Best Ways to Make Your Vape Hit Smoother

For many vapers, a smooth and enjoyable hit is one of the most important parts of the experience. Harsh or irritating vapor can take away from the pleasure of vaping and sometimes even discourage users from continuing. Whether you’re new to vaping or a seasoned enthusiast, making your vape hit smoother can significantly improve your satisfaction.

A smooth hit provides comfort and consistency, making vaping feel natural and enjoyable. Harsh hits, on the other hand, can cause throat irritation, coughing, or a burning sensation. These problems often come down to factors like nicotine strength, device settings, coil health, or even hydration levels. The good news is that most of these issues are easy to address with the right strategies.

1. Choose the Right Nicotine Strength

One of the biggest factors influencing smoothness is nicotine strength. High nicotine concentrations can create a harsher throat hit, especially in freebase nicotine e-liquids.

• Freebase nicotine: Best suited for lower concentrations (3–12 mg). Anything higher often feels too harsh for direct lung vaping.
• Nicotine salts: Designed for smoother hits even at higher strengths (20–50 mg), making them popular in pod systems and disposables.

If your vape feels too harsh, try reducing the nicotine level or switching to nic salts for a smoother experience.

2. Pick the Right PG/VG Ratio

E-liquids are made with a blend of propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG). The balance between these two ingredients determines throat hit, vapor production, and smoothness.

• High PG blends (70% PG or more): Provide a stronger throat hit, which can feel harsh.
• High VG blends (70% VG or more): Deliver smoother, thicker vapor but may require more powerful devices to vaporize properly.
• Balanced 50/50 blends: Offer a middle ground for smoothness and flavor.

For smoother hits, opt for higher VG ratios. A 70/30 VG/PG mix is a common favorite among users who want gentler inhales.

3. Adjust Your Device’s Power Settings

If your vape feels harsh, your wattage or voltage may be set too high. Overpowering the coil can overheat e-liquid, producing burnt or unpleasant vapor.

• Lower the wattage: Check the recommended wattage range for your coil and start at the lower end.
• Use temperature control: Many advanced devices allow you to set a max temperature, preventing overheating and ensuring smoother vapor.
• Match coil resistance: High-resistance coils work better at lower wattages, while low-resistance coils (sub-ohm) are designed for direct lung inhales at higher power.

Finding the sweet spot for your coil will make a noticeable difference in smoothness.

4. Maintain and Replace Coils Regularly

Old or burnt coils are one of the leading causes of harsh hits. As coils age, residue builds up, altering flavor and creating unpleasant vapor.

Tips for smoother hits:

• Replace coils every 1–2 weeks, depending on usage.
• Prime new coils by soaking them with e-liquid before use.
• Avoid chain vaping, which can burn coils faster.

A clean, fresh coil ensures optimal performance and smoother draws.

5. Stay Hydrated

Vaping can dehydrate the mouth and throat because propylene glycol absorbs moisture. Dryness often contributes to irritation and harshness.

• Drink water regularly while vaping.
• Avoid excessive caffeine or alcohol, which can increase dehydration.
• Consider using e-liquids with higher VG content, as VG is less drying than PG.

Hydration alone can transform your vaping comfort, especially for heavy users.

6. Master Your Inhalation Technique

How you inhale affects smoothness just as much as your device or e-liquid. Incorrect technique can lead to coughing or discomfort.

• Mouth-to-lung (MTL): Similar to smoking a cigarette—draw vapor into your mouth, then inhale into your lungs. Works well with higher nicotine and smaller devices.
• Direct-to-lung (DTL): Inhale vapor directly into your lungs, like taking a deep breath. Works best with sub-ohm devices and lower nicotine levels.

Experiment with both styles to find what feels more natural. Taking slower, steadier draws often results in smoother hits compared to quick, forceful puffs.

7. Use Nicotine Salts for Smoothness

Nicotine salts are specifically designed to deliver smoother hits at higher strengths. Unlike freebase nicotine, nic salts are less alkaline, reducing throat irritation.

This makes them ideal for users who want stronger nicotine satisfaction without harshness. They pair especially well with pod systems and low-wattage devices.

8. Keep Your Device Clean

Residue and buildup inside your vape tank or pod can negatively affect flavor and smoothness. Dirty devices may also heat unevenly, producing harsher vapor.

Cleaning tips:

• Rinse tanks with warm water regularly.
• Wipe down connections to prevent dirt and leakage.
• Deep clean tanks and pods every couple of weeks with mild soap and water, letting them dry fully before reuse.

Consistent cleaning keeps your device performing at its best.

9. Try Cooling Flavors and Additives

Menthol, mint, or cooling agents can make vapor feel smoother by numbing throat irritation. Many vapers find that fruity or dessert flavors with a cooling twist provide a pleasant, smooth inhale compared to harsher tobacco flavors.

While flavor preference is personal, experimenting with different profiles can help you discover smoother options.

10. Avoid Overusing Your Device

Chain vaping—or taking hit after hit without breaks—can quickly overheat coils and irritate the throat. Giving your device time to cool between puffs helps maintain vapor quality and smoothness.

Taking mindful, spaced-out draws not only protects your hardware but also improves the overall experience.

11. Opt for Quality E-Liquids

Not all e-liquids are created equal. Cheaper products may contain impurities, poor-quality flavorings, or imbalanced PG/VG ratios that lead to harsher hits.

To improve smoothness:

• Buy from reputable brands.
• Check for lab-tested products.
• Avoid counterfeit or unregulated e-liquids.

High-quality e-liquids are crafted for consistency, safety, and better throat feel.

A smoother vape hit doesn’t just happen—it’s the result of mindful choices regarding your device, e-liquid, and habits. From lowering nicotine strength and balancing VG/PG ratios to maintaining coils and mastering inhalation techniques, small adjustments can make a big difference.

Ultimately, the best way to achieve smoother hits is through experimentation. Every vaper has unique preferences, and finding the right combination of device settings, flavors, and habits will ensure a more enjoyable and satisfying experience.

By taking care of your gear, staying hydrated, and choosing wisely, you’ll enjoy smoother, more consistent hits that make vaping as enjoyable as it should be.