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We have updated our equally excellent selection, Grasshopper stainless steel, and its new version Hopper io. We are considering some emerging competitors and will update this guide based on our findings.
Once you try AirVape X, you won't smoke anymore. This is the cannabis vaporizer recommended after we spent five years researching 55 models and testing a dozen of them. An excellent vaporizer can provide a relaxing and pleasant experience from start to finish, and AirVape X can do this because it is easier to use than other options.
Compared with the competition, AirVape X is satisfying to use, intuitive for novices, and easier to use, and it provides a richer and smoother steam than any other product in its price range.
*At the time of publication, the price was $180.
AirVape X is very convenient for both initial and long-term use: the edge of the heating chamber is funneled to prevent material from overflowing, and the magnetic cover is firmly fixed but will not get stuck. Over time, AirVape is easier to clean than almost all other evaporators. Compared with competitor's app-based controls, the onboard temperature control and status display are large and intuitive and easier to use, and the USB charging of this model is more convenient than competitor's charging dock. From the first bite to the last bite, we found that AirVape X provides richer and smoother steam than comparable price alternatives, and has more pleasant flavors, making the evaporator a pleasure.
Hopper io has thick, powerful steam, fast heating time, fascinating tactile control, lifetime warranty and unobtrusive design-but it gets very hot, and its charging settings and battery life are not the best .
If you want a discreet design that can get the job done quickly, buy Hopper io. This clever pen-shaped gadget generates effective steam faster than our other options, almost instant convection heating and simple tactile temperature control. It contains less material than our other options, but is still very suitable for two people to share. It is easy to use, simple and attractive, and can produce a richer taste than AirVape. But it lacks information on other models, its battery life is short, and its proprietary charger is inconvenient. The pocket size and humble design make it the easiest to carry product in our selection. The lifetime warranty is a reassuring detail, because the earlier version had some reliability issues.
The large-capacity Firefly 2+ can quickly produce a stronger and more delicious steam than the competition, and it is attractive and easy to clean-but it is expensive, and it hides key information in the application.
*At the time of publication, the price was $250.
The convective heat of the Firefly 2+ model produces some of the best steam-tastier, cooler, and frankly more powerful of all the models we tested. Its easy-to-load chamber can hold more abrasive material than most evaporators; it is easy to clean the wide open airway; its capacitive heating button is easy to activate. Although we like the overall design of Firefly, it lacks the display effect of AirVape X, and it is not as portable, compact or discreet as Hopper io. Compared to our other options, it is more expensive than most competitors, it has a bulky charging dock, and no on-board display, which makes checking its battery life or temperature an unnecessary complicated process.
Compared with the competition, AirVape X is satisfying to use, intuitive for novices, and easier to use, and it provides a richer and smoother steam than any other product in its price range.
*At the time of publication, the price was $180.
Hopper io has thick, powerful steam, fast heating time, fascinating tactile control, lifetime warranty and unobtrusive design-but it gets very hot, and its charging settings and battery life are not the best .
The large-capacity Firefly 2+ can quickly produce a stronger and more delicious steam than the competition, and it is attractive and easy to clean-but it is expensive, and it hides key information in the application.
*At the time of publication, the price was $250.
We took the time to interview more vaporizer experts, read more reviews, and have the opportunity to try more first-hand products than most ordinary shoppers.
In addition to enthusiast comments on popular vaporizer forums, we also interviewed two industry experts: Bud, the critic of The Vape Critic; and Buzz, the man behind the scenes of VaporizerWizard.com. We discussed industry trends, features, and favorites among dozens of models they tested and reviewed. Both sites contain affiliate links to certain products they recommend, as described on the disclosure page of The Vape Critic and the disclosure page of VaporizerWizard.com.
Author Mark Smirniotis has been covering vaporizers for Wirecutter for many years. He previously worked for an e-cigarette liquid manufacturer-exposure shows the trade-offs necessary to make a good device. Co-author Jordan McMahon oversaw dozens of updates to the Wirecutter guide, and after long-term testing of our existing options, he oversaw a new round of comparative testing of the best evaporators available in the spring of 2019.
