VapeBeat has tested DOZENS of RDA tanks in the past 12 months, and the best RDA tanks – the ELITE – are listed here inside our A-List Guide to 2018’s most KICK ASS rebuildable drip atomizers
Best RDA Tanks
RDA tanks used to be simple. But now squonking has happened and things have changed dramatically.
You now have more options than ever before. But mostly lots of single coil RDAs to consider. Lots and lots…
This post needs to reflect these changes; I didn’t just want it to be an arbitrary list of RDAs that squonk and RDAs that don’t, as they’re all kinda different.
For this reason, I’ve broken it up into three main sections:
#1 – Dual Coil BF RDAs
#2 – Single Coil BF RDAs
#3 – Straight-Up RDAs (Just For Drippin’)
Let’s kick off with dual coil BF RDAs.
Best BF Squonk RDAs (Dual-Coil)
1) DROP RDA
The MAC DADDY. The Big Boy. The Big, Swinging Dick.
Everybody loves this RDA, and I am no exception.
It rocks. In every conceivable way – from flavor to how awesome its deck is.
If you’re after a badass dual coil RDA that can squonk with the best of them, the DROP RDA is just about as good as it gets.
It got rave reviews on its arrival and since then, the fan base around this RDA just keeps on growing. A masterclass in engineering, machining, and precision flavor production.
The hype is 100% legit. And when you vape it, you will know why.
2) Drop DEAD RDA
I was a pretty big fan of the Dead Rabbit RDA, but for me, the Drop DEAD RDA is a vastly superior RDA.
The airflow is brilliant and, because of the coil placement, you can get pretty adventurous with your builds. It doesn’t seem to spit quite as much as the Dead Rabbit RDA either, which is a good thing.
The flavor is the main event here, though. It’s dense and precise, helped along by the expertly engineered AFC. You can also squonk the pants off this thing and never get a leak.
A truly solid RDA that performs brilliantly across the board. Ideal for new RDA users that want to get into squonking.
3) Pulse 24 RDA
The Pulse 24 RDA is kind of old, but it is so damn good in the flavor department, I had to add to this list.
You have room for massive builds and, while you do have to be precise with coil placement, it does rip like an absolute monster once it gets going, leaving nothing on the table with respect to flavor.
A true flavor-chaser’s RDA this one. Sure, it’s not quite as fancy as the Drop DEAD or the DROP but it sure as hell gets the job done in truly spectacular fashion. Bangin’ stuff from Vandy Vape.
4) BONZA RDA
The BONZA RDA was designed by The Vaping Bogan – AKA my favorite YouTube vape reviewer.
The tank itself doesn’t do anything truly unique, but it kicks out a hell of a lot of performance and is great for squonking.
The deck is simple to build on and has plenty of room for seriously major installs. The airflow, again, is very simple and easy to adjust.
The BONZA RDA really comes into its own, however, when you crank the Ohms down nice and low and rip the wattage up nice and high. Do this and you’ll be standing in a dense cloud of vapor in no time at all.
Best BF Squonk RDAs (Single Coil)
1) Recurve RDA
The Recurve RDA doesn’t really need any introductions. It is, perhaps, the most well known, well respected, and most popular single-coil RDA on the planet right now.
And the reason for this is threefold: 1) it looks awesome, 2) it vapes brilliantly, and 3) it kicks out immense flavor, thanks to its unique deck and ever-so-slightly restricted draw.
I love this RDA. I’ve been using it daily for most of 2018 because, well… nothing else really comes anywhere near it in terms of performance and flavor. If you want a single coil RDA, this is the one to go for.
2) PROFILE RDA
My second single coil love affair is also made by Wotofo. It’s called the PROFILE RDA and its party trick is running mesh coils.
Wotofo makes really good mesh coils too. They’re easy to install and wick and once you’ve done this the flavor and vapor comes thick and fast.
Is it better than the RECURVE RDA? Hard to say, they’re both different. I use both interchangeably. I do love how smooth the airflow on the PROFILE is – it is a huge USP for this RDA.
I also like that it can run standard coils too.
I can’t decide which I like best, if I’m honest, as both the PROFILE and Recurve are exceptional in their own right, so, as is often the case, this one will come down to personal preference.
Best RDAs – Straight-Up Drippers
1) RECOIL RDA
The RECOIL RDA is the product of Grimm Green, one of the biggest and most viewed vape YouTubers on the planet.
