What Is A Portable Vaporizer?

Portable vaporizers are compact, handheld vapes that enable "on-the-go" consumption of dry herb and wax concentrates. These portable vaporizer devices are growing ever more popular as a way to vape in a discreet, convenient manner. But there's more to them than portability: portable vaporizers harness great power inside their stealthy-sized frames with high capacity batteries, advanced heating systems, and temperature control capabilities. The surprisingly feature-rich nature of these compact units makes them one of the most popular types of handheld vapes. Check out our list of the Best Portable Vaporizers and see if you need the best of the best.

With high demand for better, faster units, manufacturers have focused their efforts on perfecting the pocket vaporizer. As a result, these devices grow more advanced all the time. Recently the introduction of mobile app controls, convection heating systems, precision temperature control, and sleeker, more solid designs have elevated these units to a new level of sophistication. Models like the PAX 3 are currently at the forefront of the industry, featuring cutting-edge controls, heating systems, and designs. The best portable vaporizers will have elite features that enhance your vaping experience without making you think too much about the controls. 

In short, handheld vapes are for those who want portability with no shortage of vapor quality.

What Do The Best Portable Vaporizers Offer?

When looking for a new vaporizer, it's important to note that handheld units offer a different experience from desktop and pen-style devices. The best portable vaporizer will strike a balance between great vapor production and portability, while desktop and pen devices focus mostly on vapor quality and compactness, respectively.

Portability

Portable herbal vaporizers range in size, but are generally pocket-friendly. Units like DaVinci MIQRO are ultra-compact and easy to carry with you anywhere. While desktop units must be plugged into a power source during use, making them extra powerful, handheld devices feature a rechargeable, often replaceable battery that takes only a couple hours to replenish. This makes them similar to the vape pen, a smaller, extra compact device. The average portable vape can offer hours of continuous vaping on a full charge, and most devices are charged via USB, making it easier to power up from a variety of power sources at a faster rate. The portable nature of these devices makes them popular with commuters. You can take a hit of smooth, delicious vapor, pocket the device, and go about your day. But they are also ideal for home use, as they are easy to use, clean, and carry around the house, but still offer excellent vapor production.

Discretion

With a compact size, the portable vaporizer is a discreet way to enjoy dry herbs or concentrates. Many of these devices can be concealed in your hand during use, and carried in your pocket or bag with no hassle. Some super compact portable vaporizers like the G Pen Dash are incredibly pocket-friendly while still delivering big, tasty clouds. Bluetooth-enabled devices also allow you to choose your temperatures via smartphone so you can keep the unit in your pocket until you have an opportunity to vape discreetly. Portable units enable you to enjoy dry herb or wax concentrates outdoors without drawing attention to your sessions.

Vapor Quality

Don't let the small size fool you. These compact units pack power with high capacity batteries and efficient heating systems. While super slender vape pens have little room for advanced heating technology, portable units are just big enough to incorporate high-powered heating elements, isolated air paths, spacious chambers, and more. The iMini 2 is one of the most compact portable vaporizers but it still packs a hefty vapor punch when used. Portable vaporizers can even feature all-glass vapor paths that preserve the natural flavor, aromas, and benefits of dry herb or concentrates while cooling each hit as it travels toward your palette. 

Types Of Portable Vaporizer Heating Styles

There are two main portable vaporizer heating styles: Conduction and Convection. Both offer their own unique advantages. Your choice of heating style may depend on your preferences for cloud size, density, purity, and flavor. Most portable vaporizers feature conduction heating, in which herb is heated by the hot walls of the chamber, while others like the Firefly 2 offer convection systems that thoroughly and evenly vaporize materials with hot air. Hybrid units feature both heating styles for a more well-rounded vapor profile.

Conduction Heating

Portable vapes with conduction systems heat materials faster. They also tend to be more affordable. Because the herb that's in contact with the heating element will grow hotter faster than the rest of the load, we recommend stirring the bowl in-between hits.

Convection Heating

Convection vaporizers send hot air flowing through the chamber to heat the bowl evenly and thoroughly. This heating style minimizes combustion to prevent smoky tastes and harshness while maximizing flavor, aroma, and medicinal benefits.

Hybrid Heating

Hybrid conduction/convection units utilize both styles to offer the best of both worlds. These devices heat fast using conduction chambers while still delivering smoother, flavor-rich vapor with convection heating.

Portable Vaporizer Temperature Control

Most handheld vapes either feature preset temperatures--a set of three to five temps to choose from--or precision temp control, which enables you to pinpoint an exact temperature down to the degree. Both heating styles have their own perks, and choosing the right one for you depends on your lifestyle and preferences.

Preset Temperatures

Portable vaporizers that offer preset temps generally feature a single button control. For this reason they are technically easier to use than precision temp controlled units. Users simply click the button to power up and toggle temperature. Generally, five clicks powers the unit on, three clicks cycles to the next temp setting. Presets are usually optimized for the most popular vapor profiles. Lower temps create smaller, more flavorful sips, while the higher settings create bigger, more robust clouds. Portable units with preset temperatures are ideal for those who want to take quick hits on-the-fly without fiddling with the controls. But they lack the ability to zero in on a precise temperature that is ideal for your vaping style, dry herb strain, or waxy oil concentrate

Precision Temperature Control

Precision temperature control on portable vaporizers allows you to choose down to the degree the best temp for your vaping style. These units usually feature "up" and "down" buttons for toggling through a wide range of heat settings. With more temperature options, users can explore different vapor profiles and customize their sessions based on their preferences for flavor, size, and density. These devices also enable you to hone in on the most effective temperature for unlocking active compounds from specific strains of dry herb or concentrates. Most precision temperature vaporizers feature LED displays so you can choose the temperature and monitor the progress of your heating.

Since you liked this, you might want to Check out our Vaporizers, like the Volcano Classic, Volcano Hybrid Digital, or our Vape Pens. Storz & Bickel is a great brand to start with.