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The Best Weed Vaporizer – Our Top Picks & Reviews (2022)

High There

By High There

January 30, 2022

A vaporizer is your gateway to the fascinating world of cannabis vaping. It’s one of the best ways to enjoy your favorite strains and concentrates, but how do you know which weed vaporizer is going to be right for you?

Today, we’ll be answering this question by teaching you all the basics – From what a vaporizer is to what features you should be on the hunt for – and highlighting what we think are some of the very best vaping devices available on the market. So kick back, relax, and read on to find out more.

What is a Weed Vaporizer?

A weed vaporizer is a device that heats up cannabis material until its active ingredients turn to vapor. The cannabinoid-infused vapor is then inhaled by the user, typically with potent effects.

Unlike smoking, a vaporizer never burns the cannabis. Vaping usually offers a cleaner and smoother experience than smoking, which many cannabis enthusiasts prefer. Weed vaporizers can be loaded up with dry herb or concentrates making them suitable for all types of consumers.

A man wearing a suit uses a vaporizer near the train, by Nicholas Free via iStock

What Can You Vape?

Flower

Dry herb vaporizers let you enjoy your favorite strains exactly how they come. Simply grind up some nugs, whack them in your chamber, and you’ll be inhaling your bud in no time. Consuming your flower in this way is extremely efficient when compared to a traditional smoking method.

You can even use your “already-vaped-bud” (AVB) to make relaxing teas or tasty edibles. Dry herb vaping is by far one of the best ways to enjoy flower and is a great way to mix up your consumption.

Concentrates

You can vape cannabis concentrates too! It doesn’t matter whether you’re a wax, hash, or rosin lover, you’ll be able to enjoy your favorite extract with a vaporizer. As long as you choose a product with a chamber that is designed for concentrates, you can load your material straight in.

Vaping concentrates can often be an intense and exciting experience. If you’re an extract lover, then you have to try out a vape for yourself.

Our Criteria

In order to put together our list of the best weed vaporizers, we compared a large number of products from all of the leading manufacturers in the industry. Many solid devices didn’t make it to this list, which demonstrates just how special the ones we selected are.

When judging the vaporizers we took into account a number of factors, from build quality to value for money. We made the same considerations that any vaporizer buyer should be thinking about (check out the “What to Look For in a Vaporizer below)

With all of this in mind, here are our top three cannabis vaporizer recommendations;

Our Top Three Choices

Overall Best Pick: Storz & Bickel Mighty

With stunning vapor production and impressive build quality, the Mighty from Storz & Bickel is our number one weed vaporizer pick.

Best Dual Vape: Crafty+

If you like to dabble in dry flower and concentrates, then the Crafty+ is an excellent choice.

For the Smoothest Vaping: Firefly 2+

If a clean, silky-smooth experience is what you’re after, then you might not need to look any further than the Firefly 2+.

What to Look For in a Weed Vaporizer

There are hundreds of weed vaporizers on the market today, which makes it pretty hard to choose which to buy. When you’re spending your hard-earned cash on any product, it’s important that you know exactly what to look out for to ensure you’re buying a top-quality product.

In this section, we’re going to give you a rundown of the key vaporizer features and design elements that you should always be considering.

Build quality

Build quality is undoubtedly the biggest thing that separates the best weed vaporizers from the rest. A vape that is built to a high standard will be durable, enjoyable to use, and will perform as intended. A product that takes shortcuts with cheap materials will produce poorer vapor quality and is unlikely to last for a long time.

Portability

There are various different types of weed vapes around, from large desktop vaporizers to slimline vape pens. The type you choose will depend on how often you want to take your vaporizer out and about.

Many vaping lovers will have a desktop rig for home use and a portable dry herb vaporizer to get their fix on the go. But if you have to choose one, then we’d recommend picking up a portable device. They are much more versatile and can be used anytime, anywhere.

Discretion

Even though cannabis consumption is becoming more and more socially acceptable, you might not want everyone around you to know that you’re puffing on some dank buds. For this reason, choosing a vaporizer that offers a reasonable level of discretion is important.