The guy loves rebuildable tanks and mech mods. For this reason, he attempted to create the perfect dripper.
The RECOIL RDA is Mr. Grimm’s second RDA, and it picks up where the first one left off, adding in new features, a more refined deck design, and support for squonking (though the squonk pin does not come with it).
For a dripper, the RECOIL RDA is one hell of a setup. You have a brilliantly implemented deck that can handle massive builds, a nice, large juice well that holds a lot of E Juice, and great airflow.
If you’re a mech user, the RECOIL RDA is a great option as a standalone dripper. The flavor and performance on this thing is brilliant. If you’re after a premium dripper, the RECOIL RDA comes highly recommended.
2) GOON 1.5 RDA
Or, you could go with the biggest and most respected name in the world of rebuildable atomizers: GOON.
The GOON 1.5 RDA is a tour de force of improvements over the original GOOD RDA. You have a domed cap, Cyclops airflow, wider and thicker posts, more clamping space, and also support for a squonk pin.
The GOON 1.5 RDA comes with a squonk pin too (unlike the RECOIL RDA, where you have to buy it separately). But the key thing here is simplicity – simplicity and power.
You can install all kinds of builds in this RDA. The deck is super versatile and once you have something installed properly it rips unlike anything else.
Flawless stuff, basically.
RDA Tanks Explained
If you don’t know what an RDA tank is, allow me to explain…
RDA stands for rebuildable dripping atomizer but these setups are sometimes called “drippers” — especially if you’re down with the kids, as we quite clearly are.
RDA tanks offer unparalleled performance and flavor.
Rebuildable attys can be fiddly and they don’t hold much E Juice (unless you have a squonk mod) but for sheer cloud output and precision with flavor, it is impossible to beat a solid RDA tank.
This is why RDA tanks are so popular with pro-vapers and those that take vaping very seriously.
The best of the best (for price and performance) are ranked above. These are VapeBeat’s current #1 picks for right now.
Three Reasons You Should Try An RDA Tank:
- Better Flavour – If you’re chasing big flavor then an RDA is the way to go, as there really is no comparison when it comes to bright, crisp notes and sharp detail when vaping. For many, this is why RDA tanks are the ONLY option when vaping.
- More Clouds – The clouds you can produce with these things, once coupled with a decent mech-mod or box-mod, are INSANE. You know when you go into a vape shop and you can barely see a thing? Yeah, that’s because of RDA tanks and the insane amounts of clouds they kick out.
- More Cost-Effective – You don’t have to buy replacement coils, which are bloody expensive if we’re being honest, as you build your own. And while this might sound like a pain in the ass, once you have a couple of builds under your belt you’ll be able to build a new coil with your eyes closed.
My Favorite RDA Tank Right Now?
I have a bunch but my absolute go-to-RDA right now has to be the Wotofo Recurve RDA.
It is a brilliant tank that delivers MASSES of flavor and also vapes beautifully.
Longtime readers of VapeBeat will know that I am a HUGE fan of Wotofo tanks.
The Recurve RDA has everything – and more – that I want from an RDA.
It’s not too expensive, it’s easy to setup, it vapes brilliantly, with an excellent, buttery-smooth airflow, and it looks bangin’.
If you’re in the market for a solid, reliable RDA that kicks ass in every department, I highly recommend the Recurve RDA.
Best Mesh Coil RDA?
Simple: Wotofo’s Profile RDA.
This thing is 100% badass, and unlike previous mesh coil RDAs, there are no issues with uneven heating and dry hits.
I’ve been using mine for a solid couple of months now and it hasn’t missed a beat. It looks great, is super simple to set up, and, if you prefer, it can run wire coils too.
The flavor is 100% on point and the airflow is smoother than Kenny G covered in baby oil.
The AWESOME Wotofo Profile RDA
I love Wotofo tanks, so I expected it to be good, but the Profile RDA surpassed all my expectations (and it’s priced really well too, over at VaporDNA).
Thoroughly awesome stuff.
Chuck in the ability to squonk and you have one the best RDAs in the business right now!
Best Drippers – What To Look For When Buying One
When it comes to buying a new RDA, or dripper, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind.
The two most important elements of an RDA are the deck and the airflow – if these are both good, you’re usually all sorted.
Price is another big consideration; RDA tanks can be very expensive, however, due to their growing popularity you no longer have to spend hundreds of dollars to get a decent setup.
