Pick The Best Vape Pen
How to choose the best vape pen for your vaping style?
There are many types of vape pens available, ranging from small thin MTL (Mouth-To-Lung) vape pens right through to thicker larger vape pens for DL (Direct-Lung) vaping. There are also vape pens for vaping dry herbs and other extracts.
What is a vape pen?
The vaping market is filled with devices that are all different shapes and sizes. We normally call a device a ‘vape pen’ if it has the same general shape as a pen. Other than that, there isn’t anything else that would define a device as being a pen.
Vape pens typically have a fire button, are battery powered and rechargeable (via USB charging port). But, they can also be MECH MODS without a charging port. Vape pens are normally for vaping e-liquids, but they also come as dry herb vaporizers (know as pen vaporizers). There is a big difference between the mechanics of an e-liquid vaporizer and a dry herb vaporizer. But we should talk about that in another article. When it comes to dry herb vaping, it is super common to get a WAX vape pen. It seems to be the natural shape for these devices. Dry herb oil vaporizers are also mostly pen vaporizers.
The important thing to remember is that a Pen Vape is basically a term used to describe a vape that has a cylindrical pen like shape and doesn’t really tell us anything else about the devices functions or uses. The term Vape Pen is a very general term.
How do vapes work?
A vape pen and vape devices in general has five main parts:
- Power source (also called the battery or mod)
- Atomizer (also know as a coil)
- Tank (also called chamber or cartridge)
- Fire button/controls (if it’s a button activated device)
- Mouthpiece (Also called the drip tip)
The power source is also called the mod and it is basically the housing for the battery. Mods can have controls to turn on and off and maybe up and down. Some mods don’t have any buttons and they are draw-activated mods.
The atomizer is the heating element called the coils, which heats up when the device is fired and this heat is used to convert the e-liquid to vapour. Dry herb devices also use a heating element and this is most obvious with little wax pens, where you can see the coils in action. But for the more advanced dry herb devices that specifically vaporize flower, the heating element is hidden away inside the device and transferred to the flower via either a convection or conduction process.
The tank is what holds the e-liquid and coils. tanks are refillable and also have some features, like adjustable airflow control.
The fire button and controls are used to activate the battery and control the heat of the atomizer.
And finally the mouthpiece is usually referred to as the drip tip and that is the part of the device that you inhale the vapour from.
Not all vape pens have exactly the same setup as described above. However, they still work the same way. For example, some vape pens these days dont have a tank that can be removed from the battery. It is permanently connected to the mod. But the above overview gives you a good idea of the general components of a vape pen and what they do.
What are the different types of vape pens?
There are many different types of vape pens. There are vape pens with different battery capacities and features, some have buttons while other are draw activated.
Vape pens can be used for vaping e-liquid (either with nicotine or without). They can also be used for vaping dry herb derived material like herb, waxes and oils (like CBD and THC oils and extracts).
The most popular types of vape pens are ones that have adjustable power output controls, allowing you to customize your vaping experience by changing the intensity of the hit. However, with this function, its important to make sure you are using an output level that is compatible with your coil. If you turn it up to high, you can easily burn the coil wick and that tastes awful!
To summarize this all, we can categories vape pens into a few different groups:
- E-liquid Vape Pens- These are pens that vape pens that work with e-liquids. There are a few different types of e-liquid vape pens:
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- Variable Vape Pen– Vape pens that have controls.
- MEC Vape Pens– Vape pens that don’t have controls and have a direct connection to the battery voltage.
- MTL Vape Pens (or lower wattage vape pens)- Vape pens for Mouth-To-Lung vaping.
- DL Vape Pens (higher wattage vape pens)- Vape pens for Direct-To-Lung vaping.
- Pod System Vape Pens– These are vape pens that use a pod system.
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- Dry Herb Vape Pens- These are vape pens for fry herb and their extracts. There are a few different types of dry herb vape pens:
- Oil Vape Pen– These are vape pens for vaping dry herb oil extracts. They are usually small and have some functionality.