A discreet vaporizer could be one that is small and portable or one that doesn’t produce massive clouds when you exhale. There are plenty of products around that take discretion seriously, so be sure to look for those if it’s an important factor to you. 

Of course, if you’re only going to be vaping in private or places where you don’t need to be discreet, then this isn’t going to be a major concern.

Ease-of-use

A great weed vaporizer makes enjoying cannabis as straightforward as possible. There’s no need to spend time rolling up a joint, instead, you can just whack your material in the chamber and inhale the smooth goodness immediately.

To ensure that you can reap these rewards, it’s important that your vaporizer is easy to use. A vape with loads of controls and buttons can lose the magic that makes it so great. The very best weed vapes are those with plenty of features that are intuitively controlled.

Budget

Whenever you’re making an investment in a product, setting a budget is always a great idea. Trawling through every vaporizer on the market would take forever and deciding how much you want to spend is an easy way to narrow down your options.

Luckily for us, there are amazing weed vaporizers available at practically every price point. Working on a tight budget is no reason to miss out on a high-quality product.

Warranty

If you’re buying a great vaporizer from a reliable manufacturer, then it’s highly unlikely that you’re going to have any problems with your device. But it’s still important to have some protection in place in the off chance that you do run into a manufacturer defect.

The length of warranties varies quite dramatically across the vaping market. Desktop vaporizers will typically have the longest guarantees, thanks to their “fixed location” nature.  Portable vaporizers should also come with a warranty, albeit a less comprehensive one.

It’s worth pointing out that a warranty does not necessarily cover every part of the vaporizer. For example, most manufacturer warranties won’t cover glass parts as these can be easily broken by the user. Be sure to read through warranty terms carefully to know what cover you’re getting.

Best Weed Vaporizers

Mighty Dry Herb Vaporizer by Storz & Bickel

Storz & Bickel Mighty

Best All-Rounder

  • Extremely well built
  • Uses both convection & conduction heating
  • Not suitable for use with extracts

1.) Storz & Bickel Mighty

Our first recommendation is the Storz & Bickel Mighty. This device is one of the most popular weed vaporizers on the market, and it’s easy to see why. The Mighty features outstanding build-quality and attention to detail – you know as soon as you pick it up that you’re going to have an amazing vaping experience.

Storz & Bickel have integrated a unique heating system into the Mighty. The vaporizer uses a combination of convection and conduction in its chamber, bringing the best of both worlds together. With this arrangement, you can expect even vapor production at the same time as precise temperature control.

The Mighty has a lot of power packed into its pocket-sized casing. Two premium lithium batteries provide the juice for the vaporizer and last for whole days between charges. If you do find yourself without charge, then you can use the Mighty while it’s plugged into the wall, without sacrificing on performance.

The Mighty is a dedicated dry herb vaporizer, so isn’t suitable for anyone looking to vape concentrates. If dry flower is your thing, then you’re unlikely to find a better, more durable device anywhere else on the market.

Pax 3 Vaporizer

PAX 3

Most Stylish

  • Slim, sleek and sexy
  • Highly portable with impressive battery life
  • Not the largest oven capacity

2.) PAX 3

The PAX 3 is probably the only product on this list that can compete with the Mighty’s popularity. For many people, the PAX 3 might actually be the better choice. This is because it allows users to vaporize both dried herb and concentrates in its heating chamber.

A vaporizer that works with both types of cannabis material is known as “dual-use”, and we’ve included a few of them here. The PAX 3 might well be the best of the bunch though and is definitely a premium, high-quality device.

The vaporizer is extremely streamlined and portable. It’s easily small enough to slip into a pocket and offers a great level of discretion. With the PAX 3, you can enjoy a quick hit wherever you are. Its quick heating element ensures that vapor is generated immediately as you inhale.

Even though the PAX 3 is small in stature, the manufacturers have managed to squeeze in some formidable rechargeable batteries. The device can accommodate multiple vaping sessions before it needs a top-up, and charges up rapidly once it’s plugged in.

