Best Desktop Vaporizers Buyer's Guide

The Best Desktop Vaporizers of 2024: Buyer's Guide

A complete list of the best Desktop Vaporizers, thoroughly tested and selected by our Vape Experts to give you the...

Table of contents

Desktop vaporizers may be attractive for at-home users who want the best vapor possible without the hassle of limited battery life or smaller ovens. These vaporizers are much larger than their portable counterparts and require a power outlet, but they deliver the strongest sessions available.

We don’t carry every desktop vaporizer available. We only carry ones that offer something unique and perform exceptionally well. Each desktop vape we carry is a top contender for a reason, and in this article, we’ll show you why.

How did we reach our conclusions? We rigorously test and use every vaporizer we carry, including the following desktop options, and assess five key elements:

  • Vapor Quality
  • Value
  • Ease of Use
  • Cleaning & Maintenance
  • Customization

Quick Summary: our top picks

  • Volcano Hybrid: Best Overall Desktop Vaporizer Winner
  • Volcano Classic: Runner-up Overall Desktop Vaporizer
  • Arizer Extreme Q: Best Budget Desktop Vaporizer Winner
  • Arizer XQ2: Best Budget Desktop Vaporizer Runner-Up
  • Storz & Bickel Plenty: Best Heavy-Hitting Desktop Vaporizer Winner
  • EpicVape E-Nano XL: Best Microdosing Desktop Vaporizer Winner
  • Ditanium: Best Dual-Use Desktop Vaporizer Winner

    Best Overall Desktop Vaporizer: Volcano Hybrid Vaporizer

    The title of Best Desktop Vaporizer belongs to the Volcano Hybrid vaporizer for its feature-packed design and world-class vaporization. The Volcano name has been around for over two decades, and its performance and quality have crescendoed to an epic peak of awesomeness.

    Best Desktop Vaporizers Volcano Hybrid Vaporizer

    Vapor Quality: 5/5

    When you put all the bells and whistles aside, the Volcano Hybrid excels at the one thing that matters—the hit. Storz and Bickel updated the heater from the original design, and the results are thicker and more flavorful draws.

    The Volcano Hybrid will pump out deliciously silky, thick, and flavorful vapor all day, every day. You’ll get great results from loads ranging from .1g when using the Filling Chamber Reducer and a Dosing Capsule to a generous .5g when using the standard Filling Chamber.

    Value: 4/5

    The Hybrid Volcano drops a mark here, and some may say we’ve been too generous, giving a score of four out of five for a vape that retails at $929, or $743.20 with our 20% off discount, but hear us out.

    When you purchase any dry herb vaporizer, you invest in your health. Both the Volcano Classic and Hybrid Volcano are seriously reliable units designed and assembled in Germany to the highest standards and built to last a lifetime. You’ll be pulling this thing out years from now.

    Ease of use: 5/5

    The Volcano Hybrid is as simple or as complicated as you make it.

    For many, the limitless options to customize your sessions are a geeky playground of fun, but for those who prefer to just ‘press the button, and it works,’ the Hybrid also does that, with very simple, intuitive on-board controls.

    How simple? We’re talking a touchscreen control panel with onboard precise temperature control, and a fully digital, bright display. That simple.

    And with a fast heat-up time, you’ll be up and vaping in less time than ever before.

    Cleaning & Maintenance: 4/5

    In terms of the unit itself, all the Volcano Hybrid needs is an occasional Air Filter change and an occasional brush on the top mesh. You can also wipe away any dirt from the sides of the unit with a warm, damp cloth.

    The herb chamber requires occasional maintenance, and the Silicone Whip and Balloon Bags must be changed periodically to keep the flavor fresh.

    Aside from the screens, there’s nothing to soak in alcohol, and maintenance is a breeze with modular parts.

    Customization: 5/5

    The Volcano Hybrid offers two delivery methods, out of the box: the Balloon and the Whip.

    The Balloon (bag) is detached from the Volcano vaporizer and easily portable around the home, in the tub, or in the yard for convenient sharing. That’s the magic of the balloon. It converts your desktop into a semi-disposable, drop-proof, portable vaporizer.

