Dr. Dabber XS Review

Should you buy the Dr Dabber XS?

Dr. Dabber has become one of the most well-respected brands in the Wax Vaporizer industry, and the Dr. Dabber XS is a step in the right direction for microdosing E-Rigs, building directly upon what they’ve learned from the Switch and Boost Evo models.

If you’ve been looking for an Electric Dab Rig that is optimized for portability and low-temp dabbing, then the new XS by Dr. Dabber should be on your radar! With a low price tag of $200 thanks to a true no-nonsense kit, the XS is sure to become a fan favorite over the next few years.

• In this review, I’ll be taking you through how it works and the key features that set it apart from the competition in the affordable bracket.

Dr. Dabber Specs

Key Features

• Great Flavor
• Perfect for Microdosing
• Very Portable E-Rig
• Secure Glass Carb Cap
• Easy Atomizer Threading
• Durable Build Quality

What’s in the Dr. Dabber XS kit?

• XS E-Rig Base
• Quartz Bucket Atomizer
• Side Cart Bubbler
• Glass Carb Cap
• Silicone Carb Cap Tether
• Dab Tool
• USB-C Charging Cable
• Rubber Filling Funnel
• 3x Isopropyl Alcohol Q-Tips

Small Quartz Atomizer

The Dr. Dabber XS Atomizer is smaller-sized quartz bucket atomizer that is very easy to install because of its metal grippy exterior. Compared to the Boost Evo especially, Dr. Dabber has scaled the temperatures and harshness back so that hits will always be easy. With an isolated air path and a bubbler that percolates very well, every session is going to be super cool and flavorful.

Dr. Dabber XS Vapor Quality

As mentioned, we found that the temperatures were a bit on the lower side compared to other E-Rigs. Especially on the lowest two settings, you’ll need two if not three heating cycles to fully clear the chamber of anything bigger than a rice-sized grain of dab.

If I could make any change to the XS, I would have altered pressing and holding the power button to be just manual heating, and two clicks of the power button to be a 15-second heating cycle. This would have allowed a bit more control of your dab’s heating.

• Every heating cycle lasts about 20 seconds including the warm-up time.
• The bubbler feels like it’s designed to take long and slow inhales, and I’ve yet to cough from big hits yet.

The oven is a bit weak

The quartz atomizer has a slower extraction process than what we’ve seen from their Dr. Dabber’s E-Rig models and would be most comparable to the Puffco Plus in terms of power output. Since it’s better for optimized flavor, I would suggest sticking to low-temperature dabbing of live resin and live rosin.

There is also a problem with any larger loads of dabs as the weaker oven has a tendency to pool and splatter concentrates all over the atomizer and bubbler. This problem is made worse if you are taking big inhales. We did have some success using terp pearls in the oven though, as they helped prevent a lot of the splashing that would otherwise occur.

Tips to Avoid Splashing

• Keep the carb cap further from the chamber
• Use Terp Pearls 
• Take slow and long inhales as opposed to gulps

Dr. Dabber XS Portability

Coming in at just over six inches in height, you’ll be able to easily hold the XS in your hand or carry it in a StashLogix Vape Case.

Nice touches like an optionally tethered glass carb cap, a high-functioning small bubbler, a direct vapor pathway & more have made us fall in love with the portable affordability of this unit – Take it anywhere while enjoying your smooth vapor.

Good Battery Life

When it comes to charging, the Dr. Dabber XS is speedy thanks to a high-quality USB-C charger. A complete charge only takes about an hour, and although Dr. Dabber says a full charge can provide up to 35 sessions, I think that 20 heating cycles are a more accurate number for a full battery charge, which is still respectable for its low price.

Thankfully the device has pass-through charging which allows you to enjoy using sessions while it’s still charging because who has time to wait around these days?

Another nice touch is the XS auto shutoff feature after 5 minutes of inactivity.

Each light indicates 25% battery life when you turn the XS on

Solid Build Quality

Similar to the Dr. Dabber Boost Evo and Dr. Dabber Switch, the power button and its lights are the main user interface and source of information. There aren’t any lights in the actual bubbler, which is fine by me.

The XS feels nice to the touch you can tell that nothing is going to break from small bumps or falls compared to some of the cheaper Chinese white-label E-Rigs on the market. The haptic feedback is also stronger than we’d expect out of such a small device. I was also surprised by the USB-C charging cable, as it has some of the best quality I’ve seen included in a dab rig kit.

Comparison to Similar Models

The XS hits a new middle ground between the Best E-Rigs and budget-friendly units like the XMAX Qomo.

Currently, the most comparable unit to the XS would be The Core 1.0 which comes equipped with four pre-set temperatures and exposed coils which can be a little harsh. While the Core 1 does come with USB-C charging, it is simply outperformed by the more modern XS, especially for flavor on high-quality concentrates.

