Best Dry Herb Vaporizers of 2023

Dry Herb FAQs

• What are Dry Herb Vaporizers?

  

  Dry herb vaporizers, aka herbal/flower vapes, are devices that heat up dried weed to a temperature (360-400°F) that is hot enough to vaporize the active compounds (Cannabinoids/Terpenes) but not hot enough to cause combustion.

  This allows the user to inhale the vapor, rather than smoke, which can be less harsh on the lungs and may also be more efficient in terms of delivering the active compounds to the body.

  Flower vapes use dry weed, the same that you'd roll in a J for example.

• Do dry herb vaporizers smell like weed?

  

  Yes. Dry herb vaporizers produce a smell that is less noticeable and potent than the smell produced by smoking.

  Smoking produces a strong and distinct smell that lingers and sticks to everything. In contrast, vaporizers heat the herb to a lower temperature (360-400°F), which vaporizes the active ingredients without burning the plant material. This produces a vapor that may have a faint smell, but it is generally much less noticeable and less potent than the smell produced by smoking.

  Almost like the smell of fresh ground coffee. It has a strong aroma that can fill up a room but it won't stick around for a long time.

  A few accessories to help manage smell:

  • Tightvac- amazon
  • Smell-proof case- amazon
  • Air-tight capsule- amazon

• How to tell when dry herb is done in a vaporizer?

  

  There are a few ways to tell when a dry herb vaporizer is done, and the herb is cashed:

  1. Color: As the herb is vaporized, it will change color from a bright green to a brown or dark brown. When the herb is mostly a brown or dark brown color, it is done.
  2. Flavor and vapor production: When the flavor and vapor production are significantly reduced, the herb is likely done.
  3. Time: Many dry herb vaporizers have a timer or automatic shut-off feature that will shut the device off after a certain period of time has passed. This can be used as an indicator that the herb is done.

  User preference: Some users will stop vaporizing as soon as the flavor is done, and some users will keep going and even bump up the temp at the end of a session to really squeeze out the flower even if the flavor is significantly reduced.

  It's important to experiment with your own vape, and with time it'll become second nature for you to know when it's time to empty the oven and end the session.

• Do dry herb vaporizers waste weed?

  

  Generally, no. Dry herb vaporizers can be more efficient than smoking in terms of using less herb to achieve the desired effect.

  This is because vaporizers heat the herb enough to vaporize the active compounds but not hot enough to cause combustion (which can cause a significant amount of the herb to be burned and wasted.)

  A typical bowl of a vape is around 0.25gr, and that will give you at least 6-8 excellent inhales with flavor gradually decreasing.

  Compare that to a joint that can use 0.5-1gr, and you'd see that vapes will stretch your flower loner than burning it.

• Do you get a different high when vaping vs. smoking weed?

  

  Yes. Vaping and smoking cannabis produce slightly different effects. Users are describing "vaping high" as more "clear" and "clean" as opposed to smoking it.

  The main active compound in cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is vaporized at a lower temperature than it is combusted. This means that when weed is vaporized, less of the THC is converted into other compounds, such as CBN, which are known to produce sedative effects.

  This results in vaporized cannabis having a higher percentage of THC, which is primarily responsible for the psychoactive effects of the plant, and thus vaporizing cannabis may produce a stronger, more cerebral high compared to smoking.

• Can I use extract in a dry herb vaporizer?

  

  While some dry herb vaporizers may be designed to vaporize both dry herb and extracts, we recommended using a separate wax pen designed explicitly for concentrate use.

  Here are a few reasons why:

  1. Extracts are a messy business: Extracts create a stick mess that can be hard to clean and reduce the performance of your dry herb vaporizer. Using extracts in your flower vape means extra cleaning and probably a shorter lifespan.
  2. Compatibility: Extracts and dry herb have different physical properties and may not be compatible with the same vaporization process. For example, some extracts may be too thick or sticky to vaporize effectively in a dry herb vaporizer.
  3. Temperature levels: Extracts typically require higher temperatures thank dry herb. Extract pens have small coils that are made to reach high temps in a short period, unlike dry herb vapes that take time to warm up or cool down.

  Related:

  • Best wax pens of this year
  • Best eNails/eRigs of this year

• What is the oven size of a dry herb vaporizer?

  

  In general, the oven size of a dry herb vaporizer ranges from 0.25 to 0.50 grams, although different models may have smaller or larger oven sizes.

