Atomizer vs. Clearomizer: Everything You Need to Know

Vaping has quickly taken over the smoking world and everyone is doing it. Not only is it the better option for your health, it is also fun. While it might look easy when others do it, the vaping world is vast and it can seem daunting when you first get into it. There are so many unfamiliar terms and countless options that can make it hard for you to choose the right vaping option for yourself.

One of the things you will have to choose right from the onset is whether you will use an atomizer or a clearomizer. These words are sometimes used interchangeably, making it hard for you to choose the one that is best for you. This guide is going to help you know the difference between the two and help you choose between an atomizer vs clearomizer.

Atomizer vs. Clearomizer

Before going into detail about these products, let us first look at the basic functions of each one of them.

The atomizer is a device that, in vape terms, vaporizes e-liquid. It is what turns e-juice into a vapor or fine mist for you to inhale. A clearomizer is technically an atomizer too, but if you hear the word atomizer used by vapers, then it refers to a rebuildable model that needs a bit of work done.

A clearomizer is a plastic tank or see-through glass that holds an already made atomizer. It is the most popular device for vaping and is the most widely used. It has a replaceable coil that screws at the base of the tank, a mouthpiece, and a chimney that connects the top cap with the coil. 

How Do They Work?

An RDA atomizer lets you drip your juice onto a wick and gives you control over the density of the vape, perfect for vapers who like to experiment to find the perfect experience. Using this kind of setup, however, requires more than adequate knowledge and practice for you to get it right. It is also time consuming as you can only get about 10 puffs before you have to replenish the wick. 

A good vape tank is practically a stand-alone product. It allows you to vape wherever and whenever you want without the hassle of setting up and adjusting every time. It is a good idea to have a decent tank on standby so that you do not waste any time switching things out and leave the RDA setup for when you have time to savor it.

Atomizers

Mostly preferred by seasoned vapers, atomizers are fairly easy to make and use. They mostly refer to rebuildable atomizers, also called RBAs or rebuildable dripping atomizers, or RDAs for short. These devices have two heating coils wrapped in a heat resistant wick. 

Once you add your e-juice to the vape, it quickly saturates the wick, heating up the coils, and turning the liquid into the vapor that you will inhale. Atomizers need frequent refilling and are higher maintenance. They do, however, make it up by the superior taste they produce and the vapor clouds you can form with them.

Here is how you can make your own atomizer with a pre-made coil or a wire, a wick (you can use cotton), and a few simple tools:

- Prepare and secure the coil on the atomizer’s build deck (you might have to do this a few times for atomizers that use more than one coil).

- Check the coil resistance using an ohm meter or vape mode. This is a great way to learn about your device’s limits and battery safety.

- Slowly dry burn the coil to remove any hot spots and ensure it glows evenly.

- Leave the atomizer outside for it to cool down until it reaches room temperature.

- Prepare the wick and put it inside the coil

- Place the tails in the wicking channel

- Drip a little e-juice on the coil to prime the wick and let it saturate for a while.

And there you have it, your own personal atomizer. Rebuildable atomizers can either be hard or easy to use, and some might require more than one coil. They can be hard to make but they give you the most tailor-made experience and even better taste.

Clearomizer

Clearomizers are mostly used by newbies because they are much easier to use and they still give a good experience. With clearomizers, you can easily replace the atomizer and store it in the tank’s base. To use it, make sure you prime your coil carefully by dripping some e-juice on it. Screw it in the tank, assemble the other parts, fill the tank with the liquid and let it rest for a bit.

The resting time allows the wick to get properly saturated. If you are using a tank without wattage adjustability, you are good to start vaping. If your kit has a variable wattage device, you should start vaping from the lowest wattage recommended and gradually go up until you get the vape that satisfies you.

Lower your wattage whenever you start experiencing a dry vape. Do not go past the recommended wattage on the coil as you might get some dry hits. A clearomizer is a good choice if you want the fun of vaping without all the hassle of building your own kit, making it an easy winner of the vape clearomizer vs. atomizer debate.

