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What is RDL Vaping?
Rachel Domanchich·10 October 2023·Updated 12 June 2026·8 min read·Guides & Tutorials
RDL vaping (or RDTL vaping) stands for Restricted Direct-to-Lung vaping. This vaping style is a cross between MTL and DTL vaping and can be a bit confusing to understand. Let's break it down in our RDL vaping guide.
Everyone has a vaping style, whether they know it or not. Some people spit clouds like a chimney, while others puff gingerly as one does when smoking cigarettes.
And for vapers in between, there's another, albeit less distinct vaping style: RDL vaping. Restricted Direct-to-Lung vaping is much less defined than MTL and DTL vaping, with blurry lines separating it from the two primary vaping styles.
Let's break down the definition of Restricted Direct-Lung vaping, explore the different vaping styles, and list the best vape kits to suit the hybrid RDL vaping style.
What is Restricted Direct-to-Lung Vaping?
RDL vaping (Restricted Direct-Lung) or RDTL vaping (Restricted Direct-to-Lung) is a vaping style that's essentially a middle ground between Mouth-to-Lung vaping (MTL) and Direct-to-Lung vaping (DTL). Many vapers consider it an airier version of MTL vaping.
RDL vaping isn't a new term; it's been used on various forums and vaping subreddits for a long time, but in recent years, the best vape brands in the vaping industry have been debuting vape kits designed specifically with RDTL vaping in mind. This has brought RDL into the mainstream.
What are the Different Vaping Styles?
There are two primary vaping styles: Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) and Direct-to-Lung (DTL). Besides MTL and DTL, there's a hybrid vaping style that's risen in popularity recently: RDL vaping.
Before learning what RDL vaping is all about, you'll first need to ask: What is MTL and DTL vaping? We've covered MTL and DTL extensively in another article, but for now, let's take a quick look at the different styles of vaping so we can understand what makes RDL vaping unique.
Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) Vaping
MTL (Mouth-to-Lung) vaping is a two-step process. With MTL vaping, the vapour is pulled first into the mouth before being inhaled into the lungs, just as you would smoke a cigarette. MTL vaping is the most common vaping style among new vapers, and those using vapes to quit smoking are usually MTL vapers.
MTL vaping is known for its discreet cloud production, sharp throat hit, and higher nicotine strengths.
MTL vape kits, including pod kits, vape pens, and starter vape kits, and MTL tanks are generally low-powered and use high-resistance MTL coils, which makes them compatible with higher-PG vape juice like nic salts and 50/50 freebase nicotine E-Liquids.
Most beginners start their vaping journey as MTL vapers because MTL vape kits and pod kits are designed to be used with high-nicotine vape juice like nic salts, which offers the best chance of quitting smoking thanks to its satisfying throat hit and quick nicotine delivery. Over time, MTL vapers often shift to the RDTL vaping style and may eventually become DTL vapers (though not always).
An MTL kit will have a tighter airflow to provide a smooth and satisfying nicotine delivery. These devices are often designed to be beginner-friendly, requiring little maintenance and having very few settings to ensure beginners find them easy to operate.
MTL Vaping Specs
| Spec | Mouth-to-Lung |
|---|---|
| Clouds | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Throat Hit | ★★★★★ |
| Nicotine Strengths | 3mg - 20mg |
| Coil Resistance | 0.8 - 1.2 ohm |
Direct-to-Lung (DTL) Vaping
DTL (Direct-to-Lung) vaping, also known as sub-ohm vaping, is a style of vaping where the vapour is pulled directly into your lungs like smoking shisha or a water pipe (or simply breathing). DTL vaping is generally reserved for more advanced vapers using high-wattage devices with sub-ohm coils and high-VG E-Liquids.
DTL vaping is known for its dense flavour and vapour production, low-nicotine E-Liquids, and highly customisable devices.
DTL vapes, like advanced vape kits and mods with attached sub-ohm tanks, are high-powered and use low-resistance vape coils. DTL devices are designed specifically to be used with high-VG E-Liquids with a content of 70% VG or more, including most shortfills.
These vape kits require lots of power, so they usually offer great battery life. They also tend to have numerous settings, like adjustable airflow and variable wattage.