    The Volcano Hybrid is also a whip vape, great for solo sessions or group parties when passed around hookah style.

    With the addition of our Volcano Glass Adapter, the possibilities become vast and exciting. This adapter is the perfect Volcano vaporizer companion whether you want to take the edge off with our dry stems and mini bubblers or seamlessly connect to your favorite tabletop bubbler.

    Pick up the Volcano Hybrid Filling Chamber with Reducer to convert the Volcano Hybrid into a microdosing machine, where you can take smaller amounts and fine-tune your sessions to your exact requirements.

    And that’s without getting into the minute details you can prescribe via the Bluetooth App, which allows almost infinite customization of your sessions, like in-depth session programming, timer settings, and display adjustments. This is why the Volcano Hybrid scores a full 5/5; we’d give it more if we could.

    Overall score: 23/25

    Pros 👍 Cons 👎
    The best vapor quality Expensive
    Bag and Whip functions Apple doesn’t support the App
    Endless customization
    Volcano Glass Adapter

     
    If you’re looking for a handheld vaporizer for discreet draws, the Volcano Hybrid is not the right vape for you. But if you’re looking for the biggest, most potent, and most delicious vapor possible from a vape built to the highest medical standards, the Volcano Hybrid is it.

    Packed with features and options, it truly lets you have your vapor your way, and the flavor and potency that the machine can produce are second to none.

    Read our full Volcano Hybrid Review here!

    Best Overall Runner-up: Volcano Classic

    The vape that started it all and that would’ve topped this list every year until the Volcano Hybrid came along. The Volcano Classic dry herb vaporizer is built like a tank and has stood the test of time, with many vaporists reporting units working into their second or even third decade.

    With clean convection vapor, this vape will always be a winner in our eyes.

    Best Desktop Vaporizers Volcano Classic Vaporizer

    Vapor Quality: 5/5

    The main difference between the Volcano Classic and the Volcano Hybrid, in terms of vapor quality, is that the Volcano Classic utilizes hot air (convection heating) to evaporate those tasty terpenes.

    The result is a distinct and enjoyable vapor profile from the Classic. Although perhaps not as thick as you can get from the Hybrid, it’s still delicious and effective.

    It’s also worth noting that the Volcano Classic has the same oven capacity as the Volcano Hybrid. Anywhere in the range between .1g with the Chamber Reducer (purchased separately) all the way up to a large .5g bowl for sharing and medicinal doses.

    Value: 5/5

    At $639 ($511.20 with our 20% discount), you save more than $232 over the Volcano Hybrid, but it’s still a big outlay.

    Here’s what one of our customers had to say about it:

    “I remember when I purchased my Volcano Classic back in 2012. I’d only tried one or two portable vaporizers and had never tried a Volcano. At 32 years old, it finally allowed me to put down my combustion-based water pipe, and that same unit is still my daily driver today, so I continue to ‘get my money’s worth.”

    Ease of use: 4/5

    It has two buttons and a temperature dial, so it doesn’t get much simpler.

    We’ve marked the Classic down on the Hybrid by one point because its digital display makes it super-easy to check the temperature. In contrast, the Classic’s 1-9 dial requires a little more knowledge of what temperatures those numbers relate to.

    However, you’ll easily find the right temperature, and once dialed in, the dial is unlikely to move much.

    Cleaning & Maintenance: 5/5

    Like the Hybrid, the Classic unit needs an occasional brush on the top mesh and a very occasional Air Filter change.

    Aside from changing out the Balloons when it’s time, the Herb Chamber is the part that requires the most maintenance, but even then, it’s only the top section of the chamber that ever needs any work, as long as you’re brushing it out after every session. It’s super simple, which is why the Classic gets full marks.

    Customization: 4/5

    The Volcano Classic's weak point is its ability to customize. It should be noted that it’s balloon only and does not support whip-style use.

    However, we’re big fans of the Volcano balloon (bag) delivery system. It’s totally customizable in terms of vapor volume, offers a totally clean vapor path, and is super-easy to add and remove from the unit.

