Types of Dry Herb Vaporizers

Herb Vaporizer Types Broken Down

When it comes to vaping your favorite herb, you have two options: those devices that handle concentrates (like oils and waxes), and those that handle dry herb.

Fact is, if smoking herb is your thing, few ways of enjoying it will bring about the flavor, aroma and intense immersion in the experience as a dry herb vaporizer. Not to mention that you get all of the good stuff (TCH, CBD, terpenes and other cannabinoids) without the negative health implications of combustion smoke.

This has led to increased awareness and popularity of dry herb vaporizers, and with it, a whole new line-up of exciting devices. Having options is good, but it can also make the process of finding the right device for the job a bit more cumbersome.

This guide will breakdown the most common types of dry herb vaporizes and provide you with the information you need in order to decide which one is the best option for you.

Whether it’s the type of battery, size, weight, or other needed features, it’s important that you factor everything in before making a purchase. Devices aren’t always cheap, but making the right investment will leave you with a device that you’ll be able to enjoy for years to come.

Before you can start comparing features, however, you need to first familiarize yourself with the different types of dry herb vaporizers on the market. Each has its own set of features, intended purposes, and benefits.

Whether you plan to use your vaporizer for group vaping sessions or just want a way to unwind during long commutes, you’ll no doubt have a vast selection of types and sizes to choose from.

Without further ado, let’s have a look at some of the most common types.

Desktop Vaporizers

Vape pens and other portable vaporizers are without a doubt the most popular model type of device you’ll see people using. That being said, desktop vaporizers are what started it all. Back in the 90s’ — you know, the decade during the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal — vaporizers first hit the market.

This was only made possible due to the advancements in various forms of heating technology and batteries, and it allowed those who appreciate cannabis to take their experience to a new and unexplored level.

Unlike combustion smoking, vaporizing cannabis heats the herb up to the point at which it emits a “vapor” but does not actually burn or combust into smoke. This vapor, and all of the active compounds from the cannabis are inhaled in order to experience the traditional euphoric “high” everyone is familiar with. The vapor, while also devoid of carcinogenic byproducts from smoke and your lighter/torch, is also more flavorful and smooth, making it much less harsh on the lungs.

Desktop vapes have a few identifying features that make it easy to differentiate them from other types of vaporizers. These include group-smoking attachments, larger sizes, and the ability to plug them into wall sockets as the primary source of power.

Let’s take a deeper look into these differentiators below…

Let’s start with the most obvious feature of desktop vaporizers — their size. After all, the entire reason they’re called desktop vaporizers is the fact that they are fit to be placed atop a desk, coffee table, or even on a kitchen countertop.

This, of course, means that it won’t be portable and therefore a bad choice if you need to vape on-the-go. That being said, the ability to plug into a wall socket more than makes up for the lack of portability.

The fact that these desktop vaporizers allow you to plug into the wall means that you can keep your vaping sessions going for as long as you want without having to worry about draining your battery or diminishing power that results in less vapor.

Some desktop vaporizers feature rechargeable batteries, however, but these units are usually less powerful due to the decreased size necessary to make them more portable. Another drawback is the fact their higher power usage drains the battery much faster than a vape pen would.

Attachments for desktop vaporizers

Another important aspect of desktop vaporizers that you should know about is the attachments that they come with or have available as “add ons”. These attachments are removable pieces that either come with the unit upon purchase or can be bought afterwards as a standalone piece.

There are three attachments that have long been unparalleled in their popularity. Such options include whip tubing, balloons, and direct draws.

Whip tubing is a small tube that resembles a hookah hose. It is passed from one vaper to another, making group sessions far easier than having to rely on a standard mouthpiece.

Balloon attachments, or balloon bags, on the other hand, are a large “balloon-like” bag that is filled up with vapor. A mouthpiece is attached to the balloon for those adventurous enough to take on inhaling the large plume of vapor trapped inside.

Balloon attachments are also a great choice for those who are concerned about the hygienic implications of sharing whip tubing and who want their own mouthpiece.

Direct draw attachments are fixed right to the vaporizer itself and are good for small groups of 2-3 people that are sitting very close to the main unit.

Portable vaporizers

Portable vaporizers represent those devices that are, well, portable. They come in a very broad range of styles and sizes.

Differences between portable and desktop vaporizers include:

• Portable vaporizers utilize batteries, while most desktop vaporizers do not. This means that while they are portable, they will lose their power faster (shorter vaping sessions) and the batteries will need recharging or replacement with use.
• Most portable vaporizers are smaller than desktop vaporizers due to the fact that they are meant to be used on the go and thus need to fit into fanny packs and purses. This makes these dry herb vaporizers easy to travel with as well as being discreet.
• A direct draw is the most common type of mouthpiece for portable vaporizers (no fancy attachments here).

If you have an active lifestyle and have the need to vape while on the go or when out and about at events, a portable dry herb vaporizer is the right choice.

It’s also a great option for those in developing countries who have frequent power outages and need a vaporizer that will work even when the electric companies fail their customers. In fact, some portable vaporizers can be charged through the USB ports in your laptop.

Closing Thoughts

As you can see, portable vaporizers and desktop vaporizers share a lot of the same elements. The main variation between the two types is their size and power source.

Those looking to “share” at home will find dry herb desktop vaporizers as the best option, while those looking to vape on the go will find portable options to be preferred. We carry many designs here at Hemper.