Although portable vaporizers have gone a long way since their inception, they still lag behind desktop vaporizers when it comes to vapor quality and performance.
Because desktop vaporizers don't rely on batteries, they offer better heating and more efficient extraction capabilities.
Desktop vaporizers are a choice for you if you like enjoying medicinal marijuana in the comfort of your home. Not only do these devices make vaping dry herbs extremely safe, but they also ensure you get the most out of every bud.
Unfortunately, finding the best desktop vaporizer can be quite tricky, especially if you don't know anything about them. You don't want to shell out a couple of hundreds of bucks on a vaporizer you'll end up using only once or twice.
Thankfully, you're in the right place.
In this article, we'll review the 8 best desktop vaporizers you can find on the current market.
What's more, we'll also go over some of the major differences between desktop and portable vaporizers. We'll also point out a couple of factors you need to keep in mind when shopping for a dry herb vaporizer.
We understand that not everyone has the time to go over each review in this article. This is why we compiled this nifty little table. In it, you will find all the most crucial desktop vaporizer specs.
Product | Type | Tempearture Control | Temperature Range | Heat up time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Balloon/Whip | Analog/Digital | 40 - 230°C | ~3 min | |
Balloon/Whip | Digital | 50 - 260°C | ~3 min | |
Whip | Analog | 130 - 202°C | ~3 min | |
Whip | Analog | 120 - 260°C | ~1.5 min | |
Balloon/Whip | Digital | 100 - 215°C | Under 1 min | |
Whip | Analog | ~150 - 220°C | 3 - 5 min | |
Whip | Analog | 100 - 204°C | 5 min | |
Whip | Analog | Up to 460°C | 5 min |
At first glance, the difference between a desktop and a portable vaporizer is quite apparent. Portables are more compact, stealthy, and you can take them with you wherever you go. On the other hand, desktop vaporizers are bulkier, less inconspicuous. They also need to be plugged into a wall to be able to work.
However, the differences are much greater than that. Both types of vaporizers have their advantages and disadvantages.
Portable vaporizers are a more versatile alternative to desktop vaporizers. Portables are incredibly easy to use since they usually don't come with a lot of extra features. On top of that, portable vaporizers are cheaper than their desktop counterparts.
A portable vaporizer is also incredibly easy to use. There are no special temperature settings you need to mess around with to get the best vaping experience. Most of these devices have a couple of temperature presets you can choose from. To start vaping, all you have to do is fill the device with dry herb, close the heating chamber, and press a button to start vaping.
This convenience is both a blessing and a curse. If you're a beginner, you will be perfectly satisfied with a portable vaporizer. However, if you want to enjoy thick clouds of tasty, flavorful vapor truly, you need a desktop vaporizer.
Although they're quite bulky, desktop vaporizers offer you full control over your vaping experience.
A desktop vaporizer provides you complete control over the temperature settings. And the more exact the temperature, the more flavor, and aroma will the vapor have. On top of that, a desktop vaporizer is a godsend if you like sharing your herb with others since it features a bigger oven.
The two significant downsides to desktops are that they're more cumbersome and are more expensive than portables.
This is why you must figure out which device will be more useful to you before you start shopping around.
If you like vaping with a group of friends and want the best quality vapor, you should go for a desktop vaporizer. On the other hand, if you enjoy vaping when on the go and don't mind if vapor doesn't have a rich flavor and aroma, go for a portable vaporizer.
8 Best Desktop Vaporizers Reviewed
Here are our top 8 picks for the best desktop vaporizers you can find on the current market without further ado.
We included both forced air and whip-style types to ensure there's something for everyone. And don't worry about the budget; we included models from all price points.
Ready? Let's go!
Built and developed by vaporizer technology legends Storz & Bickel, the Volcano is the best vaporizer you can buy. And there's a good reason why it's the best dry herb vaporizer in the world. Besides unmatched build-quality, the Volcano vaporizer is the most efficient device of this type in the world.
The main reason why this desktop vaporizer is so efficient is that it features a specially designed aluminum oven.
And since aluminum responds well to temperature fluctuations, Volcano's precise heat regulators can keep the chamber at a consistent temperature ensuring all vapor gets extracted from the dry herb. According to S&B, this technology makes the Volcano 75% more efficient than other vaporizers on the market.
