As a cannabis enthusiast, I’ve discovered that dab pens are a fantastic portable solution for vaping cannabis concentrates, such as oil, shatter, or wax. These handy devices contain battery-charged heating elements that vaporize the concentrate as soon as I press a button or take a puff. When I’m on the go, oil cartridges are my best bet because they easily screw into a basic pen (also known as a battery) and have their own mouthpiece.
But, many of us cannabis consumers prefer dabbing to vaping oil cartridges. Dab pens give us more control, and we can add any concentrate we like. The more features a dab pen has, the more expensive it gets—the degree of control we can have over the pen typically determines the price.
Types of Dab Pens
The most basic pen for vaping concentrates, and the easiest to use, is a disposable pen. These come preloaded with a small amount of cannabis oil, and I just toss them out when they’re empty.
Vape cartridges compatible with a 510 battery are hugely popular. You can also find affordable vape cartridges for 510 batteries for purchase, which are a less wasteful option compared to disposables.
In general, the more expensive the pen, the more control we have over it. A true dab pen is one we can load up ourselves with solid cannabis concentrates, rather than cannabis oil that comes in your typical cartridge pen (including disposables).
Since dab pens are load-it-yourself, we get to choose from a wide range of cannabis concentrates. Whether we like shatter, sauce, or prefer a solventless rosin, we can pick our own adventure. We dabbers have diverse opinions on the perfect temperature, so it’s great that we can control that too. Dabbing at a lower temperature can help reduce any irritation when inhaling, and it results in a more flavorful, terpene-rich vapor.
If you enjoy dabbing at home, dab pens are an excellent accessory to add to your kit for when you’re traveling. Dab pens have different heating methods—convection, which uses forced hot air to heat the concentrates; combustion, which heats the concentrate directly; or both. Convection pens are generally considered to be better because they use less cannabis and don’t destroy terpenes in the heating process, but they might be pricier.
Other features your dab pen may come with include stealth vapor reduction, interchangeable ceramic and quartz-coil chambers, and the ability to convert from a portable to a desktop model. More complex dab pens may have multiple attachments, and some even let you use water for a bubbler effect. These features generally equal a higher cost, but as with any other product, you get what you pay for.
Which Pen is Right for Me?
The vape pen you choose depends mainly on two things: your budget and your level of experience with cannabis concentrates. If you’re just starting out or are more of a casual cannabis consumer, you’ll probably want to try an oil cartridge pen before diving into a dab pen. Oil cartridges are often made with THC distillate and are very potent in THC, but don’t always deliver the same terpene content. However, live resin cartridges are becoming more popular!
Vape cartridges can only hold cannabis oil, while dab pens hold more solid cannabis concentrates like shatter, wax, and rosin. If you’re an experienced dabber, you’re probably looking for a dab pen. You simply open up the mouthpiece, add your concentrate inside the pen, and screw it closed. You can adjust the temperature however you like it, click the button, and inhale. Just remember to clean your dab pen regularly, just like a dab rig.
How Much Should I Expect to Spend?
A general price range for dab pens is between $40 and $200, although they can definitely go higher. However, there’s no need to break the bank—it’s easy to find a good dab pen in the $40-$100 range.
If you’re looking for a basic battery for use with vape cartridges, you can get one for $20 or less. A sturdy, name-brand dab pen with all the bells and whistles will generally cost between $100 and $150, although you can find one for less. Since so many factors influence the price of a dab pen—the type of heating element, the attachments, the size—it’s best to talk to your local budtender or cannista and get their recommendations. You can tell them which type of concentrate you prefer and how familiar you are with vaping, and they can help you find the best pen for the best price according to your needs.
As a fan of vaping cannabis concentrates, I’ve fallen in love with dab pens. These portable gadgets are perfect for vaping concentrates, such as oil, shatter, or wax. They have internal, battery-charged heating elements that vaporize the concentrate when I press a button or take a puff. For on-the-go use, oil cartridges are a lifesaver since they easily screw into a basic pen (also known as a battery) and include their own mouthpiece.
However, many of us in the cannabis community prefer dabs to vaping oil cartridges. Dab pens provide more control, and we can use any concentrate we fancy. The more features a dab pen boasts, the pricier it becomes—our ability to control the pen typically determines its cost.
Different Dab Pens
The most straightforward pen for vaping concentrates, and the easiest to use, is a disposable pen. They come preloaded with a small amount of cannabis oil, and we simply discard them when they’re empty.
Vape cartridges that work with a 510 battery are quite popular among us. Buying vape cartridges for 510 batteries is another budget-friendly option and is less wasteful than disposables.
Generally, the more expensive the pen, the more control we have over it. A true dab pen is one we can load up ourselves with solid cannabis concentrates, as opposed to the cannabis oil found in standard cartridge pens (including disposables).
The beauty of dab pens being load-it-yourself is that we can choose from a wide variety of cannabis concentrates. Whether we prefer shatter, sauce, or a solventless rosin, it’s all about personal preference. We dabbers often have different opinions on the perfect temperature, but luckily, we can control that too. Dabbing at a lower temperature helps reduce irritation when inhaling and results in a more flavorful, terpene-rich vapor.
As a home-dabbing enthusiast, I’ve discovered that dab pens are a fantastic addition to my arsenal, particularly when I’m traveling. Dab pens feature different heating methods: convection, which uses forced hot air to heat the concentrates; combustion, which directly heats the concentrate; or a combination of both. Convection pens are generally preferred because they use less cannabis and don’t destroy terpenes in the heating process, but they might be a bit more expensive.
My dab pen has nifty features like stealth vapor reduction, interchangeable ceramic and quartz-coil chambers, and the ability to convert from a portable to a desktop model. Some more advanced dab pens even have multiple attachments, and some allow you to use water for a bubbler effect. These extra features can increase the cost, but as with anything, you get what you pay for.
So, which pen should you choose? The vape pen you pick depends on two factors: your budget and your experience with cannabis concentrates. If you’re a novice or a casual cannabis user, I’d recommend trying an oil cartridge pen before diving into a dab pen. Oil cartridges often contain potent THC distillate but might not have the same terpene content. However, live resin cartridges are gaining popularity!
Vape cartridges hold cannabis oil, while dab pens accommodate more solid cannabis concentrates like shatter, wax, and rosin. If you’re an experienced dabber like me, you’ll want a dab pen. Simply open the mouthpiece, add your concentrate inside the pen, screw it closed, adjust the temperature to your preference, click the button, and inhale. And don’t forget to clean your dab pen regularly, just as you would with a dab rig.
Now, how much should you expect to spend? Dab pens usually range from $40 to $200, although prices can go even higher. However, you don’t need to break the bank—you can find a decent dab pen for $40 to $100. If you just need a basic battery for vape cartridges, you can get one for $20 or less. A high-quality, name-brand dab pen with all the features will likely cost between $100 and $150, but you can sometimes find a more affordable one.
Since the price of a dab pen depends on factors like the heating element, attachments, and size, I’d suggest talking to your local budtender or cannista for their recommendations. Let them know your preferred concentrate type and how experienced you are with vaping, and they can help you find the perfect pen at the right price for your needs.
In conclusion
as a fan of cannabis concentrates, I can’t stress enough how much dab pens have improved my vaping experience. With their versatility and variety, they cater to both casual users and experienced dabbers alike. If you’re considering joining the dab pen community, explore your options, consult with a knowledgeable budtender, and find the pen that best suits your preferences and budget. Happy dabbing!
