Wave Coil – What is it in Vaping?
Definition
A Wave Coil is a type of vape coil whose heating wire is bent into a continuous zig-zag or “wave” pattern instead of the usual tight spirals. This shape increases the wire’s surface area that contacts wicking material, letting more e-liquid vaporise at once. The result is denser clouds and fuller flavour without needing extreme wattage. Because the waves leave small channels for air and juice, the coil also resists dry hits and can last longer between re-wicks. Wave coils can be bought ready-made or handmade by bending wire around a jig, and they fit most rebuildable atomisers (RDAs/RTAs) that accept standard coil builds.
Technical Details
Wave coils are normally built with Kanthal A1, stainless-steel 316L, or Ni80 wire between 24 AWG and 28 AWG (0.4–0.3 mm). A typical pattern uses 6–10 complete “waves”, each peak 2–3 mm apart, giving an overall length of 20–25 mm when finished. Resistance lands between 0.15 Ω and 0.4 Ω for dual-coil set-ups, making them ideal for 50–90 W regulated mods. The flattened crests of each wave are lightly “pinched” so that cotton can sit snugly underneath and on top, maximising capillary action. Variations include the chained wave (tight zig-zag), the accordion wave (wide peaks for very thick wicks), and the framed wave (a thinner wrap of 36 AWG clapton wire around the wave core) for even faster ramp-up.
Usage & Tips
Install the wave coil so that each valley touches the cotton but does not compress it fully—fluff your wick first for best juice flow. Start at 10 W below your target wattage, then pulse and squeeze lightly with ceramic tweezers to remove hot spots. If you notice spitting, raise the coil 1 mm farther from the air vents or increase wattage by 5 W to vaporise excess liquid faster. Chain-vapers should tilt the atomiser occasionally; the wave channels can trap tiny air bubbles that slow wicking. Always check resistance on a Mod“>regulated mod before firing; a sudden drop can indicate a loose wrap or short against the deck wall.
History & Context
The wave coil emerged in Australian Facebook groups around 2019 as vapers sought simpler alternatives to complex Claptons. By bending wire back and forth on a nail board, builders achieved faster ramp-up without costly drill swivels. Today, major Chinese manufacturers sell pre-bent wave sticks, and the design appears in disposable mesh-substitute pods, proving that a humble zig-zag can still ride the innovation curve.