3stars

Wotofo Cog RTA Review

With pod systems dominating the vaping market these days, it’s rare that you see rebuildable mouth-to-lung (MTL) atomizers anymore, let alone a truly innovative one. That’s what makes the Cog RTA by Wotofo and popular YouTube reviewer Suck My Mood (SMM) so special – it’s a stylish MTL RTA with a cog-like airflow control system that I myself haven’t seen before. Let’s check it out:

Wotofo Cog RTA Packaging and Presentation

The new Cog RTA comes in the same style of packaging we recently saw on the Wotofo Profile RDTA – a small cardboard box with a see-through plastic cover that offers a clear view of the device inside. On the back of the box we have some age and nicotine related warnings and some branding.

If you’re wondering where the kit contents list went, Wotofo put it on the side of the box this time around. Inside the box we have the Wotofo Cog RTA, and a bunch of accessories, each packaged individually in branded plastic bags. It’s not the most environment-friendly packaging solution, but I have to admit that is nice and neat, which I like. The kit includes two premade coils, a small screwdriver for the post deck screws, a strip of cotton, a bag of spare o-rings and a user manual. As far as contents go, I’d say this is a fairly generous kit, although a spare tube for the tank would have been nice as well…

Wotofo Cog RTA Design and Build Quality

Right off the bat I have to say that the Cog is one of the nicest and most stylish MTL atomizers I’ve seen in a long time. It’s a simple and elegant design that reminds a bit of the DoggyStyle 2016 clone I loved so much a couple of years ago.

The cog measures 22mm in diameter and 34mm in height. It is made primarily of stainless steel and PCTG, a plastic like material that’s supposed to make the atomizer considerably lighter and more durable than a glass tube would have. I received the black version for this review, but you can find it various other colors, including gold and blue.

This PCTG material definitely takes a bit of getting used to, especially since it also covers the top cap of the Cog RTA, as well as part of its bottom section. It’s one of the most divisive aspects of this product, as some people just can’t get over the cheap, plastic feel of it. I myself had another issue with it – the glass section was surprisingly dirty for something that I had personally removed from its sealed packaging, which means it was left like that by the manufacturer. Sure, I cleaned it up thoroughly, but seeing a bunch of smudges and stains on a brand new tank doesn’t leave the best first impression.

Starting at the top, we have a classic nipple-style 510 drip tip that connects to a removable top cap featuring the names of the Cog’s creators: Wotofo and Suck My Mod. Although the top cap is encased in transparent PCTG, the threads are metallic, so you don’t have to worry about wearing out too soon.

The Cog RTA features two kidney-shaped fill ports that are large enough for most e-liquid bottles or droppers. The tank, as I said, has that cheap plastic feel, but it is said to be more durable than the classic glass tubes. Still, I think Wotofo could have included a glass section as well, just to appease the purists.

What I am most worried about regarding the plastic tank is how it will hold up in the long run. Will it crack if you use certain flavors, like absinth, cinnamon, or lemon, or will it scratch faster and worse than glass? The manufacturer only recommends that you clean it under warm or cold water, as there is a chance hot water could damage the PCTG material.

The chimney and atomization chamber inside the Cog RTA form that classic bell shape and feature the Cog logo and the CE marking.

The base of the Wotofo Cog RTA is by far the most important aspect of this atomizer, because it’s here that we find the innovation introduced by this device. As its name suggests, the Cog relies on a mechanical cog mechanism to adjust the airflow that actually hits the coil from underneath, instead of using some side slots that let less air in through the side, but don’t reduce the opening through which the air travels towards the coil. It’s true airflow control, if you will, and to an MTL fan like me, it sounds awesome, at least in theory.

The Cog does feature two side airflow slots on the side of the base, but don’t bother looking at them as you turn the airflow control (AFC) ring, because nothing is going to happen, at leas not visually. Instead of closing up the side air slots, you’re actually turning a plastic cog that sits under the build deck, with various-size (0.8mm – 1.6mm in diameter) air holes cut into it. As you spin the AFC ring, a different size hole is aligned under the coil.