How to use the Dr Dabber XS

There are a few nice touches on the XS that help make it a very accessible E-Rig for newbies and connoisseurs alike.

Before you start dabbing, you’ll need to first assemble your rig which is quite easy to do:

• Start by threading the atomizer into the base by gently tightening it with your fingers

• Fill your bubbler by loading the side to the recommended fill line (I didn’t use the funnel as I think it’s useless)

• Place the bubbler over the chamber, and then place your tethered carb cap over the chamber

Dr. Dabber XS Commands

1. Press the power button five times to turn it on
2. Three Power button pushes cycles between the four pre-set temperatures of  Purple 475°F, Blue 525°F, Cyan 575°F, Green 625°F
3. Pressing and holding the power button will begin a heating cycle and flashing red will indicate that it is heating, along with haptic feedback

Pressing and holding the power button begins heating

For more information, feel free to check out the Dr. Dabber XS Owner’s Manual 

Tips and Tricks

• If you’re using high THC-grade concentrates, you’ll only have to swab out the chamber every five uses or so
• I never felt the need to use the carb cap due to the low-speed extraction
• Don’t overload the chamber or you risk splattering your dab everywhere and having an inefficient session
• The bubbler works best with long and slow inhales after the chamber has reached the temperature
• Lift the carb cap a bit to help with airflow

Lifting the carb cap a bit can help airflow

My only other suggestion would be to pick up a StashLogix Vape Case which has a hard exterior and different segments for storage of other vaporizer accessories.

How to Clean the Dr. Dabber XS

The Dr. Dabber XS is very easy to maintain since you won’t have to worry about chazzing the chamber. Because of the low temperatures as well, you won’t have to use Q-Tips in the chamber as often compared to the stronger E-Rigs.

For the bubbler, you can empty it by blowing aggressively from the mouthpiece and then just trying to shake the last bit of water out. When you start to notice yellowing from resin or hard water stains, you’ll be able to pour some Orange Chronic Glass Cleaner into the bubbler before a quick shake and then hot water

Every month or two, you’ll also be able to soak the atomizer in isopropyl alcohol for 20 minutes to shake off any cooked residue with a Q-Tip before rinsing it off with hot water. Just make sure to let it fully dry before you reattach it to the base.

Community Consensus

The XS has been well received by the few fans that have gotten their hands on one. It’s only been out for a month or two, and the first batch was quick to sell out. The overall consensus is that the XS is great for flavor, and a great alternative to the Switch for those trying to save money. Some people have broken their bubblers though, so be gentle while cleaning them.

Pros

• Portable, but solid design
• Smooth low-temperature clouds full of flavor
• Affordable price tag
• USB-C charging
• Bubbler works very well
• Bucket atomizers last longer than exposed coils

Cons

• Foam cutouts could be bigger in the box
• No paper owner’s manual
• Loading too much will cause pooling and splattering all around the chamber

Who’s it for?

The XS is a great pickup as a middle-priced E-Rig that isn’t harsh on the lungs compared to other options on the market. While the four pre-sets might not seem like the best, for people that stick to high-quality concentrates and prefer flavor over clouds, the XS is that guy, pal.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, this is a great option for those looking for an affordable E-Rig that’s able to pump out great flavor.

If you’re someone that enjoys smooth hits from high-quality dab dabs, the Dr. Dabber XS would be the perfect upgrade to buy for yourself! It does have its drawbacks though including pooling and splattering, as well as never being powerful to pump out big clouds.

If you’re in the market for a more advanced electric dab rig, the Dr. Dabber Switch 2 is a fantastic choice. It features a spacious 20mm quartz cup, offers dynamic heating modes for a customizable experience, boasts impressive battery life, and includes smart web app control for added convenience.

If you’re looking for your next Cannabis Vaporizer, also be sure to check out our list of the Best E-Rigs of 2023!

FAQs

Can you smoke flower out of Dr Dabber XS?

You can only vape concentrates out of the Dr Dabber XS. If you’d like a Dr Dabber that can vape flower, you can check out the Dr Dabber Switch.

What are the pre-set temperatures of the Dr Dabber XS?

The four pre-set temperatures on the Dr Dabber XS are  475°, 525°, 575°, and 625°F / 246°C – 329°C.

Is the Dr Dabber XS worth it?

The Dr Dabber XS is well worth it if you enjoy microdosing your concentrates and flavors from your concentrates. However, if you are a heavy user, you’ll want to get an E-Rig with a bigger and more powerful bowl like on The Core 2.1.

How long does the Dr Dabber XS atomizer last?

You can expect a lifespan of 2-12 months from your Dr Dabber XS, with the longer range being from proper care and maintenance with routine cleanings after sessions.

Which E-Rig is most similar to the Dr Dabber XS?

The Utillian 8 is the most similarly performing and form E-Rig similar to the Dr. Dabber XS.