Why Use Wax, Dab, and Oil Pens?
Vaporizers were initially created to help smokers quit cigarettes by providing a cleaner tobacco-free alternative. The vaping industry gradually expanded to include devices for dry herbs and eventually dabs. However, most of these devices were and still are bulky and expensive, and since most of them were created specifically for dry herbs and/or wax, they also weren’t all that versatile.
The weed oil pens solve these problems. These pen-sized vaporizers are powerful enough to give you a hit, but they’re relatively small and reasonably priced. Though slightly different in structure, dab pens are very similar to vape pens in terms of battery life, power output, resistance, and price point. Plus, many of them allow you to vape multiple substances all in the same convenient device.
Are Wax, Dab, and Oil Pens Legal?
Though you should always make sure to verify with the laws in your area, wax, dab, and oil pens are almost always legal because they are classified as vaporizers. So you shouldn’t have a problem purchasing or importing the actual devices as long as you comply with the standard regulations regarding vaping in your area. That being said, wax, oil, and dabs are more often than not extracted from the cannabis plant. Whether you’re vaping the substance for recreational or medical purposes, you’ll have to check with your local authorities to make sure the concentrates are permitted and in what circumstances. However, since the laws regarding these concentrates vary dramatically even from region to region and are constantly changing, we’re not going to discuss them in detail here.
Materials for The Best Wax, Dab, and Oil Pens
There are two different styles of coils available: traditional coils with wicking rods and coil-free heating chambers. Dab rings typically use a nail made out of titanium, and so titanium became the metal of choice for most coils.
The coils are wrapped around rods that act as the wicking material. The wicking material, the material used to draw the concentrates from the heating chamber and onto the coils, is usually either ceramic or quartz. Ceramic and quartz can also be used for the coils themselves.
Some of the best wax, dab, and oil pens come with ceramic chambers instead of the traditional coils. These coil-less chambers heat up the wax evenly giving the vapor a much more satisfying flavor.
Ceramic is used because it has a very high tolerance for heat while quartz will heat up very quickly. Because quartz is fast-burning, it will produce more vapor and only requires short hits. However, the vapor from ceramic wicking will be rich and full-bodied because it absorbs the aroma and flavor of the wax as it heats because it heats more slowly. Ceramic is also easier to clean because it burns at a higher temperature and therefore leaves very little wax behind.
Versatility
Some of the marijuana oil pens allow you to vape dry herbs in the same device. Most dry herb vaporizers use the same set up as dry herbs. You’re likely to find a ceramic chamber that heats up evenly, and so it’s easy to craft a device that will work for both.
You’ll also find pens that are 3-in-1 vape pens meaning they can vape e-liquid, dry herbs, and wax all with the same battery. For example, the v2 series 3 devices can do all three. You simply have to replace the cartridge when you want to switch substances, but each is clearly marked so you know which one to use. Admittedly, this system isn’t nearly as efficient as having an entire device devoted to dabs, but it’s incredibly convenient.
Price-Point
Because they’re specialty items, regular dabs and dry herb mods can run into the $200 range especially if you’re purchasing from the top American companies. However, pens are smaller, simpler items, and you can usually buy a devices for as low as $30. Typically, you’ll find these cannabis oil pens for anywhere between $30 and $70.
That being said, the best wax, dab, and oil pens will cost $100 and up. You shouldn’t necessarily assume the price is equivalent to the quality because in many cases cheaper devices will do just fine. The extra cash will usually buy you better battery life, higher wattage output, more coils, atomizer made of better materials, which ultimately affects heat distribution and flavor.
Heat-Up Time
Dabs pens need some time to warm up before they’re ready to vape. E-liquid heats up and evaporates easily partially because it’s already in liquid form. Concentrates, however, are in a solid form and need to melt before they’ll evaporate.
As I mentioned above, many dab pens use quartz because it typically warms up very quickly. It won’t necessarily be able to bring out the full flavor of the concentrates though if it heats up too fast. Many of the best wax, dab, and oil pens use ceramic coils or wicking, but ceramic takes far longer to heat up. If you really want to be able to vape quickly, you’ll probably want to stick with quartz. A fast warm-up time would probably be somewhere around 4-5 seconds.
