There are many kinds of coils. Usually, we understand as ‘coil’ as both the wick material and the heating wire. Coils come in many different materials, for example, there are ceramic vape coils, cotton coils and many different types of coil wires (nichrome, Kanthal, titanium…).

Ceramic vape coils are very popular, and some vapers prefer them over classic coils as they think ceramic coils are better for flavor delivery and longer coil lifespan. But which one is better? Ceramic vape coils or regular cotton ones? The short answer is that it depends on personal preferences. Let’s compare both of them and let you decide which one is a better fit for you!

What are the Advantages of a Ceramic Vape Coil?

Ceramic vape coils are promoted as more durable, no dry hits and better flavor delivery than regular coils. On the other hand, many vapers are concerned about inhaling silica particles and lead from ceramic coils.  

Why are vapers so worried about inhaling silica particles? Because the inhalation of silica particles has been related to silicosis, which is a pulmonary condition associated with people who have been exposed to silica particles for a prolonged time. For example, silicosis is a common condition in miners.

However, ceramic coils do have some advantages. The table below highlights all ceramic coil advantages:

Ceramic vape coil pros.
Ceramic coil vape pros.

What is silicosis?

Silicosis is caused by inhalation of silica powder. According to webmd, silicosis could be classified into three different types: acute, chronic, and accelerated. Acute silicosis happens after two to two years of exposure. Whilst chronic silicosis can appear after decades of exposure to low or moderate amounts of silica. Finally, the accelerated type appears after five to ten years of heavy exposure to silica particles.

Silicosis may lead to more serious conditions such as lung cancer and sometimes patients will need a lung transplant. However, there are no conclusions to whether vaping ceramic coils lead to silicosis as the exposure to silica particles is extremely low.

What About Cotton Wicks/Coils?

Regarding flavor, many vapers report a better flavor from ceramic. However, some sources claim it is also inconsistent. Many vapers claim flavor improvement is not significant enough to warrant a permanent switch from cotton wicks to ceramic coil vape. Moreover, many vapers are concerned about the possible health effects of vaping with a ceramic coil vape. In other words, most of vapers prefer cotton wicks because they see them as safer than ceramic coil vapes.

In addition, ceramic coils offer less options for tanks and coils and they also consume more e-liquid than cotton wicks. A ceramic coil vape might offer better flavor, but this is also because you will vaporize more e-liquid per puff. In short, you will spend more money on e-liquids if you vape with ceramic coils.

Most of cotton coils offer great flavor and vapor. In other words, there is not a big difference between ceramic vape coils and cotton wicks. In conclusion, the potential side effects associated with ceramic wicks make them difficult to recommend. However, it’s true that no studies have linked ceramic coils with silicosis.

There has not even been enough testing done to determine the health risk of ceramic coils and many vapers claim that you would need to inhale tons of silica powder to really impact your health.

On the other hand, cotton wicks are susceptible to get burnt, dry hits and a shorter lifespan than ceramic vape coils. As you can see, both ceramic and cotton has advantages and disadvantages!

If you are into RBA atomizers, then for sure you will use cotton wicks as this is the most common material used in RBA atomizers. However, some vapers use other materials such as hemp fiber. Hemp fiber is quite popular now, but it’s also much more expensive than cotton wicks.

Ceramic Coil Vape vs Cotton Wicks: Conclusion

Firstly, let’s say that it depends on your personal preferences. Ceramic coil vapes are not better than cotton wicks. It just depends whether you prefer more flavor and coil lifespan or safety and a more effective e-liquid consumption.

There is not conclusive scientific reports proving that ceramic coils aren’t safe to vape. Think that you will need to vape a lot of silica powder to get any negative side effects. For example, silicosis usually happens to miners that have been exposed to high quantities of silica powder for years. We cannot compare a small porous ceramic coil with a miner inhaling tons of silica powder. However, still many vapers prefer to be “on the safe side” and avoid using ceramic coils. In conclusion, this decision is up to you.

Both ceramic and cotton wicks are great materials and it usually depends on your vaping style and vaping preferences.

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