Cannabis connoisseurs have a lot to be happy about these days. Marijuana reform is sweeping the nation at an unprecedented pace, resulting in decriminalization and legalization across the US. The “stoner stigma” of the past is quickly fading, as indulging in Mary Jane is no longer being viewed as some sort of deplorable vice, but instead a accepted release for the everyday man.
The medical benefits of marijuana and marijuana extracts (particularly CBD oils) are becoming so widely accepted, that even some of the most conservative states have recently passed laws allowing residents to possess cannabis oil for the treatment of certain illnesses. All in all, there are currently twenty-three states (and the District of Columbia) who have legalized marijuana in some form or another.
With perhaps more people using cannabis than ever before, attention has now shifted to the method of consumption. Smoking joints, bowls, bongs or blunts have always been popular options in the past, but with the huge strides our country has made in recent years to inform the public of the dangers of smoking, many people are looking for a healthier alternative. This has lead to a massive rise in the popularity of vaporizers.
The process of vaporization is pretty simple to understand. Instead of igniting your buds with a lighter (which causes combustion and produces smoke), vaporizers heat herb below the point of combustion, allowing the active ingredients in marijuana to be released without being burned. Since the herb never comes into direct contact with the heating element, vapor is produced instead of smoke.
Vaporizers have been around for almost twenty years, but weren’t necessarily the most practical devices in their early days. The concept was there, but the technology hadn’t quite caught up. However, a lot has changed since the inception of the vaporizer, as we’re now seeing models that feature some of the same cutting-edge technology as our smartphones.
Now that the vaporizer “boom” is upon us, new manufacturers who are more concerned with profits than health benefits are coming out of the woodwork trying to cash in. These companies are releasing uninspired units that don’t live up to their billing, leaving a sour taste in the mouths of disenfranchised vape newbies who may not have done enough research before making a purchase.
We want to make sure that everyone interested in the health benefits of vaporization has the information they need to ensure that their first vaporizer purchase is one that they will be happy with. So, we’ve put together a list of some of the best vaporizers on the market today, including our picks for the best pen-style, desktop and portable units.
DaVinci Ascent: $199.99
The Ascent has been one of the most popular and highly rated portable vaporizers on the market since its release back in 2013. DaVinci, manufacturer of the Ascent, has been widely recognized as an industry leader ever since the introduction of their initial offering to the vape community, the aptly named DaVinci vaporizer. While the original DaVinci would be considered “entry-level,” the Ascent is a step-up into the high-end vaporizer category (and perhaps the most affordable unit in that space).
One of the first vaporizers to utilize an all glass air path, the Ascent produces some of the purest vapor of any portable unit, while looking extremely good doing so. Available in five finishes, including woodgrain, carbon fiber, leather and matte black, DaVinci placed just as much emphasis on fashion as they did on the Ascent function. Temperature can be adjusted precisely up to 430°F, while the powerful lithium-ion battery will hold its charge for 3+ hours.
More than anything, the Ascent just feels really well built. Once you get it in your hand, it’s apparent that it was made to last. A lot of vapes look great in pictures, but feel flimsy or cheap in person. Upon picking up the Ascent, however, you can really appreciate how solid it is. With its unmatched combination of performance, aesthetics and durability, it’s easy to see why the Ascent is considered one of the best vaporizers around.
Vaporfection miVape: $259.99
Originally known for their dual-function desktop unit, the viVape, manufacturer Vaporfection recently released their highly anticipated portable offering, the miVape, to the delight of vape enthusiasts everywhere. The miVape has been a thing of legend since it was first announced way back in 2011. Since then, Vaporfection has been hard at work in the tweaking, testing and fine-tuning stages of product development. Some were beginning to think the miVape would never see the light of day, however, earlier this year at the High Times Cannabis Cup in Denver, Vaporfection announced that the miVape would be available in the months to follow.
The miVape is the only portable vaporizer to utilize 100% glass components. This means that vapor is never exposed to any plastic, metal, rubber or any other material that could compromise flavor. Glass-on-glass components along with a state-of-the-art true convection heating system, the miVape produces perhaps the purest and highest quality vapor of any portable vaporizer. It’s unique design ensures plant material never comes into direct with the heating element, allowing for true vaporization and zero combustion.