The Volcano is one of few balloon-type forced air vaporizers in the world.
An in-built fan forces the air over the oven and into the balloon. Once the balloon is filled up, all you have to do is detach it and start vaping. And since vapor path doesn't go over any toxic materials, you can rest assured that you're only drawing in pure vapor.
When it comes to temperature settings, you have two choices. Classic Volcano features analog temperature settings, and the new Volcano Digi uses digital settings. On top of that, the Digi is also compatible with whip attachments.
- Incredibly durable
- Built out of high-quality materials
- Easy to use
- Very expensive
- Somewhat long heat up time
- The inbuilt fan can be loud
Our runner up is the Arizer Extreme Q. This desktop vaporizer is one of the most popular because of its reasonable price and range of inhalation options.
Unlike our top pick, the Extreme Q is compatible with both balloons and whip attachments. If you wanted to try out a balloon vaporizer but couldn't afford one, this is a perfect pick.
The Arizer Extreme Q features full digital control and is built out of high-quality stainless steel. On top of that, it's light as a feather and quiet as a mouse! This makes it a perfect choice for those that are looking for a more discrete desktop vaporizer.
This vaporizer features a ceramic heating element and utilizes proprietary glass-on-glass vaporization to ensure ultimate vapor purity. When it comes to vapor production and vapor quality, the Extreme Q is almost as good as the Volcano.
With a whip attachment, the Extreme Q produces tasty medium-thick vapor with a nice throat hit. We were especially surprised at how light and fragrant the vapor is when you attach the balloon. It's almost on par with the Volcano.
This vaporizer offers the best bang for the buck. Not only can you set the temperature anywhere between 50°C and 250°C, but this is the only vaporizer that comes with remote control.
Our only issue with the Extreme Q is fragile glass, which is why we don't recommend you bump or drop it.
- Excellent build quality
- Comes with a remote control
- Excellent vapor quality
- Fragile glassware
- Longer balloon fill time than Volcano
- The glass gets really hot
If you're looking for a powerful direct draw vaporizer, the Plenty is a choice for you. Made by S&B, the Plenty is more compact than the Volcano but delivers the same vapor quality as its older cousin.
Unlike other products in this list, the Plenty isn't precisely a stationary vaporizer. This vaporizer is one of the few handheld plug units you can find. Unfortunately, this means the Plenty isn't free-standing, which can be quite frustrating for some.
When it comes to heating, this vaporizer utilizes the same technology as the Volcano. Like the Volcano, Plenty utilizes convection heating via the aluminum heating element to heat the glass chamber. This results in the same vapor quality and vapor production as the Volcano.
And since the vapor path goes through a stainless steel cooling whip, you don't have to worry about unpleasant throat hits.
When it comes to heat settings, this vaporizer can run on temperatures between 130°C and 210°C. While this might be quite low for some, it's more than enough for vaping marijuana and even other types of dry herb. The heat-up time is relatively quick.
Thanks to the auto-shutoff system, you don't have to worry about accidentally burning your dry herb.
We especially love the analog temperature gauge on the machine's front face because it gives it much needed flare.
- Superb vapor quality
- Excellent heat up time
- Compact and easy to store
- Sub-par temperature range
- Isn’t freestanding
- Plastic body
If you're looking for a direct draw desktop vaporizer that will look great anywhere you put it and produces quality vapor, Da Buddha is your best choice.
We have to talk about the design first. Da Buddha is one of the most stylish desktop vaporizers we've had the pleasure of reviewing. It features a minimalist design and is built out of high-quality materials.
We especially love the hemp carrying bag it comes with. The carrying bag allows you to take Da Buddha with you on your adventures.
When it comes to temperature settings, this vaporizer features a single analog dial. Unfortunately, the dial doesn't have any notches or annotations, so you will have to play a guessing game when you try it out for the first time.
As for additional options, Da Buddha is relatively bare-bones. You can use this vaporizer only with a whip attachment. Thankfully, the whip it comes with is made out of medical-grade plastic and glass. The only additional option Da Buddha comes with is a tray you can use to vaporize essential oils while you vape.
While the vapor production is very satisfying, the vapor quality is a bit sub-par.
