Dry herb vaping has really caught on in these last years but finding the right device for your needs can be challenging at times. From $80 vaporizers to $350 high end devices, there are dozens of alternatives on the market, but is the higher price really worth it? We are going to take a closer look at the Utillian 420 VS Eclipse vaporizer as we compare entry level to mid-range in this reasonably priced portable dry herb vape showdown.
What is a (portable) dry herb vaporizer and what are the main differences between them?
A portable dry herb vaporizer is a small, pocket friendly battery powered device intended to heat up ground botanical. It consists of a chamber – usually made from ceramic or stainless steel – and uses a process called convection or conduction heating to bring the mixture up to temperature. The controlled heat ensures that the plant consistently releases its essential oils throughout a session. Since there's no direct contact with the heating element there's no combustion, fire or ash.
The Utillian 420 – a really cool entry level vape
The Utillian 420 has quickly become one of our favorite entry level dry herb vapes. It's built from high quality materials with a lot of attention to details and it performs really well in this price range. It's a top loading device with a generous ceramic chamber and a glass mouthpiece. The vaporizer uses conduction technology to heat up the dry herb material and has four different temperature presets.
What we like the most about the Utillian 420 are its ease of use and build quality. The body is made from anodized metal and the mouthpiece is glass. To load with dry herb you just take off the glass piece and you get full access to the heating chamber. A medium-fine grind is perfect for convection heating and a session can last anywhere between 3 – 5 minutes.
The Eclipse vaporizer – one of our favorite mid-range performers
The E-Clipse vaporizer allows for a lot more control on the overall vape experience. It features the same combination between top oven, ceramic chamber, glass mouthpiece and conduction heating but adds something interesting to the equation: the ability to adjust temperature in 1F increments between 300F – 435F. This can have a huge impact on vapor quality and desired effects. Being able to control the temperature in small increments can boast flavor, vapor production and allows for fine tuning your vape. This is particularly helpful when sampling different strains or experimenting with different type of grinds.
What we like the most about the Eclipse vape is its versatility and flavor. Heat up times are super-fast and it can reach maximum temperature in about 40 seconds. The glass mouthpiece helps cool down the vapor and ensures a clean taste every time.
Which one to Choose?
Both these devices are great for beginners and that's why we decided to compare them side by side.
The Utillian 420 is cheaper, well built and delivers great flavor and vapor but it has some downsides. Most important fact is that you only get four temperature presets. These are fine for a beginner but if you want to step up your game, it's going to be hard to do all sorts of experiments. Second thing is that the device is top heavy and can easily fall from your desk at the slightest bumb
The Eclipse vape offers way more control and a bigger battery. You can fine tune your experience and find a sweet spot with any type of strain or grind. Vapor is richer and flavor is really good. We don't like the all plastic feel of the device but the price tag is hard to beat.
TIP: If you're looking for a budget convection vaporizer then the Utillian 721 is definitely worth checking out.
