Introduction
Most decent e-rigs cost $200 to $400. The Yocan Pillar comes in at around $120 and still gives you water filtration, auto sessions, and swappable coils. That's a big deal for anyone who wants smoother hits without emptying their wallet.
The Pillar is for people who find dry concentrate pens too harsh but don't want to drop serious money on a desktop rig. It's also surprisingly portable for something with a glass bubbler. You can actually pocket this thing.
What We Tested
Our hands-on testing methodology
Unit Tested
Yocan Pillar (Black)
Testing Period
12 days of use
Coils Tested
TGT P Coil and TGT Quad Coil
Voltages Tested
All 3 settings (3.2V-4.2V)
Modes Tested
On-demand and auto mode
Water Filtration
Tested with/without water
Design and Build
The zinc alloy body has a solid feel without weighing you down. At 286 grams with the bubbler attached, it's heavier than a pen but still pocket-friendly. The cylindrical shape keeps a consistent 40mm diameter, so it slides into jacket pockets easier than chunkier e-rigs.
The borosilicate glass bubbler sits on top and cools vapor before it hits your lungs. Glass quality is decent for the price. Not premium, but it works and holds up if you're careful.
Adjustable airflow on the base lets you dial in your draw. Tighter airflow means more flavor. Looser airflow means bigger clouds. The ring moves smoothly and stays put during sessions.
You can get it in black, silver, champagne gold, and a few other colors depending on the retailer. The matte finish hides fingerprints pretty well.
What's in the Box
The Pillar kit includes:
- Yocan Pillar battery base
- Borosilicate glass bubbler
- TGT P Coil (ceramic donut)
- TGT Quad Coil (quartz rods)
- Dab tool
- USB-C charging cable
- User manual
Yocan includes both coil types in the box, which is nice. You can try different heating styles without buying anything extra.
TGT Coil Technology
The Pillar uses Yocan's TGT (Target Tech) coil system. You get two heating options with different strengths.
TGT P Coil (Ceramic Donut)
The ceramic donut heats evenly across a flat surface:
- Slower, gradual heating
- Maximum flavor preservation
- Efficient use of concentrates
- Best for low-temp dabs
This one is for flavor chasers. Ceramic doesn't add any taste, so you get clean terpene profiles from your concentrate.
TGT Quad Coil (Quartz Rods)
The quad coil wraps heating wire around four quartz rods:
- Faster heat-up
- Bigger vapor clouds
- More intense effects
- Better for thick concentrates
This coil is for people who want fat rips and don't mind trading some flavor for vapor density.
Both coils thread into the same atomizer base, so swapping is easy. Coil life depends on how much you use it, but expect a few weeks to a couple months before you need replacements.
Water Filtration
The glass bubbler is the main attraction here. Water filtration gives you real advantages over dry devices:
Cooler vapor: Hot vapor passes through water before hitting your throat and lungs. Coming from a dry pen, you'll feel the difference immediately.
Smoother hits: Water strips out some harshness, making draws more comfortable. This matters most at higher temps.
Mild filtration: The bubbler filters some particulates. Not as thorough as a full-size rig, but it helps.
Fill the bubbler just enough to cover the percolator holes. Too much water and it splashes into the mouthpiece. Room temp water works fine. Some people like warm water for extra smoothness.
Operating Modes
Two modes here. Pick whichever fits your style.
On-Demand Mode
Hold the power button and the coil heats. Let go and it stops. Simple. This gives you full control over how long and how hard you hit it.
Auto Mode
Double-click the power button and it heats for 30 seconds straight. No button-holding required. Your hands are free, and you get consistent heat the whole time.
Auto mode works great for:
- Longer, relaxed sessions
- People who find button-holding annoying
- Passing it around
- Consistent doses
30 seconds fits most people fine. Would be nice if Yocan let you adjust the timer, but it's not a dealbreaker.
Voltage Settings
Three voltage presets let you dial things in:
| Voltage | LED Lights | Heat Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2V | 1 light | Low | Flavor-focused, live resin |
| 3.7V | 2 lights | Medium | Balanced vapor and flavor |
| 4.2V | 3 lights | High | Thick concentrates, big clouds |
Triple-click the power button to cycle through. LEDs show your current setting. Start low and bump it up if you're not getting enough vapor. Higher voltages eat battery faster and can mute flavor.
Performance
Vapor through the bubbler is way smoother than dry pens. Water cooling plus the TGT coils means comfortable draws even when you crank the heat. Flavor is solid, especially with the ceramic donut at low voltage.
Cloud production is decent but not mind-blowing. If you're coming from pens, you'll see a clear upgrade. If you're used to desktop rigs, expect something more modest. The Pillar sits in the middle, which makes sense for its price.
Heat-up time depends on your coil and voltage. The quad coil gets hot faster than the ceramic donut. Higher voltage speeds things up too. Figure 10-20 seconds to reach good temp.
Battery Life
The 1400mAh battery is the Pillar's biggest weak spot. It works for most people, but some competing e-rigs pack 1800-2500mAh.
Here's what to expect:
- 20-25 sessions at moderate settings
- 15-20 sessions at higher voltages
- About 6 auto mode cycles (30 seconds each) before the battery takes a real hit
If you charge it daily and mostly use it at home, you'll be fine. Heavy users or people away from outlets all day might find it limiting.
USB-C charging is standard here. Full charge takes about 2 hours. You can't use it while it's plugged in.
Maintenance
Water filtration means more cleaning than dry pens. That's the trade-off.
Daily/After Each Session
- Empty the water
- Rinse the glass with warm water
- Wipe down the mouthpiece
Weekly
- Clean the bubbler with isopropyl alcohol
- Clean the coil chamber and airpath
- Check coils for residue buildup
As Needed
- Soak coils in isopropyl alcohol for a deep clean
- Replace coils when flavor starts going downhill
- Check seals and o-rings for wear
The bubbler pops off easily for cleaning. Don't use anything abrasive or you'll scratch the glass and mess up the seals.
Who Should Buy the Yocan Pillar
Budget e-rig shoppers: At around $120, you get water filtration and auto mode that usually cost way more. Great entry point if you've never owned an e-rig.
People who hate harsh hits: If dry concentrate pens make you cough, water-cooled vapor is a game changer. The comfort difference is real.
Portable e-rig fans: The cylindrical shape is more pocketable than most e-rigs with similar features. It actually fits in a jacket pocket.
Coil experimenters: Both coil types come in the box. Try different heating styles without spending more money.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Heavy users: The 1400mAh battery might leave you stranded. If you're away from chargers a lot or go through multiple sessions daily, look for something with a bigger battery.
Quality maximizers: The Pillar is good for its price, but it won't match premium desktop e-rigs. If you want the best vapor quality possible, you'll need to spend more.
Low-maintenance types: Water chambers need regular cleaning and careful handling. If you want something you can throw in a bag and forget about, stick with dry pens.
Final Verdict
The Yocan Pillar brings e-rig features down to earth. Water filtration and auto sessions at this price point is rare, and the smoother vapor compared to dry pens is obvious from the first hit. Two coil options mean you can chase flavor or clouds depending on your mood.
The battery is a real limitation, and the glass bubbler needs more babying than a pen. But those trade-offs make sense at $120. You get e-rig functionality without e-rig cost.
If you want smoother concentrate sessions without spending $300+, the Pillar is a strong pick. It punches above its weight and still fits in your pocket. First-time e-rig buyer or just looking for a budget daily driver? Either way, this one delivers.
Related: Yocan Pillar Manual | Yocan Orbit Review