REFC Labs Highlighter
REFC Labs Highlighter is a butane-powered dry-herb vaporizer. VapoChecker compares current offers from 80.53 € (plus shipping) across 1 shop (as of Nov 14, 2026).Price basis: Item price excluding shipping and coupons
89.73 € incl. shipping at REFC Labs · Visit shopPros
- Open-source project with a public bill of materials, datasheet, and assembly instructions.
- Assembly without soldering, with minimal tools.
- The glass beads store heat, reducing the wait between draws.
- Lamp, socket, and heating element are available separately from REFC Labs as spare parts.
- Compatible with common 12 V power supplies with adjustable voltage and 5.5 mm barrel connector.
Cons
- Kit: The heating core must be assembled by the user.
- Power supply, lab clamp, and stand are not included.
- Heat is regulated only through the voltage at the power supply; REFC Labs specifies no temperatures in °C.
- From a cold state, the core requires approximately 10 minutes to reach operating temperature according to the manual.
- Stationary device that runs on a power supply only.
REFC Labs Highlighter — Price Comparison (1 shop)
Specifications
| Heating Method | Convection |
| Device Type | Butane Vaporizer |
| Brand | REFC Labs |
| Power Source | AC Power |
| Warranty | 3 months |
| Water Pipe Compatible | View water pipe adapters |
| Session Mode | On-Demand |
| Temperature Control | Manual |
| Material | Dry Herb |
| Vapor Path | Glass |
| MSRP | $75.00 |
Compatible Accessories
Water Pipe Adapters
1
Read the full description
It runs on 12 volts from an external power supply with adjustable voltage and has no battery.
The Highlighter was designed by the Scientifically Higher Design Collective (SHDC), of which REFC Labs is a member. The bill of materials, datasheet, and assembly instructions are openly available on the REFC Labs website and are released under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA license. According to the project page, the goal of the project is a heater made from standard parts that anyone can assemble without soldering and repair themselves.
About this vaporizer
The REFC Labs Highlighter is an open-source 12-volt heater with a glass core, sold as a kit by REFC Labs. At its core sits a quartz halogen lamp surrounded by a layer of 3 mm glass beads that heat the passing air. Power is supplied by an external variable-voltage power supply, which is not included in the kit; heat is adjusted by varying the voltage. To draw vapor, you place the heater on a ground glass joint with a filled screen basket.
Design: Halogen Lamp in a Glass Bead Bed
The core component is a quartz halogen lamp with a GY6.35 pin base, 10 mm diameter, 12 V, and 50 W. It sits in a ceramic socket. Around the lamp are approximately 7.2 g of boiling stones made from soda-lime or borosilicate glass with a 3 mm diameter. According to the project page, the beads store heat, keep the temperature more stable, and distribute the hot air evenly to prevent hot spots.
The heater body is a glass blank with a standard joint of 19/22 or 19/26 (female). This allows it to be placed directly onto a mesh basket, a stem, or a 19/22 adapter without obstructing airflow. A stainless steel screen holds the beads in the tube. Starting with version 1.1, a foil reflector is added which, according to REFC Labs, retains heat and allows glass of any color, including clear.
According to the project page, halogen lamps convert nearly 90% of their energy into heat. The glass tube and ceramic socket conduct heat poorly, keeping it where it is needed.
Operation and Voltage
Heat is controlled by adjusting the voltage on the power supply. For version 1.1, REFC Labs recommends 5.00 V as a starting point and increments of 0.05 V up or down. From a cold state, the core takes about 10 minutes to reach thermal equilibrium; after a voltage change, it responds within 1 to 2 minutes. The kit's product page lists 5 to 7 V, which yields approximately 16 to 22 W of heat output. The older project page for version 1.0 specifies 6.5 V and 10 to 15 minutes of heat-up time.
Once the core is warm, place it onto an 18 mm joint with a loaded mesh basket and draw. The heater works on demand — only while it is seated. Shortly before the end of a draw, remove it to reduce vapor condensing inside the core. Rotating is not required, but according to the project page it results in a more even and faster extraction. When removed, the heater operates as pure convection; when left on the adapter, the project page calls this hybrid mode, with predominantly convection heat and additional radiant heat.
To turn it off, REFC Labs recommends leaving the power supply setting as-is and unplugging the cable.
Power Supply and Control
The Highlighter has no battery and no onboard electronics. It is compatible with standard power supplies with adjustable voltage up to 12 V and 5 A. It connects via a 5.5 × 2.1 mm DC jack with a terminal block. A power supply is not included in the kit.
As an accessory, REFC Labs sells the Advanced Telemetry Module, a controller that according to the manufacturer was designed specifically for the HLT. It displays voltage, current, and wattage, stores up to ten presets, and has two quick-access buttons for a normal mode and a boost mode.
Kit and Assembly
The kit contains all parts for one heating core. A power supply, lab clamp, and stand are not included. The assembly instructions call for scissors, a pair of side cutters or nail clippers, a small screwdriver, and a bowl for the beads. No soldering is required: the lamp socket wires are twisted together and screwed into the terminals of the DC jack.
Before assembly, all metal and glass parts should be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol and the markings on the lamp base removed. According to REFC Labs, this reduces the metallic taste during the first few days and extends the lamp's lifespan. With the wall tool and the mesh basket, the assembly becomes a bowl and mouthpiece. For cleaning or to replace the lamp, the core is disassembled the same way. REFC Labs provides an illustrated assembly guide for version 1.1 and videos for version 1.0 on their website.
Safety and Warranty
REFC Labs lists several safety rules. Wait at least 10 minutes after use before touching the lamp or glass. Do not leave the hot or glowing lamp on the material for an extended period, as it may ignite. Use only halogen lamps with a GY6.35 base and 10 mm diameter and beads with a 3 mm diameter, and do not exceed the recommended voltage. Never clean the socket, cables, or lamp with water, and do not pour water onto hot glass.
REFC Labs offers a 90-day manufacturer's warranty on vaporizers and parts of their own manufacture. In the event of a warranty claim, the manufacturer will repair, replace, exchange, or refund at their discretion; shipping costs are the customer's responsibility. Unused, clean, and complete items in original packaging may be returned within 30 days.
Alternatives at a similar price 6
Same device type and a similar price; matching heating methods come first. Size and features may differ.
Frequently asked questions
No. The Highlighter heats electrically using a 12 V halogen lamp in a bed of glass beads. Power is supplied by an external power supply with adjustable voltage.
No. It runs on a power supply with adjustable voltage up to 12 V and 5 A with a 5.5 mm barrel connector. The power supply is not included in the kit.
For version 1.1, REFC Labs recommends 5.00 V as a starting point and adjustments in increments of 0.05 V. The product page lists 5 to 7 V, which corresponds to approximately 16 to 22 W. The manufacturer does not specify temperatures in °C.
From a cold state, approximately 10 minutes to reach thermal equilibrium. After a voltage change, the instructions state the core takes 1 to 2 minutes to respond.
Yes, REFC Labs sells it as a kit with all parts for one heating core. No soldering is required, and an illustrated assembly guide is available on the manufacturer's website.
REFC Labs provides a 90-day manufacturer's warranty on vaporizers and parts of their own manufacture. The customer is responsible for shipping costs in warranty cases.
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