat hit affects satisfaction. Ex-smokers who need a familiar kick often stick with MTL. DTL is gentler and more for bigger puff fans. 

Nicotine Strength Suitability

A big one.

Your preferred nicotine level can influence which style feels comfortable. 

MTL vaping is for higher nicotine. 

You take smaller puffs. Less vapor goes into your lungs. This may not satisfy you much. For this, you need stronger nicotine in that vapor to feel it. 

In that case, nicotine salts can be spot-on. They can go up to 20/50mg without being harsh. That’s ideal for killing cigarette cravings faster. 

DTL is for super low nicotine.

You’re inhaling massive amounts of vapor. If that vapor had high nicotine, you’d get too much. Result: Dizziness. Cough. 

Most DTL vapers use 3-6mg nicotine. Some use 0%. This ensures smoother throat hits and intense flavors. 

E-Juice PG/VG Ratio

PG/VG ratio changes flavor intensity, smoothness, and cloud sizes. So, match your style with the right juice. 

PG and VG are the two main liquids in your bottle. They do different jobs.

For MTL, use a 50/50 blend or higher PG. 

The thin PG liquid soaks easily into the small coils. It wicks fast. So, you don’t get dry hits. And it gives that throat hit you might want. Plus, the flavor tastes more nuanced. 

For DTL, go with a 70/30 VG/PG mix or higher VG. 

Thinner PG liquid would leak in a big, airy DTL tank. OTOH, the thick VG liquid creates those dense clouds you see. High VG also makes the vapor smoother for those big lungfuls.

• Grab your flavorful juices from VapeDeal today!

Coil Resistance

The coil is the little heater inside your device. Its resistance is measured in ohms (Ω). 

High resistance (1.0Ω and above) is for mouth-to-lung vaping.

1.2Ω or 1.6Ω coils are common. These coils heat up at lower power. Llike 10-15 watts. Just right for 3 things. Smaller puffs. Higher nicotine. More flavorful hits. 

They don’t need much power. So, your device’s battery lasts longer.

Low resistance is for direct-to-lung vaping. 

These are called sub-ohm coils (below 0.8Ω). A 0.4Ω or 0.15Ω coil is common. 

They need big batteries and high power to heat up. Like 40-80 watts. This creates more heat. Result: Faster vaporization and Bigger clouds. 

Device Type

Your inhale style picks your device for you.

MTL devices are simple. 

Small pod vapes. Vape pens. Basic starter kits. All of them let you enjoy this kind of vaping. They’re light. Fit in a pocket. Easy to use. 

You just fill and puff. Moreover, these guys are made for that tight draw and high nicotine. Most have built-in batteries.

DTL devices are bigger. 

Large box mods and sub-ohm vapes. These two are just right for DTL vaping. But a DTL vape may need more experience and upkeep. 

They have huge batteries that you take out and charge. There are screens and buttons to control power. Built for power and clouds. 

Restricted Direct to Lung Vaping: The Middle Ground

What if you want more than MTL but less than DTL? 

Good news. There’s a middle ground.

It’s Restricted Direct to Lung (RDL) vaping.

Such a vaping style works like a DTL's quieter cousin. 

• The airflow is looser than a tight MTL. But tighter than a wide-open DTL. 
• You inhale straight into your lungs. But with a little resistance.

Who’s it for? Vapers who find MTL too tight and DTL too airy.

Many pod kits now offer 0.6Ω or 0.8Ω coils for RDL. It gives you more flavor and vapor than MTL. But it doesn’t drink juice as fast as full DTL. 

You use medium nicotine strength here. Like 10mg salts or 6mg regular nicotine. And a balanced e-juice. Like 60/40 VG/PG. 

• Want to try RDL? Find solid coils on the VapeDeal shelf!

Quick Tips for Picking Your Style

Still unsure? Ask yourself these questions.

Are you quitting smoking right now? 

Start with MTL. No question. The easiest switch.

Do you want big clouds for fun? 

You want DTL. Get a sub-ohm kit.

Is saving money on e-liquid important? 

MTL uses much less juice.

Do you want a really strong nicotine hit? 

MTL with nicotine salts is your friend.

Are you into vape tricks and cloud chasing? 

DTL is your guy here. 

Is flavor your main goal? 

You can get great flavor from both. Try RDL for a great balance.

Does the idea of a tight draw annoy you? 

Skip MTL. Look at RDL or DTL.

Gear You’ll Need to Start

Tips for Choosing the Right Vaping Style

Know your nicotine needs

Higher nicotine? MTL might suit you better. Lower nicotine? DTL is ideal.

Consider your flavor preference 

MTL holds vapor in the mouth, which highlights subtle flavors. DTL gives bold, full-lung flavor.

Think about cloud size

Small, discreet clouds? Go MTL. Big, thick clouds? DTL is your pick.

Device comfort matters

Compact pods are great for MTL. Larger mods work better for DTL.

Experiment with airflow 

Lots of devices let you adjust airflow to try MTL, DTL, or RDL styles.

Budget your e-liquid 

MTL uses less. DTL uses more.

FAQs

Which is better for you, MTL or DTL?

Start with MTL if you're quitting smoking. Go with DTL in case you’re into massive clouds and flavor. Your preferences and goals decide what's best.

How do you properly inhale when MTL vaping?

Draw vapor into your mouth first. Like a cigarette. Hold it for 1-5 seconds. Now, inhale it into your lungs in a second, separate breath.

Is mouth to lung or direct to lung better?

Neither is better overall. MTL is better for a tight draw and nicotine satisfaction. DTL is better for large clouds and a very airy feel.

Which airflow is best for a vape?

The best airflow depends on your style. Tight airflow is best for MTL. Wide-open airflow is best for DTL. Adjustable airflow lets you find your perfect setting.