Because a DTL vaper will consume more E-Liquid per puff than an MTL vaper would, sub-ohm vaping requires E-Liquids with a low nicotine strength. DTL vapers should not be using any strengths above 6mg in their sub-ohm kit, though 3mg is the standard for most vapers. This is because it would be easy to consume too much nicotine while using a sub-ohm device.
DTL Vaping Specs
| Spec | Direct-to-Lung |
|---|---|
| Clouds | ★★★★★ |
| Throat Hit | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Nicotine Strengths | 0mg - 6mg |
| Coil Resistance | 0.1 - 0.6 ohm |
Restricted Direct-to-Lung (RDTL) Vaping
RDTL or RDL (which stands for Restricted Direct-Lung) vaping is essentially a cross between MTL and DTL vaping. Many consider it an airier Mouth-to-Lung which offers great flavour and vapour production like Direct-to-Lung vaping does. With the RDL vaping style, you pool the vapour in your mouth while also inhaling directly into your lungs.
Comparing RDL to other vaping styles, MTL (Mouth-to-Lung) vaping has a tighter airflow and DTL (Direct-to-Lung) vaping uses higher-powered devices.
As a hybrid vaping style, RDL vaping offers the best of both worlds. You can enjoy flavourful vapour from higher-PG E-Liquids like you would in an MTL device but with more airflow to create larger clouds.
RDL vape kits are often primarily MTL devices which are compatible with specific RDL coils and pods and have an adjustable airflow feature. This allows you to use the same E-Liquids, like nic salts and 50/50 freebase nicotine juices, while opening the airflow to enjoy big clouds similar to DTL vaping.
RDTL vape kits are often compatible with the same high-PG E-Liquids that MTL devices are but have a less restricted airflow and offer much greater vapour production.
You may find the odd DTL vape kit offering RDTL vaping as well. These kits will also offer adjustable airflow, though in the case of a DTL vape device, you'll need to tighten the airflow to achieve an RDL vape. Depending on the model and the coil used, these devices may require you to use high-VG E-Liquids like shortfills.
Because RDL vape kits vary so much, you'll need to double-check the product description or the user manual for the specific vape kit model to ensure you're pairing it with the correct type of vape juice.
RDL Vaping Specs
| Spec | Restricted Direct-to-Lung |
|---|---|
| Clouds | ★★★★☆ |
| Throat Hit | ★★★★★ |
| Nicotine Strengths | 0mg - 20mg |
| Coil Resistance | 0.6 - 0.8 ohm |
MTL vs. DTL vs. RDTL Vaping
| Vaping Style | MTL | DTL | RDTL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clouds | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Throat Hit | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Nicotine Strengths | 3mg - 20mg | 0mg - 6mg | 0mg - 20mg |
| Coil Resistance | 0.8 - 1.2 ohm | 0.1 - 0.6 ohm | 0.6 - 0.8 ohm |
Benefits of RDL Vaping
Compared to MTL and DTL, RDL offers the best of both worlds with regard to vapour and flavour production, allowing for both the dense clouds from DTL vaping and the higher nicotine content found in MTL vaping.
RDL vaping is an excellent choice for intermediate vapers who've run the MTL gambit but don't want to sacrifice their nicotine to try DTL vaping. RDL is an excellent stepping stone before shifting into DTL vaping, though many experienced vapers (myself included) stick with RDL so they can continue enjoying high-nicotine E-Liquids like nicotine salts but with better flavour and bigger clouds.
Of course, MTL and DTL both have their merits. But for those looking for bigger clouds than MTL can offer, RDL vaping is the style of choice.
Best RDL Vape Kits
We offer a wide range of Restricted Direct-to-Lung vape kits using RDL coils and pods. The RDL vapes on our list here all feature adjustable airflow so you can tailor your draw to better suit your vaping style, and they're all compatible with high-PG E-Liquids like nic salts and freebase 50/50 E-Liquids.
You can learn more about the different vape hardware available in our vape kit guide, which dives into all the different types and features available.
None of these vapes are designed exclusively for the RDL vaping style, and there currently aren't any vapes on the market specifically for this vaping style. Instead, you'll find that a majority of RDTL vape kits are for either MTL or DTL vaping with the option of a restricted airflow for RDTL vaping.