    Once full, your desktop unit has produced a portable balloon of vapor. Take it into the yard and share it with friends around a BBQ, or go sit on the roof and enjoy the sunset. You’re free to move around with this desktop device. Plus, being that there’s nothing hot or electrical in the balloon, they’re the perfect vape for relaxing in the tub and watching a movie.

    In terms of onboard settings, there’s the temperature dial… And that’s about it. Our Volcano Glass Adapter opens the doors to glass exploration, and our suite of pieces to choose from will help you create the perfect hit.

    However, many prefer the balloons, so if you don’t require the Whip, the Classic is a great option for a balloon-only desktop vape with adjustable bowl sizes via the available Volcano accessories.

    Overall score: 23/25

    Pros 👍 Cons 👎
    Fantastic vapor quality Expensive
    Easy to use and maintain No digital display
    Volcano Glass Adapter

     
    The Volcano Classic has stood the test of time. We’re well into its third decade on the planet, and it continues to be a winner for those serious about kicking combustion to the curb. We think it’ll be spewing out its tasty vapor for many more years to come.

    Read our full Volcano Classic Review here!

    Best Budget Desktop Vaporizer: Arizer XQ2 

    At a quarter of the price of the Volcano Hybrid and a third of the Volcano Classic, the Arizer XQ2 vaporizer offers a massive bang for the buck.

    It supports Whip and Balloon usage, has a multi-speed fan, and even has some unique features that the Volcanos don’t.

    Best Desktop Vaporizers Arizer XQ2 Vaporizer

    Vapor Quality: 4/5

    With its new and improved Connoisseur Bowl, the vapor on the XQ2 benefits from an all-glass bowl (heating chamber).

    When you combine the all-glass design with the hot air heating (convection heating) from the ceramic heating element of the Arizer XQ2, the results are potent, delicious, and seemingly endless.

    With the XQ2, you can take your herbs as far as you want to, and you can swap  your bowl size out of the box from a sharing-sized .5g fill to a .2g single session load.

    Value: 5/5

    It was said in the intro, and I’ll say it again: the Arizer XQ2's value can’t be beaten. It’s a desktop vape that supports Balloon and Whip use. It retails for well under $250 and has precise temperature control. What more needs to be said?

    Ease of Use: 3/5

    The Arizer XQ2 is easy to use once you have the hang of it, but there is a learning curve and many components to get your head around.

    There’s the need for some assembly work when you first receive the unit, being that you need to spend some time putting the balloon and the mouthpiece together. The process has been simplified compared to the Extreme Q’s balloons, but it’s still there.

    Also, the glass parts get extremely hot during use and cannot be touched with a naked hand when at temperature. Everyone finds this out the hard way once.

    Yes, it’s more clunky than the Volcano Hybrid or Classic, but it’s also way more cost-effective, so it depends on where you sit on that scale of budget vs. vaping experience. If you’re a tinkerer, you’ll love it.

    Cleaning & Maintenance: 3/5

    The Arizer XQ2 has many individual parts that all need to be maintained or replaced at some point.

    A little more maintenance is required than with the Volcanos, but it’s a modular unit, meaning all parts are removable for cleaning or replacement.

    Customization: 5/5

    The XQ2 comes with a remote control, so you can easily switch it on while sitting on the couch. It will be at the right temperature by the time you make your way to your vape station.

    Couple that with the ability to vape from a Balloon (bag), use it as a whip style vaporizer, or from your favorite water pipe when you connect via a Glass Adapter.

    Not to mention the ability to change the oven size simply by flipping the Connoisseur Bowl over, this unit offers a lot of customization out of the box.

    The XQ2 is the tinkerer’s dream. With so many different ways to experiment and so many different combinations of components and settings to test, you’re purchasing a whole lot of fun for $160.

    Overall score: 20/25

    Pros 👍 Cons 👎
    Great value Fragile glass pieces
    Bag and Whip functions A bit of tinkering required
    All-glass components Exposed glass gets hot


    The Arizer XQ2 punches above its weight in terms of functionality for its price point. It delivers good flavor, potent vapor, and a choice of balloon or whip delivery.

    It’s also easily connected to a water pipe and is a great choice for those who are looking for desktop units for a vape at a price that won’t break the bank.