The best way to use the PAX 3 is with its companion app. Using a smartphone, you can finely tune your vaporizer to match your needs. You get the chance to pick between 5 different “Dynamic Modes”, each offering different vapor styles. For example, the Stealth mode minimizes cloud production while maintaining potency.

The PAX 3 is a product that we highly recommend. It’s a vaporizer that’s suitable for practically everyone, whether you’re looking for a portable solution or a way to enjoy your favorite concentrates.

Arizer Solo II Dry Herb Vape

Arizer Solo II

Longest Battery Life

  • Great price point
  • Dual-use
  • Loading the bowl can be fiddly

3.) Arizer Solo II

If you’re in need of a vaporizer that can hold its own over long sessions, then the Arizer Solo II could be perfect for you. Offering up to three hours of use per charge, the vaporizer has more than enough juice to get you through the day.

The Solo II is a relatively affordable device, but that hasn’t stopped Arizer from packing it with features. A full glass vapor path, patented hybrid heating and custom temperature settings are just a few of the ways that the manufacturer has tried to separate this product out from the crowd.

The hybrid heating system is particularly interesting and is comparable to the one featured in the Mighty. Convection and conduction heating is combined in a way that gets the very most out of your material. Not only does this improve the vapor quality, but also saves you money in the long run.

If you do get your hands on the Solo II, then we’d recommend playing around with the custom temperature settings. The temperature used in the oven can have a big impact on the flavor and harshness of the vapor. By taking some time to dial in the temperature settings, you can get the vapor exactly how you want it.

The Arizer Solo II definitely competes with some of the best portable vaporizer products on the market today. Better yet, it does this at a great price point and is a solid option for anyone trying to get into the game on a budget.

Planet of the Vapes ONE Vaporizer

Planet of the Vapes ONE

Best Budget Vape

  • Fantastic performance on a budget
  • Flavorsome vapor
  • Might be too simple for some enthusiasts

4.) Planet of the Vapes ONE

The hilariously named Planet of the Vapes ONE is a much more sophisticated vaporizer than its title might suggest. But the most striking element of the PoTV ONE is its price point – you’ll struggle to find another device with this feature set going for a similar amount.

The ONE is really well designed from both a technical and an aesthetic standpoint. It has a simple silicone body with a mouthpiece at the top, and everything seems to work flawlessly. The air path is completely sealed away from any electronics and you can just tell that the design has been carefully thought through.

This vaporizer uses convection heating, which again is impressive for a budget device. A convection vape heats up the air around the cannabis material rather than the material itself. The resulting vapor is smooth, evenly extracted, and packed with flavor.

With an overall size that is smaller than most devices, the ONE is a super-portable vaping solution. The fact that the ONE is able to perform so well at this size and price point is staggering. This alone should be enough to convince you that the Planet of the Vapes ONE is worth a try.

Boundless CFX Vaporizer

Boundless CFX

Easiest to Use

  • Dual-use chamber
  • OLED temperature display
  • Not the most powerful device around

5.) Boundless CFX

Ease-of-use is a big factor when it comes to vaporizing cannabis. The Boundless CFX clearly understands this and has integrated several intuitive features to help improve the user experience.

The CFX is extremely easy to load up, without the need for any specific technique. Its large chamber holds enough material for a whole session but it can also be loaded light without impacting the vapor quality. The chamber is also dual-use so is perfect for flower and concentrate lovers alike.

One of our favorite features of the CFX is its front-facing OLED display. This screen clearly displays the current temperature of the chamber, allowing you to finely control the rate of vapor production. Many vaporizers don’t provide this level of control, so it’s a big advantage that the CFX can.

As far as build quality and durability go, the CFX shouldn’t pose any issues. Boundless is a brand known for using good-quality materials and expert craftsmanship. That reputation carries over to the CFX, which feels extremely solid in the hand.

Overall, we have no hesitation in recommending the Boundless CFX – you get some amazing features and a design that puts the user experience front and center.

Firefly - Firefly 2 Plus

Firefly 2+

Smoothest Action

  • Extremely smooth vapor
  • Small and compact
  • Lack of controls

6.) Firefly 2+

The Firefly 2+ is one of the most well-known weed vaporizers on the market. Its iconic design has generated a huge fan following, and many vaping enthusiasts will tell you that it’s the best portable vaporizer around.