Most of the best RDA tanks I have tested in 2017/18 were all under $60.
And if you want to squonk with them, well, you should definitely check out our dedicated guide to the best RSA (Rebuildable Squonk Atomizers) for a detailed breakdown of what’s hot right now.
It’s also worth checking out our vape mods and vape tanks reviews section on the site – there are tons of product reviews in there.
Below is a selection of some of the best RDA tanks we tested over the years, as always, in no particular order.
Best Rebuildable Dripping Atomizers – In-Depth Look
1) DigiFlavor Drop RDA – Voted Number One By Everybody
The DigiFlavor Drop RDA is beloved by all – reviewers, consumers, YouTubers. Everybody is completely smitten with this RDA.
And who can blame them? It is a phenomenal setup which packs in beautiful aesthetics, a stunning deck, and a solid, easy-to-use drip tip.
The deck is super-easy to build on and the stepped airflow it uses ensures one of the smoothest, whistle-free vapes around right now. It also supports squonking too.
And this makes it one of the best RDA tanks around right now. Period.
I freakin’ love this RDA, and you will too – everyone should have the DigiFlavor Drop RDA in their collection. And the cherry on the cake? Simple: the price – it’s ULTRA-affordable and this makes it one of the best RDAs around right now. Period.
You Can Pick Up The DigiFlavor DROP RDA via DirectVapor For $25.95 (FREE SHIPPING)
2) Vandy Vape MESH RDA
The Vandy Vape MESH RDA has been making A LOT of friends in the vape space of late.
Partly because it looks awesome, but also because of its rather innovative mesh coil option, whereby you can use mesh for the coil versus traditional wire.
Mesh coils were around back in the day, but they kind of disappeared.
However, the Vandy Vape MESH RDA aims to bring them back – with gusto! For me, it was definitely pretty novel using mesh coils over traditional ones.
A Brilliant RDA That Hits Like A Freight Train – And It’s ONLY $35
And even though I’m something of a traditionalist in this regard, I did really enjoy setting up and using the mesh coils Vandy Vape includes in the box.
You get less spit back, it’s super simple to install, and it produces an INSANE amount of vapor.
If you don’t fancy using the mesh, however, you can set up the Vandy Vape MESH RDA with standard coils of any size, thanks to its decent-sized deck.
The build quality of the Vandy Vape MESH RDA is wicked, everything is premium-grade and it comes apart very easily.
It also vapes like a monster, so if you’re after a big hitting RDA, the Vandy Vape MESH RDA should be high on your list, as it is one of the best RDA tanks in operation right now.
You Can Pick Up The Vandy Vape MESH RDA via FLAWLESS Vapes For $35
3) HellVape DEAD Rabbit RDA
This RDA is my new daily driver. I read about it, watched videos, then decided: I had to have it in my life, so I went out and bought one.
I got the gun-metal version and I’ve been vaping my face off ever since.
The DEAD Rabbit RDA has been getting TONS of attention of late, thanks to massively positive reviews, a great price, and its truly brilliant airflow and flavour.
I love the way this tank looks, the way it vapes, and I love building on it. Hence its inclusion on our best RDA tanks feature!
It can hold a monumental amount of E Juice, when wicked correctly, and it is super-simple to build on. I’m rocking a pair of sizeable, dual-Claptons at the moment, and she’s been vaping like a beauty with crisp, detailed flavor that is about as good as any RDA I have ever used.
Check out my full Dead Rabbit RDA Review for a detailed breakdown. But if you want a spoiler ahead of that, I’ll oblige – this RDA is awesome. Everything you’ve heard about it is true. I love this RDA and it will remain in my vape rotation for a good long while.
You Can Pick Up The DEAD Rabbit RDA via DirectVapor for $35.95 (FREE SHIPPING)
4) Pulse 24 RDA by Vandy Vape
The Pulse 24 RDA is one of the hottest RDAs around right now.
Look anywhere online and all you’ll see is people raving about this RDA.
Flavor, clouds, squonkability – the Pulse 24 RDA has it all. And it is 100% one of the best RDA tanks you buy right now.
If you’re in the market for a well-priced RDA that is super-simple to live with, then the Pulse 24 RDA should be HIGH on your list.
The Pulse 24 RDA is easily one of the best squonk-oriented RDAs on the planet right now.
The juice flow is so precise and not at all heavy-handed which means your coils are always perfectly saturated but never too saturated that they spit and leak.
