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Our # 1 Vaporizer for 2024
To eliminate the guesswork when it comes to choosing from some of the best vaporizers, we have devoted 30+hours to research and testing of these products to bring you our top picks of both desk vaporizers and portable vaporizers to help you make an informed decision. Based on our test scores, the Volcano Vaporizer is our “top pick” for best desk vaporizer, and the DaVinci IQ is our number 1 for the best portable vaporizer.
Read on to learn more about dry herb vaporizers.
Editor’s Choice Volcano Digital Vaporizer – The Best Vaporizer of 2024
Which Type of Vaporizer is Right For You?
There are different types of vaporizers for different purposes. Some are only for use with dry herbs such as tobacco, cannabis, or blended herbs ( mint and lemongrass, rosemary and basil, or potpourri.) Desktop vaporizers often have an attachment for vaporizing aromatics to freshen the air during and after use. Here is an overview of each one.
Desktop Vaporizers
A desktop vaporizer is an electric device that sits on a desk or table and plugs into the wall for power. These devices usually employ a whip (plastic tubing) or balloons (a reusable bag) as a vapor delivery system. The devices are easy to operate and require very little maintenance. This type of device is a good choice for someone who prefers to vape while relaxing at home.
Dry Herb Vaporizer
A dry herb vaporizer is used for herbs and sometimes oils and concentrates if it has the capability for it. The different types of vaporizers used for dry herbs are desktop vaporizers, portable vaporizers and sometimes smaller versions called vape pens. Each one is a little different but all do the same job. The one you choose will depend on personal preference and habits, or lifestyle.
Portable Vaporizers
A portable vaporizer is a device that can be carried in a pocket or purse and used for stealth vaping. These types of vaporizers are small and compact but work just as well as the bigger ones. Because they are smaller they do not generate as much heat as the larger ones, but they are more convenient and can be used on-the-go and recharged via USB cable when needed. They are powered by an internal lithium ion battery that lasts about 60-90 minutes of continuous vaping (or between 3-5 sessions).
What to Look For
Durability
No matter what type of vaporizer you choose, it should be sturdy enough not to break in the first few months. Desk vaporizers are probably the most sturdy, but it will depend on how you vape. If you don’t vape at home a desk model would not be a good investment.
Power
It should provide enough power for what you are using it for. You want it to provide enough heat to vaporize your herbs without burning them. If there is not enough heat, the herbs will not vaporize completely and could result in waste. The best vaporizers are efficient at maintaining a consistent heat. The ideal temperature is between 175-200 Celsius or 347-392 Farenheit. Some vapers say the “sweet spot” is right around 210 C.
Ease of Use
Any device you choose should be easy to operate. Depending on how advanced a vaper you are, it is a good idea to start with something simple and upgrade later. If you are fairly new to vaping, you might want to try a portable vaporizer first to see how you like it.
What to Avoid
Gimmicks and Gadgets
There are a lot of great vaporizers on the market but some also come with a lot of extra gadgets and things that you really don’t need and probably won’t use. When choosing a vaporizer, think of the things that are important to you and device based on those preferences.
High Price Tags
Of course you can’t do anything about the price of a device (save for a coupon or promo code), but you can make smart choices that include the value of the product. Just because an item is high-priced doesn’t mean you should avoid it, just consider whether it is a good value at that price for you.
Buying the Latest Fad
Fads come and go and people tend to buy what is popular no matter what it is. A good way to avoid making this mistake is to ask yourself if the product you are considering buying will still be relevant a few months or years from now. It’s not about how it looks, it’s about how it performs. If you like it and it works for you, then buy it.
Specialized Reviews Ranking System
At License to Vape, we employ a comprehensive evaluation system to analyze and measure the full value of products, by looking at the ingredients, clinical studies, safety, projected effectiveness, return policies, and overall customer satisfaction. This method is known as the License to Vape Ranking System.
Top 6 Best Vaporizers For 2024
We’ve compiled a list of what we’ve found to be the top products in this category and on the market today.
Volcano Digital Vaporizer - Best Desktop Vaporizer
5 / 5
Reviewer
Pros
- Made by Storz and Bickel
- Ceramic heating element
- German engineering
- Valve on balloon locks in vapor
- High-quality digital vaporizer
- Temp control from 104F to 446F
Cons
- High price for digital model
- Balloons take 3 minutes to fill
- attachments for liquid sold separately
The Bottom Line
The Volcano Vaporizer is available in two versions, digital and classic. The classic version has a turn-style knob to adjust heat settings and turn on and off. The unit itself is very efficient and works very well to produce volumes of flavorful vapor. The built-in, one-way valve on the balloons prevent vapor from escaping between draws making it easy to share with a group or use alone at your leisure. This model is considered to be the best desktop vaporizer because of its solid engineering and great performance. The only real drawback is the price for the digital model. At $599 it seems quite pricey for a digital vaporizer but it is up to individual preference.
