Vape pens are a great way to take CBD; you can use them anywhere, they transport cannabinoids to your blood quickly and e-liquids come in different flavours.
Many people throughout the UK have recognised the benefits offered by CBD. However, a surprisingly small number inhale it using a vaporiser. This is likely because vaping can be daunting for beginners and to get started you need to choose and buy a vape.
A vape pen is a simple and affordable way to vaporise CBD. At Herb Reviews, we’ve written this guide to help you find the best one for you and to demonstrate that vaping needn’t be expensive or complicated.
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Contents
What is a CBD Vape Pen
A vape pen is a small portable device designed to vaporise specially made fluid known as e-liquid or vape juice. They’re cylindrical and about the size of a fountain pen, although some can be slightly thicker. They were initially designed as e-cigarettes to offer an alternative to traditional tobacco smoking, but now you can get lots of nicotine-free e-liquids loaded with CBD.
The Different Types of Vape Pen
Vape pens usually consist of four parts, the battery, a tank, a coil and a mouthpiece. The tank holds the e-liquid and the coil steadily draws it up via a wick. When it’s turned on, the liquid is heated until it forms a fine vapour. This can then be inhaled through the mouthpiece. Most vape pens are broadly similar, but there are some differences between brands and different models:
Refillable tanks – Some vapes have a tank that you can fill with any vape juice. The tank is screwed onto the battery and the coil usually sits just inside it. With most models you can remove the mouthpiece and pour your e-liquid into the top of the tank. If you choose a refillable vape pen then you will also need to choose a top CBD vape juice too.
Disposable cartridges – Instead of a tank, you can also use prefilled cartridges. Once the cartridge is empty it can be thrown away and replaced with a new one. Some vapes can be used with both refillable tanks or disposable cartridges.
Disposable vapes – These are vapes that are completely disposable. The battery can’t be detached, so once all the e-liquid has been used, you must throw the entire pen away. This is obviously quite wasteful so a better choice is one with cartridges or that can be refilled.
510 Batteries – 510 batteries are vape pen batteries that come with a specific thread pattern that can be used with any other 510 compatible cartridge or refillable tank. This allows you to mix and match batteries, tanks and cartridges.
Power, airflow and coil type – Simple vape pens come as they are with one power setting, standard airflow and a metal coil. However, after you’ve been vaping a while, you might want more options. More advanced vapes are more expensive and may come with several different settings for power and airflow. This allows you to adjust how much vapour is produced and how easily you can draw it into your lungs. Some even offer a choice between a metal or ceramic coil.
How to Use a CBD Vape Pen
Although all vapes are likely to work slightly differently, these steps will help you get started with most types:
- First, familiarise yourself with your vape and read the instructions.
- Charge the battery using the cable provided and choose an e-liquid.
- Remove the mouthpiece and carefully fill the tank with CBD vape juice. Be careful not to overfill it or you may get a mouthful of the liquid when you inhale.
- Some vapes require you to add a couple of drops to the coil to prime the wick.
- If your vape has adjustable settings, now is the time to time to set it up how you want it.
- Turn your vape on. Some have a button that needs to be clicked once or several times to get started. Others automatically switch on every time you inhale.
- Hold it to your mouth and inhale. It’s worth checking to see if you need to hold the power button while you inhale or not.
- If you’re new to CBD, start with one or two puffs each session and increase by a couple more each time as you get used to how CBD affects you.
Advantages
Convenience – Vape pens are the most convenient of all vapes. The controls are simple and they’re small enough to put in your pocket.
Bioavailability – Inhaling e-liquids delivers CBD direct to your lungs where it passes into your bloodstream. This means that it’s fast-acting and up to 56% can reach your blood for use in your cells. This compares to up to 35% when taking it under the tongue and below 12% when CBD is eaten like with gummies.
Flavour – Vape pens can be filled with CBD e-liquids in a range of great flavours.
Disadvantages
Cleaning and replacements – Some vape pens need to be cleaned regularly to keep them working properly. Coils will also need to be replaced relatively regularly.
Short-lived effects – When inhaled, CBD acts fast, but the results pass quicker than when it’s taken by other methods.
