For a while, images of ‘modders’ exhaling huge clouds of vapour came to represent the vaping scene - at least in the eyes of the media.
But the truth is, cloud chasers have always formed a minority. A far larger number of vapers simply want a device that is satisfying to vape, gives the right amount of throat hit and tastes good. In other words, everything needed to replicate and replace smoking.
If that’s what you’re looking for, you’re in the right place. In this post, we’ll be covering the best Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) vape kits, including popular device types, and covering some of the most popular MTL vape juices available.
Contents
- Best MTL vape kits at a glance
- Best MTL vape kits in depth
- How we chose these kits
- What is Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) vaping?
- Why would you want to MTL vape?
- What makes a device MTL?
- What makes a vape juice MTL?
- Conclusion
Product | Best for… |
Oxva Xlim Pro | Flavour |
Aspire Vilter | Replicating smoking |
Uwell Caliburn AZ3 | Great flavour/Wide appeal |
Aspire Pockex | Throat hit |
Elf Bar Elfa Pro | Best closed pod/Best for price |
Vaporesso Luxe XR Max | Best open pod |
Oxva Xlim SQ Pro | All experience levels |
Eleaf iStick Power 2 | Best battery life |
Elf Bar 600 | Best disposable MTL |
Innokin Adept Zlide | Best MTL mod kit |
Aspire R1 | Refillable disposable |
Innokin Endura T18II | Best MTL vape pen |
Vaporesso Xros 3 & Xros 3 Mini | Best overall MTL device |
Reviewed by: Dawn, ECD Team
With a single-button design, inhale-firing option and fixed-coil pods, the Oxva Xlim Pro is suitable for beginners, yet boasts some versatile features that allow you to experiment with their vaping style.
The adjustable airflow slider is a nice bonus feature and, when I used the device with nicotine salts and a fully-opened airflow I found it produced good flavour and a nice, airy inhale.
The device works with both Xlim V2 and V3 (top-fill) pods, with a choice of resistances meaning you can choose a looser MTL inhale or a more restricted RDL style. I was pleased to discover a single V2 pod lasted me 5 days before I needed to replace it.
I also liked that the pods are transparent so you can see the vape juice levels and that the V3 pods can be filled without removing them from the device. However, I did have a slight issue when using a V3 pod when the filling bung fell into the pod after a couple of refills, rendering it unusable.
The Xlim Pro has an impressive number of functions for such a compact MTL device.
The single button can be used for all functions including turning the device on/off, changing the light settings, adjusting the wattage and locking the device.
(I found you can still use inhale firing when the device is locked, which I really liked!)
Personally, I liked the device having so many features. However, it can sometimes be difficult to select the desired feature and keep track of how many times you have clicked the button.
While the Xlim Pro does feature the largest battery of any Xlim device so far, when using the device I did find myself having to recharge it before the end of the day.
While the 1000mAh battery can supposedly last up to 3 days, I think that could only be achieved with low power and less frequent use.
If you want a vape device that replicates smoking, sometimes it’s not just about throat hit and nicotine. You may also want something that actually feels like a cigarette.
The Aspire Vilter solves this problem with the inclusion of paper filter tips that replicate the physical feel of a tobacco cigarette on your lips. Combined with its compact size and easy inhale firing design, this makes it a great choice for recently-switched smokers looking for a no-fuss alternative to regular cigarettes.
Also see: Best Vape Kits for Heavy Smokers.
Reviewed by: Lloyd, ECD Team
Uwell’s Caliburn Series has provided some of our most popular pod devices. A collection of easy-to-use kits, they provide some of the best flavour production we’ve seen from MTL pod devices.
My first thoughts on the Caliburn AZ3 were that it is much smaller than I expected. Fitting in the coin pocket of my jeans, it’s easy to carry around. Although it’s a small device, the build quality is still very good and the aluminium alloy design with corrugated sides makes it feel robust.
The AZ3’s fixed airflow is perfect for MTL vaping. Using the 0.8ohm A3 pod and ‘bar salt’ nic salts produced a good airy inhale and decent clouds for a smaller MTL device. The top filling, fixed-coil pods were also very convenient - easy to refill without removing them from the device and without any messiness from changing coils.
The battery life was impressive - with the 750mAh battery lasting me over a day of use between charges and the battery life indicator around the Caliburn logo was clear and easy to monitor.
My only criticism of this device would be that although its smaller size is convenient, a slightly larger size would mean it fitted more comfortably in hand and would also allow for a larger battery capacity.
Overall, this is a great MTL kit suited for all experience levels - particularly beginners as fixed-coil pods, inhale firing and automatic power settings make it a perfect no-fuss first kit.
For many vapers, especially those just switching from smoking, throat hit is an important part of the experience.
The Aspire PockeX isn’t the newest device on this list, but for years it’s been a consistent best seller. Much of this is down to its unrivalled throat hit. Aspire has managed to create a perfectly balanced airflow to create a satisfying MTL vape with just the right kick at the back of the throat.
