Convection vs Conduction Vapes: Which One is Better?

The goal of both convection and conduction is simple: release THC from cannabis without producing smoke.

THC and CBD are released from cannabis to inhale at 315°F - 356°F. A vaporizer heats your cannabis to these temperatures, staying under 446°F to avoid smoke using two methods of heating:

• Convection: Think of it like an oven. Hot air moves around your ground cannabis, gently releasing active compounds like THC and terpenes.
• Conduction: Now imagine cooking on a hot pan. Your ground cannabis is heated by direct contact with a hot surface, vaporizing it faster but with a chance of uneven heating.

Both methods avoid harsh smoke, but convection and conduction provide an entirely different experience: Conduction (hot surface) hits harder and faster and convection (hot oven) pulls more THC and burns more evenly, but is more expensive.  

Hemper cheat sheet:

• Healthier: Convection
• Stronger hits: Conduction
• Cheaper: Conduction
• Less coughing: Convection
• Better flavor: Convection
• More extraction: Convection
• Faster start-up: Conduction

What is a conduction vaporizer?

A conduction vaporizer heats cannabis flowers, oils, or concentrates by direct contact with a hot surface, like cooking on a pan. This heating method creates fast vapor but can lead to uneven burning, making it great for quick hits but may not deliver the smooth and productive vapor that convection heating delivers.

How it works: 

• A conduction vaporizer uses a heating element called a hot plate, made of metal or ceramic. 
• This plate is powered by a battery or electricity which quickly heats it. 
• As the plate gets hot, it directly touches the cannabis transferring heat.
• The heat causes the cannabinoids (like THC and CBD) and terpenes to reach the vaporization point.
• When the cannabinoids reach the vaporization point, the molecules turn into vapor and rise up to the mouthpiece.
• As you inhale you pull the vapor from your vaporizer into your lungs.

Common conduction vaporizers

Devices like dab rigs and some herb vaporizers use conduction vaporization. 

In a dab rig, a quartz banger (the small glass bucket you put concentrates) is heated with a dab torch until it’s red-hot. Once you drop the concentrate in, the direct contact with the heated surface quickly vaporizes it. The result is fast, powerful vapor, but because the banger cools unevenly, you might get hot spots and uneven burning - common with conduction heating.

Many dry herb, desktop, and portable vaporizers also use conduction heating. A metal or ceramic chamber in the device is heated and the cannabis flower, oil, or dabs touch the hot surface, releasing vapor.

Electric dab rigs also use conduction heating, but let you select the best dab temperature that fits your preferences. 

Learn: See our visual guide of every type of vaporizer and their heating method. If you’re interested in any of the devices above check out our  beginners guide to dab rigs, and intro to electric dab rigs.

What is a convection vaporizer?

 

A convection vaporizer heats cannabis by engulfing it with hot air, just like an oven. This gently cooks the flowers, oils, or concentrates without direct contact, resulting in smoother, more even vapor. It provides a cleaner, more flavorful experience but typically takes longer to heat up than conduction.

How it works:

• A convection vaporizer uses a heating element to generate hot air
• The hot air is powered by electricity or a battery and is drawn over the cannabis, warming it evenly as you inhale
• As the hot air passes through, it heats the cannabinoids (THC, CBD) and terpenes to their vaporization point.
• When the cannabinoids reach this point, they turn into vapor that’s easy to inhale.
• As you inhale, the hot air continues to move through the cannabis, pulling the vapor into your lungs for a smooth, flavorful hit.

Common convection vaporizers

 

 

Devices like desktop vaporizers and dry herb vaporizers use convection heating.

In a desktop vaporizer, a fan and your inhale pull hot air through the herb chamber, vaporizing the cannabinoids without direct contact with the heating element. This gives consistent, even vaporization, reducing the chance of burning.

Some dry herb vaporizers combineconvection and conduction heating for a balanced experience. These hybrid models use hot air for even vaporization, while a heated surface speeds up the process.

Learn: Check out our visual guide for every type of vaporizer and its heating method. If you’re interested in any of the convection devices above take a peek at our beginner's guide to desktop vaporizers, and intro to dry herb vapes.