Clearomizer vs. Atomizer vs. Cartomizer

Another contender to the rebuildable atomizer vs. clearomizer fight is the cartomizer. A cartomizer, also known as an extended atomizer, cigalike, or e-cigarette, is a device that comes in a longer case. It attaches to a battery’s end and resembles the shape and size of a cigarette, the cartomizer acting as the filter. They are usually replaceable and come pre-filled. They use polyfill, or polyester fiberfill, as the wicking material.

How do Cartomizers Work?

These are the easiest to use out of all the three. They are intended to be one-and-done devices, which is why they come prefilled. Refilling them is possible but it will take you a lot of time and effort to do it. Cartomizers have a limited lifespan and you can easily throw them away once you are done using them.

Benefits 

Each device has its positives and drawbacks so making the choice will depend on the vaping experience you want and what you prefer. Here are some of the benefits of using each of these devices.

Atomizer

An RDA or an RBA is the go-to choice for most experienced vapers and it might be yours too after you gain a better understanding of how vaping works. This is because atomizers offer the best control and a more personalized vaping experience. 

They also give the best flavor and cost less in the long run. You might not get it right the first time, but with regular practice, you can get good at building and using an atomizer.

If you are still a beginner, though, and are not sure whether you will be vaping long-term, an atomizer might not be the best place to start. You can start using an atomizer jointly with a clearomizer or cartomizer until you get the hang of it.

Pros

- Superior taste

- Clean, strong flavor

- Doesn’t consume a lot of e-juice

- Works great for heavy users

- Easily customizable

Cons

- Need frequent refilling 

- More likely to mess up

- Can be challenging for beginners

Aequitas BF 24mm RDA- Hell Vape

This RDA is not only beautiful outside and inside, but it also has a large capacity that retains your e-juice well and keeps your wicks wet for longer. It has perfect airflow control and a peak insulator that can keep up with you and cool off fast. You can view and purchase the Aequitas RDA here.

Pros

- Superb construction

- Two way airflow style

- Deep juice well

Cons

- Hard to set up and refill

Clearomizers

These are a great starting point, especially if you are planning to vape long-term. Clearomizers are easier to use and are more convenient for beginners. They provide the perfect combination of performance and ease of use. Getting a good sub ohm clearomizer gives you a higher quality vape and lets you replace the coils quickly.

The coils can cost a bit of money but since you will not have to replace them that quickly, they can be a great investment. You can also customize your tank as you get more familiar with the process and your taste preferences.

Pros

- Easy to customize

- Have a large juice capacity

- Do not need a lob of refills

- Can use rebuildable or disposable coils

- Perfect for heavy use

Cons

- Glass tanks can leak or crack

- Past e-juice flavors can mix with newer ones

- Plastic tanks can confuse beginners

Aspire Nautilus AIO Pod Mod Kit

This is a new clearomizer kit that just hit the market. The Aspire Nautilus Kit features a built-in 1000mah battery that allows you to keep vaping for long. It also features a button press or draw activated firing mode plus an adjustable airflow for a longer and better vaping experience. All this comes in a small package that you can easily carry around and use whenever you need.

Pros

- Long lasting battery

- Easily portable

- Adjustable airflow

Cons

- Has no top-fill ability

Cartomizers

If you are looking for a way to enter the vaping world that is not complicated, cartomizers might be the ones for you. They do not cost a lot of money and can satisfy your nicotine cravings. Cartomizers are very easy to use and if you have charged batteries and cartomizers in hand, you can go for a long time without having to stop.

Pros

- Highly affordable

- Are easily found

- Come prefilled

- Disposable

- Have a similar feel to cigarettes

Cons

- Have a limited range of flavor

- Are not easy to reuse or refill

- Not good for heavy use

Conclusion

There is no need to make a choice between atomizer vs. clearomizer. Take your time, discover your preferences, and use our guide to make your decision. There is no wrong way to start vaping and everything has its advantages and disadvantages. We feature all these products on our website. Try them all out and see which one you prefer so you can have fun vaping!