The only way to know how airy your draw is going to be is by keeping an eye on the discrete round dents on the airflow control ring, and the small arrow pointing downwards from above. When the arrow and the left-most dent are aligned, you are using the smallest airflow hole on the cog, whereas the right-most dent corresponds to the largest hole.

In case you’re wondering how this cog system works, you can get some idea by seeing it in action through the transparent bottom of the RTA. Turn it upside down and turn the AFC ring to see the red cog turning. You can even here it, as it makes a satisfying mechanical sound as each hole aligns with the central airflow hole of the Cog RTA. The only issue I have with this transparent deck is that you can only use it as a window when the atomizer isn’t attached to a mod. Still, it’s a nice, albeit somewhat gimmicky, touch.

The Cog RTA has one of the most user-friendly decks I have ever seen on a MTL rebuildable atomizer. All you have to do is loosen the screws on the two clamp posts, insert one of the two premade coils in place, tighten the screws to clamp down on the coil leads, and then snip the the excess wire. That’s all there is to it, and the coil installation is made even easier by the fact that the clamps are spring-loaded, so they just raise as you loosen the screws.

How Does the Wotofo Cog RTA vape?

That’s the million dollar question, isn’t it? Well, as with any MTL RTA, or any rebuildable atomizer for that matter, it depends on a variety of factors, such as the coil type, the wicking style, or the airflow, not to mention the power output of the mod.

I was pretty happy with the two coils included in the kit – one N80 fused clapton coil and one N80 simple wire coil – but you do have to make sure that you don’t overdo it with the wicking. Make sure to cut the leads so they just barely reach into the wicking slots on the sides of the build deck, as to not let the juice flood the atomization chamber. You don’t want to smother the wicking slots, so I also recommend combing out some of cotton a bit as well, so it’s not too dense.

As for the airflow, this is supposed to be the most impressive feature of the Wotofo Cog RTA, but I personally think that it can use some tweaking. I understand the principle of this cog system mechanism, and I agree that it sounds great in theory, but the Cog RTA didn’t succeed in making a believer out of me. I’m not saying the system doesn’t work, just that it could have been done better.

My main gripe with the Cog RTA airflow is the negligible difference between all the available draw restriction options. Sure, switching from the smallest hole to the largest, you are going to sense a difference, but it’s not as considerable as you would think. Plus, all those settings in between, they are all pretty much the same, or just slightly airier than the previous one.

I don’t know if the diameter of the holes is the problem, or if it’s an issue insulating the holes so that no air gets in through the sides, but there is definitely something that needs fixing in there. I sincerely hope they don’t abandon this system, because I think it has potential, but right now it’s not as good as it should be.

Even considering the negative aspects I mentioned above, the Cog RTA is still a decent MTL atomizers, and since there aren’t too many others to choose from – at least not affordable ones – I think it’s worth its price. The only people who are likely to seriously complain about its performance are those who prefer a super tight draw. But if you like a an airier MTL, the Cog RTA will surprise you in a good way.

The flavor you get out of this little RTA is excellent, as is the vapor production, and, most importantly, the throat hit, even with low nicotine e-liquid. It’s a really nice MTL atomizer, and if it wasn’t for that hit-and-miss airflow control system, I would rank it as one of the best ever.

Conclusion

Wotofo and Suck My Mod did a very good job designing the Cog RTA, but I think they missed some tiny details that resulted in a mediocre airflow control system. The cog may promise true airflow control, but in reality, it seems to let in more air than it should, which isn’t ideal if you prefer a tight mouth-to-lung draw. Still, it’s a very good attempt and I particularly like the look of it. Performance isn’t too shabby either, but keep in mind that, because of the airflow, it’s aimed at fans of loose MTL.