- WAX Vape Pen– These can be small but can also be larger. The coil is usualy visible, so you can see the WAX melting on the coil.
- Dry Herb Vape Pen– These are pen shaped dry herb vaporizers and they transfer the heat from the coil via either convection or conduction methods.
How to pick the best vape to buy?
OK, now we know what a pen vape is, how it works and what is can be used for, we just need to workout what vape pen we want. To do this, you need to ask yourself these questions:
- What are you going to vape?
- e-liquid
- dry herbs
- dry herb concentrates like WAX or oil
- What is the functionality you want?
- do you need to be able to turn the device up and down?
- Which heating method do you prefer?
- if your using e-liquids, the heating method is via a coil and wick
- if your using dried herbs, you may prefer convection or conduction
- if your using herb extracts, you may need a WAX atomizer or a ceramic coils system if your using oils
Lets have a closer look…
Material: What are you going to vape?
It is important to determine what you are going to be vaping with your vape pen. This is the main thing that will determine your choice for a vape pen. Here are the different materials you can vape:
- E-liquids- made from propylene glycol (PG) and/or vegetable glycerin (VG), flavour concentrate and in some cases nicotineis added. E-liquids are probably the most common substance that people use to vape in their vape pen.
- Dry herbs- dry herbs are broken up into to a few different materials:
- Dried herb- this is actual dried herbs, the same as you would smok
- Concentrates
- WAX- this is also sometimes called Dabs and is a solidified oil extract which is harder and waxy
- Oil- this is the oils extract and is a thick oily substance
Usage: What is the functionality do you want?
If you are a new user about to buy your first vape then you may want a super simple vape pen. If you have been vaping for a while and want to get into the features a bit more, then a device with more functionality would be best. For example, if you like to customise your vaping session and try different things, vape pens that have temperature control or programmable pre-sets will be perfect.
And if you also want to use your vaporizer pen with different material, not only e-liquids, then you should look at devices that allow this.
Heating method: Which heating method do you prefer?
First let’s see what are heating methods:
- Coils (e-liquid)– E-liquid coils are the most common heating method. Perfect for vaping your e-liquids.
- Coils (WAX)- Was coils are used for heating wax concentrates. The coils are usually wrapped around a quartz rod to retain heat while the wax is vaporized.
- Coil (ceramic)- These coils are mostly for oil extracts, but they can also be for heating a ceramic bowl for WAX.
- Convection- This is when the vape material is not directly in contact with the heating element and the hot air is passing around and through the dried herb material.
- Conduction: This is when the heating element is in direct contact with the dried herb material.
- Induction: In this rare method, heat is passed through magnetic fields. You won’t find many vape pens using this method as it is still not that common yet.
You now know everything you need to choose the best vape for you. If you are still in doubt or have questions, Give Us A Call!
Some suggestions from our best sellers:
ASPIRE POCKEX AIO STARTER KIT 1500MAH
The Aspire PockeX AIO Starter Kit is an All-In-One device which uses the Nautilus X U-Tech Coil System inside a top filling 2ml tank.
This device is for Mouth To Lung (MTL) vaping and is the perfect device for transitioning from smoking. The feeling of the draw from this device is just like a cigarette and it is designed to be used with a strong nicotine e-liquid. For more information on Direct Lung (DL) and Mouth To Lung (MTL) vaping checkout our page on Inhaling Vapour.
This little pen device also has a 1500 mAh direct voltage battery. The PockeX is operated via a simple single fire button with an LED back light. The PockeX is equipped with a full suite of safety features, including a 10 second cut-off, short circuit, overcharge protection, and low battery protection. This device is perfect for beginners and anyone looking for an awesome mouth-to-lung device.
INNOKIN ZLIDE TUBE
This high-performance and super portable vape pen Kit has an amazing 3000mAh rechargeable battery (compatible with the Innokin Z-Coil Line) and is paired with the Innokin ZLIDE MTL Tank to create a vaping pen that is simply perfect for the new vaper starting out, or the experienced vaper looking for a super portable MTL device.
