Arizer

Background

The Arizer Go (visit store) or known by its moniker: ArGo, is a dry herb vaporizer created by Canadian manufacturer Arizer. Arizer is also the maker of a few famed desktop vapes on the market, such as the V Tower (review) and Extreme Q (review). And dry herb vaporizers like the highly-rated Solo 2 (review) and the Air 2 (review).

Released in late 2018, the ArGo has been around for a while, and I myself have been using it on-and-off since. After some use and wear and tear, the Argo seems to be holding up well- much like the rest of Arizer’s earlier releases. Since the ArGo follows such a strong line-up of products, expectations tend to be high for this little device. The ArGo has some Arizer signature features such as hybrid heating, full control digital display, precise temperature controls, and anodized aluminum parts. It also has a few of its own stand-alone key features such as swappable 18650 batteries, and a pop-up glass mouthpiece.

Compatibility: The Arizer Go is compatible with dry Cannabis herb, I tested this product with CBD herb from InHemp and THC flower (wedding cake), from my local dispensary. 

*CBD is legal to ship across all 50 states.

Kit and Accessories

Like most Arizer products, the ArGo comes with a pretty substantial kit and enough spares to last you a good while. The included USB charger also includes a dedicated wall outlet adapter- something that’s a usual addition to most vape kits. 

The standard ArGo Kit comes with the following:

• Arizer Go
• Two glass mouthpieces
• 18650 battery
• Two silicone stem caps
• Packing tool
• USB charger
• Wall outlet adapter
• Carrying case

Design and Features

The ArGo is handsomely designed. Made with a combination of hard plastic and anodized aluminum parts – the ArGo is sleek, compact, with clean lines, and an understated two-tone monochromatic finish. At only 4 inches tall (regardless of whether the mouthpiece is propped up or not), there’s no doubt that this little device is portable and pocket-friendly.

The short mouthpiece and the mouthpiece guard on the ArGo are definitely convenient, especially in comparison to other Arizer models. On earlier Arizer vapes the oven sat at the top end of the device with the glass stem exposed several inches up from the body. It serves the same function on the ArGo as it does on those larger vapes, in that it makes herb loading extremely easy and the neutral material definitely keeps the vapor pure. For a little added convenience you can preload the mouthpiece with herb and store them using the included stem caps to seal off the filling end.

Once any user hears “glass mouthpiece on a portable vape” their next thought is probably about breakage. But on the ArGo, that’s not a problem at all. The mouthpiece guard pops up to conceal the mouthpiece and then simply pops into the device simply by pressing a button located at the back. Simply push the guard down again when you’re good to vape. 

At the front of the device is a clear OLED screen that displays information about which temperature you’re on and the device’s battery level. The buttons are located at the bottom of the display and are quite tactile and firm.

Battery Performance

The ArGo’s battery lasts for about ninety minutes, which is the average for most portable vaporizers. It takes about three and a half hours to charge, which is well above average for most portable vaporizers. Fortunately, the battery (buy on amazon),  is removable and replaceable. So you can just swap in a new one if you don’t feel like waiting for the dead battery to recharge or you can get a 18650 battery charger (buy on amazon), and always have a fully charged spare waiting. 

Precise Temperature controls

The ArGo operates at temperatures as low as 122° F (50° C) and all the way to 428° F (220° C). I find that the ArGo’s sweet spot is at 350° F – 400° F (180° C – 200° C). The resulting vapor at this temperature has a perfectly balanced flavor to vapor density ratio.

The Arizer Go’s temperature may be altered in increments of one and holding either + or – buttons for 10 seconds, jumps the temperature by 10 at a time.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Much like its older siblings, the ArGo is a pretty low-maintenance vape. Since it’s loaded by dipping the mouthpiece onto the herb, there isn’t a herb chamber that you need to worry about cleaning. The mouthpiece simply needs to be cleaned every few uses. 