Convection vs conduction: the showdown

Curious how the two heating elements stack up against each other in areas that matter the most? 

Let’s dive into what matters: flavor, THC delivery, start time, and much more. These are the factors that can truly impact your vaping experience and help you decide which method suits you best.

1. Which one is better for the lungs?

Convection vaporizers are generally healthier because they avoid combustion (smoke) entirely. When you heat cannabis with hot air, the temperature stays controlled all around the cannabis, reducing the chances of inhaling harmful stuff like tar or carcinogens that are released from cannabis at higher temperatures. 

In short:Convection heats cannabis more evenly and consistently and avoids releasing any harmful toxins.

Conduction vaporizers heat the plant directly with a hot surface, sometimes reaching temperatures high enough to burn the surface of the cannabis. Scorching the surface with high temperatures can lead to small bursts of combustion, which can irritate your lungs and expose you to harmful chemicals. 

In short: Conduction’s scorching hot surfaces can combust the surface of the cannabis causing releases of harmful toxins you may inhale.

Scientific studies show that vaporizing cannabis at lower temperatures (below 392°F) significantly reduces toxins making vaping flowers healthier than smoking. 

Bottom line: For lung health,convection heating is the clear winner, offering a cleaner vapor and smoother experience with fewer harmful byproducts.

2. Which one delivers smoother vapor (less coughing)

Convection vaporizerscreate smoother vapor, reducing the chances of coughing much more than conduction vapes.

When cannabis is heated too quickly—like in conduction—the terpenes, such as myrcene, limonene, and linalool, can break down into harsh compounds like benzene and methacrolein. These irritants cause discomfort in your throat and can lead to coughing.

Since the lungs are more comfortable with temperatures under 140°F, convection’s slower heating keeps the vapor much cooler than conduction.

In short: convection gives you a gentler, more enjoyable experience.

3. Which gives better flavor?

Convection is known to preserve more terpenes, the compounds responsible for flavor, aroma, and therapeutic benefits.

Convection heating in vapes uses hot air to surround the cannabis evenly, especially for ground herbs. Unlike conduction it doesn’t scorch the surface leading to a burning taste, giving it a cleaner, more flavorful vapor. 

Conduction, on the other hand, can sometimes burn parts of the cannabis because of the direct contact with the hot surface, which can cause a slight charred taste. 

If flavor is your priority, convection usually wins because of its ability to gently heat and release the full terpene profile.

4. Which delivers more THC?

When it comes to preserving and delivering cannabinoids like THC,convection wins again.

The gentle flow of hot air in convection vaporizers evenly heats the cannabis, all around. This means more surface area is exposed to vaporization temperatures, so more THC is released from the cannabis with convection heating.

Conduction, with its direct surface heat, can sometimes vaporize the outer layer of the herb too quickly, which burns some cannabinoids too much and destroys them. Also, conduction requires you to stir around the dabs or ground herbs, to move other areas around to touch the hot surface.

In short: Convection provides a slower, more consistent, and even release, meaning you get more THC with each hit, maximizing your herb's potential.

5. Start time, which one is faster?

When it comes to which heating method is faster, conduction wins this one.

Conduction vaporizers are all about speed. The direct heat quickly vaporizes the outer layer, giving you fast, intense hits. However, the rapid heating can mean shorter sessions overall and require you to stir the dabs or ground cannabis so it comes in contact with the hot surface. 

Convection vaporizers, with their gradual heating process, allow for longer, more relaxed sessions as the cannabis heats evenly. 

If you’re in a rush, conduction might be your go-to, but for longer, “mellower” sessions, convection is the option to go with.

6. Which one delivers stronger hits?

Conduction delivers more intense hits because it heats your weed faster, using direct contact between the heating plate or chamber and cannabis. 

This rapid heating can produce thick, potent vapor early in your session. However, it’s less precise, which can lead to uneven heating and burning—this is why it sometimes feels harsher on your throat.

Convection delivers smoother, more controlled hits. Since it heats cannabis through hot air circulation instead of direct contact burning, it gradually vaporizes the cannabinoids and terpenes, preserving the flavor and effects better. 

