DaVinci IQC vs DaVinci IQ2 Vaporizer Comparison

It’s been a hot minute since the release of DaVinci’s latest offering, the DaVinci IQC and we’ve finally managed to put it through its paces to square off against its older and bigger brother, the DaVinci IQ2. While these two stylish dry herb vaporizers might seem that they share a lot in common from a cursory glance, there are a few key differences that set them apart. Let’s figure out exactly what those are as we dive in and pick apart these DaVinci’s and see which sibling deserves to be our favorite child.

DaVinci IQC vs DaVinci IQ2

Table of contents

1. How it Works
2. Temperature Flexibility
3. Vapor Quality
4. Manufacturing Quality
5. Battery Life
6. Final Thoughts

DAVINCI IQC

Rating:

87%

8  Reviews

CAD 309.00

Add To Cart

How it Works

The DaVinci IQC and DaVinci IQ2 share a lot in common, especially as far as design language goes. The aesthetic between the two is roughly the same with the small exception being that the DaVinci IQC is slightly smaller than it’s bigger brother. Maybe it’s also due to the smaller proportions that the DaVinci IQC also lacks the adjustable airflow control system that was ever-present in the DaVinci IQ2.

Basic operation between the two largely remains the same. All the physical buttons used to operate the functions of both vaporizers are located on the side. Aside from the power button, there are two navigation buttons used to select your preferred preset or “Smart Path” as DaVinci likes to call it. 

Temperature Flexibility

Both the DaVinci IQC and the DaVinci IQ2 feature precise temperature control albeit it’s not fully configurable from either device itself. Instead, both devices allow you to configure the presets to your desired temperature range via a smartphone app although we really didn’t feel the need to as the default temperature ranges that were pre-programmed into both the DaVinci IQC and DaVinci IQ2 felt perfect out of the box.

Take note that neither of these two vaporizers require the app to operate and both work perfectly fine without any having to use the app to make any changes. Another notable difference here is that the DaVinci IQC does a slightly better job at insulating the heat from inside the vaporizer thanks to a change in the heating chamber (previously zirconia with the DaVinci IQ2) to a high temperature silicon.

Vapor Quality

While the absence of an adjustable airflow control on the DaVinci IQC might seem like a letdown, the DaVinci IQC didn’t actually suffer when it came to vapor production like we initially thought it would. Sure, being able to tweak the airflow on the DaVinci IQ2 was a neat feature that most vaporizers seem to have forgotten about. That is until it became apparent that the most optimal airflow configuration on the DaVinci IQ2 was the one closest to how the DaVinci IQC was already set to.

In terms of overall vapor quality, the DaVinci IQC and DaVinci IQ2 are equal and identical in pretty much every regard. While we can say that there are other dry herb vaporizers out there that offer fuller extraction and more flavor, both of these DaVinci vaporizers come pretty damn close. If we weren’t in the business of A-B testing these two with other more expensive dry herb vaporizers, we would hardly be able to tell the difference.

Manufacturing Quality

Many design improvements are implemented with the DaVinci IQC that make it objectively superior to the DaVinci IQ2 when it comes to the overall fit and finish of the device. For starters, the DaVinci IQC now uses larger magnets to attach the mouthpiece to the base of the vaporizer for a tighter and more secure fit. The mouthpiece on the DaVinci IQ2 always felt a bit flimsy, especially now in comparison so it’s nice to see this has been fixed. However the biggest glaring issue is the hinges on both devices which have shown to break overtime. We much prefer the Zeus Arc GTS when it comes to their mouthpiece design, not to mention the better cooling system with the gold vapor path. 

The DaVinci IQC also sports a smaller and lighter form factor compared to the DaVinci IQ2 making it the more portable option between the two. While both devices don’t really have any issue with slipping into pockets for safekeeping, the DaVinci IQC simply does so with more ease. The smaller size and decreased heat radiating from the DaVinci IQC also result in a much more comfortable handfeel when compared to the older and bulkier DaVinCi IQ2.

Battery Life

One of the major highlights between these two vaporizers is the ability to use replaceable 18650 batteries on the fly when needed. Not only does it eliminate the need to bring a charger along when taking either vaporizer outdoors, but it means that you can use the DaVinci IQC or IQ2 for years and just easily replace the old battery as it wears out over time which is usually the case for most portable vaporizers.

One major improvement seen in the DaVinci IQC is the shift of the charging port to a USB Type-C socket. Assuming that you’re using a smartphone that’s been designed and built within the last 3-4 years, you’re free to use the same USB-C charging cables freely without having the need to tote an outdated and very flimsy Micro USB cable along which is the case for the DaVinci IQ2. The Type-C USB port also results in a much faster charging time for the DaVinci IQC so there’ll be less downtime between  charging cycles which is important considering that neither of these two vaporizers support passthrough charging.

Final Thoughts

Our vote easily goes to the DaVinci IQC. The upgrade to a USB Type-C charging port was the biggest deciding factor for us and we feel that it wouldn’t be wrong to assume it’ll be the same for most users. The absence of the adjustable airflow control seems is far from being a deal breaker thanks to the already optimized airflow configuration of the DaVinci IQC and the smaller, more ergonomic form factor perfectly aligns with the stylish aesthetic that DaVinci has crafted over the years.

While the DaVinci IQ2 is still a great vaporizer by most standards, there’s the fact that it’s also a good deal more expensive than it’s newer, more portable, and better performing smaller sibling. At the end of the day, the DaVinci IQC and IQ2 are both very good looking and well performing vaporizers, so for those attracted to the design, it’s hard to go wrong with either of these two dry herb vaporizers. We also recommend checking out the Zeus Arc S Hub if you are interested more in the 3rd generation vaporizer experience and prefer to save some money on your vape.