A dripper is a liquid atomizer that may be rebuilt. Although this reduces flexibility compared to a tank, the benefits to the vaper outweigh the disadvantages. Here's all you need to understand about this kind of atomizer to continue our vaping guide. This ultimate guide for dripper will help you to make a wise decision.
The dripper is what it is due to the lack of a tank. Users must physically moisten the wick by pouring or "dripping" drips of e-liquid over it on a regular basis.
A dripper, unlike an atomizer, does not have a tank by definition. However, a few do, with a 1 cm-deep lower section meant to contain the cotton wick. A dripper with a diameter of 25 mm can carry 1.5 ml or more of e-liquid, which is close to the 2 ml capacity of some atomizers. Drippers are distinguished from other types of atomizers by their dripping operation, which involves pouring the liquid directly onto the cotton. So why bother dripping when you can get an atomizer with a tank for a fraction of the cost?
Furthermore, not having a tank saves space. Drippers like the Mulciber and Concorde are so small that no atomizer can match them in size. Even though huge drippers are larger than small atomizers, adding a tank will make them even bigger if they already have a large heat exchanger and a larger tray. Since drippers require a bottle of liquid nearby, size is irrelevant. The size of the air hole isn't as important as the battery and atomizer configuration.
Drippers have one clear advantage: they make changing e-liquid easy. All you have to do now is wait until the cotton wick is almost dry, which takes only a few minutes. Then just change the liquid by soaking a new wick in it. The initial few puffs will taste like the prior liquid, although this will pass quickly if the liquids taste similar. With stronger flavors, such as when switching from fresh mint to a gourmet flavor, this strategy is less effective. If the flavors conflict, you may need to change the cotton wick and rinse the dripper. Taking it apart and rebuilding it when necessary is still easier and faster than cleaning an atomizer. It could be advisable to have two drippers, one for strongly flavored e-liquids and the other for fruity ones, so you can switch out the liquid as needed.
It's how drippers render flavors or at least the drippers created for flavor, which has made them popular. On their playing field, Hadaly, Mulciber, Flave, Kennedy, and Concorde are difficult to match. One of the reasons they are so popular is their design, which does not include a chimney that spans the length of the tank. The producers' quality and experience also contribute. In fact, the best flavor-focused drippers give users unrivaled access to every detail of an e-flavor.
The only method to get a lot of vapor in the Middle Ages (about three years ago, which is an eternity in vaping) was to use a dripper. Mutation XS by Unicig was unrivaled. But, unlike the nuanced alchemy of flavor rendering, all you need to generate a lot of vapour is a lot of power, which can be achieved with massive rigs, high airflow, and a plentiful supply of liquid. Drippers have an advantage over atomizers in this area, although it's a little one, as some atomizers can now easily produce 200 W.
The Origen by Norbert, a Hungarian manufacturer, was one of the first tankless atomizers to arrive in 2013. Its design was groundbreaking, resulting in a tenfold improvement in flavor. Its anonymous creator is shrouded in mystery. The Origen V3 is still regarded as a high-end product. Due to the airflow holes situated right below the resistance coil, the Magma RDA from Filipino firm Paradigm Modz became a prime example of a dripper with good flavor rendering in 2014. The Velocity RDA was introduced in 2015 by the American Insignia Design Group. Its tray, which included two posts and four holes, quickly became famous. Since then, most atomizers designed to produce enormous vapor clouds have included this technology.
The Most Effective Drippers
You don't have time to read the hundreds of articles we post about new devices because you're too busy? It's no problem! We keep a list of the top drippers that are updated regularly to assist you in making your decision and save you time.
A selection of frequently asked questions about drippers is provided below. If you can't find an answer to your question here, please post it in the comments section below.
Your vaping style should dictate your dripper selection first and foremost. Do you wish to inhale directly or indirectly using a dripper? Do you want a dripper that produces a lot of vapor or one that allows you to taste all of the different flavors of e-liquid? Do you want a dripper with a lot of airflows or one with a lot of pressure? These questions can help you pick which model to buy, but you need also think about how much money you're willing to pay, as drippers can cost up to eight times what they used to.
It's simple to clean a dripper. Simply remove the cotton wick from the resistance coil and give the dripper a good rinse in warm water. Just don't forget to remove the battery!
The resistance coil you use in your dripper is entirely up to you. It depends on what you want from your device, such as whether flavor or a lot of vapour are more important to you. Because a dripper might have hundreds of resistance settings, the best thing to do is experiment until you find one that suits your vaping style. The lower the resistance, the more vapor is produced and the less focus on flavor is placed.
