Shopping for your first vaporizer? Let us help! We’re here to make buying a vaporizer an easy process for you.
In this vape guide, we cover the different materials that can be vaporized, the most common styles of temp control, and various price points to stay within your budget.
If you’d like expert help choosing a vaporizer, email our team at help@grencoscience.com or call the number +1 833-691-3224 to speak with someone directly.
When talking about vaporization, there are a variety of materials that can be used, the most common being dry herb and concentrates. Not all vapes are compatible with every material, so that will affect which vaporizer to buy. If you prefer a certain material to another, that may make your vape selection easier. However, there are some options that work with both concentrates and dry herb, if you’re unsure, a multi-compatible vaporizer might be your best option.
So, what is the difference between concentrates and dry herb?
The word “concentrates” encompasses a variety of compounds that have been extracted from the dry material. A concentrate vaporizer reaches high temperatures to rapidly heat these substances and produce thick clouds of vapor.
The term “dry herb” generally refers to plant material that has been dried and cured. A dry herb vaporizer is designed to heat this material below the point of combustion, but still hot enough to release the active ingredients.
Having a consistent grind for vaping dry herb is important when it comes to getting the most from your vaporizer and the material being vaped. A grinder helps to simplify the process and ensure an even grind every time.
There are two common dry herb grinders for vaping, the 2-piece grinder and 4-piece grinder:
2-Piece Grinder - A simple design comprised of two parts (a top and bottom), where the herb is placed between. With a couple manual turns of these two pieces, the material breaks down into a fine grind.
4-Piece Grinder - Designed with four detachable parts that grind and store the herb. The top two sections tend to be magnetic and contain sharp teeth to break the material down. While the pieces below are generally threaded and have a fine screen built-in. This catches the large material and allows the powdery kief to be sifted into the bottom compartment.
Grinding your herb allows additional surface area to be exposed, resulting in more efficient vaporization. Most vaporizers perform best when the herb has a rather fine grind. Once the material is ground, it’s important to load it into your vape properly. Load the herb chamber pretty full and tamp it down to create a fairly tight pack, which causes the heated air to pass through the material slower and more efficiently. To learn more, check out our guide on How to Use a Herb Grinder and master the technique of getting the best grind for your vaporizer.
Portable vapes are compact and easy to carry around, making them ideal for on-the-go vaping. These vapes are battery-powered and typically have a small chamber for loading the vaping material. Portable vapes are discreet and perfect for those who want to vape outside of their homes. Generally designed for dry herb use, some units do vaporize concentrates, just not as efficiently as a vape pen does.
Pen vapes, as the name suggests, resemble a pen in shape and size. These vapes are slim and sleek, making them convenient to carry in a pocket or purse. Due to their compact size, vape pens are often intended for dabbing or concentrate vaping and don't produce enough heat to vaporize dry herb efficiently. Most designs utilize a single button or autodraw function (buttonless), making pen vapes user-friendly and a popular choice for beginners.
Some of the newer vape technology on the market, eNails (electric dabbing nails) & eRigs (electronic dab rigs) are made for efficiently dabbing wax without requiring a torch lighter to heat the nail before applying your concentrate. Being battery powered, electronic dab rigs are easily portable and can produce massive clouds with just a little dab of wax. Erigs are a great option for users who prefer concentrates over dry herbs.
Desktop or tabletop vaporizers are larger, stationary devices for those who only intend to use their vape at home. Powered by direct plug-in to a wall outlet, these vaporizers are generally the most powerful on the market and high-end units feature full temperature control to the specific degree. Being able to precisely dial in the temp means highly efficient vaporization no matter the consistency of your herbal material. Common models include forced air (balloon bag) or direct draw (whip style) vaporizers.
Control over the temperature of your vaporizer is crucial for producing the most efficient vaporization. As the dry herb heats, there is a temp range where the active ingredients begin to release. When the temperature increases, a larger variety of these compounds are delivered through the vapor. Now, if the heat rises too far, this can lead to combustion of the dry herb, defeating the purpose of using a vaporizer.
Many early vape designs featured a fixed temperature with no way to adjust it. As vaporizer technology quickly advanced, the use of preset or precise temp control became the popular options for most devices. This ability to regulate temperature has allowed for more efficient vaporization.
