For fixed Wattage (Power mode) mode, almost any mod that has the standard 510 connector and will deliver around 40W or more without stressing. I no longer recommend temp controlled mode.
If you're in UK, the much-respected Geekvape Original Solo is still easily available via Ebay. For USA residents, ask on the Discord as we may be able to assist with an independent trader. Other examples are Lost Vape Thelema Sol DNA (pic), Thelema Solo Quest, Grus 100, Geekvape S100, Original Max, Max100, M100, Z50.
If your mod takes external battery(s), get flat topped unprotected cell(s) with a continuous discharge rating of 15A or more. Examples of 18650s are Samsung 25R, Molicel P28A, Sony VTC5A, Sinowatt 25SP. To find out more about vape batteries, see my video.
For mods that take 21700 batteries, adaptor(s) will likely be included which allow the use of 18650 cell(s). Obviously, check before ordering.
👓 Sources
Mods: UK Ebay, ElementVape (USA)
Batteries: Fogstar (uk) ElementVape (USA)
For a review of the types and terminology see this page, and I suggest reading reviews from this drop-down menu to help you choose your tank.
👓 Sources
Search terms: "RTA tank" or your preferred tank followed by "RTA", e.g. "Destiny RTA"
Important Aliexpress Update March 2025: We've recently discovered a way for USA customers to purchase a wide variety of tanks from Aliexpress using links disguised as non-vape items. Ask on the Discord if you need more info.
The Destiny RTA, my current top recommendation for a good all-round DTL Dimitri tank
The extended curved glass versions are recommended as they'll help keep the mod upright during a toke and also reduce the risk of djuice splashes reaching your mouth.
DTL "sub ohm" tanks take larger 810 versions by default. RDL and MTL tanks e.g. Arbiter Solo and Wasp Nano MTL fit the smaller 510 version. Adaptors either way are available. The pic shows a 510 (upper) and 810 version (lower).
You can also fabricate your own with a length of suitable generic tubing of suitable diameter. Get down to your local hardware store and see what they have.
💡 Don't make the triptip too long as excessive dead space and cooling will result, drastically weaking the effect.
👓 Sources
Search terms "long glass driptip"
Aliexpress, Amerah (810 version) Amerah (510 version)
Wire for coil winding is normally formed by wrapping single cores together in a variety of different styles, which maximises available surface area for the wick, whilst preventing resistance dropping too low for the mod's specifications. For simplicity we'll stick mainly to common fused claptons - i.e. an inner core (aka "kernel") of two or more parallel round wires with a outer 90° wrapping of a finer round wire. These are denoted as (inner core wires) + outer wire, e.g. (24x2)+36 with wire sizes in AWG (American Wire Gauge). So our (24x2)+32 will be two 24ga (0.51mm) wires in parallel which is wrapped with a 32ga (0.20mm) outer wire.
There are a number of different ways of denoting fused claptons for example 26x2+36, (26x2)+36, (2x26)+36 and 2x26(=)+36 all refer to the same thing.
Flat cored claptons are becoming more common. These have a single flat "ribbon" wire core (see pic below on "Pre Wound Coils" section) with the same 90° style of outer winding as conventional multi-cored claptons
Tri-cored clapton. Three 26g parallel wires wrapped in a 36g outer
Standard dual core fused clapton in a thicker gauge
Flat-cored clapton. The 0.8x0.3mm "ribbon" wire core with 32g wrapping is perhaps the most common
Staggered fused clapton. Similar to a fused but the core wired are themselves wrapped
Type in your AWG value to convert into mm and inches.
See also the WireBuddy tool
Wire is mostly made from Stainless Steel (SS316L), Kanthal A1 or Nichrome (Ni80). I've tested all using otherwise identical coils in power mode & found no noticeable difference in the heatup time or any other aspect of the vaping experience. However, be aware that some mods (including Geekvape Z50 and Thelema Solo Quest) can deliver significantly less power when using SS316L wires (see the Mod Box Guide, scroll to "Inaccuracies"). Some prefer to avoid Ni80 owing to concerns over nickel allergy although I have no info on credibility, but certainly it doesn't appear to affect me. I've found widest-gauge Kanthal wire quite stiff/difficult to bend accurately at smaller diameters. SS316L seems softer and noticeably easier to bend, but also easier to distort out of shape when threading or removing cotton wicking.
