A mesh coil uses a thin sheet or cylinder of metal mesh as its heating element instead of a round wire. Because the mesh is flat and covers more of the cotton, it heats more evenly. Most people notice two things: flavour tends to come through more clearly, and the kit can get through liquid a bit faster. Mesh is now the standard in a lot of pod kits. It isn't automatically better, though. It's a different trade-off, covered below and in our wider pods and coils hub.
Mesh vs wire, side by side
| Mesh coil | Standard wire coil | |
|---|---|---|
| Heating element | Flat metal mesh | Round wire wound into a spiral |
| Contact with cotton | Large, even | Less, with hotter spots |
| Flavour | Often described as fuller | Fine, sometimes muted |
| Warm-up | Even heat across the surface | Can be patchier |
| E-liquid use | Can be a little higher | Can be a little lower |
| Common in | Most current pod kits | Older and budget pods |
Even heat is most of the story. A wire coil touches the cotton along a thin line, so parts of the cotton get hotter than others. A mesh strip presses against much more of it, which means the liquid vaporises more evenly and there are fewer hot spots to scorch the wick.
Does mesh mean sub-ohm?
No, and this trips people up. Mesh describes the shape of the element. Resistance is a separate thing.
You'll find mesh coils at high resistances for mouth-to-lung pod vaping, and at very low resistances for big direct-to-lung tanks. Vaporesso's XROS range, for example, uses mesh pods at several resistances, including 0.8 and 1.2 ohm, both aimed at tighter draws. So when you're picking a mesh coil, look at the ohm figure first. Our vape coil guide explains what the numbers mean, and MTL vs DTL covers the two styles of draw.
The trade-offs
Flavour. This is the reason people switch. Not everyone notices a big difference, but many do, especially with fruit and dessert flavours.
Liquid use. More surface area vaporising at once can mean a little more liquid per puff. On a 2ml pod, you might find yourself refilling slightly more often.
Coil life. It varies. Even heating can be kinder to the cotton, but very sweet liquids still gunk up mesh just like wire. Treat any lifespan claim as a rough guide, because how you vape matters more than the coil type. Our guide to how long a vape pod lasts covers what actually wears coils out.
Getting the best from a mesh coil
- Prime it properly. Fill the pod and leave it upright for five to ten minutes. Mesh coils have a lot of cotton to soak.
- Start low if your kit has adjustable power. Stay inside the range printed on the coil or pod.
- Match the liquid. MTL mesh pods suit nic salts and 50/50 liquids. Very thick liquid can't keep the cotton wet. See the VG/PG ratio guide.
- Don't chain vape. Give the cotton a few seconds between puffs to re-soak.
- Top up early. Mesh coils are good at pulling liquid, but they still burn if the pod runs low.
If a new mesh coil tastes burnt from the start, it almost always wasn't primed long enough. The burnt taste guide helps you work out which problem you've got.
Spitting and popping
Mesh coils sometimes crackle or spit a little, especially when new or when the pod is very full. A small amount is normal. If it's spitting liquid into your mouth, the coil may be flooded. Take the pod off, wrap it in a tissue and give it a firm flick to clear the airflow tube, and try slightly gentler draws. If that keeps happening, the vape leaking guide goes through the causes.
Should you switch?
If your kit has both mesh and standard pods available, try a mesh one. It's the easiest way to find out if you notice the flavour difference. If your kit only takes one type, it's not a reason on its own to change kit.
For flavours that show off what a mesh coil can do, fruit ices such as iced triple mango or peach ice are good tests. If you're shopping for pods to go with it, our pods for vape guide covers fit and compatibility.
Questions people ask
Are mesh coils better than normal coils?
Many people prefer them for flavour, because the mesh heats more evenly across a bigger surface. They can use e-liquid a little faster, so it comes down to what you value.
Can I use nic salts in a mesh coil?
Yes, in a mesh coil made for MTL vaping, such as most pod coils at around 0.8 ohm and above. Low-resistance sub-ohm mesh coils are better with low-strength freebase.
Do mesh coils need priming?
Yes. Like any cotton-wicked coil, give a new mesh coil five to ten minutes to soak before you fire it.
