Table of contents
- Decent vapor from its hybrid heater
- Fast heat up: 20 seconds
- Pesky auto shutoff timer
- Large oven holds up to half a gram
- Dry herbs only. No solid concentrates
- Great battery: 7 to 9 sessions per charge
- Simple, three-button controls with a nice screen
- Sturdy, pocketable design
- The included silicone sleeve is a bonus
- Built-in stir tool is nice
- What’s in the box
- What I didn’t like
- Warranty
- For best results
- Cleaning is simple
- Who is the G Pen Elite II for?
- Who is the G Pen Elite II not for?
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
The G Pen Elite II vaporizer enters as Grenco Science’s flagship vape with quick, efficient vapor and a promising set of features. It rivals ultra-pocketable conduction vaporizers like the PAX Plus and XMAX Starry V4 with a sleek, portable design, full temperature controls, and rapid heat-up times.
It delivers cool, comfortable clouds of vapor at a variety of temperatures but won’t ‘wow’ you with robust flavors or massive hits. It’s a slow and steady stroll, not a sprint. Sip it at a steady pace and take your time as you ease your way to those desired effects.
This style is perfect for light to medium users but a drag for our heavy hitters. Could this be the one for you, or should you pass? Let’s get into the G Pen Elite II and find out.
G Pen Elite II Review: Quick Summary
The G Pen Elite II dry herb vaporizer is a great pick for our light to medium users who want something sleek and pocketable and don’t need a rush of potent clouds. Customize your session with full temperature controls, and take your time with slow and steady puffs. If you’re chasing heavy clouds, you’ll want to look at something like the POTV Lobo.
Pros & Cons
Pros 👍 | Cons 👎 |
Cool vapor | A bit expensive |
Large oven | Minimal flavor |
20 second heat up | Pesky auto shutoff timer |
Full temperature control | |
Ultra pocketable | |
Bottom lineThe G Pen Elite II dry herb vaporizer is a great choice for light to medium users who prefer to sip it, not rip it. |
G Pen Elite II Vaporizer
$199.95
Free US Shipping
Easy Returns
Expert Advice
Decent vapor from its hybrid heater
The G Pen Elite II’s hybrid heating delivers surprisingly effective clouds for light to medium users, with very subtle flavors. It’s a conduction-heavy vaporizer with a touch of convection, which G Pen calls its “Convection Boost.” The Elite II has a tight pull and excels with short puffs, but that convection boost allows for some longer draws that would quickly overwhelm if it were strictly conduction.
It does a great job producing vapor from the first draw and continues to pump out a great number of exhales after. With a full oven at 390°F/198°C, I got around 30 puffs over the course of three five-minute sessions before it was time to finish it off at a higher temperature. Longer draws deliver, but don’t expect to huff hard for those lung-busting hits. Sip it, don’t rip it.
Cycle through its menus, and you’ll find a “Convection Boost” setting that lets you switch from hybrid to conduction-only heating. It’s a subtle change when turned off, but I see no reason to ever turn it off. It’s great as is.
The flavor, though, is nothing special. The first few hits provided great vapor, but the flavor just wasn’t there. And when I let it sit too long without taking a puff, the flavor would take on a slightly charred, burnt popcorn taste.
Fast heat up: 20 seconds
Outside of the quick on-demand portables, the G Pen Elite II is one of the fastest vaporizers, with a 20-second heat-up time. Once it vibrates, it’s primed with vapor and ready to go. You won’t have to wait long to get your session started, which is perfect for those moments when patience runs thin.
Pesky auto shutoff timer
The G Pen Elite II offers several session timers ranging from one to five minutes, but it also has a sneaky 60-second auto-shutoff. No matter what timer you select, if you don’t hit the vape for 60 seconds, the heater cuts off, and you need to double-click to get it going again. Whether intentional or not, it was frustrating to set the vape down mid-session and come back to find my sessions were over.
Large oven holds up to half a gram
With a tight pack, the G Pen Elite II holds up to half a gram of ground herbs! That’s plenty for most solo users and is enough to pass around a small group of friends.
Dry herbs only. No solid concentrates
This device is strictly for dry herb use, so if you’re looking for something versatile that can handle solid concentrates, this isn’t the one for you. Some vapes allow a workaround, but this is not one of them.
Great battery: 7 to 9 sessions per charge
I got between seven and nine sessions per charge or a little under an hour of total runtime. I ran each session at 390°F/198°C for five minutes, with around 10 puffs per to prevent that 60-second shutoff that I mentioned earlier.
This is a solid showing for a portable and is great for casual users. It also comes with convenient USB-C charging that fills it up in around 90 minutes.
Simple, three-button controls with a nice screen
Using the Elite II is straightforward. It has three buttons: power, temp up, and temp down. Hold the power button until it turns on, set your temperature, and then double-click to activate the heater.