If you are completely new to marijuana or have been a casual smoker in the past, a vaporizer is a great way to avoid burning by-products and skip the sticky, gray-black mess, which is an inevitable part of smoking joints, pipes, and smoking guns. Portable The evaporator, with a stylish and low-key appearance, feels like something you can bring to a dinner party with a bottle of wine. Compared with smoking marijuana, the vaporizer will give you a cleaner taste, less odor, less irritation to the throat, no tar-like ashes to stain your fingers or fabrics, and more effective use of your Material.
If you are a patient who wants to use medical marijuana to relieve symptoms, a portable vaporizer can provide additional benefits. The evaporator used to grind hemp flowers can reliably achieve a consistent dose through precise temperature control, allowing you to better control the effect. This is not easy when smoking or eating food, or when evaporating more concentrated concentrates such as extracts or oils.
Vaporizers cannot eliminate the harmful effects of marijuana use, but studies have pointed out that compared with smoking marijuana, it can reduce the harm.
In five years of research, we considered more than 50 evaporators, mainly based on the opinions of experts from websites such as The Vape Critic and VaporizerWizard.com, as well as the opinions of customers on fan forums and websites. Over the years, we have conducted group tests on two dozens to understand how people with different comfort levels and cannabis experiences perceive vaporizers and the experiences that follow.
In this guide, we have not considered evaporators for oil, extracts, wax, ink cartridges, pens, or other concentrates. Despite the rapid popularity of these products, it is difficult to find them in states where marijuana is illegal. We also did not consider e-cigarettes or other products used in tobacco or nicotine. The equipment that uses these substances is generally called an evaporator, which is easy to confuse. What we are introducing here is limited to the "flower evaporator" used for old-fashioned flower buds-we think this is the best entry point for most people, because it provides you with many choices in terms of taste, effect and potency.
When we test and retest more than 15 models, the following are what we consider important:
We are looking for a vaporizer that is easy to use and affordable for anyone who wants to easily upgrade to a more enjoyable cannabis experience. First, this means targeting relatively affordable models. We also seek clear, intuitive controls to start the device, see when the device is ready, adjust the temperature, and check battery life. We want it to be easy to load, heat up quickly, and less likely to burn the material if you forget to turn it on.
We want good enough steam, you would not consider smoking. This means that we abandon vaporizers that produce unpleasant flavors (such as burnt popcorn) or pungent or uncomfortable hot steam, and any vaporizers that are prone to clogging or have unusual inhalation difficulties. The really great taste is good, does not burn, and it feels like drinking with a straw.
Cleanliness has proven to be an important factor in the long-term use of these things, because they all need it, and the best things can be reliably restored to near intact condition with minimal effort. The worst is the need to replace parts, areas that cannot be completely cleaned, or cumbersome disassembly procedures. We avoided the long and thin air passages that were reamed with a pipe cleaner-it was too difficult to really clean.
The best vaporizers use common charging ports, such as Micro-USB or USB-C, which can be used with cables you already have. Proprietary chargers (such as bases or unique cables) are not convenient, but we did not abandon the model because of this. We found that the battery life of most good evaporators is about the value of four bowls, and there are not many differences between models. We appreciate evaporators with user-replaceable rechargeable batteries, but this is not important.
The material of a good evaporator looks and feels great, the body is durable enough to withstand drops, and a simple and effective mouthpiece that makes your lips feel natural-and won't burn them. Minor additions such as concealed cleaning tools or aligned magnetic fasteners also greatly contribute to a satisfying experience. Many evaporators put all the necessary information and functions on the main body of the device, so for simplicity, we prefer that the evaporator can be controlled without a smartphone app-but we did not neglect any information and functions because of this.
Compared with the competition, AirVape X is satisfying to use, intuitive for novices, and easier to use, and it provides a richer and smoother steam than any other product in its price range.
*At the time of publication, the price was $180.
We like AirVape X because it is easy to use, load and clean, steam rich, and taste great. Small and thoughtful designs-such as magnetic lids and standby timers-stood out in our tests, allowing us to reach out for X even after our tests were completed.
