Stepping into a provisioning center to buy a weed vape pen can get confusing fast.
On the shelves, you’ll find 510 carts, disposables, dab pens, and dry herb vaporizers, which can make a seemingly simple purchase feel overwhelming.
Don’t worry; figuring out the differences is easier than you think. It all comes down to what type of cannabis you’re vaping and which device goes with it best.
The three most popular categories are oil vape pens, dab or wax pens, and dry herb vape pens.
Here’s how each weed vape pen works and what to consider when choosing the right type for you.
Weed Vape Pens: At a Glance
First, take a look at the major differences between weed vape pens side-by-side.
| Weed Vape Pen Type | Cannabis Material | Common Format | Setup | Maintenance | Best For |
| Oil vape pen | Cannabis oil | 510-thread cartridge, pod, or disposable | Minimal; attach or activate and use | Little to none | Convenience, portability, and beginners |
| Dab/wax pen | Concentrates such as wax, budder, or shatter | Refillable concentrate chamber | Load concentrate before use | Regular chamber cleaning | Concentrate users who want a portable alternative to a dab rig |
| Dry herb vape pen | Ground cannabis flower | Refillable dry herb chamber | Grind and load flower | Regular chamber cleaning | Flower users who want to vaporize cannabis without switching to extracts |
The 3 Main Types of Weed Vape Pens
To start, let’s explore what makes each type of weed vape pen unique.
Oil Vape Pens
Oil vape pens are one of the three main types of weed vape pens. They’re made for vaporizing cannabis oil or extract, whether in a 510 cart or all-in-one device. In both, a heating element heats the oil, turning it into vapor that’s inhaled through the mouthpiece.
The biggest difference is how the device and battery are configured.
For 510 cartridge pens, you’ll attach a reusable, rechargeable battery (the pen) to a pre-filled cartridge.
Disposable or all-in-one devices have the battery, heating element, and oil or extract reservoir in one device.
Pod systems use removable pods that usually come with a brand-specific battery or proprietary connection.
Across all three oil vape types, you’ll also find different oil or extract types including:
- Distillate
- Live resin
- Live rosin
Overall, vape or oil pens require less prep and cleaning than dry herb or dab pens, making them a straightforward option for beginners.
In our experience, customers who are newer to vaping tend to gravitate toward oil pens, especially disposables, because there’s very little learning curve. You don’t have to grind flower, load a chamber, or handle sticky concentrates. Just pick your vape and go.
Dry Herb Vape Pens
Dry herb vape pens are designed for vaporizing cannabis flower. Like a traditional bowl or bong, you pack the flower into the heating chamber.
Then, activate the device and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to heat the flower to your set temperature. Rather than combusting the flower to create smoke, the device heats it to produce vapor.
Dry herb vaporizers generally use conduction, convection, or a combination of the two to heat the flower.
Conduction heats the flower through contact with a heated surface, while convection circulates heated air through it.
Because dry herb vaporizers need room for the flower chamber and heating system, they can be bulkier than oil vape pens.
They also require you to grind the flower, load the chamber, select the temperature, and clean it after use, making them more involved than the oil or weed vape pens we just covered.
Many consumers choose dry herb vaporizers because they can continue using flower without combusting it and have more control over the vaping experience.
Dab Pens/Wax Pens
Dab pens, which are often called wax pens or concentrate pens, are portable vaporizers designed for concentrates you can add yourself.
These devices are designed for thicker extracts and have a chamber or atomizer where you can load wax, budder/badder, shatter, or other similar-texture concentrates.
From there, the heating element heats the concentrate, transforming it into vapor to inhale through the mouthpiece.
Most dab pens use ceramic or quartz heating elements/chambers and offer a range of temperature and voltage settings to control heat and hit intensity.
Wax or dab pens, like dry herb vaporizers, require more hands-on setup and post-sesh cleaning to avoid buildup.
Keep in mind that concentrates can contain substantially more THC than cannabis flower [1]. This can make the experience more intense, meaning you should go low and slow with your hits if you’re a beginner.
Types of Oil Used in Weed Vape Pens
Now, let’s break down the differences between the various types of oil used in weed vape pens.
510 cartridges, disposable devices, and pods for proprietary batteries can all contain different types of cannabis extracts. Here’s how each differs:
- Distillate: Distillate is a highly refined extract that typically contains high concentrations of cannabinoids such as THC or CBD. The refining process removes many of the plant’s naturally occurring compounds, and terpenes may be added back in for flavor and aroma.
- Full-spectrum extracts: Extracts labeled full-spectrum are generally formulated to retain a broader range of compounds from the cannabis plant, including cannabinoids and terpenes, rather than primarily concentrating THC like distillate.
