If there’s one real drawback, it’s that Davinci’s labeling of the materials as “antimicrobial” isn’t really accurate, because the mouthpiece is recessed in a way that requires users to get lippy. If you’re planning to share, you’ll want to get the glass mouthpiece, sold separately for $10.
The Best Hybrid Weed Vape: Arizer Solo 2
The Arizer Solo 2 is a popular option for its combo of convection and conduction heat, speedy heat-up time, as well as its lengthy battery life (a whopping three hours per charge). For all those reasons, it’s been the brand’s best seller since its release in 2017. Settings like temperature and session timing are easily adjusted on the LED screen, and it can even be used while charging so you never have to wait around.
Does it look like a standard tobacco vape or power bank like some devices? Hardly. It’s got a separate body in black or blue and a longer glass mouthpiece that you pack product into the base of. But will it yield thick clouds of tasty vape? Hell yeah, it will. Plus it’s half the price as its top-shelf competition like the Mighty+ and includes a two-year warranty.
The Best Discreet Weed Vape: G Pen Dash
You don’t want to be obnoxious whipping out something like the Storz and Bickel Mighty+ out in public. No, you want something low-profile for vaping on the go. That’s where the Dash comes in, a name that encapsulates what it’s like to use the vape: Pull it out, take a pull, and put it away, all in a dash. The palm-sized vaporizer is easy to use, though our main qualm with it is that it only has three temperature settings. Then again, for this price point, we shouldn’t expect the same temperature fine-tuning as we would with something like the AirVape Legacy Pro. However, for a beginner vape user who isn’t ready to play around with temperatures and terpenes, this is an excellent little device. Also, the magnetic mouthpiece offers one of the most satisfying snaps-into-place actions—so much so that you may find it a little too entertaining after taking a generous amount of hits.
The Best Battery-Free Weed Vape: Dynavap M
Simplicity is the name of the game with the Dynavap M. But if you’re heading off-grid where battery charging isn’t possible, you can still get your fix with the Dynavap M, a pen-sized metal unit that uses any heat source (butane torch or induction heater are recommended) and conduction heating to vaporize cannabinoids and terpenes.
Made from medical-grade stainless steel in the U.S., the Dynavap M is super simple, affordable, and compact, comparable in size to a Sharpie. If it weren’t for the fact that you had to carry a torch around with you, it’d also be one of the most low-key options. Just load your ground flower or concentrate into the cap end, replace the cap, heat it up over an open flame, and draw.
The Best Tabletop Weed Vape: Storz and Bickel Volcano Hybrid
On the opposite end of the portability and affordability spectrums is the aforementioned Volcano from Storz and Bickel. As one of the industry’s first and best vapes, it has been embraced by enthusiasts and the medical community alike as one of the preferred cannabis consumption devices. In Canada, for example, national health authorities named the Volcano as the preferred method of medicinal cannabis consumption.
The Volcano Classic desktop unit that’s been around for decades uses convection heating solely and still works wonders, but if you’re looking for the ultimate vape experience, check out the newer Hybrid Volcano that also adds conduction heat elements. The plug-in unit creates vapor that’s either drawn automatically into a “valve balloon” that you can hold in your hand and inhale in sips or all at once, or through a tube kit that you can inhale directly through. There’s also an app that lets you adjust settings and even operate the device remotely, allowing you to fill the balloon via smartphone while you’re out of the room. That’s one smart feature that helps justify the sky-high price, though most people will probably prefer a portable, less onerous device for vaping on the go.
The Best Vape for Cartridges: Pax Era Pro
Cartridge vape pens are unbeatable when size and discretion are priorities, which is to say pretty much anytime you’re out and about. Pax’s Era Pro is super low-key, but vaporizes cannabis oils via cartridge rather than flavor-infused tobacco products. Another advantage of this style of vape is that, because the replaceable cartridge also doubles as a mouthpiece, you don’t have to spend any time cleaning. Just swap the cart and vape away. One downside: This model doesn’t accept industry-standard threaded “510” cartridges, but requires the brand’s proprietary pods, which are a bit more pricey and less available. But considering the already accessible price point, that premium for the cartridges might be a worthy tradeoff.
How does a weed vape work?
Cannabis vapes function via conduction heating, convection heating, or a hybrid of both. Think of conduction like the stovetop, with heat coming from direct physical contact to a hot surface, and convection like the oven, where the air itself is heated. Both have their advantages, but convection or hybrid models are the most popular today, providing the best quality vapor and maximum flavor. Conduction vapes, on the other hand, often give off thick clouds as temperatures can be more easily cranked up and maintained. It’s all about preference.
