Arizer XQ2 BL4 [A11]

The Arizer XQ2 is the latest desktop vaporizer from the well-respected Canadian manufacturer known for producing high-quality, simple, no-frills dry herb vaporizers. Drawing on the effective design of previous models like the V-Tower and Extreme Q, the XQ2 offers some notable improvements while maintaining the straightforward convection heating approach Arizer is known for.

Place your ground cannabis in the cyclone bowl above the ceramic heating element, then inhale the vapor through the whip or fill up bags using the built-in fan. The XQ2 provides a solid, reliable vaping experience at a reasonable price point. While not the absolute best in class, it delivers impressive performance and vapor quality for the cost.

Discover our vaporizer evaluation process in the methodology section.

July 2024 Update

2024 Paragraph

Quick Review Summary

[P0 – The Arizer XQ2 standing on a table with dislay on and only the essential parts next to it (not all accs)]

Unboxing and First Impressions

Arizer consistently makes a great first impression with their vaporizers. The XQ2 packaging is professional and everything you need is neatly organized inside. While the box itself is fairly basic, Arizer doesn’t skimp on the accessories. You get:

• Arizer XQ2 multi-purpose heater
• Power adapter and cord
• Remote control
• 2 glass cyclone bowls
• 2 bowl chamber caps
• Glass aromatherapy dish
• 3 ft whip with glass mouthpiece
• Balloon kit (glass adapter, 2 bags, mouthpiece)
• Stainless steel stir tool
• Spare screens and o-rings
• Lavender botanical sample
• Owner’s manual

[P1 – The Arizer XQ2 unboxed with all included accessories]

The Arizer XQ2 makes a sleek, modern impression out of the box. Compared to the Extreme Q, the XQ2 has a much more streamlined look with its cylindrical stainless steel body, bright LED display, and customizable colored lights around the base.

The remote is also redesigned, with a more intuitive button layout and better reception. Three programmable preset buttons are a nice addition. Overall, the XQ2 looks and feels like a premium device.

[P2 – Close up of the new Arizer XQ2 remote control]

The real stars are the new connoisseur cyclone bowls. The glass chamber now features a glass screen that keeps your bud in place. You can also orient the bowl two ways by flipping the silicone cap – one side holds up to 0.5g for big cloudy hits, while the other holds around 0.2g for more flavor. Very cool!

[P3 – The two connoisseur cyclone bowl configurations – flavor and cloud]

The glass parts are all high quality, but as with any glass vape, you’ll need to be careful. The silicone caps for the bowls help prevent burns. Arizer also improved the balloon and whip connections for a better seal.

Heating, Temperature, and Vapor Quality

The Arizer XQ2 uses pure convection heating, so your herb is never in direct contact with the heating element. This helps preserve flavor while evenly vaporizing your bud. The ceramic element heats up in about 1-2 minutes, but I found best results come from letting the glass warm up for an extra 2-3 minutes.

With a wide temp range from 122-500°F (50-260°C), you can really dial in your sessions. Lower temps in the 350-390°F (177-199°C) range provide tasty, terpy hits, while cranking it up past 400°F (204°C) produces thicker vapor. Even at max temp, the glass bowl design prevents combustion.

[P4 – The bright LED screen showing current and set temperatures]

Vapor quality is impressive for the price point. While maybe not on par with a Volcano, the XQ2 delivers smooth, tasty hits. I preferred the low temp flavor from the small bowl setting. The whip provides nice free-flowing hits, while bags fill up in about 90 seconds on the high fan speed.

The vapor does get a bit warm on higher temps, but the long whip and glass parts help cool it down. Definitely not as harsh as some other whip vapes I’ve tried. Elbow packing the screen in the whip attachment is a nice trick for micro-dosing or flavor-chasing.

[P5 – Thick, tasty vapor from the Arizer XQ2 whip attachment]

The fan is not quite as strong as the Volcano, so bags take a bit longer to fill. But it’s quieter and gets the job done. I like being able to pass around a bag for group sessions. The new balloon design with a glass mouthpiece and silicone seal is a nice upgrade.

Overall, the XQ2 provides high-quality vapor and a versatile experience. It’s not the heaviest hitter, but the flavor and smoothness are top-notch for this price range. With some practice, you can really customize your sessions.

One minor complaint – the glass bowl gets very hot after a session. Even with the silicone cap, you need to be careful when removing it. I recommend letting it cool a few minutes first.

Ease of Use

[P6 – The simple Arizer XQ2 control panel up close with the remote next do it]

Despite its many features, the Arizer XQ2 is surprisingly simple to operate. The controls are very intuitive, with dedicated buttons for power, menu, and fan speed. The LED display shows your current and target temps, while the lights indicate when it’s heating up (yellow/orange), ready to vape (green), and when the fan is on (purple).

