Arizer Solo 2 Max Review

Imagine never having to compromise between vapor quality and portability again. That’s the promise of the Arizer Solo 2 Max, a sleek and sturdy dry herb vaporizer released in 2024.

This highly-anticipated update to the original Solo 2 – a certified classic among cannabis fans – keeps what worked and adds a slew of improvements to make your sessions even more enjoyable.

With its efficient hybrid heating, high-capacity battery, and ultra-clean glass airpath, the Solo 2 Max offers a compelling combination of performance and simplicity.

But does it have the staying power and performance to satisfy heavy cannabis users? Read on as we put the Solo 2 Max under the microscope.

Discover our vaporizer evaluation process in the methodology section.

Quick Review Summary

Unboxing and First Impressions

The Arizer Solo 2 Max comes in more compact, design-forward packaging compared to the boxy look of the original Solo 2. Inside the box, you’ll find:

• Solo 2 Max Vaporizer
• Glass Aroma Tube
• 14mm Glass Water Pipe Adapter
• PVC Travel Tubes for Stems
• USB-C Charging Cable
• USB Wall Adapter
• Stainless Steel Stirring Tool
• Extra Screens
• User Manual

I appreciate that Arizer has finally included a 14mm water pipe adapter with the Solo 2 Max kit. This useful accessory was previously sold separately for the Solo and Air vaporizers. The PVC travel tubes with silicone end caps are also very handy for pre-packing the glass stems to use on-the-go.

The Solo 2 Max itself looks nearly identical to the Solo 2 with its brushed aluminum alloy body. The oval shape feels comfortable and solid to hold. On the front, you have the OLED display screen and the up/down temperature buttons. The micro-USB charging port from the Solo 2 has been upgraded to a USB-C port on the Max.

The top of the device features a stainless steel oven that fits Arizer’s signature glass aroma tubes. The kit includes a longer 110mm tube for direct draws and a 14mm water pipe adapter for using the Solo 2 Max with your favorite glass piece.

While the overall size (4.5″ tall, 1.75″ wide, 1.38″ deep) is fairly compact, the glass stems do add considerable length, making the Solo 2 Max less pocketable than some other portable vaporizers. With the stem attached, it measures about 7.5 inches tall. The unit is also a bit hefty at 7.4 ounces. This is definitely more of a “home portable” than something you can easily conceal in your palm.

Design & Features

The Solo 2 Max keeps the same simple, intuitive design as the original Solo vaporizers with a few notable upgrades in features:

USB-C Charging: The outdated proprietary charger has been replaced by a universal USB-C charging port. This is a huge improvement in convenience, as most people have USB-C cables handy these days. The Solo 2 Max can also be used while plugged in.

Faster Heat Up: The Solo 2 Max is powered by an upgraded ceramic hybrid heating system. Arizer claims it provides faster heat up times and more consistent temperatures. In my tests, it reached vaping temps of 380°F (193°C) in about 20-30 seconds, compared to 30-40 seconds for the Solo 2.

Precision Temperature Controls: The OLED display shows the current temp, target temp, and battery life. You can adjust the temperature in 1-degree increments from 122-428°F (50-220°C) or use the 10-degree “fast scroll” by holding the buttons down.

Automatic Display Inversion: A really cool new feature is the auto-rotating display. When you attach the Solo 2 Max to a bubbler or bong using the WPA stem, the screen will automatically flip, so you can still easily read it and use the controls while inverted.

Dark Mode: If you want to be more discreet, you can enable “Dark Mode” by holding the menu and down buttons together for 2 seconds. This dims the screen and only shows essential info like heating status and temperature reached alerts.

The Solo 2 Max also has a slew of customizable settings accessed by clicking the menu button. You can change the session timer length (5-15 min), beep volume, Celsius/Fahrenheit, screen brightness, and more. Personally, I found the button combinations a bit cumbersome to navigate, but once you have it set up how you like, you won’t need to fiddle with it often.

