What's a Dab Pen? How Does it Work? Different Types?

Using cannabis concentrates used to mean needing a big, expensive dab rig setup. But today, there’s a much more convenient option — dab pens.

These small portable devices make it easy to vape your favorite concentrates on the go, with just a push of a button.

However, To those who are new to dabbing, dab pens can still look confusing, with some even confusing them with vape pens.

This article explores everything you need to know about dab pens, how they work, different types, and whether one is worth adding to your arsenal.

What is a Dab Pen?

A dab pen, also called a wax pen, is a portable vaporizer designed for consuming cannabis concentrates on the go.

Unlike pre-filled oil vape carts, the concentrate is loaded directly into the device’s chamber. The coil heats and allows the atomizer to convert wax into vapor.

With vaping, there is no combustion involved, which is why many refer to vaping as a healthier alternative to smoking. Also, the dab pens smell is usually less intense compared to the smell of traditionally smoked flowers, making it more discreet.

Most dab pens offers adjustable temperature settings for customized vaping experiences that prioritize either flavor preservation (lower temperatures) or vapor production (higher temperatures).

Dab pens have become a favorite among those looking for a more efficient and convenient way to enjoy the benefits and unique effects of vaping wax concentrates.

How Do Dab Pens Work?

These compact devices offers a discreet, convenient, and user-friendly alternative for consuming concentrates without the complicated setup of traditional dabbing rig.

Dab pens function by heating cannabis concentrates to their vaporization point without combustion, preserving the flavor and potency of the material.

Though there’s some variety in design, brand, and functionality, Most dab pens feature the 4 same components: A fire button, A mouthpiece, A battery, and a chamber or atomizer.

Users need to load concentrates or wax into the chamber and reassemble the device before use.

When turned on by pressing the button, the heating element activates and vaporizes the concentrate in the chamber to the desired temperature, so it turns into flavorful vapor.

The user inhales this vapor through the mouthpiece, experiencing the concentrate's effects without any combustion.

Compared to traditional dabbing, which involves complex glassware and blowtorches, dab pens provide a safer and more portable, convenient, and user-friendly option.

Benefits of Using Wax Pens & Dab Pens

Wax Dab pens are a game-changer for cannabis concentrate enthusiasts, combining portability, efficiency, and ease of use.

1. Portability: Wax pens are small and lightweight that fits easily in pockets or bags, allowing users to enjoy their concentrates on the go.

2. Discretion: Their compact design, minimal vapor production and reduced odor make wax pens ideal for discreet use.

3. Customizable Experience: Many wax pens come with adjustable temperature settings, allowing users to customize their experience.

You can choose a low temperature setting for thin clouds with more flavor, or a higher temperature for bigger clouds with faster vaporization, though with less flavor.

4. Flavor Preservation: By vaporizing concentrates at lower temperatures, these pens preserve the natural flavors of the terpenes, resulting in cleaner, more nuanced flavor experiences.

5. Safer: Vaporization eliminates the harmful byproducts of combustion, providing a potentially safer alternative to traditional smoking methods while still delivering fast-acting effects.

6. Efficiency: Wax pens use concentrates efficiently, ensuring that every bit of wax is vaporized.

7. Ease of Use: Even beginners can master the simple operation of most dab pens, eliminating the learning curve associated with traditional dab rigs, torches, and temperature management.

8. Cost Efficiency: While the initial investment may be higher than some consumption methods, the efficiency of concentrates and reduced waste make dab pens economical in the long run.

Different Types of Dab Pens

There are a few different dab pens, including loadable dab pens, and and upside down dab pens, also known as electric nectar collectors or electric dab straws.

1. Loadable Dab Pens

Standard dab pens can be loaded with the weed extract of your choice. They have a chamber where you can load a small amount of shatter, wax, badder, rosin, or whatever cannabis concentrate you prefer.

The rechargeable battery heats the concentrate to its vapor point so that you can inhale its intoxicating clouds. A dab on the go!

Depending on your preferences, you can choose between two different kinds of heating element on these cannabis vaporizers: A rod atomizer or a bucket atomizer.

A rod Atomizer will have your dab sitting directly on metal coils that will heat up very quickly as an electrical currents run through them. They will have near-instant heating and bigger clouds but will be ultimately harder to clean and have a metallic taste.

A Bucket Atomizer has a layer, usually made of quartz or ceramic, that sits above the heating element. This design is great for people who prefer the pure flavor, as the atomizer has no exposed metal wicks or coils. It’s also easy to clean, making it a convenient choice for regular use.

