Dab Pen vs Vape Pen? What is the Difference? Dab Pen Types

The term dab pen and vape pen are used interchangeably, vape pen is more of an umbrella term for all different types of vaporizing devices. They are usually more portable, smaller, discreet, battery powered devices that can be used to vaporize either nicotine salts, e-liquid, cbd, or thc.

What is a Vape Pen?

A vape pen is made up of two main components, a battery that is used to power the device usually with a button, and either a tank, cartridge, pod, or something similar to hold whatever liquid / oil or material that is meant to be vaporized.

There are all different types of vape pens, like disposables, all in ones, pod devices, dab pens, cart and battery, mods, and even pens used for dry herbs. They are all considered “vaping” devices.

What is a Dab Pen?

The term dab pen refers to a pen-like device that is used to vaporize thc concentrates. This can include all in ones/disposables, pod devices and cart - battery combos. The oil filled portion of a dab pen usually has a mouthpiece, a chamber (filled with whatever oil), and a coil.

A coil contains a heating element that heats up the oil to turn it into vapor, which can then be inhaled for its desired effect. What we like to call a dab pen is its most traditional form, which includes a wax tank, coil/atomizer and battery.

Different Types of Dab Pens:

Disposable Dab Pen / All in One Dab Pen:

An all in one / disposable dab pen includes all the components necessary to make it a vape pen, but in a compact device that is completely enclosed. An all in one does not allow you to remove the tank from the battery. It's an all inclusive type of dab pen that is simple to use without any complicated extra steps! An all in one is more concealed with very little parts of the tank showing, most of the time it has a square boxy looking design.

A disposable dab pen is also an all in one device with the same concept: a tank, battery, and coil. The tank is more exposed with a disposable than an all in one. As the name suggests, you can use this type of dab pen until all the liquid on the inside is finished and then simply, throw it away.

Pod Device Dab Pen:

This is more of the stiizy style dab pen, it comes with removable pods that can be swapped out based on whatever strain you'd like to consume at whatever given time. The pods are sold separately, you keep the battery and buy new pods as needed. Pods are disposable, so once the wax runs out you just throw it away!

Cart and Battery:

A cart and battery is the very first iteration of the dab pen, classic style tank with a removable battery. The tank is filled with oil, usually distillate with a 510 threaded bottom to screw onto a pen-like battery. This is the same concept of a pod device, you can use up the cart until it's empty and toss it when you're done, keeping the battery for later use!

Dab Pen:

Last but certainly not least, what we consider to be a dab pen is a device that comes with a wax tank and a custom battery to facilitate that tank or coil. Something similar to the puffco pivot, dr dabber ghost 2, focus v aeris and more. These types of pens come with upgraded atomizers that give you an experience that is close to using an electric dab rig, just without the water. Each of their atomizers are curated to handle a variety of different types of concentrate, not just distillate oil like the previous options mentioned.

For the sake of keeping this blog short and sweet we will focus on the key differences of what separates what we like to consider a “dab pen” from vape pens.

How Does a Dab Pen Work?

As previously mentioned, a dab pen will include the major components needed to vaporize concentrates. This includes a powerful battery, a specially designed wax chamber/coil/atomizer for vaporizing your concentrates and some sort of mouthpiece/covering that goes over it.

You simply load up the chamber with your preferred concentrate and then activate a heating cycle using the battery. From there you can enjoy portable dabbing while on the go!

What Do You Use in a Dab Pen?

The chamber design focuses on vaporizing all different types of concentrates, ones that are semi solid instead of a more runny oily substance. This includes wax, shatter, crumble, rosin, diamonds and sauce. The idea behind a dab pen is a more portable, compact version of an electric dab rig which can be useful when traveling, or when you're out and about and don't want to risk breaking your rig by taking it with you.

Dab Pen Features:

Replaceable Atomizers/Chambers:

Dab pens come with replaceable chambers/atomizers, the more expensive versions of this type of device require very little maintenance. Maybe an atomizer replacement every 6 months or so, while on the other hand, a less expensive dab pen will need a coil replacement every week to two weeks depending on usage.

Temperature Control:

Most newer dabbing devices come with adjustable temperature settings, whether its different voltage settings or precise temperature control. Dab pens are no different, more expensive versions will allow for more accurate temperature readings or exact temperature control, while less expensive versions will allow you to adjust the voltage. Usually dab pens will have three preset temps to choose from ranging from low, mid, and high.

Ability To Handle Large Dabs and a Variety of Different Concentrate:

Since the atomizer/chamber is usually larger on newer dab pens, these devices can actually handle some pretty big dabs. Perfect example, the focus v aeris is compatible with the same atomizer that is used with the carta 2, its about 14mm in diameter with a depth of almost 17.5mm. For reference, a standard 25mm quartz banger’s inner diameter is around 20mm with a depth of around 25mm. It's getting pretty darn close.

As previously mentioned, dab pens are equipped to handle all different kinds of concentrate types, not just distillate. Making them more versatile especially with people that like to play around with different extracts. Even the less expensive versions do a great job with most types of concentrates, although a cheaper pen requires more coil maintenance, it'll get the job done.

The Key Difference Between a Dab Pen and a Vape Pen

What separates a dab pen from a vape pen is that it is used for dabbing, while “vape pen” is a more general term to describe a vaporizing device that resembles a pen. A vape pen can be used for more than just concentrate, for example e-juice or flower. On the other hand a dab pen is strictly used for dabbing (oil and concentrate).

Why Choose a Dab Pen:

Dab pens offer portable convenience so that you can medicate while on the go. They offer high potency dabs, with relatively good flavor, with customizable temperature settings. All in all, dab pens are a great device for beginners or for travelers, they are super easy to use, discreet, and require little maintenance!