How Much Do Dab Pens Cost?

Dab pens are portable devices for vaping cannabis concentrates, such as oil, shatter, or wax. They contain internal, battery-charged heating elements that vaporize the concentrate when you press a button or take a puff. Oil cartridges are the easiest way to vape on the go because they screw right into a basic pen (also known simply as a battery) and have their own mouthpiece. 

However, many cannabis consumers prefer dabs over vaping oil cartridges. Dab pens give you a lot more control and you can add whatever concentrate you prefer. The more features a dab pen has, the more it costs — the degree to which you can control the pen usually determines the price.

Types of Dab Pens

The most basic pen for vaping concentrates, and the easiest to use, is a disposable pen. They come preloaded with a small amount of cannabis oil, and you simply throw them away when they’re empty. 

You can also find vape cartridges for 510 batteries for purchase, which are another affordable option that’s less wasteful than disposables. 

In general, the more expensive the pen, the more control you have over it. A true dab pen is one you can load up yourself with solid cannabis concentrates, rather than cannabis oil that comes in your typical cartridge pen (including disposables). 

Since dab pens are load-it-yourself, you get to choose from a wide range of cannabis concentrates. Whether you like shatter, sauce or prefer a solventless rosin, you can choose your own adventure. Dabbers tend to have very different opinions on the ideal temperature, so luckily you can control that too. Dabbing at a lower temperature can help reduce any irritation when inhaling, and it results in more flavourful terpene-rich vapour.

Dab pens have different heating methods – convection, which uses forced hot air to heat the concentrates; combustion, which heats the concentrate directly; or both. Convection pens are generally considered to be better, because they use less cannabis and don’t destroy terpenes in the heating process, but may be more expensive.

Other features your dab pen may come with include stealth vapor reduction, interchangeable ceramic and quartz-coil chambers, and the ability to convert from a portable to a desktop model. More complex dab pens may have multiple attachments, and some even allow you to use water for a bubbler effect. These features generally equal higher cost, but, as with any other product, you get what you pay for. 

Which Pen is Right for Me? 

The vape pen you choose depends primarily on two things: your budget, and your level of experience with cannabis concentrates. If you’re just starting out or are more of a casual cannabis consumer, you’ll probably want to try an oil cartridge pen before diving into a dab pen. Oil cartridges are often made with THC distillate and are very potent in THC, but don’t always deliver the same terpene content. However, live resin cartridges are becoming more popular! 

If you’re an experienced dabber, you’re probably looking for a dab pen. You simply open up the mouthpiece, add your concentrate inside the pen and screw it closed. You can adjust the temperature however you like it, click the button and inhale. Just remember to clean your dab pen regularly, just like a dab rig. 

How Much Should I Expect to Spend?

A general price range for dab pens is between $40 and $200, though they can definitely go higher. There’s no need to spend a lot, though — it’s easy to buy a good dab pen in the $40-$100 range. 

If you’re looking for a basic battery for use with vape cartridges, you can get one for $20 or less. 

A sturdy, name-brand dab pen with all the bells and whistles will generally cost between $100 and $150, although you can find one for less. Because so many factors go into the price of a dab pen – the type of heating element, the attachments, the size – it’s best to talk to your local budtender or cannista and get their recommendations. You can tell them which type of concentrate you prefer and how familiar you are with vaping, and they can help you find the best pen for the best price according to your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Kinds of Concentrates Work in a Dab Pen?

Wax is the most commonly used type of dab, but you can also use rosin, resin, shatter, budder, crumble, or any other thick concentrate you like.

Where Can I Buy Dab Pens? 

You’ll find dab pens available on our website, and at any Fire & Flower location.  If you’re unsure what to look for, our friendly cannistas are familiar with different brands, and can help you make a selection.

What is the Difference Between a Dab Pen and a Vaporizer? 

Vaporizers use convective heating and are generally used for cannabis flower or oil, whereas dab pens may use conductive or convective heating and are generally used for thicker concentrates such as wax.