THC Vapes: What Are Your Options?
February 11, 2025
Vaping is a popular way to consume marijuana thanks to its convenience and versatility. Whether you’re looking for a sleek THC vape pen, a dry herb vaporizer, or a dab rig, there’s a vaping device for you. In this guide, you’ll learn everything about THC vapes, including how they work, the different types, and tips for choosing the best vaporizer.
What is a THC Vape?
A THC vape, also called a vape cartridge or vape pen, is a sleek, portable device that vaporizes cannabis products like THC distillate or concentrates. These devices typically feature a small chamber or cartridge filled with cannabis oil, a battery heater, and a mouthpiece for inhaling the vapor. Vape pens are discreet and easy to use, making them a favorite among cannabis enthusiasts.1
Unlike smoking a joint, blunt, or bong, which burns cannabis,2 vaping uses lower temperatures to transform cannabinoids and terpenes into a smooth, inhalable vapor. This preserves flavor and potency while reducing harsh byproducts. Over the years, vaping technology has evolved, offering everything from simple pens to advanced rigs designed for dry herb or concentrates, making it one of the most versatile ways to enjoy cannabis.3
How Do Vaporizers Work?
Vaporizers use heat to release cannabinoids and terpenes from cannabis flower or concentrates, creating vapor you inhale. Here’s a breakdown of how they work:4
- Cannabis products you can vape: A marijuana vape is versatile and works with various products, including flower, oil, and concentrates.
- Conduction vs convection: Vaporizers heat cannabis using one of two methods: conduction (involving direct exposure to a heating element) or convection (involving exposure to a flow of hot air).5 Some models combine both methods for more balanced heating and better flavor.
- Temperature precision: Vaporizers let you control the heat, activating cannabinoids and terpenes at specific temperatures. This precision enhances flavor, potency, and the overall experience by preserving the cannabis compounds.
- Vapor production: As the cannabis heats up, cannabinoids and terpenes turn into a smooth, inhalable vapor. This process eliminates combustion, giving you a cleaner, more flavorful experience.
Types of Marijuana Vaporizers
Vaporizers come in various styles, each catering to different preferences and cannabis products.
Vape Pens
Marijuana vape pens are slim, portable devices designed for vaping THC distillate or liquid concentrates like live resin. They are available in two main types:6
- All-in-one pens: These disposable devices, also known as AIO vapes, are pre-filled with a built-in battery—perfect for beginners or those who want a hassle-free experience.
- Cartridges and batteries: Reusable pens require a separate battery and vape cartridges, which are replaceable and often more cost-effective in the long run.
Pros:
- Portable and discreet: Easy to carry and use on the go.7
- User-friendly: Ideal for beginner cannabis consumers, requiring only minimal setup.
Cons:
- Limited to oils and concentrates: Not compatible with flower.
- Less powerful: May lack the intensity of other vaping methods.
Dry Herb Vaporizers
Dry herb vaporizers are designed to heat cannabis flower without combustion, preserving flavor and potency. They come in two main types:8
- Portable or handheld devices: Compact and convenient, perfect for on-the-go use.
- Desktop or tabletop vaporizers: Larger, stationary units, ideal for at-home sessions.
Pros:
- Versatile: Lets you use whole cannabis flower directly.
- Flavorful: Produces vapor that highlights the natural terpenes.
Cons
- Requires maintenance: Needs regular cleaning to stay effective.
- Less portable (desktop models): Not as discreet as vape pens.
Dab Rigs and Dab Pens
Dab rigs and dab pens are used to flash vaporize (at hot temperatures of 400-600°F or 204-315°C) cannabis concentrates (called dabs) like shatter, crumble, or budder.9 This is called dabbing. These devices come in three main types:
- Dab pens: Portable, pen-shaped devices, dab pens are designed specifically for vaping dabs and concentrates.
- Dab rigs: Traditional glass setups require a butane torch for heating.
- E-rigs: Electronic dab rigs offer precise temperature control.10
Pros:
- Highly potent: Perfect for experienced cannabis enthusiasts.
- Flavorful and efficient: Maximizes the experience with concentrates.11
Cons:
- Not beginner-friendly: Requires more setup and knowledge.
- Higher cost: E-rigs and glass rigs can be expensive.
What Is Already-Vaped Bud (AVB)?
Already-vaped bud (AVB) is the byproduct left after vaping cannabis flower. Because you didn’t burn flower, it didn’t turn to ash. The potency depends on your vaporizer’s temperature settings. Flower vaped with hot air at 315-440°F (157-226°C) can still be strong, so why not use it twice? While it’s less potent, AVB contains cannabinoids and can be repurposed in edibles, capsules, tinctures, or topicals.12
How to Choose a Vaporizer
When picking the perfect THC vape, consider these factors:
Product Compatibility
When choosing a vaporizer, match the device with the type of cannabis product you plan to use. Here’s how to pick the right one:
- Concentrates: A dab pen, dab rig, or e-rig works best for vaporizing concentrates like wax, shatter, or THC distillate.