Vandy Vape hit the nail on the head with this one, so if you’re interested in using it for squonking your best bet is the Vandy Vape Pulse Squonk kit
The PULSE Squonk Kit Retails For JUST $50 @ FLAWLESS Vapes – That’s Exceptional Value For Money
I’ve been using the tank without squonking though and it still kicks A LOT of ass.
This isn’t a pricey RDA either; in fact, it’s really very cheap given some of the competition on this list.
And that, in my book, makes the Pulse 24 RDA a triple threat – and triple threats are rare in the world of RDAs at this price point.
If you want an excellent RDA that kicks out brilliant flavor, that has a great build deck, that is super-simple to live with, looks good, and can squonk better than any other RDA on the planet right now. Get the Pulse 24 RDA! You will not be disappointed.
You Can Pick Up The Pulse 24 RDA on its Own via Direct Vapor For $28.95 (FREE SHIPPING)
5) TERK RDA by VapeAMP
The TERK RDA is pretty pricey, but this RDA is designed for BIG performance and/or competition-level vaping.
The look, feel, and finish of the TERK is sublime. It’s squat, perfectly proportioned, and it has a great deck for building on.
Created by VapeAMP, this RDA is 100% made in the USA. And it is pricey. But it is also one of the best RDA tanks on this list for sheer power.
The TERK RDA features a two post, clamp and shelf design like the GOON RDA, only here you have Philip screws for easier and quicker installations.
The TERK RDA has very deep juice wells, so this is an RDA you can setup up, juice-up, and leave the house with.
You should get plenty of uptime before a re-drip is required – 20-30+ puffs at a minimum, providing your wicking is on point.
Basically, the TERK RDA is the kind of RDA you buy and then use solidly for six months without even looking at another RDA tank.
It’s that good.
Flavour. Clouds. Easy to live with. Deep juice wells – the TERK RDA does them all. And this is why it is easily one of my favourite RDAs of all time.
You Can Pick Up The TERK RDA by VapeAMP via FLAWLESS Vapes For $72 – Down From $90
6) Wotofo Lush Plus RDA – The Flavor KING!
If flavour’s your thang, then you REALLY need to check out the Wotofo Lush Plus RDA because in this regard it is easily one of the best in the business.
It’s also very cheap now too, as it’s been out awhile. And this makes it one of the best RDA tanks on this list – for everything.
I’ve owned my Wotofo Lush Plus RDA for a good 18 months now, and in that time I have returned to it often.
Why? For flavor.
It is brilliant in this context, maybe one of the greats, and I always use it to test out new E Juice as it gives me the most precise overall view of the E Juice I’m testing.
The airflow is a bit weird on, its tighter than usual, and while this does take a bit of getting used to, it does deliver a very satisfying, ever-so-slightly-resisted vape. Generally, I like a bit of resistance on the draw, so this suits me down to the ground.
As I said: this isn’t a new RDA. Not by a long stretch.
But if you’re a flavor chaser and you don’t already own this tank, well, you sir, are really missing out because the Wotofo Lush Plus RDA is easily one of the best in the business.
You Can Pick Up The Wotofo Lush Plus RDA via HeavensGifts for $32
7) Aethertech Plume Veil RDA – $124.99
This RDA is a BEAST. If you’re looking for one of the best RDA tanks in the business, that’s also extremely popular with vapers, and made right here in the good ol’ US of A, the Plume Veil V2.0 RDA is 100% worth a look.
The Plume Veil RDA V2.0 has a myriad of improvements over the 1.5V of the tank, which include: a complete redesign of the top cap, increase vapor production, a wide bore drip tip, 24K gold plating and longer screws for a better connection.
Basically, if you’re looking for a no-nonsense, potent RDA that is brilliant to work with and vape on, the Plume Veil V2.0 is one of the best RDA tanks in the business – providingyou can actually find one!
Most places are completely sold out!
Though if you can find one, expect to pay around $124 – VaporDNA “might” have new stock soon, so keep tabs on those guys.
8) Recoil Performance RDA by Grimm Green
Grim Green and Ohm Boy joined forces to create this amazing RDA.
The Recoil Performance RDA is a 24mm tank, meaning it’ll sit nicely on top of pretty much anything, and it also features three posts with the added bonus of a split center post with 2.5mm terminals.
Nick had a great time testing the Recoil Performance, so if you’re looking for more detail on this excellent RDA check out his Recoil Performance RDA Review.
