Today we’ll be taking a look at the Hellvape Dead rabbit RTA, the companies latest collaboration with vaping reviewer, Heathen.dead rabbit rta unboxed

As its name suggests, this is almost a companion to original Dead Rabbit RDA with the same rabbit ear style posts and top angled airflow system. Available in a variety of colours, there’s one to suit everyone’s style.

Can the Hellvape Dead Rabbit RTA Do the Name Proud?

With the popularity of the Dead Rabbit RDA, there’s been a lot of buzz around this release.

Will it live up to the hype? Let’s find out to see if this will sit in the best RTA for cloud or flavour crowd.

Disclaimer: This was purchased by myself for the purpose of this review and all opinions are my own, based on my own experience and testing.

What’s in the Box?

  • 1 x 25mm Dead Rabbit RTA
  • 1 x Resin Black 810 Drip Tip
  • 1 x Stainless Steel 510 Adapter
  • 1 x Accessories Bag
  • 1 x Dead Rabbit Sticker
  • 1 x Instruction Manual

I did also receive a bubble glass, however, as this was the European version and had to comply with TPD, it was not “in the box”.hellvape dead rabbit rta packaging

Specs

  • 25mm RTA
  • Unique ‘Rabbit Ear’ design
  • Ample build space and generous post holes
  • Adjustable top side diagonal airflow
  • Single or dual coil configurations
  • Gold plated positive post for better conductivity
  • 2ml or 4.5ml juice capacity with optional bubble tank
  • Two 810 drip tip options including a black resin and a white resin design
  • Slotted or hex head post screw options
  • Protruding 510 pin and peek insulation

Available colours – Gun Metal, Purple, Black, Rainbow, Stainless Steel, Blue and Gold.Hellvape Dead Rabbit RTA Colours

Design and Build Quality

Design wise, I can’t deny that the Hellvape Dead Rabbit RTA is very pretty. The knurling on the top and bottom is not only functional but really adds to the overall look. I

also like the look of the Dead Rabbit logo and text on either side of the chamber. It’s not overbranded but that little logo certainly stands out.dead rabbit rta filled

The slide in top coil deck that we previously saw in the Dead Rabbit RDA is still an absolute delight to build on and I love the way the post screws preserve your build and don’t chew up your coils the way some similar styled posts do.build deck dead rabbit rta

Cut your coil legs a little too long? Not a problem, just give them a trim once you’ve tightened up your screws.

I think 25mm is a perfect size for this RTA. Any less and you’d have trouble fitting the deck inside without restricting build size or juice capacity but if they’d gone much bigger than the overhang produced on many dual battery mods might have been off putting.

hellvape dead rabbit rta reviewI do like the screw off top cap although the fill ports are at the base of a diagonal recess which can make fast filling a little tricky at times.dead rabbit rta fill ports

The threading is all smooth once lubed up with a bit of juice and the airflow is really easy to adjust, although maybe a little too easy.

Overall design and build quality are really good but how does it vape?

How Does the Hellvape Dead Rabbit RTA Perform?

Building

Building on the Dead Rabbit RTA is very easy. You have ample build space for bigger and more complex coils and the post hole capacity doesn’t disappoint either.side view deck hellvape dead rabbit rta

I have been cutting my legs to 4mm using the Coily tool and then just raising them and angling them out towards the airflow slightly once they’re secured in place. This seems to produce best flavour overall for me.coil-install dead rabbit rta hellvape

Wicking

I won’t lie, wicking the Dead Rabbit RTA was a bit of a pain in the bum for me to begin with. I was either getting zero flavour, dry hits or the complete opposite, a mouthful of toasty warm juice.

After quite a few attempts (and some choice language) I managed to nail it with the dam method.dead rabbit rta wick dry

Measuring the cotton to just reach the wick ports and no more and just gently fluffing the cotton before simply tucking the ends under to rest on top of the wick ports has given me the best performance so far.dead rabbit rta wick wet

Flavour From the Dead Rabbit RTA

Once you nail the coil position and wicking on this, the flavour really is decent.how to fill hellvape dead rabbit rtaPersonally, I don’t feel that top airflow will ever match up to a bottom or side fed atomiser in terms of flavour but when a tank can match up to it’s RDA predecessor in terms of flavour then you can’t really grumble can you?

Single Coil

I did try this briefly in single coil mode with a 4mm tri-core fused clapton and with the airflow closed down about half way, I managed to produce ok flavour and clouds. However it really didn’t shine for me in single coil mode and there are far better performing single coil RTAs on the market.

Dual Coil

This is where we really see the true potential of the Dead Rabbit RTA.

I tried a couple of different coil variations but settled with a pair of 3mm ni80 staples and really noticed a difference in overall performance. Coming in at .1 ohms and running around 95 watts with airflow fully open produced a wonderfully saturated, warm vape that cloud chasers wouldn’t have been disappointed by and also left me the perfect amount of cotton for wicking.

For me the Dead Rabbit performs at it’s best in dual coil mode and at relatively high wattage and if you take your time to play around with builds, coil position and wicking then you can get a really satisfying experience. Oh and it’s almost impossible to make it leak thanks to that top airflow!

