The time has come to wrap up the first half of 2018 as VapeFuse takes you through our carefully chosen list of 2018’s Best Weed Vapes for Dry Herb!
We pride ourselves on personally testing and reviewing every vaporizer that comes through our doors so that we can be sure the product our customer is getting is quality.
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If you’re looking to score a new portable vape, VapeFuse’s 2018’s Best Weed Vapes for Dry Herb blog post is not one to miss!
Although the majority of these devices have been on the market for over 12-months, with the Arizer ArGo being the only exception.
Pictured left to right is the ArGo, the Storz & Bickel Crafty, the Arizer Solo II, the Hydrology9 by Cloudious9, and the DaVinci IQ Portable Vape.
The five major categories we assessed and picked winners from were the following:
- Best True Portable Vape
- Best Medical Vape
- Best Tasting Vapor
- Best Vaping Technology
- Best Overall Portable Vape
Read on to find out which vaporizer took out each category and who ended up being the overall winner!
Arizer ArGoPortable Vaporizer
Best True Portable Vape – RRP$210 (AU$330)
My personal favorite release from the past 12-months is most definitely the compact powerhouse, the Arizer ArGo Portable Vaporizer.
The ArGo combines next-level vapor quality with a super complex frame that barely exceeds 3-inches! This is the most portable of all of Arizer’s vapes, which were often criticised for their protruding glass parts.
It features the same full-convection heating technology as the rest of the Arizer portable vaporizers so you know that it’s up to scratch.
The main reason the Arizer ArGo took out our award for ‘Best True Portable’ was its amazing performance relative to its size. Portables are supposed to be just that, portable!
A couple of the vapes mentioned in this list aren’t necessarily models I’d recommend taking outdoors, but the Arizer ArGo’s compact size and durable frame make it the perfect companion for on-the-go vaping.
With the three function buttons beneath the ArGo’s OLED display, you can completely customize the vape to suit your preference.
The ‘M’ button allows you to filter between advanced temperature settings, display and noise modes, and even set your session timer!
Canadian vape designers Arizer Tech have been absolutely killing the vaporizer game lately with their 6-month long bombardment of awesome portables.
First came the Solo II pictured left, which is featured a little further down the list, then the revamped Arizer Air, the Air II, and lastly the ArGo.
These first two were welcome additions to the ultra-premium portable category as it had been quite some time since the original Solo and Air were released. The ArGo, on the other hand, popped up seemingly out of nowhere in December to the surprise of pretty much everyone!
As mentioned just before, although the Arizer Solo and Air were some of the most highly acclaimed portable vapes of all time, the protruding glass Aroma Tubes were often criticized for limiting the vape’s portability.
With the ArGo, Arizer came out with a whole new 70mm lipped Aroma Tube that can be concealed within the device entirely to prevent a breakage while you’re moving about.
In terms of performance, the Arizer ArGo is as impressive as it gets. It has the ability to turn a measly 0.15 grams of herb into a 15 minute session of the tastiest vapor you’ve ever experienced.
The Arizer ArGo is actually my go-to model as I like to get away on weekends and don’t want a huge device on my person at all times.
If you’re someone that leads an active lifestyle and loves to have their vape with them 24/7, the Arizer ArGo is going to be the perfect device for you.
With the help of the full-convection heating generated by heated air passing through the packed All Glass Aroma Tube, the Arizer ArGo is going to leave you blowing dense clouds of super sweet vapor for years to come.
Storz & Bickel Crafty Portable Vape
Best Medical Vape – RRP$299 ($375au)
The Storz & Bickel Crafty Vaporizer has stood the test of time again and again, yet we still can’t seem to stop talking about it!
Approaching its fourth year atop the portable vaping pyramid, the German-manufactured marvel is still to this day the only medically patented portable vaporizer.
Yes, I am aware that the Storz & Bickel Mighty also was attributed the same patent, but the thing is bigger than my head and in my eyes is more of a hybrid portable/desktop vape anyway.
Ultimate portability is the Crafty’s best asset, aside from the medical patent of course. It is roughly the same size as a walkie-talkie and is super discreet!
If you’ve ever tried vaping through a Volcano Digit Desktop Vaporizer you’ll know how much of different high you can attain by using a good vape.
