Understanding the difference modes on e-cigarettes

The different vaping modes on e-cigarettes always raise plenty of questions and calls to our customer service team. Let's take a closer look at the vaping options available on electronic box mods and what makes each one different.

Wattage mode

Wattage mode is the most common mode today. It took over from Voltage mode. Depending on the manufacturer, it goes by several names, such as W, VW, KA or PWR. It lets you choose the power in watts using the adjustment buttons. No calculations needed! You will always get the same vape, making this mode perfectly suited to all vapers.

Some box mods offer an additional function that boosts the activation of the coil. There are three settings: “N” for a “Normal” boost, “H” for “Hard”, in other words a maximum coil boost, and finally “S” for a “Soft”, gentler boost.

Other manufacturers offer these functions under different names, such as Powerful +, Powerful, Standard, Eco…

Variable Voltage mode

This mode, the forerunner of all e-cigarette modes, lets you manually adjust the intensity using the adjustment buttons. Here, you select the voltage delivered by the battery to your coil. This in turn affects the vapour production and the throat hit (that tingling sensation) when you take a puff. 

This mode is becoming increasingly rare on e-cigarettes, as its setting depends on the coil's resistance value and it does not adjust to it automatically. You need to know Ohm's law and calculate the ideal voltage for the chosen coil. Not exactly user-friendly, which is why it has given way to Wattage mode. What's more, nowadays the recommended ranges on coils are given in watts, so you can see why this mode is not really intended for beginner vapers and is increasingly considered obsolete. It will appeal to the veterans among us, nostalgic for the days when customising your vape was still a luxury.

SMART mode

In recent years, a mode called SMART has appeared. A very handy mode for beginners. It recognises the coil's resistance value and automatically sets the appropriate power in watts for optimal use.

This prevents premature coil wear. No more headaches: simply insert your coil into your clearomiser and the box mod will adjust accordingly. You can still change the power if you wish!

Eco mode

The newest of the modes, and one that is not (yet) found across all manufacturers. The aim of this mode is to preserve battery life by selecting the lowest value in the coil's power range. Take the Armour GS pod by Vaporesso, for example. The GTX Mesh 0.3 Ω coil has a power range of 32 - 45 watts. Eco mode automatically sets the pod to 32 watts.

Bypass mode

This mode is simplicity at its finest. Most e-cigarettes come with this function. It allows you to use an electronic box mod like a mechanical one. Bypass mode requires no settings at all. You can neither increase nor decrease the power, which here is expressed not in watts but in volts, as the voltage of the battery (whether removable or built-in) is used to its full potential.

Although it works in a similar way to a mech mod, it retains all the electronic safety features. In other words, it protects against short circuits and any other potential damage in particular.
Note that this mode is still power-hungry, and the vaping sensations will be directly affected by your box mod's battery level. Furthermore, as this mode takes no account of the coil's resistance value, there is a risk that the electronic box mod will deliver too much power and that the coil will eventually burn out.

TC mode (temperature control)

Now well known to the general public, temperature control mode allows users to regulate the heating temperature of the coil. Its primary purpose is to prevent overheating and dry hits (a burnt taste) in order to optimise flavour rendering. If your box mod detects an excessive temperature, it will automatically cut out to stop your coil from burning.

Temperature control only works with certain types of coils. They must have a resistance wire made of titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni) or stainless steel (SS).
While practical, TC mode requires a good understanding of how it works, as the settings are not straightforward and not accessible to everyone. You need to refer to the manufacturer's instructions, which unfortunately often lack precision. This mode is better suited to experienced vapers.

TCR mode

TCR stands for the temperature coefficient of resistance; it is a more advanced version of temperature control. It is more precise and is compatible with all types of resistance and non-resistance wires. Whereas with TC mode the heating coefficient is predetermined automatically according to the wire type, with TCR you can manually customise the heating coefficient. However, you will need to know the value ranges for your particular electronic box mod.

To set the heating coefficient, it is advisable to start with the lowest temperature in the range provided by the manufacturer and gradually work your way up until you achieve the ideal sensation for your vaping style. With this mode, you can save your settings in the memory, so the box mod will store your vaping profile. The advantage of TCR is that it allows vapers to vape any e-liquid!

VPC mode

Here, we are talking about power curves. VPC or Curve mode allows you to customise the power or voltage delivered to the coil. With this mode, you can adjust the power in stages and determine over what period of time, in seconds, each value will be delivered.

It is ideal for people who find the vape too harsh at the start of a puff, for example. Or, conversely, if you feel the puff lacks punch at the beginning of the inhale.

A few other modes

We have covered the most common modes together. However, there are other modes that are less widespread but still have their uses. Let's run through a few of them:

Voopoo's RBA mode

This mode quite simply lets you take full control of your e-cigarette. You can adjust the watts as you please, without any restrictions. Nothing really different from the basic Wattage mode, just another name for it.

Geekvape's Boost mode and Voopoo's Turbo mode

In these modes, your e-cigarette will deliver maximum power. No settings are required. Your e-cigarette will automatically detect the coil fitted and set itself to the highest possible power for that coil, while respecting the ranges recommended by the manufacturer.

Vaporesso's Pulse and F(t) modes

Vaporesso offers us other modes with some subtle differences. For example, on the Target 100, there is a mode called Pulse.

This feature sends pulses to the coil throughout the puff for a consistent throat hit.

The same model also offers F(t) mode, which gradually adjusts the temperature of the coil. The aim here is to bring out the depth of your e-liquid flavours.

As you will have gathered, e-cigarettes come with a multitude of features. Manufacturers are constantly innovating and giving vapers ever more ways to customise their vaping style.
We cannot provide an exhaustive list of all the modes available, given how many different names there are; the aim here is to introduce you to the main operating modes. When you buy an e-cigarette, we recommend reading the user manual carefully to understand all its features. If you prefer to keep things simple, opt for an all-in-one e-cigarette with auto-draw, such as the First.

Arthur