Type of atomizer
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Unattended. Maintenance-free called atomizers-tanks (with a container for liquid), in which, in principle, it is impossible to replace the factory heater (spiral and wick) with its own winding. Thus, when using such an evaporator, you will have to periodically (most likely once every 2-3 weeks) change the “heads” (heaters). Maintenance-free vapers are a good option for those who are just about to try vaping, as well as for experienced vapers who don't want to mess around with custom coils. Their main disadvantage is the inability to adjust the atomizer to your own preferences — you have to make do with what the manufacturer originally provided for in the design.
— Serviced. Tank atomizers (with a container for liquid), in the design of which the manufacturer initially provides for the possibility of replacing the heating element (coil and wick) by the user. This is more difficult than changing the whole “head”, as in a maintenance-free atomizer; but winding can be done according to your own preferences, without relying on a factory design, and consumables for winding are cheaper than whole heads. On the other hand, the possibility of replacing the entire “head” in such models is most often not provided for — the only option is manual winding. In light of all this,
serviceable atomizers will be a good choice, especially for experienced vapers who want to have the maximum opportunity to personaliz
...e their electronic cigarette.
— Semi-maintenance. Tank atomizers (with a liquid container) that combine the capabilities of serviced and non-serviced models. In such a “tank” it is possible to install both unattended “heads”, which are completely replaceable, and serviced heaters, which can be rewound by the user himself. Thus, the vaper can choose the option of his choice: either use simple and convenient interchangeable “heads”, or spend a little time and effort, but wind the coil according to his own preferences. On the other hand, most users do not need such versatility, so relatively few atomizers of this type are produced.
— Drip atomizer (RDA). A distinctive feature of this type of atomizer is the absence of a liquid container: before each vaping session, the wick must be moistened directly from the bottle with a few drops of liquid (hence the name drip). This is not as convenient as having a tank with a supply of liquid for several sessions on hand — in particular, also because it is not easy to control the remaining liquid in the drip. On the other hand, this option has an important advantage: due to the excellent blowing of the heating elements, the “drips” give a very plentiful and saturated steam, in this indicator they are noticeably superior to the tanks. And so that such an atomizer does not have to be frequently refilled manually, manufacturers can provide various tricks — for example, in the so-called "squonkers" have a tank installed in the battery pack, and from this tank, by pressing the "feed" button, the evaporator wick is fed.
— Bacodripka (RDTA). Combined devices, in accordance with the name, combining both a tank and a drip. From the first variety of RDTA, they took a tank for themselves, which allows them to keep a supply of liquid on hand for several soaring sessions, from the second — a heater design that provides abundant and intense steam. Thus, such atomizers combine the advantages of both types. On the other hand, baco drips are expensive, have a very high fluid consumption, and are often difficult to maintain: in many models, cotton wool plays the role of a wick, which must be laid in a special way when replacing — otherwise leakage or burning is possible.
— Genesis. A specific type of atomizer tanks, usually serviced (see above). The key difference between the Geneses is the design of the wick: it is a fine stainless steel mesh wrapped with a heater coil. This gives a number of advantages compared to the classical design, where the wick is made of cotton wool, vegetable fibers, etc. Taste is considered the main of these advantages: genesis does not give a burnt aftertaste and provides almost perfect steam purity. In addition, such "heads" can serve without replacement for a very long time (several months), and the replacement of the wick and the heater is quite easy and fast. The main disadvantage of this type of atomizers is their rather high cost. Separately, we note that the installation of a metal wick in a classic evaporator does not turn it into a genesis — the design of the atomizer must be initially optimized for the grid.Liquid tank capacity
The volume of the liquid tank provided in the design of the atomizer. Note that this parameter can be specified even for squonk atomizers (see "Filling type"): although they work with an external tank, however, a certain amount of "liquid" can fit in the evaporator itself.
The larger the tank, the more liquid you can keep in an electronic cigarette and the less often you have to refill it. On the other hand, capacious tanks have the appropriate dimensions, and too large a tank would be inconvenient, and liquids are consumed relatively little even in one long session of soaring. As a result, a volume
of more than 6 mL is already considered quite large for vapes, and in the smallest models this figure
does not exceed 2 mL.
Also note that when choosing a tank capacity, manufacturers usually take into account the resistance of the spiral, the power of the battery (if it is included) and other parameters that affect the expected flow rate of the liquid. There is no hard dependency here, however, in general, more powerful atomizers are usually equipped with larger tanks.
Refilling type
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Upper. The traditional type of filling was initially quite popular, but now such atomizers are gradually giving way to bottom filling models. The main advantage of this option is the ability to pour liquid without turning the atomizer over and without removing the flask from the battery mod. However refilling usually requires disassembly — for example, unscrewing the cap with the mouthpiece.
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Lower. This option assumes that for refueling, you need to turn the atomizer upside down and pour liquid from the bottom side. At first glance, this procedure is less convenient than top filling, but it provides an important advantage for serviced heaters: if necessary, you can remove and rewind the base without draining the liquid from the tank. Note that
squonk format
drip atomizers are formally also refueled from below, however, they have their own specifics, therefore they do not belong to this category and are allocated separately; see below for details.
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Side. Refueling through a special hole in the side of the atomizer. Like the top one, this design allows you not to remove the flask from the battery mod; the opening usually opens and closes easily and quickly, without the need, for example, to unscrew the cap. This option is quite popular in baco drips (see "Type of atomizer"), althou
...gh it is also found in other varieties.
— Squonk. A specific type of bottom filling used in models with drip atomizers (see "Type of atomizer"). These vapes have a rather large e-liquid reservoir installed in the battery mod, and each time you press a special button (or the elastic wall of the reservoir), the liquid is fed into the atomizer in small portions directly through the connector. This design eliminates the main drawback of drip atomizers — the need to constantly add liquid manually, "drop by drop": instead of the hassle of manual refueling, it is enough to periodically press the button. At the same time, most of these evaporators allow installation on a regular battery mod, without a squonk — for this, the kit provides a replaceable connector of a standard design, without a channel for supplying liquid; and on battery mods with a squonk, usually, you can put ordinary atomizers without restrictions. The disadvantages of this option can be somewhat higher cost than analogues with traditional types of refueling.