Best Dab Pens 2024
A guide to wax pens and the best ones available based on testing and experience.
Dab pens, also called wax pens, are extremely popular, mainly because they’re so convenient. The traditional way of dabbing waxy concentrates required a blowtorch, bong, and a hot nail—cumbersome!
But a dab pen uses compact vape pen technology to allow you to carry your dab rig discreetly in your pocket and take it anywhere. They look like basic vapes too, which means you won’t get a lot of unwanted attention when you use them in public.
The best wax pens vaporize concentrates like a typical dab rig, but it’s not as harsh on your throat and lungs. Also, once you learn how to use a dab pen, you’ll appreciate how easy dabbing can be. Even if you own a full-sized dab rig, you’ll want a portable wax pen for on-the-go sessions.
Here’s a look at the best dab and wax pens, plus a quick start guide for beginners.
What are dabs?
Dabs are semi-solid cannabis concentrates. They’re made by extracting cannabinoid-rich weed oil, and then processing the oil with heat, freeze drying, or a vacuum to produce a wax-like product that can be vaped or smoked.
There are various types of dabs (or wax), but all of them contain high levels of cannabinoids and are extremely potent. Most dabs contain delta 9 THC (or hemp-derived variants like delta 8 or HHC), but there are also many non-intoxicating legal CBD concentrates available.
Wax can vary greatly in texture, but some popular types are shatter, crumble, and budder. Shatter has a hard consistency, crumble is softer, and budder is goopy and usually very sticky. The best types of wax for dab pens are shatter and crumble because they’re easier to load. Budder still vapes well, but it can get messy if you don’t store it at a cool temperature.
What is a wax pen?
How to use a dab pen
How to load a wax pen
Working with waxy concentrates can be messy. If you’re careful and use the right tools, it’s simple to load your dab pen.
Don’t forget to clean the heating element or chamber once you’ve finished vaping. Otherwise, the residue buildup in your wax vaporizer can be hard to remove.
How to hit a wax pen
This is the easy part! Once your dab pen is loaded, just pulse the power button two or three times for a half-second to a second to warm up the concentrates, then hold the button while you take a smooth hit for a few seconds.
If you’ve never done dabs before, go slow. This stuff is powerful!
How to clean a wax pen
In terms of cleaning, wax pens are higher maintenance than other portable vaping devices.
An atomizer that’s caked with leftover waxy concentrates won’t perform well. Plus, you won’t need to replace your coils as frequently with regular cleanings.
For best results, clean your wax pen after every session. This could mean removing the mouthpiece and blowing debris from the airpath, then using the cotton swab and isopropyl alcohol method to ensure grime is eliminated. You should wipe down the heating chamber or element each time.
Complete the following steps to clean your wax pen:
If it’s been a while since your last cleaning and the wax won’t budge, soak the atomizer in isopropyl alcohol for fifteen to thirty minutes. This is helpful if you need to get between the coils. After removing your component from the alcohol, rinse with warm water and dry thoroughly before using.
As always, check out the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions—every device is different.
How to charge a wax pen battery
Refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations before giving your wax pen its first charge. Most devices use either micro-USB or eGo chargers.
Wax pens are designed to be convenient, portable vaping devices. They don’t need to stay plugged in as you use them.
Plug your charger into a computer or wall adapter. To avoid damaging your wax pen with a huge blast of power, computers are a safer route. Stay away from chargers or adapters with “rapid charging” capabilities.
As your wax pen charges, keep a close eye on the indicator light. You can lengthen a battery’s lifespan by unplugging it as soon as your pen is fully charged.
It takes most wax pens between one and two hours to charge fully. The exact amount of time depends on the model, though some advanced devices can charge in under one hour.
Why is my dab pen blinking red?
If your dab pen is blinking red, check the manual or the manufacturer’s directions.
This usually means that the battery is low and needs to be charged soon. It can also indicate an error, such as a faulty connection, atomizer issue, or overheating. In any case, power down your device and resolve the issue before vaping.
In rare instances, a blinking red light is the result of damage or a defective product.
How long does a dab pen high last?
Waxy concentrates are extremely potent, and the high can be intense.
Consuming THC via inhalation will get you high faster than other methods. Once a substance reaches your lungs, it doesn’t take long for it to enter the bloodstream and reach the brain. Compare this to edibles, which can take up to ninety minutes to hit, because digested THC must process through the liver before it gets into the bloodstream.
The effects of a dab pen will begin within ten or fifteen minutes. From there, you’ll need to consider variables like tolerance, individual biology, metabolism, and even factors like stress or tiredness. Experienced wax pen users may only stay high for two or three hours; on the opposite hand, someone who’s new to dab pens could remain high for longer.
To avoid a high that lasts too long, pace yourself. Start at a lower heat setting and take a couple of puffs, then wait for the high to set in. At that point, you can decide whether or not to take another hit.
How much does a wax pen cost?
The average wax pen is a bigger investment than most vape pens, especially stick batteries. However, these devices tend to run cheaper than portable vaporizers; they also deliver more power when you vaporize concentrates.
Typical wax pens fall into the $30 to $150 range, with many popular models sitting right around $100; usually between $70 and $120.
You can find a limited number of pens at a cheaper cost. Some are as low as $20. Pricier dab pens go for up to $200.
How long do dab pens last?
With proper care and storage, a dab pen battery can last between 400 and 500 charging cycles. Frequent users may notice their battery losing strength sooner.
The lifespan of a wax pen depends on:
Atomizers and coils need to be replaced more frequently. For the best quality hits, you’ll need to pick up a new one every four to six weeks. Less frequent users can hold off for a couple of months. You’ll notice a dropoff in performance when they need replacing. Keep your atomizer or coils clean to increase their lifespan.
How long do dabs stay in your system?
Like other forms of THC consumption, dabs stay in your system far beyond the end of your session. THC is stored in the body’s fat cells (as well as hair and nail cells), converted into metabolites like THC-COOH, and then released. From start to finish, this process can take several weeks.
Depending on your metabolic rate, age, usage frequency, health conditions, and other variables, THC can linger in your system for two or three months with chronic use. Even if you only vape wax once, you could have traces of THC in your system for up to a week.
Stop using your dab pen right away if you have an upcoming drug test. The only way to clear your system is to put a hold on consumption.
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