Searching for the best new vape pen? Over the past several years, the market for vape pens has skyrocketed. Now, there are more types and designs than ever before, and you can find a wide variety of CBD Vape Oils to vape every flavor you could imagine. But, with all this hype, how do you tell whether or not you’re getting a high-quality product?
To help you navigate the great, wide world of pen vaporizers, here’s how to find the best pen vaporizer:
What Is A Vape Pen?
Before you start vaping…you might want to understand more about the device you’ll be using. So, what really is a vape pen? Simply put, it’s a device that heats oil or flower to a degree that the compounds transform into smokeable vapor. Think of it this way – it’s like lighting a bowl and inhaling the smoke, but inhaling the vapor that vape pens heat for you.
Vape pens are often referred to as safer than traditional smoking methods. That’s because vape pens are designed to use heat low enough to avoid combustion. When cannabis combusts while smoking, harmful tars or carcinogens can be released. Conversely, temperature control is also a reason why vape pens are growing in popularity. When lighting up cannabis goods at appropriate temperatures, flavor and potency are usually enhanced.
Best Vape Pens for Oils
This pen is the newer model that was created since the Terp Pen. And with that comes better control over temperature, improved airflow due to the ceramic coil design and a quartz bucket to store concentrates in the cap.
This Pen is a great price and is super easy to use because all you have to do to get going is inhale to activate and tap the body of the pen three times to change the temperature. It also brings us comfort knowing that the device is made out of 100% medical-grade stainless steel and is powered only through electricity.
G PEN CONNECT
-
Heats to Temperature in 5 seconds
-
Patented Reverse Airflow Technology
Another option but with a bit pricier of a price tag would be Grenco Science’s G Pen Connect. This highly recommended concentrate vaporizer heats in minimal seconds and creates flavorful vapor. And the best part is, there is no need for a nail or a torch.
The ceramic heating and reverse airflow components of this vaporizer gives you confidence that things are vaporizing as they should. Use the device back to back without worry because it is stocked with a 850 mAh battery.
Best Wax Pen
This unique vaporizer can be used more than one way – as a portable dabbing pen as well as a portable vaporizer. The Vapor Tip Atomizer allows for the user to dab without having to have a torch, rig or do the loading.
It really is great for being on the go as it is able to be recharged by a micro-USB and it’s compact enough to throw in a pocket or a bag. This multi-use tool is perfect for every day use.
Best Dry Herb Vape Pens
Just looking at the G Pen Elite II, you know what you’re about to vape is going to be good. The elegantly designed herb vaporizer is by far one of the best on the market today.
Although this version of the pen is a bit more expensive, Grenco Science makes every penny count with the upgrades it brings to the table. The dual heater and air path system they have created allows for more pure and quality flavors, which creates an excellent experience. Not only does this device offer control over the temperature between 200 degrees and 430 degrees Fahrenheit but it also allows the user to customize the session duration, heating method and haptic feedback through it’s extensive menu options.
This is a luxury vaporizer that allows you to have the most customizable experience while also offering a pure and flavorful smoke. There are a lot more features of this device that are worth checking out so go head over to their website, you won’t be disappointed.
DAVINCI IQC
-
20% Off With HMJ20 Discount Code!
-
Precision Temperature to 430°F / 221°C
-
Removable 18650 Battery for up to 2 hour use
The Davinci prides itself on offering a clean first technology with the IQC Vaporizer. This means that their sealed zirconia and glass vapor path has no plastics or metals, which allows the customer to inhale with peace of mind and get a quality experience.
Some of this device’s amazing features include having control over the temperature to the 1-degree, type C charging, app connectivity, rechargeable battery and more.
PAX 3
-
Best Portable Vaporizer
-
Flower or Concentrates
-
2.5 Hours of Continuous Use
Pax Vapor continues to offer consistency with their sleek design but with the PAX 3 comes a very updated product in terms of technology.
Not only does this upgraded version offer a dual dry herb and concentrate chamber, it also has updated its presets, heating speed, ability to connect to your “smart” phone and has a way better battery life. This device should not be for someone who is wanting a straight forward product, though, it airs on more of the side of luxury… so be prepared to get aquatinted with all of its many features if you decide to go with the PAX 3.
