Types of Weed Pens: Your Guide to Vapes, Dab Pens, & Dry Herb
A classic joint might seem hard to beat, but these days, you can find so many new and exciting ways to get high.
Whether you’re experienced in the world of cannabis or are a newbie who doesn’t know where to start, a weed pen might be the perfect fit for your needs. These nifty devices are made up of a battery, heating element (a.k.a. the “atomizer”), cartridge or reservoir, and mouthpiece. Heat vaporizes the flower or concentrate, allowing you to inhale and enjoy without some of the harsh effects of traditional smoking.
Some studies even show that vaping cannabis can be a healthier alternative to smoking, since it reduces both exposure to toxins and chronic respiratory symptoms. So, if you’re looking for a smooth ride, check out our guide to popular weed pen types.
Types of Weed Pens
There are three popular types of weed pens: dry herb pens, oil vapes, and dab pens. We’re breaking them down from least to most potent.
Dry Herb Pens
The primary benefits of dry herb vapes:
- You can use your favorite flower.
- Conduction vapes evenly heat your flower, leading to a smoother flavor and less waste.
If you’re a traditionalist who loves the taste and ritual of smoking flower, dry herb pens might be your jam. These pens have a refillable chamber for your favorite THCa flower or bud, and use a battery to heat the flower. (Just make sure to clean and maintain your vape for optimal performance and flavor.)
There are two methods that dry herb pens use to heat flower — conduction and convection.
- Conduction: The heat source touches the herb chamber, transferring heat directly to the herb, which results in vapor.
- Convection: Air is heated and passes through the herb. The herb doesn’t come in direct contact with the heat source.
Conduction dry herb vapes are usually cheaper and smaller because the technology is less advanced. They burn your herb fast — sometimes too much, which wastes some of your grass — and the flavor isn’t so great.
Convection vapes are more expensive, but for good reason. They heat the flower more evenly, so it won’t burn and you can enjoy the taste of flavonoids and terpenes. Our MAMBO Dry Herb Vape uses convection to heat your flower at the temperature range 420 to 443°F, creating a smooth, rich flavor. It has a rechargeable battery, and a single charge will last you six to eight bowls with a rapid 15-second heat up.
Oil Cartridge Vape Pens
The primary benefits of oil cartridge vape pens:
- They have a mild smell that doesn’t linger.
- They’re small and portable.
- They have a long battery life.
- There are tons of cartridge options with different sizes, potencies, and strains.
Oil cartridge vape pens are a hassle-free choice for those who want a discreet and convenient way to get high. They’re small, portable, and have a mild smell that doesn’t linger. These pens use concentrated cannabis oil, which can be more potent than smoking flower.
Prefilled cartridges come in various sizes, potencies, and strains, so you can find the perfect one for your needs, from an uplifting high to a relaxing chill. They can be reusable or disposable, and many have adjustable voltage settings.
Lower voltage settings tend to be more flavorful, but will produce less vapor and therefore less THC output. Thicker oils usually need a higher voltage setting. The best voltage for THC oil is between 2.5 and 3.3, depending on the type of oil and your personal preference.
Some disposable models, like our Legends disposable vape, let you recharge them so that you can enjoy the full cartridge without the battery dying on you.
Reusable models usually use a 510 battery, which is compatible with the common 510 threaded cartridges. These are the long, narrow vapes that look like a pen.
Cannabis vape cartridges are usually made up of a mix of cannabinoids, terpenes, solvents used as thinning agents, and flavoring. When choosing a cartridge, make sure to look at the ingredients and avoid harmful cutting and thinning agents like vitamin E acetate, polyethylene glycols, and medium-chain triglycerides.
Common types of vape carts include:
- Distillate: A highly concentrated form of one cannabinoid that has been purified
- Full spectrum extract: Contains all of the compounds found in the original cannabis plant, including cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids
- Liquid diamonds: A mixture of THCa diamonds and live resin
- Live resin: Made from cannabis flower that has been flash-frozen immediately after harvest, preserving the terpenes and cannabinoids
- Live rosin: A concentrate that uses a solventless extraction method
There are tons of different types of vape carts available in a wide variety of strains and terpene profiles, so you can find one that suits you perfectly.
