A drip tip is like the wheels on your car – it’s the part that actually makes contact with the road but usually the last thing most drivers think about. Choosing the right drip tip can help you get the best of your mods and atomizers, and help you enjoy vaping just a little bit more.
But there are so many options for driptips, that it can be confusing. The trick is to understand the dimensions, the airflow setup, the materials used, and how they affect your vape.
Table of Contents
Drip Tip Size & Airflow
A “510” drip tip connection is the standard for most tanks and clearomizers.
- This standard is about 8.5mm in diameter at the base of the drip tip.
- However, the actual airflow diameter can vary and you may get an actual airflow diameter between 4.5mm to 2mm.
Although a 510 drip tip has a standardized width, you also have to think about the diameter at the base and the diameter at the tip.
- A narrower tip can actually create a more concentrated, stronger flavour. However, you have to suck harder to get vapor (tighter draw), and doing a direct lung inhale can be hard. It’s perfect for a Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) vape.
- A wider tip can help you do Direct-Lung inhales more comfortable, as you need less effort to inhale (looser draw). It’s great for a medium-sized clouds, or for Restricted-Lung inhales.
There’s really no right or wrong here, you just need to match the airflow size of the drip tip to the airflow diameter of your atomizer’s chimney.
- For example, if the diameter of your chimney is 3mm use drip tip that has a base airflow of 3mm to get all the vapor produced.
- Then you have to put in a build that can maximise the 3mm airflow, and you’re looking at huge, tasty clouds.
At the end of the day, you still have to experiment. But, with this knowledge in mind you can avoid trying driptips that have the exact same diameters at the base and tip for example, and save some money.
The hight of the drip tip also matters.
- I find shorter driptips give me just a little better flavor since the vapor needs to travel a shorter distance.
- However, if it’s too short I get spit back. So it’s about fitting the best height for the type of atomizer / tank you are using.
There’s also the 810 or Goon-sized driptip, which is becoming increasingly popular today.
RDAs and some RDA-class tanks also use a “wide bore” driptip, and there is no standard for this.
- The diameter varies and the driptip tip from one RDA will most probably not fit another perfectly.
- Most wide-bore driptips are available in Delrin only, or Resin (see below)
There’s also a “chuff cap” which is a wide bore driptip and base that completely replaces the top, and this is used in RDAs only.
- A chuff cap is more interchangeable since it follows a fixed diameter – 22mm, 24mm etc.
- Unless there’s a specific design element of your RDA, a chuff cap from my 2mm RDA will most probable fit your 22mm RDA.
Drip Tip Materials
The materials used for your driptip also effects the flavor to some extend, but it’s mostly about looks and comfort.
Here are some of the most popular materials, and the pros and cons of each. All of them are subjective and it really depends on your preferences.
Stainless Steel Drip Tips
A lot of tanks and RDAs have a stainless steel driptip included. In fact all the stainless steel driptips you see here were salvaged from my tanks and atomizers. I don;t remember even actually buying a stainless steel drip tip.
- Pros: Fit the look of your atomizer, will not break, rust or stain.
- Cons: Can get warm / hot, uncomfortable when it makes contact with your teeth.
Delrin a.k.a Polyoxymethylene (POM) Drip Tips
A lot of tanks and RDAs have a stainless steel driptip included. In fact all the stainless steel driptips you see here were salvaged from my tanks and atomizers. I don;t remember even actually buying a stainless steel tip.
- Pros: Heat resistant, doesn’t stain.
- Cons: Looks pretty boring, plain black or colored tips.
Glass Driptips
A lot of tanks and RDAs have a stainless steel driptip included. In fact all the stainless steel driptips you see here were salvaged from my tanks and atomizers. I don;t remember even actually buying a stainless steel driptip.
- Pros: Will not get hot, rust or stain easily. Can make your atomizer look cool.
- Cons: Can break, visible condensation on the surface.
Wood Driptips
A lot of tanks and RDAs have a stainless steel driptip included. In fact all the stainless steel driptips you see here were salvaged from my tanks and atomizers. I don;t remember even actually buying a stainless steel driptip.
- Pros: Pretty heat resistant, looks unique.
- Cons: Retains the flavor of your previous juice, doesn’t feel very good on the lips.
Resin Driptips
A lot of tanks and RDAs have a stainless steel driptip included. In fact all the stainless steel driptips you see here were salvaged from my tanks and atomizers. I don;t remember even actually buying a stainless steel .
- Pros: Heat resistant, easy to style with various colors and swirls. Feels like Delrin but shinier.
- Cons: Nothing I can think of.
Teflon Driptips
A lot of tanks and RDAs have a stainless steel driptip included. In fact all the stainless steel driptips you see here were salvaged from my tanks and atomizers. I don;t remember even actually buying a stainless steel .
- Pros: Feels really good, soft on your teeth, heat resistant.
- Cons: Only in white.
Drip Tip Color, Look and Feel
This is so subjective, it’s impossible to tell you which color or look is better. You may like a few colors, and you may want to match your driptip to your atomizer or mod. You may like a funky design or a straight driptip.
It’s really up to your taste.
However, the you should go for the “right” look only if the airflow and materials are correct for you. Otherwise you have a sexy-looking atomizer that you don’t want to vape on.
Other Drip Tip Factors
There’s so much more going on with driptips today.
- You have “spit-back” protection, which I personally don’t like. In most cases, it mutes the flwvor.
- You also have spiral / rifling driptips, which I like and I think really helps to focus your vapor.
- Lots of newer materials (jade, ceramic, stone etc) which I have not really tried (or not that familiar with) and cannot comment on.
- Single o-ring vs. double 0-rings – I left this part out as I dont think it effects your vape much. A double o-ring is definitely better, but single o-ring drip tips perform just as good. It really depends on the thickness and quality of the rubber used.
- Hybrid driptips that combine two or more materials – like glass & stainless steel / delrin & stainless stell may have the best of both worlds.
Conclusions & Finding The Perfect Drip Tip
What works for me won’t work for you. I think you’ll have to buy at least 10-20 dirrefect driptipns to get a good idea of what you like.
I found my perfect driptip, and it’s so specific to the color, material and size. It’s the No. 71 driptip by Vaponaute, and it’s pretty pricey. I love the white color, the soft feel of teflon, the comfortable curves, and tight airflow diameter, the quality o-rings, etc.
I love it so much I have 4 exact driptips in my collection. I’m sure when you’ve found your perfect driptip, you’ll keep buying more of the same.
But the purpose of my guide is to help you avoid buying the same stuff at first when you’re not sure what you really want.