Best Hemp Vaporizer
ELON
-
Hemp & CBD Vape Pen
-
Non-combustion: no burning, smoke, ash, and pyrolytic toxins
-
10-15 sessions per charge
If you are looking for a vaporizer that will allow you to smoke hemp and CBD, then look no further. The Elon Device by E1011 Labs is easy enough to throw in your pocket with its light weight and compact design.
The company stands by heating not burning but offers a 5 second heat up time. A very cool design feature is that this device is buttonless. To start and stop your sessions, all you have to do is blow into the blow hole. It is super easy to use and frankly, hassle free.
Types Of Vape Pens
Vape pens are more popular than ever. Often used for both cannabis and tobacco, vapor pens come in all different shapes and sizes. Beloved for their easy to use nature and discretion, consumers can now choose from a wide variety of vapor products to fit their individual needs.
Some of the most popular types of vapor pens include:
1. Vape Pens For E-liquid
One of the most common types of vapor pens is intended to hold e-liquids. E-liquids are most often made from tobacco, though some innovative brands offer e-liquids (e-juice) that contains cannabis compounds. Many e-liquids use cannabis isolates, which are extractions of purified phytochemicals from the herb. Cannabis e-liquids can contain both psychoactive THC and CBD. THC is the compound that causes the classic cannabis “high” while CBD is calming but does not provide a psychotropic experience.
2. Vape Pens For Dry herb
Love dried flower? Than a dry herb vapor pen might be for you. A dry herb vapor pen is intended for ground cannabis or other ground herbal material. Dry herb vaporizers heat plant material to low temperatures, leaving behind toasty brown remains.
3. Vape Pens For Wax
Wax vaporizers are intended for harder waxes and concentrates. These types of pen vaporizers are used by those hoping for an easy way to consume butane hash oil (BHO) on the go. Wax vapor pens provide an experience most akin to dabbing.
4. Vape Pens For Oil/Concentrate
Wax vapor pens can handle several different types of cannabis oil extractions. However, prefilled concentrate cartridges are the most popular vape pen selectionsn(the most famous is Pax Era). These types oil/concentrate vape pens are most often used with honey-like CO2 oil.
5. Dual and multi purpose
Some vaporizer pens can handle both waxes and dry herb. Other types come in kits which include interchangeable attachments that allow consumers to swap between different types of cannabis material. Dual purpose vaporizers and vapor pen kits offer the greatest versatility among all of the common pen types.
6. Disposable
Disposable vapor pens are another popular option. Disposable vapor pens are often pre-filled with CO2 oil or other types of cannabis isolates. These vapor pens are short-lived and cannot be refilled once the concentrate or e-liquid runs out.
How To Use A Vape Pen
Just like any other vaporizer, vapor pens work by heating cannabis materials at low temperatures to avoid combustion. Combustion simply refers to the process of burning.
Unlike taking a flame to a joint, vaporizers heat cannabis to temperatures that are just high enough to melt waxy cannabis resin without burning the oil or plant matter. Instead, low temperatures release resin as a steam.
However, this is only true if vaporizers heat product at temperatures below 445℉ (229℃). Cannabis products and oils heated above this temperature will combust, transforming a spendy pen vape into a high-tech smoking device.
Vape pens may be one of the simplest and most discreet vaporizers on the market, but they can come with a slight learning curve. Here are seven terms you may come across when looking for a new pen vape:
1. Atomizer
An atomizer is an essential piece to any pen vaporizer and e-cigarette. The atomizer houses the heating element and is what vaporizes your cannabis materials. Atomizers can be sold separately, or they can be included as a part of a sealed cartridge.
2. Cartridge
A cartridge is the tank which holds syrupy cannabis concentrate. Many cartridges are pre-filled, disposable, and can be purchased at legal cannabis dispensaries. Some cartridges are refillable, and can be filled with CO2 Oil. And if you don't want a THC cartridge, there are also available CBD cartridges.
3. Coil
A coil is the primary heating element in vapor pens. Coils can feature a variety of different designs and are often made with medical or aircraft grade metals. The coil is housed in the atomizer and is important to look at when picking out a high-quality concentrate vaporizer. Coils will often have to be replaced over time.
4. Dome
A dome is a piece that acts as a mouthpiece and covers the atomizer and chamber in concentrate vapor pens. The dome is often included in dabbing attachments for hard concentrates and dabbing attachments for vapor pens.