For a quick clean, use a q-tip to wipe the inner surface of the mouthpiece. For a more thorough clean, dip the q-tip in isopropyl alcohol before starting. Try to clean the mouthpiece while it’s still warm, if you wait too long, the resin will cool and harden, making it much tougher to clean.

Performance and Vapor Quality

The ArGo’s vapor quality is astounding and this is all thanks to the convection/conduction heating system and glass mouthpiece. I found that I got the most balanced vapor (in flavor and density) at 370°F to 390°F. Any lower than 360°F and the flavor is not strong enough, and at temps higher than 400°F, the resulting vapor begins to get harsh and uncomfortable.

The vapor does get a little warmer in the Argo than it does in the other Arizer vapes because its glass mouthpiece is understandably shorter, closer to the battery and the heating element. On other Arizer devices, the entire mouthpiece is outside the device – as opposed to encased in it- like on the ArGo. 

The vapor never feels uncomfortable, but if you’re used to the Solo 2 or Air 2, then you might be surprised. Although, compared to other portable weed vapes, it’s relatively alright. It takes roughly a minute to heat to the selected temperature, which is oddly long for portable vaporizers and it does quite warm to the touch after subsequent use – which is quite fair considering how small the device is. Draw resistance on the ArGo is also quite low – as long as both the mouthpiece and the screen are clean. So if you’re looking to keep the draw resistance to a minimum, consistent cleaning is necessary.

Bottom Line

The ArGo comes from a long line of great vaporizers by Canadian brand Arizer, so the bar is definitely set pretty high here. For something this small, the Arizer Go is a worthwhile vaporizer that produces well-balanced vapor and truly maximizes its convection/conduction heating system.

At $165, it classifies as a mid-range vaporizer that’s suited for any user regardless of whether you’re a beginner or an expert. Between the portables in Arzer’s line-If you’re looking for something portable and discreet, the ArGo definitely fits the bill. For cooler and more flavorful vapor, I’d highly suggest the Solo 2 or the Air 2. For a full view of the differences between Arizer devices, check out our Arizer Go vs Arizer Solo 2 vs Arizer Air 2 comparison. 

Background

The Arizer Air 2 (visit store) is a portable dry herb vaporizer, made by Canadian manufacturer Arizer. Arizer has long been a go-to brand for dry herb vapes, both portable and desktop- they’ve desktop vapes such as Extreme Q (review) and V Tower (review) and have received high ratings for their portable vaporizer, the Solo 2 (review)

NEW VERSION RELEASED: Arizer Air MAX (read review | visit store)

The Air 2 follows the original air and it’s definitely an upgrade- with some key Arizer features retained. The Air 2 still sports their signature matte finish and has a newly shaped high-quality borosilicate glass mouthpiece – that aids in making vapor the purest and most flavorful it can be. On the Air 2, there’s definitely more control over the experience with the new three-button interface, the addition of a digital screen, and custom temperatures. These features come alongside the replaceable 18650 battery and a hybrid convection and conduction oven.

Compatibility: The Arizer Air 2 is compatible with dry Cannabis herb. I tested this product with both CBD and THC herb. Namely Skywalker CBD from InHemp  and Durban Poison THC from a local dispensary. 

*CBD is legal to ship throughout all 50 US States.

Kit & Accessories

The Air 2 comes with a kit that’s more than full. It comes with a number of accessories and spare pieces (just in case). One of its more interesting accessories is a special dish that allows it to be used as an aromatherapy diffuser. Also, this might be one of the few kits I’ve reviewed where the USB charging cable came with a dedicated wall adapter- since the wire comes solo and you may then opt to use a wall adapter you already owned or another power source.