Although we wouldn’t say that it’s the number 1 product on the market, it’s absolutely up there with the best. There’s no experience quite like using a Firefly – it’s extremely easy to fall in love with its design and the vapor it produces.

One of the best features of the 2+ is its “Dynamic Convection” heating chamber. Where the majority of vaporizers use a single temperature to heat up the cannabis, the 2+ heats across a range of temperatures with every inhalation. The resulting vapor is clean, smooth, and very potent.

The heating system isn’t the only area where the Firefly 2+ takes a unique approach – its design and layout also differ from what you’d expect. The device is extremely compact and small enough to conceal in the palm. It doesn’t have any controls – all you have to do is inhale.

The lack of controls may be a drawback for some people, but others may love the simplicity. In truth, you’ll struggle to find a more well-built, high-performing, and fun portable vaporizer anywhere else on the market.

DynaVap M Vaporizer

DynaVap M

Best for Microdosing

  • Clever design
  • Small bowl sizes for microdosing
  • Fully manual operation

7.) DynaVap M

The M from DynaVap is the brand’s flagship portable vaporizer. It’s another device with a unique design that is aiming to improve the user experience as much as possible. You’ll be glad to know that DynaVap M manages to achieve this goal with flying colors.

The main thing you need to know about the DynaVap M is that it is a fully manual portable vaporizer. This means that there are no batteries or electronics involved anywhere in the device. It is effectively a thin metal tube, which vaporizes material when you heat the end up with a lighter.

Of course, the technology involved is more complicated than this, but that’s the basic idea. Even though you need a heat source to operate the vape, it’s surprisingly easy to use. That said, we can’t recommend the DynaVap M to anyone who’s looking for a battery-powered, automatic vaporizer.

The DynaVap bowl has two loading settings – 0.1 grams and 0.05 grams. This makes it ideal for micro-dosing and consuming small amounts of weed while on the move. The small bowl size definitely means the M is more of a personal device though.

Boundless CF Vaporizer

Boundless CF

Best Value for Money

  • Packed with technology from the larger CFX
  • Excellent high-capacity ceramic chamber
  • You don’t get the precise temperature control from the CFX

8.) Boundless CF

We’ve already discussed Boundless’s most popular product, the CFX. Now it’s time to investigate its little brother. The Boundless CF takes all the great technology from the CFX but downsizes it into a more compact and affordable package.

With the CF you can expect the same high-quality materials, dual-use chamber, and vaping modes featured on the CFX. The main difference is the removal of the OLED display, which has been replaced by 5 LED lights on the CF. These lights accurately indicate the level of the heating chamber but don’t allow for the same amount of precise temperature control as with the CFX.

By removing the screen, Boundless has been able to take around an inch of height off the device. Many users might actually prefer the compact sizing of the CF and would be willing to give up the display for it. You can easily slip the CF into a pocket without it feeling bulky.

Like the CFX, the Boundless CF is a dual-use device. The chamber can be loaded up with dry herb or extracts before being vaporized using a combination of conduction and convection methods. The heating system was one of the best things about the CFX model, so it’s great to see a similar design here.

The battery is another highlight of the device. It can generate enough power to get the chamber up to temperature in just 20 seconds. Boundless claims that you’ll get around 15 vaping sessions out of every charge, which is certainly impressive.

The CF is definitely one to consider if you’re in the market for a reliable, high-quality portable vaporizer.

Crafty+ Vaporizer by Storz & Bickel

Crafty+

Best for Fast Charging

  • USB-C charging system
  • Rugged design
  • There are more powerful vaporizers around

9.) Crafty+

The Crafty+ is another product from portable vaporizer masters Storz & Bickel. We named their Mighty vape the “best all-rounder” in our list and the Crafty+ is just as innovative and exciting. It’s a device that puts durability and ruggedness at the forefront without ever sacrificing on performance.

