E-Liquid for MTL vs DTL: What’s the Best Option?

June 17, 2025 — By Thomas Meredith

Vaping generally comes down to two main styles: MTL (mouth-to-lung) and DTL (direct-to-lung). MTL mimics the traditional act of smoking, a draw into the mouth followed by inhaling into the lungs, making it ideal for beginners and ex-smokers.  DTL, on the other hand, is a more direct inhale straight into the lungs, producing larger clouds and a smoother overall vape, often preferred by experienced users.

At Greet Vape, we offer you a range of the best-quality e-liquids to enhance your taste buds. In this blog, we’ll explore the differences between MTL and DTL vaping and help you figure out which e-liquid is best for your style

A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding E-Liquid for MTL vs DTL:

Each style pairs best with a specific type of e-liquid. From VG/PG ratios to nicotine strengths and flavour profiles, here’s a breakdown of how MTL and DTL e-liquids differ, and how to choose the right one for your setup.

VG/PG Ratios: Thick vs Thin E-Juice

The VG (vegetable glycerin) to PG (propylene glycol) ratio plays a major role in how your vape feels and performs.

  • MTL Vaping: Works best with thinner, high-PG blends. These juices wick easily in low-power devices and deliver a stronger throat hit. Typical blends include 50/50 or 70PG/30VG.
  • DTL Vaping: Requires thicker, high-VG e-liquids. These produce dense vapour clouds and a smoother inhale. Ratios like 70VG/30PG or 80VG/20PG are common. 100% VG e-liquids exist but are niche and require specialised coils or rebuildables.

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Nicotine Strengths - High vs Low

Nicotine levels are a key difference between MTL and DTL e-liquids.

  • MTL Devices: Often use higher nicotine levels, either freebase nicotine or nicotine salts. Nic salts are smoother and more efficient for delivering higher nic doses, typically ranging from 10–20mg in the UK due to TPD limits. In other markets like the US, strengths may reach up to 50mg for heavy smokers. Smooth hits, faster nicotine satisfaction, nic salts are perfect for MTL kits and ex-smokers. Explore Nic Salt today!
  • DTL Devices: Work better with lower nicotine levels (usually 3-6 mg). Because DTL devices produce so much vapour, higher nicotine would feel too harsh. Most DTL juices use freebase nicotine for a balanced throat hit and cloud production. Perfect for cloud chasers and custom nic levels, grab your favourite flavour and top it up your way. Shop Shortfill Now!

Flavour Profiles - Bold Hits vs Smooth Clouds

Flavour Profiles - Bold Hits vs Smooth Clouds Whether you're chasing bold hits or silky clouds, your e-liquid’s flavour profile plays a huge role in how your vape feels and tastes. Let’s break down how MTL and DTL options stack up side by side.

Features

MTL E-Liquids (Mouth-to-Lung)

DTL E-Liquids (Direct-to-Lung)

Flavour Style

Bold, punchy, and clear

Smooth, rich, and layered

Throat Hit

Strong and sharp – like a cigarette

Gentle and mellow

Best For

Cream Tobacco Elfliq, Lemon Mint, Mango Vanilla, Pure Frozen, and more.

Fresh Menthol Mojito, Strawberry Mojito, Desserts, candies, juicy fruit blends

VG/PG Ratio

Higher PG for intense flavour

Higher VG for bigger clouds

Inhale Type

Short puffs, mouth first, then lungs

Deep inhale straight to the lungs

Vaping Style

Feels like smoking – quick, satisfying hits

Cloud-chasing with long, flavourful draws

Ideal Wattage

Lower wattage devices (MTL kits & pods)

Higher wattage sub-ohm kits & tanks

 

Explore our full range of premium e-liquids at Greet Vape, with bold flavours, smooth hits, and something for every style. Find your next favourite today!

Ideal Devices for MTL vs DTL Vaping:

Ideal Devices for MTL vs DTL Vaping To get the most out of your vape, your device needs to match your vaping style. Whether you prefer tight MTL draws or big DTL clouds, here’s a quick guide to help you pick the proper setup.

MTL (Mouth-to-Lung) Devices:

  • Great for beginners or those switching from smoking.
  • Includes Starter Kit, Vape Pen Kits, Pod Kits, MTL Kits
  • Uses high-resistance coils (1.0Ω or higher).
  • Tight airflow for a more cigarette-like draw.
  • Produces smaller clouds with a sharper throat hit.

DTL (Direct-to-Lung) Devices:

  • Ideal for experienced vapers and cloud chasers.
  • Includes Advanced Kits, Sub-Ohm Kits, Big Puff Kits, box mods, sub-ohm tanks, and rebuildable setups.
  • Uses low-resistance coils (typically between 0.15Ω and 0.6Ω) for intense cloud production.
  • Wide airflow for smooth, airy inhales.
  • Delivers big clouds and rich, full flavour.

Not sure which e-liquid suits your vape style?

Here’s a quick breakdown to help you pick the perfect match for your device and taste preferences:


Vaping Style

Best E-Liquid Type

Nicotine Strength

Recommended Flavours

MTL (Mouth-to-Lung)

50/50 or High-PG blends

(great for flavour and wicking)

Nicotine salts (10–20 mg)

for a smoother hit with higher strength

Tobacco, menthol, coffee, citrus, crisp fruits

DTL (Direct-to-Lung)

High-VG blends (70–100% VG)

for thicker, smoother clouds

Low nicotine (0–6 mg)

to avoid throat harshness

Desserts, sweet fruits, candies, creamy flavours

 

Want to try shortfill e-liquids for yourself? Browse our top shortfill picks and enjoy more flavour, bigger clouds, and full customisation, only at Greet Vape!

Final Verdict

Whether you're chasing bold hits or smooth clouds, the right e-liquid can make all the difference. If you're after a cigarette-style vape with strong flavour and a solid throat hit, MTL is your match. For those who love rich clouds and mellow flavours, DTL is the way to go.

Thomas Meredith

Sales Assistant – Liverpool

Thomas is a sales assistant and a writing expert at GreetVape Liverpool. He specialises in helping new vapers understand products like coils, pods, and e-liquids with his vast experience in the vaping industry. Thomas also writes clear, beginner-friendly guides and FAQs for the GreetVape blog, sharing knowledge based on real customer interactions to ensure accurate and helpful information.