The practice of consuming cannabis concentrates (aka dabbing) is becoming more popular. Traditional dab rigs are heated with a blowtorch in order to vaporize the oil within. An e nail (or enail) is an excellent alternative if you want to dab without an open flame. Short for electronic nail, enails use electricity instead of butane to heat up a rig.
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People generally use electric nails for added safety. They also take the guesswork out of getting the right temperature for your concentrates since they can often be set to precise temps.
If you’re curious about e nails, this article has all you need to know—and some great product options for when you’re ready to shop!
What is an enail?
E nails are devices designed to heat your concentrates to a specific and consistent temperature.
Traditional dabbing requires different components, including an open flame. Typically, this comes from a torch.
First, you heat a nail (the dabbing surface made of quartz, titanium, or ceramic) until it’s at the right temperature. The concentrate then vaporizes once you place it on the hot nail, which you can inhale.
However, finding the right temperature is difficult. If your nail is cool, your concentrate won’t melt and vaporize. Too hot, and it could scorch the dab and wreck the flavor. Heat retention can also be an issue.
Enail dab kits consist of a heating box plugged into a power source, an enail coil, and a titanium nail attached to your banger. The heating coil heats up the titanium nail through conduction.
Although these electronic nail kits are still around, other enails use a small electronic element to heat up an attached chamber. A standard glass dab rig is still required with an enail.
E nails are available at every price range. Some have tons of accessories, while others are more barebones. Here are four of the best e nails for dabbing.
A quick look at the best enails for dabbing
- Lookah Q7 Mini Portable Concentrate Enail
- MiniNail Quartz Banger Enail Kit
- G Pen Hyer Vaporizer
- Pulsar Elite Series Mini eNail
Lookah Q7 Mini Portable Concentrate Enail
The Lookah Q7 Mini Portable Concentrate Enail is an excellent option for getting into dabbing without spending much money. And it’s one of the most portable on the list—you could fit it in your pocket if you wanted to. It’s compatible with 14 and 18-millimeter water pipes, and a magnetic flip top allows for easy loading. Its built-in digital display shows battery charge and mode. Speaking of battery charge, the device can be used 80-100 times on a single charge.
Pros:
- Cheap
- Portable
- Easy-to-use
Specs:
Temperature range: 300-450 degrees Fahrenheit
Nail material: Quartz
Type: Battery powered atomizer
Price: $80
What real users say: Reviewers note that this little device packs a pretty decent punch, producing big clouds despite its limited temperature range.
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MiniNail Quartz Banger Enail Kit
The MiniNail Quartz Banger Enail Kit is the best value, thanks to its bundling of dabbing essentials. The controller box is slightly larger than a business card and is lightweight. It comes in six colors to show off your personality or match your other weed accessories. The kit comes with a MiniNail controller box, a hybrid heater coil, a 14mm quartz banger, a dabber carb cap combo, a power cord, a small slab pad, and a pack of stickers. The hybrid heater coil ensures optimal heat distribution and fits all MiniNail-brand nails.
Pros:
- Comes with everything you need
- Creates consistent dab pulls and smooth hits
- Reliable
Specs:
Temperature range: 0-1,000 degrees Fahrenheit
Nail material: Quartz
Type: Control box
Price: $249.99
What real users say: Reviews note it produces a clean flavor and complements the hybrid coil. Multiple shoppers note that they’ve owned this device for years. The e nail has more than 100 five-star reviews.
G Pen Hyer Vaporizer
The G Pen Hyer Vaporizer is one of the newest and sleekest devices on this list. This portable enail is a premium pick that is easy to use thanks to its intuitive interface. The cables that connect the enail to the battery-powered control box are magnetic, which can damage your expensive glass pieces if you’re accident-prone. A dry herb tank (sold separately) lets you consume flower using the device.
The kit includes a Hyer 6,000mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable battery, a quartz tank For concentrates, a tank cap and housing, 14-millimeter glass adapter, power cable, USB-C charging cable, a dab tool, and a hemp travel case. While the unit is portable, it also makes a great desktop enail.
Pros:
- Comes with lots of accessories
- Adjustable heat duration
- Intuitive
Specs:
Temperature range: 482-842 degrees Fahrenheit
Nail material: Quartz
Type: Battery-powered control box
Price: $199
What real users say: Multiple shoppers note they use this portable device daily. They also compliment its simplicity. The device has hundreds of positive reviews.
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Pulsar Elite Series Mini eNail
If you’re looking to buy an enail, the Pulsar Elite Series Mini enail is one of the best you can get. Push-button operation allows for straightforward controls, and it includes a 10/14/19 millimeter titanium nail that’s compatible with various rigs. The five-foot power cord locks and is removable for better storage and mobility. Capping this device off is a titanium carb cap that enhances airflow and flavor. It’s portable and great for use at home or on-the-go.
Pros:
- Provides controlled burn
- Durable
- Reliable
Specs:
Temperature range: 0-1,200 degrees Fahrenheit
Nail material: Titanium
Type: Control box
Price: $200
What real users say: Reviews for this device consistently clock in at five stars. Shoppers note its dependability and mention that they would repurchase it again if needed. Dabbing veterans and newbies mention its ease of use.
Enail vs erig
An enail fits onto a glass rig and includes a built-in heating element or is attached with a cord going to a temperature control box. An erig—short for electronic rig—takes the traditional glass rig and combines it with the portability of a handheld vaporizer. The Puffco Peak is an example of an electric dab rig. Everything on this list, though, is an enail.
Electric rigs are becoming more popular thanks to their ease of use, but many dabbers prefer the e nail for its precise temperature control and power.
E nail FAQ
How does enail work?
Set the enail to your desired temperature. Then, wait until the enail reaches your preferred temperature. Then, load your material and inhale.
Are enails worth it?
We think so. Enails are super easy to use; you get to customize the temperature and dab them safely in your home. Save the blow torch for cooking in the kitchen.
Are enails healthier?
Since there’s no butane being emitted or an open flame when using an enail, it can be considered healthier to use an e nail over a torch.
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What temperature should I set my e nail at?
It depends on what you’re smoking and what you’re trying to get out of your sesh. If you use thinner concentrates like live resin and rosin, stick to temperatures around 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Thicker concentrates like wax and shatter require higher temperatures, around 450 degrees Fahrenheit. The best temperature for enjoying terpenes is between 270-390 degrees Fahrenheit.
How do you clean an e nail?
There are a few ways to clean your enail. The first is called a “dry-run,” where you set the enail to the hottest temperature to burn through leftover material. Then, let the chamber cool. Take a cotton swab and dip it into isopropyl alcohol, then wipe the chamber to pick up any remaining material. Deep clean it once a month by soaking the chamber where you drop your concentrate in isopropyl alcohol or store-bought cleaning solution. By maintaining your rigs, you’ll find them easy to clean as time goes on.
E nails: helping you dab smarter
If you’d like to retire from the butane torch life but don’t want to give up dabbing itself, consider an e nail a happy medium. Electric dab nails attach to your existing glass pieces and give you a safer way to consume concentrates. Any of the four best enails on our list will elevate your dabbing experience and help you enjoy your wax, shatter, badder, resin and more. Happy dabbing!