New dry herb portable vaporizers seem to hit the market almost daily and while this can be exciting, it can also be overwhelming having so many options and price points to choose from.
Welcome to VaporizerWizard.com, my name is Buzz Danklin, and I put together this list to help you find the best portable vaporizers in 2021. I have personally tested every vaporizer listed below and put them into categories like best overall, best vapor quality, best battery life, etc.
![Best Portable Vaporizers 2021 [DRY HERB]](https://www.vaporizerwizard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Best-Portable-Vaporizers-2021-DRY-HERB.jpg)
What are the Best Portable Vaporizers in 2021?
Getting Started: Click the dry herb vape to learn more and click the shop button in each section to be directed to one of my recommended authorized retailers. I also have links to full reviews for each of the best portable vaporizers listed below. I do make a small commission when you click a link and make a purchase. Learn more about me here and this site via my affiliate disclosure. Hit me up in the comments with any questions. Thank you for checking out my site.
Table of Contents
- 1 Best Overall Portable Vaporizer
- 2 Best Vapor Quality
- 3 Best Smart Vape
- 4 Most Portable Vaporizer
- 5 Best Battery Life
- 6 Best Portable Vaporizers Under $200
- 7 Best Dry Herb Portables Under $150
- 8 Best Portable Vaporizers Under $100
- 9 Best Cheap Dry Herb Vaporizers
- 10 Best Butane Vaporizers
- 11 Best Dry Herb Vape Pen
- 12 Need Help Finding the Best Dry Herb Vaporizer in 2021?
- 13 Info to Consider When Buying A Portable Vaporizer
- 14 Convection vs Conduction vs Hybrid Heating
- 15 Best Dry Herb Portable Vaporizers 2021 Wrap-Up
Best Overall Portable Vaporizer
The best overall portable is the vaporizer I use the most because it checks all the boxes. It’s easy to use, easy to maintain, and portability is a big factor. This is the portable vaporizer that I reach for the most and count on it to be reliable because it has to be. #oneandonly #dailydriver
Crafty+ Vaporizer
Manufacturer: Storz and Bickel
Price: $237
Coupon Code: S&B15
Materials: Dry Herbs and Concentrates
Temp Range: 104F – 410F
Heating: Hybrid
Battery Life: 4 Bowls AVG
Warranty: 2 Years (3 if registered)
Extras: Smartphone APP
The Crafty+ vaporizer is the newest addition to the Storz and Bickel dry herb vaporizer product line and an upgraded version of the original Crafty. If I had to choose one vaporizer out of all I have tested, it would more than likely be the Crafty+ or Mighty vaporizers. These vaporizers are reliable, consistent, and always produce great tasting vapor.
The OG Crafty was best known for providing excellent vapor quality while being easy to use and maintain. The new Crafty+ Plus took everything I love about the OG and made a few key upgrades, and while it’s not an entirely new redesign, the new additions make it that much better.
The biggest complaint with the OG Crafty was battery life. The newer model Crafty Plus upgraded the capacity and tweaked some software to give us a couple of extra bowls and quicker heat up times.
The new Plus Crafty also features better insulation for more consistent temperatures and a new boost mode at the very high end of the temperature spectrum.
Last but not least, the new Crafty Plus vape upgraded the warranty length. You still get a two-year manufacturer warranty, but you can get an extra year of service, three in total, if you register your device when you get it.
Overall, the Crafty+ and Mighty are the two vaporizers that I always find myself reaching for first. As long as the Crafty+ has a charge, I always have it in my pocket or backpack, ready for adventure.
If you’re looking for the one quiver do it all type of portable vaporizer, and don’t need a lot of battery life, look no further than the Crafty Plus vaporizer. You will not be disappointed. If you do need more battery life, check out the Mighty.
Best Vapor Quality
This category features the portable vaporizer with the absolute best vapor quality. Meaning that it produces the best tasting, smoothest, and coolest vapor. It’s easy on the lungs and this is the vape I reach for when I want to really taste my cannabis. Other vaporizers come close but this category is for the true connoisseurs and features pure 100% convection vaporizers. #flavortown
Firefly 2+ Vaporizer
Manufacturer: Firefly Vapor
Price: $212
Coupon Code: WIZARD15
Materials: Dry Herbs and Concentrates
Temp Range: 200F – 500F
Heating: Convection
Battery Life: 4-5 Bowls AVG
Warranty: 2 Years
Extras: Smartphone APP
The Firefly 2+ is a premium pure convection portable vaporizer made by Firefly Vapor. The Firefly 2+ comes with a full temp spectrum ranging from 200F to 500F for both dry herbs and concentrates.
