As a vaper, the battery life of your electronic cigarette is crucial.
If you are in the office with a USB charger close at hand, no problem: you can plug in your electronic cigarette as soon as it starts running low. But what about when you are going out for the evening, to a festival or camping for 24 h (or more)?
Between stated battery life, vaping style and tips for extending the lifespan of your equipment, let’s take a look at how to ensure your electronic cigarette does not let you down in the middle of a cloud.
The basics of electronic cigarette battery life
Battery life is expressed in mAh (milliampere-hours). The higher this figure, the longer your electronic cigarette can operate before needing to be recharged.
On average, models now range from 200 mAh (ultra-compact) to 5000 mAh (large formats for intensive vapers).
There are two types of power supply:
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Built-in battery: included directly in the electronic cigarette, it is charged via USB-C.
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Removable battery: generally in the 18650 3000 mAh format, to be inserted into the mod and charged separately.
The influence of vaping style on battery life
The way you vape has a huge impact on how long your battery lasts.
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MTL (mouth-to-lung inhalation)
With a coil between 1.8 Ω and 0.8 Ω, the draw is tight and requires little power. As a result, your battery will last much longer. -
DTL (direct-to-lung inhalation)
Fans of big clouds often vape sub-ohm (coils below 1 Ω), which uses much more power. This vaping style requires considerably greater battery life.
Vaping frequency: a decisive factor
The more you vape, the faster the battery drains.
An occasional vaper may get several days from a small battery, whereas a regular sub-ohm vaper may drain 3000 mAh in just a few hours.
How do you choose the battery life that suits your needs?
Here are a few guidelines to help you choose:
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Occasional MTL vaper: 200 to 1000 mAh is sufficient.
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Regular MTL vaper / quitting smoking: 1500 to 3000 mAh to avoid running out of power.
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Occasional DTL vaper: at least 1000 to 1500 mAh to last the evening.
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Regular DTL vaper: at least 3000 mAh.
Tip: if you like slim, compact e-cigarettes but their battery life is limited, owning two devices is an excellent solution. You can vary flavours and nicotine strengths while always having a vape ready to use.
The benefits of removable batteries
Batteries (18650, 21700, etc.) allow you to carry a 3000 mAh recharge or more in a small secure plastic case.
This is ideal if you do not have access to a USB port during the day.
Advantages: unlimited battery life with spare batteries, easy replacement in case of wear.
Disadvantages: higher purchase cost, need for an external charger, careful handling required (always carry them in a plastic or silicone case to prevent the terminals from coming into contact).
As you will have understood, you can find this type of equipment among our best e-cigarettes for experts, as well as in our dedicated chargers and batteries section.
How long does a battery last overall?
Lithium batteries withstand an average of 300 charge/discharge cycles before losing performance.
After this point: less power and reduced battery life.
The larger your battery is initially, the less often you will need to recharge it, and the longer it will last.
Charging your battery properly to extend its lifespan
- Preferably use a 1A charger to prevent overheating.
- If your device is compatible with fast charging, do not exceed 2A.
- Avoid smartphone chargers, often rated between 2.5 and 3.5 A, as they can reduce your battery's lifespan.
In summary
Your battery life depends as much on its capacity as on your vaping style and frequency of use. Between stated and actual battery life, you need to learn how to adapt your device to your habits. Make the right choice, take a few charging precautions, and you can say goodbye to unexpected power loss… and hello to unlimited clouds.
That's it, you are ready to choose your e-cigarette from our catalogue.
If you have other questions before taking the plunge, read our dedicated article: How to choose your vape.
