Switch 2 Vaporizer Review – Dr. Dabber Reimagines the Switch
Dr. Dabber has reimagined their flagship E-Rig, the Dr. Dabber Switch, with the release of the Dr. Dabber Switch 2 Vaporizer or Switch2 (per Dr. Dabber’s Website). The new Switch 2 Vaporizer is more compact with a lower profile, more intuitive controls and larger induction cups which are actually just inserts since they have fully internalized the induction heater. It almost feels like a completely new vaporizer.
Dr. Dabber released the Switch back in 2018 and it quickly gained notoriety as one of the best E-rigs on the market with quick induction heating and 25 temperature settings. The Switch didn’t use the standard atomizer we see with vaporizers like the Peak Pro or Carta 2, but instead induction cups. These induction cups were made of different material to pair best for custom sessions – low temp dabbing, faster heat up, thicker viscosity extracts, etc.
We felt that the Dr. Dabber Switch provided the best vapor from all the E-rigs to include the uber popular Peak Pro, but the size, weight, set up and process did provide obstacles, which appears Dr. Dabber has addressed some of which on the Switch 2.
So let’s dive in with our Dr. Dabber Switch 2 review and see what has changed from the Switch to the Switch 2 along with all the other new features to see if the Switch 2 Vaporizer is a good fit for your dabbing needs.
Price
The Switch 2 is priced at $420. Not only a great number 😉 but a reasonable price for a new E-Rig of this caliber and the exact same price as the Puffco Peak Pro. Another aspect to note is the Switch 2 does come with Dr. Dabber’s proprietary loading tool – the Dr. Dabber Drop which retails for $40. So there is some value added right away when buying the Switch 2.
The Switch was released at a similar price back in 2018 and even before it was discontinued was still selling at $375. To get the best deal on the Switch 2 Vaporizer use the link above. We have a 15% Off code as well as a 60 day trial period so if the Switch 2 isn’t for you, you are able to return it for a partial refund.
Packaging/ Unboxing Experience
Given the detailed design which went into the Dr. Dabber Switch 2, I would have thought the unboxing experience to be a more premium one. We have seen alot of manufacturers cut back on the packaging aspect of their new vaporizers with increased costs all around from inflation over the years.
The Dr. Dabber Switch 2 is the most basic and bare minimum packaging I have seen in such a high end device. It is funny as we were thinking about totally removing the packaging/ unboxing section from our vaporizer reviews but then comes along the Switch 2 with just the absolute worst packaging and unboxing and it drives home how his miniscule aspect should not be overlooked.
Part of me thinks it may have been between including the Drop loading tool or nicer packaging and they opted to put more budget into the vaporizer and accessories than how to box it up.
Still odd though as the original Dr. Dabber Switch came in its very own padded briefcase that served great for storage and transportation while the Switch 2 has more in common with an egg carton. I would highly recommend looking into an aftermarket case for your Switch 2 should you buy this vaporizer. It is without a doubt some of the worst packaging to come with such a high end device.
Comes With
- Switch 2 Quartz Induction Cup
- Switch 2 Stock Glass Attachment
- Magnetic Carb Cap
- Dr. Dabber Drop
- Tweezers
- USB- C Cable
- USB-C Fast Charge Wall Adapter
The heated loading tool is a clutch premium accessory. I still would have liked to see possibly two induction cups and a standard loading tool with some nicer packaging and the original Switch silicone ended tweezers. Regardless you have all you need to get cruising out the gate with your Dr. Dabber Switch 2. From here you can opt in for after market premium add ons such as the Sapphire Insert.
Build & Design
The Switch 2 redesign is one of the best we have seen in a second edition vaporizer. If you have read any of our other vaporizer reviews, one thing I am critical of is how companies will change a charging port, upgrade a battery or add one additional feature to the old model and slap a 2 or a Plus on it. That is not so much a new vaporizer but just an improved or more recent model – much like a 2024 vehicle vs. the same 2015 model.
The Switch looks and feels so redesigned it could pass for an entirely new vaporizer. I wish they went this route leaving the original Switch in Dr. Dabber’s line up instead of discontinuing it. The new Switch has gone from a Classic Coffee maker to a Keurig – and you can’t spell Keurig without E-Rig.