Best CBD Vape Pens
Best Overall – Innokin Endura T18 ii
At 18mm wide and 145mm long, the T18ii is larger than some, but it still fits in a pocket. Those extra few millimetres make it more comfortable to hold and the tank easier to refill. It’s made from stainless steel, so it feels solid and you’ll have to work hard if you want to do it any damage. You can choose from six finishes with a range of colours and patterns.
Specification
- Tank type: Refillable
- Capacity: 2ml
- Size: 18/145mm
- Battery: 1300mAh with charging cable
- Coil material: Kanthal
- Body material: Stainless Steel
- Colour: Black, Stainless steel, Coffee, Violet, Rainbow, Blue
- Warranty: 90 days
- Extra features: You can finetune the heat and airflow
- Magnetic mouthpiece cap
Best for Beginners – VSAVI CBD Vape Pen Kit
It’s the most discreet vape I’ve ever tried and is even small enough to be completely shielded in your hand during use. It also produces a very light vapour so you won’t draw any attention to yourself. The only thing I didn’t like about it is that it has a red light on the end that mimics the glow of cigarette as you inhale. However, I got past this by holding the end with my hand so the light isn’t visible.
It only comes in white, but the finish is excellent and reminded me of an old school cigarette holder. If you want a straightforward vape that will deliver CBD vapour day after day with no fuss, this is the one for you.
Specification
- Tank type: Refillable
- Capacity: 1ml
- Size: 8mm wide and weighs only 18g
- Battery: 2volt rechargeable battery with USB charger
- Coil material: Metal
- Body material: Plastic
- Colour: White
- Warranty: 3 months
- Extra features: The coil activates as you inhale.
Harmony Tempo
The benefits of this system are the incredible smooth vapour and that they’re so easy to get going; just click the pod in and get started. The Tempo is slightly wider and heavier than other pen vapes but is still ideal for a pocket or bag and the black finish keeps it extra stealthy. Each pod provides 74mg of CBD in about 200 puffs and the third-party certificates of analysis are available on the product page.
If you prefer the idea of a click and go vape system with a range of great flavoured CBD liquids, then the Tempo is well worth a try.
Specification
- Tank type: Prefilled pods that can be reused
- Capacity: 2ml
- Size: Weighs 76.7g
- Battery: 5 volt rechargeable battery with USB charger and wall charger
- Colour: Black
- Warranty: Harmony will replace any faulty products
Woodies CBD Vape Kit
Each cartridge contains CO2 extracted, THC-free, CBD distillate with a tasty blend of terpenes to give it an extra aroma. This means that you get authentic cannabis flavours and 90% pure CBD.
Because of the quality of the active ingredients, the cartridges aren’t cheap. If you want more details, you can check out the lab results here or on the product page. However, if you want something that’s genuinely effective and can produce masses of delightfully potent vapour, then you can’t go wrong with Woodies.
Specifications
- Tank type: Prefilled cartridges
- Capacity: 1ml
- Colour: Black
- Warranty: Full refunds are offered if you’re not 100% satisfied.
- Extra features: The cartridges contain 90% pure CBD distillate.
Harmony CBD Pen
Each cartridge holds 100mg of CBD in 1ml and should last for about 400 puffs. The lab certificates are available on the product page for each batch of cartridges. The lithium battery is rechargeable and will last for 500 puffs on one charge. For such a compact device the vapour is impressively smooth. However, if you’re looking for huge white clouds to pour from your mouth, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
Specification
- Tank type: Cartridges
- Capacity: 1ml (100mg CBD and 400 puffs)
- Size: 23g
- Battery: Rechargeable lithium battery that lasts for 500 puffs on one charge.
- Coil material:
- Colour: Black and stainless steel
- Warranty:
- Extra features: The autodraw system activates the coil as you inhale.
Best Budget – Vape UK CBD Pen
It’s 14mm wide and 136mm long, which makes it smaller than the T18ii but slightly fatter than the slimmer options listed here. Although this makes it somewhat less discreet, I found it more comfortable to use and the extra width in the tank makes it a lot easier to fill. To turn it on just push the button three times and then hold it down as you inhale. There’s nothing flash here, but it comes with detailed instructions that walk you through everything, so it’s well suited to beginners.
Specifications
- Tank type: Refillable
- Capacity: 1.3ml
- Size: 14mm wide and 136mm long
- Battery: 0 volt rechargeable battery with USB charger
- Body material: Metal construction
- Colour: Black, but other colours are available
- Warranty: 28 day parts
