Utillian 722 vs Arizer Solo 2 Vaporizer Showdown
The Utillian 722 is a fan favorite of convection connoisseurs everywhere, with some excellent positive reviews for its convection airflow, portability and wide open airflow. Today were going to compare it to the highly rated workhorse of a vaporizer, the Arizer Solo 2. The Solo 2 has been the top end of Arizers portable line since its inception – so lets get right to it and figure out which one of these beasts comes out on top!
Utillian 722 vs Arizer Solo 2
Vapor QualityWhen the Arizer Solo 2 was released in 2017, it was a massive jump in vapor quality and production from the original Solo. They kept their trademark glass tubes that offered great tasting, cool vapor. The heating element distributes heat evenly and the chamber is stainless steel. The airflow is great, the hits are smooth and the vapor is tasty. The 722 improved on the vapor quality of the popular Utillian 721 by refining it and opening up the airflow. On the lower two temperatures, the flavor is great and the vapor production is solid. On higher temperatures, the 722 can pump out clouds with the best of them. The convection vapor is tasty, hits hard, and gets the job done. Stacked up against each other, the Utillian 722 is more free flowing, thicker vapor, while the Solo 2 and its glass tube is slightly better for flavor. The taste of the 722 is great but it is slightly edged out by the Solo 2. If you want something a little smaller than both of these devices that can compete vapor-wise, be sure to check out the Zeus Arc Hub. |
Manufacturing QualityThe Utillian 722 uses a sprayed aluminum body that looks and feels like a sleek, high end vaporizer. My personal favourite color is the gunmetal grey. The easy to use temperature system and overall slick look of the device solidifies that top end feel. The swivel mouthpiece is low key and tucks in neatly making the whole device, whether in use or not, more travel friendly. The Solo 2 has a digital screen, full temperature control, and customizable settings. It comes with a 90s dad cell phone carrying case for your mouthpieces though transporting this big boy is a bit of a mission. But the body of the device is sturdy and capable of withstanding some drops, just dont drop the stems. Personally, the blue Solo 2 is gorgeous in my opinion. Honestly, I like the look of the Utillian 722 more, it feels better in the hand but the construction of the Solo 2 is also very well done. This ones a toss up as well. If youre looking for a convection device with a built in stir tool, digital display and precise temperature control, be sure to look at the Utillian 620. |
Battery LifeTheres no denying it; the Solo 2s battery life is off the charts. 3 full hours, and it has never let me down in the battery department. With 3 times the amount that the 722 has, its not hard to see whos going to win this one. However, you could always get a power bank to pair with your Utillian 722, which has a microUSB port for easier charging. |
PortabilityThe Solo 2 and its whopping 3 hour battery life scream portability to be sure. But the glass tubes of Arizer (sounds like a LOTR ref, it isnt, but it sounds like it) are difficult to tout around without the dadcase mentioned before. Not to mention they are delicate and will break when dropped, trust me, Ive bought a lot. When I first got my Solo 2, I refused to take it around anywhere because I was terrified of breaking a glass stem and its still a concern of mine, which is why I usually opt for another unit when it comes to travel. Enter the Utillian 722, which can give 60 minutes of continuous use, okay maybe not the 3 hours the Solo 2 can provide. But the hard shell and swivel mouthpiece make this guy an excellent travel companion. Plus, the microUSB charging cable allows you to take a battery pack and keep this guy charged up and ready to go, whereas the Solo 2 has a proprietary cable, less convenient for a weekend adventure. This one clearly goes to the Utillian 722. |
Ease of UseUsing the Solo 2 will take some getting used to, you fill the ends of the glass tube, rather than the chamber itself. Then you place the glass tube with your herbs in the heating chamber. It is a bit counter intuitive than how most vaporizers load, but the glass does provide smooth flavor. It heats up quickly, its easy to adjust the temperature, and has an LED which allows for a tiny bit of customization. The Utillian 722 has one button and 4 temperature settings and a boost mode. Loading the 722 is much more conventional; drop your herb in, press the button 5 times rapidly, and select your temperature. The boost mode can be activated by pressing and holding the power button and quickly ramps the 722 up to 225C. Great for finishing a session. In terms of ease of use, I think from a loading and unloading standpoint and just generally for first time users, the Utillians 722 is easier and straightforward. The Solo 2, while it does offer the digital display for temperature settings, also has the glass tubes, which can be especially finicky to unload after a session, since they are hot and cant be immediately stored after use. If youre looking for a simple starter vaporizer that can be picked up and used right away, check out the LITL 1. |
DiscreetnessThe Utillian 722 and its low profile can fit in almost any hand with little to no visible parts. The swivel mouthpiece and the ability to easily slip in into a pocket make sure its extra low key. The Solo 2s glass stem makes the discreetness of the vaporizer pretty much non-existent. While holding the body, its completely exposed. This one goes to the 722. |
Temperature FlexibilityThe Solo 2 has precise temperature control from 40-220C, and its very easy to adjust – simply press the up and down buttons. However youre going to be pretty much staying between 180 – 220 degrees for optimal use with your herbs. The Utillian 722 has four temperature settings 180°C, 190°C, 200°C, 210°C, which will give you a good range to work within to vaporize your herbs. The boost mode on the 722 vaporizer will push the unit to its maximum temperature 225°C. The Utillian 722s higher temperature is great for extraction, but the precise temperature control gives the Solo 2 the edge here. |
Overall ExperienceLook, theres no denying that both of these devices are top of the line. Both have great vapor, good build quality and are simple to use. The Utillian 722s one button, 4 preset temperatures, wide open airflow, and smooth convection heating are all major wins. The 722 is a better vaporizer for those who are going to be taking there vaporizer with them a lot or for beginners. This would make a perfect first vaporizer, super easy to load, no effort to get good vapor, and easily portable. On the other hand the Solo 2s big battery life, glass stem, proprietary charger and precise temperature control make it more of an at-home portable unit. The glass stems are fragile and any Solo owner will tell you, prepare to spend some extra money replacing broken glass stems. The trade-off is very good flavor, but it is at a cost, sometimes literally. If it were me, I would go for the Utillian 722, I like taking my vaporizer with me on walks, especially now that the summer is here, and I just cant do that with the Solo 2, at least comfortably. Plus, I am a sucker for convection heating and free flowing airflow. You cant go wrong with the Solo 2 either, I still love mine, but it really does stay at home and gets pulled out for more special occasions. If I was the Old El Passo girl, Id say why not both? But you probably dont have that type of cash, in which case the Utillian 722 is the cheaper option of the 2, which for me, makes the decision a bit easier. You can pick either of these 2 awesome portable vaporizers directly from our store. If youd like to see another comparison, check out our recent showdown between the Zeus Arc vs Pax and to see how these 2 units stack up against the field, be sure to check out our Portable Vaporizer Ranking Chart. |