Background
The Storz & Bickel Mighty+ (plus) and the Firefly 2+ (plus) are trailblazers in their class – with features that are either rare in other devices or first seen on either the Mighty+ or the Firefly 2+. The Mighty retains its “king of the hill” status, post its update as the Mighty+ (review | buy) with its ceramic-lined filling chamber, fast USB-C charging, 60-second heat-up time, Just like its predecessor, the Mighty+ retains its large LED screen, precise temperature control, swiveling mouthpiece, and of course – S&B Hybrid Heating.
The Firefly 2+ (review | buy) is also an update to a popular original and boasts a quick heat-up time (thanks to a dynamic convection heating system), an isolated glass vapor path, removable 770mAh battery, a smartphone app, and a visible herb chamber, so users can see the state of their herb throughout a session. But the Firefly 2+’s claim to fame is that it’s one of the few on-demand vaporizers – allowing users the freedom to vape a single oven whenever they want.
Comparison Snapshot:
Similarities:
- Flagship vaporizers that deliver best in class vapor
- Internal batteries
- Basic Device Kits (with all necessary inclusions)
- Features never before seen on other vaporizers
- On-Board Controls
Differences:
- Price
- Design, Size, and Portability
- Device Body Material
- Heating Method
- Precise Temperature Control
- Battery life
- More accessories available for the Mighty+
- Mouthpiece
- LED Display
Kit and Accessories
Both device kits are pretty straightforward, with everything you need to start vaping straight out of the box, plus the necessary cleaning tools and spares. What differs greatly is the number and sort of accessories that are available for purchase.
The Firefly 2+’s accessory environment is a bit on the basic side, with top lid replacements, a charging dock, extra replacement screens, and extra mouthpieces.
Accessory shopping for the Mighty+ (Plus) on the other hand, has been made much easier by the S&B Ecosystem – where device accessories are compatible with all the brand’s portables. They’re also available to purchase individually or packaged as part of a kit.
Notable kits are the
- The Side Kit: A set of accessories and spares that are compatible with the classic Mighty, Crafty, Crafty+ (Plus), and the Mighty+ (Plus). It retails for $20 and contains spares, cleaning tools, a filling aid (an S&B must-have), capsule caddy, and herb mill.
- Wear and Tear Kit: This kit has all the spare pieces to refresh the cooling unit. It retails for $35 and it includes a spare cooling unit, mouthpieces, filling chamber, and other spares and cleaning tools.
Rugged and Utilitarian
It’s been said over and over again, but there’s really no better way to describe the Mighty+’s design than as Rugged and Utilitarian. Most of its device body is covered in an ingenious finned design that keeps the entire device very cool to the touch. The Mighty +and its little brother, the Crafty +, are both made from a medical-grade, advanced biomaterial called PEEK.
The cooling unit and swiveling mouthpiece are at the top of the device, and this sits right above three (3) columns: two batteries on either side and the hybrid heating chamber in the center. The bottom half of the device houses the larger-than-usual LED screen and two orange (and very tactile) triangular temperature buttons. The Mighty+ (Plus) isn’t one to fit in any pocket, but it might fit a small or medium-sized bag.
Sleek, compact, and minimal
The Firefly 2+’s design isn’t far from the original, the main difference being the window that highlights the logo and sits beneath the viewing portal. It’s definitely more discreet and sleek than the2 Mighty+ (plus), with its clean lines, flat sides, and elongated device body.
The Firefly 2+ (Plus) is made to be held flat and outwards, as opposed to below your lips. The entire top lid of the device is removable to expose the chamber and is magnetically sealed for security. On the flat sides are the touch-sensitive buttons for power and temperature control.
LED display and On-Board Controls
The Mighty+ (plus) is a large portable, with an equally large display- which sits alongside two tactile arrow buttons. This display size definitely makes it easy to see everything that’s going on with the device, from the battery level to the current heating temperature.
The only other button is the orange power button on the side for turning the Mighty+ on/off and to activate the super-boost mode.
Touch-Sensitive Controls
As mentioned earlier, the Firefly 2+ (plus) has touch-sensitive controls – one on either side of the device, and both have to be held while you draw. It definitely feels a bit awkward, but it makes a lot of sense, having two sensors instead of just one reduces the risk of accidentally turning it on when it’s in your bag or pocket.
Smartphone App
To control the Firefly 2+’s full temperature range, you’ll need to connect it to the accompanying smartphone app. On the device itself, you can pick temperatures ranging from 320°F to 420°F and go up in 20° increments. On the app, you can go from 200°F to 420°F in 10° increments.
