The Puffco Peak Pro edges the Puffco New Peak on our scores, 8.2 to 8.0. That's close, so the right pick depends on how you dab. The Pro scores far higher for vapor and gives you full app control. The New Peak costs $200 less and is the simpler rig to live with.
Key differences
- Chamber: the Pro's 3DXL bowl is 78% larger than the standard 3D, by Puffco's figure. The New Peak takes its own smaller 3D chamber, and the two don't swap.
- Heat-up: about 10 seconds for the New Peak in our sessions, about 20 for the Pro by Puffco's figure.
- Temperature: the New Peak has four fixed presets. The Pro's app sets any temperature from 204°C to 340°C in single-degree steps.
- App: Puffco Connect on the Pro, none on the New Peak.
- Charging: both charge over USB-C with pass-through. The Pro adds Qi wireless charging.
- Weight: 480 g for the New Peak against 510 g for the Pro, both 178 mm tall.
- Warranty: the same on both, two years for the base and six months for the chamber.
- Price: $250 against $450 at US list price.
Vapor quality is the big gap
The Pro scores 9.2 for vapor against 7.5, the widest split between these two. Its 3DXL bowl takes small to medium loads comfortably, and Puffco says the extra depth cuts down on spillover. The app's Vapor Control steps from Standard through High and Max up to XL. The XL Joystick carb cap lets you steer air across concentrate pooled in the corners.
The New Peak suits small dabs: we load about 0.1 g, and rice-grain amounts are the place to start. Its color-coded presets run blue at 254°C, green at 266°C, red at 277°C and white at 310°C. If blue feels too cool and green too hot, there's nothing in between. Low-temperature flavor dabs need the Pro, whose app goes down to 204°C.
Controls and ease of use
The New Peak scores 9.0 for ease of use against 8.5. Hold the button to power on, click to pick a color, then click twice to heat. It flashes and vibrates when ready, and it behaves the same way every time. Boost adds 10°C and 15 seconds when a dab needs finishing.
The Pro works the same way from its button, with four presets out of the box. The app is where it pulls away, letting you rewrite each profile, watch the live temperature and install firmware updates. Android uses Puffco Connect, and iPhone runs puffco.app inside the Path Browser. Once you dial in a profile for your favorite concentrate, the factory settings feel limiting.
Both rigs have Intensity mode: five clicks set them up for dry hits with an empty glass. The Pro adds Stealth mode on four clicks, and on Puffco's Power Dock (sold separately) its Ready Mode starts heating the moment you lift it off.
Battery and charging
Battery life is close: Puffco rates the New Peak at 35 heating cycles on green, and we got about 35 dabs a charge too. For the Pro, Puffco quotes about 30 cycles on its support page and an average of 40 dabs on its product page. Both take about two hours over USB-C and let you dab while plugged in, but only the Pro also charges on a Qi pad.
Build, glass and value
The Pro scores 9.0 for build against 8.0, and its kit adds a carrying case that the New Peak skips. The New Peak's magnetic box doubles as storage but won't protect it in a bag, and neither kit includes a wall adapter. Glass is shared, since Puffco's Peak and Peak Pro tops fit both bases. The New Peak wins value, 8.5 against 7.5, and portability, 7.0 against 6.0.
Which should you buy?
- First-time dabbers: the New Peak, with no app and a 30-second learning curve.
- Casual users who dab a few times a week: the New Peak.
- Daily dabbers who tune by concentrate: the Peak Pro.
- Low-temperature flavor chasers: the Peak Pro.
- Bigger loads: the Peak Pro and its 3DXL chamber.
- Puffco glass owners wanting a second base: the New Peak.
Both appear in our best concentrate vaporizers ranking, and if you're new to eRigs, our how to dab guide covers loading and temperatures. Our eRig cleaning guide keeps either chamber tasting clean.