AirVape X is easier to set up than other evaporators. Its mouthpiece is firmly connected to the chamber below by a magnet. Loading AirVape is easier than using several other good evaporators, because the concave edge of the AirVape's chamber helps to leak the material inside.
Our choices are intuitive and easy to use, but Airvape's basic controls and clear display make it the easiest to use. Tap the power button three times to turn it on, and the large display on the side displays temperature and battery life. It takes about 30 seconds to heat to 380°F, which is the average temperature at which most flowers produce good steam. When you fine-tune the steam according to your preferences and favorite strains, the onboard directional arrow can switch between 200 ºF and 428 °F. AirVape does not require a smartphone application to check battery life.
The vapor taste of AirVape is significantly different from one flower to another, and it is very smooth and full-like the best evaporator we have tried, better than any other product in this price range. Although the top around the heating chamber was warm to the touch, neither the steam nor the mouthpiece became uncomfortable.
AirVape is one of the easiest evaporators to clean, and long-term use is a huge advantage. The mouthpiece will eventually accumulate resin, and you must pull its five small parts apart for cleaning. We found that the manufacturer’s recommendation-soak the parts in isopropanol for a few minutes, then wipe and scrape off the resin-is very effective and not as laborious as it sounds. In any case, you rarely need to do this. Many other evaporators contain a narrow or recessed mouthpiece area, which is not easy to clean completely. Cleaning AirVape is much easier than cleaning vaporizers with longer airways, such as Vapium Summit or DaVinci Miqro, which needs to be cleaned from both sides.
AirVape X feels very good in design and construction, matte metal body, flat shape, good balance, and clear display. A subtle vibration followed by a countdown timer, which makes it obvious when it is turned on (not given when using other vaporizers), and the device turns off at the end of the timer, helping to extend battery life and avoid contents Overcooking. Testers appreciate this reminder buzzing sound-it's a kind of forgetful work.
The battery on X can use approximately three bowls before it needs to be recharged. This is the standard configuration for most evaporators of this size. AirVape X has a Micro-USB input-this detail adds to the portability, versatility and convenience of using any USB charger you already have, just like the charger you use for your smartphone. Even other evaporators we like, including Hopper io, require a base or a proprietary charger. AirVape X charged from empty to full in more than an hour.
Bud of Vape Critic also likes AirVape X. After reviewing the original AirVape XS, Bud worked with the company to improve the X.1 "They did a great job of implementing the things we discussed. To be honest, I now feel that this is the best portable I have under $200 One of the vaporizers." After our test has been completed and we noticed our impressions, we also saw another reviewer having a similar taste experience: "The number of clicks is full and effective, the Clementine strain we are using stands out Unbelievable citrus flavor."
If something goes wrong with X, AirVape provides a limited lifetime warranty, but you do need to register the evaporator. (Evaporators from unauthorized retailers are not included.) Please remember that repairs require a shipping and handling fee of US$20, and the cost of replacing the battery after the first six months is US$40 (including shipping and Handling fee).
Although the battery life of AirVape X is average, it is not ideal. We tend to put it back on the charger after using it once or twice to avoid plugging it in when the battery is low. You cannot replace your battery with a new battery, such as <a href="">Hopper io and other batteries. But because of the Micro-USB charging settings, you can usually find a power cord in a pinch. It is commendable that AirVape is one of the few products that can always (if inaccurately) display its battery level-full, 3/4 Or half (which basically means almost empty).
X may be a bit hot; we prefer to set the temperature to about 10 degrees lower than what we usually have on other evaporators-a good default temperature is 380°F; on AirVape, 370 ºF is more like it.
If you want the most effective steam for each puff, check out a convection model like Hopper io. In contrast, AirVape can prolong the good flavor and make it easier to control the effect.
Another weird quirk we noticed: the up arrow button is on the left side of the power button, and the down arrow button is on the right, which always feels backwards.
Hopper io has thick, powerful steam, fast heating time, fascinating tactile control, lifetime warranty and unobtrusive design-but it gets very hot, and its charging settings and battery life are not the best .
Hopper io can instantly heat and provide more concentrated and powerful steam than AirVape, coupled with a slim pen-shaped case, make the product more portable, more concealed, and easier and faster to use on the road. Our other options.