    Read our full Arizer XQ2 review here!

    Best Budget Desktop Vaporizer Runner-Up: Arizer Extreme Q Vaporizer

    The Extreme Q is Arizer’s predecessor to the XQ2 and is similar in many ways. It, too, offers dual delivery capabilities via the Whip or Balloon. It has a remote, is customizable in a myriad of ways, and punches well above its weight in terms of its price point.

    Arizer Extreme Q Vaporizer

    Vapor Quality: 3.5/5

    The Arizer Extreme Q offers tasty, potent vapor, but it’s not quite as tasty as that delivered from the XQ2.

    The XQ2’s Connoisseur Bowl has an improved design that allows you to specify your bowl size, whereas the Cyclone Bowl’s screen is located dead-center of the bowl, so you’re locked into a single oven size.

    The good news is that they’re interchangeable, so if you want to upgrade your Extreme Q to use more of a microdosing .2g load, you can. It has the same ceramic heating element as the XQ2.

    If you’re looking for more of a party dose, the Cyclone Bowl matches the maximum capacity of both Volcanoes, coming in at .5g.

    Value: 5/5

    At $70 less than the XQ2, the Extreme Q is the original bang-for-buck champion in terms of what you get out of the box. However, since the XQ2 is only $70 more, we still see it as a better-value vape. If you’d like to know why, take a look at our XQ2 vs. Extreme Q Vaporizer comparison.

    Ease of use: 3 .5/5

    The Extreme Q is easy to use once you’ve mastered the learning curve, but there are things that most people get wrong the first time. For example, it benefits from a 5-minute pre-heat prior to adding the herbs, but this is all part of the learning curve.

    However, the Extreme Q does a lot of things right. I love using the fan as a ‘draw assist’ while using the Whip for a super comfy experience.

    And like the XQ2 and the Volcano Hybrid, it has a digital display for precise temperature controls.

    The fan has three speed settings, which is an improvement on the Volcano Classic’s one-speed setting. This ability to control the airflow velocity means many more experimental possibilities—they’re endless!

    Cleaning & Maintenance: 3/5

    The Extreme Q isn’t that hard to maintain, but, like the XQ2, it has a number of parts that need to be individually cleaned semi-regularly. The XQ2 is a bit easier to maintain because it has fewer metallic screens than the Extreme Q.

    The Balloon assembly is more of a fiddle with the Extreme Q, so we had to mark it down here. It’s one of those things that’ll become second nature once you’ve done it a handful of times, but there is a learning curve.

    Customization: 5/5

    Like the XQ2, the Extreme Q punches well above its weight in terms of the ability to customize and have it your way.

    With Balloon (bag) and Whip delivery out of the box, plus the ability to hook it up to your desktop bubbler with the addition of a Glass Adapter, there are a number of customization options.

    The included Cyclone Bowl doesn’t allow you to change the bowl size, but you can upgrade to the Connoisseur Bowl, and it isn’t very expensive.

    Overall score: 20/25

    Pros 👍 Cons 👎
    Also a great value Fragile glass pieces
    Bag and Whip functions A bit of tinkering required
    All-glass components Exposed glass gets hot

    The Extreme Q has been shaking up the vape market for over a decade, and as its name suggests, it still ranks extremely highly for cost-effectiveness.

    The vapor is potent and dense, and the flavor shines through at lower temperatures and earlier in the session.

    The Extreme Q experience allows the user to experiment and customize sessions in a multitude of different ways because it’s a multifunctional yet affordable desktop vaporizer.

    Read our full Arizer Extreme Q review here!

    Best Heavy Hitting Desktop Winner: Storz & Bickel Plenty

    Yeah, it looks like the offspring of a hairdryer and a Black & Decker, but the Plenty dry herb vaporizer is 100% a power tool that reaches places many vapes can’t.

    With a massive oven, this one is there for the heaviest of hitters.

    Best Desktop Vaporizers Plenty Vaporizer

    Vapor Quality: 4/5

    The Plenty hits big, so if you’re looking for full, potent vapor and long sessions, this is the one for you.