A removable/rechargeable lithium-ion battery gives you the ability to keep a backup battery charged and ready to go, so you’ll never find yourself without any juice. Able to be set to any temperature up to 430°F and designed with on-the-go vaping in mind, the miVape certainly lives up to the hype and is one of the hottest new vaporizers of 2015.
Vapir Rise: $249.99
Vapir has been one of the most trusted names in the industry for over fifteen years, and continue to produce some of the most highly rated and innovative vaporizers around. Considered by many to be the pioneers of modern vaporization technology, Vapir has set the standard by which every manufacturer follows to this day. Before vaporizing was “cool” or “mainstream,” Vapir was educating the public about the overwhelming health benefits of vaping, and it appears their hard work has paid off.
The Rise is a desktop unit, which means it needs to be plugged into a standard power outlet. The big upside of desktop vaporizers is that they’re capable of much greater vapor production than their portable counterparts. Desktop (sometimes referred to as tabletop) units come in three different varieties: whip-style, forced-air or dual-function. Whip-style vaporizers utilize tubing (referred to as a whip) which is used to manually draw vapor, whereas forced-air units use an internal fan that pushes out air, filling up a balloon bag with vapor. The Vapir Rise, however, is capable of both, and is referred to as a dual-function unit.
The Rise offers both a whip and balloon bag filling option, giving users the ability to draw vapor from a balloon bag, or inhale using a whip (with or without the fan being turned on). There’s only a handful of units that give you the choice of both whip and balloon options, the Rise being one of the easiest to use and most affordable. Quick heat-up time, modern eye-catching design and a precise touch pad temperature control system ensure that the Vapir Rise is time and time again mentioned as one of the top ranking desktop vaporizers in its class.
K-Vape Micro-DX: $199.95
KandyPens, once known exclusively for their ellipse style vape pens, have recently stepped into the world of handheld portables with their line of hugely successful K-Vape and K-Vape Micro-DX vaporizers. What separates KandyPens from other manufacturers is their unwavering commitment to their products. While it’s typical for a manufacturer to offer a one to two year warranty (three if you’re lucky), a lifetime warranty is basically unheard of. However, that’s exactly what KandyPens backs their entire line of products with – a full lifetime warranty.
Building on the success of the original K-Vape, KandyPens has taken it a step further with the Micro-DX version, which is smaller, sleeker and more precise. The K-Vape Micro-DX is super discreet and features a sexy, matte black finish, complemented by an OLED readout which displays temperature and battery life. Whereas the original K-Vape, users choose from three preset temperature settings, the Micro-DX can be set at any temperature up to 430°F, allowing for total control over your vaporization experience.
Once again, it’s really refreshing to see a manufacturer stand by their products like KandyPens does. There may be some similar units on the market, but they’re certainly not backed with a lifetime warranty, which speaks volumes about how the “other guys” feel about the quality of vaporizers. With that said, it’s easy to see why the K-Vape Micro-DX is one of the most trusted portables on the market, and why we recommend KandyPens.
Cloud Pen 3.0: $99.99
The Cloud Pen brand is well-known in the vape community for their ellipse style pen vaporizers which feature fashion-forward, eye-catching colors and designs. Founded in Orange County, California in 2012, Cloud Pen quickly gained momentum with their initial line of products and was even voted “Best Mini Pen” of the year by High Times Magazine. However, Cloud Pen didn’t stop there. They’ve recently released their new and improved line of vape pens, highlighted by the Cloud Pen 3.0.
The important thing to remember about the Cloud Pen 3.0 (and all pen-style vaporizers for that matter) is that it heats material using conduction. This means your herb or wax comes into direct contact with the heating element, so it’s not a true vaporizer. However, pen-style units are more about convenience, which is exactly what you’ll get with the 3.0. Surely one of the most versatile vape pens on the market, the 3.0 can be used with essential oil concentrates as well as dry herb. While similar units come standard with a single atomizer, the Cloud Pen 3.0 includes three different atomizers for the price of one. A powerful lithium-ion battery ensures wax and waxy oils burn quickly and efficiently.
Available in twelve distinct colors, and able to be easily concealed in your pocket or purse, the Cloud Pen 3.0 is immensely popular with festival and concert goers, as they’re super easy to “slide” past security (but you didn’t hear that from us). So, if you’re looking for a multifunction pen that you can take with you anywhere, no matter where your vape excursions may take you, look no further than the Cloud Pen 3.0.
You can find all these vaporizers as well as a complete selection of parts and accessories and the lowest prices at VaporNation.com