GEEK VAPE G18 STARTER KIT
Geek Vape G18 Pen Starter Kit has a durable body with a sleek design. This Kit works with a 1300mAh built-in battery with 3 level adjustable power settings. Geek Vape G18 Pen comes with a clear visible 2ml pod with a top filling design. The pod features an adjustable bottom airflow and a anti-leak deck to offer perfect MTL vaping.
Available Colours:
- Black
- Stainless Steel
GEEK VAPE WENAX S-C STARTER KIT
The Geek Vape WENAX S-C Starter Kit has an integrated 1100mAh battery, 3-tiered power output and uses a draw-activated firing system. The WENAX S-C Kit offers a slim and portable body that is perfect for people that are always on-the-go. Equipped with an integrated 1100mAh battery the Geek Vape WENAX S-C Kit can deliver power in a three tiered output system catering to those that love versatility. Operating off a draw-activated firing mechanism the Geek Vape WENAX S-C is free of any buttons to deliver a flawless user experience.
OIL PEN VAPORIZERS
Oil pen vaporizers are designed for vaping oil and usually have a ceramic and cotton coil. They are made up of a pen battery (or 510 pen battery) and are 0.5ml or 1.0ml oil cartridge (or oil tank).
XMAX V3 PRO VAPORIZER
XMAX have stepped up the game for pen style vaporizers with the V3 Pro Vaporizer. This discreet, dual compatibility unit is highly versatile and features a number of modes to control your sessions. Vape anywhere and everywhere with its pocket friendly and discreet little vaporizer. With USB-C fast charging and replaceable 18650 high-amp battery, its difficult to think of any other device on this level.
UWELL KALMIA 13W POD SYSTEM
The Uwell Kalmia Pod System features an integrated 400mAh battery, 1.6ml refillable pod and operates on a draw-activated firing mechanism. The Kalmia is slim and portable, neatly fitting within the pocket, purse, or bookbag with ease. Adopting a 1.6ml refillable pod, the Kalmia relies on an integrated 1.2ohm coil to deliver outstanding flavor and vapor from your favorite e-liquid. Operating off a draw-activated firing mechanism, the Kalmia is free of buttons and screen to ensure maximum battery life and to maintain the sleek and uninterrupted exterior.
Pick The Best Vape Pen - FAQs
How to choose the best vape pen for your vaping style?
There are many types of vape pens available, ranging from small thin MTL (Mouth-To-Lung) vape pens right through to thicker larger vape pens for DL (Direct-Lung) vaping. There are also vape pens for vaping dry herbs and other extracts.
What is a vape pen?
We normally call a device a ‘vape pen’ if it has the same general shape as a pen. Other than that, there isn’t anything else that would define a device as being a pen.
How do vapes work?
The power source is also called the mod and it is basically the housing for the battery. Mods can have controls to turn on and off and maybe up and down. Some mods don’t have any buttons and they are draw-activated mods.
The atomizer is the heating element called the coils, which heats up when the device is fired and this heat is used to convert the e-liquid to vapour. Dry herb devices also use a heating element and this is most obvious with little wax pens, where you can see the coils in action. But for the more advanced dry herb devices that specifically vaporize flower, the heating element is hidden away inside the device and transferred to the flower via either a convection or conduction process.
The tank is what holds the e-liquid and coils. tanks are refillable and also have some features, like adjustable airflow control.
The fire button and controls are used to activate the battery and control the heat of the atomizer.
And finally the mouthpiece is usually referred to as the drip tip and that is the part of the device that you inhale the vapour from.
Not all vape pens have exactly the same setup as described above. However, they still work the same way. For example, some vape pens these days dont have a tank that can be removed from the battery. It is permanently connected to the mod. But the above overview gives you a good idea of the general components of a vape pen and what they do.
What are the different types of vape pens?
1. E-liquid Vape Pens
2. Dry Herb Vape Pens