• Arizer Air 2
• 70 mm glass mouthpiece + 70 mm glass mouthpiece w/ plastic tip
• Silicone stem caps
• 18650 lithium-ion battery
• Stirring tool
• Aromatherapy dish + aromatherapy sample
• USB charging cable + wall outlet adapter
• Carrying case

Official Accessories

Replacements for all the various components of the Air 2 are available from the Arizer website. There are optional components as well, such as a curved mouthpiece that makes handheld vaping a little easier. If you want even cleaner, cooler vapor – there is an attachment to connect a water bubbler to the Air 2.  Use our coupon code TVG20 for 20% off your total purchase on Vapor.com.

Design & Features

Arizer’s design philosophy is “Better by Design”- which surely informs their dedication to improving on existing products like the Solo and the Air. Arizer’s range of well-designed products has also earned it a loyal customer base.

The Air 2 has a slim, cylindrical stainless steel body. The section of the device that covers the atomizer has gaps that not only aid in heat retention but also give the device a rugged look. The Air 2 feel’s great to hold, with its buttons ergonomically placed in front, attaching the mouthpiece is a no-brainer- but it does make the device a lot taller. 

Though listed as “portable” this isn’t a pocketable device- with all pieces attached, the whole device stands at 5 inches. If you’re looking to take it with you, the kit does come with an included carrying case- which has a dedicated pocket for both the glass mouthpiece and a spare 18650 battery (buy on amazon).

Mouthpiece

The borosilicate glass mouthpiece is definitely a brand signature- helping to keep the vapor cool because of its length. It also keeps the vapor pure since the neutral material does not affect the flavor of the vapor in any way. It’s obviously a lengthy mouthpiece, but its length is what aids in keeping draw resistance very low- no more of that “thick milkshake” feeling when you draw.

The bowl is at the base of the mouthpiece and provides a fool-proof loading method. Simply dip the base in your herb and twist up. The bowl holds roughly 0.1g to 0.2g of herb at a time. If you’re pre-loading for the day, simply preload the bowl and seal off the filling end.

Battery Performance

The replaceable 18650 battery has a 3200 mAH capacity and lasts for about 65 to 80 minutes, which is slightly better than average. The trade-off, however, is that it takes about two hours to recharge. Fortunately, there are ways to make that wait more bearable. The Air 2 features pass-through charging, so you can keep vaping while the Air 2 recharges. Another option is to purchase a spare 18650 battery and swap the dead battery out for a new one, so you never need to stop vaping for long.

How to use

1. Power up the Air 2 by holding down the power button for 3 seconds.
2. Select the temperature using the up and down arrows.
3. Place the base of the mouthpiece into your herb, remove it and tap the packed herb slightly to create a slight gap between the herb and the opening of the base.
4. Place the mouthpiece into the oven and then inhale the vapor.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Cleaning the Air 2 can be done in near-zero time. When you do need to clean it, all you have to do is soak the mouthpiece in isopropyl alcohol for a few hours, and then rinse it out with hot water.

Make sure to clean the Air 2 after a session while it’s still lightly warm- waiting for it to fully cool will harden the gunk and the mouthpiece will become much harder to clean.

Performance & Vapor Quality

The Air 2 takes a good while to heat up, about over a minute- and that’s definitely much longer than a good number of dry herb vaporizers. However, it does stay cool to the touch while it’s in use, and with draw resistance being really low, you have the option to take huge, lung-filling draws or small, dainty sips.

The oven temperature can be calibrated to the degree and ranges anywhere from 122 to 428 Fahrenheit (50 and 220 Celsius). Simply press the + and – buttons to control the temperature and hold the + button to increase it in 10-degree increments. I found that at 370°F to 390°F, the vapor quality was at its most balanced in density and flavor.

With its hybrid convection/conduction oven, vapor quality is expected to be good. The glass mouthpiece takes it even further by ensuring that the vapor is crisp, cool, and flavorful. Since there are no impurities in the airpath you get the full flavor notes of the herb every time.

Bottom Line

While the Air 2 does not exactly produce thick, dense vapor- it’s no point against the device. The Arizer Air 2 was definitely engineered for flavor. The only issue I can think of is that having a tall straw-like mouthpiece will be somewhat of a hassle. But it’s nothing a little extra caution won’t mend. The device itself is built to be tough and will definitely survive a bit of wear and tear.