Aside from its throat hit, the PockeX is super easy to use with a single-button design, leakproof tank and long-lasting battery.
Reviewed by: Lloyd, ECD Team
If you’re familiar with Elf Bar disposables, the Elfa Pro device has all the convenience and flavour you’d expect - just in a replaceable, prefilled pod format.
The device is easy to use, and similar to disposables, with the main difference being that you can replace the pod when it’s empty. The battery can also be recharged, and the clear RGB indicator light at the bottom lets you know when the battery is running low.
I found the inhale firing activation ultra-convenient, very responsive and easy to inhale.
The build quality of this device is also excellent and, being made from metal, feels far superior to Elf Bar disposables.
Testing the device using the Blue Sour Raspberry pod, I found the flavour was great and the set airflow produced a surprising amount of vapour for such a compact device.
Using the device straight from the box, I found I had to recharge it before the end of the day (probably due to the battery not being fully charged at first). However, when I’d fully recharged the battery it comfortably lasted a full day.
There are over 30 Elfa Pro pod flavours to choose from and, as an added bonus, the device is also compatible with Elfa and Lost Mary Tappo pods - offering even more options.
Also see: Best Cheap Vape Kits and Vaping on a Budget.
Reviewed by: Emily, ECD Team
The Luxe XR Max is a newer, upgraded version of the Luxe X and its replaceable-coil alternative the Luxe XR. Having used, and been very impressed by, the other Luxe devices in the past, I was excited to see how this new device compared.
Looks-wise, the device is very similar to the originals, and I love the fact this new version lights up! It’s also very light in the hand (if a little bit heavier than the others), so would make a good choice for those wanting decent power without a bulky device.
The battery life was very impressive on this device - I’m a heavy vaper, yet the battery lasted around a day and a half of use before I had to charge it again.
The device supports both replaceable and fixed-coil pods, and, when used with a 0.8ohm fixed-coil pod (which can be bought separately from the kit) and nic salts, it provides a great inhale with strong flavour.
I also like that you’re not restricted to just an MTL vape. There are pod and coil options for Direct-Lung(DL) and restricted Direct-Lung(RDL) vaping,so you can experiment with different inhale styles. When trying out the 0.4ohm pod, I found it produced a more airy inhale that would be ideal for DL vapers.
Overall, I loved this device. It fits my vaping style perfectly, has great flavour, impressive battery life and looks great - everything I would want from a vape kit
Reviewed by: Corey, ECD Team
Oxva’s Xlim pod device range has developed with every new release, and after the Xlim Pro proved so popular, the latest Xlim SQ Pro has a lot to live up to. However, for me, this device truly feels like an upgrade - even from the high quality I’m used to from this range.
Firstly, the new square design makes the device more compact, with a build quality that feels even more premium than previous Xlims.
I’ve always found Xlim devices to produce very good flavour, and the SQ Pro is no exception. Using the 0.6ohm Xlim fixed-coil pod with Bar Works nic salts, I got the full flavour of my e-liquid and the pod lasted 4 days before needing to be replaced. The top-fill pod design is also handy as it made refilling quick and convenient.
While this is a great MTL device, the choice of pod resistances ranging from 0.4 - 1.2ohm also means you get the choice of both MTL and Direct-Lung(DL) inhales. This is great if you like to switch up your vape style or for DL vapers who don’t want to carry a big, bulky mod.
I also liked the choice of power modes on offer. As a more experienced user, I used Power mode to manually set the wattage, but newer users can just activate Smart Mode (which auto-sets optimum wattage) and won’t need to worry about going too high or low on output. The larger screen on this device is another nice touch - with a clear display and animated data.
As a heavier vaper, I found the fixed 1200mAh battery lasted me most of a day between charges - which is what I’d expect for such a small device.
Overall, the Xlim SQ Pro is a good choice for vapers of all experience levels. With enough versatility to please more experienced users, and enough ease of use for beginners to get to grips with.
It's a big inconvenience when your device's battery dies or needs constant recharging. Although MTL vaping uses less power (and therefore less battery life) than DL vaping, it’s still a good idea to choose a device with a larger battery capacity.
Compatible with GTL coils and outputting up to 80W of power, the Eleaf Power 2 kit supports both MTL and DL vaping styles. But when used for MTL vaping (which only requires between 7 - 18W) the mod’s huge 5000mAh can easily provide at least several days of use without needing a recharge.
Other than great battery life, the iStick Power 2 kit has many other impressive features - including a luxurious leather finish and a handy Smart Mode that takes the fuss out of using it. In fact, we were so impressed with this kit we wrote a whole blog post on it!
Disposable vape devices are everywhere at the moment, becoming increasingly popular in recent years for their ease of use and convenience (although we’d always recommend a reusable device for environmental and cost-saving reasons). With so many disposables around, it’s difficult to choose a single range that stands out.
