Best Value Desktop Vaporizer: Arizer Extreme Q
Arizer Extreme Q – Best Value Desktop vape?
Arizer, a leading Canadian manufacturer of vaporizers, has been at the forefront of innovative vaporizer design and innovation since the onset. So, when they came up with the Extreme Q, which was touted to be yet another Volcano clone, we were disappointed.
Frankly, we didn’t expect it to be half as good as it turned out to be.
Almost 9 years have passed since the Extreme Q launched. It continues to be one of our favorite desktop vapes. In all the years that we’ve used it, we’ve discovered that there are more reasons to like it than draw unreasonable comparisons with overpriced and hyped models.
Today, we will talk about the features that we like the most and also about the tiny quirks in the design that can be ironed out in the second iteration.
By the way, if anyone at Arizer is reading this, when is the Extreme Q 2.0 going to be released?
For now, here’s our detailed Extreme Q review, one of the most popular vapes.
An overview
The Extreme Q is a multipurpose desktop vaporizer that gives its users two distinct delivery methods to choose from. This vaporizer’s design utilizes a ‘balloon’ or ‘whip’, which is one of the most important features that separates it from the Volcano. (More on this a bit later)
When not in use as a Vape, this device can be used for aromatherapy, or as an oil diffuser for therapeutic purposes.
Like everything else that’s churned out from Arizer’s stable, the Extreme Q is a stunner. It’s sleek and futuristic. The design looks part vaporizer and part coffee maker and fits right on to your counter top.
Ten bucks says most newbies wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between this and a random kitchen appliance. If you love staying under the radar with your cannabis use, then you’d be happy to know that this one’s not going to stick out like a sore thumb. Although it isn't as small as a pen vaporizer.
It measures 9 ½ x 14” and weighs around 2.3 kgs. So it can be carried around easily if need be.
The casing is mostly ceramic and metal with just a hint of plastic where necessary. There’s an LED display on the bottom half along with the temperature control buttons, which allow you to customize the temperature from 50°C–260°C in one degree increments.
The Extreme Q comes standard with a range of useful accessories that need to be connected before you get going. But Arizer doesn’t stop there, they also throw in a remote control for good measure. Imagine powering up your vaporizer or adjusting the temperature while you’re lazing away on the couch. Not a feature that we use a lot. But definitely a useful addition.
Using the Extreme Q
Despite the extra accessories, connecting and using the Extreme Q is fairly straight forward even for beginners. The only thing that needs to be selected is the appropriate vapor mode.
There’s the balloon and the whip, as we mentioned earlier. The Whip itself can be used in two ways. One where you draw the normal way, using your lungs to heat the herb and get vapor and the other, in which you can use forced air to power the whip. Just like you fill the balloon. This gives you multiple inhalation options that can be further tailored to your liking by customizing the temperature.
The oven itself can hold up to 0.5 grams of dry herbs at a time, which is a lot.
However, Arizer throws in the ‘elbow pack’, (a small screen that fits into the glass joint) which increases the efficiency of the vaporizer by leaps and bounds. All you need is about 0.1 grams to produce cloud after cloud of intense vapor.
Vapor quality
Having used the Volcano by Storz & Bickel for years before we switched on to the Arizer Extreme Q, we were taken by surprise at the quality of vapor that it can produce. It is smooth, thick and velvety. Moreover, you can connect it to a bong to cool the vapor down.
The glass and ceramic parts ensure that there’s nothing to affect the taste or the quality of the vapor. If you are a newbie, you will be extremely pleased at the quality of vapor that the Q can produce.
Whip vs. Balloon
This is more of a personal choice. Most old school cannabis users prefer using the balloon.
In the extreme Q, it takes about 4 minutes to fill the balloon at the slowest fan speed. But this is where the vapor is at its thickest, intense best. You can up the fan speed to reduce the time needed to fill the balloon. But the tradeoff is that the vapor gets less and less intense.
By the way, if you inhale an entire balloon of vapor, the hit will be very strong.
A lot of newer users prefer using the whip with forced air. Once again, it’s the lowest fan speed that seems to deliver the most flavorful vapor.
Cleaning and maintenance
The only possible gripe that we have with the Extreme Q is that it is extremely tedious to clean all the parts and accessories.
There are mouthpieces, whip bags, screens and a whole lot of other things, most of which are made of glass. They are fragile and no matter how hard you try, breakage is inevitable.
Thankfully, replacements are easily available and they are cheap. Another reason to choose a desktop vaporizer.
Arizer Extreme Q Pros and Cons
Pros
- Stylish, sleek desktop vaporizer
- Looks like a kitchen appliance
- Easy temperature controls
- Digital display makes it easy to customize
- Remote control
- Offers two modes of inhalation, the balloon/bag and the whip/tube
- Can use your lungs or forced air for inhalation
- Glass and ceramic parts ensure no off flavors
- Heats fast and the balloon fills up in 3 ½ minutes
- Top quality vapor
- Quiet fan during operation
Cons
- Fragile accessories and parts
- No valve on the balloon to prevent vapor leak
Final thoughts
If this is your first foray into desktop vaporizers, then go for the Extreme Q. It is reliable, easy to use and produces exceptionally good quality vapor.
It has remained a consistent bestseller in a market that has witnessed a deluge of newer, fancier models. This device gives you both the options, the balloon and the whip and it costs only a fraction of what you’d expect to pay for such a feature rich vaporizer.
