Best Electric Dab Rigs: How they work & how to use them

The Best Electric Dab Rigs: How they work, how to use them and which one to buy 

Dabbing, the process of vaporizing cannabis concentrates has gained immense popularity for delivering potent and flavorful experiences. Traditionally, dabbing required a torch to heat a nail or banger. Electric dab rigs have revolutionized this practice, offering a safer, more precise, and user-friendly alternative.

What is an Electric Dab Rig? 

An erig, or electric dab rig, is an electronic dab rig with temperature control that can be used instead of a traditional dab rig. 

Rather than using a torch to heat the nail, these erigs use a battery or mains power outlet to provide the power for heating and operating the device. They include a water chamber to percolate the vapor as well as a dab banger or atomizer. 

How Do Electric Dab Rigs Work?

Electric Heating Element: Unlike traditional dab rigs that require an external heat source, electric dab rigs feature an integrated electric heating element. This element, often made of ceramic, quartz, or titanium, heats up quickly and maintains a consistent temperature, ensuring efficient concentrate vaporization.

Temperature Control: One of the significant advantages of electric dab rigs is their precise temperature control. Users can set their preferred temperature through digital displays or app interfaces, allowing for customization and achieving the desired vaporization experience. Lower temperatures (315-450°F) enhance flavor, while higher temperatures (600-800°F) increase potency.

Portable and Compact: Electric dab rigs are designed to be portable and compact, making them ideal for on-the-go use. They eliminate the need for a torch and other accessories, streamlining the dabbing process. These rigs often feature rechargeable batteries, providing the convenience of dabbing anywhere without needing an external power source. 

How To Use Electric Dab Rigs?

Electric dab rigs operate by using electricity to heat a chamber or nail where the cannabis concentrate is placed. Here's a step-by-step guide on how they work:

1. Add Water:Place the correct amount of water in the bubbler and check there is no splashback.
2. Power On:Turn on the device, usually by pressing a power button multiple times in quick succession.
3. Set Temperature:Use the device's controls or a connected app to set your desired temperature or voltage setting.
4. Load Concentrate:Using a dab tool, place a small amount of cannabis concentrate onto the heated nail or chamber.
5. Heat Up:The electric heating element will quickly reach the set temperature. Many rigs have indicators, such as LED lights or vibrations, to signal when the device is ready.
6. Inhale:Inhale through the mouthpiece. The heated concentrate will vaporize, producing a smooth, flavorful vapor.
7. Cool Down:After use, allow the device to cool down. Most electric dab rigs have safety features to prevent overheating.

Benefits of Electric Dab Rigs

Safety: With no open flame or torch required, electric dab rigs offer enhanced safety compared to traditional methods. This eliminates the risk of accidental burns and reduces potential hazards of using a torch.

Consistency and Precision: Electric dab rigs provide consistent heating and temperature control, resulting in more precise and controlled vaporization. Users can dial in their preferred temperature to optimize flavor and vapor production.

Ease of Use: Electric dab rigs are user-friendly, especially for those new to dabbing. They eliminate the need for manual torch operation and offer simple one-button functionality, making them accessible to a wide range of users.

Efficiency: Electric dab rigs maximize the efficiency of concentrate consumption. Consistent heating and temperature control allow for efficient vaporization, ensuring that no concentrate goes to waste.

The Development of Electric Dab Rigs

Electric dab rigs emerged from the need to enhance the dabbing experience by addressing the limitations of traditional rigs. Dab rigs are similar to bongs, but rather than using a bowl to hold your dry herb, they use a hot surface to vaporize the cannabis wax. This surface needed heating to a high temperature, so a butane torch was typically used.

While this was a huge step up from early dabbing methods, such as using hot knives, it was still intimidating and dangerous due to the temperatures involved with using a torch. This meant that dabbing remained a small niche in the cannabis consumption world.

As cannabis became more legal and socially accepted, the popularity of cannabis concentrates grew, and so did the demand for safer, more efficient devices.

The first significant innovation was the introduction of the e-nail, an electronic device that replaced the traditional dab nail in a dab rig. E-nails allowed for precise temperature control and consistent heating, paving the way for fully integrated electric dab rigs.

The next step in the evolution of erigs was adding a bubbler to wax vape pens. These powerful vape devices were able to vaporize wax efficiently, but the powerful hits could typically cause coughing fits and be harsh on the throat. By adding a bubbler, the vapor was cooled down and more significant hits could be taken without the harsh effects.

Manufacturers gradually began developing self-contained units with built-in heating elements, bubblers, and digital controls, leading to the modern electric dab rigs we see today.

The first fully integrated dab rig was the Puffco Peak, and while battery advances and heating elements have improved since then, many erigs have the same basic design and functions as that groundbreaking device.