I highly recommend checking out my full firefly 2+ review for more info and lots of pictures. If you are looking for the best taste offered in a portable vaporizer, look no further than the Firefly 2+. The powerful heater and quick heat-up times paired with fantastic taste and density create a one of a kind unique experience that I think most people will enjoy.
I’ve enjoyed testing the new Firefly 2 Plus out, and it’s fixed everything that was an issue with the FF2. Improved airflow, consistency, and battery life are just a few of the upgraded features.
The Firefly 2 Plus vaporizer comes with one replaceable rechargeable battery and charging cradle. It preheats in less than 10 seconds and requires below average cleaning/maintenance.
Tips: Adding an extra battery isn’t a bad idea if you plan to take any long multi-day trips, concerts, hikes, etc. It’s effortless to just swap one in and out.
Best Smart Vape
The Best Smart Vape category lists the portable vaporizers with the most features. I’m talking full temp spectrum, Bluetooth app functionality, unique algorithms, powerful batteries, custom features, all while still being pocket-friendly. This is the best portable vape for someone who truly likes to take a deep dive into the analytics of a session and enjoys the latest hi-tech gadgets. #smartvape #gadgets
Davinci IQ 2 Vaporizer
Name: Davinci IQ 2 Vaporizer
Manufacturer: Davinci Vaporizers
Price: $221
Coupon Code: WIZARD25
Materials: Dry Herbs
Temp Range: 280F – 430F
Heating: Conduction
Battery Life: 5-7 Bowls AVG
Warranty: 10 Years
Extras: Smartphone APP
The Davinci IQ 2 is a portable dry herb vaporizer made by the company Davinci. The IQ 2 is an upgraded version of the original IQ, which made its debut a few years back, and in my opinion, the IQ 2 is one of the best conduction vaporizers that I’ve tested.
Like the Pax 3 vaporizer, I use the IQ 2 most when I’m out biking, hiking, kayaking, etc… I would recommend that you don’t drop them in the water (been there done that), but both of these vaporizers can handle those “oops” moments because of the tough outer shells.
My favorite upgrade on the new IQ 2 is the airflow dial, which allows you to adjust the resistance. Not only is it more free-flowing than the OG IQ, but I can also get even bigger hits now, especially when you use it with the WPA and a glass piece.
The new IQ 2 accessories make it an excellent vaporizer for micro-dosing but can crank out massive clouds for heavier users. The replaceable 18650 battery system averages over 60 minutes of continuous use, making it a great vaporizer for long days.
The battery life is great with the IQ 2 but the biggest downside to the Davinci IQ 2 vaporizer is the battery charging system.
Yes, it offers a replaceable battery system and excellent battery life per full charge, BUT it takes roughly 6 hours to charge a dead battery within the device. There are 3rd party external battery chargers like the Nitecore i2, which will cut the charging time in half, but it’s an extra $20 accessory.
I enjoy using my IQ 2 out on the trails, and again, the majority of vaporents will enjoy using this vaporizer, especially with your glass pieces. Lastly, the newer flavor chamber design makes it much easier to clean, and it still comes with a 10-year warranty.
Most Portable Vaporizer
This is the vaporizer that needs to be the most portable or “pocket-friendly” and also the most rugged/durable. It needs to be able to handle a drop and it needs to have decent battery life because I’ll be using it on the go. This is the vaporizer that I take with me hiking, biking, skiing, and anything adventure-related because I know I can keep it safely in my pocket.
Pax 3 Vaporizer (Complete Kit)
Manufacturer: Pax Labs
Price: $249 (Complete Kit)
Materials: Dry Herbs and Concentrates
Temp Range: 360F – 420F
Heating: Conduction
Battery Life: 5-6 Bowls AVG
Warranty: 10 Years
Extras: Smartphone APP
The Pax 3 vaporizer is my most used portable vaporizer for mountain biking, hiking, and most of my summer activities. It’s easy to pocket and easily concealed, making it the perfect vaporizer for use on the go. It’s also one of the most durable vaporizers I’ve tested. If you only knew how many times I’ve dropped this thing, poor guy. Appearances wise, PaxVapor changed the outer shell from a brushed aluminum (Pax 2) to a polished finish (Pax 3). So far, the shiny surface is holding up pretty well but will be more susceptible to fingerprints and scratches.