Elf Bar is currently the biggest name in disposable vaping, and the 600 range stands out with a large and varied selection of over 40 flavours. Available in 10mg, 20mg and nicotine-free options, there’s an Elf Bar 600 to suit all preferences. Ready to use out of the box, with no set up required, each Elf Bar 600 disposable lasts up to 600 puffs - providing a smooth, satisfying vape all day long.
While, historically, mod and tank kits were exclusively restricted to expert vapers blowing massive clouds, there are now plenty of great MTL mod kits that even the most inexperienced vaper can enjoy.
A long-time favourite with us at E-Cigarette Direct, the Innokin Adept Zlide has stood out thanks to its tough construction, long-lasting battery and intelligent wattage selection that takes the guesswork out of using it.
The included Zlide tank has a convenient sliding top fill and works with the higher-resistance Zenith coil range that is perfect for MTL vaping.
The Aspire R1 is a disposable with a difference! A fixed coil means that the device does need to be disposed of eventually, but a refillable pod and rechargeable battery also means it lasts much longer than regular disposable vapes.
A great midpoint between disposables and regular reusable devices, this is an easy-to-use device with no set up or power settings to worry about. The refillable pod means you can select any e-liquid flavour you like and lasts up to 8 refills before the device needs to be disposed of. You just need to dispose of the R1 when the coil runs out - you’ll notice this when the device stops producing vapour or you get a burnt taste when you inhale.
Tied for best MTL vape pen with the earlier-mentioned PockeX, the Innokin Endura T18II is another device with long-lasting popularity.
A slim and classic pen-style shape, the Endura T18II caters to vapers of all experience levels looking for an easy-to-use MTL vape pen.
In place of complicated power settings, the Endura T18II has simple ‘Cool, Mid & Warm’ settings that allow you to easily tailor the heat of your coil, while an adjustable airflow ring means you can adjust your inhale to airy or restricted as you prefer.
Also see the more compact Endura T18II Mini.
Our best overall MTL kit was previously the Vaporesso Xros 2, which featured everything you could want from an MTL vape device. Then, along came two new devices in the Xros Series, the Xros 3 and Xros 3 Mini… containing all these features and more.
Still super easy to use with fixed-coil pods and automatic power settings, these updated versions come with increased flavour, battery life and inhale options - easily knocking the Xros 2 off its top spot.
Both devices provide long-lasting power, with up to 2 days’ battery life between charges. Flavour-boosting, automatically set Pulse Mode combined with COREX coil technology gives enhanced and consistent taste, while the inclusion of a new RDL pod means users can switch up their vape style. There’s also the inclusion of adjustable airflow - allowing you to tailor your inhale further to create a tighter or more airy inhale.
Read our full review of the Xros 3 Mini here.
We chose these devices based on a combination of factors including popularity and personal testing. Having tried many vape devices over the years, we wanted to break the devices down into what makes them particularly special, whether that’s their price, their ease of use or who they would suit.
Mouth-to-Lung vaping describes a way of inhaling when you vape.
In MTL vaping, you hold the vapour in your mouth, hold it momentarily and then inhale it down into your lungs.
This is in contrast to Direct-Lung (DL) vaping, where you take the vapour directly into the lungs.
See MTL vs DL Explained for more information.
MTL vaping provides a tighter, more restricted inhale and a stronger throat hit similar to that of a cigarette. This makes it popular with former smokers looking to replicate the sensation of smoking.
Mouth-to-Lung vaping also usually creates less vapour than DL vaping so is more suited to those who don’t want massive clouds and prefer to stealth vape.
MTL devices come in all forms, from pod kits and vape pens to mod and tank kits. To create a Mouth-to-Lung vaping style, you’d need a device that works with higher-resistance coils (usually around 0.6Ω or above).
As these higher-resistance coils don’t require as much power as lower-resistance coils, MTL devices are usually lower-powered than DL devices..
However, you will find some high-powered devices, such as the Smok Nord 50W, that work with both low and high-resistance coils and can support both MTL and DL vape styles.
Vape juice contains two main ingredients - propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG). The ratio of which will usually be displayed as VG:PG XX:XX. (For example, a vape juice that is 70% VG and 30% PG will be displayed as VG:PG 70:30).
Most MTL vapers will use a vape juice with a high PG to VG ratio (at least VG:PG 50:50) as this gives the satisfactory throat hit MTL vapers are looking for.
MTL vape juices also tend to have higher nicotine content than DL juices. Nicotine salts are also a great MTL option as they usually have a VG:PG 50:50 ratio and high nicotine content to provide a smooth vape.
Some of our favourite MTL vape juices include Halo Menthol Blast (VG:PG 50:50) and the Vampire Vape 10ml range which has VG:PG 40:60 options.
Choosing the best MTL device for you differs depending on what you’re looking for. Whether it’s a great price, great look or long-lasting battery, there is something for everyone.
With new devices being regularly released, we’ll ensure to keep this list updated should a device really catch our attention, so keep checking back.