What’s the Best Desktop Vaporizer in 2023?

Today you’re getting a list of the best desktop vaporizers that you can currently get. With over 25 desktop vaporizers tested, reviewed, and compared on metrics like:

• Safety;
• Vapor quality;
• Vapor potency;
• Efficiency;
• And many more…

You can be sure you will find a desktop vaporizer that perfectly matches your style and budget.

Quick note: If you want to be mobile/flexible even at home, it might be worth it to see our best portable vaporizer list.

Quickly go to the…

1. Arizer XQ2 (Best Value)

Also called the ‘Jack of all trades’…The Arizer Extreme XQ2 is the most versatile desktop vaporizer there is.

You can use this vape in any way a vape can be used:

• Inhale with the whip. Whips make massive clouds. And at the same time, help you keep a comfortable distance from your vaporizer;
• Inhale with the balloon. Convenient and cool vapor, ready to be passed around;
• Attach a bubbler: massive rips, while keeping the vapor smooth and moist;
• Use the fan to force vapor into your lungs. This is true effortless vapor inhalation;
• Don’t use the fan and draw yourself: full control over your vapor production;
• Dry herbs or concentrates for that flexibility;

…and probably ways I haven’t tried yet.

Of course, this versatility comes with a price.

The Jack of all trades is master of none.

The Arizer Extreme XQ2 is not the best vaporizer in anything except versatility.

If you’re looking for:

• the most powerful clouds,
• the best flavor,
• the best group-vape, and
• basically anything else ‘best’…

Look further down the list.

But for its price point, you really can’t get anything better.

This vaporizer is a new iteration of the original Arizer Extreme Q.

Its most noteworthy upgrades are:

• An isolated airpath. The Arizer Extreme Q doesn’t have an isolated airpath. Part of the airpath of the original Extreme Q passes over the electronics. This is potentially a health risk. Warm air can react with electronic parts and pollute the vapor. Well the newer XQ2 version doesn’t have this problem.
• A full glass bowl. Even the screen inside the bowl is now made from glass. This improves vapor quality a bit.
• A seal to close off the mouthpiece connected to the bag. Now you can easily save vapor inside the bag for anywhere between 10 or 30 minutes later (we don’t recommend saving vapor much longer inside a bag). With the Arizer Extreme Q you either have to keep your thumb on the mouthpiece, or you have to mod a seal on top of the mouthpiece yourself.
• A more powerful fan. The new fan cuts the time it takes to fill up a bag almost in half.

Is it worth the upgrade if you already own an Arizer Extreme Q? Yes in my opinion. I’m a bit of health freak and I want to minimize health risks to the best of my ability and the new isolated air path is enough reason for me to upgrade. Why? Because an isolated air path reduces the chance of any internal parts of the vaporizer polluting the vapor.

And if you don’t own either of them, definitely get the Arizer XQ2.

With a price of $170, it’s $50 more expensive than the original Extreme Q (which costs $120). But this $50 will get you great upgrades, the main one for me being the isolated airpath.

This is a very cost-effective tabletop vaporizer.

No other vaporizer can match the value you get out of $170 dollars.

And its quality will be good enough for 90% of vapers.

Click the button below to go to the best deal for the Arizer XQ2 (based on your country):

• US – (PlanetOfTheVapes)
• Europe – (VapoShop)
• Canada – (PlanetOfTheVapes)
• Amazon – (UK / DE) 

Even though the Arizer XQ2 now has an isolated airpath…

If you want to minimize health risks to the best of your ability, it’s best you take a look at the next vape.

Next up is the most famous vaporizer…and only desktop vaporizer with an official medical certification.

The granddaddy of all vaporizers…

2. Volcano Vaporizer (Best Balloon, Safest & Most Reliable)

This vaporizer probably doesn’t need an introduction.

Because it has been around since 2001, and after 22 years, STILL holds a spot among the best.

Here’s why:

The Volcano Vaporizer blows balloon (bags) like no other vaporizer.

It’s the best party/group-vape you can get.

