WARNING: This product contains nicotine.
Nicotine is an addictive chemical.

WARNING: This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.

How to Charge a Vape Pen – (E-liquid, Dab, CBD & THC)

If you are wondering how to charge a vape pen, you are not alone. These super sleek, minimalist devices offer an unparalleled vape experience, which often gets cut short by dead batteries. The answer seems simple – just grab a charger! – but it’s more complicated than that.

In this article, we’ll explore how to charge all kinds of vape pens with USB cables, adapters, and more.

Is My Vape Pen Rechargeable?

Before you learn about the different types of chargers and batteries, you need to know whether your vape pen is rechargeable.

Some vape pens, dab pens, and CBD pens are designed to be disposed of after use. Disposables have boomed in popularity in recent years, with the likes of Puff Bar and Elf Bar leading the way. These ultra-popular devices are all about convenience, but there is one downside; most of them aren’t rechargeable.

The easiest way to find out whether your device is rechargeable is to check for a charging port. Can’t see one? Your device is not rechargeable. When your vape pen’s battery runs out, you’ll have to throw the entire device away and buy a new one.

Can you see a charging port? Good news, your device is rechargeable.

Explore the Best Vape Pens

What Battery Is Inside My Vape Pen?

Vape pens, dab pens, and THC pens come in all shapes and sizes, but the internal mechanisms are pretty predictable. Most vape pens have a self-contained battery, a 510 connection, and a USB port (and are often referred to as 510 vape batteries. Pre-installed, integrated batteries never leave the devices they are housed in.

You might come across a THC or CBD vape pen that has a unique battery. Some manufacturers create charging ports that are only compatible with their branded chargers. As frustrating as this is, most batteries are compatible with a standard USB charger.

Of course, we can’t forget replaceable batteries. You may have heard of 18650, 21700, and 210700 batteries. They are part of a family of lithium-ion cell removable batteries, all of which have to be popped out of the device and placed in an external battery charger.

To explore the most popular type of vape pen battery, our experts have created an in-depth guide on Charging Your 510 Thread Battery

How to Charge a Vape Pen With a USB Charger

So, your device has a USB port. What next?

  • Do you need a cord or an adapter? There are all kinds of USB cables on the market. Your device may be compatible with a USB-C charger, a Micro USB connector, or a non-USB compatible charger. If you have the right charger on hand, you can simply plug the cord in. If you have the wrong charger, you need to use an adaptor.
  • Plug the adapter in. The next step is to plug the adaptor into an outlet. If you don’t have an outlet nearby, you can plug it into your laptop. In general, a USB connection plate will give you five volts. Exceeding five volts could cause safety problems, so we recommend staying within that range.
  • Screw the adapter into the battery. Now that you’ve connected the adapter to a power source, you can attach the adapter and the battery. To do this, you need to screw the adapter into the battery. Be careful, too much pressure can impact the connection plate.
  • Remove the adapter or cable. Whether you have a nicotine, dab, or weed pen, you need to disconnect it as soon as it has finished charging.
  • Is the indicator light on? Once the adapter is connected at both ends, your vape pen should be charging. The easiest way to check is to look at the battery indicator light. In most vape pens, the indicator light is red when the device has low battery life, and it turns green once it has fully charged.

You can learn more about How to Recharge a Disposable Vape here.

How to Charge a Vape Pen

How to Charge a Vape Pen With Replaceable Batteries

If you’ve only ever used a device that has an internal battery, you might be stumped by replaceable batteries. Although it is unusual to find a replaceable battery inside a vape pen, it’s not unheard of.

  • Remove the battery cover. Most devices have a battery door that can be popped open via a press-and-release mechanism. Remove the door and the battery.
  • Connect your external battery charger to a power source. Hold on! Before you put the removable battery in the external battery charger, you need to plug the charger in. You can use a wall outlet or a DC adapter.
  • Is the indicator light on? You should always check that the battery indicator light is on. On average, a removable battery needs two to three hours to charge completely. Of course, if your battery is old or has a higher capacity than average, it will take longer to charge.
  • Remove the removable battery. This might seem like a no-brainer, but you should remove your battery as soon as it is fully charged. Leaving it charging for longer than necessary can cause sparks and, in extremely rare cases, fires.
  • Insert the removable battery into your vape pen. Now, all that’s left is to insert the battery into your vape pen. Slot the battery cover in place, and start puffing away.

When Should I Charge a Vape Pen?

