Verdampfer & Coils

Wire alloy: Which coil material is right for you?

Wire alloy for coils at a glance: Kanthal, NiChrome, stainless steel and nickel in comparison. Properties, use and tips for choosing for your vaporiser.

The right wire alloy determines how cleanly your coil vapes, how quickly it heats up, and whether you can vape in power or temperature control mode. Many beginners choose their build wire based on appearance or price – and are then surprised by off-flavours, burnt cotton, or even error messages on the mod. This guide explains the different alloys available in the vaping world, how they perform in everyday use, and what you should look out for when buying. By the end, you’ll know whether Kanthal, NiChrome, stainless steel or nickel suits your setup, and which coil alloy to choose for which purpose.

An alloy is a mixture of two or more metals that, when combined, offer better properties than any single metal. In vaping, a thin resistance wire is drawn from this mixture, which you then wind into a spiral (the coil). When current flows from the battery through this spiral, it heats up and vaporises the e-liquid in the surrounding cotton.

The key factors are the electrical resistance per metre, the temperature resistance and how quickly the material reacts. For example, a Kanthal wire with a diameter of 0.4 mm has around 5.2 ohms per metre, whilst a NiChrome wire of the same thickness has significantly less. It is precisely these differences that make the wire alloy a tool you can select specifically – from a tight mouth-to-lung coil at 1.2 ohms to a sub-ohm build at 0.2 ohms. Incidentally, a distinction must be made between the alloy and the finished coil: the coil is the wound form, the alloy the material from which the winding wire is made.

In everyday vaping, you’ll come across four alloys particularly often. Each has its own area of application.

Kanthal (FeCrAl)

Kanthal consists of iron, chromium and aluminium. It is robust, retains its shape very well after winding and is forgiving of beginner’s mistakes. Kanthal works exclusively in power mode (wattage), not in temperature control. It is the classic choice for simple RDA or MTL builds.

NiChrome (Ni80)

NiChrome is a nickel-chromium alloy, usually known as Ni80 (80% nickel, 20% chromium). When comparing Kanthal and NiChrome, NiChrome heats up noticeably faster, has a lower resistance and often delivers a more intense flavour. Warning: anyone with a sensitivity to nickel should steer clear of it.

Stainless steel (SS316L)

Stainless steel is an all-rounder. You can use it in power mode or – thanks to its defined temperature coefficient – in temperature control mode (TC). In terms of flavour, SS316L is considered very neutral.

Nickel (Ni200) and titanium

Pure nickel (Ni200) and titanium are pure TC materials. They must not be used in wattage mode, as they can release harmful substances if overheated. They are best suited to experienced builders.

Before ordering a roll of wire, it’s worth taking a look at your setup and vaping style.

Mode of your mod: Power only? Then Kanthal or NiChrome will suffice. With TC functionality, stainless steel, Ni200 or titanium expand the possibilities.
Wire gauge (AWG/mm): Thinner wire (0.25–0.3 mm) heats up quickly; thicker wire (0.4–0.5 mm) delivers more vapour and lasts longer. 0.3 mm is standard for MTL, whilst 0.4 mm and above is used for sub-ohm.
Target resistance: Work out how many wraps you need before winding. A coil calculator or ohmmeter helps avoid surprises.
Compatibility: If you have a nickel allergy, NiChrome and Ni200 are out of the question. SS316L is the safer choice here.
Wire quality: Buy wire from established manufacturers, preferably in food-grade or medical-grade quality (e.g. SS316L). Cheap no-name spools may contain impurities.
Pre-made coils vs. building your own: If you don’t want to build your own coils, opt for pre-made ones – the alloy is usually stated on the packaging.

Which wire alloy is suitable for beginners?

Kanthal (A1) is the most practical choice for beginners. It is affordable, dimensionally stable, works in any power mode mod and is forgiving of minor winding errors. Only if you want to use temperature control is it worth switching to stainless steel.

Kanthal vs NiChrome – which tastes better?

Taste is subjective, but NiChrome heats up faster and therefore often delivers fresher, more intense flavours. Kanthal, on the other hand, produces a slightly smoother and more consistent flavour. Many people opt for NiChrome with fruity e-liquids, and Kanthal for tobacco and dessert flavours.

Can I vape nickel in normal wattage mode?

No. Pure nickel (Ni200) is only suitable for temperature control mode. Without a temperature limit, it can overheat. NiChrome (Ni80) is unaffected by this and is safe in power mode, provided you do not have a nickel allergy.

How often do I need to change the coil?

Depending on the e-liquid and vaping style, self-built coils last between one and three weeks. Sweet e-liquids shorten their lifespan because sugar builds up on the wire. At the latest when the flavour changes or visible deposits appear, it’s time for a new coil.

Choosing the right wire alloy is no rocket science: Kanthal for straightforward building, NiChrome for rapid heating, stainless steel as a flexible all-rounder, Ni200 and titanium for experienced TC vapers. What matters is quality, the right wire gauge and a setup that suits your mod. You’ll find a suitable selection of coils and coil wire in our range – take your time to compare, try them out and build the vaping experience that really suits you.