Within minutes it will fill the largest balloons with such potent and tasty vapor…

That it will give the most powerful whip- and direct-draw vaporizers a run for their money.

The downside of this powerful balloon-performance is that:

In any given session you’ll need more herb to get started than the average vaporizer (0.3 grams).

And its versatility limits to balloons. It’s the only thing the Volcano does well: blowing balloons.

But blowing balloons for 10+ years without ever breaking a sweat is a remarkable quality.

The Volcano Vaporizer is the MOST reliable vaporizer on the market, period.

This vaporizer simply won’t break.

Instances of 10-year-old Volcano Vaporizers still working well are extremely common.

It’s also one of the few vaporizers with an official governmental medical certification. Backed by a medical certification means this is one of the safest vaporizers you can get.

One of the downsides of the Volcano Classic and also the now replaced Volcano Digit, is that they could ONLY be used with balloon bags. If you would want to use them with a whip, and didn’t like extensive modding, you were out of luck.

This changed when the Volcano Digit was replaced with the Volcano Hybrid.

The Volcano Hybrid can easily be used with a whip out of the box. The other benefit of the Volcano Hybrid it has compared to the Volcano classic is that it comes with a digital, precise temperature control system. This is great if you want to fine-tune your vaping experience to specific degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius. For most people, the analog temperature of the Volcano Classic will be enough though.

Keep in mind the Volcano Hybrid is also $200 more expensive than the Classic. The possibility of a whip and a precise temperature control system will be worth $200 for some, but not for everyone.

Click the button below to go to the best deal for the Volcano (based on your country):

• US – (PlanetOfTheVapes)
• Europe – (VapoShop)
• Canada – (PlanetOfTheVapes)
• Amazon – (CA / UK / DE) 

If you want to learn ALL the ins and outs of the Volcano first, click below to go to its in-depth review:

In-depth review Volcano

Now:

Even though the Volcano has become more efficient with the dosing capsule adapter and the dosing Storz & Bickel dosing capsules, it’s still not as efficient as some other vaporizers on the list.

Some of us need something more efficient (for micro-dosing for example) …

Next up we have the desktop vaporizer which takes efficiency to a whole new level…

3. E-Nano Log Vaporizer (Best for Solo Use & Efficiency)

If you’re looking to squeeze every little penny out of your herb…

The E-Nano Log Vaporizer is the most efficient desktop vaporizer in vaporizer-land.

That’s not all though…

The vapor quality and potency of the E-Nano are up there with the high-end vaporizers.

And the best part is that you only need a pinch of herb to produce hard-hitting clouds with the E-Nano.

This is exactly what makes the E-Nano the best vaporizer for efficient solo vaping.

The downside of this vape is:

It’s one of the worst vaporizers for group-vaping.

And not only because its bowl is so small.

There’s also some technique involved with using the E-Nano.

It’s not a ‘just turn it on’ vaporizer.

You’re going to have to find your own sweet spot with the:

• Temperature (it has an analog temperature knob);
• Grind (fine vs coarse), and;
• Basic setup (how far you let the mouthpiece stick out for example).

But once you’ve found your sweet spot…

The E-Nano will bless you with potent and flavorful clouds of vapor. And will do so with just pinches of herb.

Click the button below to go to the best deal for the E-Nano (based on your country):

• US – (PlanetOfTheVapes)

Next up…

4. Flowerpot (Best Hard-Hitter)

The Flowerpot is probably the hardest-hitting vaporizer on the market currently.

I haven’t met a single user of the Flowerpot that wasn’t impressed with how hard it hits. Even cannabis smoking veterans leave amazed after taking a hit from the Flowerpot.

Prepare yourself when you use this vaporizer:

The vapor that comes out from a single draw is so dense, thick, and packed with cannabinoids…

Inexperienced users will be thrown off guard. This vaporizer is a true ‘ripper’. You can’t really ‘sip’ this vaporizer. You’re going to inhale massive clouds of vapor with every draw.

The best part?

It can do so with small amounts of herb. As small as 0.1 grams. This is a highly efficient vaporizer.

