Introduction
The original Dr. Dabber Ghost helped establish the brand's reputation in the concentrate market. The Dr. Dabber Ghost² continues that legacy with modern updates: 360-degree radial heating, dynamic temperature modes, and a ceramic vapor pathway—all in a device that genuinely fits in your pocket.
At 3.5 inches tall, the Ghost² is smaller than most smartphones. This extreme compactness comes with trade-offs, but for users who need true pocket portability, the Ghost² offers features that far exceed typical pen-style devices.
Design and Build
The Ghost² is remarkably small. At 3.5 inches tall and 1.7 inches wide, it disappears into pockets without creating bulges or discomfort. The 7-ounce weight is light enough to forget you are carrying it.
Despite the compact size, build quality is solid. The body has a substantial feel with no flex or creaking. The modular design allows replacement of individual components (eChamber, mouthpiece) rather than the entire device when parts wear out.
The polished ceramic mouthpiece adds a premium touch and provides a smooth lip feel during use. It also stays cooler than metal alternatives.
Modular Components
The Ghost² uses a modular design:
- 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 parts wear out, you replace only what is needed rather than buying a 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
The kit is minimal compared to the XS or Boost Evo, reflecting the Ghost²'s simpler, more focused design.
360-Degree Radial Heating
The Ghost²'s standout feature is its heating approach:
How It Works
Traditional wax pens heat from the bottom, which can create hot spots where concentrate contacts the heating element directly. The Ghost² uses radial sidewall heating that distributes heat around the chamber walls in all directions.
Benefits
Even vaporization: Concentrate heats uniformly rather than 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 practice, the radial heating delivers noticeably smoother hits than bottom-heating pens. Flavor is cleaner, especially at lower temperatures, and concentrate vaporizes more completely with less residue remaining.
Dynamic Heating Modes
Like the Switch², the Ghost² offers three heating profiles:
Ascent Mode
Temperature gradually increases from a lower starting point:
- Ideal 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 gradually decreases:
- Mimics traditional torch dabbing
- Hot start that mellows over time
- Natural session progression
- Best for: Users transitioning from torches
Steady Mode
Maintains consistent temperature throughout:
- Predictable, repeatable results
- Even vapor production
- Simple and straightforward
- Best for: Daily drivers, consistent dosing
Having these modes in a pen-style device is unusual—most competitors offer only fixed temperatures.
Temperature Settings
Five precision temperatures 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 covers the most popular dabbing temperatures. The lower floor (420°F) is excellent for terpene preservation.
Heat-up time is impressively fast at 5-10 seconds—among the quickest in any concentrate device.
Ceramic Vapor Pathway
The Ghost² uses a ceramic vapor pathway that isolates the vapor from heating components:
Design
Vapor travels through ceramic material from the chamber to the mouthpiece. This isolation prevents contact with metals or other materials that could affect flavor.
Benefits
- Pure flavor: Ceramic is inert and imparts no taste
- Cool vapor: Ceramic helps moderate temperature
- Clean path: Easy to maintain and clean
The ceramic mouthpiece continues this philosophy, providing a smooth, neutral surface for inhalation.
Performance
Vapor Quality
For a pen-style device, the Ghost² delivers impressive vapor quality. The combination of radial heating and ceramic pathway produces clean, flavorful hits—particularly at lower temperatures.
At 420-450°F, terpene profiles come through clearly. Higher settings sacrifice some flavor for increased vapor production, which is typical for any device.
Vapor Production
Cloud production is moderate—appropriate for the compact size. Users wanting massive clouds should look at larger devices. The Ghost² prioritizes flavor and discretion over cloud chasing.
No Water Filtration
Unlike the XS or Boost Evo, the Ghost² offers no water filtration. Vapor is dry, which means less cooling before inhalation. For smoothness, rely on lower temperatures and the Ascent heating mode.
Battery Life
The Ghost²'s main weakness is battery capacity. At approximately 20 cycles per charge, it is the shortest-lasting device in Dr. Dabber's current lineup:
| Device | Cycles per Charge |
|---|---|
| Ghost² | ~20 |
| XS | ~35 |
| Boost Evo | ~60 |
| Switch² | ~30 |
For light users taking a few sessions per day, 20 cycles suffices. Heavy users or those away from chargers will find the capacity limiting.
The 45-60 minute charge time is reasonable, and USB-C pass-through charging allows use 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 |
The addition of heating mode selection (2 clicks) is unique among pen-style devices.
Pocket Portability
The Ghost² excels at 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 accommodates 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, though avoiding overloading is still recommended.
Maintenance
The modular design simplifies maintenance:
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 components wear out:
- eChamber: Replace when flavor degrades or heating becomes uneven
- Mouthpiece: Replace if cracked or discolored
- Battery: The base cannot be user-replaced
Replacement parts are available from Dr. Dabber.
Who Should Buy the Ghost²
Pocket portability priority: If fitting in a front pocket matters most, the Ghost² is among the smallest quality options.
Discrete users: The compact size and quick sessions suit situations requiring subtlety.
Flavor enthusiasts: The ceramic pathway and radial heating deliver clean taste for a pen device.
Tech appreciators: Dynamic heating modes are unusual in this form factor.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Battery life needs: 20 cycles is limiting for heavy users—consider the XS or Boost Evo.
Smoothness seekers: Without water filtration, vapor is warmer than glass-equipped devices.
Cloud chasers: The compact size limits vapor production compared to larger e-rigs.
Budget shoppers: $120 is significant for a pen—cheaper options exist with fewer features.
Comparison to Competitors
vs. XS
The XS is larger but offers water filtration and 35 cycles. The Ghost² is more pocketable but produces dry vapor. Choose Ghost² for minimum size, XS for smoother hits.
vs. Budget Wax Pens
Devices under $50 lack radial heating, dynamic modes, and ceramic pathways. The Ghost² premium buys genuine performance improvements.
vs. Puffco Plus
Both are premium compact pens. The Ghost² offers more temperature options and heating modes. The Plus has a larger chamber. Both are quality choices.
Final Verdict
The Dr. Dabber Ghost² proves that small size does not require sacrificing features. Its 360-degree radial heating, dynamic modes, and ceramic vapor pathway deliver performance typically found in larger devices—all in something that genuinely fits in your pocket.
The 20-cycle battery life is a real limitation that will frustrate heavy users. For light-to-moderate consumption or as a secondary portable device, the capacity is manageable.
At $120, the Ghost² is a premium pen-style device. The technology justifies the price for users who value the features, but those seeking only basic functionality can find cheaper options. For pocket-sized premium performance, the Ghost² delivers.
Related: Dr. Dabber Ghost² Manual | Dr. Dabber XS Review