The buttons work but I found them to be a little uncomfortable. They’re slightly flush with the vape and can be hard to press at times, and my fingers don’t naturally fall into a comfortable position to press them.
It also features a bright and easy-to-read TFT display with vibrant colors and clear icons. The screen includes a colored temperature spectrum, a temperature reader, a battery meter, and a heating icon. It’s a great-looking display, but I’d also like to see current vs. set temperature and a running session timer.
Sturdy, pocketable design
The Elite II’s zinc-alloy body feels solid in hand and looks sleek and classy. It’s a little larger than the PAX Plus but still pocket-friendly and easy to carry, and it’s a great looking vape.
If you’re all about style and form, the G Pen Elite II is a great choice that’s lowkey and won’t draw unwanted attention.
Technical specifications
- Height: 4.52 in / 11.5 cm
- Width: 1.25 in / 3.17 cm
- Weight: 156g
The included silicone sleeve is a bonus
G Pen also includes a silicone sleeve that adds a thin layer of protection and grip. It dissipates the heat well and even holds the mouthpiece as you empty and refill it. It works and looks good, too, but I prefer the feel of the mouthpiece without the sleeve, so I remove the mouthpiece flap for each hit. It’s also a crumb and dust magnet, so keep that in mind.
Built-in stir tool is nice
Stirring isn’t really necessary with conduction-heavy vapes, but the Elite II comes with one built into the bottom for quick and easy access. I haven’t stirred at all with this vape and haven’t found the need to, but it does make for a great tamping tool. Most of my scoops and tampers are too big for the oven, but the end of the Elite II’s stir tool is perfect.
What’s in the box
1 x G Pen Elite II Vaporizer
1 x G Pen Elite II Silicone Sleeve
1 x USB C Charging Cable
1 x Pick Tool (installed)
1 x Hemp Travel Case
What I didn’t like
The G Pen Elite II is a solid vape, but its price tag is a bit high for what it is. We have many great performers for much less. The screen is bright and beautiful, but I’d like to see key info like set vs. current temperature and a running session timer. While the buttons work well, their shape and position weren’t the most comfortable for me. And I already mentioned this, but that 60-second shutoff timer drove me nuts.
Two-year warranty
The G Pen Elite II vaporizer is backed by a two-year manufacturer’s warranty against defects (extendable to three with registration through G Pen). As with all vaporizers purchased from Planet Of The Vapes, you're also covered by our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.
For best results
Here’s what I recommend for the best results:
1. Use a medium to fine-grind.
2. Pack the oven tightly.
3. Start with a temperature between 375°F/190°C and 390°F/198°C.
4. Take slow and steady sips for the best vapor production.
Cleaning is simple
Cleaning only requires a quick soak and wipe down:
1. Remove the silicone sleeve from the mouthpiece.
2. Pull the cooling spiral out from the top—it won’t come out from the bottom.
3. Remove the metal screen from the silicone sleeve.
4. Soak the cooling spiral and screen in isopropyl alcohol.
5. Wipe down the oven and mouthpiece.
Run a burnoff, reassemble, and you’re good to go!
Who is the G Pen Elite II for?
If you want a vape that looks great and you don’t need enthusiast-level performance, the G Pen Elite II is a solid option. It’s pocketable, heats up quickly, and is great for light to medium, low-tolerance users or those who enjoy slow, easy draws. If you’re interested in the PAX Plus but want a little better performance, precise temperature control, and a sleek design, this is one I’d consider.
Who is the G Pen Elite II not for?
If you’re a heavy hitter or someone chasing intense, flavorful clouds, the G Pen Elite II won’t cut it. Its vapor will get the job done but lacks the depth and punch that true enthusiasts crave. Budget shoppers or those who prefer big, ripping sessions will find better options elsewhere. This vape is more about style and simplicity than raw power or standout flavor.
Conclusion
The G Pen Elite II doesn’t reinvent the wheel or deliver award-winning vapor, but it has its place in the market. It’s Grenco Science’s best dry herb vaporizer yet and will find a nice home in the hands of light to medium users and those who just want something that looks good and produces vapor. Not everyone wants or needs top-tier performance or lung-busting sessions, and that’s fine. If that’s you, though, and you’re looking for something that hits hard, tastes great, and looks good, too, check out the POTV Lobo!
G Pen Elite II Review: FAQs
Q: Is the G Pen Elite II a good vaporizer?
A: The G Pen Elite II is a well-built, stylish vaporizer with consistent performance and solid features. It’s all about you and what you’re looking for.
Q: What is the G Pen Elite II’s oven size?
A: The G Pen Elite II holds up to half a gram with a tight pack but also performs well with smaller loads.
Q: Is the G Pen Elite II easy to clean?
A: Cleaning the Elite II is straightforward. You’ll need to wipe down the oven and soak the cooling spiral and screen in isopropyl alcohol. Rinse, dry, reassemble, and you’re good to go!