Portable vaporizers with preset temperatures generally use a single button control, making them a good option for beginners. They tend to offer three or four temp levels that are optimized for the most common vapor profiles. These usually range from the mid-300 degrees to somewhere in the low 400s, providing a variety of effects. The lower tiered temps provide more flavor and higher options produce larger clouds of vapor. If you’re looking for straightforward, a preset temperature vaporizer will likely be your best option.
A portable vaporizer with precise temperature control allows you to select your temp down to the specific degree. This functionality can be important to those seeking particular effects from their dry herb as various levels of heat release different effects and flavors. These models often feature a digital LED display so you can quickly see your set temp and the current degree in real time. You can easily explore a variety cloud thicknesses, flavor profile, amount of herb packed in the chamber, and more. If you really want to customize your vaporizing experience, a vape with precision temp control is what you’re looking for.
Knowing how much you want to spend will help determine what functionality you need in a vaporizer. Closely review every product you’re considering to ensure the vaporizer fits in your budget, is compatible with your preferred material, and includes the features you desire.
We offer a variety of vaporizers, so you're likely to find something that matches your needs and price range.
If you’re looking for a budget friendly option, a portable vape or vape pen priced under $80 is the tier to shop. In this affordable price range, you’ll generally find vaporizers with a preset temp control and battery capacity around 950mAh or less.
With a price tag of $69.95, the Dash portable vaporizer for dry herb is a cost effective option that still packs a lot of functionality into a lightweight device. It features a glass glazed stainless steel heating chamber and integrated vapor path with clean air source for flavorful hits.
For the vaporist who likes to enjoy concentrates, at $79.95 the Micro+ wax pen, offers impressive features and high-quality construction at an affordable price point. It is equipped with a powerful battery, yet designed to be small and lightweight, making it highly portable.
For those who have a little extra money to spend, vaporizers in the mid-range price tier tend to cost around $80 to $149. When shopping these vapes, expect to find more units with precise temperature controls and larger battery capacity.
Priced at $119.95, the Elite is a high-quality portable vaporizer for dry herb. It is known for its sleek design, advanced features (such as precise temperature control and efficient heating system), and exceptional vapor production.
If your favorite consumption method is dabbing, but you don’t want to be tied down with a large e-nail setup, the Connect is perfect. At a price of $149.95, you’re getting a lightweight e-rig that is compact enough to carry with you wherever you go. And it’s compatibility with a wide range of glass-on-glass attachments means it works with virtually any dab rig.
An all-in-one, fully self contained electronic rig might be a better option for some people. The Roam has a price tag of $149.95 and is a great option for someone who is tired of carrying around multiple components for their vaping needs. A built-in water filtration system provides moisture cooled dabs with less risk of broken glass than other models with exposed designs.
For those who want the latest features packed into a compact dry herb vaporizer, the Dash+ is the next generation of design. For $149.95 you get a reliable and high-quality option with a zinc-alloy casing featuring dual clean air intake channels that delivers excellent performance. And enjoy full temperature control on a high-tech, yet simple user interface with full-color LED display.
If budget is of no concern, investing in a high-end vaporizer is a wise decision. Units priced at $150 or higher can offer advanced heating technology and superior vapor quality. If you find the one with the features that meet your specific needs, buying a high-end vaporizer is worth every penny. But you'll want to pinpoint the features you're looking for to ensure you're really getting your money's worth.
Priced at $199.95, the Elite II is a cutting-edge portable dry herb vaporizer with an ergonomic shape that ensures a comfortable grip. Paired with its rapid heating technology that reaches the desired temperature in a matter of seconds, it is a standout choice. If you are looking for a reliable and versatile vaporizer that delivers an unparalleled vaping experience, look no further than the Elite II Vaporizer.
If you’re a seasoned dabber or new to dabbing, the HYER e-rig is incredibly easy to use. You don't have to be a tech expert to start enjoying this $249.95 priced electronic dab rig. The precise temperature control allows you to experience the full flavor profile of your concentrates. Plus, its durability ensures that you can enjoy countless dabbing sessions without worrying about the performance of your device. If you're looking for the ultimate dabbing device, then this is your clear winner.