The Switch 2 is a much more all encompassing device than the Switch. The Switch 2 has an internal 3,000 mAh INR battery that cannot be removed. The Quartz insert comes in place in the heating chamber. It only breaks down into two main components. The Switch 2 Mainframe where you will find the device’s controls, charging ports, Quartz Insert, Magnetic Carb Cap and the Switch 2 Glass.
The Dr. Dabber Switch 2 exterior shell is crafted with a high-purity alumina ceramic, featuring a black glaze that enhances durability, simplifies cleaning, and adds an extra layer of protection. Atop the Switch 2 vaporizer where the induction cups are placed there is a silicone buffer which is topped by an Aluminum Alloy cover.
The Switch 2 Glass is borosilicate glass and percolates with a singular down stem. The magnetic carb cap is designed to enhance the airflow as well with the glass joystick design.
The Switch 2 comes with an Improved Induction Cup (Inserts) in the Quartz Insert cup but you can upgrade to the Sapphire Insert for an enhanced experience. As with the OG Switch there will likely be an even greater line up of Switch 2 Inserts such as Silicon Carbide and Aluminum Nitride in the future.
The Switch 2 redesigned induction cups (inserts) are 20mm in diameter, 3x larger than the Original Switch induction cups. This permits greater load capacity with more surface area for much larger dabs. Dr. Dabber also redesigned the induction area to have the titanium cup in place in the heating element. This is needed to attract the heat from the electromagnetic coil. If you remember the Switch induction cups all came in two pieces, the metal base to attract the heat and then the actual inner cup for your material. In the original Switch you could put your finger in the heating element and be fine as your finger will not attract the heat. In the new Switch 2, you will burn your finger if you try this.
Dr. Dabber takes a page out of Puffco’s book with the magnetic glass joystick Carb Cap. This design further enhances directional airflow and thus increased vapor production. We do love that the carb cap is also magnetic making it seat better throughout the session and making it harder to lose.
Usability
The Switch 2 does not come with print instructions, but a QR code to scan. Adding to the confusion there is a QR code on the bottom of the Switch 2 device, inside the inner packaging shell and on the backside of the box. The one on the bottom of the Switch 2 Vaporizer does not do anything but tries to call the serial number on your phone. The QR code inside the packaging is how to download the app and the one on the back of the box is the Switch 2 instructions. A quick start guide here would have been nice. Even a basic Ikea one such as Puffco included with the new Pivot Vaporizer. Then again this is a multi faceted E- rig and not a single button portable vaporizer.
The Switch 2 is much easier to use than the original Switch, aided by the intuitive controls which includes a power on/off, home button and temperature up/down controls. We love it when a vaporizer has all these controls instead of one single button which must be pressed in sequence to control every feature.
While easier to use than the original Switch, relative to other vaporizers, the Switch 2 still has a learning curve. Ease of use is also hindered by nuances such as the process to set up. To remove the inserts you need to take out the glass water chamber, the carb cap and then the alloy chamber cover. If after a session, the insert is going to be scorching hot, so you need to wait to remove it or use tweezers to get it out and make sure you have somewhere to set a scorching hot glass insert.
Also if you want to take advantage of all the features then you need to customize those in the Dr. Daber App.
Quick Start Guide
To get started with the Switch 2 you will want to fill the water chamber up no higher than the percolation puck. Place your concentrates into the insert, place the insert into the induction chamber on top of the unit, close the top lid and then insert your water chamber.
Power the unit on by swiping the power on the back side. Select your temperature preset level by pressing the temperature up/down buttons and then hit the home button to start up.
The Switch 2 will reach temperature in about 15- 20 seconds depending on heat setting and notifies via a haptic feedback buzz.
By default the Switch 2 sessions are set to 15 seconds and The Switch 2 will enter sleep sleep/standby mode mode after 15 minutes of inactivity. It can be powered right back on by pressing any button.
