Dab pens are often the first step into concentrates. They are small, simple and easy to carry. But they are not the only option, and the terms get mixed up: dab pen, wax pen, vape pen and cart pen are used for quite different devices. This guide clears that up and explains when it is worth moving to an e-rig. Cannabis laws vary across Europe, so check the rules where you live.
What is a dab pen?
A dab pen, also called a wax pen, is a pen-sized device with a small heating chamber that you load with concentrate such as wax or shatter. You press a button, the coil or chamber heats, and you draw. They are built for convenience: pocketable, quick to use and inexpensive to start with.
The trade-offs come from the size. A small chamber holds a small amount, temperature control is often basic or fixed, and there is usually no water filtration.
Dab pen vs 510 cart pen
These are often confused, but they are different products:
- A dab pen or wax pen has a chamber you load yourself with concentrate.
- A 510 cart pen is a battery that screws onto a pre-filled 510 thread oil cartridge. You do not load anything.
If you mostly use pre-filled oil cartridges, you want a 510 battery, not a dab pen. DaVinci's ARTIQ is a 510 cartridge vaporizer with an extended airpath that cools vapour by 90% on average. To learn more about cannabis wax itself, read what cannabis wax is.
Dab pen vs e-rig
| Dab pen / wax pen | E-rig | |
| Size | Portable, larger | |
| Temperature control | Often basic or fixed | Precise, set on the device |
| Chamber | Small | Larger crucible |
| Water filtration | Usually none | Usually, via a bubbler |
| Best for | Quick, discreet use | Flavour, control and full sessions |
When to stay with a dab pen
- You want something that fits in a pocket.
- You use concentrates occasionally and in small amounts.
- Simplicity matters more to you than control.
When to upgrade to an e-rig
- You want to choose and repeat an exact temperature.
- You want water-cooled vapour without going back to a torch.
- You want a larger crucible for fuller sessions.
- Flavour matters, and you want a neutral heating surface such as quartz.
If that sounds like you, read what an e-rig is and how it compares with a traditional dab rig.
The DaVinci EQ as a step up
The DaVinci EQ Electric Quartz is a portable e-rig. From the product page:
- Touchscreen with precise temperature from 232 to 343°C and customisable Smart Paths.
- A replaceable quartz crucible, with a zirconia option.
- Heats in as little as 25 seconds, with two 3000 mAh batteries for up to 50 sessions.
- A Jacuzzi bubbler holding 60 ml of water.
- A protective travel case and a 2-year warranty.
FAQ
Is a wax pen the same as a dab pen?
Yes, the two names are used for the same kind of device: a pen you load with concentrate.
Can a dab pen use oil cartridges?
Not usually. Pre-filled oil cartridges need a 510 thread battery, such as the ARTIQ.
Is an e-rig harder to use than a dab pen?
Not really. You load the crucible, pick a temperature and start the session. See how to use an e-rig.
In short
A dab pen is about convenience. An e-rig is about control, flavour and water-cooled vapour. If you have outgrown your pen, see the DaVinci EQ.