The Different Types of Vape Coils

So, you’ve outgrown your pod system and are craving a little more challenge? Maybe you’ve already been wrapping basic vape coils like a pro and now you're itching for something more advanced—something exotic. If you're ready to step up your coil-building game, there’s a whole world of unique vape coil styles just waiting to elevate your flavor and performance.

Before we dive in: these builds are strictly for advanced users. If you’re not confident with Ohm’s law, battery safety, or how to measure resistance, this probably isn’t the time to break out the drill. Safety first, builders.

But if you're still with us, let’s get into the wild world of exotic vape coils.

Clapton Coil

Let’s kick things off with the classic Clapton coil. Think of it as the "gateway" exotic coil. It’s made by wrapping a thin wire tightly around a thicker core wire—kind of like a guitar string (which is actually where the name comes from). More surface area = more flavor from your vape juice.

Claptons can run either sub-ohm or above, but they’re mostly used in rebuildable atomizers (RBAs). They’re a great starting point if you’re just getting into coil building and have the basic tools on hand.

Curious about which metal types are best for flavor and performance? Dive into What are the Best Vape Coil Metal Types?

 

Fused Clapton Coil

Ready to level up? The Fused Clapton is a step above the standard. Instead of one core wire, you’ve got two (or more) thick wires with a thin wire wrapped around them. This gives you even more surface area, which means better flavor and quicker ramp-up times.

You’ll mostly find Fused Claptons in direct-to-lung vapes because they’re chunky. If you’re comfortable with Claptons, this should be your next build.

Staggered Fused Clapton

Now we’re getting into trickier territory. The Staggered Fused Clapton involves wrapping a thinner wire around two Clapton coils with spaced-out wraps, creating more room for juice to cling. Yes, it takes longer to heat, but the flavor payoff is worth it.

These builds tend to be super low-resistance and work best in RBAs with large post holes. Definitely not a beginner build—but once you master it, you’ll never want to go back.

Alien Coil (aka Alien Clapton)

If you thought the name sounded cool, just wait until you build one. Alien coils involve removing the core wire from a Clapton coil and rewrapping the wavy outer wire around three new cores. Sounds intense? It is.

These coils need decks with big post holes or clamps, and they take a while to heat up—but the vapor and flavor are out of this world. Only tackle this one if you’ve absolutely nailed Claptons and Fused Claptons.

Wondering when to retire a vape coil that’s seen better days? Check out When To Change a Vape Coil: Signs You Need a New Coil

 

Staple Coil

Now for something a little different. A Staple coil uses a stack of flat ribbon wires wrapped in thin wire. It ends up looking like a stack of—yep—staples. It has a super fast ramp-up time and tons of flavor thanks to all the little grooves that soak up juice like a sponge.

You’ll need a beefy deck to house these, and they’re best for direct-to-lung hits. Before you go full Staple mode, make sure you’re already good at Fused Claptons.

Framed Staple Coil

The Framed Staple Coil takes it even further by combining ribbon wire with round wire “frames,” all wrapped in a thin wire. That combo creates little gaps that boost flavor and speed up heat time.

These are low-resistance and best used with a direct-to-lung setup—again, only on big decks with large posts or clamps. But the payoff? Next-level performance.

Want your coils to last longer? Learn how to maintain them in How To Clean a Vape Coil: What You Need To Do

Final Thoughts

Exotic vape coils aren’t just about chasing clouds—they’re about tuning your vape exactly the way you like it. Whether it’s flavor, heat, or just the satisfaction of a perfect build, advanced coils give you total control.

Just remember: safety matters. Don’t jump into these builds unless you’ve got a solid understanding of the basics and are confident in your skillset.

Not sure how long your coils should even last? Get the facts in How Long Do Vape Coils Last and What Affects Their Lifespan?