I’m enjoying the concentrate insert, but I don’t see it replacing anyone’s dab rig or e-nail. It does extract the materials very well without creating a big mess, but it doesn’t get anywhere near as hot as traditional methods. The Pax 3 Complete Kit comes with everything you need to vape dry herbs and concentrates. The Basic Kit includes everything for DRY HERBS ONLY.
Pax 3 Upgrades over the Pax 2 Vape include:
- The Pax 3 features many internal changes while keeping the same size and only adding 3 grams to the overall weight.
- The option to vape both dry herbs and concentrates with the new concentrate insert.
- The Pax 3 also uses an upgraded 3500mAh battery vs. a 3000mAh on the Pax 2.
- Pre-heat times for the Pax 3 now average between 15-20 seconds, whereas the Pax 2 is about 45 seconds.
- You also get haptic feedback, and lastly, the Pax Vapor APP is live. The Pax 3 Vapor APP will give you full control over the temp spectrum (360F-420F) with options to select different heating profiles.
- Within the app (Android Only), you can also change color themes, lock the device, dim the LED, or completely lock it.
Bottom Line: The Pax 3 is about as good as it gets for a portable vaporizer when considering battery life, portability, durability, and overall ease of use. The new Half-Pack lid is an excellent feature for single person sessions. You no longer have to buy third party accessories to maximize efficiency, and the concentrate insert provides a perfect option to use materials other than dry herb. Check out my Pax 3 review for more info with a full youtube video review.
Best Battery Life
This category features the portable vaporizer with the best battery life per full charge while also being easy to use, easy to maintain, and reliable. The portable vaporizer with the best battery life is perfect for those long-day adventures and can easily get a group medicated. Size isn’t necessarily a huge issue in this category but it does still need to be semi-portable.
Mighty Vaporizer
Manufacturer: Storz and Bickel
Price: $296
Coupon Code: S&B15
Materials: Dry Herbs and Concentrates
Temp Range: 104F – 410F
Heating: Hybrid
Battery Life: 6-8 Bowls AVG
Warranty: 2 Years
*My Most Used Vaporizer
The Mighty is the bigger brother of the smaller Crafty+ portable vaporizer, and although it’s not the smallest vaporizer, it comes with some pretty great features.
The Mighty currently has the best battery life on the market per full charge. The battery will easily last a full day of hiking, biking, or enjoying an outdoor concert. I average between 6-8 sessions on a full charge, and the unit will fully charge in about 90 minutes.
Next, the Mighty comes with an on vape, easy-to-read, LED display, and easy-to-use temp buttons located on both sides. The full temp spectrum ranges from 105F-410F.
Although the Mighty is a bit big for the pockets, the extra size and weight make it extremely easy to pass around and use in group scenarios. The Mighty is one of the best vaporizers for dry herb, especially if you don’t mind the size.
The only downsides to the unit are the overall size and weight. It CAN be pocketed if needed, but it’s pretty bulky in the jeans. The Mighty will fit much better in a purse, hoodie, or backpack.
Best Portable Vaporizers Under $200
This category is pretty much self-explanatory but here we will list the best portable vaporizers under $200 with my favorite picks at the top. This price range continues to get more and more competitive as dry herb vaporizer prices continue to drop.
Pax 3 Vaporizer (Basic Kit)
Manufacturer: Pax Labs
Price: $199
Materials: Dry Herbs
Temp Range: 360F – 420F
Heating: Conduction
Battery Life: 5-6 Bowls AVG
Warranty: 10 Years
Extras: Smartphone APP
Pax 3 – Basic Kit (Dry Herb)
I know I’ve already listed the “Pax 3 Complete Kit” above as the most portable vaporizer, but the “Pax 3 Basic Kit” is the way to go if you’re trying to stay under $200.
You get everything that comes with the Pax 3 complete kit except for the concentrate insert, the half-pack lid, and some extra screens. If you’re not going to be using concentrates and just planning on sticking with dry herb, this kit is perfect for you.
You still get the 10-year warranty, the 25-second average heat up time, Bluetooth, haptic feedback, and full control with the pax vapor app (if you have an android phone). It’s the same device minus the insert for concentrates and the half-pack lid.
The only thing you can’t get with the basic kit is the glossy finish. I like the matte finish anyway, so that’s not a big deal to me. The matte finish doesn’t show fingerprints or scratches as quickly.
