About Squonk Mods
Squonking, also known as squonk vaping, was first created in the late 2000s as an easier alternative to dripping with RDAs. RDAs, or Rebuildable Dripping Atomisers, are a type of vape device which doesn't use a tank. Instead, vapers drip the e-liquid directly onto the coil and wicking cotton before vaping it. While this can provide superior flavours and vapours from your vape, many vapers find it frustrating having to drip new e-juice onto the wick after every few puffs. To avoid the inconvenience of having to frequently drip vape juice onto the coils, vapers created the first squonk mods. Instead of having to manually drip e-liquid onto the wick from above, these mods feature a bottle of e-liquid below the coil. A bottom feed (BF) pin allows the e-liquid to rise up and saturate the wicking when the bottle is squeezed. The bottle acts similarly to a tank in other vape kits, however it can hold a larger quantity of e-liquid which means it does not need to be filled as frequently as most vape tanks. Vandy Vape was the first brand to release a commercial squonk mod and today these mods are a popular option among many vapers. Squonking mods are now available with chipsets to provide added protections, meaning that they're safer for everyone.
Squonk Mods & Bottom-Feed RDAs: Complete Buyer’s Guide
Squonk mods (aka bottom-feeder mods) pair a refillable squeeze bottle inside the device with a bottom-feed 510 pin on your RDA. Pressing (“squonking”) sends e-liquid up to the deck, saturating the cotton from below. You get the flavour and responsiveness of an RDA without constantly dripping from the top.
What Is a Squonk Mod? (Short History)
The earliest DIY squonkers appeared in enthusiast forums around the early 2010s, where modders cut windows into box enclosures and routed a tube from a soft bottle to a modified 510. Brands later commercialised the idea, adding safety features and refined ergonomics. Regulated squonkers made the format accessible to more vapers, while mechanical (unregulated) squonkers remained popular with hobbyists who want a minimalist circuit and instant power delivery.
Benefits vs. Traditional RDAs
- Convenience of a tank, flavour of a dripper: Carry 5–10 ml in the bottle and re-saturate with a squeeze—no need to remove a cap and drip every few pulls.
- Cleaner setup: Less chance of over-dripping and mess on your top cap or fingers.
- Consistent wicking: Bottom-feeding floods the well and returns excess via the RDA’s return ports, reducing dry hits when built correctly.
- Build freedom: Like any RDA, you can run single or dual coils, pick your wire/material, and tune airflow for flavour or clouds.
- Potential downsides: Bulkier than a standard single-cell mod; bottle maintenance is an extra step; and not every RDA supports squonking (you need a BF 510 pin installed).
Who Are Squonk Mods Best For?
- RDA lovers who want dripper-level flavour without top-dripping every few pulls.
- Tinkerers who enjoy building/wicking and experimenting with airflow and coil heights.
- All-day flavour chasers who prefer a saturated vape with easy on-the-go top-ups.
Not ideal for complete beginners or anyone uncomfortable with battery safety and build checks. If you go mechanical, you must understand Ohm’s Law, coil resistance, and safe battery limits.
Top 3 Squonk Mods to Consider
Below are example picks and criteria. Replace model names with the squonkers you stock and link to their product pages.
1) Regulated Squonks — Easiest Everyday Choice
Why pick it: Regulated chip with wattage control, protections, and a comfortable bottle system. Great for first-time squonkers.
- Pros: Safety protections; consistent output; easy bottle removal; clear screen/UI.
- Cons: Slightly heavier; limited to device’s max wattage; chip adds cost.
Best paired with: A BF-ready single-coil RDA for flavour at 35–60 W.
2) Compact Single-Cell — Lightweight & Pocketable
Why pick it: Smaller footprint with a responsive bottle. Ideal for MTL/RDL squonk RDAs and lower-wattage builds.
- Pros: Light; ergonomic; simple bottle swap; great battery life at modest wattage.
- Cons: Not for high-watt dual-coil builds; may lack advanced chip features.
Best paired with: Tight RDL/MTL RDAs, 0.4–0.8Ω single coil, 18–40 W.
3) Mechanical Squonk — For Experienced Builders
Why pick it: Direct battery-to-coil connection for instantaneous ramp-up and minimal voltage drop when built appropriately.
- Pros: Ultra-simple; very responsive; durable materials; no chip to fail.
- Cons: No protections; requires strict battery/ohms safety; performance tied to build and battery health.
Best paired with: Dual-coil or low-res single-coil RDAs (experienced users only). Use authentic high-drain cells.
Building & Maintenance Tips
- Install the BF pin in your RDA (most include one in the box) and check for a proper seal.
- Wick with tails touching the deck but not stuffed tight into return ports; this allows excess liquid to drain back.
- Start with a few gentle squonks and watch the deck—stop when cotton is saturated.
- Clean or replace the bottle and tube periodically to prevent flavour carryover.
Internal Links: Learn More
Safety note: Mechanical squonks are for advanced users only. Always use authentic high-drain cells, check resistance with a meter, and ensure your build stays within the safe continuous discharge limits of your battery.