Loading the cyclone bowl is easy, and it’s held in place magnetically. You can rotate the whip connection 360° which is convenient. Attaching bags is simple with the glass adapter and silicone seal.

The remote makes it even easier to control your session without reaching over to the unit. You can change fan speeds, set the auto-off timer, and even program three preset temperatures for one-button access to your favorite settings.

Cleaning and Maintenance

[P7 – All the glass parts removed for easy cleaning]

Keeping the Arizer XQ2 clean is fairly low-maintenance. Most of the parts are glass, so you can just soak them in isopropyl alcohol. I found it easiest to clean the cyclone bowl right after a session while it’s still warm, before the residue has a chance to harden.

The screens can also be soaked to unclog them, or replaced if damaged. Bags and whips can be replaced as needed – they will eventually get gunky but it takes a while. The ceramic heating element doesn’t really need cleaning, but you can wipe it gently if it gets dusty.

Efficiency and Value

One of the standout features of the Arizer XQ2 is its efficiency. The pure convection heating thoroughly extracts your herbs, so you get a lot of mileage out of each bowl. Even after multiple bags or a long whip session, the ABV (already been vaped) herb is evenly browned.

The ability to use such small amounts (0.1-0.2g) in the flavor bowl is great for micro-dosing or solo sessions. But you can also pack up to 0.5g in the cloud bowl for groups or heavy hitters. The XQ2 is very versatile in this regard.

[P8 – Side-by-side comparison of fresh ground cannabis next to evenly browned ABV (Already Been Vaped) material on a dark wooden surface, showing the efficient extraction]

At $239 USD, the Arizer XQ2 offers impressive value. It’s not the cheapest desktop vape, but you get a lot for your money. The vapor quality is comparable to more expensive units, and the build quality is solid. Arizer is known for making reliable, long-lasting vapes.

Considering all the included accessories (especially the extra cyclone bowl), the XQ2 is a great deal. It’s cheaper than a Volcano while offering similar performance. If you want the best possible vapor, you’ll need to spend more. But for most users, the XQ2 delivers top-notch sessions at a reasonable price.

What Could Be Better

No vaporizer is perfect, and the Arizer XQ2 has a few minor downsides worth mentioning:

The glass parts look great and provide smooth vapor, but they are fragile. You need to be careful not to drop or break them, especially the cyclone bowls. Replacements are available but not cheap.

[P9 – An arranged shot showing the complete glass collection that comes with the XQ2, carefully arranged on a soft cloth to highlight both their quality and fragility]

The fan is not as powerful as some other desktop units. It gets the job done, but bags fill up slower than with a Volcano. This is a small trade-off for quieter operation, but worth noting for people who prefer faster bag filling.

[P10 – Person exhaling a thick cloud of vapor while relaxing on a couch with the XQ2’s whip, demonstrating the vapor production in a natural home setting]

There is a bit of a learning curve to get the best vapor. It takes some trial and error to find your ideal temperatures and draw speed. The manual provides some tips, but beginners might not get great results right away. Stick with it though, and you’ll be blowing clouds in no time!

While fairly compact for a desktop vape, the Arizer XQ2 is not very portable. You need to plug it in, and the glass parts are not ideal for traveling. This is definitely a “home-use” vape, not something you can easily bring to a friend’s house.

Final Thoughts

The Arizer XQ2 is an impressive update to an already popular desktop vaporizer. It maintains the core features that made the Extreme Q great, while adding some notable upgrades like the redesigned cyclone bowls, improved balloon system, and more modern aesthetics.

Vapor quality is excellent, especially for the price point. The convection heating and glass air path preserve flavor, while the ability to customize your session with different temperatures, fan speeds, and bowl sizes allows you to find your perfect vape.

[P11 – The XQ2 creating an inviting outdoor session space on a patio table, with natural greenery in the background]

It’s not the cheapest or most powerful desktop vape, but it offers a fantastic balance of performance and value. The build quality and reliability are top-notch, and the 3-year warranty adds peace of mind.

Whether you’re a beginner looking to step up from a portable vape, or an experienced user wanting a high-quality desktop option without breaking the bank, the Arizer XQ2 is a great choice. It’s a versatile, easy to use, and hard-hitting dry herb vaporizer that delivers smooth, tasty vapor.

[P12 – Side-by-side comparison of the XQ2 and Volcano Hybrid, each with filled vapor bags demonstrating the similar functionality at different price points]

If you want the absolute best vapor quality and don’t mind paying top dollar, go for a Volcano. But if you want 90% of the performance for less than half the price, the Arizer XQ2 is tough to beat. It’s a great all-around desktop vape that I highly recommend!