If you love to game with a little herb now and then, you’re not alone. A solid dry herb vaporizer can take your gaming sessions to the next level and fully immerse you in the virtual world.
For me, video games are a way to unwind and reset. A small rip before a mission or match shifts the vibe and changes how I approach the game. Sometimes I want more focus and clarity in a fast-paced shooter like Halo. Other times, I just want to melt into the world of a good RPG like Elden Ring.
Here’s how I bring that herbal ritual into my routine, what I’ve learned along the way, and what I recommend for the perfect game and vape combo.
My gaming setup
I spent a lot of time on my gaming setup, and it’s become my virtual escape. It starts with a large desk that gives me plenty of room to spread out with both gaming and vaping gear.
At the center is my gaming PC with a 14th-gen i9 processor and a 4080 Super, paired with two monitors: one in landscape, the other in portrait. An ergonomic office chair pulls it all together and keeps long sessions comfortable.
My vape setup
My desk has plenty of room for all my gaming peripherals—mouse, keyboard, controller—and a dedicated space off to the side for my vape setup, which includes a desktop vaporizer and a couple of portables.
The POTV Lobo and the new PAX Mini are my go-to portable vapes. The PAX Mini takes up virtually zero space and works great for long sessions. I pack the 0.5g oven, turn it on, and hit it whenever I feel like it. It cools down between breaks and heats back up when I pick it up again.
The Lobo is what I reach for when I want something stronger or a laid-back bubbler session. I extend the session timer to six minutes, and I'm off. Take a rip, jump into the game, and come back for another when I’m ready to lock in.
The MiniNail Flower Wand is my preferred desktop vaporizer. When I’m in it for the long haul and reaching for hits throughout a long grind, I don’t want to mess with session timers or wait for it to heat up. I just want to take a hit when I feel like it and get back to the grind.
That’s exactly what my Flower Wand is for. At the start of the night, I turn it on, set the temp, and it’s ready to go the entire time. I reach over, hook it up to my bubbler, and I’m in. It’s perfect for big bowls that last all night or microdoses between matches.
My current games
I play a variety of video games from FPS titles and action RPGs to MOBAs, fighting games, and twin-stick shooters. Here are a couple of games I keep coming back to and how a good session can breathe new life into them.
Elden Ring
Elden Ring dropped in 2022 and instantly became one of my all-time favorite years in gaming. Everyone was playing it, sharing their frustrations with the Fire Giant and Malenia, comparing builds, and getting lost in the Lands Between. I still return to it regularly.
If you haven’t played it, Elden Ring is one of the most unforgiving games of the modern era. It’s a massive open world with brutal bosses at every turn and very little guidance. After a short tutorial, the game opens the front gate and basically says, “Good luck,” and leaves you with nothing but a faint arc of light that points you in a vague direction.
For a game that sucks you in for hours at a time, the Flower Wand became my go-to. I turn it on at the beginning of the night, and it's ready to go whenever I need. I make sure the oven's full and then hit it as I please. Forget batteries and chargers.
The Lands Between really turns into a whole new beast after a good session. Instead of sprinting in one direction that progressed the story, I found myself wandering toward whatever caught my attention. The next boss might be off to the right, but that spooky cave to the left? That’s where I was headed. The game breathed with new life, and exploration became my main objective.
The boss fights did not get any easier, but they definitely got more fun, more intense, and downright impossible many times. I had a solid session right before I walked up to Margott for the first time, and his opening monologue instantly became one of the most epic pre-fight cutscenes I’ve seen in a long time.
"Have it writ upon thy meagre grave: Felled by King Morgott, Last of All Kings!"
Halo Infinite
I’m a diehard Halo nerd. I’ve played every title since the original dropped in 2001, and still grind out multiplayer on the regular and occasionally run through a campaign. I consider myself a matchmaking sweat and rarely play just to have fun. I play to win. I sit up, pull the screen in a little closer, and lock in.
But every once in a while, I’ll whip out a vaporizer to unwind and let the competitive intensity fade. I’ll grab my PAX Mini or POTV Lobo and take a hit or two between matches.
Sometimes it sharpens my mechanics and in-game IQ, but most of the time it melts away the pressure to play perfectly. Instead of obsessing over every play, every shot, every callout, I simply play and have fun. I worry less about being the best and taking the crown and focus on having a good time.
The best dry herb vaporizers for gaming
The best vaporizer for your setup is the one that sends you to that sweet spot with very little friction, whether you’re on the solo grind or deep into a game of Mario Party with some buddies.