Wax & Oil Vape Pen Battery-Life
In terms of battery life, dab pens are much like vape pens. The average dab pens usually have a battery life of around 750mAh. 750mAh should be sufficient for most people considering the wattage output probably won’t surpass 30W–although you’ll probably be using temperature control mode if the wires are titanium . In any case, 750mAh should be more than enough battery power to last you through most of the work day even if you have to recharge when you get home.
The best wax, dab, and oil pens can have batteries of up to 1500mAh though. You’ll have to pay a bit more money for this, but the extra battery life should help you get in some extra vaping in the evening hours.
Power Output
You won’t need nearly the same power output on a dab pen as you would on a vape pen simply because the concentrates are already pretty powerful. They’ll produce quite enough vapor on their own, and while you need to make sure the temperature is high enough to melt the concentrates, 30W should be more than enough to get a good hit.
As I mentioned before, a majority of dab pens use titanium wire, and because the resistance changes with the temperature for a titanium wire, you’ll have to use temperature control. So, not all dab pens will mark the range in wattage output. That being said, it should be about 5-30W on most devices, and 30W is pushing it. I’ve seen up to 40W, but even 20W is sufficient for a good dabbing session.
Resistance
Even though power levels on dab vape pens differ substantially from power levels on vape pens, the resistance levels are somewhat comparable. You can find plenty of dab pens with sub-ohm resistance levels. You can expect anything from 0.25-2.5Ω.
How Many Coils?
Dab pens come with either one or two coils or with a coil-less chamber. The more coils your device has, the faster you’ll consume your concentrates, and the more powerful your hit will be. However, many people choose vaporizers with fewer coils because they want to preserve their concentrates.
Concentrates can be expensive, and if you want to save a few dollars here and there, you should invest in a better pen with a ceramic chamber that will heat your concentrates slowly and evenly. That way, even though you’ll spend more money initially, you won’t have to constantly load up with more concentrates.
Who knows what will be available in the future though. We’ve already seen some pens with triple coils–could we one day also see vaporizers with quadruple coils, or even more? It’s very possible.
Final Thoughts on the Best Wax, Dab, and Oil Pens
Be careful when packing in your concentrates only to take 0.1-0.2g at a time. If you take too much, once it melts, it might bubble up and clog the mouthpiece and air hole. Some devices can hold more dabs and some less, so until you figure out exactly how much yours can hold, err on the safe side. You don’t want to end up with a sticky mess to clean up.
Dab pens are the perfect way to inhale your concentrates safely and efficiently. Not only are they effective, but these devices are relatively inexpensive and can slip easily into your jeans pocket. If you are currently dabbing or are interested in starting, you’ll want to check out the dab pens available on the market.
The Best Dab Wax and Oil Vape Pens Reviews:
#1 Trap 450 All-In-One Vape Pen Kit Review
Are you a coupon clipper? Do you feel an adrenaline rush when you find a really great sale? This pen is for you. This vape pen boasts a battery capacity of 450mAh but costs a mere fraction of what it might cost if it were sold elsewhere. 450mAh as battery capacity is fairly generous for a tiny device like this. You’ll be hard-pressed to even find something above 400mAh for a little vape pen of this sort. While 450mAh may not last you all day if you’re puffing away on it all the time, it will last you quite a while.
And at less than 20 bucks, this cannabis vape pen is a steal! You can’t find this kind of device anywhere else for such a low price. Even standard vape pens usually run between $30-40 on the low end of the spectrum. As niche items, marijuana vaporizer pens are typically double if not triple this price.
Plus, it comes with three different temperature settings. When you turn on the device, you can change the power level according to your preferences before starting your session. These preset modes give you a degree of flexibility; however, as preset modes, they don’t demand anything more from you than a few clicks of a button. Never worry about OLED screens, temperature settings, wattage and voltage control, TCR, etc. All you need to worry about is a single button.
Buy Now The Trap 450 All-In-One Kit!
#2 Keymaker Black Wax Vape Pen Review
The Keymaker Black Vape Pen is one of the best weed vaporizers for this price point, meaning under $50. The device comes in either silver or black, and with a battery life of 500mAh, it will hold its own for quite a while
Included in the kit, you’ll find both a ceramic and a quartz coil. Quartz and ceramic-rod are the some of the best materials for vaping concentrates; however, they have different properties. Quartz heats up very quickly, but it doesn’t preserve as much of the flavor and doesn’t always burn off easily. Ceramic can only heat gradually over a long period of time, but it burns off completely and does a great job of bringing out an oil’s full flavor.
