The ten best vaporizers of 2020
The best 2020's portable vaporizers
- Mighty
- Arizer Solo 2
- Firefly 2+
- Pax 3
- Fenix Mini
- Crafty+
- Davinci IQ2 / MIQRO
- Arizer ArGo
- XMAX Starry
- Boundless CF / CFX
1. Mighty
Although the Mighty has been on the market for almost four years, it is still the best dry herb portable vaporizer. Its steam quality matches some of the best desktop vaporizers. This speaks for itself. The steam is rich and tasty, which you are looking for in a good portable vaporizer.
Not only this device offers impressive steam quality, but it is also effortless to use. The display on the device provides simple temperature settings. It also has a built-in safety function that automatically turns off the device in case you forget.
The Mighty uses a combination of conduct and convection heating technology, which the manufacturer, Storz & Bickel, has patented. A unique ribbing is also built on its sides to cool down the steam.
The Mighty had already had one of the best battery life of all portable devices. Moreover, it got upgraded in 2018, increasing it by 20 percent. This means you can use it for almost two hours without charging. Hence, it can serve you all weekend, for example, if not longer. It is also equipped with continuous charging, which means you can use it even when plugged in. That is really handy.
Although it is not as easily portable as other vaporizers, it is small enough to be taken on the road, and it is the perfect size for home use. It is not cheap, though. However, you indeed get what you pay for. The Mighty is an investment that will definitely pay off in the long run.
2. Arizer Solo 2
The Arizer Solo 2 follows the extremely popular vaporizer, Solo. Arizer is a world-renowned brand for an apparent reason: They produce premium dry herb vaporizers that work well for a solid price.
The main reason why the Solo 2 is placed second is its impressive battery life. When fully charged, it runs for almost three hours without the need of charging. This is probably the longest battery life of any portable vaporizer to come on the market in 2020.
Not only the battery life falls into first-class, but also the steam quality is fantastic. It is equipped with a hybrid heating system made of ceramics and stainless steel, which delivers delicious and dense steam. The steam itself remains cold due to its long glass air conduction path.
You do not have to worry about the temperature even if you are impatient! The Arizer Solo 2 heats up in approximately 20 seconds, having the steam comes out almost instantly. The device's digital controls are elegant and easy to use.
Like the Mighty, the Arizer Solo 2 is not a downright pocket-sized device as it has a glass mouthpiece. However, the battery life and steam quality make up for it. Be sure to consider the Solo 2 if you're looking for a fantastic portable vaporizer for a fair price.
We did not include the Arizer Air 2 in the list. It, however, deserves an honorable mention. It is basically a smaller version of the Solo 2 with poorer battery life.
3. Firefly 2+
When the original Firefly hit the market, many were impressed. It is a convection herbal vaporizer that warms up in a few seconds and creates cool, dense steam. However, there have been several complaints about the size, insufficient temperature control, and battery life.
Coming out with the next model, all these ills were fixed. The Firefly 2 is twenty percent smaller, fifty percent lighter, with advanced temperature control, and has way better battery life. You can choose from six temperature settings between 170°C and 225°C, giving you the perfect steam density. You can even connect it with a smartphone. The Firefly app controls everything!
The manufacturer has released an upgraded version of the Firefly 2, which came out as Firefly 2+ (Plus). The most significant improvements were made in charging and battery life. Now you can charge to 80 % in 20 minutes, allowing you to get the device going again in no time. Even the battery's size is relatively small, thanks to technological innovations, the developers extended its service life. You can also replace it.
Since the Firefly 2+ uses a convection heating system, it provides some of the best steam quality of all portable vaporizers on this list. Even if you have to slowly inhale when using this device, it is not that hard. The Firefly 2+ also heats up almost instantly - you do not have to wait long until it reaches the desired temperature. Thanks to its design, the device is also super easy to clean and maintain. Not only does it look good, but it also functions well. This is what we call smart design!
4. Pax 3
Along with the Volcano, the Pax was a proud representative of vaporizers some time ago. Its original construction had a unique and elegant design that helped it stand out from the crowd. The Pax 3 looks even better with the new matte colors and has been added some significant improvements.
Its size is most likely the best enhancement. There are smaller vaporizers, but the Pax is the perfect size for all activities. It is excellent for hiking, skateboarding, snowboarding; you name it. It weighs only 93 grams, which is pretty crazy considering all the technology they have packed in it. The Pax 3 also heats up fast. It is ready in just 15 to 20 seconds. The steam is also surprisingly good! It gets generated by conduction heating, which does not offer the same subtle aroma of a convection vaporizer. However, this does not bother most people.
The manufacturer has also improved the battery life. You can use it for about an hour and a half before you have to charge it again. Even charging is very comfortable in the Pax 3, thanks to its innovative charging dock. From this, you can tell that they put a lot of effort into the development.
5. Fenix Mini
The company entered the competition with the Fenix vaporizer only a few years ago. They promised to provide a high-quality air conduction system that uses convection technology for heating herbs. They met this promise indeed. While their first couple of vaporizers were great, they delivered a top-class product with the Fenix Mini.
The most notable part of the Fenix Mini is that it comes (mostly) with a convection heating system that fits into your pocket. Up to this point, if you wanted a portable vaporizer that fits in your pocket, it very likely would come only with the conduction heating system. Although there is nothing wrong with that, convection heating is generally more effective and offers a better taste.
They also managed to get a very decent battery (2300mAh) in the Fenix Mini, allowing you to use this vaporizer for more than an hour, which is excellent. They also introduced USB-C charging with this model. It charges remarkably fast, and the USB-C connector does not wear out like the mini USB.
