Herbvape

Methodology

The full breakdown of how HerbVape tests, scores, and reports on every dry herb vaporizer.

The Short Version

Every device spends a minimum of four weeks in daily rotation. I test with two standardised strains plus a constant benchmark strain across three temperature zones, scoring against seven weighted categories. I buy every unit with my own money, I accept zero manufacturer samples, and no company can pay to influence a score. The overall rating is a weighted average, not a gut feeling.

Why This Page Exists

When I started reviewing vaporizers, I noticed most review sites gave everything a 9/10. Devices that barely held a charge were "excellent". Devices with known airflow issues were "highly recommended". Readers had no way of knowing what was genuine and what was paid placement.

This page exists so you can see exactly how I arrive at every score. If you think the method is flawed, I want to hear about it. Transparency is the whole point.

By the Numbers

4w+ — minimum test period
2 — rotating reference strains per review
1 — constant benchmark strain (OG Kush, every device)
7 — scoring categories
50+ — devices reviewed
90+ — strains tested
0 — free units accepted

Every device lives in my hands for at least four weeks before I write a word.

Testing Timeline

Week 1: Break-In and First Impressions

Unboxing, build quality notes, three to five burn-off cycles at max temperature (empty chamber). Then I begin daily sessions to let the device settle. Most conduction ovens change character in the first few days as the chamber seasons; I want that out of the way before I start scoring.

Weeks 2–3: Core Testing

This is where the real data comes in. Each device goes through its paces with two standardised strains plus the OG Kush benchmark run, across all three temperature zones. I record vapour density, flavour clarity, draw resistance, heat-up times, battery drain per session, and any consistency issues between sessions. I run a minimum of four sessions per day during this phase.

Week 4+: Long-Term Reliability

By now I'm looking at how the device holds up with daily use. Does the battery still hit its rated life? Has the airpath clogged? Did the mouthpiece loosen? Are there draw resistance changes after 50+ sessions? This is where many "9/10" devices reveal themselves.

Dual Strain Protocol

I use two reference strains for every review to control for material variability. One is a denser, stickier indica-leaning strain that tests extraction efficiency and chamber tolerance. The other is a drier, fluffier sativa-leaning strain that tests airflow and even heating. If a device only performs well with one type, that tells me something important. The pairing rotates and is never repeated across reviews.

The Constant Benchmark: OG Kush

Here's the bit I've been working on for months.

The paired-strain protocol has a problem, and it's been bothering me. If I review one device with Wedding Cake and Farm Gas, and another with GG4 and Lavender Cake, you can read both reviews end-to-end and you still can't actually compare the two devices on equal terms. Different strains, different temperatures, different days. "This one has cleaner flavour" is a thing I can tell you, but I can't prove it from the reviews. It's just my word.

So from May 2026, every tier-1 device on this site gets tested on a third strain — the same strain — every time. OG Kush. Same phenotype, same grind, same three-stage temperature run. Constant variable. The kind of test you do when you actually want to compare devices.

Why OG Kush

First, it stress-tests the full temperature range. Most strains tell you about one slice of how a vape performs — a terpinolene-heavy haze tells you about volatile flavour preservation, a pure myrcene indica tells you about extraction power. OG Kush has both. Limonene and pinene at 180°C, myrcene through the middle, linalool and the heavy compounds at 210°C. One strain, three temperature zones, full diagnostic.

Second, you can buy it. OG Kush is one of the most consistently stocked strain names in the UK CBD hemp market, and the terpene profile is independent of cannabinoid loading. If you want to verify what I'm tasting, you can — legally.

Third — the editorial reason. OG Kush is a strain I've been speaking about credibly for the best part of a decade. I know what it should taste like at every temperature and how each phenotype differs. If I'm making side-by-side device claims on this strain, I need to be able to spot when something's off.

