A vape mod is the battery and power unit in a vaping setup. It connects to a separate tank or atomiser rather than coming as one sealed unit. A vape kit typically bundles a mod and tank together, so you get everything in one box. Buying a mod alone makes sense when you already own a tank or want to upgrade the power unit without changing your atomiser.

A regulated mod uses a chipset to control power output and includes safety protections like short-circuit cutoff, overheat protection and low battery warnings. A mechanical mod has no chipset, no safety features and sends power directly from the battery to the atomiser. Regulated mods suit most vapers. Mechanical mods are strictly for experienced builders who understand Ohm’s law and battery safety.

Some mods include batteries, but many do not. Always check the product listing. Most regulated mods take external 18650 or 21700 cells. We stock a full range of batteries alongside our mods, along with dedicated chargers.

A comfortable DTL experience typically runs between 40W and 80W, depending on your coil resistance. Lower-resistance coils at 0.15-0.2ohm may push into the 80-100W range for best results. If you’re new to sub-ohm vaping, start lower and work up rather than jumping straight to maximum output.

The 21700 is physically larger than the 18650 and holds more energy (typically 4000mAh vs 3000mAh on quality cells). It also handles higher continuous drain better, which matters at wattages above 60W. Many newer dual-battery mods are designed primarily for 21700 cells, though some include adapters for 18650. Our 18650 vs 21700 vs 20700 battery guide covers this in full detail.

That depends on your vaping style. For DTL sub-ohm vaping, a sub-ohm tank with mesh coils is the standard pairing. For MTL, a higher-resistance tank with a tighter airflow suits better. Experienced vapers often run RTAs or RDAs with their mods for full coil control. Browse our best sub-ohm tanks guide for a curated list.

Regulated box mods are suitable for beginners who want more control from day one, provided they take time to understand the basics before adjusting settings. Mechanical mods are not suitable for beginners under any circumstances. If you’re just switching from cigarettes or disposables, our beginner’s guide to vaping is worth reading first.

It depends on wattage and usage. At moderate DTL wattages (50-60W), expect to replace a sub-ohm coil every one to two weeks (roughly £1-3 per coil) and use around 15-30ml of e-liquid per week. At higher wattages above 80W with low-resistance coils, both e-liquid and coil consumption increase noticeably. Running costs are still lower than disposables for most vapers once the initial hardware cost is covered.

A squonk mod has a built-in e-liquid bottle that feeds directly into a bottom-fed RDA. You squeeze the bottle to saturate the wick, which avoids constant dripping. Squonk mods suit experienced vapers who already use rebuildable atomisers and want a tidier, higher-capacity setup. Browse our squonk vape mods range for current options.

If your pod kit isn’t satisfying cravings, the flavour feels flat or you want bigger vapour production, those are the clearest signs a mod would serve you better. Vapers who want to experiment with different tanks or run higher-VG e-liquids also benefit from moving to a mod. The difference between pod kits and vape mods guide covers this transition point in detail.

High-VG shortfills (70/30 VG/PG or above) are the standard choice for sub-ohm DTL vaping on a box mod. The higher VG ratio produces more vapour and a smoother inhale. For MTL setups on a mod running higher-resistance coils, 50/50 blends or nic salts work well. Read our guide on how to use shortfills for a full breakdown on mixing and nicotine levels.

Dual-battery mods running 21700 cells offer the best battery life. A dual 21700 setup gives roughly two to three times the runtime of a single 18650 at the same wattage. If all-day battery life is a priority, look for dual-battery regulated mods with 21700 support. Carrying a spare charged cell is the other reliable fix for mods with external batteries.