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Wax pens, also known as dab pens, have been skyrocketing in popularity over the last few years because they offer a convenient way of smoking hash without needing a blowtorch, bong, and hot nail.
Offering many of the features of a dab rig, wax pens look much like a standard vape pen and fit discreetly in your pocket. The best wax pens have varied temperature settings, durable builds, and powerful batteries to keep you dabbing through the day.
They are simple to use, and once you have the hang of loading and cleaning your wax pen, you’ll be enjoying flavorful and powerful hits whenever and wherever you are.
So you can get the most out of your concentrates, we’ve rounded up the best wax pens for happy dabbing throughout 2023.
- Best Overall Wax Pen for 2023: PAX Plus Multi-Use Vaporizer
- Runner Up Wax Pen for 2023: Pulsar Barb Fire Variable Voltage Wax Vaporizer
- Most Durable Wax Pen: Evolv Cricket Portable Dab Rig
- Most Versatile Wax Pen: Pulsar Barb Fire H2O Variable Voltage Wax Vape Kit
- Most Discreet Wax Pen: Dr. Greenthumb’s X G Pen Micro+ Vaporizer
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Best Wax Pens in 2023
Best Overall Wax Pen for 2023: PAX Plus Multi-Use Vaporizer
The PAX Plus Multi-Use Vaporizer is the ultimate dual-use portable vaporizer. It brings the best out of your full flower product and concentrates with consistently smooth hits and zero harsh smoke. Plus, the included oven lids allow you to adjust the size of your bowl depending on your session. Whether you want a dry herb vaporizer or a dab pen/wax pen, this is for you.
Offering superior control over your sessions with the touch of a button, choose between four experience modes – none of which will burn your product – to choose from:
- Stealth: Minimized visible vapor, dimmed LEDs, and less intense vibrations for the ultimate discreet dabbing.
- Efficiency: Optimizes vapor production and conserves flower and concentrates for a session.
- Flavor: Enhances the subtleties of your product’s flavor with on-demand vapor.
- Boost: Provides maximum vapor production, ideal for smoking concentrates.
Enjoy sessions on the go with 2+ hours of battery life and a magnetic oven lid to keep your product secure. Plus, maintenance is easy, thanks to a simple to-remove 3D oven and multi-tool with a brush, to make cleaning quick and hassle-free.
Pros:
- Suitable for full flower and concentrates
- Adjustable bowl size
- Personalization available
Specs:
- Includes: Flat and raised mouthpieces, standard and half-pack oven lids, concentrate insert, multi-tool, maintenance kit, and charge cable
- Color: Elderberry, periwinkle, sage, and onyx
Runner Up Wax Pen for 2023: Pulsar Barb Fire Variable Voltage Wax Vaporizer
The new and improved Barb Fire Wax Vaporizer from Pulsar features more custom options and more battery power than ever before. The Barb Fire features four temperature settings, meaning you can customize your session from smooth, flavorful hits to substantial vape clouds.
Featuring a dual ribbon twist Kanthal wrapped quartz coil could and a ceramic lined chamber, you’ll get the best possible terpene flavors, no matter the quality of your concentrates. Replacement coils and o-rings are available to prolong the life of the Barb Fire.
A fast heat time of just five seconds and a ten second hands-free sesh mode allow you to smoke quickly and discreetly wherever you are. An automatic five-minute shut-off function helps to save the life of the battery, which is protected with a one year warranty.
Pros:
- Adjustable airflow control
- Four different temperature settings
- Stainless steel tank and body sleeve
Specs:
- Includes: 1450mAh battery, barb fire coil atomizer, micro USB charger, and wax dab tool
- Color: Blue, rainbow, black, and silver
Most Durable Wax Pen: Evolv Cricket Portable Dab Rig
The Evolv Cricket is an all-in-one pocket dab rig that doesn’t sacrifice flavor for size. Thanks to advanced airflow technology and a glass chimney, every puff delivers enhanced flavors and a dense vapor without any harshness.
Dabbing on the go has never been quicker or more discreet as the Cricket heats to temperature almost instantly and cools within five seconds, so it can go right back in your pocket once your session is over.
The heating technology is super efficient, with over 90 percent of your concentrate being delivered to you. Minimal waste of valuable products is always a good thing. Furthermore, precise temperature control allows you to adjust the temperature in single-degree increments, so you can find the perfect temp for your flavor preferences.
With an onboard loading tool and concentrate storage, the Cricket has all you need for dabbing on the go wherever you are.
Pros:
- Full-day use per charge
- Glass chimney
- Scratch-resistant stainless steel body
Specs:
- Includes: Built-in tool and storage container, stainless steel dab device, spare glass chimney, USB charging cable, five extra concentrate pucks
- Color: Black/Silver
Most Versatile Wax Pen: Pulsar Barb Fire H2O Variable Voltage Wax Vape Kit
Find the perfect balance between water and fire with the Pulsar Barb Fire H2O. The multifunctional kit can be used as a standalone concentrate vaporizer, a mini e-Rig with bubbler attachments, or in combination with a bong so that you can have the perfect session, no matter the medium.