Phenotype Lock & Sourcing

Classic OG Kush — not Tahoe, not SFV. Single UK supplier per test cycle; supplier, batch and harvest date are logged in every review footer. One legacy disclosure: the Arizer Go SRT review predates this protocol and was tested on Tahoe OG, an OG Kush phenotype. That review stands as-is with the phenotype noted. From now on it's classic OG Kush, every device, every review. Same strain. Different vapes.

Three Temperature Zones

Low (170–185°C) — Flavour-focused. Terpene expression, early draw quality, and how quickly the device reaches and holds this range.

Mid (185–200°C) — The "daily driver" range. Vapour density, draw consistency, and the balance between flavour and cloud production.

High (200–220°C) — Extraction ceiling. How much can the device pull from the material, and at what point does flavour degrade? Does the device combust?

Scoring — Seven Categories, Weighted

Each category is scored out of 10. The overall score is a weighted average, not a simple mean. Vapour quality carries the most weight because that's what a vaporizer is ultimately for.

Vapour Quality (heaviest weight) — flavour accuracy, vapour density, smoothness, temperature consistency, and extraction efficiency across all three zones and both strains.
Design and Build — materials quality, fit and finish, ergonomics in hand and at lip, LED/display readability, and general "does this feel like a quality object" impression.
Battery Life — rated vs real-world sessions per charge, charge time, pass-through charging support, and degradation observed during the test period.
Ease of Use — loading, temperature control interface, heat-up speed, session workflow, and whether a first-time vaporizer user could figure it out without the manual.
Cleaning and Maintenance — how quickly does it gunk up? What tools are needed? How accessible is the airpath? Some devices are engineered to stay clean; others fight you.
Portability — pocket-friendliness, weight, heat-up speed on the go, smell leak, and whether you'd actually take it out of the house.
Value for Money — price relative to performance. A device can score well here at any price point if it delivers on what it promises. Expensive doesn't mean good; cheap doesn't mean bad.

What the Overall Score Means

The overall score is a weighted average of the seven categories. Vapour quality carries the most weight, followed by build and battery. Value for money is intentionally weighted lower so a cheap device cannot game the system by simply being affordable.

Score	What It Means
9.0–10	Exceptional. Best-in-class with no significant flaws.
8.0–8.9	Excellent. Highly recommended with minor caveats.
7.0–7.9	Good. Solid performer with some notable trade-offs.
6.0–6.9	Decent. Does the job but falls short in key areas.
5.0–5.9	Mediocre. Hard to recommend over alternatives at the price.
Below 5	Avoid. Significant issues with performance, safety, or value.

What I Won't Do

Accept free devices or manufacturer samples
Run sponsored reviews or paid placements
Use affiliate links that could bias recommendations
Publish a review before the minimum four-week test period
Adjust a score after publication based on manufacturer feedback
Recommend a device I wouldn't use myself

A Note on Medical Use

I'm not a doctor and HerbVape is not a medical resource. However, a growing number of UK patients are being prescribed dry herb cannabis, and many of them are using vaporizers for the first time. I try to note when a device is particularly well-suited (or poorly suited) for medical users: ease of precise temperature control, session consistency, and clean airpath design all matter more when health is the primary motivation.

If you're a prescribed patient looking for device guidance, I'm happy to help where I can, but please also consult your prescribing clinic.

Long-Term Follow-Ups

Reviews don't end at publication. I continue using devices after the review goes live, and if something changes — battery degradation, firmware updates, build issues after six months — I'll update the review and note the change. Some devices age beautifully; others fall apart. You deserve to know which is which.

One Person, Consistent Standards

The review desk is one person. Every review, every score, every word is mine. That means you get consistency: the same palate, the same standards, the same testing rig, every time. It also means I'm slower than the big sites. I'd rather be right and late than fast and wrong.

If you think the method is flawed, I want to hear about it.

Dennis
Senior Reviewer, HerbVape

Medical & Legal Disclaimer: Cannabis is a controlled substance in the United Kingdom unless prescribed by a specialist doctor. This content does not constitute medical advice. HerbVape.co.uk sells vaporizer hardware only. We do not sell, prescribe, or recommend cannabis or cannabis products.