A Guide To Vape Modes

One of the key appeals of vaping is its adaptability — it can be as simple or as complex as you like. If you’re looking for a quick and hassle-free way to enjoy flavour and nicotine, a disposable vape is as straightforward as it gets — just unwrap it and puff on the mouthpiece.

If you’re after a more controlled vaping experience, many pod kits feature adjustable airflow control, allowing you to fine-tune your draw to your liking.

On the other end of the spectrum, more compex vaping devices and box mods come equipped with a wealth of features, providing endless options for advanced vapers customise your vaping experience to perfection.

Among these features, one standout category is ‘Modes.’ These different vape modes offer unique ways to personalise how you vape, whether you’re adjusting power output, temperature, or specific device functions.

Entry-level kits may include one or two basic modes, while advanced devices can feature several, catering to even the most specific preferences.

In this guide, we’ll be breaking down the most common vaping modes to help you understand how they work and how they can enhance your vaping experience.

Whether you’re an expert exploring advanced vape modes or a beginner feeling overwhelmed by the options, this guide will demystify what can sometimes seem like a complex part of vaping technology.

Variable Wattage Mode

Variable Wattage (VW) mode is the most widely used vaping mode, offering precise control over the power output of your device, typically measured in watts.

This feature allows you to adjust the intensity of your vape to suit your personal preferences. Increasing the wattage generally results in larger, denser clouds and more intense flavour, while lowering it offers a more discreet vape.

That said, you’ll want to keep in mind that higher wattage settings will consume vape juice and drain battery life quicker.

Variable Wattage provides a flexible way to tailor your vape, making it a favourite among both beginners and experienced vapers.

When it comes to how many watts vaping devices can output, it varies (no pun intended) greatly. Some vaping devices offer power outputs as low as 30W, while others can reach a whopping 240W, typically adjustable in 5W increments.

If the idea of handling such high power seems daunting, rest assured that most devices are equipped with advanced safety features.

These safeguards will automatically shut down your device if an inappropriate setting is selected, ensuring a safe and worry-free vaping experience even for those new to using higher-powered devices.

Variable Voltage Mode

Variable Voltage (VV) Mode is quite similar to Variable Wattage Mode but it requires slightly more knowledge. As its name suggests, it utilises your device’s voltage instead of its wattage.

This vaping mode lets you choose the voltage level running through your vape mod. While this setting determines the power being supplied, the actual energy output depends on the resistance of your vape coil, as dictated by Ohm’s Law.

This mode provides a more traditional way of controlling your vape’s performance, offering a straightforward approach to tailoring your experience.

Devices with VV mode often feature simpler chipsets, making them more affordable than Variable Wattage (VW) devices.

However, many modern vape mods include both VV and VW modes, giving users the flexibility to choose their preferred method of control.

Using VV mode requires some basic calculations to ensure the voltage aligns with your coil’s resistance for optimal performance.

While Variable Wattage Mode has largely replaced Variable Voltage in most modern vape kits due to its ease of use, you can still find devices that support this functionality for vapers who enjoy a more hands-on approach to customising their experience.

Smart Mode

Smart mode (also known as auto-wattage selection) is the simplest vape mode, so if you’re new to vaping, opting for a kit that uses it would be a good idea.

Smart mode uses automatic coil detection to register your coil’s resistance and selects the best wattage output to vape at, saving you all the guesswork of figuring it out yourself.

If you’re seeking a fuss-free vaping experience, then smart mode is the way to go, and most of the starter vape kits we stock offer this feature.

Temperature Control Mode

A setting featured in certain vape mods designed for more advanced users, temperature control mode lets you select desired temperature to vape at and makes sure that your coil doesn’t exceed it.

As a result, TC Mode provides a more consistent coil temperature and in turn, a more consistent vape in terms of flavour. More importantly, it extends your coil’s lifespan and reduces the risk of an unpleasant dry hit.

One thing to keep in mind, is that TC mode is only suitable for certain coil materials that have predictable resistance changes as they heat up, such as Nickel, Titanium, Nickel or Stainless Steel.

If you have Kanthal or Nichochrome coils, these won’t be suitable for temperature control mode, as their resistance won’t won’t significantly change with the temperature.

You’ll also want to make sure that your device supports the the specific coil material for TC Mode. Most importantly, always monitor for overheating and ensure your coil is used within its safe temperature range.

Want to give vaping in TC Mode a go? Try the Vaporesso Armour S Vape Kit.

Bypass Mode

Bypass mode is one of the simplest “advanced” vape modes because it effectively removes the variable wattage functionality of your device.

Instead, the mod behaves more like a mechanical mod, delivering power directly based on the remaining battery charge and the resistance of the coil in use.

This means your wattage output will be higher when the battery is fully charged and will decrease progressively as the battery drains throughout the day.

Importantly, despite the name, bypass mode does not override the mod’s built-in safety features. It still enforces the device’s wattage limits and ensures safe operation, so you won’t need to worry about the risks associated with true mechanical mods.

While the benefits of bypass mode may not be immediately obvious — since it removes many of the conveniences of variable wattage — some vapers enjoy the raw performance and unique vaping experience it offers.

If your device includes bypass mode, it’s worth experimenting with to see if it suits your preferences.

Pulse Mode

One for the more experienced vapers, Pulse Mode delivers power to your coil in rapid intervals, or “pulses,” as you press down on the firing button.

These quick bursts of power help maintain a consistent coil temperature throughout your draw, ensuring smoother and more stable performance.

The primary goal of pulse mode is to provide a harder-hitting and more uniform vape from start to finish, avoiding the potential drop-off in power that can sometimes occur with standard modes.