Learn More About Our Top Pick
3 In 15
Durability5
Efficiency5
Value5
DaVinci IQ - Best Portable Vaporizer
5 / 5
Reviewer
Pros
- Ceramic heating oven
- External 18650 battery
- LED display for temp settings and battery status
- Extended mouthpiece stays cool
- Pass-through charging
Cons
- Nothing bad to say about this device other than it’s a little pricey at $274, may not be a con for some
The Bottom Line
The DaVinci IQ is to dry herb vaporizers what the latest smartphone technology is to wireless service. It not only does an amazing job of vaporizing dry herbs with its “smart path technology” but also works with Bluetooth and a smartphone app that lets the user customize the heat settings to what they like and does it all with the touch of a button. The device produces a full-bodied cloud of vapor that is rich and satisfying. For those vapers that appreciate technology and gadgets with a lot of functions, this one is perfect for you.
Learn More About Our Top Pick
3 In 15
Durability5
Efficiency5
Value5
V2 Pro Series 7 - Best 3-in-1 Vaporizer
5 / 5
Reviewer
Pros
- 3 Temperature settings (200, 210, and 225 C)
- Variable voltage between 3.7 and 4.7
- Longer battery life
- Magnetic charging cord
- Larger pod capacity than Series 3
- Heats up within 30 seconds
Cons
- A bit of a tight draw
- Filter screen on the mouthpiece is hard to get off
The Bottom Line
The Pro Series 7 is the bigger brother to the V2 Series 3. It has a bigger oven, bigger battery, and a good Mouth-to-lung draw. It is the big brother to the Series 3 model with more power and longer battery life. The heating oven is a bit larger to hold more herbs or concentrates and it heats up fast, within 30 seconds.It very much resembles the Series 3 version but on a larger scale. The improvements in size and heat give it an edge over the smaller version which has many of the same capabilities. If you plan to take a trip or outing, this would be perfect because the battery will last longer and give a more enjoyable vape experience.
Learn More About Our Top Pick
3 In 15
Durability5
Efficiency5
Value5
Arizer Extreme Q
5 / 5
Reviewer
Pros
- Very quiet
- LED display
- Temp control
- Digital temperature display
- Use whip or balloons
- Remote control
Cons
- No valve on balloon to keep vapor in between draws
- Glass bowl does get hot after using
The Bottom Line
The Arizer Extreme Q is a whip-style vaporizer but can also be used with a balloon (included). It has a 3-speed fan which pushes out the vapor with either use method and is very very efficient. The unit can be controlled using a remote or simply by pressing the button to begin heating. Once it reaches the preferred heat setting, attach the whip or balloon and switch on the fan to begin filling. It comes with several accessories to make care and cleaning easy and the device itself is pretty easy to use. Easy to use, easy to clean and produces good vapor.
Learn More About Our Top Pick
3 In 15
Durability5
Efficiency5
Value5
Pax 3 Portable Vaporizer
5 / 5
Reviewer
Pros
- Heats up quickly
- 5 LED battery indicator lights
- Temp control
- Compact design
- Lid for concentrates sold separately
- Good battery life
Cons
- Magnetic charger not very efficient
- Unit gets noticeably warm during use
The Bottom Line
The Pax 3 is an upgraded version of the Pax 2 but with many improvements over the original. This unit fits solidly in the hand, and depending on your hand size, practically disappears for the ultimate stealth vaping experience. Small and compact, the Pax 3 allows you to choose whether you want to load a full oven or half-oven pack. The half-pack lid (included) saves money and materials for later which is good for solo users.The ceramic heating oven completely vaporizes the dry herbs and uses convection heating so there is no combustion. It’s sleek design makes it easy to take anywhere and vape on-the-go.
Learn More About Our Top Pick
3 In 15
Durability5
Efficiency5
Value5
V2 Pro Series 3 Vaporizer
5 / 5
Reviewer
Pros
- Mouth-to-Lung draw
- Vaporizes liquid, dry herb, and concentrates
- Decent battery life
- Pass-through charging
- Good flavor and vapor production
Cons
- Proprietary charger
- Pods for herb and wax are purchased separately
The Bottom Line
The Series 3 is a sleek, pen-style device that uses convection heating to vaporize dry herbs and concentrates as well as e-liquids. A simple little all-in-one device that works great for everything. The pods or cartridges are labeled with a little icon on the top for their designation which makes for quick and easy changes between materials. This is a great unit for stealth vaping during travel. Many vapers choose to purchase extra pods and throw them away for ease of use when away from home. We included it in our list of best vaporizers for all of these reasons. And because we think you'll love it.
Learn More About Our Top Pick
3 In 15
Durability5
Efficiency5
Value5
Hailing from the east coast, Lisa is a long time Vaper whose knowledge is derived from years of experience and testing a wide variety of vaping products. If you have questions or comments don’t hesitate to reach out. [email protected]
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