The H20 kit includes a 6-inch borosilicate glass featuring an interior with a slitted downstream that leads up to an angled mouthpiece. A stainless steel base is included for tabletop use, and the custom carb cap helps regulate the airflow and pressure around the concentrate as it vaporizes. A silicone water pipe adaptor is available to enable you to use the Barb Fire with a bong or dab rig.
The Barb Fire H20 can be heated to precise temperatures without terpene degradation, maximizing flavors. Plus, variable voltages allow you to select from four heat settings. The long-life battery is housed in a heavy-duty stainless steel body, available in several colors.
Pros:
- Stainless steel tank and body sleeve
- Adjustable airflow control
- Four different heat settings
Specs:
- Includes: Pulse Barb Fire Vaporizer Unit, bubbler attachment, base stand, carb cap, Barb Fire coil wax atomizer, micro USB charger, and wax dabber tool.
- Colors: Black, blue, rainbow, and silver
Most Discreet Wax Pen: Dr. Greenthumb’s X G Pen Micro+ Vaporizer
Created in collaboration with rapper and entrepreneur B-Real, this portable vaporizer offers the perfect blend of style, functionality, and accessibility. Sporting a sleek and subtle design, Dr. Greenthumb’s X G Pen Micro+ is super discreet while still offering excellent performance.
Unique smart-chip technology provides controlled and consistent heat application at all three temperature settings that won’t overheat or burn your concentrates. The combination of a ceramic heating plate and quartz liner with integrated airflow, the Micro+ Tank maximizes vapor production for optimal terpene flavors. Plus, the mouthpiece is made from food-grade silicone that gives a clean and smooth draw without affecting the flavor profile.
The Micro+ comes with everything you need for on-the-go sessions, including a premium hemp travel case, charging cable, and pen keychain tool.
Pros:
- Three temperature settings
- Durable stainless steel tank housing
- Easy-to-use
Specs:
- Includes: Micro+ vaporizer with battery, silicone mouthpiece and tank cover, keychain tool, USB charge cable, and hemp travel case.
- Colors: Green
How We Picked the Best Wax Pens
In our quest for only recommending the best, we took into several factors when selecting the best wax pens for our list.
Battery Life
A device that dies after a few dabs is not going to cut it. We looked for devices that at least get you through the day without needing to be recharged. Extra points were given to devices that charge quickly and have battery-saving measures, such as an auto shut-off function.
Temperature Control
A dab pen with temperature control and different temperature settings reduces the risk of too high temperatures burning your product or degrading your terpenes, limiting the flavor of your concentrates. Therefore, we chose devices with good temperature control and preferably three or more temperature settings to offer:
- Low-temperature dabbing – Set between 315°F and 450°F, low-temperature dabbing releases the best vapor flavor with enhanced terpene profiles.
- Medium-temperature dabbing – With a range between 450°F and 600°F, medium-temperature dabbing creates a larger vapor cloud but delivers less flavor than low-temperature dabbing. Therefore, it offers a good balance
- High-temperature dabbing – From 600°F and above, the fast combustion of high-temperature dabbing provides thicker clouds and powerful hits. However, at high temperatures, terpenes break down, resulting in a loss of flavor.
Ease-of-Use
The major benefit of wax pens is that they enable fast dabbing, anytime and anywhere. Therefore, a wax pen must be easy to use so you’re not wasting time fiddling with buttons and battling with a difficult loading chamber.
We only chose devices that have the perfect balance of versatility and ease of use, are simple to understand, and can be loaded and brought to temperature in just a few moments.
Price
The price of wax pens can vary dramatically, so when we were selecting the best wax pens for our list, we had to consider if it offered value for money.
We tried to include wax pens suitable for a wide variety of budgets, but when it comes to price point, there are a few things worth considering. Generally speaking, with higher-end (i.e., higher-priced), you get a better battery, a more versatile kit, and a better build quality, meaning they tend to last longer.
Cheap wax pens could be good for travel or as a backup, or if you’re not sure a wax pen is right for you, start with a disposable concentrate pen. If you are serious about dabbing, it’s worth investing in a good-quality wax pen.
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What Is a Wax Pen?
In simple terms, a wax pen – also known as a dab pen – is a portable vaporizer used to heat concentrates of all types, specifically waxes, to the point of vaporization. They typically feature a heating chamber, an atomizer or heating element, a battery, and a mouthpiece.
Wax pens use a power button to heat the coil within. The user places small amounts of wax inside and then presses the button before inhaling. These vaporizers produce a custom rip suitable for pros and newbies alike.