5. Fire button
Not all vape pens feature a fire button. A fire button is simply the button that heats the coil, igniting the vaporizer. Disposable vaporizers do not have fire buttons.
6. Oven
Oven refers to a chamber where herbal material (like cannabis!) is heated. Ovens are often made out of metals such as titanium or medical/airline grade steel, quartz, or ceramic materials.
7. Attachments
Vapor pens are fancier than ever these days. Many now feature interchangeable parts that allow you to fully customize your vaping experience. Some attachments transform the standard pen vape into a portable dab rig or flameless bubbler.
Sometimes, a brand will offer various attachments that work for their individual products. Some brands make attachments that can be used with a variety of different battery bases. Smoke shops and online retailers will have various attachments available.
How To Charge A Vape Pen?
Most vaporizer pens come with a 510 threaded battery, which is the standard battery for all vape pens. You can also build your own custom vaporizer pen by picking out a high-quality 510 threaded battery and purchasing individual atomizers and attachments. Other batteries are available, however 510 is standard.
What is the optimal temperature for your vaporizer?
Most pen vaporizer batteries have several preset temperatures. Most of these preset temperatures fall between 360 and 380℉ (182 to 193℃). However, many pen vapes also offer high heat settings for oils, which often heat to around 425℉ (218℃).
Higher heat settings will provide a more powerful cannabis experience, though you also face a greater risk of accidental combustion. Although vape pens include automatic settings, pens can still overheat if the button is held too long. This makes you more likely to combust your material.
Are Vape Pens Safe?
There is some evidence that vaporization is a healthier alternative to cannabis smoking. However, it is still important to be mindful of some cons of pen vapes. The most common types of cannabis vape pens feature simple batteries with a cartridge prefilled with cannabis oil.
Research published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine has found that certain vapor cartridge additives may release carcinogenic compounds when heated. The additives of concern are propylene glycol (PG) and polyethylene glycol (PEG).
When heated beyond the the point of combustion (446℉/230℃), these additive outgas formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. The two compounds are known carcinogens, reducing the safety of certain vapor cartridges.
Fortunately, there is a way to avoid this problem. Reading the ingredients list on cannabis packaging will tell you whether or not these products have been added into your cartridge. Opting for products that contain no additives or are thinned using vegetable glycerine are thought to be the safer products.
Tips Before Buying A Vape Pen
When buying a vapor pen, quality matters. Not all vape pens are created equal. Some rely heavily on plastics, which can distort the taste of your cannabis and may not withstand high temperatures as well as other materials.
To help you find a safe and effective product, here are a few things to look for when buying a vapor pen.
1. Lifestyle
How do you plan on using your vaporizer? Are you the type of person that likes to switch back and forth between wax and flower? It may be best to look into buying a dual or multi-purpose pen vape to better fit your needs. If you prefer to vaporize oils, a wax vapor pen or pre-filled cartridges might be more up your alley.
2. Materials
The materials that your vaporizer is made of are the most important factors when picking out a vape pen. Products made with high-quality materials are going to deliver a healthier, tastier, and overall better vaporization experience than those made with sub-par goods.
The materials closest to the heating element are especially important, as they will face the greatest amount of stress and can potentially outgas unwanted chemical compounds into your vapor. To avoid this, some high-quality materials include:
- Titanium
- Medical-grade stainless steel
- Aircraft-grade metals
- Ceramic
- Quartz
- Borosilicate glass
3. Cost of replacement parts
Some pen vaporizers will require replacement parts after so many uses. Prior to investing in a wax vapor pen, it’s wise to research how often replacement coils are needed for a given product. If the replacement coils are a little too expensive for comfort, the vape pen may not be the best buy after all.
4. Large coil/oven surface area
While a little tricky to gauge from online shopping, opting for vaporizers that contain a fairly large surface area for plant materials is an easy way to get a slightly better experience.
A larger surface area means that the heat is dispersed more evenly, giving you a smoother smoke and less of a need to stir materials after you’ve loaded the appropriate compartments.
5. Ease of cleaning
If you hate cleaning, opting for disposable vape pens or prefilled cartridges might be the best decision. Otherwise, reading up on whether or not the device can be taken apart for ease of cleaning is wise prior to investing a high-quality vapor pen.