We hope that this ultimate guide for drippers was helpful and that it has given you a little more confidence in your decision to get into drippers.
Dripping is a terrific vape experience, so don't be scared to try it out because there is a wealth of knowledge available to assist you.
A dripper or RDA (Rebuildable Dripping Atomizer) is an advanced vaping device where you manually drip e-liquid directly onto coils and cotton instead of using a tank. Users build their own coils, providing maximum flavor, vapor production, and customization for experienced vapers.
Drippers work by: manually dripping 5-10 drops of e-liquid onto exposed coils/cotton, taking 5-10 puffs, then re-dripping when dry. The mod fires battery power through custom-built coils, vaporizing liquid absorbed in cotton—requires constant re-dripping but delivers unmatched flavor and clouds.
Dripper advantages include: best possible flavor (direct coil contact), massive cloud production, easy coil building access, quick flavor switching, no tank leaking issues, customizable everything (coils, wicking, airflow), lower long-term costs (just wire and cotton), and satisfying DIY experience for enthusiasts.
Dripper downsides: constant re-dripping every 5-10 puffs (inconvenient), requires coil building knowledge, not portable or discreet, messy when dripping on-the-go, higher e-liquid consumption, needs external batteries and charging, learning curve for beginners, and impractical for casual all-day use.
No, drippers are for experienced vapers due to: coil building requirements, Ohm's law understanding needed, battery safety knowledge essential, frequent maintenance demands, and higher complexity. Beginners should start with pod systems or tanks, then progress to drippers after mastering vaping basics.
Essential equipment: RDA atomizer (£20-£50), regulated mod (£40-£100), external batteries (£10-£20), coil building tools (wire cutters, tweezers, coil jig), organic cotton, resistance wire (kanthal, stainless steel), ohm meter, and screwdriver set. Initial investment £80-£200 before e-liquid.
Basic coil building: wrap wire around coil jig/drill bit (2.5-3mm diameter) 5-7 times, remove and install in RDA posts, tighten screws securely, check resistance with ohm meter, dry burn to check hot spots, pulse and pinch coils with ceramic tweezers until glowing evenly from center outward.
Proper wicking: cut cotton strip matching coil inner diameter, gently thread through coil (snug but not tight), trim tails to reach deck floor without bunching, thin ends slightly for better juice absorption, saturate completely with e-liquid before first fire, and ensure no dry spots remain.
Wattage depends on coil resistance: 0.15-0.3Ω builds typically 60-100W, 0.3-0.5Ω builds 40-70W, higher resistance 0.5Ω+ 30-50W. Start low and gradually increase until reaching optimal flavor and vapor without burnt taste—always stay within battery and coil limits.
Single coil RDAs use one coil (better flavor concentration, lower power needs, better battery life, easier building). Dual coil RDAs use two coils (more vapor production, warmer vape, requires more power, consumes more e-liquid)—choose based on preference for flavor vs clouds.
Rebuildable coils last weeks to months with proper maintenance: dry burn and re-wick cotton every 3-7 days (cotton degrades faster than coils), rebuild coils every 2-4 weeks or when heavily gunked, and clean thoroughly weekly—far longer lifespan than pre-made coils saving money long-term.
Drippers work best with: high VG (70/30 or Max VG) for smooth clouds, low nicotine freebase (3-6mg) as high power intensifies throat hit, premium flavors (flavor shines in RDAs), and less sweet liquids (preserve coils longer). Avoid high nicotine and 50/50 liquids—too harsh at high wattages.
Weekly maintenance: dry burn coils (remove hotspots and gunk), re-wick with fresh cotton, clean deck and posts with isopropyl alcohol, check o-rings for wear, tighten all screws, clean drip tip, and inspect for damage. Proper care ensures optimal performance and longevity.
Possible but impractical—drippers require frequent re-dripping (every 5-10 puffs), carrying e-liquid bottles, both hands for dripping, and aren't discreet. Better for home use where you can drip comfortably. For portable use, choose squonk mods (bottom-feed RDAs) or traditional tanks instead.
Squonk mods combine dripper flavor with tank convenience: built-in e-liquid bottle connects to bottom-feed RDA, squeeze bottle to push liquid up into RDA (no manual dripping), get dripper performance with better portability—best of both worlds for experienced vapers wanting convenience.
Buy RDAs and building supplies at WizVape, offering popular drippers, coil building tools, resistance wire (kanthal, stainless steel), organic cotton, compatible mods and batteries, expert building guidance, and fast UK delivery for advanced vaping enthusiasts.