Arizer Solo 2 Vaporizer
Manufacturer: Arizer
Price: $165
Materials: Dry Herbs
Temp Range: 122F – 428F
Heating: Hybrid
Battery Life: 12-15 Bowls AVG
Warranty: Lifetime* (Read Below)
Good Home-Use Portable
Arizer Vaporizers Buying Guide
The next option in the best vape under $200 category is the Arizer Solo 2 and it retails for $175. The Solo 2 features almost three hours of average battery life, a full temp spectrum, and one of the most reliable portable vaporizers on the market.
The 20-second heat-up time on the Solo 2 is one of my favorite features. I also really like the display, and the temp buttons are easy to use.
I both love and hate the glass stem because I’m usually out and about with my vaporizers. So a glass stem is both dangerous to be in a pocket and not easy to hide, especially while mountain biking or skiing, but the flavor you get from the all-glass vapor path is phenomenal.
With that said, I prefer to use the Solo 2 at home the most and especially with a water pipe adapter and some glass.
The Solo 2 kicks out massive clouds and is honestly the perfect vaporizer to bring over to a buddy’s house or just sit and chill while watching Netflix. You can use it while it’s plugged in and never run out of battery life.
Lastly, the Solo 2 comes with a lifetime warranty on the heating element, a 2-Year warranty against defects, and a 1-Year warranty on the battery. Besides the glass stem, this is one of the most durable portable vaporizers you can own, and it will last a lifetime.
Best Dry Herb Portables Under $150
This category will list my top picks for the best dry herb portable vaporizers under $150. This is a great price range for both beginner and experienced vaporents.
Fury Edge Vaporizer
Price: $149
Manufacturer: HealthyRips
Materials: Dry Herbs and Concentrates
Temp Range: 320F – 430F
Heating: Conduction
Battery Life: 4-6 Bowls AVG
Warranty: (Read Below)
Quick Heat Up and Pocket Friendly
The Fury Edge is a portable dry herb vaporizer made by Healthy Rips and rated as the best portable vaporizer under $150.
The Edge features a hybrid (conduction and convection) heating system, a full temperature spectrum (320F to 430F), 20-second heat-up time, and 70-90 minutes of average continuous use.
The Fury Edge uses a medical-grade stainless steel chamber, and vapor path, which is completely isolated from electronics. I prefer the Edge over all other portable vaporizers in this price range because of the free-flowing draw, powerful heater, and quick charging via USB-C. A feature most portable vaporizers in this price range don’t offer.
My only complaint with the Fury Edge would be that it doesn’t use a replaceable battery system. But the 2300mAh battery provides plenty of battery life considering how small and pocket friendly this vaporizer is.
Lastly, Healthy Rips offers a free one-year replacement warranty and 1/2 price replacements for life, but I doubt you’ll need either because this vaporizer is a beast.
Pax 2 Vaporizer
Manufacturer: Pax Labs
Price: $149
Materials: Dry Herbs
Temp Range: 360F – 420F
Heating: Conduction
Battery Life: 5-6 Bowls AVG
Warranty: 2 Years
Extremely Rugged and Durable
The Pax 2 received a price drop from $199 to $149 with the Pax 3 Kits release. The Pax 2 is the second-best portable vaporizer under $150 and one of the most used vaporizers of my entire collection.
I use the Pax vaporizers most for outdoor activities because the rugged outer shell keeps it safe from the oops moments. They are simple to use but do require a fine grind and regular cleaning for the best results.
If you don’t already have the Pax 2 and looking for an upgrade, go straight for the Pax 3. The quicker pre-heat time, better battery life, concentrate insert, and access to the app via Bluetooth (android only) make the $100 price difference worth it.
If you already have a Pax 2 and you’re looking to upgrade to the 3, consider picking up the concentrate insert ($50) and the half-pack lid ($13).
The Concentrate Insert IS interchangeable with the Pax 2. Granted, you’re missing out on the app and the quick heat-up times, but they do function quite similarly, and you can spend a bit less money.
Best Portable Vaporizers Under $100
This is honestly my favorite section of this article because these three vaporizers are the perfect portable vaporizers for someone just entering the vaporizer market. They are easy to use, easy to maintain, and come loaded with all sorts of features for the price. My top pick is first but they are all good choices.