Finally, one of the main reasons why the Fenix Mini is approaching the top of our list is the price. Sure, the Mighty and Ghost MV1 has less resistance when inhaling and offers a better taste, but they are significantly more expensive. If you are looking for an affordable portable device, you should definitely reach for the Fenix Mini.
6. Crafty+
Crafty+ is a smart Mighty's little brother. Depending on your preferences, Crafty+ may come first as the best portable vaporizer for you.
It is cheaper than the Mighty, which is great. However, you might find a few things affecting its quality. Particularly, it does not have a built-in display, which means you have to control the app's temperature settings installed on your smartphone (this can become a complication because Apple has disabled vaping apps from its Store). Also, the steam is not as cold as with the Mighty.
The Crafty+ has a much better battery life than its predecessor. It provides almost 90 minutes of vaping time on a single full charge. It has also equipped a continuous charging to use even when it is plugged in.
If you are after a truly portable unit, you should pick the Crafty+. It weighs just 135 grams, making it very discreet and easy to fit in your pocket. This device is also fairly durable, which means you do not have to worry if you, for example, accidentally drop it.
Like all the Volcano products, it produces fantastic quality steam; even it is slightly hotter than the Mighty. It has a combination of a convection and conduction heating system, which is impressive for this size's vaporizer.
7. Davinci IQ / MIQRO
Davinci has been manufacturing vaporizers for over five years. They debuted with a quite original piece, the Davinci, and followed on this success with the Ascent. Their third product has become most likely the best portable vaporizer, no other than the Davinci IQ2.
Its sexy design, with a beautiful LED grid, is probably the best quality the device can offer. It almost looks like a stylish Apple device if you like.
Not only does it look great, but it also works great. It produces tasty steam from its ceramic heating chamber using a conduction heating system. It also has the Taste Chamber that allows you to vape dry herbs without crushing them first.
If you are looking for a genuinely pocket-sized and portable vaporizer, you have found your winner. The Davinci IQ2 is very small. It weighs only about 145 grams, which is relatively light compared to other portable units. You can easily slide it into your pocket along with your phone, for example.
The battery lasts only about an hour. This requires keeping an eye on the battery status. The good news is that the battery is replaceable. Thus, if you are going to go for the Davinci IQ2, consider buying a spare one. It is easy to switch the battery!
Davinci also released the MIQRO vaporizer, which is very similar to the IQ but has smaller dimensions and comes at a lower price. While the battery lasts a little less than in the IQ, it is also an amazing little device. If you are after a vaporizer that fits into your pocket, you should consider the MIQRO.
Davinci came out with the Davinci IQ2 in 2020. It is equipped with a new airflow control that allows you to regulate air intake. It also has a dosing technology that allows you to accurately track down how many active ingredients you have vaporized (it only works through the app, which is currently unavailable on Apple devices).
8. Arizer ArGo
The ArGo is an abbreviation for Arizer Go. It is Arizer's first truly portable vaporizer because the mouthpiece can be slid into the device. MostArizer's portable vaporizers have glass mouthpieces that need to be removed before placing them in your pocket or bag. This is not the case with the ArGo.
It is the size of a deck of cards and fits perfectly in your hand. Although small, Arizer did not save on material, thus the quality. The ArGo's robust and certainly not made of cheap plastic parts.
The steam quality equals other small portable devices, such as the Pax or Starry. From their previous products, the Solo 2 and Air 2, the manufacturer used their experience to combine a convection and conduction heating system and stuffed it into the ArGo. It has a pretty fast heat-up time, which allows you to vape in less than a minute.
They even managed to build a small OLED display into the tiny device. Thus, the battery status can be checked directly on the device without downloading the app. We prefer vaporizers with displays because apps can become a nuisance (not to mention that Apple has recently disabled vaporization-related apps).
The best feature of the ArGo is a removable battery. You can get a spare one and throw it into your pocket. Replaceable batteries also extend your vaporizer's service life because you do not have to throw it away in case of a fatal battery failure. That is a big plus!
9. XMAX Starry
The XMAX Starry is the cheapest vaporizer on the list, but its performance certainly overruns this stigma. It is a fantastic little vaporizer perfectly suitable for beginners and veterans looking for a super portable unit.
It has just perfect dimensions, allowing you to take this little friend for an adventure with you. It weighs only 120 grams, making it one of the lightest devices on the market. It perfectly fits into your hand as well as into your pocket. Be only careful as the mouthpiece can warm up easily during longer sessions.
It heats up to the desired temperature in about 30 seconds. The XMAX Starry offers a full spectrum of temperatures that can be easily set on the OLED display. You can play around with it and find the best settings. This is a conduction vaporizer, so do not expect some mind-blowing taste, which is still decent.
10. Boundless CF/CFX
Boundless has launched several cheap products, which have attacked the world of dry herbal vaporizers. The CF/CFX are essentially Crafty/Mighty in their poorer versions. They have hybrid convection heating, look alike, and are similar in size. Since they are half the price of their Volcano counterparts, the CF/CFX are quite impressive.
The Boundless CF is the smaller one. It is a relatively tiny device and offers five different temperature settings. The battery is non-replaceable and lasts approximately 50 minutes.
The Boundless CFX is the bigger brother. It has an excellent OLED display that lets you choose the exact temperatures. Similar to the CF, the battery is not replaceable and lasts about 60 minutes.
What sets these two vaporizers apart from the others is their steam quality. They offer the best steam quality of all vaporizers in the cheap category. They cannot match with the top, of course, but they still are better than most of the competitors. If you are new to vaporization or cannot afford a more pricey device, you will be happy with the Boundless CF or CFX.
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