Product intro and specs
Designed by Grimm Green and OhmBoyOC, the original Recoil was released in 2016. It was a widely popular RDA, celebrated for its smooth airflow, great flavor, and practical build deck. A follow-up (the “Rebel”) hit shelves a year later, introducing some welcome enhancements, while remaining true to the original concept. Despite being off the market for years, the series has maintained a loyal following, and fans have anxiously waited for version 3. Well, after eight long years, it’s finally here. Introducing the ThunderCloud Recoil R3 RDA (a.k.a. the “R3coil”)!
The R3 may closely resemble its predecessors, but that’s part of its charm. Like a classic car with a new engine, the crucial upgrades are hiding under the hood. The centered terminals have been exchanged for a unique postless-style deck, and the airflow system now relies on inserts rather than multiple caps. There are other changes as well, but I won’t spoil all the fun in the intro.
Eight years is a long time; is Grimm just cashing in on the name, or is the R3 a triumphant completion to the trilogy? Keep reading to find out.
Price: $38.99 (at Element Vape)
Colors: 24K gold, 316 green black, matte black, matte gunmetal, silver black, silver
Build quality and design
For old-school vapers (such as myself), the Recoil R3 RDA will hit you with some serious nostalgia. The outer design has gone largely unchanged, featuring the original “RR” logo, clean aesthetic, and “snakebite” airflow slots. It’s not loud or aggressive; it’s a callback to simpler times, when unassuming RDAs like the Kennedy and Goon ruled the market.
For the most part, the build quality is impeccable. The pieces fit together with precision, the finish is top-notch, and the o-ring tolerances are excellent. However, one of my airflow inserts had some machining flaws. It’s a pre-production unit, though, and I haven’t encountered anyone with the same issue. I think it’s fair to assume that it was just an anomaly.
Build deck
The build deck is a massive departure from the original versions. Rather than centered posts, the R3 features a postless deck that arches in the middle. When viewed from the side, it looks like a generic house shape. The benefit is that, when dripping, liquid cascades down the sides like rain on a roof. This design promotes an even distribution of e-liquid and also prevents it from accumulating on the deck. Simple and smart.
Building the Recoil R3 RDA
The Recoil R3 RDA is an absolute breeze to build. Even beginners should be able to manage it without much difficulty. Clip the leads (using the included guide), drop the coils into place, and tighten down. That’s pretty much it!
The only caveat is that the build deck isn’t quite as roomy as it appears. After installation, you’ll likely need to bend the coils toward the center to compensate for the airflow insert (it juts inward). The limited space isn’t a bad thing, though; in fact, it makes the R3 even more intuitive. Essentially, there’s no guesswork when it comes to coil position. If you clip your leads to the recommended length (6 mm) and ensure that the coils clear the airflow insert (by a couple of millimeters), you’re golden.
As for coil size, a 2.5- or 3-mm inner diameter is the sweet spot for dual-coil builds. They fit perfectly! 3.5 mm might be possible, but it’ll be cramped, and you may need to raise the coils higher so they don’t touch the deck ridge.
Airflow design
Despite massive upgrades in some areas, the R3 remains loyal to the Recoil’s fundamental design. Improve what can be improved and leave the rest alone! One of the most celebrated features of previous versions was the airflow design, and it’s back for round three. For that, I am grateful. A Recoil with honeycomb airflow would seem like blasphemy. The design is simple: dual circular cutouts on each side, angled downwards toward the bottom half of the coils.
The outer airflow design may be unchanged, but the system is more refined. The original provided two top caps with different airflow cutouts, whereas the Recoil R3 alters the restriction with inserts. They slide into the barrel from the top, slotting into a fixed position. It’s an undeniable improvement; however, it does present a new challenge. Removing the insert from the top is difficult, so you may need to remove the entire cap first and push it out from the bottom.
Recoil R3 RDA Performance
Performance is subjective, and coil selection and positioning can affect the experience, making this a tricky topic. But for me, the Recoil R3 is one of the best-performing RDAs I’ve tried in the past couple of years. I expected the flavor to be good, but not this good! Sure, there’s likely a better performer out there, but it would only be by a narrow margin.
As for airflow, it’s incredibly smooth, albeit not “mushy smooth” like honeycomb airflow (describing airflow is not easy!). It’s a great compromise. ThunderCloud includes two inserts in the package: one with 3 mm holes and another with 2.5 mm holes. I honestly couldn’t pick a favorite between the two; both options are phenomenal. Of course, others may disagree. There’s not much flexibility here, so if neither suits you, this RDA won’t have much to offer.
And for all the squonk fans out there, the Recoil R3 will serve you well. The base of the deck features two small slots that feed liquid directly to the wick. Also, due to the angled airflow design, over-squonking is highly unlikely.
Pros / Cons
Gallery
Verdict
The ThunderCloud Recoil R3 RDA isn’t changing the game. There are no gimmicks or unique innovations here. It’s just an RDA, and yet, it’s somehow greater than the sum of its parts. This hybrid of classic and modern design components was fine-tuned to near perfection. The pictures and specs may seem promising, but the performance makes you wonder if some undisclosed feature is taking it to the next level.
I love the clean look, airflow (and the versatility of airflow inserts), flavor, and the ease of building. It just ticks all the right boxes for me. Still, it won’t be ideal for everyone. There are only two airflow options, and the inserts can’t be swapped out on the fly. Those shortcomings don’t bother me in the slightest, but we all have different preferences.
Ultimately, the R3 is my favorite RDA of 2025, followed closely by the Bonza Pro. ThunderCloud has had a hell of a year! I’m hoping they can keep that momentum going in 2026.
Highly recommended.
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