How To Choose an Atomizer: A Beginner’s Guide

If you’re a pod system vaper that wants to transition to box mods, you’ll need to invest in a box mod and an atomizer. But what exactly is an atomizer, and how do you choose the best atomizer that suits you best? That’s what we’ll talk about today in the blog, so if you’re ready, let’s dig in. 

Table of Contents:

1. What is an Atomizer?
2. The Best Atomizer?
3. The Different Types of Atomizers
4. Sub-ohm Tanks
5. How To Choose an Atomizer
6. Conclusion

What is an Atomizer?

Atomizers have meant different things in the vaping world. At first, when someone referred to an atomizer, it meant that they were referring to the coils of a vape; as technologies evolved, the term grew into telling the tank and the whole rebuildable part where the coils and wicks are placed. When we're talking about an atomizer, we mean the rebuildable part where the coils and wick go and the tank. 

The Best Atomizer?

While there is no best overall atomizer, there are different kinds of vape atomizers you should know. Each type of vape atomizer has its unique strengths and weaknesses or is best suited for a particular area (for example, better flavor). When choosing an atomizer, keep this in mind, and check each atomizer’s pros and cons to pick the one that fits your vaping style the best. 

The Different Types of Atomizers

There are many different atomizers, but the most important to know is RBAs or Rebuildable Atomizers. RBAs are the most popular kind of atomizers because they allow the user to create their coils, which can be very cost-effective in the long term. But if you don’t plan on building your coils, don’t worry. You can still use RBAs, but you’ll have to buy premade coils. The three different types of atomizers include:

• RDA or Rebuildable Dripping Atomizer
• RTA Rebuildable Tank Atomizer
• RDTA Rebuildable Dripping Tank Atomizer

Rebuildable Dripping Atomizer

The first atomizer we’ll explore is the rebuildable dripping atomizer. With this atomizer, there is no tank or reservoir where the e-juice sits (there is a small pool, but it only holds a little bit of vape juice). It requires that the user “drip” vape juice directly on the coil and wick for the vape user. Because of this, they need that every time you run out of vape juice (which is often), you have to drip again manually. This is why they are the less convenient atomizers out of the three. However, because the vape juice directly hits the coil and wick, they produce the best flavor and large vapor clouds. 

Pros

• Best Flavor of the three atomizers

Cons

• Have to constantly drip into the tank
• You’ll have to carry a vape juice bottle with you

Rebuildable Tank Atomizer

A rebuildable tank atomizer is an RBA with a tank that holds vape juice. Rebuildable tank atomizers have decks with posts where a user can build coils. A small chimney is placed above the coils, and the coils and wick are surrounded by the tank, which dispenses vape juice slowly. The great advantage of this atomizer is that you don’t have to carry around a vape juice bottle to refill your vape. You can fill it up and have vape juice in your tank all day. The downside is, of course, you won’t be able to replica the flavor that rebuildable dripping atomizers create. 

Pros

• Holds plenty of vape juice
• You don’t need to drip it constantly

Cons

• Not as a good a flavor as a dripping atomizer

Rebuildable Dripping Tank Atomizers

Finally, we have the third atomizer, the rebuildable dripping tank atomizer or RDTA. The rebuildable dripping tank atomizer is the best of both worlds. It combines the rebuildable dripping atomizer and the rebuildable tank atomizer. The way it is constructed is as follows. You have a rebuildable dripping atomizer deck where the wick goes down toward a small pool but extends down to a tank filled with vape juice. Although the flavor is very close to that of a dripping atomizer, the tank will many times be a bit smaller than the ones found on a rebuildable tank atomizer. 

Pros

• Best of both worlds, you get great flavor and convenience

Cons

• Tank might not be as big as that of a rebuildable tank atomizer

Sub-Ohm Tanks

Remember how we said that atomizers are now used to refer to tanks and the parts that evaporate the vape juice? Well, there are other atomizers out there that are not rebuildable atomizers. These atomizers don’t use wire coils that can be made by hand, but rather coils that come prefabricated with the wick inside of the coil. These atomizers are called Sub-ohm tanks. 

The Sub-ohm tanks have large tanks that, for the most part, won’t leak, can be filled with vape juice, and deliver decent flavor but large amounts of vapor. The main difference between these tanks and the RBAs is that they don’t require serious upkeep (like building or buying wire coils) they come with coils that are screwed in and out. Sub-ohm tanks are probably the most popular tank atomizers for beginners. 

How To Choose an Atomizer

Now that you know the most popular types of atomizers in the vaping world is time to choose one. And it breaks down into three categories for us: flavor, convenience, and leakage. 

• RDAs have the best flavor, but they aren’t convenient and will leak
• RTAs have an okay taste, but they are very convenient and are less likely to leak
• RDTAs have great taste are convenient but will also leak
• Sub-ohm Tanks are the least flavorful but are convenient and won’t leak

Conclusion

Choosing an atomizer comes down to personal preference. Some are best to travel. Others are perfect for enjoying the flavor. Whatever your needs are, make sure they fit with the type of atomizer you want. In the end, you might even find yourself buying an atomizer to cover every occasion.