Which Tank is Best for You? A Breakdown of Different tanks 

With so many different types of vape tanks on the market, it’s difficult for new-vapers to find out which ones will satisfy their needs. Luckily, we’ve broken down everything you need to know about the different types of tanks so you can find the best vape for you!

Finding the right tank is crucial for getting the perfect puff; it determines the type of nicotine that works best, how much flavour and vapour it the vape will produce, how often you will need to refill, and which coils will be suitable for your needs. Dive into this article to learn more about the different types of tanks and which one you should choose.

Pods

Pods are all-in-one tanks and coils, meaning you would replace the entire tank once the coil goes bad. They are great for vapers who are picking out their first vape as well as veteran vapers looking for something more portable than a box mod rig. Vape pods are typically refillable; while some brands offer pre-filled pods. This may sound costly, the price of most pods are on-par with many common coils on the market. 

These pods are usually composed of a juice reservoir, fill ports, an airflow stem with wicking ports, mouthpiece, and a coil wrapped in cotton. They sit directly into the vape device making it very convenient for changing pods while maintaining a small, convenient form factor.

Wondering if pods are right for you? Check out the reasons why vapers choose pods over conventional tanks:

• Easy to use and maintain - pod replacement, draw-to-fire, part cleaning;

• Less messy when changing coils;

• Unmatched portability and discreetness;

• Cost-effectiveness; and

• Lower power, smoother hits and better compatibility with nic-Salt e-juice.

Nic-Salt Tanks & Hybrid Pod Tanks

These tanks contain the best parts of both tanks and pods. Some common examples on the market include the Voopoo drag series. Similarly to pods, these tanks will fit into their respective devices with the option for adapters if you want to place it onto your own box-mod. 

These tanks will comprise of the juice reservoir, airflow control, fill-ports, The metal coil that sits inside the tank will need replacement after it burns out, but they are very cost effective and simple to change. Users may want to note that changing coils can be a bit more tedious and messy. However, these tanks make up for it in customizability options to achieve the perfect puff.

Here are some reasons why vapers would choose Nic-salt/hybrid tanks over any other option:

• Wider range of coil and e-liquid options;

• Bigger juice reservoir;

• Compatibility with box mods;

• Bigger clouds; and

• Wider airflow control.

Sub-Ohm Tanks

Sub-ohm tanks differ from pods because they are widely compatible with a variety of box mods on the market. They generally run at higher wattages, making it perfect for vapers who are looking for big airy clouds. Changing coils can be tedious; however, brands like Uwell offer “plug-and-play” coils to make changing them easier and less messy.

Sub-ohm tanks are not recommended for salt-nic as it can give a harsh, uncomfortable throat hit and deliver much more nicotine than pod devices. Most brands carry an abundance of coil options so you can set the correct wattage for the perfect puff. Tanks will usually be made up of a drip tip, juice reservoir, coil, base, and airflow control.

If you’re considering a sub-ohm tank, here are some reasons why this may be the best type of tank for you:

• Superior cloud and flavour production;

• Wider customization and control;

• Bigger juice reservoir;

• Compatibility with virtually any box-mod; and

• Compatibility with freebase nicotine e-liquids.

Rebuildable Tanks

Rebuildable tanks get a bit more complicated due to the intensive setup and maintenance they require. Rebuildable users must wrap their own coils (or buy pre-wrapped coils), install them with the tools included with the tank, and thread the cotton through the coil. The pay-off, however, is unmatched customizability, giving vapers some of the best flavour and cloud production. 

There are two different types of rebuildable tanks: Rebuildable Tank Atomizers (RTAs) and Rebuildable Drip-Tank Atomizers (RDTAs). The main difference between the two is where the juice reservoir is located on the tank. RTA’s are like typical sub-ohm tanks in a way that has the juice surrounding the coil chamber, and pulling in juice through the wicking channels. RDTAs have the juice reservoir sitting on the bottom, allowing users to be able to drip juice directly onto the coil without the worry of leaking. They give the flavour and vapour production of a RDA (more on RDAs below) and the reservoir capacity of a sub-ohm tank.

Need to know if RTAs and RDTAs are right for you? Here are some reasons why you may want a rebuildable tank.

• Unmatched customization with different coil builds, materials, and cotton options;

• Rebuildable coils last the longest out of all the options on the list, although cotton needs to be changed about as often as you would change a pod or sub-ohm coil;

• Long-term savings due to coils lasting much longer than pre-built coil tanks;

• Compatibility with sweeter juices without worrying about shortening the longevity of the coil; and

• Vape hobbyists find the task of sitting down and building the tank a relaxing and rewarding process.

Rebuildable Drip Tanks

Rebuildable drip tanks (RDAs) work very similarly to RDAs and RDTAs in a sense where installing the cotton and coils are done in the same way. The main difference is that RDAs don’t have a juice reservoir to hold your juice. This takes away some issues such as leaking and spitback, as well as provides the shortest airflow path to your coils. This short air path results in a massive boost in flavour production.

Because RDAs lack a juice reservoir, they require users to drip their e-liquid directly on to the coil and wick. Depending on your setup, this must be done frequently to avoid dry-hits and burning the cotton. While this may be tedious, the payoff is always having a fresh hit without worrying about sweeter juices gunking up coils.

Many people who use RDAs are serious about vaping; here’s why vape enthusiasts opt for RDAs over other tank options:

• Unrivaled flavour intensity;

• Convenient ability to swap flavours;

• Massive clouds;

• Squonking compatibility; and

• Easiest to clean of all the types of tanks (not including pod swapping).

Key Takeaways/Final Thoughts

Pods (Best for Beginners & Portability)

• What they are: All-in-one, low-power systems where you typically replace the entire pod when the coil burns out.

• Pros: Incredibly easy to maintain, highly discreet, and perfect for smooth hits with nicotine salts (nic-salts).

Nic-Salt & Hybrid Pod Tanks (Best for Middle-Ground Customization)

• What they are: A cross between a pod and a traditional tank. They feature a permanent plastic reservoir but use replaceable coils.

• Pros: Bigger e-juice capacity and wider airflow control than standard pods, with the ability to adapt to larger box mods.

Sub-Ohm Tanks (Best for High-Power & Big Clouds)

• What they are: Traditional glass and metal tanks designed to run at high wattages, widely compatible with almost any box mod.

• Pros: Massive vapor ("clouds") and intense flavor production; designed specifically for freebase nicotine e-liquids.

Rebuildable Tanks - RTAs & RDTAs (Best for Hobbyists & Longevity)

• What they are: Advanced tanks where you manually install your own metal coils and thread the cotton wick yourself. With RTAs liquid surrounds the coil chamber. With RDTAs the liquid sits at the bottom, allowing you to drip directly onto the coil without leaks.

• Pros: Massive long-term cost savings (coils last a long time), highly customizable, and handles sweet e-juices without ruining the coil.

Rebuildable Drip Atomizers - RDAs (Best for Pure Flavor Enthusiasts)

• What they are: Rebuildable decks that completely lack a juice reservoir.

• Pros: Unmatched flavor intensity and cloud production due to the ultra-short airflow path; makes it incredibly easy to swap flavors frequently.

If you're looking for the right tank for you, take a look at the wide selection of different vape tanks at Digital Imports today!