DaVinci IQC Vaporizer Review – The DaVinci to Rule Them All

Updated: March 26, 2024

As 2021 is slowly drawing to a close, it’s good to see more and more popular vaporizers slowly make the shift over to USB C and the DaVinci IQC is the latest addition to this growing list. Considered as a refresh of the stylish and hard-hitting DaVinci IQ2, the DaVinci IQC packs a few improvements into its compact aluminum frame. If you’re in the market for a helluva good looking portable vaporizer, buckle up and get ready to dig into our full review down below.

Review: DaVinci IQC Vaporizer

iqc main

iqc chamber lidHow it Works

DaVinci has always been known for creating one of the most stylish lineups in the vaporizer industry as evidenced by the DaVinci IQ2 and the DaVinci Miqro. That hasn’t changed one bit with the all-new DaVinci IQC. Packed into an elegant and compact chassis, the DaVinci IQC is a good deal smaller than it’s older and bigger brother, the IQ2. Aside from the size difference, nothing much has changed however with the overall aesthetic of the DaVinci IQC.

While the DaVinci IQC lacks a full on digital display it makes up for this with a stylish LED grid that does a great job of communicating the vaporizer’s status. It’s also one of the few vaporizers that use a removable battery that’s easy to replace which is a feature that seems like it’s going the way of the dinosaurs as of late. One neat little trick the DaVinci IQC is also capable of is reverse charging which allows the IQC to essentially double as a power bank which lets you charge up your phone or other USB powered devices if you’re in a pinch.

iqc led grid arrayTemperature Flexibility

The DaVinci IQC supports full and precise temperature control and a “Smart Paths” mode which are essentially preconfigured presets that help you get started without having to set the device up. While the DaVinci IQC lacks a proper digital display, it does make up for this LED grid array that displays your current settings (albeit in a block-ish fashion). While the grid array does not display both target and current temps, it does manage to show the live temperature of the DaVinci IQC as it’s warming up.

The Smart Paths can also be customised via the app which is a handy feature for switching between your favorite temps without having to manually dial in your preferred vaping temperature everytime  in precision mode.

iqc chamberVapor Quality

The DaVinci IQC is built with a full zirconia glass coated air pathway that does a great job of creating flavorful doses of vapor and is also reminiscent of the gold vapor path used in the Zeus Arc GTS Hub. One small yet effective improvement seen with the DaVinci IQC is the use of a silicone lid to seal in the heating chamber and more effectively insulate unwanted heat from your precious lips.

Aside from the improved lid, the DaVinci IQC performs almost identically to the IQ2 which we consider a good thing. It manages to offer the same performance and battery life of the IQ2 but with a smaller compact frame and none of the weird fitment and sealing issues that plagued the older IQ2.

iqc main 2

iqc diagonalManufacturing Quality

Everything about the DaVinci IQC just oozes style and quality which is pretty much what we’ve come to expect from DaVinci vaporizers in general. Aside from it being smaller, the aluminum alloy hasn’t really changed at all when comparing the DaVinci IQC to the IQ2. The magnet that locks the mouthpiece into place has been improved and now offers a more secure fit that doesn’t come off easily which was sometimes the case with the IQ2.  Another welcome improvement are the more premium hinges at the top and bottom of the DaVinci IQC that offer a bit more resistance compared to the loose and free-swinging lids that we’ve come to experience on the IQ2.

If there’s anything that we could consider a downgrade, it would be the omission of the adjustable airflow dial which was a feature on the IQ2. While we can’t really say that it’s a feature that we missed, it would be nice to still have the option on the DaVinci IQC.

iqc 18650Battery Life

The DaVinci IQC comes bundled with a 3000mAh 18650 battery that can be easily removed for external charging, a very handy feature especially if you’re the type that likes to keep spare charged batteries on hand. Not only is this great for travelling and having uninterrupted sessions, it’s a great feature for extending the lifespan of the vaporizer in general as battery failure is no longer an excuse for trading your old device for a newer one.

The USB C charging port does a decent job of charging up the battery to full. While we feel that the 2 hour charging time is just a wee bit longer than most vaporizers that utilize USB C, we feel that DaVinci designed it this way to help extend the health and lifespan of the battery.

iqc sizePortability

Given the smaller form factor of the DaVinci IQC, it’s even more pocketable than ever before. Having the ability to replace the 18650 battery whenever we want is a great feature to have especially when coupled with the USB port that makes charging the battery internally so convenient. Coming in at roughly 150 grams, it’s definitely one of the lighter yet harder hitting and full featured vaporizers that we’ve come across so far. 

 

iqc openEase of Use

The dedicated inputs for adjusting the temperature in precision mode feel responsive and the overall interface is intuitive enough for even first time users to get the hang of operating the DaVinci IQC in no time at all. One small caveat is while the LED grid array does look pretty, it offers subpar visibility under harsher lighting conditions which can make operating the settings a bit finicky when outdoors on a sunny day.

While it’s no 3rd generation vaporizer, loading the chamber on the ICQ is easy enough and getting an airtight seal on the chamber was a lot less of a hassle to the sometimes loose lid on the IQ2. The airflow is also close to perfect so the omission of the adjustable airflow control isn’t really missed and instead further streamlines the operation of the device.

iqc box

iqc in handDiscreetness

Due to the stylish design and compact size of the DaVinci IQC, the vaporizer can easily be mistaken as a fancy looking power bank which should be great news for those looking to keep their vaporizing on the down low. The device is easily palmable for anyone with medium-to large sized hands, and thanks to the smooth edged design, the DaVinci IQC easily slips in and out of pockets without snagging on anything.

 

iqc kit

Overall Experience

The DaVinci IQC is an improvement over its predecessor in more ways than one; the smaller size, better quality hinges, and improved seal on the heating chamber are all welcome changes from the issues that some have experienced with the IQ2. The DaVinci IQC is also a good chunk of change cheaper than the original MSRP of the IQ2 which should make it a compelling option for those looking to get into what DaVinci has to offer.

The DaVinci IQC’s compatibility with the recently released Utillian Glass Bubbler is also something that shouldnt be overlooked as it considerably steps up the device in overall vapor smoothness and quality.

While it’s definitely not a budget device, the DaVinci IQC easily states this with it’s attractive aesthetic and build quality. The great performance and vapor quality it offers is just the icing on the cake. It does suffer in a few areas however where form takes priority over function such as the use of the LED grid array with it’s poorer visibility and lack of information displayed compared to a standard digital display. The pros far outweigh the cons however and we predict that our list of best portable vaporizers will be seeing some changes soon.

For those looking into conduction ovens however, the Utillian 722 is also a solid alternative that closely mirrors the vapor quality and ease of use of the IQC with the advantage of being offered at a lower price tag.

Score 7.6 Good
  • 7.6

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About Author
Avatar for Alex Karakatsanis

Alex is a cannabis enthusiast, long time vaporizer lover, writer and filmmaker. He is also a board and video game nerd with a penchant for hosting a weekly board game night. Partygoers have been heard saying things like “is anyone else going to show up?” and “I don’t think I can make it next week”. He strives to make people laugh at every opportunity and sees cannabis as a helpful tool in doing so.

The reviews and ratings are based on personal and decade-plus of industry experience. Such content is based on the opinion of the Editor/Author. They are solely provided as a basis for research and should be used only as guidance. We encourage thorough research by all visitors to attain the most objective viewpoint before purchasing.