The perfect weed vape pen doesn’t come in one size or shape. As anyone who’s tried shopping for a vape pen knows there are many available, all with the common purpose of transforming THC oil, wax, or dry herb into tasty clouds of vapor but in a vast array of styles & different functions.
There are many benefits that come with vaping weed over smoking, such as less odor and less harshness on your throat. Cannabis itself has also been linked to
– Not something easily claimed for tobacco. When it comes to THC desktop vaporizers are usually considered to be the most efficient, but there’s nothing better than vape pens for convenience.In today’s article we’ll be showing you some of the best weed pens on the market, which we think are sure to take you to the next level in your smoking game.
Note: The products in this article have been independently selected and featured editorially. Making a purchase using a link in this article may earn us a commission.
What Exactly Is a Weed Vape Pen?
Vape pens are typically designed to vaporize oils and distillates (for our particular purposes, those oils and distillates being cannabis concentrates), though there are models on our list that will handle dried flower as well. The compact design of these vaporizers usually has a close resemblance to that of a pen, lending itself to the title.
Reusable oil vape pens are made up of a cartridge and a battery. These are semi-reusable as the oil cartridges used with reusable vape pens are disposed of when empty, with a new oil cartridge attached to the battery.
You can get vape pens with a long battery life and rechargeable settings, meaning you can get pretty much any style of battery for your own personal needs. Some of the most popular vape batteries are 510 thread batteries; these contain a standardized 0.5mm threading, making them highly compatible with a large range of pre-filled oil cartridges (available in both the recreational and medical marijuana markets).
Anatomy of a Vape Pen
A vape pen’s cartridge will contain a chamber, mouthpiece, and a heating element activated by the battery attached. The vape pen’s chamber is filled with distillate or oil that contains concentrated amounts of terpenes and cannabinoids, or otherwise filled with ground cannabis flower.
If you’re choosing a disposable version, you will find all the same elements found in the reusable vape pens, but they are found in a single stylish design developed for single uses.
Our Top 3 Picks
Vessel Vista
powerful elegance
The Vessel Vista is an attractive, slim pen that is stylish and practical in design.
The large battery with multiple voltage settings can accommodate different types of smokers who desire a different kind of hit.
A versatile device and one of the best vape pens on our list.
PCKT VRTCL
NEXT-GEN VERSATILITY
With the advanced temperature settings and stunning design, it’s no wonder the PCKT VRTCL is one of our top picks.
Including five different power modes and compatibility with a range of oil cartridges, this THC vape pen is highly versatile.
DaVinci – Miqro
KNOWN & TRUSTED
For flavor and quality, there is no better choice than the DaVinci Miqro dry herb vaporizer.
Enjoy all the characteristics you would find in any other DaVinci product, but in this smaller, more convenient size that still packs a massive punch.
Why Trust High There’s Reviews?
Here at High There, we want to take away the stigma surrounding the cannabis community. As marijuana use is becoming more culturally accepted we believe our expert knowledge can help any cannabis consumer – From first-timers to seasoned pros – so that they can choose the perfect product.
Anyone looking to buy a weed vape pen will know that there are a massive number available – With an equally massive number that feature sub-par designs. Our review team comprises experts and enthusiasts who have ample experience in reviewing vaporizer products, with every product tested against our in-depth knowledge & our team’s preferences. Here’s what we typically look for (and you should too!).
PRICE
The majority of the factors we’re going to consider entirely depend on the budget you have. The amount you’re willing to spend will decide if you get the best vape pen available or just a good one for your personal needs.
A smaller, slim device will be much less expensive than a desktop version with all the added extras, but in most cases, these extras are not even needed. Being such a popular industry, new vape pens are being released all the time, making it easier and easier to find something that suits your budget and requirements.
Battery Life
Lithium-ion built-in batteries power the majority of vape pens available at the moment. These batteries have lots of power, even in smaller devices. If you want a vape pen that will last for several days you’ll need to buy a larger device, but ultimately, so long as you don’t mind charging your pen each day, a compact device could be perfect.
Output is also a factor when it comes to battery usage, as lower resistance coils are typically great for flavor but require more power. When it comes to battery life, it’s more of a case of how discreet you want your smoking to be. If you don’t mind the size, then a bigger option will last you much longer.
Efficiency & Heating
With heating there are typically three options to choose from; conduction, convection, and induction.
