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Zeus Arc GTS Hub vs Arizer Air Max: Flagship Face-off
By
Mariano
Zeus Arc GTS Hub vs Arizer Air Max: Flagship Face-off
October 6, 2023
on
Portable Showdown, Showdowns
Updated: October 6, 2023
Arizer has come a long way from its reputation as a budget-friendly vape brand. Providing admirable efforts in the Solo 2 and XQ2, Arizer is looking to maintain this reputation with their newest offering, the Air Max.
On the other hand, Zeus has managed to captivate users with its own flagship, the Zeus Arc GTS Hub. The Xtruder and ArcPod system are both ambitious and ingenious additions to the vaporizer landscape.
So how do these two devices stack up? And which flagship is best suited for which user? Let’s find out! 
Table of contents
Build Quality
The build quality of both devices are solid and reliable enough for users looking to own either device for the long-term. With that said, there are a few differing qualities worth mentioning.
The Air Max’s anodized aluminum body is rugged, and certainly tough enough to survive a fall on its own. The glass stems, however, run the risk of breaking in the event that the stem is dropped or broken during a commute. This can be solved by making use of the provided carrying case, or investing in the Zeus Armor kit when the device is not in use.
The Zeus Arc GTS Hub also features a hefty anodized aluminum body, very likely to survive a commute or the occasional fall. Zeus also wins points here for utilizing a more durable Medical-grade plastic mouthpiece, making the Arc GTS a more pocket-friendly option for the user on the go. The Arcpods are reusable and made out of aluminum to facilitate rapid heat transfer from the heating chamber to the dry herb stored inside. They also feature paper lids that make it easy to tell when your herb is finished.
Vapor Quality
The advanced ceramic heater in the Air Max is able to get up to temp in about a minute, and provides very robust clouds, especially when maxed out at 220°C. Users will also find lower temperatures to be enjoyable as well, as the isolated airpath and PVC stems provide that signature Arizer flavor purity.
The Zeus Arc GTS is a worthy opponent in this category, making good use of its gold plated chamber air path and heatsink. The Zeus Arc GTS is able to pump out some serious clouds, especially at max temperature. The draw is smooth and full both when loaded with herb, and when using the ArcPods. The mouthpiece is also optimized for reduced exposure of the silicone rubber to the vapor path, which results in an improved flavor. This is also improved when making use of the Utillian bubbler (Sold separately) with the water pipe adapter, as water filtration will maximize cloud production on any device.
Ease of Use
The Air Max is a 2nd generation vaporizer without a pod system and specially designed grinder to fill pods yet it is a relatively straightforward device to load and use. Simply scoop your ground herb into the bottom of the stem, and load the stem into the unit. If I’m splitting hairs, inserting the stem while filled can be clumsy and messy at times, but once you get the hang of it this issue disappears. The menu system is identical to that of the Air 2, with the key difference being the placement of the buttons. The Air Max has moved the three buttons to both sides of the device, as opposed to the Air 2’s front-facing buttons. This makes the two-button start-up (M and Plus) easier and more intuitive. With that said, I would’ve preferred something closer to the Solo 2’s full menu system, and five-button layout.
The Zeus Arc GTS takes the advantage of its one mouthpiece button, as it is used to operate the entire device. Hold to turn the unit on and off, and single press to cycle through the three temperature settings. The Xtruder and ArcPod system makes loading and unloading this device a breeze, as the entire system is extremely intuitive and clean. Simply load herb into the top of the Xtruder, load an empty pod in the bottom, add your herb, and twist to your heart’s content Thus making it a 3rd Generation Vaporizer system. All these elements come complete in the package for a mess-free and quick filling experience.
Temperature Flexibility
The Air Max really shines in this category, allowing users to set their temperature anywhere from 40°C to 220°C, allowing users to maximize flavor or cloud production. The glass stem creates a very pure taste at lower temperatures, and the max temperature of 220°C creates clouds big and dense enough to satisfy any enthusiast.
The Zeus Arc GTS comes with three temperature settings out of the box: 205°C, 215°C and 225°C. The firmware of the device can be updated using software available on the Zeus website, with profiles tailored to flavor and water-pipe users alike. Regardless, it certainly makes taking advantage of the full range of temperatures a bit tedious, and the range isn’t quite wide enough to be able to satisfy as many users as the Air Max can.
Overall, users looking for the widest range of options out of their device should go with the Air Max.
Battery Life
The Arizer Air Max features an impressive 5750mAh battery, providing up to two and a half hours of continuous use, or about 2 and a half days of short infrequent sessions. This battery is replaceable; simply unscrew the bottom of the device, remove and replace. Arizer also wins points for providing a USB-C port, as opposed to micro-USB. The only downside is the 3 hour charge time of the device, although it is fair considering how big this battery is.
The Zeus Arc GTS features a 3500mAh battery, which is a bonus considering the compact size of the device. This battery is enough to last for about one hour of continuous use, or about one and a half days of infrequent use. The ArcPods also facilitate heat transfer to your herb, meaning you spend less battery heating up your herb and more time extracting it. The only downside is the slightly dated micro-USB port. While this does knock points off in this category, Zeus Arsenal has mentioned that an updated version is already in the works, and USB-C charging will be one of the included improvements to watch out for soon.
Portability
The Arizer Air Max is a slightly large portable vaporizer for a commuter, with the PVC stem creating concern as it can become damaged if misplaced in a bag or purse. This can be solved by using the provided carrying case, or the Zeus Armor Kit. While users have the option of preloading stems ahead of time, the stems lack caps/lids and are difficult to transport. Arizer also only provides one stem out of the box, so users looking to load multiple stems ahead of time will need to buy multiple stems separately.
The Zeus Arc GTS eliminates all of these issues with the ArcPod and Xtruder system. Loading pods ahead of time and labeling the material used on the bottom of the packs is a breeze, and every pack of ArcPods comes with a pack of lids. This helps ensure that your precious herb will survive even the most hectic of commutes. The smaller size of the GTS, as well as the provided gold tool on the bottom of the device, makes using the Arc GTS on the go an absolute dream.
Conclusion
Overall, both devices stack up against each other well and provide different advantages for different users but the 3rd generation Zeus Arc GTS is the winner overall due to the rich features, favor quality, and overall experience.
The Arizer Air Max is best suited to users who desire the widest range of temperatures possible. Enthusiasts with this in mind will be willing to deal with the tradeoffs in portability and ease of use, in favor of a wider range of temperature options.
The Zeus Arc GTS is best suited to on-the-go users who are looking for a no-frills experience with their vape. The Xtruder and ArcPod system eliminates a lot of the hassle that comes with the Air Max, and users looking to commute with their vape will find comfort in the simplicity and portability of the Arc GTS.
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