Do you know which vaporiser best suits your lifestyle? Are you unsure about which one to go for? Whether you’re a beginner or a true vaping veteran, we’re sure the information we’re about to give you will help you in your choice.
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Cannabis vaporisers have become a great alternative for those who want to quit smoking. First of all, though, and before getting into detail, it is important to stress that a vaping device is not the same thing as an e-cigarette. Vaporisers are devices used with dry herbs like lavender, mint, jasmine, or cannabis. On the contrary, electronic cigarettes are used for vaping 'e-liquids'.
Vaporisers are simple to use: first you need to load up the chamber with the herb of your liking; then a little oven heats the herb until it reaches the set temperature, thereby releasing the vapour that you then inhale. The process is similar to that of a conventional cigarette, with the difference being that in these devices the chemical process known as combustion does not occur, which means that they're less harmful to human health.
There are hundreds of ways of classifying vaporisers, but in order to keep this as simple as possible, we'll be focusing on two types, depending on their portability or capabilities (these include water vaporisers, weed vaporisers, hash vaporisers, etc.).
Portable vaporisers or desktop vaporisers?
The only difference between portable vaporisers and desktop vaporisers is that the latter need to be plugged into a power source when they're being used.
Portable vaporisers
When you think of a vaping device, what probably comes to mind is the image of a portable vaporiser. The best portable vaporisers on the market have found a place in the pockets of many people as they offer some added benefits other than those of desktop vaporisers: their reduced size and discreet design allow you to take them anywhere, which makes all the difference for many users.
The vaporisers in this category that stand out the most for their refined appearance and quality finish are the Pax, DaVinci, and Puffco brands. If you favour performance over looks, then the vaporisers Mighty or Crafty are probably better tailored to your style.
Despite all the benefits that portable vaporisers can offer, we need to consider a factor that goes against them. This type of device depends heavily on battery life, which means that there's a chance that you might occasionally run out of power while you're out.
Desktop vaporisers
Desktop vaporisers are noted for being much bigger in size than their portable counterparts. They don't feature a battery as they're connected to a power source. Their greatest asset in comparison to portable devices is that the quality of the vapour that they produce is somewhat greater, although in reality the difference is almost imperceptible.
If you're looking for vaping in the privacy of your own home, the undisputed leaders in this category are Storz & Bickel (also known as Volcano vaporisers). Our favourite since we first got to know it 20 years ago is the flagship of the company, the now renamed Volcano Classic.
What's the difference between a marijuana vaporiser and a hash vaporiser?
Most hash vaporisers can also be used to vape cannabis, but not the other way round. The reason for this is that not all chambers are suitable for concentrates.
It is common for vaporisers to include an accessory called a 'concentrate insert', which is what you need if you want to vape hashish. There is a very wide range of vaporisers for smoking cannabis, but not that many for smoking hash. Therefore, we'd like to give you some ideas if you're into concentrates:
Is it a good idea to buy a cheap vaporiser?
There are many variables that make vaporisers very different from one another, and therefore more or less suited to individual needs. The price can often be the greatest obstacle for those who aren't sure whether vaping is for them. If you're still undecided, we advise you to try a Pax 2 vaporiser or Pax 3 vaporiser, which is a more affordable alternative to other mid- to high-end vaporisers.
On the contrary, if you've been vaping for a while and know what you want, maybe it's time to take the leap and purchase one of the DaVinci IQ models or the different types of the Volcano vaporiser. In the end only you can judge for yourself which device best matches your personal needs.