  The oven size can be an important factor to consider when choosing a vaporizer, as it can affect the amount of herb that can be vaporized at once and the overall efficiency of the vaporization process.

  A larger oven size may be more suitable for users who want to vaporize more herb at once, while a smaller oven size may be more suitable for users who want to vaporize smaller amounts.

  Some dry herb vaporizers have adjustable oven sizes or chamber designs that allow the user to customize the amount of herb being vaporized.

  Vaporizers with an adjustable oven size:

  • DaVinci IQ- visit store (use coupon code TVG15 for 15% off)
  • Pax Plus- visit store (use coupon code TVG10 for 10% off)

• Can I have multiple sessions with one oven?

  

  That depands on the type of vaporizer that you're using-

  Conduction (or "session") Vaporizers heat up the herb with direct contact. o the heat is created inside the oven. They take some time (~30 seconds) to warm up, and stay on for a session (~5 minutes.) Even once turned off, there is rediual heat in the oven, so any herb left there will get dry and lose potency (and flavor). You would simply be wasting the herb.

  A few good conduction vapes are: Pax Plus & Mini, DaVinci IQ, and G Pen Elite 2.

  Convection (or "on-demand") vaporizers generate the heat outside of the oven, and it is then pulled in and through the herb with every inhale. This means that the oven can get cool down between sessions. The oven heats up quickly (~3 seconds) and cools down quickly as well. This allows you to use one bowl over multiple sessions.

  A few good convection vapes are: Firefly 2+, Xlux Roffu, Boundless CFV.

  Hybrid vapes use both convection & conduction and therefore are considered "session vapes" as well.

  A few good hybrid vapes are: Mighy+ & Crafty+, Rogue vaporizer.

• Convection vs. Conduction heating- what’s the difference?

  Convection vaporizers

  

  Convection involves extracting the active ingredients by passing how air through the flower. So the bowl stays "cold," and the heat is generated outside of the oven and is then pulled in with each inhale, vaporizing the active ingredients.

  The benefits of convection heating include:

  1. More efficient heating: Because the hot air is evenly distributed, the herbs are heated more evenly and efficiently, resulting in less waste.
  2. Better taste and vapor production: Convection heating produces a purer, cleaner vapor with a more natural taste.
  3. Reduced risk of combustion: Convection heating reduces the risk of combustion, as the herbs are not in direct contact with a heating element. This makes it a safer option for those who are concerned about the potential health risks of inhaling smoke.

  A few of this year's top-rated convection vapes-

  • Firefly 2+ (read review)
  • XMAX V3 Pro (read review)
  • Mighty+ (read review) *convection/conduction hybrid

  Conduction vaporizers

  

  Conduction heating refers to the process of heating the dry herb directly by placing it in contact with a heating element. This heating element is typically a "bowl" or "oven" that is heated to a high temperature, which in turn heats the dry herb.

  The benefits of conduction heating in dry herb vaporizers include:

  1. Easy to use: Conduction heating is simple and straightforward, making it easy for even beginners to use. There is no leaning curve, unlike most convection vapes.
  2. Better extraction: Because the dry herb is in direct contact with the heating element, it heats rapidly, resulting in a (typically) better extraction when compared to convection vapes.
  3. Durability: Conduction heating elements tend to be more durable and last longer than convection heating elements, meaning you'll have to replace them less often.

  Here are a few of our favorite convection vapes-

  • Pax Plus (and Pax Mini)- read review
  • DaVinci IQ2- read review
  • Mighty+- read review *convection/conduction hybrid

• How to pack an oven for a dry herb vaporizer?

  

  You may be wondering how packed should the oven be? Should the Hern be loose? or tight? Well, that

  You may be wondering how packed the oven should be. Should the Hern be loose? Or tight? Well, that depends on the vaporizer that you're using.

  1. Conduction vaporizers- since heat is transferred by contact- the more contact, the better! Vapes such as the Pax or DaVinci work well when the herb is packed tightly, so it touches the walls of the oven, and heat is transferred efficiently. 
  2. Convection vaporizers- the heat is created outside of the oven nd is then pulled in with each inhale. Therefore it is recommended to pack a loose oven. Air needs to be able to travel through the pieces of herb and extract the active ingredients. 
  3. Hybrid vapes- somewhere in the middle, so packed but not too much so the air can still pass through the herb.

