The Blazer Big Shot GT 8000 is the top pick for most dab setups, and it wins on the criteria that actually matter at the nail: flame size and shape, ignition reliability, butane capacity, how precisely you can dial the heat, how the torch sits on a table while lit, and how it feels in your hand through a full session. If you dab at home and want one tool that heats a quartz banger in a single pass, that class of torch is where most experienced users land. The picks below cover the range, from a full-size desktop torch to a compact travel option and a budget shelf torch, followed by a section on when a torch is the wrong tool for the job.
How to Buy a Torch Lighter for Cannabis Dabs
Blazer Big Shot GT 8000: Best Overall for a Home Dab Station
This is the torch most dabbers picture when they picture a torch. It throws a large, bushy flame that blankets a quartz banger or titanium nail fast, which shortens heat-up time and gives you more control over how hot the nail is when you drop the extract. The nozzle is wide enough to cover most standard bangers, and the adjuster wheel covers a usable range from a small pilot flame to a full roar.
Pros
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- Large flame heats a banger quickly and evenly
- Refillable butane tank with enough capacity for several sessions
- Adjustable flame lets you move between high-heat and low-temp dabs
- Stable base, so it can stand while lit
- Trigger-style ignition works one-handed
Cons
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- Bulky compared with a pocket torch
- Costs more than budget smoke-shop torches
- Overkill for a small nail or a micro rig
- Wants well-refined butane to keep the nozzle clear
Use case: a permanent dab station at home with a full-size rig and a quartz banger.
Blazer Big Buddy: Best Compact Torch for Small Setups and Travel
The Big Buddy is the same family of tool shrunk down. The flame is smaller, so heating a banger takes longer, but it is easier to store, easier to pack, and less intimidating on a small desk. For a 10mm nail or a small banger, the smaller flame is an advantage: less risk of scorching the quartz and less radiant heat on your fingers.
Pros
- Small footprint that fits a drawer or a travel bag
- Still refillable, so no disposable canisters
- Flame is easy to control at low settings
- Comfortable for longer low-temp sessions
Cons
- Slower heat-up on a large banger
- Smaller fuel tank means more refills
- Can struggle in cold outdoor conditions
Use case: apartment setups, small rigs, and anyone who dabs in more than one room.
Scorch Torch Full-Size Models: Best Budget Entry Point
Scorch torches sit at the value end of the shelf and show up in most smoke shops. A full-size model will heat a banger, and for occasional use it does the job. The trade-off is that at this price tier, the ignition and the fuel seal are usually the first parts to show wear, and the flame adjustment tends to be coarser, so dialing in a repeatable low-temp dab takes practice.
Pros
- Low entry cost if you are testing whether torch dabbing suits you
- Widely available in stores and online
- Lightweight and easy to hold
Cons
- Coarser flame adjustment
- Shorter service life under daily use
- Plastic bodies can get warm during long heat-ups
Use case: a first torch, a backup, or a spare for guests.
What to Check Before You Buy
- Flame shape. A wide, bushy flame covers a banger evenly. A narrow pencil flame concentrates heat and can crack quartz if you hold it in one spot.
- Ignition type. Piezo and trigger ignition are convenient but are the most common failure point. A torch with a manual flame lock saves your thumb on long heat-ups.
- Fuel. Refillable butane torches need well-refined butane. Poorly refined fuel leaves residue that clogs the nozzle and shortens the life of the torch.
- Stability. You want a torch that stands on its own while lit so both hands stay free for the rig.
- Size versus nail. Match the flame to your banger. A huge flame on a tiny nail wastes fuel and heats unevenly.
Safety and Butane Handling
Butane is a flammable gas, and torch lighters are open-flame tools. Refuel outdoors or in a ventilated space, away from any pilot light or lit flame, and let the torch cool completely before you refill it. Do not overfill the tank, and give the fuel a few minutes to settle before you ignite. Keep the flame away from curtains, paper, and alcohol-based cleaners, never leave a lit torch unattended, and let a heated banger cool on a stable stand rather than on fabric. Store canisters upright and out of direct sun.
When a Torch Is the Wrong Tool
Torches are not the only way to dab, and they are not always the best one. An e-nail or an electric dab rig holds a set temperature for the whole session, which suits people who want repeatable low-temp dabs without timing a heat-up. A portable dab pen handles a small load in a pocket. An induction heater removes the open flame entirely. If you dab several times a day, or you only ever take small low-temp dabs, an electric setup may cost less over a year than butane refills and replacement torches.
For most home setups, start with a full-size refillable torch in the Big Shot class for a quartz banger, step down to a compact torch if your nail is small or your space is tight, and treat a budget torch as a starter or a backup rather than a daily driver.