Pros

  • Decent flavour
  • Good cloud production
  • 4.5ml capacity with bubble glass
  • Smooth airflow
  • Good build quality
  • Easy to build on
  • Dual or single coil
  • Leak proof
  • Nice extra resin drip tip
  • Good amount of spares including a choice of hex screws or flat heads

Cons

  • Bubble glass must be purchased separately
  • If you like to ‘purge’ when you vape then prepare for a face full of vapour due to the top angled airflow
  • Can be very tricky to get wicking right
  • Once wicking well it can be ‘thirsty’

Final Review Verdict

Although I did enjoy the Hellvape Dead Rabbit RTA, I feel there should be much more wiggle room when it comes to coil position and wicking style. I could only find one combination that really gave me decent flavour and cloud producing, everything else either produced dry hits and zero flavour or complete flooding of the deck.

That being said, once you find that sweet spot, the flavour really is decent. I do wonder however if half of the people purchasing this will give up before they find its full potential.

Would I replace it if I lost it tomorrow? Probably not. Personally I prefer bottom or side airflow for flavour and the ability to purge a little and heat up my coils before I start vaping.

The Hellvape Dead Rabbit RTA is a decent tank, didn’t blow my socks off but also didn’t completely disappoint me. With time and patience it can be a solid all round performer with relatively good flavour and not much worry about leaking.

simone hamill vape reviewer
Simone Hamill

Hey, I'm Simone, 30, from just outside Glasgow. I started vaping in 2016 after buying a little Aspire ETS tank and a Coolfire IV, never believing it would work but I've never smoked another cigarette since. Now I'm a like a magpie for a vape shiny and my family joke that I could be hired out as a smoke machine. My every day set up is the Loop RDA and the Paranormal DNA 250c. I'm also a big animal lover and massive fan of anything sci-fi 🙂

REVIEW OVERVIEW
Build Quality
9
Design
8
Ease of use
7
Performance
7
Flavour
8
Cloud
9
Replace if Lost
5
Hey, I'm Simone, 30, from just outside Glasgow. I started vaping in 2016 after buying a little Aspire ETS tank and a Coolfire IV, never believing it would work but I've never smoked another cigarette since. Now I'm a like a magpie for a vape shiny and my family joke that I could be hired out as a smoke machine. My every day set up is the Loop RDA and the Paranormal DNA 250c. I'm also a big animal lover and massive fan of anything sci-fi :)
hellvape-dead-rabbit-rta-reviewGood quality RTA with good clouds and decent flavour once you eventually nail the coil position and wicking. Not particularly my favourite airflow style but might be right up your street!

11 COMMENTS

  1. kinda late but as i ran this rta for a while and one of the rta’s that i really like, the sweet spot for me was slamming the coils down to the deck then slightly lift them up just enough for them not to touch the deck. It kills any whistles you might experience and just works wonders for me and friends that i had do it. with the cotton i would cut it to where it just barely touched the bottom under the deck. gave great wicking and zero dry hits. that was what worked best for me on this rta.

    dual coils build – ss fused claptons, 5 wraps, 2.5mm ends up at .07 ohms, 24ga*2 + 32ga; Bacon Prime cotton (not the best cotton imo but still decent cotton).
    90-100 watts (depending on juice being ran) on a drag box mod.
    I dont like mechs, plus its easier to just run regulated, does the work for you. A bit lazy on my part but whatever, it still works, lol.

    that build worked wonders for me in this rta. great flavor nice cloud production.
    and yes this rta is super thirsty if running a thinner juice. Thicker juice usually isnt as quickly used up.
    Ive had this rta since its been released.

  2. Love this review had my dead rabbit rta for a couple weeks now. Do you push any cotton at all in the slots or simply just lay it right on top?

    • It’s maybe in the wicking channels by like .5mm but I don’t push it in by any means. Just let it sort of fall in naturally into place.
      Hope you’re still enjoy it as much 😊

  3. Just picked myself up a blue dead rabbit rta today, and came across your review, 1st build in it, dam wicked it like you suggested and it’s wicking like a charm straight off the bat! Thank you 👍 definitely one of the best flavoured rta’s I own at the moment and ive got a sh**t load.

  4. Most points are relevant however some of the pros/cons are a bit ‘safe’ and specifically the cons a little Walter Mitty as it’s kinda hard to see why no bubble glass included is a con assuming it’s a U.K. review as it would be illegal to include 1, thought I’d just point this out.

    • Thanks for your feedback 🙂
      I see what you’re saying with the bubble glass however, a lot of tanks (illegal or not) are still shipping out with an included bubble glass wether that be in the box or shipped alongside the tank in question. Not having the option of more than 2ml will always be a con for me

  5. Hey Simone,
    I have to say I agree totally with your assessment for the Dead Rabbit RTA, I’ve had mine now for a while and really the only things that get on my nerves are 1. The wicking like you I am using the dam method. 2, The AF like you I like to purge, give me side AF any day lol
    I’ve been using my D.R RTA on the Smoant Naboo with 0.1 dual coils at 90 – 120w depending on my micro lungs lol, boy does it suck the liquid, for some reason I was lucky and had the bubble glass included in my box I don’t think my sanity would last if I had to use the straight 2ml glass with this tank lol
    Great review hun I look forward to reading more from you cheers.

    • Thanks for the feedback Kevin 🙂
      Yeah wicking and airflow definitely put me off. I’ve got some ni80 staple coils in it just now at 0.11 and you’re spot on, it’s drinking juice like there’s no tomorrow ha ha

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