As soon as you catch a glimpse of the Crafty+, you know that it means business. It has a chunky casing that looks bomb-proof and a mouthpiece that slides away into the top for protection. The Crafty+ is undoubtedly built for adventures and is probably the best device around for outdoor lovers.

Storz & Bickel continuously draw attention to the Crafty’s quick charging capabilities. We’d definitely agree that this is one of the vaporizer’s biggest selling points – thanks to a USB-C charging port, the Crafty can be fully recharged in 25 minutes.

The Crafty+ offers three different pre-set temperature modes to suit different material and user preferences. Some users may want more control over the heating temperature than this, but for a highly portable device, you can’t really ask for much more.

With great airflow and a carefully designed delivery system, the vaping experience is impressive. The Crafty+ sometimes ends up in the shadow of the Mighty, but we think it’s a great option that should be considered by everyone.

Sticky Brick Hydrobrick Maxx Vaporizer

Sticky Brick Hydrobrick Maxx

Best Artisanal Product

  • Extremely smooth vapor
  • Small and compact
  • Lack of controls

10.) Sticky Brick Hydrobrick Maxx

The Hydrobrick Maxx is officially a desktop vaporizer, but it doesn’t require a power supply and is definitely portable enough to take out and about. The device has a very unique, super fun design that we absolutely adore. If you’re in the market for something a little bit different, then this vaporizer from Sticky Brick is for you.

The Hydrobrick is a torch-powered vape that uses a system of glass tubes to deliver the final produces. The vapor that it produces is exceptional and is exactly what you’d expect from a high-quality desktop device. You can load it up with all types of cannabis material, from flower to hash to shatter.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about the Hydrobrick MAXX is its build quality. Constructed from natural hardwood and Simax Borosilicate glass, the device is truly a pleasure to use. High build quality also improves durability and the Hydrobrick does feel like it could last a lifetime.

The Sticky Brick Hydrobrick Maxx is definitely a one-off product but it doesn’t rely on its gimmicks. Instead, it’s a brilliant vaporizer that can get the very most out of your cannabis material.

AirVape X Vaporizer

AirVape X

Most Discreet for Dual Use

  • Extremely smooth vapor
  • Small and compact
  • Lack of controls

11.) AirVape X

For a lot of cannabis lovers, staying discrete is a concern. If this is you, then the AirVape X might be the ideal solution. The X has an impressively thin and lightweight design, which makes it very portable and easy to carry around.

Despite the sleek design of the X, AirVape has managed to integrate a range of vaping features. For example, it has a large chamber that is compatible with dry herb, oils, and concentrates. It’s great to be able to experiment with different cannabis material without needing multiple vaping devices.

The battery life is another area where the AirVape X shines. The battery needs just an hour of charging before it’s fully juiced, and can provide multiple sessions of use on a single charge. If you do find yourself running low on battery, there’s no need to worry – the X can still be used whilst it’s charging up.

The AirVape X is definitely a compelling product and is one we have no trouble recommending to cannabis lovers.

FlowerMate V5 Pro Portable Vaporizer

FlowerMate V5 Pro Portable Vaporizer

Most Durable

  • Simple yet durable design
  • Dual-use
  • Not as many features as other options

12.) FlowerMate V5 Pro Portable Vaporizer

The final product we have to show you is the FlowerMate V5. This affordable portable vaporizer is a simple device but it does everything it needs to. It’s also very durable, which is the main reason why it made it onto our list.

With a dual-use oven, all types of cannabis enthusiasts can enjoy the FlowerMate V5. What’s more, thanks to its digital temperature control and fast heat-up time, it’s super easy to use. You’ll never find yourself struggling to get it working properly.

The V5 has a fold-away mouthpiece and sleek overall layout. This goes to show that portability was a big concern to FlowerMate when they were designing the device. It also comes with a velvet carry case for extra protection.

The Different Types of Vaporizer

Weed vaporizers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are designed for home use and others are better for taking out and about. The type of vaporizer you choose all comes down to your personal situation and where you’re going to be using your vape the most.

Let’s take a closer look at the different types of vaporizers on the market and explain the advantages and drawbacks of each.