With conduction heating, the vaping material has direct contact with the heating element. This contact gives you instant vaping, but you lose up to a third of what you are smoking due to the increased vaping material combustion.
Convection is slightly different, with heat being transferred from a chamber without the vaping material being in any contact with the heating element.
There is a reduced chance of any material loss no matter what you’re smoking, but you will need to wait for a little before everything is heated up properly. Convection vape pens also tend to be a little more expensive than those that use conduction heating.
The third standard type of heating is induction, which works through magnetic fields. Induction models aren’t as common as the other two, but with newer units and brands arriving on the market all the time we imagine it won’t be long until this heating type becomes a standard option.
Despite its rarity, induction heating elements are, in our humble opinion, amazing, offering extreme precision, quick heating time, and with zero chances of unwanted vape material combustion.
Design
Stainless steel and carbon fiber materials are generally the best vape pen construction materials to look out for, if you don’t mind spending a little extra, but there are also high-quality plastics that combine Pyrex glass and ceramic heating.
If you’re looking for coils and rods in your vape pens, then choose titanium or stainless steel for coils, and quartz as our rod material. Other rod types, such as silicon or Teflon, should be avoided, as they have lower (and thus more hazardous) melting points.
Functionality
Another factor is functionality or ease of use. Some vape pens are really simple: Put in the vaping material, close the lid, press the button, and you’re away. More complex THC vape pens are available with temperature settings and programmable presets.
There are also vape pens that can burn dry herbs, oils, wax, and more rather than being limited to the usual weed oil cartridges. If your pen has more material capabilities, it will be harder to use and most likely be more expensive.
Think about what your own capabilities are and what kind of weed you want to enjoy. A more complex design may be great for the connoisseur, but if you don’t need the bells & whistles a simpler, less-complex vape pen can make for an excellent choice.
We looked at all of these fields in each of our competing products and have narrowed down the field to what we think are the best, most full-featured values you can find in a vape pen. Let’s get into the list.
THC Vape Pens Reviews
Vessel Vista
TOP SPOT
Pros:
- Luxurious design
- Multiple voltage settings
- Powerful battery
Cons:
- Smaller 6-month warranty offered
- Charging dock not included
- Doesn’t include pass-through charging
Looking for luxury? You’ve found the vape pen for you in the Vessel Vista. This features a protective drop-in design compatible with a wide range of different oil cartridge styles. The battery is 320 mAh, making power never a worry.
With three voltage settings you can go from 2.8 to 3.2 volts, depending on how heavy you want your tokes. Charging is also stylish, adding to the overall luxurious finish, as the Vista uses a magnetic charging cable (compatible with the charging dock also sold by Vessel).
PCKT VRTCL
PCKT POWER
Pros:
- Available in multiple colors
- 510 thread compatible
- Technology eliminates any chance of coil burn
Cons:
- Smaller 6-month warranty offered
- Charging dock not included
- No pass-through charging
For smokers looking for a strong and stylish oil vape pen, the PCKT VRTCL is perfect.
The VRTCL has five different voltage settings and a powerful 380 mAh lithium-ion battery that is over twice the size of more compact pens like the Kandypens Slim kit.
This cannabis oil pen provides consistent hits that are smooth and enjoyable but also won’t burn out the coil on your vape pen. The PCKT VRTCL pen is compatible with SPRK cartridges as well as the more popular 510 threaded oil carts.
Overall we found the PCKT VRTCL has the same performances as the PCKT One Plus but in a slimmer and more attractive finish.
DaVinci – Miqro
CLEAN FLAVOR
Pros:
- Ceramic chamber produces better flavor
- Compact design
- Powerful battery
Cons:
- The display is sometimes hard to read
- Longer conduction times
A small, sleek, and sophisticated dry herb weed pen, the DaVinci Miqro is a powerhouse amongst other herb vaporizers on the market. The luxury craftsmanship and added features make this one of the best weed pens on our list.
Conduction heating technology is combined with a ceramic chamber and a zirconium airflow system to provide a better flavor with each toke. There are different settings, such as the manual and curated pull options to enjoy, but overall, this is a very easy-to-use weed pen for dry herbs.
Firefly – Firefly 2 Plus
FIREFLY FAST
Pros:
- Fast heating times
- Lots of added extras available
Cons:
- Small battery life
- Expensive
The FireFly is one of the most popular pens amongst younger crowds and the most likely to be seen at festivals or the beach. T
hese THC vape pens are made for a little luxury in each toke, featuring a convection-based heating element that provides warming and cooling cycles with each puff.
