Arizer Air 2 vs Crafty – Top Tier Bout
Arizer Air 2 vs Crafty
Vapor QualityIve been using the Arizer Air 2 a lot lately for comparisons, and one thing that Ive noticed is that the airflow is better than I initially gave it credit for. I think something must have been blocking an air path before, because when I first started testing it the draw restriction was barely any better than it was with the original Air. Typically, a manufacturer will calibrate a vaporizer to have a heavier draw restriction to make up for a weaker heater. More airflow means more temperature drop during every draw, which requires a bigger heater to offset. Thats always been one of the best features of the Crafty (and Mighty). The airflow is almost wide open. When comparing the Crafty and Air 2, I have to admit I was a little impressed by the Air 2 considering my originally neutral feelings about the airflow. With that being said, its still not as open as the Crafty. They both have great vapor in general, but the full convection heating of the Crafty delivers better flavor. Youd think the Air 2 would have smoother vapor thanks to the glass stem, but the Crafty has a cooling feature built into the mouthpiece area that allows it to match the Air 2 here. Were talking about exceptional vapor from either here, but the Crafty is clearly the better option in this department. |
Manufacturing QualityThe Air 2 has the benefit of being much newer than the Crafty, so the engineering and features are all significantly updated. Youd think that would make it the default winner, but thats not the case. Storz and Bickel, the manufacturers of the Crafty, are known for making some of the most well-made vaporizers ever, including the Volcano. The main advantages of the Air 2 are the digital screen with full temperature control and the removable battery. The screen is nice because it makes it very easy to customize your vaping experience. The removeable battery is nice because you can expand your battery life and avoid potential vaporizer failure due to a malfunctioning battery that cant be removed. The Crafty is just well made across the board. It doesnt have a digital screen, but you can still control the temperature from the Crafty app. There are two levels you set, your base temperature and your boost. When you turn on the device, it will heat to the base. If you want to bump up the temperature for more extraction, you simple activate the boost. The Crafty also features convection heating, which was originally found in the Volcano vaporizer. As we touched on in the vapor quality section this style of heating provides huge advantages in vapor production and overall flavor. The Craftys only flaw is the relatively short battery life which maxes out at about an hour. So we have to still give the slight edge to the Crafty, the convection heating really does put the power of the Volcano in the palm of your hand. |
Ease of UseThis is a different strokes for different folks type of situation. These are both easy to use, but in very different ways. If you like the convenience of being able to choose the exact temperature you want with the click of a button, the Air 2 will be better for you. This is doubly true if you frequently find yourself using different temperatures. All you have to do is click the up or down buttons right on the device. If you know what temperatures you like and dont see much reason to change, then you may find the Crafty easier. Most people operate off a base and boost temperature to begin with, and the Craftys setup makes switching between these levels effortless. |
PortabilityThere are a lot of vaporizers that could beat either one of these in portability, but I think the Crafty wins when compared to the Air. As Ive pointed out in other comparisons with the Air 2, you pretty much have to have a Zeus Armo Vaporizer Case to carry it with you. If you dont, then the glass stem will be exposed and you risk breaking it. Been there, done that. The Crafty may not be the smallest vaporizer in the world, but its durable and you can just set it in a bag and go. You could also carry it in your pocket, but it is pushing the comfort threshold a bit due to the size. |
Battery LifeIn the latest iteration of the Crafty, they now come with a sticker on the box boasting an extra 20% of battery life. This is a welcome improvement over the original 45ish minutes you get with the latest iteration tending to last over an hour. It still pales in comparison to the Air 2 which can last for 1.5 hours. And then there is the fact that you can easily remove the battery in the Air 2 and put an Arizer Air 2 battery replacement in, allowing you to carry an extra and instantly double the battery life. This isnt even a contest, the Air 2 wins this category easily. |
DiscreetnessThe Air 2 is the smaller vaporizer overall, but its also taller thanks to the glass stem. I have an easier time concealing the Crafty in my hand because of this. Neither of these rank very highly in my list of most discreet vaporizers though, so Id advise using caution when using either of these in a situation where youre worried about people noticing what you are doing. |
Temperature FlexibilityBoth of these vaporizers offer precision temperature control, but the Air 2 has the more convenient setup. To adjust the temperature, you just click up or down. The screen will scroll in 1 or 10 degree increments depending on how long you hold the button. Choosing your temperature is quick and easy. With the Crafty, you have to use the app. So you get temperature control, but it isnt nearly as quick to adjust. The Air 2 deserves the win here. |
SHOWDOWNThe Crafty Vaporizer is our winner! The Craftys main strength is the vapor. Its so good you cant really appreciate it until you actually try it. If you want the best vapor a portable can deliver, get the Crafty. I consider the Arizer Air 2 to be a top-tier vapor producer as well, it just cant quite compare to the Crafty. The main strength here is the battery setup, at least in my opinion. The screen and easy temperature control are also nice though. At the end of the day, either of these are worth owning. The right one will depend on exactly what you are looking for and how you plan to use your vaporizer. If youd like to see another comparison, check out our recent showdown between the Zeus Arc & Mighty and to see how these 2 units stack up against the field, be sure to check out our Portable Vaporizer Ranking Chart. |