A woman exhaling a cloud of vapor, by Ernestovdp via Pixabay

Convection vs Conduction Heating

One of the most-discussed topics in the world of cannabis vaping is conduction vs convection heating. These are two different methods used to heat up the cannabis material and transmit the active ingredients into the vapor.

The heating method can have a surprisingly big impact on the quality of vapor production, so it’s important to be clued up when you’re choosing between the two.

A conduction vaporizer transfers heat to the material directly. This is achieved by using a heating element, which the cannabis is placed in contact with. As the element warms up, the heat is transferred throughout the material and the cannabinoids start to vaporize.

A convection vaporizer takes a different approach. Instead of applying direct heat to the material, this type of oven heats the air around the cannabis instead. As this warm air is circulated, terpenes and cannabinoids are drawn into the vapor ready to be inhaled.

It’s generally accepted that convection vaporizers are the more premium choice. This is because the material is heated up evenly, resulting in a smoother vapor. Efficiency is also better with a convection device – a conducting system damages any terpenes that are touching the heating element, which then can’t make their way into the vapor.

Conduction vaporizers do hold some advantages though. They offer more precise temperature control and heat up faster than convection alternatives. They are also often the cheaper option. There are some excellent conduction products on the market at the moment, including the Arizer Solo II, which we reviewed above for you.

Tabletop Vaporizers

Tabletop vaporizers are typically the most powerful and feature-packed devices. They are not designed to be portable, which means they can have bigger and heavier designs. With a tabletop vaporizer, you can expect very high performance and high-quality vapor.

Thanks to their additional size, the majority of tabletop vaporizers have room for a dual-use oven. This means that they can be used to consume cannabis concentrates as well as dried flower. For the home vaper who enjoys mixing up their material, there’s really no better piece of kit than a tabletop vaporizer.

The incorporation of technology is a big reason why vaping enthusiasts are attracted to tabletop devices. By giving users a fine amount of control over the vapor production, tabletop machines can be configured to specifically match their preferences. Some of the best weed vaporizers even let you adjust the inhale style and cloud size.

Tabletop vaporizers are able to achieve all of this thanks to their lack of restrictions on size and weight. But this is their main drawback too. You have to find a space large enough to house it and you can’t take it with you when you go out. For this reason, you’re probably better off picking up a portable device first, and looking to get a tabletop vaporizer later on down the line.

Portable Vaporizers

Portable vaporizers are what people usually imagine when they think of weed vaping. Portable vapes are exceptionally flexible and practical devices, allowing users to get their weed fix wherever they happen to be. As technology has advanced over recent years, manufacturers have been able to pack more and more features into their portable products.

The best portable vapes are those that offer incredible performance without making any sacrifices when it comes to size and weight. There are plenty of devices out there that fit this description, and we included a number of them in our best weed vaporizer list above.

Despite being much smaller than their tabletop counterparts, some portable vaporizers actually have a dual-use heating oven. As we said above, this allows you to vaporize concentrates or herbs using the same weed vape.

Portable vaporizers are usually powered by a rechargeable battery, which is attached to a heating element and ceramic chamber. Since these vapes have a very modular (replaceable components) setup, you always have plenty of upgrade options.

In our opinion, picking up a high-quality portable vaporizer is the best option for anyone looking to get into the game. Their versatility is unmatched, and they the best devices offer performance that’s not too different from desktop vaporizers.

Vape Pens

Vape pens are a type of portable vaporizer that is slimmed down as much as possible to maximize discretion and portability. Vape pens typically have a limited feature set and are made to do one job. You shouldn’t expect to find many dual-use pens on the market, for example.

This doesn’t mean they can’t be a great solution though. There are loads of situations where you want a hit, but don’t want to whip out your chunky, big-cloud generating machine. Vape pens are absolutely ideal for traveling and will easily slip into a bag or pocket.

The majority of vape pens are filled with THC or CBD oil. They work in a similar way to e-cigarettes and can be topped up with fresh juice at any time. Some vape pens can be use with cannabis flower, though, and are referred to as “dry herb vape pens”; these pens may be used with either concentrates, flower, or occasionally both, but it’s best to check your manufacturer’s guide to make sure before using.