Heating System

The Solo 2 Max uses a hybrid heating system that combines convection and conduction to efficiently extract the THC and other cannabinoids from your dry herb. The ceramic oven evenly heats the stainless steel chamber that surrounds the glass stem. This provides a mix of hot air flowing through the herbs (convection) and direct heat from the walls of the stem (conduction).

I found the vapor production to be impressive, especially considering the small 0.15g oven capacity. You can get about 10-15 good draws from a fully packed stem. The vapor is very smooth and flavorful at lower temperatures around 350-380°F (177-193°C). Stepping up to 400°F+ (204°C+) gives you denser clouds with more of a “kick”, but the vapor does get a bit harsh at the highest settings.

The all-glass vapor path keeps the flavor pure and cool compared to plastic or silicone mouthpieces. For even smoother hits, you can hook up the Solo 2 Max to any 14mm female water piece using the included adapter. The slower, restricted airflow works well for pairing with a bubbler.

Battery Life

The Solo 2 Max has impressive battery life thanks to the dual 18650 cells providing 3400mAh of power. Arizer claims you can get up to 3 hours of continuous use on a full charge. In my real-world testing, I averaged about 15 sessions at 380°F (193°C) before it died – plenty to get you through a weekend camping trip!

Charging times are also significantly improved. With the 3A rapid-charge wall adapter and USB-C cable, I was able to go from dead to fully charged in about 2 hours. For comparison, the original Solo 2 took over 3 hours to charge with the DC power cable.

The pass-through charging feature lets you use the Solo 2 Max while it’s plugged in, so you never have to wait for a session. Just keep in mind, high temperatures and back-to-back bowls will make it charge slower. I recommend letting it cool down between sessions when charging to avoid excess heat.

Solo 2 Max vs. Air Max

The Air Max is Arizer’s more portable offering released alongside the Solo 2 Max. Both vaporizers share the same hybrid heating, digital temperature controls, and glass stem design. However, there are a few key differences:

The Air Max is about 20% smaller overall, making it easier to pocket. It also has a replaceable 26650 battery, while the Solo 2 Max has a fixed internal battery. This means you can carry spares for the Air Max, but the Solo 2 Max lasts longer per charge.

The Air Max has a simplified LED display and a more basic menu system. The Solo 2 Max gives you more advanced options like session timer and adjustable beep volume. It also heats up about 5 seconds faster on average.

I prefer the Solo 2 Max for home use and the Air Max for taking out and about. The stems and WPA are cross-compatible between the two, so you can grab whichever one fits your needs best.

Cleaning & Maintenance

One of the best things about Arizer vaporizers is how low-maintenance they are. Since the herbs only contact the glass stem, that’s the only piece that really needs regular cleaning. The oven itself rarely gets dirty, so you can go many sessions without swabbing it.

To clean the stems, pop out the screen and soak everything in 99% isopropyl alcohol for about 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with hot water and let air dry. For tougher buildup, you can use Arizer’s official cleaning sticks or scrape the inside with a paper clip.

Every few weeks, I also recommend giving the oven a quick wipe with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. Let it completely dry before using it again. With regular cleaning, your Solo 2 Max should stay in top shape for years of tasty sessions.

Verdict

The Arizer Solo 2 Max carries the torch of its predecessor as one of the best portable dry herb vaporizers you can buy. With an efficient hybrid heating system, elite battery life, and pure glass vapor path, it delivers top-shelf performance in a simple, reliable package.

Arizer didn’t reinvent the wheel here, but rather refined an already great vaporizer with meaningful upgrades like USB-C charging, faster heat up times, and cool new features like the auto-rotating display. The included WPA and Dark Mode are nice bonuses too.

While it may not be the smallest or most pocketable, the Solo 2 Max excels as a daily driver for cannabis connoisseurs seeking top-notch vapor quality. The 3-hour battery life and 2-year warranty are also major selling points. For the price, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better portable for enjoying your favorite dry herbs.

If you already own an original Solo 2, the Max is more of a luxury upgrade than a must-buy. But if you’re in the market for a new vape or want to step up from a budget option, the Solo 2 Max is a compelling choice and a great value at its current price point.