Are you unsure if your disposable vape pen can be charged? You wouldn’t be the first and surely won’t be the last to ask this question! Disposable vape pens are increasingly common these days, especially in the world of cannabis.
They’re convenient, generally inexpensive, and there is never a shortage of variety when it comes to strains and terpene profiles to fit your preference. But can they be charged?
What Is a Disposable Vape Pen, and Can They Be Charged?
In general, a disposable vape pen is meant to be a one-time-use product and, in most cases, doesn’t need to be charged. However, there may be times when the concentrates inside the vape outlast the battery itself. It was issues like this that led some newer disposables hitting the shelves to include a charger port, ensuring none of the concentrate goes to waste. This is perfect for those who frequently see the battery die before the liquid runs out, or those who want to get every last puff from their disposables before tossing them.
For the most part though, disposable vapes are not meant to be recharged. In fact, it can be extremely dangerous to try and charge a disposable vape that doesn’t already come equipped with a charging port.
Can You Recharge a Disposable Vape?
The short answer is yes—if the vape is designed with a charger port. Most rechargeable disposable vape pens use a standard micro-USB charging port. Not all disposable vapes can be recharged, so it’s important that you only attempt to charge a disposable vape that has a charging port. You should never try to recharge a disposable vape that is not meant to be charged (despite what the internet might tell you).
If you cannot find a charging port, then the life of the vape only extends the initial life of the battery.
How Do You Recharge a Disposable Vape?
If your disposable vape has a charging port, then you would go about charging your disposable vape in the same way you would charge any other electronic device that uses a micro-USB charger. Likely, your disposable pen didn’t come with a charger since the battery is expected to last only as long as needed.
So, in the event you do find yourself needing to charge a disposable vape that has a charging port, you’ll need to have a charger already or purchase one separately. From there, simply plug in the micro-USB end to the pen and the other end into a charger block that is plugged into a working power outlet.
Depending on the vape, you may not be able to tell if it is charging until you’ve left it to charge for a while and attempt to use the pen. Others may function more like regular vape pen batteries and have a flashing LED light to let you know that the vape is dying/charging/charged.
While it is possible to recharge disposable vapes that do not have a charging port, it can be extremely dangerous. Without protections in place to ensure proper charging, you could experience electric shocks, overheating, burning, and the battery could potentially explode. It is not recommended nor safe to attempt to recharge a disposable vape that does not have a charging port.
Common Signs That Your Disposable Vape Needs to be Recharged
Depending on the vape pen, there are a few common signs that the battery needs to be charged. With disposable vapes these signs are often the end of the lifespan of the pen. However, in some cases, charging may be all that’s needed to temporarily extend the life of your disposable vape.
Common signs your disposable vape needs to be charged include:
- Reduced vapor production
- Harsher vapor when inhaling
- Sometimes, an LED light flashes to indicate low battery life
- You can’t draw vapor, but you can see concentrate left
Common signs your disposable vape has run out of concentrate:
- A sudden sharp reduction in vapor production
- The last few inhalations tasted burnt and/or were very harsh
- You can’t see any concentrate left and cannot produce vapor
- Sometimes, an LED light flashes to indicate the device is empty
In some cases, the signs of a dead disposable vape battery and signs your disposable vape is out of juice are nearly identical. If you have the option to charge your battery, it never hurts to set it on the charger for half an hour to an hour before attempting again to take a puff. If after that charging period you’re still not getting a quality hit, then likely it was out of concentrate rather than battery power.
Disposable Vape Charging Time, Safety Tips, and Alternatives
Disposable vape pens are meant to be convenient, limited-use “all-in-one” products that should not need to be recharged. Once it hits the point of needing to be charged, it is likely close to empty. Even though there may be the occasional need for disposable vapes to be recharged, there may be benefits to alternatives like cartridge batteries or pod systems, which are designed to be used long-term and receive regular charging.
How Long Does a Disposable Vape Take to Charge?
Vape pens in general usually take a couple of hours at least to reach full charge from completely dead, so you can expect your disposable vape to have about the same charging time. On the other hand, if you don’t have a lot of concentrate left in your disposable, or you’re only charging it to see if there was something left to it, then you shouldn’t need to charge it more than half an hour to be able to test it out.
Are There Safety Concerns for Disposable Vapes?
The main safety concern when it comes to disposable vapes is the fact that people may try to recharge them, even when they are not meant to be recharged. As mentioned, it is not safe to try and recharge a disposable vape that doesn’t have a charging port. It could result in serious injury, and it is best that you don’t attempt it. If you absolutely want to be able to charge your disposable vape, then ensure you are buying one that comes equipped with a charging port.
What Are the Best Alternatives to Disposable Vape Pens?
There are plenty of reasons you might want an alternative to disposable vape pens, with the top reasons most people choose more durable long-term options being to avoid unnecessary trash and environmental impact and the other being cost—reusable, rechargeable devices can be used indefinitely and the vape cartridges and pods that need to be replaced when you’re done with them are typically less expensive than all-in-one disposable units.
510 Vape Battery
Those who enjoy vaping regularly are often better off investing in at least a decent-quality battery that can be paired with 510 threaded cartridges. Pretty much every dispensary carries a variety of cartridges that will be compatible with one of these batteries, so you won’t be limited by options any more than you are with disposables. If you’re already charging your disposable vape pen, it wouldn’t hurt to invest $15-30 on a rechargeable vape pen battery that can be used many times over.
Pod Systems
Depending on your budget, pod systems are also a great alternative to disposable vapes and are more compact and discrete, a feature many people prefer about disposables. Unlike the 510 threaded batteries, pod systems are not so universal, and it can sometimes be harder to find pods that fit your vape and your needs. If you are interested in this type of small portable vape then you should first check out the stock at your local dispensaries and ensure there is stock that will suit your preferences and/or needs.
We’ve Got a Variety of Vapes to Meet Your Needs
The Exclusive dispensaries in Michigan offer a variety of vape pens to meet the needs of both medical marijuana patients and recreational consumers alike. Featuring the state’s hottest brands like Hype Cannabis, Flav, Dragonfly, Church, Terpene Tanks, and more—you’ll never see a shortage of options when it comes to vapes!
If you are certain that you want a rechargeable disposable vape pen then you should be sure to ask your budtender which brands can be charged prior to purchasing. However, you may also be interested in a battery which would open an even wider array of vape cartridge options for you to choose from.
No matter what your preference is between disposable vape pens or cartridge and battery vape pens, you’ll find something to suit your needs and your budget. Treat yourself to the Exclusive VIP experience and visit one of our Michigan dispensaries today!