  It's important to experiment with your specific vaporizer to fine-tune and optimize the results. 

• How much should I spend on a dry herb vape?

  

  Not all vapes are created equal, and typically you can’t compare a $300 vape to a $60 vape. It’s important to keep in mind that vaping is an investment. Vaporizing is more efficient than smoking, and you may cut your herb use by half.

  • Build Quality: High-end vapes use materials such as- aluminum (Pax), glass (Solo 2), or even zirconia (DaVinci IQ). Cheaper vapes will use more plastic and silicone (APX or Lite).
  • Longevity and lifespan: Since cheaper vapes are made from lower-quality materials, their life will be shorter than a high-end vape. I’ve been using my Solo 2 & Mighty heavily for over three years, and they are as good as new.
  • Vapor quality: You will get incredibly better flavor and vapor quality with a higher-end vape. The oven, air-path, and mouthpiece are kept pure without anything that can contaminate the flavor.

  With all that said, you don’t need to buy a $400 vaporizer to be satisfied. There are plenty of great options under $200. One such example is the Solo 2. It retails for around $187 these days, and it’s the best herb vaporizer for home use. If you’re after value, that is one to grab.

• What types of dry herb vaporizers are available?

  

  Vaporizers come in many shapes and sizes, but they vary in two different categories- Power Source and Heat Source.

  Power source:

  • Portable– these are handheld devices that use a battery as the power source.
  • Desktop– desktop vapes require an electric plug-in and are typically big and heavy devices that are used in-house.

  Heat source / Heating method:

  • Conduction– vapes that heat the dry bud using a hot oven that contains the herb.
  • Convection– vapes that use a heat source that is located away from the herb. The herb is heated by air being pulled through with each inhale.

• What is draw resistance when using a dry herb vaporizer?

  

  Draw resistance refers to the amount of effort required to inhale vapor from a dry herb vaporizer. Higher draw resistance means that it is more difficult to inhale the vapor from the device, while lower draw resistance means that it is easier to inhale.

  Think of drinking liquid through a straw. So the thicker the liquid, the higher draw resistance you'd experience.

  There are several factors that can affect draw resistance when using a dry herb vaporizer, including:

  1. The type of device/mouthpiece: A larger or more complex device may have higher draw resistance due to the longer or more winding path that the vapor must travel through before it reaches the mouthpiece.
  2. How dense the oven is packed: If the herb is packed too tightly in the oven, it can create additional resistance when trying to inhale. On the other hand, if the herb is not packed tightly enough, it may produce weak vapor.

  Experimentation is required to find the optimal settings for your specific vape and personal preferences.

• What does it mean to “sip, not rip”?

  "Sipping" or "sipping on" a vaporizer refers to taking slow, controlled draws from the device, rather than inhaling deeply and quickly (also known as "ripping").

  Sipping on a vaporizer can help to conserve the herbs being vaporized, as it allows you to extract the maximum amount of vapor and flavor from each draw. It can also help to prevent overheating the herbs, which can cause them to burn and produce a harsh, unpleasant taste.

  In general, sipping on a dry herb vaporizer is considered to be a more mindful and enjoyable way to consume vapor, as it allows you to fully savor the flavors and effects of the vapor.

  It can also be more gentle on the throat and lungs, as it allows you to inhale smaller amounts of vapor at a time.

• Where can I buy dry herb vaporizers?

  Vaporizers are legal to buy and ship to all US states so buying online is the easiest. Here are a few well-known authorized dealers that sell all the major brands:

  • Vapor.com- visit store, coupon TVG20 for 20% off
  • Vape-Smart-  visit store, coupon TVG20 for 20% off
  • POTV-  visit store

  Buying from authorized dealers can give you peace of mind and help ensure that you are getting a high-quality, safe, and reliable product.

  Can I buy on Amazon? No. Amazon does not allow the sale of dry herb vaporizers on its platform. If you are interested in purchasing a dry herb vaporizer, h

• How to keep a dry herb vaporizer clean?

  Keeping your dry herb vaporizer clean is essential because it can affect the quality of your vaporization experience. A dirty vaporizer can produce less flavorful and less potent vapor, as well as potentially affect the heating element and overall functionality of the device. Additionally, a dirty vaporizer can be a breeding ground for bacteria and other germs. Regular cleaning can help extend the lifespan of your vaporizer and ensure that it performs at its best.