Best Electric Dab Rigs in 2024

1. Utillian 8:The Utillian is an outstanding device that offers versatile temperature settings and high-quality vapor. It has an innovative 3D heating chamber similar to that of the Carter and Puffco devices. However, the addition of terp pearls in the chamber offers better flavor extraction at a lower temperature. The carb cap doubles as the dab tool, which is a nice feature. 
   Price: $220
2. Focus V Carta 2:The Carta 2 is larger than the average erig but houses a powerful 2000mAh battery that can provide over 20 heat cycles from a single charge. The large glass bubbler offers silky smooth hits, and the ability to dial in your specific temperature and select your session time gives plenty of control. Focus V Carta 2 is a top-rated electric dab rig offering excellent performance, and while it comes with a travel case, it's not the most portable of erigs.
   Price: $240
   
3. Puffco Peak Pro:Renowned for its reputation and reliability, the Puffco Peak Pro is considered one of the best e-rigs on the market. You can adjust the preset temperature in the partner smartphone app and even customize the lights on this device. It features some advanced technology and has great vapor production but comes with a premium price tag.
   Price: $420
   
4. Dr. Dabber Switch:The Dr. Dabber Switch is a dab rig that is best used at home. It uses groundbreaking induction heating technology. While its induction heating is unique and impressive, this premium technology carries a premium price.
   Price: $299
   
5. Lookah Dragon Egg: The capsule-shaped Dragon Egg has a unique design and, like the Pulsar Rok, puts the water chamber at the bottom with the heating element and controls on top. This allows for a more compact form and avoids spills. With its all-plastic design, the Dragon Egg excels for on-the-go dabbing as, other than the mouthpiece, there is no delicate glass to break. Its compact form also fits neatly in the hand or in your cup holder.
   Price: $99
   
6. Dr. Dabber Boost Evo:Like the Focus V Carter 2, the Dr. Dabber device is on the larger size for erigs but delivers a solid performance. The temperature can be adjusted in 50-degree increments from 500 to 700F, so there are plenty of options. The glass bubbler has a bent neck to prevent splashback and gives excellent percolation. Its magnetic connection makes it easy to lift off the glass to access the heating element. The accurate temperature settings, larger-than-average bubbler, and protective carry case make it a great option, but like the Carter, it lacks portability.
   Price: $200
   
7. Lookah Dinosaur:The Lookah Dinosaur stands out for its unique design, spiked bubbler, and thick clouds. Like the Dr. Dabber, it has a magnetic ring holding the glass in place with the atomizer directly below. With three preset voltages, you don't have quite the same control of other, more expensive devices, but the quartz coil and large bubbler offer excellent performance, and its small handheld size makes it reasonably portable. although, like with everything with a glass bubbler, care needs to be taken.
   Price:$149
8. G Pen Roam:Known for its durability, the G Pen Roam is a portable e-rig that fits nicely in the hand and delivers good hits. The handheld dab rig has an ergonomic shape and a 1300mAh battery that provides about 16 hits from a full charge. It has a self-contained glass bubbler hidden inside the aluminum alloy shell, protecting it well and making the G Pen one of the most portable erigs on the market.
   Price:$125
9. Pulsar RöK:Featuring a sleek design and impressive performance, the Pulsar RöK is a popular choice for those seeking a high-quality electric dab rig.
   Price:$150
   
10. The Core 2.1:The Core 2.1 has four power settings. The four heat settings are selected to optimize a healthy mix of flavor and huge clouds. It features an isolated airpath, a 3D atomizer, and an ergonomic bubbler that can pump out a serious amount of vapor and comes with an affordable price tag.
    Price: $150
    
11. Kandypens Oura:This e-rig combines aesthetics with functionality, offering four temperature settings, a large bubbler, and a user-friendly interface. The Oura has a large bubbler for smooth hits; with its 3000mAh battery life, you get plenty of hits. While it comes in a carry case, the large bubbler and size means it's not discreet or very portable.
    Price: $90
12. Yocan Torch XL:Known for its affordability and efficiency, the Yocan Torch XL is an ideal entry-level electric dab rig for beginners. This is an enail rather than an erig so you will need some compatible glass to use it with. But with its low price youc an use the money you are saving for a small dab rig to go with it. 
    Price: $65
13. iSpire Daab:With its innovative design and reliable performance, the iSpire Daab provides a seamless dabbing experience, making it a worthy addition to any collection. 
    Price: $225

Q: Which is the most portable erig?
A: The Lookah Dragon Egg and G Pen Roam are the two most poretable erigs.

Q: Which erig has the best vapor production?
A: The Utillian 8, V Carter and Puffco Peak Pro offer the best vapor production.

Q: How much is an erig?
A: Erigs can cost anywhere from $80 for to $420. You can usually save some money by waiting to buy in holiday sales or at 710 events. 

Q: Which is the best electric dab rig under $100
A: There best electric dab rig under $100 is the LOOKAH Dragon Egg at $99. 

Conclusion

The advent of electric dab rigs has revolutionized the dabbing experience, offering safety, convenience, and precise temperature control. As the demand for efficient and user-friendly cannabis consumption methods continues to grow, portable and electronic options provide cannabis enthusiasts with a range of choices to suit their preferences and lifestyles. Whether you opt for a portable electric dab rig or a desktop unit, exploring these innovative devices opens up a world of flavorful and potent concentrate experiences.

Which is your favorite Erig? Let us know in the comments 💭