    The large oven capacity (slightly larger than all other vapes in this guide at .6g), combined with full convection heating and a touch of conductive heat, results in consistent vaporization and flavorful, potent hits.

    The addition of the Cooling Coil into the vapor path does a surprisingly good job of bringing the vapor's actual temperature down before it reaches the user’s lips on dry hits. Hits are nice and smooth.

    The experience is further improved with water-cooled Plenty draws, but more on that later.

    Value: 5/5

    If you’re looking for the most accessible way to own a Storz and Bickel desktop, the Plenty is it. It comes in at just over half the price of the Volcano Classic, so you’re getting all of the S&B pedigree at a very affordable price.

    Ease of Use: 3/5

    The Plenty has some quirks, there’s no getting around that. For a start, it doesn’t stand up on its own. It will work while laid on its side, but it’s best to use the included brush as a stand by inserting the handle end into one of the screw holes (it’s designed like that).

    Also, the temperature settings dial goes from 1 to 7, which isn’t super intuitive, but you’ll find your sweet spot after a few sessions.

    Lastly, the Plenty has a kill switch that looks like a big trigger. This was included to make it safe for those having a pre-bedtime vape session so that if the user falls asleep, they’re not going to be laid next to a hot vape all night.

    The downside is that you need to keep squeezing the trigger every so often to engage the heater and bring it back up to temperature. This is a bit of a pain to begin with, but it soon becomes part of the ritual.

    Cleaning & Maintenance: 4/5

    Like all Storz and Bickel vapes, the Plenty is super-easy to maintain, and we’ve created this Plenty Maintenance Guide to help you along the way.

    Aside from a brush out after every session, the unit needs little maintenance. We’d suggest a casual vacuum as you pass with a vacuum in hand or a wipe with a damp cloth on the plastic (when off and cold).

    The Cooling Coil and Herb Chamber can be soaked in alcohol, so there’s no hassle here.

    Customization: 3/5

    While not immediately obvious, the Plenty shines when you connect it to a desktop bubbler.

    You will need to purchase some extra parts to achieve this, but you can grab the Ditanium Silicone Tubing, which will fit perfectly into the silicone that bridges between the Cooling Coil and the Mouthpiece.

    Then, all you need is a Glass Adapter, which you can plug into your favorite desktop water pipe to tame the beast.

    Overall score: 19/25

    Pros 👍 Cons 👎
    Huge oven (personal preference) A bit clunky
    Great build quality Doesn't stand on its own
    Affordable Storz & Bickel quality No digital screen

    The Plenty is the slightly eccentric sibling of the Volcano, but it has its tribe. If you’re looking to get away from combusting via a water pipe, this could be the machine for you. It’s Plenty by name, plenty by nature.

    Read our full Storz & Bickel Plenty review here!

    Best Microdosing Desktop Winner: EpicVape E-Nano XL Vaporizer

    It’s a thing of beauty, and built with friendship in mind, the E-Nano family of vapes has always had microdosing at its core. The E-Nano XL vaporizer takes the concept to another level, allowing for even more customization of your log vape session.

    Go hard with loads as big as .2g, or shrink the oven down for microdoses as small as .05g of ground herbs.

    Best Desktop Vaporizers EpicVape E-Nano XL Vaporizer

    Vapor Quality: 4/5

    The E-Nano XL is all about getting the best flavor and potency out of small loads. Epickai chose glass as its material of choice when designing the E-Nano XL because glass retains heat more effectively than metal.

    This means an even temperature is more easily achieved, which does wonders for those terpenes.

    Value: 3/5

    At a shade under $280, the E-Nano is in the mid-range for a desktop vape, but the tradeoff between price and performance is strong. You’re getting a versatile microdoser that can handle a variety of load sizes. You’re also getting a machine that has a wide temperature range to accommodate an assortment of applications, from low and slow sessions to one-and-done hits.

    Ease of Use: 4/5

    The E-Nano XL has a learning curve, but it’s not too steep. Simply load your ground herbs at the end of the stem, connect the stem to the powerful heating element, and you’re up and vaping.

    You need to dial in your favorite temperature and find your sweet spot, and once you’ve nailed that, you’re well on your way.