Unlike the Arizer Extreme Q and its convection heating, Da Buddha uses conduction heating that produces vapor that lacks flavor. Don't get us wrong the vapor is still full of flavor, but it's not as good as vapor produced by other models in the same price range.
- Excellent build quality and design
- Easy to use
- Excellent vapor production
- No many additional options
- Uses analog heat controls
- The vapor lacks flavor
The Vapir Rise 2.0 is one of the most versatile desktop vaporizers on the market. It comes with a whole slew of attachments that allow you to customize your vaping experience to your heart's content.
The first thing you'll notice about Vapir Rise 2.0 is its superb build quality. It features a metal and plastic body that feels premium. People at Vapir didn't spare expense on the building materials.
The Vapir Rise utilizes convection heating to ensure you enjoy the full flavor of your dry herb. It features a stainless steel chamber with a ceramic heating element to ensure the vapor path doesn't go over any toxic material. The highest temperature setting is 210°C, which is just perfect for the balloon attachment.
Along with the balloon attachment, this vaporizer also comes with a whip attachment. The whip is made out of medical-grade plastic and features a glass mouthpiece for that premium feel.
When it comes to heat control, Vapir Rise is incredibly simple to use. There are two buttons on the device's base that allows you to set the temperature to the exact degree. On top of that, this vaporizer also allows you to control the fan's speed, which you often don't see.
The vapor production and vapor quality are on par with other models in the same price range. We found out that this vaporizer produces the best vapor when you set the temperature to the highest setting.
- Excellent build quality
- Allows you to control the fan’s speed
- Comes with both balloon and whip attachments
- Steep learning curve
- Relatively slow heat up time
- The balloon attachment has to connect to the whip
If Da Buddha is too bare-bones for you, you might be interested in the Silver Surfer. Built by the vaporizer industry legends, the 7th Floor Silver surfer is one of the best desktop whip-style vaporizers you can buy.
The Silver Surfer utilizes a ceramic heating element in conjunction with hand-blown glass pieces to deliver you the best quality vapor in this price range. These glass pieces come in a myriad of designs, so you can customize the Silver Surfer to reflect your personality.
This vaporizer features a slanted design that serves a purpose. The reason why it's slanted is to prevent the herb from spilling out while you use the whip. Herb spilling out is a common issue among desktops where the wand connects to the heater horizontally.
When it comes to vapor production and quality, the Silver Surfer is on par with high-end models. Thanks to high-quality materials and convection heating, the vapor it produces is flavorful and thick. The heat-up time is a bit slow, but you can't rush perfection.
Just like Da Buddha, this vaporizer also uses analog temperature settings. Like its cousin, the Silver Surfer also doesn't have any notches or markings on the dial. This means you will have to play around with the settings until you find one that best suits your needs.
- Innovative design
- Hand-blown glass elements
- Excellent vapor production
- Analog temperature settings
- Lacks additional options
- Slow heat up time
Are you sick and tired of plastic and metal? Are you looking for a vaporizer that has a unique design?
If you answered YES to any of these two questions, the Vapor Brothers Hands-Free vaporizer is the choice for you. Not only is this vaporizer the absolute king of whip-style stationary vaporizers, but it's also one of the most stylish vapes out there.
Unlike its competitors that's built out of metal and plastic, the Vapor Brothers vaporizer features a wood shell. So far, there are only a handful of brands that offer a vaporizer that's this stylish. The wood makes this vaporizer stand out, and it will undoubtedly become the centerpiece of your living room.
The Vapor Brothers vaporizer uses a ceramic heating element and glass to deliver you vapor that's incredibly flavorful and thick. To ensure the vapor path doesn't go over any toxic materials, no glue or chemicals are used to construct this device.
When it comes to heat control, the VB uses analog heating. Like most models that feature analog heat controls, there are no notches or annotations on the knob. This means you can easily cause your herb to combust if you set the temperature too high.
Some people might also find this vaporizer to be a bit too clunky. Because of its wood frame, this isn't the most compact vaporizer out there.
- Unique wood frame
- Excellent vapor production and quality
- Nontoxic heating element and glass
- One of the clunkiest vaporizers out there
- Analog heat settings
- You can easily cause the herb to combust
We finish our list with another vaporizer that screams style. The Ditanium vaporizer offers superb vapor quality and features a stylish wood construction similar to the VB.
