TL;DR – Are Refurbished Dab Rigs & Vaporizers Worth It?
When you buy new, you’re paying the highest possible price for something. It could be a car, a phone, or even a dab rig or vaporizer. It doesn’t matter, you’re paying the highest possible price for it in its life cycle.
But when you go refurbished, you’re benefiting from the 8th wonder of the commercial world: depreciation.
Yes, the dab rig or vaporizer you get isn’t brand new. But it will look and feel brand new because it has been fully refurbished; it just cannot be sold as new because it’s been unboxed. That’s the hack.
- You save anywhere from 40% to 60% on vaporizers and dab rigs.
- You pay mid-range prices for high-end rigs (this is the main reason why I do it).
- If money’s tight or you want to be more environmentally savvy, buying refurbished stuff is the way forward.
Cheap Dab Rigs Suck. They’re Money Pits – Do This Instead…
You can buy a cheap dab rig but I wouldn’t recommend it. As with vaporizers, the cheaper ones are just money-pits.
You’ll buy it after reading some bulls*it review, thinking it’s saving you some cash, and then, a month or two later, it’ll either break or you’ll get sick of its terrible performance, and you’ll go out and buy another one.
Once you’ve bought a second one, guess what: you’ve just spent about the same amount of money you would have had you just gone out and bought a decent dab rig the first time.
With weed-related gear like dab rigs, remember this: when you buy cheap, more often than not you end up buying twice.
The Solution: Buy A Refurbished (AKA Used) Dab Rig
Refurbished dab rigs are a great option for getting a high-end dab rig for about 40% less than their usual price.
But when it comes to buying refurbished or used, you DO NOT want to be doing it via Craig’s List or Facebook Marketplace.
If you go this route, you’ll be getting a vaporizer or dab rig that is quite literally used. Yes, they might (emphasis on “might”) have cleaned it up but that’s not a given, and on top of this you’ll have no comeback if something is wrong with it.
E-Rigs and vaporizers are fairly complex devices too. They run batteries, some have moving parts. You need to ensure that everything is working as it should.
Even if something is cheaper used, you DO NOT want to be buying faulty goods.
You want to go with legit retailers that actually take the time to clean, refurbish and recondition the units. This is the only way to ensure you A) get a device that actually works for a great price and B) are covered with a warranty if something goes wrong.
I get all mine from To The Cloud; I’ve bought multiple units from them refurbished from desktop rigs to dab rigs. I know the owner pretty well and he’s a damn wizard when it comes to fixing-up and refurbishing dab rigs and vaporizers.
Our used vaporizers come with a 60 day trial period and lifetime exchanges for store credit. If you have been looking to try out a Volcano, PAX 3 , Firefly 2+, Puffco Peak Pro, or any other of the world’s best vaporizers, but are unsure what is best for you, you have the option to return any of the refurbished vaporizers you purchase for a partial refund.
If you just buy one from Facebook Marketplace or, worse still, Craig’s List, you’re just buying a piece of used crap from some rando online, and we all know how that usually ends.
Best Refurbished Dab Rigs To Buy Right Now
Whether you’re an experienced veteran or a new user, saving 40% on a killer dab rig is something most people can get behind.
As of right now, were I in the market for a refurbished dab rig here are the options I’d be looking at:
- Dr Dabber Switch Pro – the Switch Pro is immense. It’ll do concentrate and flower and it hits like a freight train. It looks badass, is simple to use, and it is one of the best e-rigs money can buy right now.
- PuffCo Peak – arguably one of the most popular and most-loved dab rigs ever released, the Peak by PuffCo is damn-near perfect. I actually prefer to it to Dr Dabber Switch Pro. I get better flavor from mine and I find it less fiddly to use and live with.
- PuffCo Proxy – I adore this compact, portable e-rig. It’s modular design means you can switch out accessories and expand what you can do with it. The battery life is great and it looks stunning. One of my all-time favorite e-rigs. This thing is an icon for a reason.
- Dr Dabber EVO Boost – It features six precise heat settings for perfect flavor, heats up in just 11 seconds, and uses smart quartz technology for clean, pure hits. You can use it while charging, and it delivers massive, smooth clouds in a compact, easy-to-clean, portable design that’s ideal for both parties and solo sessions.
Which Is Best Overall?
I own 12 e-rigs at the moment and these two are the stars of the litter, the ones I use most and the ones my friends like best.
- For my tastes, I’d go with either the PuffCo Peak Pro or the PuffCo Proxy.
- If you’re like to dab on the go, or attend a lot of parties and festivals, go with the PuffCo Proxy – it’s designed to be portable and used on the go.
- For at home use or for small group sessions at gatherings, the PuffCo Peak is brilliant.
- With weed vaporizers, both desktop and portable, there are plenty of killer options from Storz & Bickel, PAX, and Arizer available at cut prices refurbished.
It produces an awesome amount of vapor, it’s simple to use, the temperature control is insanely accurate, and it’s basically idiot-proof to use.
FAQs For The Road…
Are refurbished dab rigs and vaporizers safe to use?
Absolutely — as long as you buy from a legitimate retailer. Trusted sellers fully sanitize, replace worn parts, and test every unit to ensure it performs like new. You should never buy “used” gear off Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist without proper refurbishment.
What’s the difference between refurbished and used?
A used rig is sold as-is, often uncleaned and untested. A refurbished rig has been professionally inspected, deep-cleaned, repaired if needed, and certified to meet original quality standards. In short: used is risky, refurbished is reliable.
How much can I actually save buying refurbished?
You’ll typically save between 40–60% off the retail price. That means you’re paying mid-range prices for high-end performance — a huge win if you’re chasing top-tier vapor quality without breaking the bank.
Will a refurbished vaporizer perform as well as new?
Refurbished units go through functionality tests, replacements, and recalibration. Many users can’t tell the difference in performance or flavor between new and refurbished models.
Where’s the safest place to buy refurbished dab rigs or vapes?
Buy only from verified stores or authorized refurbishers who specialize in vaporizer tech. I use To The Cloud Store because I know the owner and he’s a wizard when it comes to refurbishing e-rigs and vaporizers.