At $150, the Arizer Air 2 does not come cheap, with many other devices priced lower- but if you’re a flavor fiend, this device will suit your needs perfectly. Although, if the replaceable battery isn’t an issue – the Solo 2 comes highly recommended. If you’re still on the fence, check out our list of the best dry herb vaporizers of 2022 and if you’re curious about the differences between Arizer devices, view our Arizer Go vs Arizer Solo 2 vs Arizer Air 2 comparison.

Design and Features

Design

The Solo 2 has a pretty bland, but functional design. It has a circular menu pad that is very responsive and an OLED screen above it that displays vital information like the temperature setting and battery level. It’s also very easy to use because all you need to do is stick the end of the mouthpiece into your herb and then stick it into the oven. It’s one of the easiest and quickest filling procedures out there. The overall plainness of the design might not be too exciting, but that is made up for by the sheer ease of use of the whole device. It’s a very solid, sturdy feeling device as well. Once you hold it, you can tell that the fit and finish are top class, nothing feels cheap or shoddily made here.

The glass stem is made from durable, heat resistant borosilicate glass. It helps to keep the vapor cool because of the long air path, and it preserves the flavor of the vapor because of the neutral material of the glass. It has four good-sized air holes in the partition that separates the airpath from the section of the mouthpiece where the herb is placed. 

You can use one of the filter screens if you want, but it’s not necessary, especially since you have to worry about cleaning those screens if you do use them. As long as you don’t grind your herb too finely, you won’t need those screens. 

The Solo 2 is a little on the large side for a portable, it won’t fit in your pocket, but it fits just fine in a purse or a backpack. So it’s better suited to at-home vaping as opposed to taking it out on a hike or any other outdoor activity, especially since you have to worry about that long glass stem.

Kit and Accessories

• Arizer Solo 2 Vape
• One 90 mm glass tube + one 110 mm glass tube 
• Two silicone stem caps 
• Glass aroma dish for using aromatherapy herbs
• Stainless steel stirring tool & filter screens
• Wall charger & carrying case
• Lavender botanical aromatic samples

Compatibility: The Solo 2 is only compatible with dry herb. However, it does have a secondary function as an aromatic diffuser. In that mode, aromatic herbs can be placed in the “aroma dish” where they heat up and spread their therapeutic aroma throughout the environment.

Official Accessories

There are a variety of different accessories available for the Solo 2, but the most interesting are the various mouthpieces.

• Curved Mouthpiece – This mouthpiece curves at the top and allows users to vape without having to hold the Solo 2 directly below them. This is possibly the best mouthpiece for the Solo 2 and it would have been nice if it were included.

• Tipped Aroma Tube – This mouthpiece has a narrow, tapered opening that feels more natural to inhale from. It also allows users to inhale less vapor during each draw.  

• Frosted Glass Tube – If you want to attach a water pipe to the Solo 2, then this is the accessory you need.

There are also replacements available for any of the accessories included in the kit. You can get all of these accessories from the Arizer website, just make sure to use the Arizer coupon code when you do.

Features

The long borosilicate glass mouthpieces included with the Solo 2 are an Arizer trademark and they are its most notable features. Not only do they simplify the loading process, but their long air path also helps to cool down the vapor before it reaches the user’s mouth. The neutral material of the glass also helps to keep the flavor of the vapor pure so it is untainted by any foreign materials. They might be simple, but the glass mouthpieces are some of the best features you will encounter in any vaporizer.

How to Use

1. Place the bottom end of one of the glass tubes into your herb, tap the end to create a small space between the herb and the opening, and then place the tube into the herb chamber.
2. Hold down the menu button and the up button simultaneously to turn on the device.
3. Press the up-down buttons to choose the temperature in 1° increments or hold them down to select the temperature in 10° increments.
4. Inhale from the mouthpiece when heating is complete.