The first thing we noticed about this vaporizer is its incredible build quality.
The wood used for the frame feels and looks high-quality, and the insides are just as impressive. The chamber and heating elements are built out of ceramics, titanium, and stainless steel. The whip is built out of medical-grade silicone and features a titanium mouthpiece. The vapor path doesn't go over any toxic materials, making this vaporizer one of the safest on the market.
When it comes to heat control, Ditanium uses analog heating.
You already know what troubles analog heating can cause, so we recommend checking out a couple of tutorials online to see the best temperature setting. Thankfully, the vapor this stationary produces is full of flavor and is medium-thick.
When it comes to heat up time, although the chamber reaches the set temperature in just 30 seconds, it takes up to 5 minutes for metal pieces to heat up. If you're impatient or are just looking for a fast vape, the Ditanium isn't your best choice.
Another issue with the Ditanium is the narrow chamber. It makes cleaning this device a real chore.
- Very stylish
- The inside is built out of high-quality materials
- Simple to use
- Analog heat control
- Some users might find the throat hit a bit irritating
- Difficult to clean
What You Need to Consider When Buying a Desktop Vaporizer?
When shopping around for a stationary vaporizer, there are two key factors you need to consider: the type of the device and temperature control.
Let's go more in-depth
1. Type of Vaporizer
Desktop vaporizers can be grouped into two categories:
Whip style vaporizer - utilize a "whip" attachment with which you draw the vapor. A Whip vaporizer uses the power of your lungs to draw air over the heating chamber as the means of dry herb vaporization.
The whip is usually built out of medical-grade plastic and features a glass mouthpiece. To start vaping, all you have to do is fill the device, set the temperature, and start drawing.
These devices are usually cheaper than forced air vapes because they don't come with advanced features like ultra-precise heat control and don't feature a display. These devices are an excellent choice if you're on a budget.
Forced air vaporizer - utilizes a fan that blows air over the heating chamber to ensure you're inhaling the best quality vapor. These devices can either utilize a balloon or a whip to deliver the vapor.
Forced air vaporizers are more expensive than whip style vaporizers because they come with a slew of extra features like precise heat control, LCD screens, remote control, and many others.
Although they're quite expensive, these vaporizers offer the safest way to enjoy medicinal marijuana.
2. Temperature Control
When it comes to temperature control desktop vaporizers come in two flavors:
Analog - Vaporizers that utilize analog heat control are quite cheap because there are no complex electronics involved. You control the temperature by turning the dial.
Although this isn't the most precise way of heat control, it certainly is more affordable. Most whip style vaporizers utilize analog temperature control to keep the cost down.
Digital - Vaporizers that utilize digital temperature control allow you to set the temperature to an exact degree. Most high-end vaporizers feature digital temperature settings.
With this type of vaporizer, you will never have to worry about accidentally burning the dry herb while vaping. However, you will have to shell out quite a bit of cash if you want this level of control.
Best for | Product Name | Price |
|---|---|---|
Best Tasting Vapor Ever | Volcano Vaporizer | |
Best Remote Control Vaporizer | Arizer Extreme Q | |
Most Portable Desktop Vaporizer | Plenty | |
Unconventional Design Vaporizer | Da Buddha | |
Simple Digital Controls Vaporizer | Vapir Rise 2.0 | |
Safest Design Vaporizer | Silver Surfer | |
Innovative Wood Design Vaporizer | Vapor Brothers | |
Incredibly Safe Vaporizer | Ditanium |
Conclusion
All that's left is to declare the winner among the best desktop vaporizers we reviewed.
The absolute winner is the Volcano Vaporizer. The reason why this is the best desktop vaporizer on the market is that it's incredibly efficient and simple to use. Unfortunately, it's quite expensive.
If you don't have the budget for a Volcano, our runner up is the choice for you. The Arizer Extreme Q is reasonably priced, produces high-quality vapor, and is compatible with both whip and balloon attachments.
And if you're a medical cannabis user, the best choice for you is the Plenty. This stationary produces thick vapor and features a stainless steel whip that cools the vapor as you draw, ensuring superb flavor and aroma.