OXVA
#1. OXVA Xlim Pro 2 Pod Kit
4.7
★★★★★
4.7/5“A premium MTL and RDTL pod kit and one of our best-selling refillables. It pairs a 0.56 inch colour screen with 5-30W adjustable wattage, adjustable airflow and 2A fast charging (80% in about 25 minutes), and it works with nearly the entire Xlim pod range.”
£24.99
Pros
- Adjustable wattage and airflow
- Pods with built-in mesh coils
- Highly customisable
Cons
- Settings may be confusing for new vapers
XROS
#2. Vaporesso XROS 5 Pod Kit
4.8
★★★★★
4.8/5“A slim, pen-style pod kit built for both MTL and RDTL vaping. You get a 1500mAh battery, 30W adjustable power with three modes, a 0.88 inch HD screen, ultra-fast 3A charging and COREX 2.0 mesh pods that keep flavour strong for longer.”
£26.99
Pros
- Adjustable airflow and power modes
- Ultra-fast 3A USB-C charging
- Excellent pod flavour and longevity
Cons
- Slightly pricier than basic pod kits
Uwell
#3. Uwell Caliburn G5 Pod Kit
4.6
★★★★★
4.6/5“The new flagship of the legendary Caliburn G series. A 1600mAh battery rated for days of typical use, 35W output with automatic power matching, a 0.85 inch colour screen with Smart Triple-Tap control and stepless airflow that slides from a tight MTL draw to an airy RDL one. The included 0.6 ohm GPP Alpha pod suits this list perfectly.”
£22.99
Pros
- Stepless airflow from MTL to RDL
- Big 1600mAh battery
- Compatible with the full GPP pod range
Cons
- Draw activation only, no fire button
OXVA
#4. OXVA VPrime Pod Kit
4.5
★★★★★
4.5/5“The most flexible kit on this list: the VPrime covers MTL, RDTL and full DTL vaping in one device. It packs a big 2600mAh battery, up to 60W of power, a side airflow slider and a 0.96 inch colour screen, and the included 0.6 ohm mesh pod is made for a restricted lung hit.”
£29.99
Pros
- Covers MTL, RDL and DTL in one kit
- Big 2600mAh battery
- Airflow slider for fine-tuning the draw
Cons
- Heavier than slim pen-style pods
GeekVape
#5. GeekVape Sonder Q 2 Pod Kit
4.4
★★★★★
4.4/5“An unbeatable budget pick for MTL and RDL vaping. The Sonder Q2 keeps things simple with auto-draw activation, adjustable airflow, a 1350mAh battery and up to 30W of output, all in a lightweight aluminium shell.”
£8.99
Pros
- Outstanding value
- Simple auto-draw operation
- Adjustable airflow
Cons
- USB-C cable not included
Want the full hands-on verdicts? Read our in-depth OXVA Xlim Pro 2 review, Vaporesso XROS 5 review, Uwell Caliburn G5 review and GeekVape Sonder Q2 review.
Summary
RDTL vaping, which stands for Restricted Direct-to-Lung, is a style of vaping that's essentially a cross between MTL and DTL vaping. RDL vaping merges the nicotine satisfaction and throat hit of MTL vaping with the flavour and vapour production of DTL vaping, making it ideal for intermediate vapers looking for an upgrade to their vaping experience.
Like MTL and DTL, RDL vape kits offer their own unique benefits, from heavy cloud production to a satisfying throat hit. RDL vaping delivers an incredibly satisfying vaping experience for intermediate vapers who've had their fill of MTL vaping and want to keep enjoying their nic salts and 50/50 freebase nicotine liquids before moving on to a more complex sub-ohm vape kit.
If you have more questions about RDTL vaping or you need help finding your next device, our team of expert vapers is on standby. We're here to help with any questions you may have via phone, email, or live chat: contact us for assistance any time.
Rachel Domanchich
A self-proclaimed American Weird Girl in London, Rachel is a writer with 10 years of vaping experience. In 2021, she severed her decade-long love affair with Marlboro Reds using a pod vape and hasn't looked back since. Armed with degrees in creative writing and media, she's a passionate proponent of THR and helping smokers quit. Outside of writing, Rachel is a multi-instrumental musician, singer, wife, and mother of two black cats.