The pen-shaped device is different from many vaporizers we have seen. Instead of digital buttons, tactile controls manage activation and temperature. To turn the heating element on or off, just click on the back of the device like any retractable pen. Around the clicker is a rotatable five-level knob to control the temperature. That's it. The LED on the previous version of the stainless steel grasshopper we recommend changes from red to blue as the device heats up; on the newer Hopper io version-"io" stands for "instant on"-you will immediately see a circle of pure white The LED indicator indicates that it is turned on and ready. Its simplicity is fascinating, and every puff creates an impact.
The mouthpiece unscrews, revealing the chamber below. But it is very narrow and more troublesome to fill than AirVape X. AirVape X has a concave edge that can catch the wrong flower shavings.
Hopper io is a convection evaporator, so it can heat the air you breathe in and evaporate the contents into a thick, delicious cloud. The orange sweetness is exuded from our alfalfa-based hybrid flowers, while our other picks leave us with a touch of citrus or general sweetness. When we tested it side-by-side with AirVape within a week, the effectiveness of Hopper io's vapor came to the fore. Using the same indica variety, birthday cake, the few puffs on Hopper io match the effect you get from AirVape, and the number of puffs is three to four times that of AirVape.
The first major flaw of Hopper io is that the metal mouthpiece (pen nib) becomes very hot during use. The evaporator comes with a silicone mouthpiece cover, which helps, but it almost ruins the appearance and prevents the device from being installed in the box if you want to put it there.
The only parts of Hopper io that need to be cleaned are the combustion chamber and the front mouthpiece. Both parts usually need to be brushed off simply (not including cleaning tools), but the device is usually not as dirty as AirVape or as dirty as resin. The design of the mouthpiece is simpler than our other picks. It is unscrewed and there is a flat metal screen inside, which is easy to remove with a wet cotton swab. If you are ambitious, you can use isopropanol, but after a year of use, we did not clean it thoroughly and there were no problems.
Since there is no space for a charging port, Grasshopper has an inductive and magnetic charging cable that can be connected around the clicker and plugged into any standard USB charger. It is charming, but not as convenient for travel as the multi-function Micro-USB cable. There is no indication of how much battery life is left during use-although when charging, the identifiable double flashing indicates that the battery is full. The custom lithium battery is detachable, and there are two in the box, so if you are worried about battery life, you can bring a spare-this is a good compromise and an option that AirVape doesn't have.
Hopper io provides a lifetime warranty. Like Airvape X, you need to register with Hopper Labs to use it (and you need to bear the shipping cost of returning the malfunctioning device to the company)
The large-capacity Firefly 2+ can quickly produce a stronger and more delicious steam than the competition, and it is attractive and easy to clean-but it is expensive, and it hides key information in the application.
*At the time of publication, the price was $250.
If you are looking for top-notch steam or want something easy to deliver to your friends, we recommend Firefly 2+. It has an attractive design, the fastest heating time of any model we have tested, and an easy-to-clean chamber. Its size makes it more inconvenient to carry than our other options, but it is still small enough for solo use and group settings at home.
The 2+ design makes it easy to load-you just need to open the magnetic lid and load a lot of ground flowers into the chamber. Click its capacitive button and the device will heat up in about three seconds. Its design is unique because the air passage is actually the entire bottom surface of the lid, forming a wide passage, making the mouthpiece cooler than most other evaporator mouthpieces.
Firefly has no display on the device. The application that the product originally relied on was removed from the App Store on November 15, 2019; it can still be used on Google Play for Android devices. If you have already downloaded the application, the application will continue to run and you do not need to use it frequently. But this is the easiest way to set an accurate temperature or check battery life. After the Apple message was released, Firefly sent an update that included a video link that showed how to set the temperature of Firefly 2+ without using the app. This is a complicated process that requires you to press and hold the right-hand button while tapping the left-hand button indefinitely. All of this is to achieve the "maximum" and "minimum" temperature-the actual numbers only appear in the app. However, add context: once you set it to a temperature you like, even if it is easier, you may not mess it up often.