While the advantages of pulsing compared to a steady output are subjective, the rapid intervals are so subtle that most users won’t notice them during use.

Overall, pulse mode has been well-received by vapers, with many appreciating the reliable and consistent performance it provides. If you’re looking for something that features it, check out the Vaporesso Armour Max Vape Kit.

Variable Power Curve Mode

Variable Power Curve Mode, also known as Wattage Curve Mode, is a great feature if you’re seeking a more personalised vape. It lets you set different levels of power to be applied over a set duration of time.

For instance, you could start out with a lower wattage output (let’s say 30W) for the first couple of seconds, and then ramp it up to 40W the next 3 seconds, before tapering it back down again.

The purpose of Wattage Curve Mode is to Customise the output of your device to match your exact preferences, giving you full control over how it performs.

Many devices allow you to make these adjustments directly on the mod, while others offer paired apps or computer programs with more user-friendly interfaces for precise customisation.

Although setting up your preferred output pattern might take a bit of time, the results are well worth the effort.

Whether you want a powerful boost at the start of your draw or a gradual increase in intensity, these features enable you to fine-tune your vaping experience to suit your personal style.

TCR Mode

The temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) is a key factor in how a vape mod operating in temperature control (TC) mode responds to changes in the resistance of your installed coil.

Different coil materials react differently as they heat up. For example, Kanthal shows minimal changes in resistance with temperature and is therefore unsuitable for TC Mode.

In contrast, materials like nickel and stainless steel exhibit noticeable resistance changes, making them ideal for temperature control.

TCR values quantify the strength of a material’s response to temperature changes. Most of the time, you won’t need to manually adjust TCR settings, as most mods come pre-programmed with the correct values for common TC-compatible materials.

However, there are situations where adjusting the TCR can be beneficial. For instance, you might be using a different grade of stainless steel than your mod is programmed to handle.

Alternatively, you may be experimenting with a unique TC coil design, like a twisted or specialty build, and notice the response feels slightly off. In such cases, tweaking the TCR setting ensures your mod compensates correctly for the material in use.

While most vapers won’t need to dive into TCR adjustments, having TCR Mode available on a device adds flexibility and can enhance performance for those experimenting with temperature control setups. It’s a feature that provides fine-tuned control when needed while remaining unobtrusive for standard use.

Eco Mode

A common feature of Vaporesso vape kits and VooPoo kits, Eco mode stands apart from other vape modes because it doesn’t adjust vapour production directly. Instead, it focuses on conserving battery life when your charge drops below a certain level, usually 40%.

Devices equipped with Eco mode prompt you to activate this power-saving feature, extending your vape’s usability when the battery is running low.

Eco mode achieves this by reducing screen brightness and slowing the ramp-up time when you press the fire button.

While these adjustments may slightly impact performance, they are designed to make the most of your remaining battery. If you’re on the go and running out of charge, Eco mode can be a lifesaver, offering a weaker but functional vape rather than leaving you with no vape at all.

What Vaping Mode Is Right For You?

With all the different vape modes for you to play around with, you might be thinking about which one suits your needs the most. Really, it all comes down to your personal preferences and vaping style.

Let’s go through some of factors to consider when picking a vaping mode, and hopefully you’ll get a better idea of what will work for you.

Vaping Style

Are you a DTL (Direct To Lung) vaper who prefers deep inhales and large, dense clouds, or do you lean towards MTL (Mouth To Lung) vaping, where smaller puffs focus on delivering intense flavour and a more cigarette-like inhale with discreet vapour production?

Different vaping modes are tailored to suit these distinct styles.

For instance, temperature control mode is excellent for enhancing flavour by maintaining consistent coil temperatures, while wattage mode is ideal for those looking to produce impressive clouds with higher power settings.

If you’re still exploring which vaping style suits you best, check out our Beginner Guide To Vaping Styles for insights and tips to help you decide.

Coil Type & Material

The type of coil you use plays a crucial role in selecting the appropriate vape mode.

For example, Temperature Control (TC) mode is designed to work specifically with certain coil materials, such as stainless steel, nickel, or titanium, as these materials exhibit the resistance changes necessary for precise temperature regulation.

In contrast, Variable Wattage (VW) mode is compatible with most standard coils, offering a broader range of flexibility and making it a popular choice for everyday vaping.

Understanding your coil’s material and design ensures optimal performance and a tailored vaping experience.

Experimentation

Modern vape mods offer remarkable versatility, allowing you to customise your experience to suit your preferences.

Don’t hesitate to explore the various modes available on your device — you might find that certain settings perfectly complement specific e-liquids or coil resistances, unlocking a new level of enjoyment.

For instance, if you’re using temperature control, you might find that cooler temperatures are better for dessert flavours, while fruity flavours taste better at higher temperatures.

Experimentation is key, and with a little trial and error, you can discover the ideal combination that enhances your overall vaping experience.

Summary

The great thing about vape modes, despite the fancy names manufacturers often assign them, is that they’re generally quite simple to use and understand.

Most modes are intuitive, working seamlessly in the background without requiring much input from you. Getting them up and running typically involves minimal effort, making advanced features accessible to all vapers.

The vaping industry is constantly evolving, with new innovations and features appearing regularly. While it might feel like there’s always something new to learn, you can usually find detailed information about the latest advancements on the manufacturer’s website.

As long as you have a solid grasp of the basics, adapting to new advanced vape modes will be a breeze. Staying curious and open to learning will ensure you get the most out of your vaping experience as technology continues to advance.

If you have any futher assistance, feel free to contact us. Our friendly team of experts have extensive knowledge of all things vaping, and can recommend vape modes that suit your vape mod, coil or vaping style.