  Cleaning accessories:

  • Glob Mops- amazon or vape-smart
  • Alcohol wipes- amazon or vape-smart
  • ISO Alcohol- amazon
  • Pipe cleaners- amazon
  • Cleaning solution- amazon

  Some vapes, such as the Solo 2 and Mighty+, are super easy to clean, while others, such as the DaVinci or Pax, are a bit more involved.

  Here are a few tips for keeping your dry herb vape in tip-top shape:

  1. Empty the chamber immediately after each use: This will help prevent excess residue from building up inside the chamber. When the residue cools down, it gets sticky and hard to remove. Use an Oven Mop (view on amazon) to quickly remove residue after use.
  2. Clean the chamber regularly: Depending on how often you use your vaporizer, you may need to clean the chamber every few uses or once a week. Use a small brush (view on amazon) to gently scrub the inside and remove any excess residue.
  3. Use isopropyl alcohol (view on amazon) to clean the chamber more effectively. Soak a cotton swab or Q-tip in isopropyl alcohol and use it to scrub the inside of the chamber. Let your vape sit for at least 30 minutes afterward, and do an "empty session" to ensure that all alcohol has been vaporized.
  4. Replace the screen regularly: If your vaporizer has a screen, be sure to replace it regularly to ensure optimal performance. Over time, the screen can become clogged with residue, which can affect the draw resistance and the quality of the vapor.
  5. Clean the mouthpiece and other removable parts: These parts can accumulate residue over time, so it is important to clean them regularly to ensure optimal performance. You can use a cotton swab or Q-tip soaked in isopropyl alcohol to clean these parts and be sure to allow them to dry completely before reassembling the vaporizer.

• The different heating methods of dry herb vaporizers

  There are three main heating methods used in dry herb vaporizers:

  1. Conduction heating: This is the most common heating method in dry herb vaporizers. It works by heating the herb directly through contact with a heated surface, such as a metal chamber or plate. Conduction heating can be efficient and easy to use, but it can also lead to uneven heating and potential combustion of the herb if the temperature is too high.
  2. Convection heating: This heating method works by heating the air around the herb, which in turn vaporizes the active ingredients. Convection heating is generally considered to be a more efficient and consistent method, as it can help to evenly vaporize the herb without the risk of combustion. However, convection vaporizers can be more expensive and more complex to use.
  3. Hybrid heating: As the name suggests, hybrid heating combines elements of both conduction and convection heating. These vaporizers typically have a heated chamber or plate for conduction heating, as well as a heating element that uses convection to heat the air around the herb. Hybrid vaporizers can offer a combination of efficiency and consistency, but they can also be more expensive than other types of vaporizers.

  Overall, the best heating method for a dry herb vaporizer will depend on the specific needs and preferences of the user.

• Should I use a grinder when vaping dry herb? Which one?

  

  Using a good grinder when vaping dry herb can have several benefits.

  A good grinder can help to evenly grind the herb into small, consistent particles. This can improve the efficiency of the vaporization process, as the heat from the vaporizer will be more evenly distributed throughout the herb. This can lead to a more consistent and efficient vaporization experience.

  • Best grinders of this year

  In addition, using a good grinder can also help to preserve the flavor and potency of the herb. When the herb is ground evenly, it can be vaporized more evenly, which can help to preserve the taste and overall experience. On the other hand, if the herb is ground unevenly or if there are larger pieces mixed in, it can lead to an inconsistent and potentially less enjoyable vaporization experience.

• What is the recommended temperature for vaping dry herb?

  In general, vaporizers for dry herb are designed to be used at temperatures ranging from approximately 356-428°F (180-220°C). However, some vaporizers allow the user to adjust the temperature to a wider range, and some specific strains of cannabis may be better suited to different temperature ranges.

  For most people, 370-380°F is a pretty good place to start.

  It's worth noting that vaporizing dry herb at higher temperatures can produce more potent effects, but it can also lead to a harsher, less enjoyable vapor. On the other hand, vaporizing at lower temperatures can produce a smoother, more flavorful vapor, but the effects may be less potent.

  To find the ideal temperature for your vaporizer and desired effects, it's often a good idea to start at a lower temperature and gradually increase it until you find the sweet spot.

  It's also a good idea to consult the manufacturer's recommendations and any documentation that comes with your vaporizer.