Pros and Cons of Vaping Weed

Advantages

Discrete

Anyone who’s smoked cannabis will be well aware of the pungent aroma that it produces. Although vaping weed is not completely scent-free, the smell is nothing in comparison. It’s possible to enjoy a casual vape without attracting any unwanted attention.

Portable vaporizers can also be slipped into a pocket or bag with ease. When you smoke weed, you’ve got to worry about rolling papers, your grinder, lighters, and anything else you need. All this can be hard to conceal, but a vaper has everything they need in one convenient package.

Convenience

Speaking of convenience, vaporizers (and vape pens in particular) offer an extremely easy way to enjoy cannabis products. Many vape pens come pre-installed with an oil cartridge. Once you’ve vaped all the juice, you either chuck the whole thing away or refill it in a matter of seconds.

Preparing to smoke a joint or bowl takes some time and can be a hassle. Although this ritual can be enjoyable, it’s nice to be able to press a button, inhale, and enjoy your cannabis instantly.

Stronger, more delicate flavors

When you burn cannabis for smoking, it loses a lot of its natural flavors and can become thick and harsh. The vaping process simply heats the material and doesn’t burn it, meaning the flavor-packed terpenes and cannabinoids are left undamaged.

The resulting vapor is often very flavorsome and closely reflects the source material that was put in. This lets you enjoy the delicate tastes of your favorite strains without them being masked by bitter smoke.

More potent

Following on from the last benefit, the retention of terpenes and cannabinoids leads to very potent vapor. This can lead to powerful experiences that really show off the potential that cannabis has. The potency only increases when you switch out flower for high-THC concentrates.

Efficient use of your material

Vaping is probably the most efficient way to consume cannabis. Vaping keeps your material intact for much longer periods, allowing more cannabinoids and terpenes to get released from the flower. As a result, far less of the material is wasted. Getting the most out of your weed is always great – and your wallet will thank you in the long run, too.

As most vaping enthusiasts will know, the fun doesn’t end once you’ve vaped your flower. Already-vaped-bud (AVB), is likely to still contain some cannabinoids. It can be used to make tea or baked into delicious edibles. In terms of bang-for-your-buck, vaping usually comes out on top.

Potentially fewer negative health effects

Although the research into vaping cannabis products is limited, many experts agree that vaping avoids some of the more serious concerns

. Of course, this is potentially a big benefit and is one of the reasons why more and more cannabis lovers are switching to vaping.

Drawbacks

Potency can be too much for some

The potency that vaping offers is one of its biggest benefits, but it can also be a drawback. For beginners vaping can be very intense and should be approached with caution. You don’t want to overdo it the first time and be put off the experience forever.

that new or infrequent vapers were more likely to experience more intense negative effects than they would from smoking. Don’t let this put you off, though – as long as you treat your cannabis with respect and know your limits you’ll always have a super fun time.

Vaping tools require maintenance

Unlike a joint, which is chucked away when you’ve finished smoking, a vaporizer is used repeatedly. Keeping your vape clean is essential to ensure that it’s performing at its best and producing the clean, flavorful vapor that we want.

Cleaning a vaporizer isn’t always straightforward, and you’ll have to put some time aside for the process. You don’t need to clean your vape every time you use it but it’s definitely worth giving it a once over as regularly as possible.

Initial investment required

Many of the best vaporizers aren’t cheap. Getting into the vaping game typically requires a reasonable initial investment. This is always something to consider if you’re weighing up the benefits of smoking joints and switching to vaping.

But thanks to the efficiency of vaporizers, in the long run, you’ll start to claw this investment back. To benefit from this, you need to make sure you’re buying a high-quality, reliable vape that isn’t going to let you down in the near future.

A senior woman enjoys an electronic cigarette-style vaporizer, by danchooalex via iStock

FAQs

Is conduction or convection vape better?

Conduction and convection are the two main methods used to heat cannabis material inside a vaporizer. Conduction is where heat is transferred directly through the material, via a heating element. With a convection vape, the air around the material is heated and circulated, which warms the cannabis in turn.