POTV One Vaporizer
Price: $99
Manufacturer: Planet of the Vapes
Materials: Dry Herbs and Concentrates
Temp Range: 320F – 430F
Heating: Conduction
Battery Life: 4-6 Bowls AVG
Warranty: 2 Years
Very Powerful for its Size
The POTV One is a very small albeit powerful portable dry herb vaporizer. The feature I like most about the One vaporizer is the lack of draw resistance. It’s one of the freest flowing portable vaporizers on the market and that allows me to rip the shit out of this thing.
If you check out my full review, you can see all the different ways that you can use this. It’s powerful enough for your bongs, bubblers but also perfect for micro-dosing via the POTV One dosing capsules.
You can read more about vaporizer dosing capsules in my potv one review or I posted a complete guide to vaporizer dosing capsules which you can check out here.
The Planet of the Vapes One Vaporizer features:
- Full temp spectrum with on vape display
- Isolated vapor path
- Very low draw resistance
- Durable with a good warranty
- Extremely powerful for its size
I honestly don’t think you can find a better vaporizer for the price and POTV backs up the One vape with a 2-year warranty.
Overall the POTV One vape can satisfy everyone including heavier daily users or novice occasional users. The only downside to this unit is battery life per full charge but for the size, it’s actually pretty decent.
Boundless CF Vaporizer
Manufacturer: Boundless Tech
Price: $99
Materials: Dry Herbs
Temp Range: 5 Presets
Heating: Hybrid
Battery Life: 4-6 Bowls AVG
Warranty: 2 Years
Free-Flowing Tasty Vapor
The next option in the best portable vaporizer under $100 category is the Boundless CF. The CF vaporizer is the smaller version of the Boundless CFX with the same fast heat-up time but only 5 preset temps and no display.
The CF is very easy to use, works well with varying load sizes, and kicks out some pretty decent vapor quality. I would honestly say it’s the best-tasting vaporizer for under $100.
The CF Vaporizer comes with five preset temps and they are 355F, 370F, 385F, 400F, and 415F. The lack of a full temp spectrum doesn’t really make a difference because the default temps pretty much cover the spectrum.
It looks and feels sort of similar to the Crafty+ vaporizer but falls short in the vapor quality category. It’s easy to pocket, very light and almost small enough to completely palm. It uses a non-replaceable battery and can be charged via USB. Lastly, the CF vape comes with a two-year manufacturer warranty.
XMAX Starry V3 Vaporizer
Manufacturer: XMAX
Price: $99
Materials: Dry Herbs
Temp Range: 221F – 464F
Heating: Conduction
Battery Life: 5-6 Bowls AVG
Warranty: 1 Year
Pocket-Friendly / Replaceable Batteries
The XMAX Starry is the perfect vaporizer for someone just entering the vape market. You get a full temp spectrum, a replaceable battery system, it’s lightweight and effortless to pocket for use on the go.
The vapor quality is middle of the road for a pure conduction vaporizer, and the draw resistance is pretty good. The one thing I don’t really like about it is how short the vapor path is. The vapor can be pretty hot with prolonged sessions or when using with more than one person.
I prefer the POTV One over the XMAX Starry but the Starry vaporizer does feature replaceable batteries. Lastly, the Starry comes with a one-year manufacturer warranty.
Best Cheap Dry Herb Vaporizers
Davinci Miqro Vaporizer
Manufacturer: Davinci Vaporizers
Price: $74
Coupon Code – WIZARD25
Materials:Dry Herbs
Temp Range:300F – 430F
Heating:Conduction
Battery Life:3-4 Bowls AVG
Warranty:2 Years
Smallest Battery Powered Vaporizer
The Miqro is the newest dry herb conduction vaporizer from Davinci Vaporizer. The Miqro features pretty much everything that comes with the IQ but in a much smaller unit. You still get the 4 smart path options which gradually increase temp over the session, you get a precise temp option, boost mode and the pearl actually works in the Miqro.
The Davinci Miqro features:
- Replaceable Battery System
- Full Temp Spectrum
- Two Mouthpieces (one recessed and one that doubles as a 10mm water pipe adapter)
- 5-Year Warranty
- The smallest battery-powered vaporizer that I have ever tested
It’s also one the freest flowing vaporizer in this price range. Meaning that it doesn’t require too much effort to get a good draw as long as you keep it clean.
I’ve been using the Miqro most during mountain biking, hiking, and nights out on the town because it’s easily pocketable, easy to use, and easy to load.
