Introduction
The original Dr. Dabber Ghost built the brand's reputation in the concentrate world. The Dr. Dabber Ghost² takes that foundation and adds modern tech: 360-degree radial heating, three variable temperature modes, and a ceramic vapor pathway. All in something that actually fits in your pocket.
At 3.5 inches tall, it's smaller than most smartphones. That compactness has trade-offs. But if you need something truly pocket-friendly, the Ghost² packs features you won't find in typical pen-style devices.
What We Tested
Our hands-on testing methodology
Unit Tested
Dr. Dabber Ghost² (Black)
Testing Period
6 days pocket carry
Temps Tested
All 5 settings (420-540°F)
Modes Tested
Ascent, Descent, and Steady
Concentrates Used
Live resin, wax, shatter
Verified
Ceramic vapor path, radial heating
Design and Build
The Ghost² is tiny. At 3.5 inches tall and 1.7 inches wide, it vanishes into pockets without creating bulges. At 7 ounces, you might forget it's there.
Build quality punches above its size. The body feels substantial with no flex or creaking. The modular design means you can swap out individual parts (eChamber, mouthpiece) instead of replacing the whole thing when something wears out.
The polished ceramic mouthpiece looks premium and feels smooth against your lips. It also runs cooler than metal alternatives.
Modular Components
Three main pieces make up the Ghost²:
- Battery base: Houses controls and power
- eChamber: Deep heating chamber with radial heating
- Mouthpiece: Ceramic construction with vapor pathway
Each component threads together securely. When something wears out, replace that piece instead of buying a whole new device.
What's in the Box
The Ghost² kit includes:
- Ghost² battery base
- Deep eChamber atomizer
- Ceramic mouthpiece
- Loading tool
- USB-C charging cable
- User manual
Pretty minimal compared to the XS or Boost Evo. Makes sense given the Ghost²'s simpler, more focused design.
360-Degree Radial Heating
This is the Ghost²'s headline feature, and it's a good one.
How It Works
Most wax pens heat from the bottom. That creates hot spots where concentrate touches the heating element directly. The Ghost² takes a different approach: radial sidewall heating that wraps around the chamber walls in all directions.
Benefits
Even vaporization: Concentrate heats uniformly instead of burning in spots.
Better flavor: No direct coil contact means cleaner taste.
Efficiency: More complete vaporization with less waste.
Reduced burning: Lower risk of combustion or charring.
Real-World Performance
In testing, the radial heating produced smoother hits than typical bottom-heating pens. Flavor came through cleaner, especially at lower temps, and concentrate vaporized more completely with less residue left behind.
Dynamic Heating Modes
Like the Switch², the Ghost² gives you three heating profiles. That's unusual for a pen this size.
Ascent Mode
Temperature climbs gradually from a lower starting point:
- Great for cold starts
- Maximum terpene preservation
- Gentle, flavorful sessions
- Best for: Live resin, rosin, flavor chasers
Descent Mode
Temperature starts at your set level and drops over time:
- Mimics traditional torch dabbing
- Hot start that mellows as you go
- Natural session progression
- Best for: Users transitioning from torches
Steady Mode
Holds consistent temperature throughout:
- Predictable, repeatable results
- Even vapor production
- Simple and straightforward
- Best for: Daily drivers, consistent dosing
Most competing pens only offer fixed temperatures. Having three adaptive modes in something this small is a real differentiator.
Temperature Settings
Five temperature presets cover the useful dabbing range:
| Setting | Temperature | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 420°F | Maximum flavor, light vapor |
| 2 | 450°F | Flavor-focused, moderate vapor |
| 3 | 480°F | Balanced performance |
| 4 | 510°F | Standard dabbing |
| 5 | 540°F | Maximum vapor, thick concentrates |
The 420-540°F range is tighter than some devices but hits the most popular dabbing temps. That 420°F floor is great for terpene preservation.
Heat-up takes just 5-10 seconds. That's among the fastest in any concentrate device.
Ceramic Vapor Pathway
The Ghost² routes vapor through ceramic from the chamber to your mouth. That isolation keeps vapor away from metals or other materials that could affect taste.
Design
Vapor travels through ceramic material the entire way from chamber to mouthpiece. Nothing else touches it along the path.
Benefits
- Pure flavor: Ceramic is inert and adds no taste
- Cool vapor: Ceramic helps moderate temperature
- Clean path: Easy to maintain and clean
The ceramic mouthpiece keeps that purity going, giving you a smooth, neutral surface for inhalation.