Other than just better control, the app is also where you’ll find full device information such as the battery life and current operating temperature. There’s also the option to customize the button configurations to your liking.
Batteries and Charging
The Mighty+ (plus) has an equally mighty battery – at 4600mAH, the Mighty+ will last you 2 hours and a half of use and charges in only a couple of hours via USB-C.
The Firefly 2+ (plus) has a 770mAh battery, which is completely replaceable. Meaning you can swap a dead one out for a charged one on the go. The Firefly kit includes two batteries – but the removable battery needs to be in the vaporizer while it recharges, which kind of makes replaceable batteries moot.
One fully charged battery should last for about five to seven bowls, depending on which temperatures you operate on. The entire device slides right into a proprietary dock and takes 45 minutes to charge from 0.
Between these two, there’s no question – the Mighty+ (plus) wins. Other than having more capacity, USB-C is just way more accessible.
Glass Vapor Path, Mouthpiece, and Bowl
Glass pieces are one of the best features you’ll find on a vaporizer. Glass is a neutral material that keeps vapor pure, so it’s untainted by any impurities or foreign material. Firefly has definitely made sure that the flavor really stands out and they the right move by making the bowl, mouthpiece, and airpath all out of heat-resistant borosilicate glass.
The Firefly 2+’s mouthpiece is flat, sticks out of the main body, and is removable for easy cleaning. This mouthpiece is connected to the vapor path that runs from the glass bowl at the top of the device. This extended vapor path cools down the vapor even further.
Cooling Unit
One of the most interesting features of the Mighty+ (Plus) is the Cooling Unit. A product of great engineering, the cooling unit is essentially a lengthy vapor path within a small space. Hot air travels up from the chamber and is directed through the maze-like path in the unit before it goes through the mouthpiece – resulting in perfectly cooled, excellent tasting vapor.
Firefly 2+ vs. The Crafty+
It definitely makes great sense to compare the Firefly 2+ (plus) with the smaller S&B portable – the Crafty+ (review | buy). Other than size, the Crafty+ and Firefly 2+ – both lack an onboard display and require you to connect to the smartphone app for full control over the device. They’re also closer in price with the Crafty+ at $280 while the Firefly 2+ is priced at $249.
The Crafty+ features its own cooling unit, three pre-set temperatures, a larger battery with a 2800mAh capacity, and USB-C charging. It also boasts a quick 1-minute heat-up time – but it's nowhere near as fast as the Firefly 2+’s nor does it have on-demand functionality. But since the Crafty+ does make use of S&B’s hybrid heating it delivers near similar results to the Mighty+ (plus), which is well-balanced, nuanced, vapor.
On-Demand Convection Heating
On-Demand heating is the Firefly 2+’s star feature, especially since they are really only are a handful of devices that have this feature. On-Demand heating means that you can simply take a hit whenever you want, instead of vaping all of the material in a single session. This is possible since the dynamic convection oven cools down just as fast as it heats up.
This also makes it easy to microdose on the Firefly 2+ (plus), draw as much or as little as you like. Since the Firefly 2+ is a pure convection vaporizer, I highly recommend a loose pack to allow the air to move through the dry herb, and also to stir through the oven after every 3-4 hits.
Vapor Quality: The Firefly’s use of both convection heating and glass pieces makes for one of the most flavorful results on a vaporizer. While the vapor is on the light side, it definitely delivers some heavy hitters.
S&B’S Signature Hybrid Heating
S&B’s invention of the hybrid heating system catapulted the brand to the top. Hybrid heating is the combination of both conduction/ convection to get the most out of your ground material and produce the best results. Since then, hybrid heating has been adopted on to several newer devices – yet none have so far matched S&B’s.
Vapor Quality: As the brand’s flagship portable, of course, the Mighty+ (Plus) delivers the best vapor quality of any vaporizer. The vapor is only lightly dense, potent, flavorful, and perfectly cooled. Regardless of wherever you are in the Mighty+’s 104°F – 410°F temperature range, you’re assured of consistent results.
Bottom Line
If we were keeping it strictly simple, between Firefly 2+ and the Mighty+ – the Mighty + wins in a lot of aspects. But choosing between these two devices isn’t at all that straightforward. As mentioned earlier, they’re made for two types of users.
If you’re on a tighter budget, yet are looking for a discreet, vape as you go device, definitely consider getting the Firefly 2+. It makes a great daily device and doesn’t compromise on build and vapor quality. If you’re in the market for a powerhouse – no questions asked, the Mighty+ is the one. It’s been at the top of our list of the best dry herb vaporizers since its release and it's a device that’s bound to deliver excellence for years to come.