It’s not going to be the best vaporizer for big groups or heavier users because of the battery life. Still, each battery will get you about 30 minutes of average battery life. So, three, 10-minute sessions.
If you think you will be using it in groups or on a heavy daily basis, you might want to consider upgrading to the Davinci IQ 2, which is listed above.
The Miqro is available in two kits, the “Basic Kit” and the “Explorers Kit”. The basic kit retails for $99 and it includes one battery, the unit, both mouthpieces, and some cleaning accessories. The Explorers kit retails for $109 and includes TWO batteries, a glove to help with the heat, a carry can, a nice case, and a grinder card. I feel like the extra battery definitely helps out and the glove/case are nice additions. Both options come with a 5-year warranty.
Name: Dynavap 2021 M Thermal Extraction Device
Price: $75
Starter Pack: $125
The best cheap butane-powered portable vaporizer is the Dynavap VapCap M 2021 for $75. This vape does require a torch, lighter, or induction heater, so it may not be for everyone or every situation, but it’s incredibly reliable and consistent. Never rely on a battery again.
Best Butane Vaporizers
This category features my highest rated picks for portable butane vaporizers. Butane vaporizers work by heating herb via a glass stem (i.e. Sticky Bricks) or a cap system (dynavap). There are other butane vaporizers out there but these are the only two that I use on the regular.
OG Sticky Brick Vaporizer
The Sticky Brick vaporizers are exactly what the name implies. They are wood bricks that connect via magnets (sticky) and use a butane torch to produce on-demand convection heating. The Sticky Brick butane vaporizers are some of the most efficient vaporizers currently on the market, plus they are hand-made in the USA from natural hardwood.
The first butane vaporizer made by Sticky Brick is the Original or OG and it retails for $149. I consider the Sticky Brick OG a home-use portable vaporizer because it’s not going to fit in your pocket. It works great around the house and can easily be carried from room to room.
I also find the Sticky Brick OG the easiest to use of all the Sticky Brick vaporizers because you get immediate clear feedback as vapor forms in the glass mouthpiece. The vapor quality is fantastic, and it works very well with varying load sizes.
The wood finish is very smooth, unique and all the pieces fit together beautifully. Sticky Brick Vaporizers also come with a lifetime warranty on the wood body and 15 days on the glass pieces.
Dynavap makes the next butane vaporizer I recommend, and it’s called the Dynavap Omni. I’ve been using a handful of Dynavap Thermal Extraction devices for quite some time now and not a single one of them compares to the quality and features offered in the 2021 Dynavap Omni. The long length, multiple airflow options, and the new cooling rod make this new Omni an absolute ripper. Check out my full Dynavap Buying Guide below for more info.
Best Dry Herb Vape Pen
Hopper IO
Manufacturer: Hopper Labs
Materials: Dry Herbs
Temp Range: 220F – 430F
Heating: Convection
Battery Life: 4-6 Bowls AVG
Warranty: Lifetime (read notice)
Pocket-Friendly / Powerful
The Hopper IO (previously known as the Grasshopper vaporizer) is one of the lightest and smallest portable vaporizers currently available on the market. It’s a pen vaporizer that offers pure convection heating powerful enough to have you vaping as soon as you click it.
The Hopper IO vaporizer directly mimics the look of an actual pen and it’s similar in size to bigger fancy pens or something like a graphic design stylus. The Hopper vape is great to use on the go and powerful enough to use with your biggest glass bubblers and bongs. It’s not the best for group sessions because of the external temps but perfect for 1-2 people.
You can choose between classic stainless steel, a titanium version, and a colored titanium version. The main differences between the SS and TI versions are that the TI is about 10 grams lighter, it’s less prone to scratches, and the unit remains a little cooler overall. All units come with a lifetime warranty.
The Hopper IO (instant-on) is currently rated as my best dry herb vape pen. It offers replaceable batteries, quick heat-up time, pure convection, great vapor quality, and works well with varying load sizes.
HOPPER IO RELIABILITY ISSUES
I consider the Hopper IO one of the best portable vaporizers on the market WHEN IT WORKS. I have had good luck with my hoppers, only having to replace one back end but overall the Grasshopper and the Hopper IO have been plagued with reliability issues. The company is also notoriously bad at communicating with customers and often misses deadlines. Don’t buy this vaporizer if it will be your only one and buy at your own risk. Hit me up in the comments with any questions.
