How to Charge Any Vape Pen (Dab, THC, CBD & E-liquid)

The advantage of simple vape pens is the supreme convenience they offer cannabis and nicotine users. But you can’t enjoy a vape unless your pen is charged!

Relax—the process of charging is pretty universal for all kinds of pens. Generally speaking, both weed pens and e-liquid pens are charged with a USB outlet, which the pen attaches to with a 510 thread adapter or a common USB cable. We’ll explain below.

Most vape pens, including dab pens, don’t use removable batteries, but just in case you have one that does, we’ll go over procedures for using an external battery charger too. Our one-stop guide to charging pens will also show you how to recognize a low battery, and easy steps to maximize the lifespan of your pen’s battery.

What batteries do vape pens use?

Vape pens by definition are simple, small devices with self-contained batteries and a 510 connection. Most have very limited user controls—they turn on, turn off, and sometimes have adjustable voltage settings. There are also 510 thread batteries, which usually offer more battery capacity and additional controls and settings.

A standard vape pen charges via USB—either with a common cable or an adapter that screws into the 510 threads. As long as the vaper has a USB port available, and a cable or adapter on hand, they won’t need to remember which charger is compatible with which device.

Rarely, vape pens have specialty or replaceable batteries.

How to charge a vape pen with USB

After determining that your vape pen has a USB-compatible battery, the charging process is simple. Follow these steps, and your device will be at full power in no time.

How to charge a vape pen with replaceable batteries

As widespread as USB compatibility has become, not all vape batteries charge this way. There are still pen devices that—like many box mods—rely on removable batteries, which are usually charged with an external battery charger. (Some vape devices allow you to charge a removable battery inside the device with a USB connection.)

Here’s how to charge 18650 batteries and other sizes of rechargeable lithium-ion cells used in vaping devices:

How to know when a vape pen needs charging

Keep a close eye on your vape pen’s indicator light. Different devices have their own signal for a low battery, so you can refer to the manual for details. For instance, the light may start flashing red when your device is running out of power.

Certain devices have lights that change color at medium power. A flashing blue light can indicate that your battery is half empty, for example.

Alternatively, a green or white light usually shows that the battery is fully charged and ready to use.

Some (usually cheap) vape pens have no way of indicating battery capacity. They’re best avoided, unless you want to gamble (or always carry an extra).

How long does it take to charge a vape pen?

If your internal battery is drained, it will require between one and two hours to fully charge. Higher-capacity batteries can take longer. A battery that is only partially drained may charge in sixty minutes or less.

Integrated batteries often charge more quickly than their replaceable counterparts. A depleted removable battery charged on an external charger may take as long as three hours to charge.

Important: While some articles and videos give tips on charging vape pens “faster,” it’s better to let your device charge at its own pace. Attempting to speed up the process artificially could result in a fried battery, or even a fire or explosion. Stear clear of adapters that provide more than 5 volts of power or “rapid charging” adapters.

How to extend a vape pen’s battery life

With the proper charging practices, it’s possible to maximize your vape battery’s lifespan.

No battery lasts forever. In general, lithium-ion batteries will handle about 500 full charges. Good batteries will last for at least a year. Use these tips to extend your battery’s life as much as possible.

Are all vape pens rechargeable?