Smokeless and portable dry herb vaporizers are fast gaining traction with a growing number of enthusiasts these days. They help conserve your herb (which saves money) and are known to give you better flavor than a traditional pipe. New to vaping? Here's how to get the most out of your dry herb vaporizer.
You've landed in the right spot if you're looking for your next dry herb vape. In this blog post, we'll look at how to pick a dry herb vaporizer and share some of our favorites with you!
What to Look For in a Dry Herb Vaporizer
Portability and Convenience
Handheld vaporizers conveniently fit into your bag or pocket. They are way smaller than desktop models and are battery-powered.
Desktop vaporizers are bigger and more powerful and often need an electrical outlet to power their high-performance heating mechanisms. They are designed to be used at home on a stable surface and usually cost significantly more than handheld models.
Many high-end desktop vaporizers are also hybrids, which means they utilize convection and conduction technology for the heating element. We'll talk more about that in a bit!
Battery Size and Life
When shopping for a vaporizer, keep in mind the battery life and how long it takes to recharge fully. You wouldn't want to head out for the day with your favorite herb and have the rechargeable battery die on you, so having a vaporizer with a larger capacity will suit heavier users.
The capacity of a vaporizer battery can vary depending on the specific model and its design. Vaporizer batteries are typically measured in milliampere-hours (mAh), indicating the energy the battery can store. Common battery capacities for vaporizers range from around 500mAh to 3000mAh or more.
However, capacity alone doesn't dictate the actual time you can use it. A lot depends on your temperature settings, heating methods, and the amount you vape. Most manufacturers will provide some information on estimated usage times so you can use that to choose your vaporizer.
Temperature Control
Many vaporizers have different settings for more precise temperature control. Some vapes will allow you to customize your temperature fully, while others have a few preset temperatures.
This allows you to experiment to find the most flavorful and enjoyable temperature for you.
Heating Element
Vaporizers can use two types of technology to heat the herb - convection and conduction.
Conduction heats the material through direct contact with a heated surface. When the heating element is triggered, it transfers heat to the herb or concentrate and causes it to evaporate. The active compounds are then converted into vapor which you inhale.
On the other hand, convection uses steam or hot air to vaporize the material. The heating element doesn't touch the herb; instead, the air is heated and passed through the material to vaporize the active compounds.
Some hybrid vaporizers combine both conduction and convection heating methods to optimize performance. They may use convection as the primary heating method while incorporating conduction to ensure efficient vaporization and extraction.
Conduction vaporizers heat up quicker, but since the heat is applied to a single point of contact, it tends to heat unevenly. There is also a potential for combustion if the vaporizer malfunctions.
Convection vapes take longer to heat up but deliver more consistent vaporization of the material, which is more efficient. Conduction vapes also tend to be more affordable than convection vapes.
Price
Vaporizers can cost about $20 for small vape pens and hundreds of dollars for a top-quality desktop model with all the bells and whistles. You'll have to stretch your dollar by determining the features that are a must-have for you and shopping for one that will meet your needs yet still fit into your price point.
Brand
Reputable vaporizer manufacturers like Yocan, Pax, Storz & Bickel, Dynavap, and The Kind Pen produce some of the best portable vaporizers. Beware of lesser known or otherwise suspicious brands, as buying a faulty or low-quality vaporizer can be dangerous if the heating element malfunctions or the airflow is clogged.
Now that we’ve gone over all the factors to consider in purchasing a dry herb vaporizer, let’s get down to business. Here are the best dry herb vaporizers on the market in 2023!
The Best Dry Herb Vaporizers for 2023
Best Affordable Dry Herb Vaporizer
Fuss-free, discreet, and ultra-light, the Yocan Evolve-D will make a great addition to your pocket. You can also remove the mouthpiece to easily clean it, and the $20.99 price makes it attractive to beginners and old hands alike.
Best Desktop Dry Herb Vaporizer
The Volcano Classic by the mighty German manufacturer Storz & Bickel is nothing short of a vaping powerhouse. This vaporizer has been in the market for over 20 years and is widely used by those who want only the best vaping experience. It is also known for being one of the best vaporizers on the market.
For those looking to vaporize herb or concentrates, the Volcano Hybrid is your ticket. It uses convection and conduction heating and features an LED display and a temperature range of 104 °F to 446 °F. You can easily control your sessions with a Bluetooth app available for Android and iOS.
Best Portable Dry Herb Vaporizer
Sleek and elegant, the Pulsar APX-3 delivers smooth hits at five preset temperatures ranging from 356°F to 428°F. A digital display will show you the heat setting and battery level for ease of use.
The ceramic heating chamber uses convection heating and is 60% larger than a typical vape of this size.
Best Manual Dry Herb Vaporizer
The "M" by Dynavap is a manual vape with an adjustable bowl size, allowing you to micro-dose. At only 3.54 inches long and made of medical-grade stainless steel, it'll fit into any pocket.
You won't have to deal with batteries as you can heat this vaporizer in seconds using a lighter or butane torch. You'll know when it's time to take a hit when the cap clicks.
Best Dual-Heating Dry Herb Vaporizer
The hybrid Cloudious 9 Atomic9 uses both convection and conduction to heat up from 356°F to 428°F, combining consistency and efficiency in one vape. Ultra-portable at 4 inches long, it is powered by a 900mAh lithium-ion battery which is plenty.
Best Mid-Range Dry Herb Vaporizer
At 3.67 inches, the PAX Mini is a portable, discreet vape that delivers smooth, precise hits. The heat-up time is 22 seconds, and the vape is easily operated by a single button.
This vaporizer kit has everything you'll need, including a mouthpiece, oven, 3D screen, charger, and a wire brush to clean your vape.
Best Unique / Cool Dry Herb Vaporizer
The Cloudious 9 Hydrology9 is the first vaporizer with an integrated water filtration system for those who love the taste and feel of smoking through bongs or bubblers. This unique vaporizer is built with top-quality materials like aircraft-grade aluminum, porcelain, and borosilicate glass.
Best Hybrid Dry Herb Vaporizer
The DaVinci IQ2 is a dual-layer hybrid heating vape that combines convection and conduction in a perfect balance of precision and power. Built with medical-grade parts, it allows you to control your dosage's temperature and strength with a Bluetooth app.
Best Pen-Style Dry Herb Vaporizer
Yocan's Evolve-D Plus is the bigger cousin of its super popular predecessor, the Evolve-D. The Plus stores more herb and features an improved build quality with a longer battery life.
Best High-End Dry Herb Vaporizer
Storz & Bickel's Crafty+ allows you to choose temperature settings from 104-410°F. At 4.4 inches, it fits conveniently into a pocket or purse, ready to deliver smooth, flavorful hits.
Find More Dry Herb Vapes on Smoke Cartel
Ready to take your vaping to the next level? Check out our extensive range of high-quality dry herb vaporizers at Smoke Cartel to find the perfect one for you!