    What makes the E-Nano unique is that it’s a true ‘on-demand desktop,’ meaning you can take a draw and then place your stem next to the log until you’re ready to take your subsequent draws. No heating of the herbs in between hits.

    Cleaning & Maintenance: 4/5

    The E-Nano XL's removable glass makes it a breeze to maintain; if used correctly, it’s the only component that will ever require cleaning.

    We always recommend cleaning out spent herbs while the vape is still warm, and this advice rings true with the E-Nano XL. Do that, and you won’t need to do much cleaning at all.

    Customization: 4/5

    The E-Nano XL came out on top over the original E-Nano vaporizer in this category because it offers the option of a larger dose. Both are equally good at microdosing, but the XL can double its load from the standard microdosing of .1g to a more succulent .2g.

    So, while this category is all about the best desktop vaporizer for microdosing, the E-Nano XL wins because, as well as being able to microdose, it can also hold more of a load meant for sharing.

    Also, since the stem is presented and removed from the heat source as and when the user takes a draw, the E-Nano XL can also be described as a true ‘on-demand’ desktop, yet another string to its bow.

    Overall score: 19/25

    Pros 👍 Cons 👎
    Great for microdsing No digital screen
    Adjustable oven for large and small loads Glass can get hot
    Beautiful wood design Not great for large groups

    The E-Nano XL is as beautiful to look at as it is to use. Who doesn’t love a log vape?! With tons of accessories available to finely tune your sessions and the ability to microdose and macrodose, the E-Nano covers all the bases, as well as being an aesthetically beautiful desktop vaporizer.

    Read our full Epickai E-Nano XL Review here!

    Best Dual-Use Desktop Winner: Ditanium 

    The Ditanium is a multifaceted vape. Even if it didn’t have that solid-concentrates capability, it’s an extremely strong whip-based desktop vaporizer because it’s so good with dry herbs.

    When you add solid concentrates into the mix, you have one versatile desktop.

    Best Desktop Vaporizers Ditanium Vaporizer

    Vapor Quality: 5/5

    Maybe it’s the titanium heater, or maybe it’s the all-convection heating system, but the Ditanium vaporizer is an extremely capable desktop dry herb vaporizer that produces a level of flavor that’s difficult to rival.

    With an oven capacity of 0.5g and all the power to rip through a load that size in a couple of draws, the Ditanium excels with herbs.

    Not only is its dry herb vapor potent, but the huge clouds it produces are also very delicious. Plus, you can enjoy solid concentrates separately or at the same time. Tasty.

    Value: 4/5

    At $379.95, the Ditanium is closer to the price of the Plenty than the Volcano Classic, and we think that’s a steal for what you get. It’s also efficient with your herbs, offering a potent extraction from smaller amounts than the Volcano or Plenty.

    Ease of use: 3/5

    Like all vapes, the Ditanium has a learning curve. There are glass parts that get very hot and exposed parts that would burn you if you touched them while at temperature.

    However, because of the unit’s design, with those pretty wooden panels, you’d have to try hard not to touch anything hot.

    In terms of technique, the Glass Handpiece can be loosened mid-draw, allowing the user to play with the air mix. Nail this, and the Ditanium is guaranteed to please.

    Cleaning & Maintenance: 4/5

    When you look at the parts that the Ditanium is made up of, cleaning it could seem harder than it is.

    The glass handpiece will accumulate herbal fragments and gunk with regular use, but it can easily be cleaned with an Iso bath or by running hot water through it and cleaning it with a rolled-up paper towel.

    Silicone whips need to be replaced every so often, which is fine, but we marked the Ditanium down on the cleaning of the e-nail, as it’s difficult to fit a q-tip all the way into the trench.

    This is fixed by the Ditanium’s ability to auto-clean, but it would be a little easier to fit a cotton swab down there. It’s a small issue.

    Customization: 5/5

    With the Ditanium’s ability to vape concentrates and herbs simultaneously or individually, it was bound to score very highly for customization.

    But the Ditanium is the gift that keeps on giving because the standard titanium mouthpiece that comes with the unit out of the box also doubles as a 14mm WPA, and adding a layer of water and glass into the mix helps to temper the potency of this robust little cube.