The Storz & Bickel Crafty comes equipped with the same precision convection-vaping technology as the Volcano line of vaporizers and produces a vapor that is equally tasty and just as dense!
Unlike other portable vapes, the Crafty blows huge clouds from the get-go. Most devices, even the Arizer ArGo, requires a few good pulls to get a steady stream of vapor going.
The Crafty on the other hand blows mind-boggling clouds of sweet-tasting vapor as soon as it has reached its set temperature. This is largely owing to the precision heating technology installed in each one of Storz & Bickel’s portables.
The Storz & Bickel Crafty was the first device I knew of that came Bluetooth-enabled with a compatible smartphone app available for download in the Apple and Google Play store.
In the app you can adjust preset temperature and boost settings, check your lifetime session timer, as well as update the devices temperature in real time.
The Crafty, pictured left, is roughly half the size of the Storz & Bickel Mighty, making it the perfect option for patients looking to consume their blend efficiently and discreetly on-the-go.
If you’re tossing up between scooping the Crafty or the Mighty, there are a few considerations I have that should hopefully make the decision a little easier.
If you’re one of those people that’s prone to taking your vaporizer everywhere you go, I’d definitely be picking up a Crafty. It is definitely the more portable of the two and fits easily into any pocket.
More of an at-home vaper? The Storz & Bickel Mighty is going to give you a lot more sessions per charge so you can spend less time waiting and more time vaping!
Whatever your situation, one thing is clear, the Storz & Bickel Portable Vapes are going to get you as baked as you’ve ever been! Those things rip.
Hydrology9 Portable Vaporizer by Cloudious9
Best Flavor – RRP$280 ($385au)
VapeFuse’s hottest acquisition of 2018 has certainly been the Hydrology9 Portable Vaporizer by US company Cloudious9.
This device looks like a cross between a lava lamp and a high-end salt and pepper shaker, but it blows the best clouds of vapor we’ve ever come across.
Its precision aqua-filtration helps to cool the vapor generated from it’s bottom-loading Teflon baking chamber and ultimately allows you to take much larger hits that you’d normally get from a portable.
The Hydrology9 Vape is a bit of an enigma. It’s temperature is controlled by the single function button on the front of the device, which allows you to filter between a number of colored settings.
I’ve been unable to locate the temperatures used anywhere on the net, but assume that they are around the regular mark.
One thing is for certain – this vaporizer has been optimized for flavor and will leave you wanting more with every toke!
If you’re a herb user that’s used to consuming your smoke or vapor through a bong or water pipe, the Hydrology9 Portable Vape is going to be your new best friend. It mimicks the effects and pull of a bong in every way, yet comes with a flavor that is a million times better.
For the most part the Hydrology9 is totally spill-proof, but careful care has to be taken to ensure that you’re not overfilling it and exceeding the capacity of the interior pressure gauge. That’s right – this shit scientific!
The Hydrology9’s top-cap is magnetic and helps hold a small stainless steel bearing in place over the mouthpiece valve so that water won’t escape while you’re loading herbs into the bottom.
When I say this thing rips I speak nothing but the whole truth. The Hydrology9’s vapor production is as impressive as any other portable on this list, but its flavor is otherworldly.
I spent the first three years of my weed smoking years punching bongs before finally transitioning to vaping my herb a couple of years back and I’m stoked to have found a device that is reminiscent of the old days!
While there is certainly nothing old about the Hydrology9, the faint bubbling gets me nostalgic and reminiscent of simpler times.
You’ll come to love the Hydrology9 for what it is; a piece of beautiful craftmanship! It can be a little more tedious to load and clean compared to other other vapes due to its size and the chamber position, but the quality of the vapor more than makes up for this.
If you’re a flavor fanatic that’s big on tasty vapor, the Hydrology9 Portable Vape is going to rock your world!
DaVinci IQ Portable Vaporizer
Best Vaping Technology – RRP$275 ($350au)
One of 2017’s best releases, the ultra-premium DaVinci IQ, is still killing it in the portable vaping scene.
The US-designed IQ takes out our award for Best Vaping Technology for a number of reasons, the main reason being its next-level degree of technologically enhanced user-friendliness.
With Bluetooth connectivity, full-spectrum digital temperature control, and a chamber that’s been optimized for flavor, the DaVinci IQ Portable Vaporizer is going to take your breath away.