Need Help Finding the Best Dry Herb Vaporizer in 2021?
If you still can’t quite figure out what dry herb portable vaporizer is best for you, ask yourself these questions and shoot me an email with your replies:
- Where will you be using your portable vaporizer?
- Will you be using it alone or with others? If groups, how many people?
- Will you be using it for long periods in between charging?
- How important is discreetness, size, pocketability, smell?
- Are you wanting a session vape (10-15 minutes, similar to a joint)? OR do you want a quick, somewhat on-demand vape (Similar to a bowl, easy to break into multiple sessions)?
- What is your budget? For example, “No Budget” or $300+, $200-300, $100-200, under $100.
Info to Consider When Buying A Portable Vaporizer
There are a few things to consider before buying a portable vaporizer, especially if you are new the idea of vaporization. The first thing you need to ask yourself is: Do I want a session-style vaporizer or an on-demand style vaporizer?
A session-style vaporizer is meant to vape an entire bowl in one sitting, usually over the course of 5 – 15 minutes. I like to compare a session unit to smoking a joint.
- They are generally more relaxing and casual sessions where you will take a dozen or more draws, session vapes work great with groups.
- The majority of portable vapes are session vapes, including some of my favorite units like the Crafty+ and Mighty.
On-demand vaporizers have very quick heat-up times. I like to compare on-demand style vaporizers to hitting a bong, bubbler, or pipe. They are great for just taking one or two rips and going about your day.
- On-demand vaporizers thrive when you don’t have time or don’t want to spend time on a long session.
- They are also great for micro-dosing, and usually more efficient with your herbs.
- However, they are also known to be more finicky or take more practice/technique so they are not always the best for group scenarios, or at least with inexperienced friends.
- The Firefly 2+ and the Dynavap units are good examples of on-demand vaporizers.
Next, how important are the size, weight, and overall portability factors? Do you need it to be portable or will this be a home-use portable? If you don’t need it to be portable, I recommend checking out my best desktop vaporizer guide for something more stationary. If portability is the main factor, you may have to sacrifice some things like battery life.
Lastly, are you a heavier user? If so, find a portable vaporizer with long average battery life or one that offers replaceable batteries. While batteries have come a long way in recent years, they still won’t keep up all-day use.
A good example of this is the Crafty+ vaporizer. The Crafty+ is hands-down my favorite portable vaporizer, but it has roughly half the battery life of the Mighty. So I tend to reach for the Mighty when I know it’ll be a long adventure or group scenarios.
Bonus Tip – Vaporizers perform a million times better when you grind up your herbs. Check out my top picks for grinders here.
Convection vs Conduction vs Hybrid Heating
Last Note: It’s important to know the difference between convection, conduction, and hybrid style heating when it comes to dry herb portable vaporizers.
- Convection vaporizers heat the air as it passes through the herbs while you draw. This means your herbs only get heated during the draw and you are not constantly cooking them. Convection units on average have improved flavor over conduction units, something to consider if flavor is very important to you. Remember that convection style vaporizers usually come with a bit of a learning curve whereas conduction style units are easier to use, especially for beginners.
- Conduction-style vaporizers transfer heat to the entire chamber via direct contact with heated oven walls the entire time the unit is running, whether you are drawing or not.
- Hybrid heating vaporizers utilize both conduction and convection heating methods. The hybrid heating method is a great middle-ground between full conduction vaporizers and full convection vaporizers.
Hybrid heating vaporizers still function similarly to that of a conduction vaporizer, meaning that you will still want at least 5-15 minutes to chill and sesh, and once you start a bowl, you will want to finish it. But you gain some of the improved flavor and vapor quality associated with the convection units. The Crafty+ and the Mighty both utilize hybrid heating systems.
Best Dry Herb Portable Vaporizers 2021 Wrap-Up
I do believe that any one of these vaporizers could be someone’s favorite. It’s important to know that not everyone will have the same opinion on the best vaporizer. It ultimately depends on your specific situation.
With that said, I believe the Crafty Plus and the Mighty are currently the best overall portable vaporizers on the market for most people due to their ease of use and consistency. The best vaporizer for the person who wants replaceable batteries would be the Davinci IQ 2, and the best vaporizer for the stealth user always on the go is the Pax 3.
Do you have a portable vaporizer that you recommend or want to see reviewed before you buy? Leave a comment below or hit me up on my contact page, and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you for checking out my site.
