The Different Types of Weed Vape Pens
Weed pens have become a go-to choice for many cannabis enthusiasts, who prefer a healthier, more discreet, and convenient way of consuming cannabis.
Whether you’re vaping cannabis oil, solid concentrates, or dry herbs, there’s a specific vape pen designed to optimize your experience.
But with so many different types of weed vaporizers on the market, it can be difficult to determine which one is best suited to your needs.
In this article, I’ll talk about the most common types of weed pens available, breaking down the pros and cons of each so you can find your perfect match.
What are Weed Vape Pens?
Weed pens are portable, battery-powered vaporizing devices designed to heat cannabis products (usually THC oils, wax, or dry herbs) to produce inhalable vapor.
They’re called pens due to their compact, cylindrical design that resembles a regular pen. Users can easily carry them in pockets or bags, making them ideal for on-the-go consumption.
Most weed pens contain the same components. They include a battery delivers power, a chamber or cart holds material, an atomizer for heating, and a mouthpiece to inhale the vapor easily.
These devices allow users to enjoy the effects of cannabis without the harmful byproducts associated with smoking.
Vaping experience with these pens is discreet as they produce minimal odor compared to smoking dried herbs.
Compared to edibles, vape pens offer faster and more effective results—all without the extra calories!
The Different Types of Weed Pens
There are three main types of weed vape pens: dry herb vaporizers, oil cart vapes, and wax dab pens.
Each of these weed pen types caters to different experiences and cannabis product types.
1. Dry Herb Vape pens
For users who prefer vaporizing cannabis flower rather than concentrates or oils, a dry herb vape is the way to go.
Most dry herb vapes are table vapes that are not portable, but some companies have created smaller dry herb vapes that you can take on the go.
Using ceramic or stainless-steel heating chambers, these vaporizers gently heat the ground herb to a point where vapor is released without combustion, preserving the flavor and aroma of the flower.
Many cannabis enthusiasts prefer dry herb vapes because they offer a more natural experience, allowing users to enjoy the full flavor and profile of the cannabis plant.
If you’re a fan of traditional smoking but want a cleaner alternative, without the harmful effects of smoke, smoking pens that vaporize dry herb could be the ideal choice.
There are two primary types of portable vaporizers: conduction and convection models.
Conduction vaporizers work by directly heating the cannabis material through contact with a heated surface. This method tends to heat the weed faster but can sometimes result in uneven vaporization.
Convection vaporizers, in contrast, use hot air to heat the cannabis material. This indirect heating method ensures more even vaporization, resulting in a smoother and more consistent vapor quality.
2. Oil cart vape pens (refillable or prefilled)
For beginners in search of vapes for weed, the oil cartridge vape is the most common type you will see, as they are sold everywhere, even in state-licensed dispensaries.
Vape pens, sometimes called 510 vape pens, contain a battery and a pre-filled or refillable cartridge containing cannabis oil.
They are designed to vaporize liquid cannabis concentrates like THC or CBD oils, available in different potencies and flavors.
Cannabis oil is a high potent concentrate - providing THC levels in the 50-90% range, that will get you 5 to 10 times higher than cannabis flower.
Pre-filled oil carts are single use and can be disposed once the oil runs out . Refillable oil carts are advantageous because they can be used over again.
They are easy to use—simply connect the cartridge to the battery, press the button, and inhale. You don't need to grinde or handle raw cannabis flower anymore.
The "510 thread" refers to the universal threading (10 threads spaced 5 millimeters apart) that allows these carts to fit into most 510 thread vape batteries.
These vape pens are quasi-reusable, as users can recharge the battery once the cartridge is empty.
In addition, There are also a variety of disposable oil vape pens available, featuring a sealed oil cylinder with a battery that lasts as long as the cartridge.
Disposable oil vape pens are lightweight, compact, portable, and can be used out of the box. Also, the entire pen can be disposed of once the oil is used up - Very convenient and popular.
If you’re planning a trip and don’t want to travel with your smoking accessories, Oil cart vape pens are definitely a reliable and easy way to enjoy cannabis.
3. Wax/Dab Pens
If you prefer stronger, more potent hits, then a wax/dab pen vaporizer might be the best option for you. These are similar in appearance to oil pens, but the material vaped is different.
Dab pens are designed to vaporize thicker, solid cannabis concentrates like shatter, wax, and budder. These concentrates usually has a higher potency than oil, and flower.
These pens generally come with a more powerful heating element and higher voltage/temp options than oil cartridge pens to handle the consistency of wax.
Dab pen coils are usually made of quartz, ceramic, or titanium. Quartz and Ceramic coils are Known for their ability to preserve pure flavor while titanium coil can result in bigger vapor clouds.
Dab pens are safer, smaller and more portable than the traditional glass dab rigs, which involves bulky size, a blowtorch, Temperature Guess, and more.
Unlike oil vape pen, To use a dab pen, you must manually place a small amount of concentrate or wax into the chamber, where it is vaporized by the exposed heat coil, before you can consume it.
Plus, you need to clean sticky residue from the heating chamber after every use to avoid clogs and mold.
While wax pens require a bit more maintenance and cleaning, they offer a powerful vaping experience that many consumers enjoy.
These dab pens are most appropriate to be used by those who have a high tolerance for cannabis and who desire a more potent impact of the substance.
Explore More: The 10 Best Dab Pens & Wax Pens to Buy in 2025
What are the 3 Main Different Types of Weed?
Cannabis comes in various forms, each suited for different methods of consumption. When it comes to vaping, the three most popular types are:
Weed Oil: A liquid cannabis concentrate, often prefilled into vape cartridges. Weed oil offers a potent and flavorful experience, making it a favorite among users.
Cannabis Concentrates: These are highly concentrated forms of cannabis, like wax, shatter, or crumble. Known for their strong effects, dabs require specialized devices to heat them properly.
Dry Herbs: Simply the plant material itself, ground and used in dry herb vaporizers. Unlike combustion methods, vaporizers "slow-heat" the herbs to release their cannabinoids without burning them.
How to Choose the Best type of Weed Pen for You?
Vaping cannabis has never been more versatile, with specialized pens for every type of product.
Whether you’re a fan of weed oil, dabs, or dry herbs, the right weed pen can elevate your experience.
Wax/Dab pens are made for dab enthusiasts who prefer to vaporize thick, solid cannabis concentrates.
For those who want a purer weed experience, go for dry herb vape pens that work by vaporizing the ground cannabis flower.
If you decide to buy an THC oil pen, know that there are two primary options: prefilled and refillable.
The pre-filled Disposable pens and carts can be used until the oil runs out, and then discarded. For those looking for more longevity, refillable vape pens are a great choice.
Weed vape pens come in a variety of shapes, styles, and sizes. The best vape pen for you depends entirely on your individual needs and preferences.