What do MTL and DL mean?
1st September 2022
Browse any vaping website and you will often come across the terms Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) and Direct-Lung (DL or DTL).
These terms are frequently used to describe vape devices such as tanks and kits and are great for experienced vapers as they can help them determine if a tank or kit is right for their needs.
However, these terms can be confusing to those new to vaping.
We've put together this guide to explain what these terms mean and help you choose the device that works best for your style of vaping.
What is Mouth-to-Lung?
Mouth-to-Lung refers to a kind of inhalation. When you inhale MTL, you pull the vapor into your mouth and then hold it there before inhaling it into the lungs. With its tighter, more restricted puff, MTL vaping is closest to that of a cigarette.
Additionally, the combination of less air drawn through the coil, higher PG levels used, and inhalation technique mean that MTL gives more authentic throat hit.
What is Direct-Lung?
Direct-Lung inhalation is when you breathe the vapor directly into your lungs without first holding it in your mouth. It's similar to taking a deep breath while pursing your lips.
Direct-Lung vaping requires more airflow to cool the vapor. Therefore, DL devices are specifically designed to allow more air to be drawn through the coil.
A mix of the two?
Although products are often described with terms like "mouth-to-lung" or "direct-lung", there is actually quite an overlap between the two and no matter what device or method you use, the vapor must pass through your mouth to reach your lungs.Still, these terms are widely used and it's worth knowing what they mean to ensure you choose the best product for you.
Which one is right for you?
For people new to vaping
Most people prefer mouth-to-lung inhalation when they first start vaping as it is the most similar to smoking. Devices with a tighter draw, used with e-liquids that have higher nicotine and PG levels will help to provide the best experience.
Direct-Lung can be quite an intense and unfamiliar sensation to begin with, and new vapers may find that it makes them cough.
Flavour
It isn’t just people new to vaping who prefer mouth-to-lung vaping, some vapers believe they get a better flavour by using mouth-to-lung devices. This can be because less air is drawn through the device when vaping Mouth-to-Lung and the fact that the vapour spends longer in the mouth before inhaling. The higher PG e-liquids that are often paired with MTL devices can also carry the flavour more effectively too.
On the other hand, with DL devices you take in much more vapour which can also make the flavour more concentrated and intense.
Additionally, e-liquid creators know that high-VG levels can subtly change the flavour compared to high-PG and often recipes are now better developed to be suitable for higher VG e-liquids. This means great tasting e-liquid can be found with any PG/VG ratio.
For huge clouds
If you are looking for huge clouds of vapour or are looking for the most intense experience, Direct-Lung devices are the best option.