Desktop vaporizers
Desktop vaporizers offer large bowls and steady, all-day power. Just plug them in and they're ready to drive those late-night grinds. They require more space than a portable, so make sure you’ve got a dedicated spot if you go for one of these.
Volcano Hybrid
Although expensive, the Volcano Hybrid could be the only vape you need for gaming. Its signature balloon system can fill a room with vapor, and its whip attachment is great for hookah-style sessions at your gaming setup.
Why we chose it:
- Large oven for heavy users and party/co-op gaming
- Pass around a balloon full of vapor or share the hookah-style whip
- Plug-in: forget about batteries and chargers
- Easy controls
Keep in mind:
- Large footprint - make sure you have enough room at your setup
- Expensive
- Overkill for solo light users
- Make sure you have an extension cable in case you want it far from an outlet
Arizer XQ2
The Arizer XQ2 is a slightly smaller, more affordable whip and balloon vaporizer. Connect the whip and relax into a session or blow up a bag full of vapor. Performance is not quite on par with the Volcano, but it’s still a heavy hitter.
Why we chose it:
- Cheaper than the Volcano with similar features
- Large oven for heavy users and party/co-op gamers
- Pass around a balloon full of vapor or share the hook-style whip
- Plug-in: forget about batteries and chargers
- Easy controls + comes with a remote!
Keep in mind:
- Slightly smaller footprint than the Volcano, but its numerous accessories demand more dedicated space
- Make sure you have an extension cable in case you want it far from an outlet
MiniNail Flower Wand
The MiniNail Flower Wand is a plug-in, ball vape powerhouse that will satisfy the heaviest users. Instead of bags of vapor or hookah-style sessions, this vaporizer connects directly to any glass bubbler for a smooth, powerful experience.
Why we chose it:
- Great for solo bubbler users
- Footprint can change depending on your bubbler - can work with small or large setups
- Huge oven for heavy users
- Plug-in power always stays on
Keep in mind:
- Bubbler is required
- Not ideal for party/co-op gaming
- Hot metal heater can be dangerous!
👉 Read MiniNail Flower Wand Review
Portable vaporizers
Portable vaporizers offer great vapor in a compact form. Pack the oven, turn it on, and take a hit or pass it around as you like. The right portable could be your primary driver for all of your session needs, whether you’re gaming or powering a party. They don’t need much space or a dedicated setup, but you trade that convenience for smaller ovens and limited battery life.
POTV Lobo
Portable, powerful, and affordable. This POTV Lobo takes up little space, hits hard, has a replaceable battery, and comes in at only $159. Don't forget about our signature POTV glass accessories!
Why we chose it:
- Portable powerhouse with a small footprint
- Replaceable battery
- Session timer up to six minutes
- Great for small setups, discreet users, and couch gamers
- Easy to pass around
Keep in mind:
- Vaporizes quickly, so be ready to reload
- Prepack dosing capsules for quick back-to-back sessions
Venty
Like the Volcano Hybrid, the Venty comes with a steep price, but it could be your endgame portable vaporizer. Adjust the airflow to your liking, vape as long as you need with no preset session timer, and enjoy top-shelf vapor from one of the industry’s best.
Why we chose it:
- Consistent and easy to use
- Great for solo or group gaming sessions
- Solid battery life
- Adjustable airflow
- No set session timer
- Very durable
Keep in mind:
- Expensive!
- No replaceable batteries
- The Supercharger (sold separately) is a must for quick fill-ups
Tinymight 2
A heavy hitter built for dense solo sessions or small groups. The Tinymight 2 the most beginner-friendly, but with dual session and on-demand modes, tech-savvy users will catch on quickly and be rewarded with some of the thickest vapor out there.
Why we chose it:
- One of the heaviest hitters
- No session timer means it won't shut off until you’re done (or until it dies)
- Replaceable battery
- Dual Session & On-demand modes for different vaping styles
Keep in mind:
- A bit of technique is required
- Not great for large gaming parties
A few tips for the best experience
- Use a grinder. Every vape performs best with evenly ground herbs.
- Keep a place nearby to dispose of your herbs, such as a small trash can or a Vape Debowler. No one wants to get up mid-session.
- If your portable vape uses removable batteries, grab a few extras and skip the charge times.
Conclusion
I spend a lot of my free time playing video games. Sometimes it’s competitive. Sometimes it’s an escape. Other times it’s just a way to hang out with friends. Vaping has slowly found its place in that rhythm, not as a crutch, but as a way to ground me in the moment and bring something new to each session. With the right setup, it’s the perfect gaming companion.
What’s your vape and game combo right now? Let us know down in the comments!
