MTL vs RDL vs DL: which draw is right for you?
What mouth-to-lung, restricted-direct-lung and direct-lung mean, and which coil resistance and nicotine strength suit each.
4 min read · Updated 07-Oct-2026
Mouth-to-lung (MTL)
A tight draw held in the mouth before inhaling – the closest to a cigarette. Use 0.8 Ω and higher with nicotine salts at 20–35 mg.
Restricted direct-lung (RDL)
A looser draw inhaled straight into the lungs, with more vapour. Use 0.4–0.7 Ω pods and lower strengths – freebase 3–6 mg or a mild salt.
Direct-lung (DL)
Wide-open airflow and big clouds from pod mods and sub-ohm tanks at 0.15–0.3 Ω and 40 W+. Use freebase at 3–6 mg only – high-strength salts at these powers are harsh.
Quick rule
- Higher resistance (Ω) = tighter draw, less vapour, stronger throat hit.
- Lower resistance = looser draw, more vapour, use lower nicotine.
- Not sure? A 0.6–0.8 Ω pod with adjustable airflow covers both.