Last fact-checked 22 October 2026
Quick answer: Airflow controls how much air mixes with the vapour as you inhale. Open (more) airflow gives a looser, cooler draw with bigger clouds and a smoother throat hit, which suits direct-to-lung vaping and sub ohm kits. Closed (less) airflow gives a tighter, warmer draw with more intense flavour and a stronger throat hit, which suits mouth-to-lung vaping, pod kits and higher nicotine strengths. Neither is "better": start in the middle and adjust until the draw feels right for your device and e-liquid.
Airflow on a vape is the simplest way to tailor your vaping experience.
In this beginner’s guide to airflow, you’ll learn what the airflow holes actually do. We’ll show you how opening up or narrowing your airflow can completely transform your vaping experience, and how to match your airflow to your vaping style.
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Vaping & Airflow: The Basics
Most vape tanks come with a built-in airflow collar which, when you twist it, lets you ‘close’ or ‘open’ your vape’s air holes. These holes control how much fresh air gets into your device as you inhale. Many pod kits now have an airflow control too, usually a slider or a small wheel.
- If your airflow is open (or ‘wide’), you’ll get a large cloud of cool vapour. Open airflow lets lots of fresh air dilute the vapour, so flavours tend to be harder to pick up.
- If your airflow is closed (‘narrow’ or ‘tight’), the vapour, which is ‘hot off the coil’, won’t have a chance to mix with much room-temperature air, so you’ll get a warm, dense, flavourful cloud.
- Most vapers find a ‘happy medium’ airflow setting, where the vapour is a comfortable temperature, they can still taste their e-liquid, and they’re happy with the size of their cloud.
Closed vs Middle vs Open Airflow
Here’s a quick illustration to show how airflow affects the size of your cloud, the intensity of flavour and the temperature of the vapour that you breathe in.
Airflow isn't just for box mods any more. Many pod systems now offer airflow controls. The Uwell Caliburn G2 has a small wheel built into the base of the pod that lets you fine-tune your airflow, and SMOK's RPM4 pod kit has an airflow slider on the side of the device so you can adjust it as you vape. Take a look at our pod kits to find more.
More Airflow vs Less Airflow: Which Is Better for Vaping?
The amount of airflow you need for ‘the perfect vape’ depends on the VG/PG ratio of your e-liquid, the resistance of your coil and your vaping style, amongst other things.
To get the perfect airflow, the best thing you can do is choose a tank with a good airflow collar. It should give you plenty of control over your airflow, so that whatever e-liquid or coil you use, you can tailor the draw to suit you. Our vape tanks include a wide range with adjustable airflow, and our mouth-to-lung tanks are designed for a tighter draw.
Airflow for Mouth-to-Lung, Direct-Lung & Cloud Chasing Vapers
Depending on your vaping style, there are pros and cons to having either a tight or open airflow:
- If you vape mouth-to-lung (MTL), a narrow airflow is what you want. You’re after a mouthful of vapour rather than a lungful, and you may want the familiar warm sensation of cigarette smoke. Set your airflow to its smallest setting, or close to it, when vaping MTL.
- If you vape direct-to-lung (DL), set your airflow to somewhere just below the largest setting. If you go too big, your e-liquid’s flavour will be hard to pick up, so start in the middle and work your way up until it feels comfortable. Sub ohm kits are made for this style.
- If you’re a cloud chaser, you’ll want to use your full lung capacity to create the biggest possible cloud. The highest airflow setting is probably where you want to be, because flavour comes second to the size of the cloud.
Airflow Myths: Facts vs Fiction
Airflow is one of the safest settings to experiment with on your vape. There are a few common myths about it that are simply untrue:
Airflow FAQs
Is it better to have the airflow open or closed on a vape?
It depends on how you vape. Open airflow suits direct-to-lung vaping, high-VG e-liquids and sub ohm coils, giving bigger, cooler clouds. Closed airflow suits mouth-to-lung vaping, nic salts and pod kits, giving a tighter, warmer draw closer to smoking a cigarette.
Does more airflow make a vape hit harder?
No. More airflow dilutes the vapour with more air, so each puff feels cooler and smoother. Less airflow concentrates the vapour, so it feels warmer and gives a stronger throat hit.
Is higher or lower airflow better for flavour?
Many vapers find slightly restricted airflow gives more intense flavour, because the vapour is less diluted. Too little airflow on a powerful coil can make the vape hot and harsh, so match your airflow to your coil and wattage.
Does a vape last longer with more or less airflow?
Airflow on its own makes little difference to how long your e-liquid or battery lasts. Power and coil resistance matter more: higher wattage and lower-resistance coils produce more vapour and use e-liquid faster, whatever the airflow setting.
What does adjustable airflow mean on a vape?
Adjustable airflow means you can change how much air enters the device, usually by twisting a ring at the base of the tank or sliding a switch on a pod kit, so you can choose between a tight or a loose draw.
Think About Airflow Last
One final tip: when you’re trying to get the ‘perfect’ vape, think about everything else first, then adjust your airflow. Get happy with your e-liquid’s VG ratio, your hardware, your coil’s resistance, your wattage and your vaping style, then fine-tune your airflow. It’s the easiest setting to change mid-vape, so get the tricky stuff right first.