Zig-Zag Vaporizer Review

Another day, another vape pen to review. On today’s docket is a pen bearing the Zig Zag brand name. Most likely all gimmick, but let’s see if there’s anything different about this unit, compared to every other pen on the market.

BACKGROUND INFO

Zig-Zag has earned an iconic place in stoner culture, having been at the forefront of the industry for over 20 years. Being in the game that long brings with it a certain amount of respect and trust from customers – so when Zig-Zag announced it would be coming out with a vape pen, people were curious to see if the product would live up to the Zig-Zag name.

The company known for its thin yet durable rolling papers has introduced a dual-function pen vaporizer that works with both dry herbs and e-juice. By putting their name and logo onto a stealthy vape, Zig-Zag has acknowledged the trend away from combustion and is positioning itself to cater towards those looking for a healthier alternative. We got a Zig-Zag Vaporizer from our preferred vape store and wanted to let you know our thoughts on this vape pen.

HOW IT WORKS

The Zig-Zag Vaporizer is actually manufactured by Atmos, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it bears a striking resemblance to the AtmosRx Vaporizer in style, and functions identically. They are both powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and feature a stainless steel coil at the bottom of the well-insulated heating chamber.

This unit seems to have great temperature regulation and insulation. Even while the interior is getting hot (roughly 380° F) the exterior is cool to the touch, so it’s very easy to carry with you and use no matter where you are. It works off of a single-touch activation system, so there’s literally no waiting. As soon as you unlock the vape and press the button down, the coil will begin to heat up, effectively volatizing the active ingredients in your herbs or e-liquids.

DUAL COMPATIBILITY

Zig-Zag recognized that their audience was two-fold: those who use their papers to roll joints, as well as people who simply like to roll their own cigarettes with the Zig-Zag papers. For this reason, they decided to cater to both demographics with their brand new vaporizer, including not only a dry herb chamber, but also an e-liquid clearomizer.

The idea was to provide one device that could effectively work with both types of material. I think this was a smart move, but I personally prefer pens that specialize in one specific function, as I feel like they tend to perform better than their multi-function counterparts. That being said, for those people who do like these multi-function, they’re probably wondering why the Zig-Zag vape doesn’t come with a wax attachment as well. We’re wondering the same thing.

CONDUCTION vs CONVECTION

Like all vape pens, the Zig-Zag heats by conduction, meaning your herbs come into direct contact with the heating coil, producing a fair amount of smoke. It’s not a true “vaporizer” in that sense, since combustion occurs and smoke is produced.

This is something important to realize, as vape pen manufactures use the term “vaporizer” pretty loosely. Most all pen-style vaporizers use conduction heating, so they’re not true vaporizers. That being said, vape pens are still super convenient and serve their purpose well. However, if you’re looking for a handheld portable unit that utilizes convection heating for true vaporization, you’re going to want to steer clear from pen vaporizers and look into portable vaporizers.

PUTTING IT TO THE TEST

I found that the Zig-Zag performed just as well as most other vape pens I’ve tried, including the G-Pen, Trifecta and AtmosRx. Aside from being able to get big clouds using the herb chamber, I also found the e-juice setup to work pretty well too. However, as I previously stated, I’d rather have one pen for weed and another for e-juice. But if you’re looking for something that can handle both, the Zig-Zag vaporizer is a viable option.

SIZE & APPEARANCE

The Zig-Zag Vaporizer is about 7.5” inches long, which is pretty standard among vape pens. Much like the AtmosRX, the Zig-Zag is easy to transport and very comfortable in the hand. The only color that is offered is the trademark burnt sienna with a black rubber mouthpiece.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

This one is pretty cut and dry. If you’re looking for something small, discreet and simple to use – then the Zig-Zag is a great option. However, if you’re looking for a true vaporization experience without any combustion or smoke, you’ll want to take a look at portable handheld options – such as the Arizer Air, Goboof Alfa or miVape Vaporizers.