Performance
Vapor Quality
For a pen, the Ghost² delivers solid vapor quality. The radial heating and ceramic pathway combo produces clean, flavorful hits, especially at lower temps.
At 420-450°F, terpene profiles shine through. Crank it higher and you trade some flavor for bigger clouds. That's true of any device.
Vapor Production
Cloud production is moderate. That fits the compact size. If you want massive clouds, look at larger devices. The Ghost² prioritizes flavor and discretion over cloud chasing.
No Water Filtration
Unlike the XS or Boost Evo, there's no water filtration here. Vapor comes out dry with less cooling before it hits your throat. For smoother sessions, stick to lower temps and use Ascent mode.
Battery Life
Here's the Ghost²'s weak point. At roughly 20 cycles per charge, it's the shortest-lasting device in Dr. Dabber's current lineup:
| Device | Cycles per Charge |
|---|---|
| Ghost² | ~20 |
| XS | ~35 |
| Boost Evo | ~60 |
| Switch² | ~30 |
If you only take a few sessions per day, 20 cycles works fine. Heavy users or anyone spending long days away from chargers will find this limiting.
The silver lining: 45-60 minute charge time is reasonable, and USB-C pass-through lets you use it while plugged in for extended sessions.
Usability
Simple Controls
| Action | Function |
|---|---|
| 5 clicks | Power on/off |
| 3 clicks | Cycle temperature |
| 2 clicks | Cycle heating mode |
| Hold | Heat and vaporize |
That 2-click heating mode selection is something you don't see on other pen-style devices.
Pocket Portability
The Ghost² nails true pocket carry:
- Fits in any pocket without bulging
- Light enough to forget it's there
- No glass components to worry about
- Quick sessions for on-the-go use
Loading
The deep eChamber handles reasonable loads:
- Remove the mouthpiece
- Use the loading tool to place concentrate in the chamber
- Replace the mouthpiece
- Heat and inhale
The chamber depth helps prevent overflow. Still, don't overload it.
Maintenance
The modular design makes upkeep straightforward.
After Each Session
- Q-tip the chamber while warm
- Wipe the mouthpiece if needed
Weekly
- Remove the eChamber and soak in isopropyl alcohol
- Clean the ceramic mouthpiece
- Wipe the battery base
Component Replacement
When parts wear out:
- eChamber: Replace when flavor degrades or heating gets uneven
- Mouthpiece: Replace if cracked or discolored
- Battery: The base can't be user-replaced
You can buy replacement parts directly from Dr. Dabber.
Who Should Buy the Ghost²
Pocket portability priority: If fitting in a front pocket matters most, the Ghost² is one of the smallest quality options out there.
Discrete users: The compact size and quick sessions work well when you need to keep things subtle.
Flavor enthusiasts: The ceramic pathway and radial heating deliver clean taste for a pen device.
Tech appreciators: Variable heating modes are rare in something this small.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Battery life needs: 20 cycles won't cut it for heavy users. Check out the XS or Boost Evo instead.
Smoothness seekers: No water filtration means warmer vapor than glass-equipped devices.
Cloud chasers: The compact size limits vapor production compared to larger e-rigs.
Budget shoppers: $120 is a lot for a pen. Cheaper options exist, just with fewer features. See our guide to the best wax pens for alternatives.
Comparison to Competitors
vs. XS
The XS is bigger but gives you water filtration and 35 cycles. The Ghost² wins on pocketability but produces dry vapor. Pick the Ghost² for minimum size, XS for smoother hits.
vs. Budget Wax Pens
Sub-$50 devices don't have radial heating, variable modes, or ceramic pathways. The Ghost² premium actually buys you real performance improvements.
vs. Puffco Plus
Both are premium compact pens. The Ghost² has more temperature options and heating modes. The Plus has a larger chamber. Both are solid choices.
Final Verdict
The Dr. Dabber Ghost² shows you don't have to sacrifice features for small size. Its 360-degree radial heating, adjustable modes, and ceramic vapor pathway deliver performance you'd expect from bigger devices. And it actually fits in your pocket.
The 20-cycle battery life is a real limitation. Heavy users will find it frustrating. For light-to-moderate use or as a backup portable, the capacity works fine.
At $120, this is a premium pen. The tech justifies the price if you care about these features. If you just want something basic that works, cheaper options exist. But for pocket-sized premium performance, the Ghost² delivers.
Related: Dr. Dabber Ghost² Manual | Dr. Dabber XS Review