How We Test Airflow and Draw

Airflow is one of the first things you feel when you pick up a vape. Before flavor, before throat hit, you notice how tight or open the draw is, how smooth it feels, and whether the device reacts the way your lungs expect. At VapePicks, we treat airflow/draw as its own core metric because it shapes comfort, satisfaction, and day-to-day usability for adult nicotine users.

This page explains how our team tests airflow on e-cigarettes and vape devices, how we convert those impressions into a 5-point score, and how our clinical advisor keeps our language careful when we talk about inhalation and breathing comfort. The goal is not to promote vaping, but to give adults who already use nicotine a clear view of how different products actually behave.

1. What Airflow / Draw Means in Our Reviews

When we talk about airflow or draw, we focus on four practical questions:

• How tight or open is the draw (cigarette-like mouth-to-lung vs loose direct-lung)?

• How smooth or turbulent does the air feel as it moves through the mouthpiece?

• How predictable is the resistance from puff to puff and across different settings?

• How well does the airflow match the device’s own positioning (for example, a “tight MTL pod” that actually feels loose will lose points)?

Mechanical studies on e-cigarettes often measure pressure drop (how hard you need to pull) and flow rate to characterize draw resistance and puff topography. These factors then influence aerosol generation and user experience. We do not run lab rigs, but we build our testing flow around the same ideas: resistance, flow, and repeatability.

For every device, we ask: “Does the airflow behave the way a reasonable adult user would expect, given the design, category, and marketing claims?”

2. Our 5-Point Airflow Score

Every product we test receives a 1.0–5.0 airflow score (with one decimal place when needed):

Three rules keep scores honest:

1. Judged inside the category

   • A tiny MTL pod is not punished for feeling tighter than a big DL tank.

   • A DL-branded kit is expected to feel open and responsive, not pinched.

2. Preference vs performance

   • A tight draw is not “better” than an open draw by default. We look at whether the device hits the style it promises.

3. Stability matters

   • Airflow that shifts suddenly from smooth to gurgly, or from tight to whistling, will pull the score down even if first impressions seem fine.

Research on puffing behavior shows that different airflow designs and resistances change how people inhale and how much aerosol they generate. Our scale translates that into real-world usability: do adults feel in control of each puff?

3. The VapePicks Testing Team and How Each Person Evaluates Airflow

Chris Miller – Lead Tester and Narrator

Chris designs the airflow testing protocol for each device:

• Sets up baseline tests at default or recommended airflow settings

• Checks all adjustable airflow options and records the full range

• Compares the draw to familiar reference points (cigarette-like, standard MTL pod, airy RDL, fully open DL)

He takes notes on:

• How much effort it takes to start a puff

• Whether the draw feels smooth or choppy

• How the device responds to slow vs fast inhales

Because Chris has spent years reviewing consumer tech and hardware, he pays attention to small mechanical details: ring tolerances, slider stiffness, and how easily settings move in a pocket.

Marcus Reed – High-Output and Stress Tester

Marcus focuses on how airflow behaves under heavier adult use:

• Uses higher-power or higher-output devices at the upper end of their recommended range

• Tests airflow control at both minimum and maximum openings

• Chain-vapes to see if airflow remains stable as the coil and device warm up

For airflow, he watches:

• Whether full-open settings actually provide enough air for direct-lung pulls

• Whether restricted settings stay tight enough for slow MTL puffs without whistling

• How the device feels when it is pushed hard: does airflow keep up with vapor production, or does it feel starved and hot?

Lab work on aerosol generation has shown that higher power and different flows change aerosol volume and temperature. Marcus exposes these differences from the perspective of an adult who vapes more often and at higher wattage.

