WHAT IS AN ATOMIZER? RDA, RTA & RDTA EXPLAINED

Options for rebuildable vaping atomizers are still very popular. They pay respect to the early days of vaping, before the advent and introduction of pre-built sub-ohm coil cores, by allowing vapers to manufacture heating elements on the fly with simple circular wires. Let's look at the many types of rebuildable atomizers and their applications in the vaping industry.

Published
3 January 2023
Last Updated
18 August 2026
Written By
Muhavia Riaz
Approved By
Rabbya Tahir
WHAT IS AN ATOMIZER? RDA, RTA & RDTA EXPLAINED
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Rebuildable atomizers remain a popular choice among experienced vapers who enjoy building and customising their own coils. Unlike tanks that use pre-made replacement coils, rebuildables give users greater control over coil setup, wicking and airflow. The three main types are RDAs, RTAs and RDTAs, each offering a different balance of flavour, vapour production, convenience and maintenance.

RDAs are simple rebuildable atomizers where e-liquid is applied directly to the wick, making them well suited to users who enjoy regularly changing flavours. RTAs include a built-in tank that automatically supplies e-liquid to the wick, offering greater capacity and convenience. RDTAs combine elements of both designs, typically placing the build deck above a tank to provide an RDA-style setup with a larger e-liquid supply.


Rebuildable vaping atomizers are still very popular. They’re a nod to the early days of vaping, before pre-made sub-ohm coils existed, letting users build their own heating coils with simple wire.

These rebuildables are known for strong performance, great flavour, and lots of vapor. They have a dedicated following, even though they need careful maintenance something that sub-ohm tanks with replaceable coils make easier.

RDAs: How RDAs Work

An RDA is a simple rebuildable atomizer with two main parts: the deck and the top cap. The deck holds the coil on its posts and has a small well for e-liquid, while the top cap includes the mouthpiece and airflow control.

To use an RDA, build and attach the coil, insert and soak the wick with e-liquid, then replace the top cap. Once that’s done, it’s ready to vape.

Pros

  • RDAs offer a straightforward vaping experience, with liquid dripping directly onto the wick and coil.
  • Provides excellent flavor and vapor production.
  • Easy to adjust flavors without emptying a tank.
  • Allows you to change the wick anytime.

Cons

  • Requires more effort, as you need to drip regularly.
  • Prone to leaking, especially if not used up before storing.

What Are RTAs?

Rebuildable tank atomizers, or RTAs, are a popular type of rebuildable tank. They work like RDAs, but with a tank that holds e-liquid and feeds it to the deck. Small holes let the liquid reach the wick and coil. Basically, they function like regular vape tanks, but you build the coil yourself.

RTAs: How RTAs Work

An RTA is like a regular vape tank, but instead of a pre-made coil, you build your own on a small deck inside the tank. The deck is similar to an RDA deck but smaller. Air usually comes from underneath the coil, and e-liquid flows to the wick through small channels along the edges of the deck.

The deck sits inside a chamber that leads up to the mouthpiece. When you fill the tank, the liquid flows into the channels and soaks the wicks. RTAs work very much like standard sub-ohm tanks, but with the freedom to build your own coils.

Pros

  • Great performance, often comparable to or better than RDAs.
  • Safer and more convenient to use while driving or working.
  • Under-coil airflow provides good flavor and clouds.

Cons

  • Harder to set up, especially wicking on small decks.
  • Performance can be inconsistent if wicking isn’t done right.
  • Prone to leaking through air holes.

What Are RDTAs?

The acronym RDTA refers to a rebuildable dripping tank atomizer. As the name implies, this is a cross between an RTA and an RDA, and they're sometimes referred to as "auto-drippers." However, this category isn't well defined, and there are significant overlaps with other sorts of rebuildable tanks, such as RTAs and Genesis-style devices, which we'll discuss momentarily.

RDTAs: How RDTAs Work

RDTAs combine features of RDAs and RTAs. The deck sits above the tank, and e-liquid is drawn up to the coils, sometimes using a manual or semi-automatic "drip” system. Early designs with plungers often failed, but modern RDTAs usually have holes in the deck that let liquid flow up automatically, making them easier to use than traditional dripping.

Pros

  • Modern RDTAs generally perform well.
  • The deck is easier to build on, similar to an RDA.
  • Refilling is simpler than with RDAs.

Cons

  • Original-style RDTAs are rare and often unreliable.
  • Gravity can make wicking harder since the tank sits below the deck.

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Muhavia Riaz
About the Author
Muhavia Riaz · Content Writer
Muhavia Riaz is a Content Writer at Ninja Vapes, specialising in SEO-driven product content, informative vape guides, and engaging articles that help adult vapers discover the right products and make confident, informed decisions.

1 Reply

Colton
Colton · 16 Aug 2024

Exploring RDAs, RTAs, and RDTAs has been a game-changer for my vaping experience. RDAs offer unparalleled flavor and vapor, RTAs provide convenience with excellent performance, and RDTAs blend the best of both worlds. Highly recommended for vapers looking to customize their setups

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