Cleaning and Maintenance

The Solo 2 is one of the lowest maintenance vaporizers you will ever use. Only the glass tubes need to be cleaned do and doing so is easy. The included cleaning tool is used to scrape out any herb residue from inside the glass tube. That’s usually all you need to do, but if you want to be more thorough, then you can soak them in isopropyl alcohol for a few minutes and then rinse them out with hot water. The oven occasionally needs cleaning as well, and you can do so by using an iso dipped cotton swab while holding the Solo 2 upside down.

Tip: Don’t leave the herb residue in the glass tube for too long because it will dry out, get sticky and make cleaning more difficult. Instead, clean the mouthpieces after each session while the mouthpiece is still a little warm and the residue is still loose.

Performance and Vapor Quality

Performance

Aside from the quick loading, the Solo 2 is also convenient because it heats up extremely quickly. And, unlike smaller vapes, the Solo 2 doesn’t get hot after extended use.  

Vapor Quality 

The vapor of the Solo 2 is smooth, pure, and cool all because of the hybrid heating system and the borosilicate mouthpieces. The reason is that the mouthpieces provide a lengthy air path that cools down the vapor and keeps it pure. The longer mouthpiece is better for keeping the vapor cool because of its length. The vapor does feel warmer with the shorter mouthpiece, so that’s something you need to keep in mind when deciding which mouthpiece to use. 

Draw resistance depends on the density of your grind and how tightly you pack your herb. If you don’t grind the herb fine enough and if you overpack the stem, then the draw can be pretty restrictive. Finer grinds and a looser pack will make the vapor more free-flowing. 

The Solo 2 produces dense, visible vapor, more than you would expect from a weed vaporizer. The vapor is denser at the higher temperatures while the flavor is better at the lower end, so remember that when selecting your temperature.

The Solo 2 can fit about 0.15 grams of herb, but you don’t need to fill it to capacity if you don’t want to. It’s possible to microdose by using just enough herb to fill the stem. However, you will need to set the temperature a little higher than usual in order to vaporize the herb. The Solo 2 is one of the better Arizer dry herb vaporizers, but if you want to know if it’s the best Arizer vaporizer, then you’ll have to check out the Arizer Solo 2 vs Arizer Air 2 vs Arizer Go comparison.

Battery Performance

The Solo 2 has one of the longest-lasting batteries in the biz, capable of going for up to three hours without a recharge. So you can have multiple sessions in a row if that’s your thing. Charging takes a brisk ninety minutes so you’ll never be without its services for too long. And, as a nice bonus, the Solo 2 has pass-through charging so you can continue to vape even as it charges up.

Background

Canada-based brand Arizer has built a pretty solid reputation for making well-performing, high-quality desktop and portable vaporizers. Notable devices include the Solo 2 (review) and their most recent release – the XQ2 desktop vaporizer (review). The Arizer Air line started 10 years ago, with the release of the first Air, and then followed by the Arizer Air 2 (review) some time ago. Now, in early 2022 Arizer Air MAX (buy) is the latest in the brand’s line-up.

Arizer has made a signature out of being the brand best known for harnessing the effects of glass on vapor quality. Regardless of whether desktop or portable, their devices have a similar set of cornerstone features: precise temperature control, clear OLED screens, and several borosilicate glass pieces that keep the vapor cool and pure. The Air Max has all these signatures – made even better.

Features Snapshot

• Kit with a full suite of glass accessories
• Aluminum Body and Cylindrical Design
• LED screen and Ergonomic Button Placement
• The Power of Glass
• High-Capacity Removable Battery
• Smooth Herb Loading Process
• Advanced Ceramic Hybrid Heater
• Consistent Vapor Quality

Kit & Accessories

The Air Max’s kit comes with a full suite of accessories – everything you need to enjoy the Max to the…max.