The Switch 2 default heat settings are:
- Purple – 400°F
- Blue 440°F
- Cyan 480°F
- Orange 500°F
- White 540°F
Again you can change any color to any temperature in the app. You can make every single color setting 250°F or 650°F. Okay we get it Tyler, now you are just being goofy. We get it, customize in the app.
Session
The Switch 2 has three dynamic heating modes which give you a trifecta of sessions. In the app you can select ascending, static, or descending. As the wording suggests, ascending will increase the temperature after reaching your desired temperature over the session, static will remain steady at the temperature and descending will actually decrease in temperature.
Many would think the descending to be counterintuitive, yet it has been my personal favorite for preserving flavor throughout the session. If packing a good amount of extracts, clearing out the last of the remnants does not taste that good in the Quartz Insert. The descending dynamic heating balances this out more by dropping temperature. However for those looking to clear the insert out and get every last drop, you will want to use the ascending feature. Likewise you can always just up the temperature on the device or in the app.
Dr. Dabber Switch 2 App
The Dr. Dabber app is the best vaporizer app I have seen to date. It doesn’t offer much more than what can be done with the Puffco app but it is cleaner and easier to use. The variances also allow for greater customization.
The app gives you the greatest control over your sessions. For example you can set the Switch 2 session timer from 10 to 90 seconds. 90 seconds is an exceptionally long run time for a concentrate vaporizer and will tax the battery heavily but with pass thru charging on the Switch 2 and the 20mm inserts the option is there to pack it fat and party on. You will 100% at need to customize some settings to get the best tailored experience with your Switch 2.
In reviewing the Switch 2, I opted to have the majority of sessions at 10 seconds, take my hit and then power on again for the second dab.
The Switch 2 app gives you control over the temperature presets. The Switch 2 has a temperature range which can be adjusted from 250°F – 650°F. In the Dr. Dabber App, you can also select your dynamic heating mode, see battery life, adjust auto shut off up to one hour, customize light modes, share your session with friends and customize heat times.
Vapor Quality
You get great initial vapor production with the Switch 2. But with the larger size insert and more indirect heat, rosin puddles will linger a tad more versus the atomizers of other vaporizers where there is more direct contact. Trying to get every last drop is where the vapor sort of sours vs a smaller chamber vaporizer.
The omni directional induction heating makes the Switch 2 a heavy hitting vaporizer. Your extracts are evenly heated which leads to more vapor delivery faster and thus more vapor production.
The flavor is much better on the Sapphire insert but the Quartz will not upset either on the preliminary hits. You can get some control over the vapor in the start of the session by sipping slow and having it set to a lower temperature but to get the most out of your dabs you will want to turn up the heat. That entails some pretty heavy and large clouds which fill the Switch 2 glass up rather fast. It certainly left me choking and eyes watering. And yes I was feeling the effects. Every time I have taken a dab or two, the Dr. Dabber Switch 2 review temporarily got put on hold while I raided the fridge.
The Patented IR sensor technology provides the Switch 2 with consistent precision heating. The IR sensor will consistently measure and adjust the temperature when drawing or any other fluctuations in temperature arise. This keeps the vapor output consistent throughout the session. This is why I said I like the descending heating mode. Keeping the consistent temperature will serve great for vapor production but the later hits are nowhere near as tasty and smooth with the terpene degradation. I don’t understand why this happens in a greater magnitude with the Quartz insert in the Switch 2 versus more classic E-Rigs.
It will be interesting to see what other inserts Dr. Dabber or 3rd party manufacturers come up with. This goes as well for premium aftermarket glass attachments. The Sapphire Insert provided a much more pleasant and flavorful experience in terms of vapor texture and flavor. However that is an extra $90 out the door on top of the $420 for the unit already. I would like to see a micro insert that cuts the insert size down some so I can do a quick tiny dab that doesn’t blow me away.
In all honesty I feel I like the vapor more from the original Switch as I could pack little rice sized dabs and take the whole thing down cool and smooth. The Switch 2 packs a tad too much of a punch for me if I try and clear it in one fell swoop. On the flipside if I set it to a lower temperature and take sips off it, after the first hit, the vapor texture is not what I am after and I also feel unfulfilled. I will need some more time to put this thing through its paces but when trying to just take down a little sipper it was a quality initial hit but I was not able to control it enough to get every last drop out. I had a similar experience with the Carta 2 – both heavy hitting e-rigs. Almost as if I was relegated to taking heavy hits to vape all my rosin.