While wax pens can take a little getting used to, they are a convenient and discreet option if you want to consume concentrates without setting up a full-sized dab rig. Wax and dab pens are designed to be used with a wide range of concentrates, including CBD isolate, live rosin, medicinal resin crumble, and more.
Dab Pens vs Vape Pens
Wax pens, also known as dab pens, are designed to be used with wax concentrates, which are solid at room temperature but can sometimes have a “honey-like” consistency.
Vape pens are designed to be used with oil concentrates and sometimes dry flower concentrates, which usually come in pre-filled cartridges that can be slotted into your device. Other differences include:
- Dab pens are typically larger vapes
- Deb pens tend to deliver a more potent hit than a vape pen
- Dab pens use more powerful batteries to enable them to reach the temperatures required to vaporize wax concentrates
- Dab pens need regular cleaning to remove residue that can build up with wax concentrates.
Types of Wax Pens
There are several types of wax pens to choose from, with the main ones being refillable, disposable, and multi-use.
Refillable
A refillable wax pen has a chamber or ceramic atomizer (quartz atomizers are also used) that can be refilled with a wax concentrate of your choice whenever needed. They feature a rechargeable battery, the lifetime of which is determined by frequency of use. Refillable wax pens require regular cleaning, so can be taken apart so the individual sections can be cleared of residue to maintain proper function.
Disposable
A disposable wax pen is a single-use device that is pre-filled with concentrates and pre-charged. They are easy to use – simply remove them from the packaging, and you’re good to go. How long a disposable wax pen lasts can vary, but you can expect anywhere up to 200 puffs depending on the amount of pre-loaded concentrate.
Multi-Use
Multi-use wax pens are for those who want their portable vaporizer to be able to handle multiple products, such as dry herbs, wax concentrates, and oils. Multi-use wax pens will typically have a durable and resistant heating chamber/tank, which can handle both wax consistency concentrates and dry herbs. Typically speaking, a multi-use wax pen will need an attachment with a wick for the dabbing of oil concentrates.
FAQs:
How do you clean a wax pen?
It’s important to clean your wax pen to help protect its performance. To clean your wax pen:
- With the pen off, separate the components.
- Soak a cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol and thoroughly wipe inside the heating chamber, avoiding the coils. Wipe the mouthpiece, making sure to clean away any residue or clogged material.
- If there is more residue than the swab can handle, you can soak the atomizer in a small bowl of alcohol to soak for 30 minutes. Check the user manual first to be sure it’s okay.
- Once everything is clean, rise with lukewarm water, and wait until the components are completely dry before reassembling.
How do you charge a wax pen?
Refer to your wax pen’s manual for instructions on how to charge your wax pen and get the most out of the battery:
- Always use the correct charging cable
- Don’t go over the recommended charging time
- Never leave your wax pen to charge unsupervised in case of overheating.
You should never leave your wax pen charging overnight. Not only will this reduce the lifespan of your battery, but also potentially damage the battery, which can be a serious safety risk.
If your battery is taking longer than normal to charge or it’s not holding charge as well as it used to, it’s probably time to replace the battery.
How long does a wax pen battery last?
Several factors affect the lifespan of a wax pen’s battery, such as:
- Size of the battery
- Consumption frequency
- Resistance of atomizer
Typically speaking, you can expect a fully charged wax pen battery to last between 300 and 500 puffs on average. This could be anywhere between a few days to a week, depending on the frequency of use. Turning off the battery after each session will help to preserve battery life.
Can I travel with a wax pen?
According to the TSA, wax pens are allowed in your carry-on bag as long as you take measures to prevent the activation of the heating element when transporting. Wax pens are not allowed into checked luggage due to the potential fire hazard the batteries pose.
Whether you’re allowed to bring a wax pen on a plane will depend on what it contains. Airports fall under federal jurisdiction, and marijuana is still federally legal. Therefore, it’s illegal to take your dab pen on a plane if it contains marijuana, even if marijuana is legal in the state you’re flying to or from.
We recommend checking your airline’s specific rules before flying. Plus, if you’re flying internationally, it’s wise to check local dabbing and vaping laws before you travel.
Final Thoughts
Wax pens offer a portable and discrete vaping experience, both at home and on the go.
As opposed to vape pens, which utilize viscous oil concentrates, wax pens, or dab pens, are used with concentrates with a wax or honey-like consistency. The best wax pens have advanced airflow technology and temperature control to provide powerful hits and smooth flavors.
If you’re looking for a wax pen, choose one with a durable build, long battery life, and variable temperature settings. Experienced dabbers may benefit from a multi-use wax pen that can also handle oil and dry herb.
Alternatively, dab beginners may want to choose a disposable wax pen that is preloaded with concentrate and cheaper than refillable ones to determine if it’s the dabbing method for them.
Hearst Newspapers participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may earn a commission when you click links in this content. Our professional curators independently research and recommend products and services, with no newsroom involvement.