2. Electric Dab Straws

Some dab pens, like the Lookah Seahorse, are also known as electric nectar collectors or electric dab straws.

Their atomizers are located at the far end, opposite the mouthpiece, and they can be used to pick up your dabs just like a straw.

Even though they are shaped differently, they work just like regular refillable dab pens. The only difference is that you don’t need a dab tool to scoop up your wax.

You can simply turn on the pen and heat it, and then dip the end into your concentrate and inhale the potent vapor.

Both kinds of dab pens provide a convenient way to enjoy dabs without the risks and headaches associated with dab rigs.

The 4 Best Dab Pens

Lookah's dab pens are known for their fast heat-up time, 710 quartz cup coil tech, sleek design and affordable price.

This lineup is ideal for users who want strong, flavorful hits on the go without the need for complicated setup.

Whether you're after rich vapor production or stealthy dabbing, these devices deliver impressive results.

Here are some excellent choices for your next dab pen.

1. Lookah Swordfish

The Lookah Swordfish is a stylish, portable wax pen known for its exceptional flavor production.

It features a 710 quartz cup coil Type A, a glass mouthpiece, and multiple heat settings (3.5V, 3.7V, and 3.9V), offering quick heating and big, flavorful vapor vaporization.

The ergonomic shape, light weight and small size make the Swordfish feels super comfortable to hold and really easy to carry with you.

The 950mAh battery supports extended sessions, and it offers USB-C charging port for fast, reliable power delivery.

If you are a user who prioritize flavor purity, portability, and convenience, the Lookah Swordfish would be a perfect choice.

2. Lookah Python

The Lookah Python is a standout in the world of wax pens with Its exceptional blend of innovation, design, and performance.

Crafted from premium metallic materials, it feels robust and durable, weighing in at 125 grams. The shell has a serpentine texture. It provides a secure grip.

This compact, palm-sized wax vape boasts a straightforward flip-top design that provides easy access to the atomizer coil - a bit like flipping open a lighter.

With the integrated dab tool, loading your quartz coil is a breeze. The 360 degree magnetic swivel mouthpiece tip adds an extra layer of convenience, ensuring seamless dab.

Powered by a 650mAh battery, it ensures long lasting use, while its built-in 710 Quartz Coil Type D guarantees a flavorful and voluminous vapor production.

With three temperature settings (3.4V, 3.7V, and 4.0V), each session can be customized to perfection. The digital display and big button grants simple, precise control.

Whether you're a pro or just starting your dabbing journey, the Lookah Python offers an experience that is satisfying and efficient!

3. Lookah Ant

The Lookah Ant is a mini wax pen that works similarly to the Lookah Python and Lokah Swordfish.

It’s pocket-sized, ergonomic, features durable metal shell and silicone mouthpiece—making it a perfect companion for on-the-go sessions.

But don’t let the size fool you— The Lookah Ant has three voltage settings ( 3.2V, 3.6V, and 4.0V), and uses 710 quartz cup coil Type D for pure, flavorful vapor.

Battery life is another strong point. The 950mAh battery offers plenty of power for several sessions, and the USB-C charging ensures fast, reliable recharges.

For users who want a vape that’s compact, stylish, and capable of serious performance, the Lookah Ant is a top-tier choice.

4. Lookah Seahorse Pro Plus

The Lookah Seahorse Pro Plus is a highly acclaimed, portable wax pen with exceptional performance. It is also called as an electric nectar collector. Just Dip and Inhale without a dab tool!

Known for its sleek design and ease of use, the Seahorse Pro Plus features two operation modes (session and manual), and a rapid heat-up time.

It provides an impressive vapor quality through see-through quartz heating tip, plus a glasss tube vapor path, and offers three heat settings (3.2V, 3.6V, and 4.1V) to suit individual preferences.

The battery is 650mAh which should see you through 10 to 15 sessions for each full charge, depending on the mode and temperature settings.

It is also compatible with oil vape cartridges as a 510 thread battery and include a green silicone hose to attach to any water pipe for water filtration.

In Conclusion

Gone are the days when vapers needed a desktop rig or e-nail to enjoy concentrates. With dab pens, you can dabbing concentrates on the go.

Rather than having to set up all the components of a dab rig, nail, and torch, a dab pen has all you need– just add extract! Dab pens are also a much more affordable option than dab rigs.

A honey straw like the Lookah Seahorse is a great dab pen for beginners since you don’t even need to load it. Simply dip the end into the extract of your choice and inhale.

There are several dab pens to choose from, each with different designs and settings to match your preference.

Once you decide, charge it up, select a concentrate, and dab away. Concentrates are very potent and just one dab can get you high!