Portability
While the Switch 2 is more compact than the original, I still feel it to be an at home only vape. It is still heavy and bulky and the process of loading along with the water filled glass would make you hard pressed to take this thing on the go. The large inserts will allow you to load more than enough to pass around with friends and the aesthetics and lighting of the device will add to any social function. The solo user who wants to take some large dabs down will also like having the Switch 2 posted up by their gaming console or on the coffee table next to the TV. It’s a serious e-rig meant for the serious dabber.
Battery & Charging
The Dr. Dabber Switch 2 offers pass thru charging which will allows you to vape without needing to worry about having sufficient battery life. Especially since the Switch 2 is mainly an at home e-rig you will always be near a power source to plug in. It should be noted that pass thru charging can be detrimental to the battery of consumer electronics, so do use this feature sparingly.
The Switch 2 charges via USB-C and takes a tad over 90 minutes to fully charge. Dr. Dabber includes a USB-C wall charger with the Switch 2 which will have you up and running as fast as possible. While the Switch 2 does not have a removable battery like the Switch does, this is a non issue. The original Switch battery was proprietary and costs $80 so it was not like swapping out your standard 18650 battery where a removable battery is more feasible and a desired feature.
On a full charge we were able to get 34 dabs in. Dr. Dabber says 50 but this is being very generous. If you want to vape 550°F plus and have 20 second sessions then you are likely only going to get about 25 sessions on a full charge. Dr. Dabber does at least warn you of this in the app.
Dimensions
Dimensions | 9" x 4" (in.) |
Weight | 1.6 (lbs.) |
Cleaning
The Switch 2 is both easy to clean and a pain to clean if that makes any sense. It is recommended to swab out your insert after each session. You cannot see down there super well unless you remove the insert. To remove the insert you have to remove the glass, the Switch 2 cover and then use tweezers to remove the insert. It is just a process and pain versus how easy this is on a standard e-rig chamber.
The glass can also get dirty quick, so we recommend checking out a solution like Piece Water which will mitigate staining and resin build up in your glass over time.
The original Switch had a nifty self cleaning feature which Dr. Dabber did not engineer on the Switch 2 Vaporizer. The inserts thankfully do not get chazzed and soaking in Isopropyl does the trick.
The inserts are easy to deep clean by throwing in a 91% or higher Isopropyl alcohol to soak. That aspect of cleaning is a breeze.
The original Switch did have a nifty cleaning mode you could turn on and would just take care of build up itself. However the Switch 2 does not have this setting.
Warranty
The Switch 2 comes with a 2 year warranty. What is nice on a vaporizer like the Switch 2, which uses concentrate inserts, is not having to worry about atomizers or chamber burning out which only carry a few months warranty. Competitive E-rigs offer a similar warranty which does not apply to the atomizers that need replacing every 6 months or so.
Dr. Dabber is a very reputable company and you will not need to worry about jumping through hoops or getting the run around when trying to warranty your vaporizer. The original Switch was also a tank and one of the more durable and well made concentrate vaporizers. If the Switch 2 is anything like its predecessor you will not need to worry about warranty.
I may be a luddite who does not like change. I sang the praises of the Original Switch as the best E-Rig on the market and still feel I prefer it over the Switch 2.
The user interface and app on the Switch 2 on the other hand are much better than the original. I love the efficiency and the redesign of the Switch 2. The Dr. Dabber app is the best vaporizer app for ease of use and functionally over any other of the vaporizer apps out there.
The downside being the price tag and you pretty much need to use the app at one point or another. If you don’t want to use your phone to control your session, then I would opt for the new Puffco Peak or Boost Evo which come in $200 cheaper than the Switch 2.
If you are a serious dabber looking for an at home heavy hitter that is pushing the forefront of technology of what a concentrate vaporizers can be , the Dr. Dabber Switch 2 will knock your socks off.