The Arizer Air Max kit includes:

• Arizer Air Max Device
• 2600mAh Battery & USB-C Cable
• Glass Aroma Tube (70mm)
• Frosted Glass Aroma Tube (14mm)
• Glass Aroma Dish.
• 2 Silicone Stem Caps.
• 2 PVC Travel Tube w/ Cap (70mm Size)

Silicone Stem Caps and Water-Pipe Adapter

A former downside I always noted with Arizer portables is that while they really are devices that fit in a pocket or a small bag, the fragility of the mouthpieces was somewhat limiting. Thankfully, that’s been improved and even taken further on the Max. The kit now comes with 2 PVC travel tubes and even silicone stem caps. The stem cap and PVC tube combination essentially turn the easy-to-load glass stems into glass pods that you can fill up, pack, and just pop into the oven when you need it.

Taking it even further, the kit comes with an included water pipe adapter that fits into any rig with a 14mm joint. Arizer vapor quality is already great, but being able to filter that through water – makes it even cooler and impurity-free.

Aluminum Body and Cylindrical Design

The Arizer Air Max (much like all of Arizer’s devices) has a tall, cylindrical body. It’s got a great dense hand feel, and there’s definitely some heft to it. The Air Max looks somewhat like a cross between the Air and the Solo 2- with its general shape resembling the air, but the flat sides are very much like the Solo’s.

Device Body: At first glance, the Air Max is quite a lot to take in – it’s topped by a tall glass mouthpiece, and has vents that outline the heating element. Then there are the four recessed sides for the discreet OLED display, firing button, temperature control, and charging. It’s not exactly the most minimal device, but it’s not meant to be loud either.

The Air Max measures 6 inches tall – making it only slightly taller than the Air 2. But is a bit heavier due to the upgraded ceramic heater, and the much larger battery.

LED screen and Ergonomic Button Placement

The LED Screen is located right on the front, and once you turn the Air Max on, you’re greeted by the signature Arizer “Hi :)”. The LED screen isn’t too bright and won’t catch too much attention. For even further discretion, it can be switched to dark mode and display custom settings/ icons for specific functions.

Having the buttons on the sides makes the device more ergonomic and eliminates having to fumble around for controls. It’s a big jump especially when you consider that both the Solo 2 and the Air 2 had their LED screens and all buttons on the same front side.

Automatic Screen Inversion

The fact that the screen automatically inverts when the Air Max is flipped – is a small detail with a big impact. It means that you can comfortably use it alongside the adapter and your chosen water pipe. 

High-Capacity Removable Battery

Arizer devices have always had high-capacity batteries – but the Air Max takes it even further with a removable 26650 battery. The battery alone measures about 4 inches and takes up nearly the entire bottom half of the Air Max. It’s an interchangeable 5750mAh battery, providing up to 2 ¼ hours of use on a single charge. It charges quickly via USB-C and also features pass-through charging.

Aromatherapy Bowl

Similar to other Arizer devices, the Air Max comes with a pack of dried herbs that work with an included aromatherapy bowl. I’ve actually found myself using this feature pretty often at home, or when vaping with friends. Instead of using an essential oil diffuser, I take raw dried sage, chamomile, or even citrus peels, place them into the bowl, turn the temperature and set the fan on low and let the scent spread throughout the space.

Smooth Herb Loading Process

The Arizer signature glass stems are great for keeping vapor pure and flavorful – but one of its best qualities is that it makes loading the oven so uncomplicated. Instead of trying to scoop the herb into the oven, just twist the mouthpiece into your herb and placing it in the chamber. This also makes it pretty easy to clean when necessary.  

Advanced Ceramic Hybrid Heater

The Ceramic Heating Element has been upgraded to boost the heating power of the vaporizer. This is also where that large battery comes into play, it’s able to supply power to the large 0.25g oven and get it to heat to temp in less than 60 seconds. For better control of the upgraded heater, you can opt to control the temp in 1-degree increments within a pretty wide 122° – 428° F range.