- Flower: A dry herb vaporizer is perfect for using whole cannabis flower. These vaporizers heat flower evenly, preserving its natural flavors and terpenes.
- THC oil: A vape pen is the ideal choice for THC oil. These devices are designed to handle liquid cannabis products.
Experience With Cannabis
Your experience level matters when picking a vaporizer. Disposable vape pens are beginner-friendly, require no setup, and offer simplicity. Dabbing, on the other hand, is better suited for experienced users because it requires tools and knowledge. If you prefer flower, a dry herb vaporizer is a great choice.
Required Maintenance
Maintenance varies depending on the vaporizer. Vape pens require little to no upkeep, making them a low-maintenance option. In contrast, you must regularly clean dab rigs, dab pens, and dry herb vaporizers to prevent residue buildup and ensure optimal performance. Taking care of your device extends its lifespan and improves the overall experience.
FAQs About Cannabis Vaporizers
Got questions about cannabis vaporizers? Let’s break down some common queries.
How are smoke and vapor different?
Smoke is a byproduct of combustion, the chemical reaction that occurs when you put a flame to your cannabis flower. Vapor is a byproduct of vaporization, the chemical process that turns a solid or liquid into a gas. Research suggests that vapor contains fewer carcinogenic compounds than smoke because of the lower temperature required, making it less harmful to our lungs and overall health.13
What's the difference between conduction and convection?
Conduction heats cannabis through direct contact with a heated surface, while convection uses hot air to vaporize it. Convection heats more evenly and preserves flavor, while conduction heats faster.13
How much do vaporizers cost?
Prices vary widely, from $10 for a disposable vape to $1,000 or more for a high-end dab rig.
Are dry herb vapes stronger than dabs?
The concentrates used in dabbing are often significantly more potent than the cannabis flower you’d use in a dry herb vaporizer. However, you can infuse your flower with kief or concentrates for a stronger effect. You’ll just need to make sure your dry herb vaporizer is capable of handling concentrates (only some models on the market are) and that you thoroughly clean your dry herb vape after every session.14
Choosing the Right Vaporizer
The right vaporizer depends on your preferences, experience, and needs. Choose between the simplicity of a vape pen, the versatility of a dry herb vaporizer, or the potency of dabbing. Visit your local LivWell dispensary to explore your options and find your perfect match!
Sources:
1. “What is cannabis vaping and how does it work?” Leafly, May 9, 2024, https://www.leafly.com/learn/consume/what-is-cannabis-vaping
2. “Combustion,” Leafly, https://www.leafly.com/learn/cannabis-glossary/combustion
3. “Vaporization,” Leafly, https://www.leafly.com/learn/cannabis-glossary/vaporization
4. “Dab Pen vs. Vape Pen: What’s the Difference?” Leafwell, October 7, 2024, https://leafwell.com/blog/dab-pen-vs-vape-pen
5. “Conduction vs. convection vaporizers – a comparison,” VapeFully, January 18, 2024, https://vapefully.com/for-beginners/conduction-vs-convection-vaporizers/
6. “Vape pen,” Leafly, https://www.leafly.com/learn/cannabis-glossary/vape-pen
7. “Weed vape pen,” Weedmaps, https://weedmaps.com/learn/dictionary/vape-pen
8. “What Is a Dry Herb Vaporizer?” Leafwell, October 7, 2024, https://leafwell.com/blog/what-is-a-dry-herb-vaporizer
9. “What is dabbing?” Leafly, May 9, 2024, https://www.leafly.com/learn/consume/dabs
10. “What is an e-rig or e-nail?” Leafly, May 9, 2024, https://www.leafly.com/learn/consume/dabs/enails-erigs-for-dabs
11. “Dabbing,” Leafly, https://www.leafly.com/learn/cannabis-glossary/dabbing
12. “Recycling vaporized cannabis: 10 ways to use AVB (‘already vaped bud’),” Leafly, September 26, 2022, https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis
13. “The Difference Between Cannabis Combustion and Vaporization, Explained,” Weedmaps, May 2, 2019, https://weedmaps.com/news/2019/05/the-difference-between-cannabis-combustion-and-vaporization-explained/
14. “Can You Put Concentrate in a Dry Herb Vape?” Furna, January 24, 2022, https://getfurna.com/blogs/vaporizers/put-concentrates-in-dry-herb-vape
Use of Marijuana Concentrate may lead to: Psychotic symptoms and/or Psychotic disorder (delusions, hallucinations, or difficulty distinguishing reality); Mental Health Symptoms/Problems; Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) (uncontrolled and repetitive vomiting); Cannabis use disorder/dependence, including physical and psychological dependence. Please consume responsibly. This product may cause impairment and may be habit forming. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. State laws impact what dispensaries can and can’t sell to recreational customers and medical marijuana patients. Not every type of product, consumption method, dosage form, or potency mentioned on this blog will be permitted in all locations.
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