Convection is not as intense as conduction, but the vapor tends to be more flavorful and consistent throughout the session. This makes convection better for those who want a cleaner, more flavorful experience without sacrificing potency.

7. Which method saves you money?

Convection vaporizers heat the air around your herb, making sure all of the cannabis gets heated evenly. This means there’s no part of the cannabis sitting in the chamber, so nothing is wasted.

Withconduction vaporizers, only the parts touching the heating element get hot, leaving some herbs or dabs untouched unless you stir them. This uneven heating means you often lose products that could have been vaporized.

Convection heats only when you take a hit, while conduction keeps heating between inhales. By using just the right amount of heat at the right time, convection makes your cannabis last longer which saves you money.

Hybrid (conduction + convection)

Hybrid vaporizers give you the speed of conduction with thesmoothness of convection. 

With a hybrid heating vaporizer, you get:

• Quick heat-up times without sacrificing flavor
• Balanced vapor as hot air fully surrounds your cannabis
• More control over your session with less stirring

Hybrids are perfect if you want the strength of conduction but also the full, smooth experience convection delivers. 

Some models let you switch between heating modes, giving you the flexibility to cater to your preferred style. Whether you want fast hits or extended, even vaporization, hybrids let you have it all.

Which heating method is more efficient for dry herb

When it comes to getting the most out of your dry herb, convection vaporizers take the lead. With convection, hot air passes through the entire herb, ensuring an even extraction of cannabinoids and terpenes. This means:

• Less waste, as the herb is evenly heated
• Consistent vapor from start to finish
• Better flavor because the whole surface is used

Conduction, while fast, can leave parts of the herb underutilized, meaning you may miss out on some cannabinoids. It often requires stirring to ensure even heating. So, if you're looking for maximum efficiency and want to avoid wasting any of your precious cannabis, convection delivers more consistent results, especially for extended sessions.

Conduction for concentrates convection for flower

For concentrates, conduction is the go-to method because it heats the material quickly, turning thick oils and waxes into vapor in seconds. The direct contact with the hot surface ensures the concentrate vaporizes efficiently, making it perfect for quick, potent hits.

• Conduction works best for fast, intense vapor from oils or waxes
• Quick heat-up makes it ideal for on-the-go users
• More intensity with faster hits

On the flip side, convection shines with dry herbs, gently heating the flower without burning it, preserving flavor and maximizing the cannabinoids.

• Convection is perfect for smooth, flavorful vapor from flower
• Even heating helps maintain the full profile of terpenes and cannabinoids
• Longer sessions with more balanced, less harsh vapor

For the best experience, use conduction for concentrates and convection for flower, or opt for a hybrid vaporizer if you want the flexibility to switch between both.

Temperature control in conduction vs convection vaporizers

Convection vaporizers typically offer better temperature control because they heat the cannabis with hot air, allowing for precise adjustments to optimize flavor and potency. With convection, you can fine-tune the temperature to target specific cannabinoids and terpenes, ensuring you get the most out of each session.

Conduction vaporizers, on the other hand, tend to have faster, but less precise, heat settings. The direct heat can be harder to control, and once it reaches the herb, it can quickly vaporize cannabinoids, often missing the ideal range. If temperature control is key for you, convection gives you more flexibility to dial in the perfect vape experience.

Final thoughts

In the end, choosing between conduction and convection comes down to your vaping priorities. Conduction vaporizers offer speed and intensity, making them great for quick, powerful hits, especially with concentrates. However, they can risk uneven heating, leading to wasted material or harsher hits. 

Convection vaporizers, while slower to heat, deliver smoother, more flavorful vapor by gently heating your cannabis with hot air. This method preserves the full profile of cannabinoids and terpenes, making it ideal for longer, more relaxed sessions, especially with dry herb. 

If you value flavor, efficiency, and smooth vapor, convection might be your best bet. But for those seeking fast, potent hits, conduction shines. Ultimately, hybrid vaporizers combine the strengths of both, giving you the flexibility to adapt based on your session’s needs. Understanding the benefits of each method helps ensure you get the most out of your cannabis experience, no matter the style.