Jamal Davis – Everyday Carry and Mobility Tester

Jamal checks airflow in daily life:

• Short puffs while walking, commuting, or waiting

• Use in different temperatures (cold outside air vs warm car)

• Devices carried loosely in pockets or bags to see if airflow rings or sliders move unintentionally

For airflow and draw, he tracks:

• Whether the device still feels like itself after an hour in a pocket

• Whether accidental changes in airflow settings are common

• How comfortable the draw feels when he is distracted and only half-focused on each puff

He often spots mobility-related issues such as:

• Airflow holes blocked by fingers in natural grip positions

• Sliders that slip and make the draw unpredictable

• Mouthpieces that whistle or create odd suction when used at odd angles

Dr. Adrian Walker – Clinical and Respiratory Advisor

Dr. Walker does not use or “test” the devices. His role is to:

• Review how we talk about airflow, draw resistance, and breathing comfort

• Check that we do not turn subjective comfort into medical claims

• Remind readers that any ongoing breathing problems, chest pain, or persistent cough should be evaluated by a clinician, not solved by changing devices

Clinical and toxicology research on e-cigarettes notes that aerosol inhalation can irritate the airways and that these products expose users to nicotine and other substances that can affect respiratory health. Dr. Walker makes sure we keep that context in mind when we talk about “smooth” or “comfortable” draw.

4. Step-by-Step: How We Test Airflow and Draw

4.1 Device Setup and Baseline Checks

Before we start subjective testing, Chris:

• Records device type (disposable, pod, refillable kit, box mod setup)

• Notes coil resistance, recommended wattage, and airflow-control hardware

• Checks the manufacturer’s descriptions: “tight MTL,” “RDL,” “DL,” “stealth,” and so on

We then:

• Install manufacturer-recommended coils or pods

• Fill with suitable e-liquid when needed, matching nicotine range and PG/VG ratio across comparable devices where possible

• Fully charge the battery and let the device rest long enough for wicking to saturate

4.2 Baseline Draw Testing

In a neutral indoor setting, each tester runs a series of standardized puffs:

• Same puff duration (for example, about 4 seconds)

• Similar inhalation effort

• Enough puffs to get past initial “new coil” behavior

We log:

• Perceived draw style: very tight, tight, medium, slightly open, very open

• Subjective smoothness: smooth, slightly turbulent, noisy/whistling

• Any early gurgling, blockage, or inconsistency between puffs

Studies on e-cigarette puff behavior use devices that maintain fixed flow rates and pressure drops to simulate human use. We cannot replicate those machines, but we use repeatable patterns so different products face the same conditions.

4.3 Testing the Full Airflow Range

If the device has adjustable airflow, we test each extreme and the middle steps:

• Fully closed or most restricted

  • Chris and Jamal check whether gentle MTL inhales are possible without noise or choking.

• Mid-range

  • All three testers see whether this range feels like a realistic default for mixed use.

• Fully open

  • Marcus checks whether the draw supports direct-lung pulls without feeling starved or overly hot.

For each setting, we note:

• Draw resistance and how it compares to familiar references (for example, a typical cigarette, a standard pod, an open tank)

• Whether the device responds consistently across several puffs

• Whether adjusting the airflow ring or slider feels precise or jumpy

If an airflow system allows many steps but only one or two feel usable, that limitation shows up in the score.

4.4 High-Output and Chain-Vaping Sessions

Marcus leads stress tests on more powerful devices:

• Uses higher wattage within the recommended range

• Takes longer puffs and shorter breaks between pulls

• Tracks how airflow interacts with heat and vapor production

He notes:

• When restricted airflow causes overheating, spitback, or harshness

• Whether fully open airflow keeps the draw comfortable during long pulls

• Any drift in airflow behavior as the device warms up

Research indicates that higher temperatures and power settings can alter aerosol formation and composition, especially when liquid supply to the coil is limited. Our focus stays on what users actually feel: is the draw still manageable, or does it feel strained?

