Dab/ Wax Pens
These are the simplest type of extract vaporizers, which means that there are a lot of great vape pens from which to choose, like the KandyPens Crystal (Review | Buy) or Linx Blaze (Review | Buy). No matter which vape pen you get, it will comprise three parts, the battery, the atomizer or coil, and the mouthpiece. The battery and mouthpiece are self-explanatory, but as for the atomizer, that’s where you place your dab and where it gets vaporized.
There are three different types of coil that you can get with vape pens, quartz rod coils, ceramic coils, and quartz coils; each of them affects the vaping experience in different ways. Vape pens have voltage settings instead of temperature settings, though higher voltage settings do correlate to higher temperatures. Wax pens will also have three or four preset voltage settings rather than granular control, which helps contribute to their simplicity and ease-of-use.
Related: What is the best temperature for wax vaping?, Types of extract coils
PROS
- Very easy to use
- Discreet & Portable
- Different atomizer types give different vaping experiences
CONS
- Lack of precise temperature
- Need constant reloading
Concentrate Straws
These go by many different names like Honey Straws, Concentrate Straws, or Vertical Vaporizers, but whatever they are called, they all work the same way. They are similar in form and function to vape pens, but the main difference is that instead of putting the wax into the device, you dip the device into the wax. The heating element is on the opposite side to the mouthpiece. The heating element is dipped into the wax and the vapor travels through the device and into the mouthpiece.
Even though they are similar in size to Dab Pens, they are less portable friendly because of the need for a container to hold the wax. Despite those shortcomings, concentrate straws are great for beginner extract vapers, provided that they don’t mind vaping at home.
Related: What is a honey straw?
PROS
- Simple to use
- Vapor remains cool
- Very efficient with wax
CONS
- Not very portable friendly
- Need to carry around the Wax jar
E-nails/Portable Dab Rigs
E-nails are the most complex and most powerful type of Wax/ Dab vaporizer. Portable dab rigs are a simpler type of e-nail that, while not completely portable, can be held in one hand as they are being used. E-nails like the Dr Dabber Boost (Review) consist of a main body, a nail, and a water bubbler. The nail is where the wax gets vaporized and the bubbler is where you inhale the vapor, both pieces need to be connected to the e-nail before it can be used.
The nail can be made of ceramic, titanium, or quartz and you get a different vaping experience from each of them. E-nails can reach extremely high temperatures, but the water in the bubbler helps to cool down the vapor. These devices often have precise temperature control and that feature, combined with the choice of nails, means that e-nails are the most customizable type of vaporizer available.
Portable dab rigs such as the Dr Dabber XS (Review | Buy) and Puffco Peak Pro (Review | Buy) have the same components as e-nails but they are all attached to the device so no assembly is required. The exception is the water bubbler, which can easily be attached and removed from the rest of the device.
PROS
- Highly customizable
- Very powerful devices
- Vapor stays cool thanks to the water bubbler
CONS
- Not very portable
- Vapor may be to intense for some users
Pre-filled Oil Cartridges
Oil is another type of extract, one that is more fluid in nature than wax, which means that Dab/ Wax pens won’t work for this substance. That is why oil comes in pre-filled cartridges. Those cartridges are disposable and have a mouthpiece on one end and a 510 threaded connection on the other.
That means pre-filled cartridges, like the Hemp Bombs CBD Oil, need to be attached to a battery before they can be used. Those batteries sometimes have some sort of minimal voltage selection but they are not complicated devices because oil vaping is meant to be fast, simple, and convenient. That is why oil cartridges are one of the more popular methods of extract vaping.
PROS
- Very convenient, nothing to fill or load
- Vapor is light and tasty
- Discreet
CONS
- You need a battery to make them work
- Vapor may be not potent enough for some users
Disposable Vape Pens
These are devices that have the cartridge and the battery in one convenient device, which means that, unlike pre-filled cartridges, you don’t need to get a separate device to enjoy the oil. These devices are the ultimate in convenience because absolutely no preparations or calibrations are necessary, you just take a hit from the pen whenever you want. Once it is empty you simply throw it away, no need to worry about any refills.
However, if you are the type who likes to fiddle around with your battery to get the perfect voltage setting, then you will be left in the dark with disposable vape pens. If that doesn’t bother you, then be sure to get yourself a disposable vape pen like a Choice CBD or Medix CBD Oil.
PROS
- Superior convenience
- No secondary device needed
- No calibrations necessary
CONS
- No customization options
- Can be expensive in the long run
Final Thoughts
So, which vaporizer should you get? If you are interested in wax and want to start slow, then get a vape pen or a concentrate straw. If you want intensity and lots of customization, then an e-nail is your best choice.
If you are more interested in oil vaping and want a hassle-free experience, then a disposable vape pen is for you. However, pre-filled cartridges are better for you if you like having more heating and cartridge options. As you can see, there is an extract vaporizer out there for you no matter what your preferences are.