Some claptons I've tried for Direct to Lung, i.e. "sub ohm" tanks (σ denotes overall wire cross section dimensions)
(24x2)+32 the heaviest gauge wire I've tested (σ 1.4 x 0.9mm). A physically large wire with long heatup/cooldown times and no apparent advantages for its thick gauge, but otherwise does the job.
(26x3)+36 tri-cored clapton (σ 1.5 x 0.7mm). Great on build decks if it happens to conveniently fit, but its large width can make it tricky to conveniently fit between terminals on some tanks where the inter-terminal gap doesn't conveniently accommodate the desired number of turns
(26x2)+36 (σ 1.1 x 0.7mm) my usual go-to fused clapton - a brilliant all-rounder IME 👍
(28x2)+30 (σ 1.2 x 0.8mm) fused clapton - also excellent - generally indistinguishable in use from (26x2)+36 above 👍
(0.3x0.8mm)+32 (σ 1.2 x 0.7mm) flat core clapton. IME another great wire for our purposes 👍
(26x32x2)+32 (σ 1.42 x 0.81mm) staggered fused clapton - a wide wire but works very well if the build deck terminal gap conveniently fits the number of wraps you intending to use
For MTL vaping (see this page for a description of MTL/RDL and DTL), I've used 26x2(=)+36 very successfully, but finer claptons (e.g. 30x2+38, σ 0.7 x 0.5mm) and even single cored wires are available if desired. Note: MTL wires are not recommended to get the best vape quality from DTL tanks.
When buying wire or ready-made coils, especially from Wish/Aliexpress/etc, be aware that their name for wire types can be totally different to our own conventions. Look carefully at the vendor's picture, as that's what'll be delivered.
See WireBuddy for wire dimensions/RTA fitting
For more info on coil choice, see the FAQ page
For sources, see below for pre-wound coils below⬇️
Instead of winding you own, you may purchase these (or some may be included with your tank). These can work well and save time, but there are a few points to keep in mind..
The distance between coil legs will need to be equal or less than the gap between your tank terminals. Probably for that reason, pre-wound coils seem to err on having fewer wraps than you may have chosen so they can be expanded as needed to fit a wider range of deck sizes.
Most available pre-built coils seem to be wound anticlockwise, which is likely be suitable for most decks, so if you prefer/need clockwise then options may be limited
Not all pre-wound coils include data about their inner diameter, which can be relevant if space is tight on your tank
I seldom use pre-built coils because I prefer to experiment with different numbers of wraps, inner diameters, materials etc to which pre-builts aren't ideally suited
👓 Sources
Search terms "fused clapton wire" or "fused clapton coil"
Aliexpress, Wish, Amazon, Ebay, Creme De Vape, etc. Often sold as "DIY", "household", or "heating" wires
Typical pack of pre-built "sub ohm" coils, incorrectly labelled "Alien" & using a single flat core. The 0.3x0.8 flat core with 32ga kernel is about 1.2mm wide
Vaping Cotton
Used to form the wick, and threads through the coil centre. It's supplied in several forms including
Thread - long lengths of cotton. Like shoelace below, may be specced for a particular coil diameter
Shoelace - short lengths of thread terminated at one or both ends with a piece of plastic film, supposedly intended to assist with initial threading through the coil
Bacon - effectively thick strips of cotton thread. Your own judgement is employed to tear off a narrower strip to fit your own inner coil diameter.
If you're new to building RTAs, I suggest looking for thread or shoelace which is specified to match the intended inner diameter of your coil. (say 3.0mm for most Direct to Lung "sub ohm" tanks). Bacon will certainly do the job, but it can be just that bit more tricky so I'd avoid it.
👓 Sources
Search terms "cotton bacon" (best for Wish), "cotton vape wick"
Aliexpress, Wish, Amazon, Ebay, ElementVape, Creme De Vape, etc.
Cotton thread for 2.5mm inside diameter coils from Aliexpress (not USA)
Shoelace cotton for 3.0mm inside diameter coils from Aliexpress (not USA)
Cheap n' cheeful but definitely not my favourite. Fake cotton bacon from Wish. It does the job but tearing off the right amount from a chunky strip can be a complete pain for even experienced wickers!