Types of Weed Pens: Oil, Dab and Dry Herb Explained
A weed pen is a portable cannabis vaporizer: a battery and a heating element that warm oil, concentrate or flower just enough to make vapor, without burning it. The main types of weed pens are oil cartridge pens, wax/dab pens and dry herb pens, and the right one depends on what you like to consume. One thing to clear up first, though: the pen is just the device. The strain and effect come from what you load into it, the oil, concentrate or flower, not from the pen itself, so choosing a pen is really about matching the device to the product you want to vape.
A quick safety note: whatever pen you choose, only use cartridges and concentrates that come with lab testing (a COA) from a legal source. Unregulated, black-market carts have been linked to serious lung injury (EVALI, tied to vitamin E acetate). Never add cooking or carrier oils to a vape, and start with a low dose with any new product.
Recommended Strains
Fat Bastard
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THC | 30% - 38% (High) |
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Type | Feminized |
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Yield | High |
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Phenotype | 50% Indica / 50% Sativa |
Northern Lights
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THC | 17% (Medium) |
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Type | Feminized |
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Yield | High |
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Phenotype | 90% Indica / 10% Sativa |
Types of Weed Pens
Oil Cartridge Pens
Oil cartridge pens are the most popular type for their sheer convenience: a battery plus a pre-filled cartridge of cannabis oil, usually cut with a carrier like PG or VG so it vaporizes at a lower 320-428°F (160-220°C). You screw on the cart, press or inhale, and you are done.
They are ideal for beginners: the cartridges are self-contained and hassle-free. The one rule that matters is quality, though: buy only lab-tested carts (with a COA) that clearly state THC content, usually 70-90%, and steer clear of no-name oils with unknown additives.
Because the oil vaporizes rather than burns, you keep more of the flavor and potency. If you want to fine-tune things, look for a battery with adjustable voltage: lower settings favor flavor, higher settings give bigger, warmer hits.
| Feature | Oil Cartridge Pens | Wax / Dab Pens | Dry Herb Pens |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it uses | Pre-filled oil cartridge | Wax, shatter, budder | Ground flower |
| Temperature range | 320-428°F (160-220°C) | 482-572°F (250-300°C) | 320-428°F (160-220°C) |
| Typical potency | 70-90% THC (oil) | Varies with concentrate | Depends on the strain |
| Ease of use | High | Medium | Medium |
| Maintenance | Low | High | Medium |
| Portability | High | Medium | Lower |
| Best for | Beginners, convenience | Concentrate fans | Flower purists |
Wax or Dab Pens
Wax or dab pens are aimed at more experienced users who like concentrates. You load wax or shatter by hand into a heating chamber, which runs hotter (482-572°F / 250-300°C) to vaporize the dense concentrate without burning it.
They handle a range of textures, from budder to shatter, and usually have adjustable temperature settings so you can dial in flavor versus vapor density. The trade-off is upkeep: concentrates leave residue, so regular cleaning is essential to keep them working and tasting right.
Dry Herb Pens
Dry herb pens are for people who want to vape actual flower. They heat ground bud to 320-428°F (160-220°C), vaporizing the cannabinoids and terpenes without combustion, so you get the true flavor and aroma of the strain, closer to the real thing than any oil.
They do need regular cleaning: 96% isopropyl alcohol clears resin from the chamber. Dry herb pens tend to be bulkier and less pocketable than oil pens, but the rich, full-flavored vapor is exactly why flower purists prefer them.
The strain you load matters here more than with oils: an indica-leaning flower will feel relaxing, a sativa more stimulating. That is worth remembering, because the pen does not have an effect of its own, the flower does.
Disposable vs Refillable (and Other Options)
Beyond the three main styles above, the other big choice is disposable vs refillable. Disposable pens come charged and pre-filled, then get recycled when empty: simple, but pricier over time and less eco-friendly. Refillable pens (batteries with replaceable cartridges, or refillable tanks) cost more up front but are cheaper and less wasteful long term. There are also dual-use pens that handle both oil and flower, and larger desktop vaporizers for at-home sessions with the most vapor control.
The choice really comes down to convenience versus control and cost. Disposables are the simplest way in: no setup, no charging to worry about long-term, and ideal for trying a strain or the occasional user, but they cost more per dose and create more waste. Refillable pens and 510-thread batteries are cheaper over time, let you pick your own carts or oils and adjust the voltage, and are the better pick for regular users who want flexibility and less waste.
Promos & Deals
Practical Tips for Weed Pens
- Mind the temperature: keep oil and dry herb pens in the 320-428°F (160-220°C) range to preserve terpenes instead of burning them.
- Clean dab and dry herb pens regularly: 96% isopropyl alcohol dissolves resin and keeps flavor clean.
- Check the label: choose lab-tested cartridges (a COA), ideally 70%+ THC, with no unknown fillers.
- Watch the battery: low charge gives weak, uneven vapor, especially in dry herb pens.
- Store carts upright in a cool place to keep the oil from leaking or thickening.
- Consider a dual-use pen if you switch between concentrates and flower and want one device.
FAQs on Weed Pen Types
Are there different strains of weed pens?
Not exactly. A weed pen is just the device; it has no strain of its own. The strain and effect come from what you load: an oil cartridge, a concentrate or dry flower, each made from a specific cannabis strain. So when people say ‘strains of weed pens’, they really mean the cartridge or flower inside.
What is the best weed pen to get?
The best weed pen depends on what you vape. For simplicity, oil cartridge pens (70-90% THC) are hard to beat. Dab pens suit concentrate fans, dry herb pens suit flower purists, and dual-use pens cover both. Beginners usually do best starting with a lab-tested oil cartridge pen.
Will a THCa vape get you high?
Yes. THCa is not intoxicating on its own, but the heat from a vape converts it to THC (decarboxylation), which is psychoactive. Any weed pen that reaches normal vaping temperatures, roughly 320°F (160°C) and up, will do this, so a THCa vape will get you high like regular THC.
What are the 5 types of vapes?
The five main types are oil cartridge pens, wax or dab pens, dry herb pens, dual-use pens (oil and flower in one) and desktop vaporizers for home use. They differ in portability, potency and upkeep, so the best type of weed pen for you depends on whether you value convenience, flavor or control.
Should I vape indica or sativa?
It depends on the effect you want. Indicas like Northern Lights lean relaxing and suit the evening, while sativas like Colombian Gold feel uplifting and suit daytime. Hybrids sit in between. Remember the strain, not the pen, drives this.
How do I choose the right vape pen for me?
Start with what you like to consume and how often. Casual users who want zero fuss pick disposable or oil cartridge pens; frequent users who want less waste pick refillable ones. Concentrate lovers choose dab pens, flower fans choose dry herb pens. Whatever you pick, buy lab-tested products.