The DaVinci IQ is constructed with 50+ tiny LED lights on the front of its body that help to indicate the current temperature, show battery life, as well as indicate when the vape is warming up.
With a size barely bigger than an ArGo, it’s astonishing how many features they’ve been able to cram into the small device. The IQ may appear complicated, but I assure you that it is as user-friendly as it gets.
Like most good portable vapes these days, the DaVinci IQ comes equipped with a removable 18650 Lithium-Ion Battery that allows you to have up to 5 10-minute sessions per charge.
In terms of accessories, the DaVinci IQ is like something out of a James Bond film. Aside from the hidden packing tool that is able to be slid in and out of the included ‘DaVinci’ branded keychain, there is even a little chamber tool hidden underneath the mouthpiece!
The included carry can can be used to transport the next session of herbs or to store your AVB if you’re loading up out of a herb grinder.
All of these little unique inclusions, coupled with the DaVinci IQ’s amazingly advanced interface was what made it a stand-out winner of our Best Vaping Technology category.
The DaVinci IQ was a super close contender for the Best Flavor award, but was juts edged out by the Hydrology9’s aqua-filtration abilities which deliver a slightly more intense stream of vapor.
You can use the IQ with or without the included smartphone app, which is an improvement on the Storz & Bickel Crafty or PAX 3 which lose all their user-friendliness when used without the app.
I love the DaVinci IQ for so many reasons, and I’m certain you will to! It is compact enough to slip right into the pocket, is super durable, has a reasonable battery life for a device this awesome, offers amazing quality vapor, and comes with awesome accessories!
This device is just nothing but class. If you’re in the market for a portable vape that’s big on style, and big on flavor, pick up a DaVinci IQ Vaporizer and harness the technological power!
Arizer Solo II Portable Vaporizer
Best Overall Portable Vape – RRP$190 ($300au)
At last, the big one! The overall winner of Best Overall Portable Vape is without a doubt the Arizer Solo II Portable Vaporizer.
The Solo II combines rugged strength and durability with an amazing battery life and next level vapor production.
Arizer’s new and improved Solo II was the forerunner of their 2017 digital line and has been making huge waves all around the globe.
If you’re in the market for a portable vape that is big on flavor, big on clouds, and big in general, the Arizer Solo II is the device you’ve been waiting for!
Just like the Arizer Air and ArGo, the Arizer Solo II comes equipped with Arizer Tech’s patented full-convection vaping tech.
It is equipped with two All-Glass Aroma Tubes, both a 70mm and a 90mm, which help to generate some of the purest tasting vapor we at VapeFuse have comes across.
This amazingly sophisticated portable vaporizer has the ability to turn 0.2 grams of dried ground herb into a 15-20 minute session with the herbs barely being browned!
The original Arizer Solo, pictured right, was one of the best-selling portable vapes of all time, and garnered world wide recognition for both its economic herb consumption and its amazing vapor quality.
As a testament to its amazing quality, there was very little that was changed about the chamber and vapor path when 2017’s upgraded model was brought in. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it right?
With an upgraded chamber width for improved airflow, new aesthetically pleasing packaging, and an all new digital interface, the new Solo II did offer some welcome advancements, though.
Not to mention the battery life, did I fail to mention that this thing blows clouds for TWO HOURS STRAIGHT!
The Arizer Solo II’s insane battery life is, to this day, yet to be matched. Two hours is a minimum. I can usually get up to twenty sessions off of a single charge which is up to three times that of other devices.
When I say that these Arizer vaporizers are good, the VapeFuse team literally has one of each model that we all use on the daily. I’m often on-the-go so I love the ArGo, my other team member Maria uses the Air II, while my co-head writer Chris Lewis went with the Solo II.
We’re not trying to blow smoke up Arizer Tech’s ass by stating that either, the vapes are just the best. Period.
The Solo II, in particular, wins out the award for 2018’s Best Weed Vapes due to its outstanding battery life, amazing flavor, awesome accessory kit, and next level economic vapor production. It’s pure class.
The first half of 2018 has been amazing for the world of herb vaping, leaving us wondering what awesome innovations are yet to come!
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Think We Missed Something? Drop Us a Comment Below & Let Us Know What Vape You Think Should’ve Made the Cut for 2018’s Best Weed Vapes!