The charging stand is another inconvenience. If you plan to charge the Firefly when you are away, you need to take it with you. You can fully charge in more than an hour, which is about the same as AirVape. Bonus item: Firefly has a replaceable battery, so if you don't bring a charger, you can replace it at any time. In the test, we developed the habit of putting it on the charging dock and filling up the battery life between two uses-whether you check the battery life frequently on the app, or when there is no app Stuck, this method can reduce frustration all.
But what makes these compromises worthy of tolerance is the steam quality, which is the best of all the evaporators we have tested: easy to draw, smooth, very cool, with a pleasant citrus flavor. It is also very effective-2+ uses convection heating, such as Hopper io, which tends to produce a stronger effect every time compared to conductive evaporators such as AirVape. The large oven only heats up when you press the button, which prevents the flowers from continuing to burn between suctions. This combination of potency, efficiency and the high capacity of its bowl makes it ideal for blowing and delivering equipment in groups of more than two.
A fully charged battery can use about two bowls, each bowl is enough for two to four people to share. Given the efficiency of Firefly's burning material, we don't need to inhale as much as the other evaporators we tested. We found that after we stop breathing in steam, we can take a few more breaths after mixing the flowers indoors before we need to refill them. Firefly 2+ is easy to wipe off the residue with alcohol wipes after completing and emptying the chamber.
Compared to other vaporizers we tested, 2+ has a larger learning curve because it does not have an on-device display or any clear indicators. If you want to change the function of Firefly's two buttons, you can do it in the app, but we found that the capacitive nature of the buttons makes any configuration difficult to grasp.
Compared to our other options, Firefly has a shorter warranty-two years. If you need to return 2+ to the company, you are "responsible for all shipping costs related to the warranty process". If the company determines that the equipment is not malfunctioning, there will be a service fee of $30 in addition.
The shortcomings of the evaporator cannot be ignored. Although marijuana has long been believed to be safer than tobacco, this is as useful as saying that spas are safer than fire. Although state laws in the United States have changed a lot in the past few years, federal laws still prohibit any sale, use, or even possession of marijuana, if there is a problem with the cause.
Use the evaporator that is usually set between 370°F and 410°F to skip the harmful substances generated by the joints and pipes. You need at least 356 °F (PDF) to convert the natural acids in cannabis, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol acid (THCA) and cannabidiol acid (CBDa) into their active neutral form, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) And cannabidiol (CBD). (Say five times faster.) Scientists believe that these are the two main compounds that can produce the required mental and medical effects. A study supported by NORML (which aims to promote the legalization of marijuana) found that 95% of the vapor passing through the Volcano vaporizer is THC or CBN (another cannabinoid). The smoke from a pipe contains 88% non-cannabinoids, including several known polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Another study funded by the Marijuana Policy Project, a non-profit organization focused on the legalization of marijuana, stated that people who switched to e-cigarettes indicated that their respiratory problems had decreased, but the study included only 20 people. So is the vaporizer healthier? The literature answers with a resounding "maybe".
However, portable evaporators are legal—unless you use them with a substance that is considered illegal by federal and local laws. At the time of publication, 36 states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana, 16 of them (plus Washington, DC) have legalized some degree of recreational use, and some of them have legalized a small amount of recreational use. This has led 14 states—and the federal government—to enact some form of criminal law prohibiting possession, even if the number is small. Aside from this strange patchwork, the Justice Department no longer has funds to track the medical marijuana industry. A federal judge supports pharmacies on this issue, but it is not clear whether Justice Department officials will make this the new status quo. Although 40% of the drugs arrested in the U.S. in 2018 were for possession (or sale or manufacture) or marijuana, millions of people in California, Colorado, and elsewhere can walk into stores to buy marijuana. More broadly, Europe and the Americas are slowly pushing for medical exceptions and decriminalization, but this substance is still completely banned in most parts of the world.
The manufacturer of Airvape X released Airvape Legacy at the end of 2020. A representative of Airvape manufacturer Apollo Labs said in an email that this full convection evaporator is not intended to replace X; on the contrary, it is designed for "longer and more demanding e-cigarette sessions." To this end, Apollo added a new removable battery, which is said to have four times the service life of the X battery. Legacy also adds wireless charging and improved insulation, designed to prevent the device from overheating during long periods of use. We plan to test Legacy and will pass the observation report.