It’s the perfect vaporizer for:

• Medical users that go through a lot of herb on a daily basis;
• People that have a high tolerance, or;
• People that just want an experience as close to smoking as possible. But without the smoke-related toxins.

You have to use such a hard-hitting vaporizer with a water filtration device, like a bong or bubbler. Otherwise, you’ll be choking hard after every hit.

In fact:

You can only use the Flowerpot with a bong or bubbler. But that’s also exactly what it excels in:

It’s one of the best vaporizers for bong-vaping. The water filtration cools and smooths the huge clouds of freshly-produced vapor. And makes it so you can taste all the nuances in the vapor.

Even though it’s such a hard-hitting vaporizer, the vapor quality is really good.

Where does the power of this desktop vaporizer come from?

Well, it doesn’t work with a standard heating element.

It has an enail coil that you place over the bowl, which then heats up the herb inside the bowl. It’s based on full convection heating.

In theory, you could use any enail coil. But when you start out I highly recommend getting one from the makers of the Flowerpot. It’s a very high-quality enail from a trustworthy source. If you insist on using your own enail, you have to learn about pinouts and compatibility.

The Flowerpot has no official medical/safety certifications. But it’s one of the only vaporizers that’s 100% made in the U.S. The materials themselves are U.S.-certified.

The bowl’s material is grade 2 titanium. Grade 2 titanium is highly resistant to corrosion.

This vaporizer has a small learning curve. You don’t have to worry that you’ll accidentally combust or anything. There’s not much that can go wrong.

But using this vaporizer is slightly more complex than pressing a simple button.

If you’re new to vaporizers, don’t worry. You’ll learn how to use this vaporizer after the first few tries.

If you’re looking for the best hard-hitter, the Flowerpot is your vape:

Click the button below to go to the best deal for the Flowerpot and make sure to use the following coupon code to get 5% off:

• 5% off Coupon Code: HERBONAUT

• Cannabis Hardware Official Website

If you want to learn ALL the ins and outs of the Volcano first, click below to go to its in-depth review:

In-depth review Flowerpot

Next up…

5. Da Buddha Vaporizer (Best Whip)

Designed by 7th Floor, an American heavyweight in the vaporizer industry…

The Da Buddha Vaporizer is their most affordable desktop vaporizer.

It belongs in the list of ‘insane value for your money vaporizers’.

It has a super simple design…

But the clouds coming out of this vape are super impressive.

It’s always easier to get hard-hitting clouds with a whip-style vaporizer than a balloon-style vaporizer…

But the Da Buddha Vaporizer’s clouds compete with the likes of the Flowerpot and PLENTY.

Its vapor quality is up there with the best as well.

The only problem:

When you get in the higher temperature ranges the vapor does get harsh.

Temperature control also isn’t very accurate. The temperature is controllable with a knob that has no signs on it. This means you don’t ever accurately know what temperature you’re vaping at.

This minor handicap does add to the learning curve of the DBV.

Because if you’re not careful with the knob or your drawing speed, you will be burning your herb.

But If you can accept its learning curve, you’ll be getting one of the most reliable vaporizers on the market.

This vaporizer will easily last you 5+ years.

Click the button below to go to the best deal for the Da Buddha Vaporizer (based on your country):

>> Make sure to use coupon code “8018” for 10% off

• US – Click to see most recent price – (10% off coupon code “8018“)

Next up…

6. PLENTY Vaporizer (Beast)

Being another Storz and Bickel powerhouse (same manufacturer as the MIGHTY and Volcano)…

The PLENTY has the same characteristic Storz and Bickel benefits:

• It’s extremely easy to use
• It’s extremely powerful
• Great for group-settings

But it also has the same downside as the Volcano:

• It’s quite the herb hog, not very efficient with your herb

In many ways, the PLENTY is like the Volcano.

Except it doesn’t blow any bags. It’s a true hand-held direct-draw vaporizer. No balloons or bags involved with this vaporizer.

You’re super-close to the source.