Though as mentioned this is a convection-based THC vape pen, that doesn’t mean you’ll need to wait a while for things to heat up. After just 3 seconds your FireFly vape pen will heat up; this is five times quicker than most other THC vape pens, including the Pax 3.
This vape pen is a good size, with no intentions of being hidden, which is important to note if stealth is a priority. Otherwise, with just a press of a button, you can be on your way to smoking the best weed wax or dry herb.
PAX Labs – PAX 3
EASY & TIRELESS
Pros:
- User-friendly design
- Long-lasting use
- Compact design
- Available in different colors.
Cons:
- The battery isn’t removable
- Small-sized chamber
- Dry herb only
For brand recognition and trust, it’s hard to top Pax Labs. In the weed vape pen world Pax is among the most popular brands around, and with good reason. This conduction-based vape pen uses advanced technology in a user-friendly way that looks amazing.
In just 15 seconds, the Pax 3 will heat up and last for a 1.5-hour session, and, when you’re finished, the compact design allows you to hide it away easily. The Pax is available in lots of different colors to suit anyone’s style, and extra accessories are available if you want the best vape experience possible.
Note: This vape pen only takes dry herb, and cannot be used with THC oil.
G Pen – ELITE
LARGEST CAPACITY
Pros:
- Multiple time-controlled settings
- LED Display screen
- Micro USB charging
- Largest ceramic chamber
- Adjustable Temp, 200-428F
Cons:
- Not the best battery life, 12-15 activations on full charge
The G Pen Elite is a great all-rounder in the vape pen world. You can completely adjust the settings to fit you, making it one of the most versatile weed vape pens on our list.
The GPen Elite is Grenco’s best seller, for good reason. The large, bright LED display provides you fully customizable temperature ranges, from 200F to 428F, for vaping at any temperature you want to boil those terpenes at.
It’s got the largest ceramic chamber on the market at .11 cubic inches, so if you hate refilling your vape all the time, this is a great option for you. The battery life isn’t quite as good as some others, simply because it’s larger and more powerful (heats up in just 30sec), but overall, this is a great option.
Linx Vapor – Hermes 3
PRO USERS CHOICE
Pros:
- Medical-grade materials
- Compatible with thin and thick THC oil
- Ceramic heating chamber
Cons:
- It doesn’t charge with USB or Micro USB
- Expensive
If you want a more advanced oil vape pen, the Hermes 3 from Linx Vapor is a great choice. This THC vape pen gives you plenty of options, and is also compatible with thin and thick THC oil, but it’s lack of USB charging might be a deal-breaker for some.
This vape pen is one of the most efficient pens on the market, using a ceramic heating element and vapor path construction, all at a medical-grade level. Enjoy tasty large clouds powered by the 290 mAh battery. This oil vape pen holds 0.5ml of oil at a time.
Kandypens – Slim Kit
BEST ON A BUDGET
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Powerful battery
- Great with thick THC oil
Cons:
- Feels a little cheap
If you’re looking for a slim, stylish, and stealthy THC vape pen, the Kandypens Slim Kit is a great choice.
Powered by a 180 mAh battery and featuring a 0.5ml tank, this is ideal for shorter vaping sessions. The compact size is discreet in your pocket and only adds more to the sleek design. These weed oil pens offer especially great performance using thick oils.
Wrapping Up
As with any type of substantial purchase we recommend doing research before buying a new vape pen.
We recommend first setting a price limit, and then using that to decide what features & extras match your own personal needs. You don’t need a vape pen with all the bells and whistles if you like to get lightly medicated after work; likewise, if you’re a medical marijuana patient or a more serious stoner, spending the extra cash on a more fancy (and potentially reliable) unit can be worth the price tag.
It’s also worth finding out if there are any warranties on the vape pen models you’re considering, to keep yourself protected in case of damage or faulty construction. Check for handling or shipping fees as well, as these can add up; purchasing your new vaporizer at your local dispensary may save you a few dollars over ordering it online.
If you are paying for shipping, though, consider throwing in a few added extras – Many sites will allow you to qualify for free shipping once your cart reaches a certain total. Accessories can enhance your smoking experience and let you get the most out of your vaporizer; grinders are great for dry herb vaping enthusiasts, while skillet tools can keep things clean and tidy.
Most of all, enjoy your weed. No matter the cannabis product, enjoy responsibly and stay medicated. Happy vaping!