The Air Max features hybrid heating, which is the simultaneous use of conduction and convection heating. Conduction heats the herb via direct contact, while convection heats it by circulating the air in and around the material – both allowing for the most even vaporization of dry herb. Hybrid heating + the long glass mouthpieces are a signature Arizer combination that delivers cooled, impurity-free, terpene-heavy vapor. 

Heat Dissipation

Surprisingly, even when using the Air Max at the high end of its temperature range – it remained cool to the touch. It’s largely due to the vent design that wraps around the entire heating element – and the fact that your grip is mainly on the battery, which takes up the whole bottom half of the device.

The Power of Glass

It’s hard to talk about any Arizer Device without talking about its signature heat-resistant borosilicate glass mouthpieces. It’s one of the Air Max’s most notable features, cooling down the vapor before it reaches the user’s mouth and the neutral material of the glass also helps to keep the vapor’s flavor pure and untainted by any foreign materials. In fact, glass mouthpieces are probably one of the best features you’ll find on any vaporizer

Consistent Vapor Quality

One of the best perks of the Air Max’s power is its ability to hold and maintain the same temperature throughout the entire session. This means the vapor quality you experience at the start of your session will be the same till the end. Unlike other devices with less power available to them, and vapor that starts out thick and ends thin. The Arizer Air Max vapor was consistently dense and flavorful. 

Bottom Line

Overall, I can’t recommend this vaporizer enough. It’s a solid device that delivers excellent quality vapor- consistently. Arizer has always delivered well-performing devices, suited for anyone, regardless of your vaping experience level. It’s also pretty cool to see Arizer refreshing their product lines, especially since they don’t do this very often – they had just refreshed the XQ2 desktop vaporizer recently, and I’m pretty sure the Solo line is up next. (It’s an exciting time for Arizer!)

To read more about the best devices available and all our in-depth reviews on each one, check out our list of the best dry herb vaporizers of 2022.

Background

Canada-based brand Arizer has built a pretty good reputation for themselves first as creators of affordable desktop vaporizers, and later on – reliable portable dry herb vaporizers such as the Solo 2 (review) and the Arizer Go (review). Regardless of whether desktop or portable – Arizer devices have a similar set of cornerstone features: precise temperature control, clear OLED screens, and long, borosilicate mouthpieces that keep the vapor cool, which is an Arizer signature.

Now, Arizer has gone back to its roots and released a new desktop device – the Arizer XQ2 (buy). I’m pretty excited to see what seems to be an updated version of the Extreme Q (review). According to the product page – the remote-controlled XQ2 is the culmination of Arizer’s 15 years of product design and development experience, and of the feedback from their customers.

Kit and Accessories

The Arizer XQ2’s kit comes with a full suite of accessories. Several of them are made of Arizier’s signature high-temperature, borosilicate glass.

Here’s what comes in the XQ2’s fully equipped kit:

• 3-foot silicone whip with glass mouthpiece
• Glass mini whip, balloon mouthpiece, connoisseur bowl, and aromatherapy dish
• Balloon connector, caps, and balloon bags
• Domed and flat screens
• Air intake filter
• Stainless steel tool
• Power adapter
• Remote Control

The XQ2’s kit is comprised of a lot of individual pieces – which definitely makes it overwhelming straight out of the box. But note that you don’t exactly have to use all these pieces and that they’re for the many possible functions of the XQ2 and it definitely means you won’t ever have to purchase anything else for it. Everything you need to use the XQ2 is already included.

Design and Features

Judging from looks alone, the Arizer XQ2 doesn’t differ much from the rest of the desktops on the market – such as the Volcano and Extreme Q. One of the most surprising things however is that the XQ2 is extremely light. Without the pieces attached – the Multi-purpose heater weighs about a 450g – which is pretty great if you’re looking to take it out to a party or something.