Combine this with the powerful heating element and its large bowl…

And you got the perfect recipe for extremely powerful hits and long-lasting sessions.

Click to compare prices:

• US – (PlanetOfTheVapes)
• Europe – (VapoShop)
• Canada – (PlanetOfTheVapes)
• UK – (Amazon – UK)

Frequently Asked Questions About Desktop Vaporizers

What is a Desktop or Tabletop Vaporizer?

A desktop or tabletop vaporizer is a device that heats dry herb up until the point of boiling. This process releases the active compounds inside the plant. But without the majority of toxic by-products that get released with combustion.

This way, you can inhale all cannabinoids and terpenes, with a significant reduction of harmful compounds that would otherwise get released with the act of smoking or burning plant material.

For more information read about smoking vs vaping weed.

The main difference between a desktop and portable vaporizer is that the former doesn’t work with a battery. It needs to be connected to a standard electrical outlet to function.

Are Desktop Vaporizers Better than Portables?

It depends.

When it comes to metrics like:

• Extraction-speed,
• Vapor-quality, and;
• Reliability;

Desktop vaporizers score much better on average on those metrics than portable vaporizers.

Desktop vaporizers will provide a better overall vaping experience than portable vaporizers. They generally hit harder, taste better, and will last you longer.

For mobility, of course, a desktop vaporizer is very limited. You’re always tied to an electrical outlet.

Is Using a Desktop Vaporizer Safe?

Using a desktop vaporizer is not 100% risk-free.

Compared to smoking, vaping significantly reduces the inhalation of harmful compounds.

One study found that cannabis smoke contains over 111 toxic by-products, while cannabis vapor only contains 3 out of those 111 (1).

However, you still risk inhaling harmful compounds with a desktop vaporizer.

The higher your vaporization temperature, the higher the concentration of harmful compounds.

One study found that if you vaporize cannabis above 392°F(200°C), you significantly increase benzene concentrations. While if you keep the temperature below 392°F(200°C), your vapor will stay almost benzene-free (2).

Benzene is a known carcinogen (3). If you want to reduce the inhalation of benzene, keep your temperature below 392°F(200°C).

What’s Next…

If you want personalized advice for your specific situation, shoot us an email. We will give you your best options based on:

• Your budget;
• Which categories you find most important in your vaporizer (design, portability, safety, potency, flavor, efficiency, ease of use, temperature control, reliability).

If you’re looking for a powerful portable unit (some as powerful as the average desktop vaporizer), see the following article:

• The Best Portable Vaporizers

If you’re interested in how exactly we rates these vaporizers, click the link below:

• Herbonaut’s Vaporizer Rating System

If you want to learn more about vaping check out the following vaping and vaporizer guides:

• What’s the Best Temperature to Vape Weed?
• Are Vaporizers Safe? A Guide on How to Avoid Health Issues
• How to Use a Vaporizer: 5 Essential Tricks to Optimize the Performance of ANY Vaporizer

If you still need a grinder for an easy way to grind your herb, check out our buyer’s guide on herb grinders:

• The Best Weed Grinders for Efficient Smoking, Vaping & Kief Building

And if you want to get the best vaporizers for vaping concentrates, check out our buyer’s guide on wax pens:

• The Best Vape Pens for Oil, Oil Cartridges & Wax (Oil, Dab & Wax Pens)

Lastly, if you want to connect with us, become a fan on Facebook or follow us on Instagram by clicking the links below.

Scientific References:

1. Gieringer, D., St. Laurent, J., & Goodrich, S. (2004). Cannabis Vaporizer Combines Efficient Delivery of THC with Effective Suppression of Pyrolytic Compounds. Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics, 4(1), 7–27. https://doi.org/10.1300/j175v04n01_02

2. Gieringer, D. H. (2001). Cannabis “Vaporization.” Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics, 1(3–4), 153–170. https://doi.org/10.1300/j175v01n03_10

3. Smith, M. T. (2010). Advances in Understanding Benzene Health Effects and Susceptibility. Annual Review of Public Health, 31(1), 133–148. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.publhealth.012809.103646