Tutorial: Atomizer vs. Cartomizer vs. Clearomizer
Author: MistHub
Published:
Tutorial: Atomizer vs. Cartomizer vs. Clearomizer
Overview of Atomizer vs. Cartomizer vs. Clearomizer
Atomizer, Cartomizer, and Clearomizer are device that you screw on a battery or power supply to deliver e-juice (e-liquid) in a vapor form. These are three major type of devices on the market today. All three type of devices work on the same principle of heating e-juice to a temperature of vaporization. It is important to note that there is no clear winner between Atomizer, Cartomizer, and Clearomizer. Some people prefer one over the other, and each has its own pros and cons which we will discuss in more details below. If you are unfamiliar with some of the terms in this tutorial please refer to our Electronic Cigarette 101 – Jargon and Terms Glossary.
Overview of an Atomizer
Atomizers are one of the original devices. They have a fairly small capacity and are best for people who prefer dripping. There are different design but majority of atomizers have a heating coil on the bottom with metal mesh on top of the coil. Some atomizers utilize silica wick instead of metal mesh.
Break-down of an Atomizer
- Assembled Atomizer
- Assembled Atomizer in transparent view
- Atomizer tank
- Metal mesh
- Heating coil
- Atomizer base with battery thread
Pros of an Atomizer
- Perfect for dripping, which means that you can switch between different flavors of juices pretty fast
- Simple design
- Low cost
- Easy to refill
Cons of an Atomizer
- If you vape a lot, you need to continuously refill an atomizer
- Some models of atomizers are rebuildable but require considerable skill
- Hard to track amount of e-juice left inside
Overview of a Cartomizer
Cartomizers are similar in design to the atomizer. The big difference is that cartomizers have polyfill wrapped around a heating coil. A polyfill soaks e-juice and allows for longer vape time over atomizer. There are some designs of cartomizers that are housed inside a larger cylindrical tank that holds even larger capacity of e-juice.
Break-down of a Cartomizer
- Assembled Cartomizer
- Assembled Cartomizer in transparent view
- Cartomizer tank
- Polyfill material
- Heating coil
- Cartomizer base with battery thread
Pros of a Cartomizer
- Hold more e-juice over an atomizer
- Low cost
- Easy to refill
- Fairly easy to rebuild
Cons of an Cartomizer
- Might not be suitable for heavy vaping.
- Some people people claim that polyfill material dulls the e-juice flavor
- May retain flavor from previous e-juice
Overview of a Clearomizer
Clearmizers are one of the newest and most popular devices on the market. These type of devices are usually cylindrical and feature a clear polycarbonate plastic or pyrex glass tank. A clear tank allows you to see the level of e-juice inside of a clearomizer. E-juice is delivered to the heating coil by ways of a silica wick. Some designs feature top heating coil with longer wicks, others have bottom placed heating coil with short wicks which allows for easier wick saturation. Be sure to check out our full line of Tanks/Clearomizers.
Break-down of a Clearomizer
- Assembled Clearomizer
- Drip tip
- Clearomizer tank
- Wick
- Clearomizer base with battery thread
- Heating coil
Pros of a Clearomizer
- Large capacity for e-juice, typically around 1.6 - 3ml
- Clear tank allows you to see exact amount of e-juice left inside of the clearomizer
- Some models are rebuildable, and come with replaceable coil
- Longer life-cycle
- Some people people claim that clearmizers with wick system offer superior flavor delivery
Cons of an Clearomizer
- Usually more expensive than atomizers or cartomizers
- May retain flavor from previous e-juice
- May leak depending on manufacturer and model
- Top coil design may require you to tip clearomizer to absorb left over e-juice
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reflog
Brilliant explanation! Thank you!
Suzan
Thank you for the explanation. Do you know if any that do not heat up? I’m looking for an e-cig that uses forced air or ultrasonic vibration thru a mesh head to make a mist (yes like a nebulizer). Wouldn’t it be cool if folks who use nebulizers could use an e-cig for their meds instead? Can’t heat up the medication.
Reinaldo Oliver
Spot on with this write-up.
TJ
Great write up, I love the graphics!
Kathy j
Thanks for the simplicty of the differences. Not really a noob but still get them confused at times! Great explanation along with pics!
greatVape
Great tutorial, I think a youtube video of assembly and dis-assembly for each would improve this page as a tutorial beyond its expectations :)
Martine Dawnay
I bought a clearomizer yesterday and I’m sure it’s leaking already. I’m sure I got some on my lips which I would have ingested. How dangerous is this as I read the juice is toxic. Help
Kimberly
Oh my god it’s finally starting to make sense.
m.powerpt
Hot damn I love this frigging website. MistHub you guys are great. I had no idea what I was doing until I read all of these tutorials. Thanks to you guys I am cigarette (analog) free for 2 months.
Fivepawns.com
Every electronic cigarette has at least three main components inside- the battery the tank, and the atomizer. It is the atomizer that turns the liquid into a vapor, but sometimes there is another component between the liquid and the atomizer. This can be either a clearomizer or a cartomizer.
Kite
Thats actually a brilliant idea…
LaAcesa
E Juice is not toxic by itself. It is the nicotine in the e juice that can be toxic in large, concentrated doses. If your e juice doesn’t contain any nicotine, there is nothing to worry about. I wouldn’t drink it but getting some on your lips is not harmful and happens periodically to the best of us. Even small amounts of e juice with nicotine is not harmful if it touches your lips. Ingesting large amounts is toxic. What is large amounts? It varies by the person and their size. Even vaping high concentrations of nicotine can be toxic for some people, causing nausea, headaches, etc. If this happens, reduce the amount of nicotine in your e juice.
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Kyle
Awesome breakdown! Helped a lot!