It’s not always easy to know when to charge your vape pen. There are hundreds of vape devices out there, and they all have slightly different battery light indicators.

The good news is that manufacturers have adopted a (mostly) standard approach to colors. A green light signifies a full charge, whereas a red light signifies that your vape pen battery is running low.

Some vape pen manufacturers use flashing lights to signify low battery. It’s not unusual to see a blue flashing light on vape devices.

How to Charge a Vape Pen

What If My Vape Device Doesn’t Have a Battery Indicator?

Vaping devices are becoming more minimalist and streamlined. For some manufacturers, that means omitting the battery indicator light entirely. If your vape pen’s battery is not linked to a light indicator, there is no way of knowing whether it is about to run out.

How Long Will It Take to Charge My Vape Pen?

Internal batteries only need one to two hours to charge in full. Of course, it depends on how much juice your battery has when you charge it. If there’s already some juice in your battery, it won’t take nearly as long.

Replaceable, removable batteries take longer to charge. In general, you can expect an external charger to charge your battery within three hours.

Can I Make My Battery Charge Quicker?

The safest way to make your battery charge quicker is to use the right equipment. Providing you have a working USB cable, an adapter that provides no more than five volts, and a safe power outlet, you’re all set.

Adventurous vapers are always trying to find new ways to speed up the process, but ultimately, it’s dangerous. The tips and tricks that you see online might be tempting, but they could drain your battery. In the worst-case scenario, dodgy charging tips could set your battery on fire.

How to Make Your Vape Battery Last for Longer

A standard lithium-ion battery should last for around a year (or 500 charges) but if you overcharge it or use the wrong charging cable, you could reduce its lifespan.

Here are our top tips on how to increase the lifespan of your vape battery.

  • Never exceed five volts of power. As we’ve mentioned, a standard USB cable should supply your device with up to five volts of power. You can use other chargers that have higher volts, but we don’t recommend it. If the voltage is too high, your battery might short-circuit.
  • Think about your storage options. Believe it or not, batteries are sensitive to temperature. Yep, that even includes internal batteries that are covered by casing. It’s never a good idea to place your vape pen battery in direct sunlight. You should also avoid immensely cold environments, which can similarly cause havoc inside your battery.
  • Keep your eye on your battery light. Once your batteries are done charging, remove the cable immediately. By doing this, you can ensure that you never overcharge your batteries, so there’s no chance of them short-circuiting.
  • Use a compatible charger. This seems like a no-brainer, but it’s worth mentioning. When you use a charger that is not compatible with your device, you are opening the door to all sorts of technical faults. It’s a good idea to use whatever charger the manufacturer recommends.
  • Make sure that your battery is partially charged, even if you’re not using it. Lots of vapers leave batteries lying around, waiting for the moment when they need them. Unfortunately, a battery that is not charged and not in use will not retain a current. If you want to store your batteries for later, you need to make sure that they have at least some charge in them. We recommend charging the batteries over 50%.
How to Charge a Vape Pen

How to Tell When Your Vape Battery is Dead

Here are the signs that you need to look out for.

  • A burnt hit – Every vaper dreads the thought of getting a burnt hit. This kind of hit will make your lips burn and it can even make you cough and splutter. It can be a sign of low e-liquid, low charge, or even just poor technique.
  • Warm batteries – If you have stored your vape pen away from the sun but it still feels warm to the touch, it could be an indicator that your batteries are working overtime. This final push comes just before your batteries die completely.
  • Consistent low battery light – This is one of the more obvious signs of a battery that is on its way out. If the low battery indicator light keeps flashing (even when you’ve charged the vape pen) your battery is using its last reserves of power to keep your pen working. The chances are that it will die shortly.
  • Leaking batteries – If your battery is leaking, you need to stop vaping immediately. It’s a sure sign of a chemical (or even a technical) fault.

If you notice any of these signs, you should stop using your vape device straight away.

Final Thoughts

Now you know how to charge a vape pen, DAB pen, THC pen, and any other type of e-liquid-based device that you come across. We’ve given you all the information you need to safely charge your device. Remember, vape devices are easy to replace, but you’re not!

Want to learn more about industry-standard safety precautions? Our guide on Battery Safety & Vaping gives you tips on how to protect yourself while you vape.


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Viki Howlett
Viki Howlett
Viki Howlett, a skilled writer with a decade of vaping experience, enriches our website with engaging, well-researched articles, offering readers valuable insights and trustworthy reviews on vaping products and trends.
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