Convection vs. Conduction Heating: What’s the Difference?

Trying to understand how your dry herb vaporizer works? Whether you're shopping for a new vape or curious about what makes each session feel different, it's all about the heating method — convection or conduction.

Let’s break down the differences so you know what to expect from each style and which might be right for your sesh.

🔬 What is Conduction Heating?

Conduction heating happens when your herb directly touches a hot surface, usually a metal or ceramic chamber. This is the most common heating method in entry-level or ultra-portable vaporizers.

⚙️ How it works:

• The walls of the oven heat up
• Ground flower touches the hot surface
• Vapor is produced through direct contact

✅ Pros of conduction:

• Heats up fast — great for quick sessions
• Simple, compact devices
• Easy to use — ideal for beginners
• Often found in budget-friendly vaporizers

❌ Cons:

• Can burn your herb if not stirred or temp-managed
• Uneven heating if you pack too tightly
• May produce a more “toasty” taste

🔥 Popular conduction vaporizers:

• Yocan Evolve-D
• G Pen Dash
• Pax Mini Dy Herb Vaporizer

🌬️ What is Convection Heating?

Convection heating works by passing hot air through your flower, gently baking it like an oven. It never touches a hot surface — instead, the airflow does the work. This produces more even, flavorful, and efficient vapor.

⚙️ How it works:

• Air is heated separately
• Hot air flows through the herb chamber
• Vapor is created through indirect heat

✅ Pros of convection:

• More efficient extraction — uses less herb
• Better flavor and terpene preservation
• Even heating, fewer hot spots
• Great for longer sessions or shared hits

❌ Cons:

• Usually more expensive
• Slightly longer heat-up time
• Devices can be larger or require more maintenance

🌡️ Popular convection vaporizers:

• Arizer XQ2
• Volcano Hybrid
• Firefly 2+
• Venty by Storz & Bickel (hybrid leaning convection)

⚖️ So, which is better — conduction or convection?

🧠 Final Thoughts: Which One’s Right for You?

• Choose conduction if you want something simple, fast, and portable. It’s great for discreet hits, solo use, or first-time vapers.
• Go for convection if you’re serious about flavor, efficiency, and getting the most out of your herb.

Still unsure? We carry both styles at DankGeek — check out our Dry Herb Vaporizers collection or reach out to us for a personalized recommendation.