- Live resin: Live resin is made using cannabis flower material that’s frozen shortly after harvest rather than dried and cured. It’s then extracted using solvents such as butane or other hydrocarbons.
- Cured resin: Cured resin uses the same solvent-based process to extract oil from flower material; however, instead of freshly freezing the flower, it’s made with flower that’s been dried and cured.
- Live rosin: For live rosin, the “live” again refers to its origins of fresh-frozen cannabis flower. But unlike live resin, it uses a solventless process, using only heat and pressure for extraction.
- Liquid diamonds: Liquid diamonds refer to an extract of highly concentrated THCA “diamonds” that are mixed with terpene-rich extracts or live-resin-like “sauce” specifically crafted for vape products.
While it’s common for most consumers to go straight for the highest THC percentages, there’s more that goes into the effect and experience than just cannabinoids. Terpene profiles can vary considerably between cannabis products and can also be affected by processing methods [2].
At Elevated Exotics, we see plenty of shoppers head straight for the highest THC number, but that doesn’t tell you everything about a vape. Depending on what you care about, factors like extract type, terpene profile, flavor, and overall experience can matter just as much, or more.
How to Choose the Right Weed Vape Pen
Since the type of material you’ll consume varies by device, start there. Choose the cannabis product you prefer, and select your device from its category.
If you like oil or extract in a portable, easy-to-use device, choose a universal 510 battery and threaded cartridge or an all-in-one device.
If you’re a dab enthusiast and just want to take your concentrates on the go, choose a dab or wax pen.
If you prefer the lower potency and traditional nature of cannabis flower, dry herb vaporizers are the weed vape type for you.
Of course, within each category, you’ll choose your device type or brand based on even more personal preferences, including:
- Ease of use and experience: 510 carts and disposables are best for beginners who don’t want the extra work of prepping and cleaning, while dab pens are ideal for concentrate users who appreciate the ritual of loading and maintenance.
- Frequency of use: If you’re an intermittent or occasional user, choose a smaller 0.5 g size if shopping in the disposable device or 510 cart categories. We’ve found that customers who have trouble with larger carts clogging sometimes have better luck with 0.5 g carts. Because they tend to finish them faster, the oil has less time to sit, thicken, and build up in the airflow path.
- Discretion: Dry herb vaporizers and dab pens tend to be larger and require more setup. Oil vape pens tend to be smaller and produce less odor than vaping flower or concentrates, making them a more discreet option.
- Control & customization: All-in-one devices are typically preset, offering less control over airflow and temperature, while dab pens and dry herb vaporizers may offer more adjustable settings. We’ve found that people who vape regularly are more likely to have a few different carts in rotation rather than sticking to just one. They may choose between them depending on the flavor or experience they want.
- Cost: While dab pens and dry herb vaporizers can cost more up front, buying materials in bulk (concentrates or flower) over time can be more cost-effective than continually buying 510 carts or disposable devices.
No matter what, only buy cannabis vape products from licensed, regulated sources like Michigan provisioning centers, and check available product testing rather than purchasing unverified or illicit-market products [3].
Conclusion: What Is the Best Weed Vape Pen?
In this guide, you’ve learned there isn’t a universal best weed vape pen. There’s a weed vape pen type that’s right for you and your individual tastes and preferences.
The best choice comes down to what you want from the experience, whether that’s the convenience of an oil pen, the familiarity of flower or a portable way to enjoy concentrates.
In Michigan, Elevated Exotics offers all three types of weed vape pens across its five locations.
Find the one closest to you, and start shopping for your weed vape pen today.
Weed Vape Pen Types: Frequently Asked Questions
Here’s what else to know about choosing and using different types of weed vape pens.
What Vape Is Best for Weed?
The best weed vape depends on what you want to consume. Oil vape pens are convenient and easy to use, dry herb vaporizers let you vape cannabis flower, and dab pens are designed for concentrates like wax and shatter. Consider your experience level, preferred cannabis product, maintenance, and portability when choosing.
What’s the Strongest Type of Weed Pen?
Dab pens are often considered one of the strongest options because the concentrates they vaporize can contain substantially more THC than cannabis flower. However, the pen itself doesn’t determine how potent the experience will be. The product’s cannabinoid concentration, how much you consume, and your individual tolerance all play a role.
Are Disposable or Reusable Weed Pens Better?
Disposable weed pens offer the most convenience since they come ready to use and require little maintenance. Reusable vape pens may cost more upfront but let you replace cartridges or pods while keeping the same battery. The better choice depends on how frequently you vape and how much flexibility you want.
What Type of Weed Pen Is Best for Beginners?
Oil vape pens are often the easiest option for beginners because they require less preparation and maintenance than dry herb or dab pens. Disposables are especially straightforward since they come prefilled and ready to use, while rechargeable cartridge systems offer a simple option for more regular use.