Dab Pens
The primary benefits of dab pens:
- The cannabis concentrates used in dab pens are very potent.
- They are more convenient and portable than dab rigs.
- They have fast heating times and controlled temperature settings.
Dab pens are no joke. They’re for experienced cannabis users who crave the ultimate high. These pens vaporize thick THC concentrates like wax, shatter, or crumble, which have a much higher potency than flower — sometimes upwards of 90%. And although you can definitely get super high with them, just don't get so high you forget to clean them...without regular cleaning and maintenance of the dab pen chamber, it WILL stop working.
Dab pens are a convenient and portable alternative to bulky dab rigs. They heat up super quick and let you dial in exactly how hot you want it, plus there's way less smell compared to regular flower.
Dab pens feature atomizers made from either ceramic or quartz, each with its own advantages. Quartz coils heat up faster and give you larger vapor clouds, while ceramic offers slower heating but better flavor. On top of this, you can also pick what coil design you prefer, since some use conduction and others use convection heating. While lower temperatures preserve terpene flavors, they might not fully vaporize the concentrate, leading to waste.
The battery life of a dab pen is determined by its milliampere-hour (mAh) rating. A higher mAh rating means a longer battery life between charges. For frequent users, a dab pen with a high mAh rating, like our wax vaporizer with 1100mAh and a 1.5-hour charge time, is your best bet. Many dab pens also offer multiple voltage options, with 3.3 to 4 volts being optimal for thicker wax concentrates.
Dab pens can use various concentrates. The concentrates are divided into two categories: solvent-based and solventless. Common solvents used in cannabis extraction include butane, propane, ethanol, and supercritical CO2.
If you opt for solvent-based extracts, make sure the product has been lab-tested for residual solvents and only contains trace amounts. If you prefer a solventless extract, rosin is a popular option.
Solvent-based cannabis concentrates include:
- Wax: A thick, sticky concentrate with a high THC content
- Budder: A creamy, buttery concentrate with a smooth texture
- Crumble: A dry, crumbly concentrate that is easy to handle
- Shatter: A clear, glass-like concentrate that is highly potent
- Live resin: A full-spectrum concentrate made from flash-frozen cannabis flower
Solventless cannabis concentrates include:
- Rosin: A solventless concentrate made using pressure and heat
Which Weed Pen Is Right For You?
The right weed pen for you largely comes down to personal preference and tolerance. Here’s a breakdown of who each is best for:
- You want a low-maintenance, discrete option: oil cartridges
- You want a high-potency option: dab pens
- You enjoy the flavor and effects of flower: dry herb pens
Within each weed pen type, there are plenty of customization options. Considering the features that are most important to you will help you choose the right one for your needs. For example, you may value temperature control or a long battery life.
If you can’t decide between a dab pen or a vape pen, explore our in-depth comparison guide on Dab Pens vs. Vape Pens. If you’re still not sure which option is best for you, contact us for advice.
Considerations When Choosing a Weed Pen
When you’re picking out a weed pen, it’s essential to consider factors beyond just the type. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
- Heating method: Conduction heats cannabis faster but can lead to uneven heating and a less flavorful experience. Convection, on the other hand, provides more even heating and a smoother flavor.
- Maintenance: Dry herb and dab pens require regular cleaning and maintenance to ensure optimal performance and longevity.
- Reusable vs. disposable: Reusable pens offer more customization but may require more upkeep, while disposable pens are convenient and often come pre-charged.
- Heat-up time: The materials used and technology can affect how quickly a pen heats up.
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Battery life: A high mAh rating indicates a longer-lasting battery life.
Voltage: Higher voltage settings produce more vapor but may compromise.
Shop Cheech and Chong Approved Weed Pens
Now that you know the basics, it’s time to find your perfect weed pen. Explore our curated collection of hemp smokeables, from high-quality vapes, dab pens, and dry herb pens. Whether you’re a beginner or a long-time user, we’ve got something for everyone.
