Volcano Hybrid Vaporizer Review – Worth the Upgrade from the Volcano Classic?

Updated: November 6, 2023

Probably the most iconic and world-renowned desktop vaporizer ever made, the Volcano Classic, was launched over a decade ago. The modern interpretation – the Volcano Hybrid, saw some minor changes but left the same game-winning formula. Now, the newly released Volcano Hybrid sees some solid improvements while still adhering to that same recipe.

The new Volcano Hybrid adds Bluetooth app compatibility, a much quicker heat-up time, the ability to use it easily with just a whip, and other small improvements. Despite the minor updates, the Hybrid is still considered a 1st generation vaporizer. Newer generations are currently being created, making desktop vaporizers slowly become less popular. Convection vaporizers of the 2nd and 3rd generations produce similar vapor, are portable and are hence increasingly popular.

Review: Volcano Hybrid

Volcano Hybrid vaporizer Review

Volcano Hybrid vaporizer heating coils

How it Works – Does the Volcano Hybrid work differently than the Digital?

The new Volcano Hybrid is just as simple and friendly as its siblings. You can either fill up a dosing capsule or use a Volcano Hybrid Reducer and have a small session of 0.1-0.15 grams of flower, or use the standard chamber and pack it with upwards of 1 gram or more for those really powerful sessions.

After placing the Volcano Hybrid Filling Chamber back on the device, simply set your temperature and then wait until it heats up. The new Hybrid heats up much quicker than its predecessors, bringing you up to speed in around 20-40 seconds.

Once it has warmed up, either use a balloon and hit the air button, or attach the Volcano Hybrid tube, and just draw directly. From there, depending on the quality of your cannabis and the chamber size, you’ll get one full balloon and a half filled one off of one dosing capsule, or multiple full balloons from a full chamber.

Volcano Hybrid vaporizer side view

Volcano Hybrid vaporizer power control

Temperature Flexibility – Full Temperature Control for Tailored Sessions

The Volcano Hybrid offers a full temperature range to work with, allowing you between 40°C-230°C, or 104°F-446°F.

Users who want precise temperature control usually tend to prefer the hybrid Volcano over the Classic Volcano vaporizer because the analog dials lack the accuracy that the digital version tends to provide.

This is perfect for use with all sorts of herbs, and even concentrates in the form of wax combined with the Volcano concentrate pad.

This is fully adjustable and customizable with the app or on-device display in 1-degree increments. You can learn more about the difference between temperature settings, by following the link.

Volcano Hybrid vaporizer mouth piece

Vapor Quality – Still some of the best vapor on the market?

The Volcano Classic and Volcano Digit both have legendary and top notch vapor quality. Great flavor, potent clouds, and complete extraction.

Though it wasn’t quite as flavorful and pure as vaporizers with all-glass vapor paths or direct-draw systems, the new Volcano Hybrid gives you much more of this, pure flavor with the direct-draw whip.

In terms of flavor and vapor quality, in fact the new Volcano Hybrid is different than the others. The heating element while similar, is slightly different. A new stainless steel ring inside the chamber area also provides a small level of conductive heat which serves to produce thicker vapor, fuller extraction, and a slightly different flavor.

Users that prefer more portable units with the same level of vapor quality tend to lean toward the Utillian 722 since it produces some serious vapor while being more convenient to transport.

Volcano Hybrid vaporizer front display

Manufacturing Quality – Built like a tank, made in Germany

Storz & Bickel are known for their legendary build quality. Many people with a Volcano Classic bought over a decade ago still enjoy tip-top performance. Still built in their state-of-the-art facility in Germany, the reliability and dependability of any Storz & Bickel device is about as perfect as you can get. Those Germans and their perfect engineering!

Users who prefer portable units usually tend to love the Utillian 722  because it too is a tank in its own right with a strong built and quality dense vapors.

Included in the box is a professionally arranged kit consisting of the Volcano itself, power cord, 4 easy-valve balloons, 3 mouthpieces, 1 adapter, 1 silicone whip, a filling chamber, an herb grinder, the chamber, air filter set, user manual, and wear and tear set that includes screens, cleaning brush, drip pad. Everything you’ll need to get going and set!

Volcano Hybrid vaporizer back view

Volcano Hybrid vaporizer in hand

Ease of Use – New features provide slight learning curve

The Volcano as easy as it is to use, we highly recommend reading through the entire user manual at least once. I know, a crazy thing to suggest, but there are a lot of little and useful bits of information which will help you customize and make the experience of the Volcano Hybrid as good as possible.

Beyond that though, sharing with friends or strangers is very easy. Sit them down and either fill up a balloon to draw from, or just have them inhale directly from the whip. Pop in a fresh dosing capsule once the vapor starts dropping off; just be careful of the warm bits!

Cleaning a stationary vaporizer is certainly a more complicated process in comparison to a portable unit such as the Zeus Arc GTS which uses ArcPods.

Using dosing capsules is highly recommended for the Hybrid as it keeps cleaning and maintenance to a minimum. That being said using capsules is not the norm when using the Hybrid.  You can learn more about why cleaning your vaporizer is important by following the link.

Volcano Hybrid vaporizer tank

Options – Bag or whip? It’s your choice!

The ability to do both balloon or whip, herb or cannabis extracts, makes the Volcano Hybrid one of the most versatile desktops currently on the marketplace.

Previously the Arizer Extreme Q  and its newer iteration, the Arizer XQ2 vaporizer held that title, as its whip design is something it lorded over the Volcano. However, with the Hybrid perfecting the whip-style desktop vaporizer, it takes the crown offering more options for the end-user. Generally, more options come with a higher price tag and the Hybrid is no exception. That being said, I believe that the price is well worth it considering vaporizers generally do save on herb enough to pay back for themselves in the long run.

Volcano Hybrid vaporizer full kitOverall Experience – King of the Desktops

Comparing the Hybrid to other dry herb vaporizers such as the Arizer V-Tower, it’s easy to see where your money is going with the Hybrid.

The Volcano Hybrid really took everything we loved about the Volcano Classic and made little adjustments and changes we wanted to see.

The vapor quality is even better, the app functionality really lets you play around with a myriad of settings and even lets you turn it on and heat up remotely. Stuff a balloon on the device, go to the bathroom, and tell it to heat up. Balloon ready for when you’re back.

For a daily user who wants nothing but the best of the best and has the cash to spend, the Volcano Hybrid really is about as good as you can get. The heater with up to 230 watts of power is monstrously strong and the legendary build quality from Storz & Bickel really seals the deal. No worries, no hassle, just fire and forget.

If you already own a Volcano Classic, it’s not the biggest upgrade. Sure, it performs better, has more versatility, and is overall better, but the other two Volcano models still rock people’s world and you’re not missing out on entirely too much.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for some of the same consistent yet hard-hitting performance albeit in a more compact handheld form factor, do check out the Plenty vaporizer also from Storz& Bickel!

If you have questions about our Volcano Hybrid review or just want to let us know what you think, feel free to drop us a comment below! Thanks for reading and as always, keep vapin’!

Score 9.5 Awesome

Pros

  • +

    Offers both balloon and whip inhalation methods, along with compatibility with herbs and wax.

  • +

    Exceptional vapor quality with quick heat-up time.

  • +

    Made in Germany with legendary build quality, it ensures long-lasting performance.

  • +

    Offers an easy and user-friendly experience. Dosing capsules add to the user-friendliness of the device.

  • +

    Precise temperature control.

Cons

  • -

    Limited app accessibility for iOS users.

  • -

    Large and non-portable.

  • -

    It is expensive compared to other desktop vaporizers.

  • 9.5
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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.