In general, convection is considered to be the better heating option. Since the hot air surrounds the material, it’s able to heat up and vaporize more evenly. This results in smoother vapor, and less wasted material at the end.

Additionally, a heating element will usually destroy any of the terpenes that are in contact with it. This stops the terpenes from being able to boil off at the correct temperature, ultimately reducing the potency of the vapor.

Although convection is the better heating method, conduction vaporizers can still provide a great vaping experience. This is especially true if you’re using high-quality cannabis. A conduction vape is also likely to be more affordable than a convection alternative.

What vaporizer is the best?

With so many great desktop and portable vaporizers available on the market, it’s pretty hard to say which one is best. In our list of the top weed vaporizers above, we gave our “Best All-Rounder” award to the Mighty from Storz & Bickel.

The Mighty is an extremely popular dry herb vaporizer and it’s easy to see why. With a powerful convection oven, extended battery life, and portable dimensions, Storz & Bickel have created an almost flawless product.

With that said, a vaporizer that’s perfect for one person might not be the best for another. Some people might be working on a budget, or looking for a dual-use design. When you’re choosing the best weed vaporizer for you, it’s important to think carefully about the features you want to prioritize.

Which vaporizer is the healthiest?

A “healthy” vaporizer is one that produces clean vapor that’s free from combustion particulates. It should also be made out of very high-quality materials – Vaporizers made from cheap plastic can introduce toxic fumes into the vapor as the materials heat up.

With this in mind, a vaporizer that springs to mind is the Firefly 2+. This exceptional product is one of our absolute favorites and is loved by everyone who gets their hands on it.

The Firefly is unique in that it’s an “on-demand” convection vaporizer. This means that the material is only heated when you’re about to inhale, minimizing the chance of any unwanted contaminants making their way into the vapor.

If you want to be sure that your vaping experience is going to be as safe as possible, then the best thing you can do is invest in a high-quality product. All of the vaporizers featured in our list above fit this bill perfectly.

Are dry herb vaporizers better than concentrate vaporizers?

Concentrate vaporizers, more commonly known as dab pens, allow the user to enjoy cannabis concentrates such as hash or wax while they’re on the move. As you might expect, the vapor from a dab pen is extremely potent.

If you know that you’re going to be vaporizing concentrates, then it’s essential to look for a vape that’s built for the job.

Although it’s true that some traditional products can only vaporize flower, many of the best dry herb vaporizers can also be used for concentrates. These kinds of vapes are known as “dual-use” and we included a number of them in our list.

Which dry herb vape should I buy?

As we’ve already mentioned, there are loads of great options when it comes to weed high-quality vaporizers. Vaping technology has progressed massively over recent years, which means there are more ways than ever to enjoy your favorite strain or concentrate.

The Mighty from Storz & Bickel has had plenty of love already during this article, but it’s always worth mentioning again. The PAX 3 and Arizer Solo II are some other fantastic options, while budget-focused consumers might be interested in the Planet Of The Vapes ONE.

Choosing the right vape is all about deciding which features you want to prioritize. If you know that you’re going to be using your vape on the move then you can immediately narrow your search to portable dry herb vaporizer options, for example. Be sure to think carefully about what you need before you jump into a purchase.

Final Thoughts

So, it’s time to wrap up. It’s clear that there’s plenty to be thinking about when you’re choosing which weed vaporizer to buy. As long as you take some time to understand what’s on the market and the features that you need, then you shouldn’t have any problems securing the perfect product.

Happy vaping!

Looking for more of our picks on the best vaporizers you can find? Check out our other Best-In-Show review roundups for more great recommendations!

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About The Author

High There

HIGH THERE MISSION

WE’RE A CREATIVE COMMUNITY — EXPLORING THE SCIENCE, CRAFT, AND CULTURE OF CANNABIS.
WE BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE A COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS ERADICATING THE STIGMA, MISINFORMATION, AND INEQUITIES SURROUNDING THIS PLANT, SO WE CAN UNLOCK ITS TRUE POTENTIAL FOR ALL.