Vaping (short for vaporizing) is one of the many ways to enjoy cannabis. It involves loading either dried flower, cannabis oil or other concentrates into a device called a vaporizer, which heats the cannabis just enough to produce a vapour that you inhale. It’s a much milder experience than inhaling cannabis smoke, which is why it’s a popular method among those who would rather avoid combustibles. It’s also a lot less fragrant if that’s a concern.
If you want to venture into the wonderful world of cannabis vapour, you’ll need a vaporizer, and there are several different types on the market. Before researching your options you’ll want to think about what form of cannabis you’d prefer to vape (flower or concentrate), where you want to do it (home or on the go), and of course, your budget.
Here’s a quick guide to help you make the right purchase so you can learn how to choose the best vaporizer for you.
Vape Pens
These extremely portable mini vaporizers look like pens and thus fit in your pocket easily. They come pre-loaded with cannabis oil and usually last a few days or longer depending on how much you use them. Some are disposable, and some are refillable and rechargeable with replacement cartridges sold separately.
Vape pens will set you back about $60, and refills are about $30 to $50. They’re a good option for beginners who are just testing the vaping waters and don’t want to make too big of an investment. You can usually find them at your local dispensary or other legal cannabis supplier.
Handheld Vaporizers
Handheld vaporizers are larger than vape pens but they’re also quite portable, easily fitting into a purse, bag or pocket. Handhelds come in a variety of models—some are designed specifically for vaporizing flower and some for concentrates (or get a vape that can do both!).
These vaporizers are more expensive than vape pens, coming in at anywhere from $100 to $300. If you think you’ll be vaping for a while, they’re a good investment since they last much longer than disposable vape pens.
Desktop Vaping Machines
Perhaps you remember seeing a large, clear balloon affixed to a cone-shaped metal base plugged into the wall at your buddy’s dorm in college. It might have even been your first introduction to vaporizing cannabis. It took a while to heat up, but when it did, that balloon billowed with beautiful cannabis vapour. The device in question was likely the Volcano—a world-famous desktop vaporizer.
Desktop vaporizers come in many different shapes and sizes, but they’re usually a significant investment. So if you’re thinking about buying one, make sure you’re in it for the long haul. These vaporizers are better suited for home use than pens and handheld vaporizers because of their size and the fact that they need to be plugged in, which makes transport somewhat prohibitive. Think of this type of vaporizer like that large, glorious water pipe you proudly display on your shelf (just make sure you have the storage space).
Choose the Best Vaporizer for You
The world of vaporizers is vast and plentiful, so if vaping is your jam, you’re bound to find a device that fits you just right. They even come in a rainbow of colours and patterns.
Before you buy, think about how you like to vape and maybe even take your friends’ vaporizers for test-drives until you find the right one. You can also visit your local head shop or cannabis accessories store and ask the knowledgeable staff to guide you. When you’re ready to weigh your options, browse our wide selection of vaporizers.
Enjoy the ride. Tell us know what you think on Instagram and Facebook!