    There’s also the Titanium Handpiece and the Carb Cap for low-temp solid-concentrate sessions. There’s a lot to run at here.

    Overall score: 21/25

    Pros 👍 Cons 👎
    True dual-use capability Small learning curve
    Potent, tasty vapor Exposed hot parts
    Aesthetically pleasing A bit expensive

    The Ditanium is a unique vape in many ways. It delivers a potent extraction of dry herbs or solid concentrates, even simultaneously. Its ability to natively connect to most desktop water pipes gives it an edge, and its tasty dry hits make it our top pick as a dual-use vaporizer.

    Read our full Ditanium vaporizer review here!

    Conclusion

    At the end of the day, the best desktop vaporizer is the one that serves YOU best. When all's said and done, the adage, different strokes for different folks, rings true. Not all of these desktop vapes will suit you, but hopefully, one will. If you have any further questions about any of the devices listed here or any that are not, please feel free to reach out to our highly experienced vape experts via our Contact Us form.

    Best Desktop Vaporizers: FAQ

    Q: What is a desktop vaporizer?
    A: A desktop vaporizer, or desktop dry herb vaporizer, is a unit that requires a wall outlet to heat extract essential oils from the user’s dry herbs of choice.

    Unlike the (generally) smaller portable vaporizer, desktop vaporizers are bigger, have more advanced features, more powerful heaters, and don’t need to be recharged.

    They’re also likely to offer more variety of delivery options than their portable counterparts. For example, a balloon, a whip, a cooling coil, and easier connectivity to a glass water pipe.

    Q: How do desktop vaporizers work?
    A: Like portable vaporizers, desktop vaporizers work by heating dry herbs to a point where essential oils and terpenes evaporate off (via the vapor path) into a light vapor. This allows the user to enjoy their flavors and benefits without the more harmful effects of burning herbs in a traditional ‘roll your own’ or water pipe.

    Desktop dry herb vaporizers work by circulating pre-heated hot air (convection heating) around the herbs, forcing vaporization to occur (via convective heat). They can also conduct heat directly into the herbs via the oven's walls or a combination of the two, known as ‘hybrid heating. '

    Q: Are desktop vaporizers better?
    A: If you’re looking to take your vape with you on a hike or a day out around town, a desktop vaporizer isn’t the best choice because it requires a 110-volt electrical outlet (a power supply) and some privacy.

    However, if you’re looking to do the majority of your vaping at home, they make more sense. They offer unlimited power, more customization options, and often have bigger ovens, so they are better for sharing.

    Q: Which brand of vaporizer is best?
    A: The right way to approach this question is, ‘Which brand of vaporizer is best for you?’ Different brands cater to the needs of different individual tastes and preferences. We’ve listed some of our favorite desktop vaporizer brands:

    Arizer: Known for quality and flavor at very attractive price points.
    Ditanium: Makers of the Ditanium desktop that vaporizes dry herbs and solid concentrates.
    Epicvape (Epickai): Masters of the microdosing desktop log vape.
    Storz & Bickel: Pioneers of the dry herb vape space, known for making quality devices.

    Q: Why use a desktop vaporizer?
    A: If you do most of your vaporizing at home and have a hearty appetite for dry herbs, a desktop (tabletop vaporizer) is probably the way to go. They generally have a bigger capacity for dry herbs, and they plug into the wall, so there is no need to worry about recharging batteries or unplanned downtime. They also offer a wider variety of consumption methods, such as a balloon system, a glass wand, whips, water pipes, and cooling coils. And lastly, they can be easier to share hygienically if no-contact sharing is important.

    Q: Is Volcano still the best vaporizer?
    A: The best way to answer this question is to phase it differently… Are the Volcano vaporizers the top desktop vaporizers for me? If you’re looking for the absolute best of the best that’s stood the test of time, with a variety of delivery methods, a big oven, and acclaimed vapor quality, the Volcano is the best dry herb vaporizer.

    Written by

    tyler hixon

    Tyler is a writer and photographer from Jacksonville, Florida, where you can find him reading on the beach, or on his longboard, carving up the streets of his neighborhood.

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