4.5 Everyday Carry and Mobility Sessions

Jamal then uses the same devices in daily life:

• Puts them in pockets, bags, and car compartments

• Vapes in different positions (standing, walking, seated) and at different angles

• Uses them in cool outdoor air and warmer indoor spaces

He records:

• Whether airflow settings drift in pockets or bags

• Whether finger placement naturally blocks vents or slots

• Whether changes in environment make the draw noticeably harsher or weaker

Small mechanical details—loose airflow rings, oddly placed vents, mouthpieces that whistle when tilted—show up here. Those details matter for adults who want predictable performance without having to think about every puff.

4.6 Long-Term Consistency Over Days

Across several days of use, all three testers log:

• Any clogging or partial blockage of airflow due to condensate or residue

• Increases in gurgling, whistling, or uneven draw as coils age

• Differences in draw at high battery vs low battery

Work on aerosol and residue formation in e-cigarettes shows that repeated use can leave deposits on internal parts and change how air and aerosol move through the device. We cannot see every internal detail, but we can feel when airflow becomes unsettled over time.

5. Turning Airflow Testing into a 5-Point Score

After testing, Chris pulls together:

• Numeric impressions from each tester for different airflow settings and use modes

• Written notes on resistance, smoothness, noise, and control

• Observations about category fit (MTL vs RDL vs DL) and advertised positioning

He then:

1. Rates baseline performance

   • How the device feels at the setting most adults are likely to use day to day.

2. Adjusts for range and control

   • Whether airflow control, if present, provides several usable settings or just one sweet spot.

3. Factors in stability and aging

   • Whether the draw stays predictable across the battery curve and over multiple days.

Marcus’ stress-use notes weigh more in the score for high-output devices. Jamal’s daily-life notes weigh more for compact pods and disposables. Chris keeps the score consistent with the written review so numbers and narrative match.

Before publication, Dr. Walker reads airflow-related sections and checks that:

• We describe comfort and draw as subjective experience, not health outcomes.

• We do not imply that a smoother draw makes a device safe.

• Any mention of breathing discomfort or chest sensations clearly points to the need for medical evaluation if symptoms persist.

Evidence from health agencies and clinical reviews is clear that e-cigarette aerosol is not risk-free and that nicotine is addictive and can affect the lungs and cardiovascular system. Our airflow scores sit inside that reality; they do not change it.

6. Limits of Our Airflow and Draw Testing

Our process has several limits:

• It is panel-based, not a machine measurement of pressure and flow. Our testers are experienced adult users, but they do not represent every possible lung capacity or sensitivity.

• Environmental conditions in our tests (room temperature, humidity, background noise) differ from those in each reader’s home, workplace, or local climate.

• We cannot see every internal design detail or measure exact turbulence patterns. We describe what we feel through the mouthpiece, not what happens inside the chamber millisecond by millisecond.

Even with those limits, we find that structured, multi-tester draw evaluation gives a realistic picture of how a device handles air. Our goal is not to chase impressive specs but to answer a simple question for adult users: “Does this device feel right to inhale from, and does that feeling stay stable over time?”

Nothing on this page or in any VapePicks review replaces medical advice. Anyone concerned about symptoms or the long-term health impact of nicotine or e-cigarette use should speak with a qualified health professional.

Sources

• Talih S, Balhas Z, Eissenberg T, et al. Effects of user puff topography, device voltage, and liquid nicotine concentration on electronic cigarette aerosol and nicotine yield. Nicotine & Tobacco Research. 2015. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4837998/

• Floyd EL, Queimado L, Wang J, et al. Electronic cigarette power affects count concentration and particle size distribution of vaping aerosol. PLOS ONE. 2018. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0210147

• Sosnowski TR, Jabłczyńska K, Odziomek M, Schlage WK. Throat and whole-respiratory-tract deposition analysis of e-cigarette aerosol. Journal of Aerosol Science. 2018. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021850217305498

• World Health Organization. Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). WHO. 2024. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WPR-2024-DHP-001

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Electronic Cigarettes (E-Cigarettes). CDC Smoking and Tobacco Use. 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/e-cigarettes/about.html