We will continue to evaluate other portable evaporators, including products from smaller manufacturers. Some current fan favorites include Tinymight, which has received positive customer reviews, although it will still be unavailable in the spring of 2021. Another popular new product, Tetra P80, was well received by the owners, but often sold out quickly. Firewood 7—you guessed it, often sold out—is another concern for us because of the positive response from the community, although the previous version of Firewood had some reported reliability issues.
Grenco Science G Pen Elite is a little cheaper than AirVape, but also a little worse. Overall, this is a good evaporator with simple controls, steam that our testers like, convenient charging, good battery life, and a stylish design that is portable and practical. The lower price is appropriate because Elite is lower than AirVape in several aspects, including steam quality, ease of cleaning and other design details. This used to be the budget option in this guide, but in long-term testing, we found that we always prefer other options.
In a great steamy battle, Storz & Bickel Crafty, Arizer ArGo and DaVinci IQ rank very close. All three have rich flavors, let our taste buds sing. ArGo also has a particularly smooth steam, although IQ and Crafty are not far behind. But all three devices are expensive, and taste is the only real advantage. Each has other shortcomings-Crafty's cleaning issues, durability issues when traveling with ArGo, and a combination of IQ's cleaning and interface defects.
Storz & Bickel Mighty is a well-loved vaporizer that has maintained a high standard for many years, in the reviews of "Planet of the Vapes" and elsewhere. When we evaluated Mighty in a group test, everyone agreed that its steam quality was very good, but we thought the more valuable was the evaporator, which produced almost the same delicious results at a fraction of the price. Mighty has been stable at $349 for many years. There are many good choices, including our selection, at least $100 lower. In addition to the more portable options we recommend, Mighty is also particularly bulky.
X Max Starry was our previous budget choice. We like its digital temperature control, easy-to-load chamber and affordable price. But the G Pen Elite often hovered around the same price and provided higher quality steam, better display and better overall experience.
DaVinci Miqro has a pleasant aesthetic and is compact enough to be carried around, but its preset temperature makes it a more limited choice than ours. Its deep cavity also makes Da Vinci harder to load than our paddles, and its mouthpiece gets hot quickly.
Linx Gaia needs a cover to protect its glass rod, and the steam quality is average.
If you are only looking for steam quality within your budget, Arizer Air does a better job than any other, but this is its only highlight. We don't like color-coded LED control schemes. The DC input charger means you need to carry a special charger instead of a convenient Micro-USB cable. In addition, the polarized design and its conspicuous glass rod are not something most people are willing to carry with them.
Pax 3 corrects most of the problems of its predecessor Pax 2, with a cooler mouthpiece, better steam generation, and the ability to evaporate dry herbs or concentrates. But even the improved Pax 3 did not make us feel value for money, because there are so many great options, but the price is lower. The charging stand is inconvenient because it requires the use of a smartphone app for all-round control.
Grenco Science G Pro is just a variant of the same device sold as X Pen Pro. It is the epitome of a general carburetor, without the exquisite touch provided by Grenco G-Pen Elite. The plastic body of the G Pro is shaped like a small flashlight, matching its plastic mouthpiece. It also fits its taste: in every environment, the steam is very thin and very plastic. The entire device is controlled by a button, and only a light is needed to provide feedback.
Wirecutter's tests and recommendations are independent of the relationship between Bud and AirVape. We asked for more details of their arrangement, and Bud told us that he had obtained access before the release of the AirVape test product in exchange for his feedback on the company's products. His relationship with AirVape follows the same guidelines he has seen on The Vape Critic used by all other manufacturers-that is, he is not subject to any manufacturer compensation-as stated on the website's subsidiary disclosure page .
Mark Smirniotis is the senior editor of Wirecutter's PC, network and mobile coverage. Knowing not to fall victim to the sunk cost fallacy, he gave up his degree in economics in 2015 to review technology for Wirecutter, which included projects such as using weird waving inflatable arms and waving pipes to test generators while running.
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