In general, while the battery life on this device could be improved, the two coils provide excellent flavor, and the pen hits really hard. We also liked how the entire thing is very discreet.
You will also find four silicone mouthpieces to help keep your mouthpiece clean and protect your lips from the heat as well as a convenient colored silicone container where you can keep your concentrates. The kit will include a handy little extendable USB charging cable as well that will adjust in length to accommodate for any situation.
Along with that, Mig Vapor will send you a dab tool so you can clean out your chamber after each use and a gift box in case you want to vape it forward and give the device to someone else.
#3 Bug RX Oil Vape Pen Review
The Bug RX Oil Vape Pen is the first to truly combine esthetics and performance. Sold in either a sleek silver stainless steel or a matte black both with the Mig Vapor logo printed along the body, the weed vaporizer is stunning to say the very least. Plus, it comes with a cool magnetic cap. Not only does the cap allow you to vape more discreetly, but it also prevents oil from leaking into your belongings should there be any accidental spills.
With 1100mAh, this pen will last you the entire day, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it lasted through the evening as well. It’s practically on par with small vaping mods with respect to battery capacity. At 22W, it will produce quite a nice bit of vapor especially since it’s practically a sub-ohm device. The resistance of this battery is only 1.2Ω.
The tank has a volume of 2mL, which is more than sufficient for several hours worth of vaping and twice the size of many of the other vape pen tanks. When you’re ready to fill the tank, pop open the magnetic cap and fill her up. This marijuana vaporizer pen is designed with large fill holes just for your convenience.
Indeed, the Bug RX Oil Vape Pen is an excellent device. There is no doubt about it. Not only is it chic and oh so sleek, but it performs excellently. This pen comes very highly recommended from the E-Cig-Brands team.
#4 WASP Wax Air Vape Pen & DAB Pen Review
Short for Wax Air Stealth Pen, the WASP Wax Air Vape Pen is an underratedly powerful little device that is extremely efficient. Whether you’re vaping this portable cannabis vaporizer for medical or recreational purposes, you will start to feel the effects of the concentrates immediately.
The marijuana vaporizer pen has a sleek matte black body, a pyrex glass mouthpiece, and a translucent Green PC tube where the vapor collects before you inhale it. In fact, you’ll love watching the vapor swirl around inside the colored tubing when you’re puffing away. Otherwise, there is just the manual power button located on the front of the device. Thankfully, you’ll never have to worry about settings, menus, or special modes. Operation is self-evident with this exceptional device.
The Wax Air Stealth Pen has a 900mAh battery which is superb within the realm of concentrates devices. You really shouldn’t have any trouble making it through the majority of the working day on 900mAh. If you do happen to run short though, you’ll be glad to know that the charging time is only 1-2 hours, so you’ll be able to charge back up in no time. There’s a 2-3 second pre-heating time, but the device is then ready to fire at up to 400-455℉
Best of all, this device comes with a 90-day warranty, so if for any reason the device is malfunctioning, you can send it back to the company to get it fixed free of charge.
#5 Canna Blast Vape Pen For Thick Oils Review
This vaporizer is one of the most advanced pens for oil available today. Built with stainless steel and pyrex glass, it’s made of the highest-quality materials. It even comes included with a ceramic mouthpiece, which protects your lips from the high temperature without affecting the taste of the vapor at all.
The kit also comes with a ceramic coil. While ceramic coils are fairly commonplace in larger devices, they’re rarer in vape pens. Ceramic coils are often used in marijuana vaporizers because they can withstand very high temperatures without breaking down. Though the material tends to heat up rather slowly, the coil will bring out the oil’s full flavor.
Plus, with only a 1.2Ω coil, the Canna Blast is practically a sub-ohm device. Add a battery with 380mAh, and you’ve got yourself a device that’s practically perfect. You can expect long, smooth hits and unbelievable flavor. Plus, it uses up every single drop of oil.
Again, while you could theoretically put oil in your box mod if you really had no other choice, the Canna Blast Vape Pen is designed specifically to take thicker oils. Also, while a box mod might be able to handle your THC or CBD oil, a vape pen as small as this one wouldn’t stand a chance. The Canna Blast is small enough to disappear inside your pocket or your purse.