Introduction
The Dr. Dabber Switch² costs $420. That's a lot for an e-rig when you can grab a decent one for $100. So what do you actually get for quadruple the price?
The big difference is induction heating. Instead of coils touching your concentrates directly, the Switch² uses electromagnetic fields to heat the insert itself. No hot spots. More even vaporization. And a cleaner vapor path since nothing burns directly on metal coils. At least, that's the theory. I tested it for three weeks to see if the reality matches the marketing.
What We Tested
Our hands-on testing methodology
Unit Tested
Dr. Dabber Switch² (Black)
Testing Period
3 weeks daily use
Inserts Tested
Quartz, Sapphire, ALN
Modes Tested
All 3 heating modes tested
Temp Range Tested
250°F to 650°F
Total Sessions
80+ heating cycles
Design and Build
This thing is big. At 9 inches tall and over 1.5 pounds, you're not taking it anywhere. It's a desktop device, full stop. The upside? That weight makes it stable. I never worried about knocking it over during a session.
The build quality matches the price. Solid body with a soft-touch finish that doesn't show fingerprints. Thick borosilicate glass with a percolator that actually works well. Everything clicks together with zero wobble.
Small touches add up. The carb cap has a magnetic attachment so it stays put when you're not using it. LED lights around the base show your temperature and can be customized through the app. Not essential, but nice.
What's in the Box
You get:
- Switch² induction heating base
- Glass percolator attachment
- 20mm quartz insert
- Carb cap with magnetic attachment
- Dr. Dabber Drop heated loading tool
- USB-C charging cable
- 36W charging adapter
- User manual
The Drop loading tool is a nice inclusion. It's normally $40 on its own, and it actually makes a difference. The heated tip handles sticky concentrates way better than a cold dab tool.
Induction Heating Technology
Here's what makes the Switch² different from most e-rigs.
How It Works
The base has electromagnetic coils that create a magnetic field. Your insert sits in that field, and the magnetic energy heats the insert directly. The quartz insert has a metal plate underneath to make this work.
Advantages
Even heating: The whole insert heats up, not just one spot. Your concentrates vaporize more evenly.
No coil contact: Your dabs never touch a heating element. Less burning, better flavor.
Cleaner vapor: Nothing degrades in the vapor path because there are no coils sitting in it.
Better temp accuracy: An infrared sensor reads the actual insert temperature, not just how much power the heater is pulling.
Real-World Performance
Does it actually taste better? Yes. Especially at low temps, I noticed cleaner flavor that let the concentrate's profile come through. That "electric" aftertaste you get from some coil devices? Gone.
Heat-up takes 5-30 seconds depending on your target temp. Low temps heat fast. Maxing out at 650°F takes a bit longer.
Dynamic Heating Modes
Three heating profiles set the Switch² apart from simpler e-rigs.
Descent Mode
Starts hot, then drops 1°F per second. This mimics how a torch-heated banger naturally cools down. If you're used to traditional dabbing, this feels familiar.
Ascent Mode
The opposite. Starts cool and ramps up slowly. Great for cold starts where you want terpenes to vaporize before the heavier compounds. I used this mode most often.
Steady Mode
Picks a temp and holds it. Simple. Predictable. Good when you know exactly what you want.
Having all three modes matters more than I expected. Different concentrates work better with different approaches, and being able to switch keeps things interesting.
App Connectivity
The Dr. Dabber app opens up the full feature set.
Temperature Control
Set your temp anywhere from 250-650°F in single-degree increments. Save profiles for different concentrates so you don't have to dial things in every time.
Session Settings
Tweak hold times, session length, and heating curves. You can get pretty granular here if you want to.
LED Customization
Pick from preset light themes or make your own colors. Purely cosmetic, but it's fun.
Usage Tracking
See how many sessions you've run, your average temps, and battery health over time.
You don't need the app to use the device. Button controls work fine for basic operation. But you'll want the app if you want access to everything the Switch² can do.
Insert Options
The stock 20mm quartz insert is 300% bigger than the original Switch. Plenty of room for larger dabs. But you have upgrade options too.
Sapphire Insert ($130)
Lab-grown sapphire holds heat better than anything else and tastes the cleanest. Heats evenly. Wipes clean with almost no effort. This is the upgrade I'd recommend if you're going to buy one.
Titanium Insert ($25)
Heats faster than quartz. Also works with dry herbs, not just concentrates. Flavor isn't quite as pure, but it's the cheapest upgrade.
ALN (Aluminum Nitride) Insert ($100)
Splits the difference. Better heat retention than titanium, heats faster than sapphire. Good middle ground if you can't decide.
Battery and Charging
You get about 30 heating cycles per charge. For a home device, that's fine. If you're a heavy user, expect to charge daily.
The nice thing is USB-C pass-through charging. Plug it in and keep using it. Problem solved. Full charge takes 60-90 minutes with the included 36W adapter, which is faster than a standard phone charger. Any USB-C cable works though.
Water Filtration
The percolator in the glass attachment works well. Fill water just above the perc holes. Any higher and you'll get splashback.
The glass is thick and feels solid, but it's still glass. Be careful. If you break it, Dr. Dabber sells replacements.
Maintenance
Cleaning is easier than coil-based devices.
After Each Session
- Q-tip the insert while it's still warm
- Wipe down the carb cap
- Rinse the glass if you want
Weekly
- Soak the insert in isopropyl alcohol
- Deep clean the glass
- Clean the carb cap and seal
No coils means no coil replacements. The insert's smooth surface wipes clean easily. Long-term maintenance costs stay low.
Who Should Buy the Switch²
Flavor-focused users: If you chase terps and hate that burnt aftertaste from coil devices, the Switch² delivers noticeably cleaner hits.
Home dabbers: This is a stay-at-home device. If you want something for your main setup and don't need portability, the weight and size aren't issues.
Customization fans: The app, multiple heating modes, and insert options let you dial things in exactly how you want.
People with budget: Let's be real. $420 is a lot. If that's not a stretch for you and you want the best, this is it.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Budget shoppers: The Boost Evo runs $154 and still performs well. You don't need to spend $420 to get good dabs. Check our best e-rigs guide for more affordable options.
People who travel: This isn't portable. Period. Look at the XS or Boost Evo instead.
Keep-it-simple types: If you just want to load and rip without messing with apps or modes, you'll find this overkill.
Final Verdict
The Switch² is expensive. No way around it. But after three weeks of daily use, I get why it costs what it does.
The induction heating actually delivers better flavor. Not marketing fluff, real improvement. The three heating modes give you options that cheaper devices don't have. And the build quality feels like it'll last.
Is it worth $420? For most people, no. A $150 e-rig will get you perfectly good dabs. But if flavor matters to you, if you want total control over your sessions, and if you don't mind paying for the best home setup available, the Switch² earns its price tag.
Related: Dr. Dabber Switch² Manual | Dr. Dabber Boost Evo Review