Coil positioning is excellent on this bad boy and, because of its size, it will hold pretty much anything you fit inside it.
The overall look, feel and finish of the Recoil Performance RDA is utterly brilliant – it looks and vapes like an absolute champion.
If you’re seriously into you builds and want something that is not only eye-catching but also a performance set-up, then you NEED to check out the Recoil Performance RDA.
It was one of the best RDA tanks we have sampled inside 2016. Bar none…
You Can Pick Up The Recoil Performance RDA From DirectVapor With FREE SHIPPING For $57.95
9) GOON LP RDA by 528 Custom Vapes
I love this RDA so much that I have a picture of it on our Facebook page, and if that doesn’t tell you everything you need to know about this exceptional RDA then nothing will.
The GOON LP RDA by 528 Custom Vapes is a beast. Maybe one of the best RDA tanks of ALL TIME.
The performance this thing kicks out is quite frankly ridiculous.
You have 24 karat gold-plated clamps inside and a dual air slot on the side that delivers air straight to the core for improved performance.
I love the way it looks, it kind of looks like a droid’s head, and the ULTEM High-performance plastic chuff top cap ensures perfect vaping that never gets too hot.
Yes, the GOON LP RDA by 528 Custom Vapes is pricey but once you’ve set this bad boy up and vape on it, you WILL KNOW where all those extra dollars went. Awesome stuff, all round.
You Can Pick Up The GOON LP RDA by 528 Custom Vapes For $74.95 (Click This Link For FREE SHIPPING)
10) Cosmonaut RDA by District F5VE
Holy crap on a stick… this is one crazy RDA.
And I mean that in the nicest way possible.
My good buddy has one of these and, a few weeks back, he loaned it to me for the day.
I had high expectations. But this thing surpassed ALL of them. It’s easily one of the best RDA tanks on this list, if not THE best, for both looks, flavour and overall awesomeness.
The Cosmonaut RDA by District F5VE is decked out in 24 karat gold and benefits from a post-less design, which means you can stick some seriously crazy coils in it.
You can literally put anything in the Cosmonaut RDA by District F5VE, as well as dense pack it with cotton, and it’ll vape unlike anything you’ve tried before.
A legend in the making, this one.
You Can Pick Up TheCosmonaut RDA by District F5VE For $64.95 (Click This Link For FREE SHIPPING)
11) Wotofo Troll RDA V2
I could rabbit on about this RDA all day. But I won’t; instead, I’ll just use a snippet from our review to whet your whistle:
“I decided to use the included twisted coils. After putting them into the Troll RDA V2 and making my final adjustments and wicking them, I set them up for .3ohms. I then proceeded to juice the coils up; again, you can be pretty liberal here as the juice well is pretty deep.
After all was said and done, I ramped it up to 80W and took my first vape — it hits like a freight train, giving even my Doge 3 a good run for its money. I took the Troll RDA V2 past my comfort zone just to see what would happened.
The got it up to 175W and it held its own. I took 4 pulls and the Troll RDA V2 got a little warm but not hot. I love the wide open slanted airflow system, as it seems to give my vape a sort of tornado effect versus the left to right airflow slots which give a normal RDA vape. Either way both airflow systems work brilliantly, cooling the vape right down, even at super high wattages.”
You can read the full Wotofo Troll RDA V2 piece in its entirety by clicking through here.
You Can Pick Up The Wotofo Troll RDA V2 For $24.95 (Click This Link For FREE SHIPPING)
12) Goon RDA by 528 Custom Vapes
If you’re new to RDAs, here’s a little rule you can live by – 528 Custom Vapes make amazing RDAs and if you’re after something with great design, excellent performance, and a beautifully engineered deck, you simply cannot go wrong with anything that wears the Goon name.
528 Custom Vapes’ RDAs are always expertly crafted pieces of kit, and the Goon RDA is no exception – this thing looks like an ornament it’s that pretty. But don’t be fooled by its good looks, the RDA will kick your ass when it’s set up correctly.
Expect flavour that will make dribble and clouds that will fog up your entire house in under 20 minutes. This is a pricey RDA, and there are some pretty decent clones around, but I would ALWAYS recommend you go with the real deal, as nothing else really comes close.
You Can Pick Up The Goon RDA by 528 Custom Vapes For $55.95 (Click This Link For FREE SHIPPING)
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