In the cannabis industry, there are different methods for enjoying your weed. Even with technology, there are different options, and they are unique in their ways.
It’s much like smoking weed with different methods like a bong or a joint, except this uses varying forms of technology, so you can get a unique experience. There are many different methods this way, too.
In this guide, we will look at a dab pen vs. a vape pen. These devices are similar and yet different in things like design, functionality, and experience. Check out more below so you can choose what works best for you.
dab pen vs. vape pen: the basic difference
This guide will look at these devices individually and delve into details like design, functionality, potency, and more. But first, we thought we should take a quick look at the basics.
Dab pens and vape pens are both popular because they are both convenient and discreet to get the job done. But that’s where the similarities end. Dab pens are sometimes referred to as wax pens, but the two are the same.
These pens are meant to consume a concentrated form of cannabis. That form usually comes in something like wax, rosin, budder, shatter, or something else, with plenty of options.
With a dab pen, you have a heating element that is meant to heat the cannabis concentrate so that you can inhale the final vapor.
They typically are known for high potency and full flavor profiles because of the forms of cannabis you use them with. However, you can use lower-potency cannabis and still have a great experience.
With dab pens, it is thought that you maintain quite a few of the terpene profiles and the cannabinoids, which is always a great benefit.
A vape pen has a similar concept. It also uses a heating element, but the element heats a concentrate that has been turned into a liquid or an oil. You will hear this referred to as vape oil or vape juice a lot.
It took the concentrate and changed the form. Vape pens operate on some sort of battery component and a tank or cartridge that holds the oil. The element heats the oil to create the vapor you inhale.
A vape pen works well for simplicity and it is easy to use. You just need a cartridge that requires little mess or fuss, and you’re good to go. These devices are enjoyed because they are portable, convenient, and easy to use and figure out.
let’s talk about dab pens
Let’s start with the dab pen. There are several categories we want to focus on to get a well-rounded look at these devices. We’re going to hone in on how this device is used, the design concepts, and the potency or quality you might experience.
functionality and use
Dab pens are fairly robust and made to be durable. They can handle higher heat settings than your average vape pen, which allows you to experience higher potency when you want it.
This type of wax pen is pretty easy to use, but it may not be as convenient. However, the efforts pay off well when you experience the terpenes profile and cannabinoids that are maintained from your budder, shatter, wax, etc.
Dab pens are usually rechargeable now—thanks, technology! The heating coil does the work of heating the thicker substances from the plant material to help create a vapor.
You just choose your settings and prep it for use. This is one area that varies from the vape pen. Here, you need to load your materials into the chamber using a dab tool. It requires a little bit of prep work for each use.
Once you get it loaded, you can turn it on and start vaping. Some are easier to load and prep than others, so this is something to keep in mind. The heating chamber was made to work with various types of concentrates, so you get a great, potent vaping experience when you get started.
potency and quality
One of the reasons people really like dab pens is because they are thought to be potent with exceptional quality every time.
Thanks to the preservation of terpenes and cannabinoids in the mix, you get potent and flavorful hits even with the lightest of strains. It’s an exceptional quality that is pretty hard to beat.
The way these pens work, the concentrate is what you are vaporizing. That means there is no further processing from when that concentrate is extracted and prepared for use.
That has a positive effect on the overall experience and will impact flavor quality as well as potency. Dabbing is said to provide a full-spectrum experience thanks to these factors.
the benefits of a dab pen
It really comes down to the experience you want to have. Dab pens have a lot of great advantages, but there are downsides, too. One of the downsides here is that it’s not as portable or convenient.
It is portable once you’ve loaded your cartridge with the concentrate, but that takes some manual processing to get ready to go.
With dab pens, they are small and compact apart from the preparation required. They provide high-potency hits if that is what you want. They remain discreet and the vapor from them is primarily odorless, too. You can use many different concentrates, so you can customize your experience.
let’s talk about vape pens
Vape pens are pretty great, too. When you compare the two, the most noteworthy difference will be the potency and full-spectrum benefits.
However, you can get pretty close to the full spectrum with a vape pen, as well. It’s all about the quality of the vape juice and understanding the best ways to set your ideal temperature controls.
Take a look at these details related to the design, functionality, use, and benefits of a vape pen.
functionality and use
Vape pens are always a compact and portable device. They don’t require any prepping aside from making sure you have a cartridge and a full charge. They are simple to work with and can be customized for your preferences or needs. Vape pens can also be very potent.
Most vape pens are small and sleek. They often are about the size of a pen, which is a positive design detail that makes them compact and portable.
Technically speaking, they are easier to use than a dab pen because you are using a cartridge that is already prepped and ready to go. That cartridge just connects to the battery pack and you are set until it’s gone.
With vape pens, you also get a lot of customization, maybe more so than with dab pens. Because they use a concentrated oil instead of wax or resin material, they can be made into different flavors and styles.
You can choose cannabis vape juice that has flavors like lemon, watermelon, sugar cookie, and more. It can be fun and you can change it up easily.
In addition to the flavor variations, there is also the matter of settings on the device. Most vape pens have temperature settings and airflow settings that you can control. This allows you to tailor a dosage and cannabis experience that works for your preferences in the moment.
One of the major differences is the vape pen uses concentrated oil, while a dab pen uses direct concentrate. Vape oil goes through one more level of processing, which can change the original profile a little.
potency and quality
Because a vape pen further refines the cannabis concentrate to create the oil this device uses, potency can be affected. The truth is that you can still have high potency in a vape pen. However, it may take a little bit more product or a higher temperature setting to reach the desired potency.
Your favorite potent live resin can easily be made into a cannabis oil, too. While the potency may not be as strong as a dab pen, it can still be plenty high for a great vaping experience.
And, most vape pens provide a smoother experience that is easier on your lungs than even the dab pen.
the benefits of a vape pen
Cannabis vape pens are great for simplicity and variety. They can be potent when you get the settings right, but they can also help you enjoy a milder effect. You have a lot more customization and flavor choices from a vape pen than you do from a dab pen.
Again, it’s really going to be all about your personal preferences and what it is you want to experience when you consume cannabis flowers.
conclusion
When you look at dab pen vs. vape pen, cannabis consumers find that they are both great options. They bring unique qualities to the table.
From convenience and simplicity to high potency and pure product, it’s up to you to choose the experience you want. You might even like to have both options at different times, and that’s totally ok!
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