The main body of the XQ2 has a shiny finish, while the base is matte and houses the digital display and the 5 buttons for power, settings, temperature controls, and a dedicated button for the 3-speed fan. Circling the base is the LED strip which lights up to indicate the current device status or the mode you’re in. You can also set it to Spectrum Mode – which changes the colors every couple of seconds.

Remote Control

One of the best things about the XQ2 is that it comes with programmable remote control. It’s definitely underrated and at first, I found myself thinking it wasn’t necessary – but it definitely turns out to be. Especially when using the XQ2 for aromatherapy.

The remote itself has an easy-to-use and understand the layout and allows you to turn the XQ2 on/off, set your desired temperature, choose a color for the LED strip, and turn on the fan. There are also dedicated buttons for 3 pre-set, yet customizable temperatures.  With the onboard controls, you’ll have to press the buttons repeatedly to run through the settings – but with the remote, it’s all just a much faster more streamlined experience.

How to Use

There are several ways to use the XQ2- either with the whip, balloon or as an aromatherapy device.

Aromatherapy

Similar to other Arizer devices the XQ2 comes with a pack of dried herbs that work with an included aromatherapy bowl. I’ve actually found myself using this feature pretty often at home. Instead of using an essential oil diffuser, I take raw dried sage, chamomile, or even citrus peels, place it into the bowl, turn the temperature and set the fan on low and let the scent spread throughout the room.

Using the Whip

To use the whip you’ll obviously need to attach the connoisseur bowl to the heater – and fill it with the herb. After which, let the connoisseur bowl heat up to your desired temperature – this takes roughly 1-2 minutes. 

With the XQ2, its highly recommended that you “prime” – which is essentially letting your material sit and heat up on the bowl for about 3-5 minutes after the XQ2 hits its temp. It’s not mandatory, but without it, you’ll find yourself having to do several draws to warm up the material and see any extraction.

When primed and ready, place the top of the whip connection onto the bowl and take a long and consistent draw through the glass mouthpiece. Inhaling without the fan means that you’d need to suck air through the tube. Another way of using the XQ2 is to turn on the internal fan for an assisted draw. The fan will push vapor out of the whip for you, making consumption effortless. 

Using the Balloon

Using the XQ2 with the balloon follows the same sort of starting procedure – but instead of waiting for the heating to finish, you’ll have to attach the balloon to the bowl as it’s climbing up to temperature. Once heated, turn on the fan to fill the balloon.

When it’s full, simply detach and seal the balloon and draw from the mouthpiece! Now you have great-tasting vapor you can consume on-demand. Just don’t forget to remove the glass pieces from the balloon before you do!

Performance and Vapor Quality

On the XQ2, there are just a few small differences in the results between the whip or balloon – In fact, when using the whip attachment at a low temperature- you’ll find that your draws will be quite light, but heavy on the terpenes. You’ll be able to taste every nuance in your material and fully savor it. The XQ2, of course, is also capable of creating big dense results, which are still just as pure – yet trade off a bit of that flavor for more vapor.

Vapor Quality: The XQ2’s vapor quality is consistently good. the convection ceramic heater alongside all the neutral borosilicate glass pieces – delivers particularly well-flavored vapor. But with the balloon, the vapor is at its coolest – since allowing the vapor to sit in the balloon lowers its temperature. Drawing from the balloon is as easy as breathing and causes no irritation whatsoever.

Fan Speed: Regardless of if you’re using the whip or the bowl, a slower speed results in vapor that’s milky and very dense. If you’re using the fan on high, then the vapor becomes thinner and pretty much see-through.

Bottom Line

The Arizer XQ2 is definitely a great buy for anyone looking to add a desktop device to their arsenal. It’s not the cheapest of devices, but it definitely is worth it especially with a kit as large as it has.

The only downside I can think of is that the XQ2’s glass pieces definitely are fragile – which means you’ll definitely have to be extra careful during handling. But other than that – the XQ2 delivers great functionality, performs well and is more suited for fun, at home sessions. If you’re looking for the best in dry herb vaping this year- definitely check out our list of the best of 2022.