Class of 2016: Top 10 Best Vaporizers

Nailing down the best vaporizers of 2016 is a tough task. It seems like each month the marketplace presents vapers with another vaporizer to consider. Still, some units always manage to rise above the others in terms of precision and quality. In compiling a list of the best of the best, we took several factors into consideration.

We evaluated durability, the ability of the vaporizer to stand up to rigorous usage. Many vapers lead an active life and a vaporizer has to be up to the task. Battery life and run time are important factors. Heating methods and elements, of course, were given stringent review, and things like size, price, and warranty were also considered. Here is the Class of 2016: Top 10 Best Vaporizers.

10. Sutra S-Type Vaporizer by Sutra Vape ($169.99) 

The Sutra S-Type Premium Vaporizer is priced at a reasonable $169.99 and comes from a company with a good reputation for dry herb vaporizers. This portable model features a ceramic core oven and has a temperature range of 390F to 480F. It uses convection heating to evenly warm your plant material or concentrates and produce large amounts of vapor every time without herb combustion.

The unit has a height of approximately five inches, making it something that can be easily carried in a pocket or purse. The Li-Ion rechargeable battery is rated 2600 mAh and can easily power three to six vaping sessions before needing a recharge. You also get the confidence that comes with buying from a respected brand.

9. Arizer Air Portable Vaporizer ($259.99) 

Simple and elegant, the ArizerAir Portable Vaporizer retails for $259.99. This rig for vaping dry herbs is genuinely high-end. The quality begins with its versatility. The Arizer Air has five levels of temperature settings and an overall range of 356F-410F. The ceramic heating element and glass dishes provide an efficient, effective heating of dry herbs that can be customized to your own tastes. The little vaporizer has a vented top that will help to keep the surface of the unit cool when vaping at high temperatures.

Battery life is another area where this vaporizer shines. It uses a lithium battery that is rechargeable and provides one hour of continuous use from each charge. You can also use the Arizer Air while the battery is charging for extra convenience. It's dimensions are just 4.8" tall and 1.14" in diameter, making it one of the smallest dry herb units on the market. With a lifetime warranty on the heating element and a 2-year limited warranty for the rig, it is impossible to exclude this vaporizer from the best of 2016. 

8. PAX 2 Vaporizer by Ploom ($279.99) 

With a deeper oven and a spectacular ergonomic design, the PAX 2 Vaporizer by Ploom gets high marks as a stellar portable unit that vapes dry herbs to perfection. It retails for $279.99, but that is a bargain when you consider innovative features like an internal accelerometer. The vaporizer can actually determine when you are raising it to your lips for a draw or holding it idle, and it will adjust the temperature accordingly. It also includes a fantastic 10-year warranty, one of the longest offered for any vaporizer on this list.

The dimensions of the unit are 3.87" X 1.21" X 0.85", so it is very adaptable to an active lifestyle. Despite its small size, the unit boasts incredible power thanks to a Li-Ion battery that can be recharged via USB and provides up to five full vaping sessions on a single charge. The vapor path is made from medical grade materials that offer a purer, cleaner vapor. This rig even has hidden games that you can access with the LCD indicator on its front. 

7. Extreme Q Vaporizer by Arizer ($219.00)

The Extreme Q Vaporizer by Arizer is a nice choice if you are looking for a desktop unit that vaporizes dry herbs and essential oils but want to keep things in an affordable ballpark. It is priced at only $219 and includes many features found on more expensive aromatherapy devices. The Extreme Q uses ceramic heating for fast and efficient heat, and three heat sensors sensors provide accurate readings via the unit's LCD screen. The temperature is adjustable from 122F-500F. A balloon or whip is needed to vape with this tower.

Arizer has made improvements to the circuitry of this vaporizer and it is now 50% more energy efficient. Like all vaporizers made by Arizer, the heating element is backed with a lifetime warranty, and the unit itself carries a 3-year limited warranty.

6. Exxus Maxx Concentrate Vaporizer by Exxus Vape ($84.99)

You probably noticed that Exxus Vape charted three times on this list, and this should come as no surprise. Since their arrival in the industry, Exxus Vape has gained the loyal following of many vapers for designing quality vaporizers. In addition, they are economical. The Exxus Maxx retails for just $84.99 and performs as well or better than units which cost twice as much. This portable, pen-style vaporizer comes with two skillets. The Dual Coil Quartz Skillet will work with thinner oils to produce huge clouds of vapor, while the Disc Skillet will vape thicker, waxy blends and deliver more flavor.

The 650 mAh rechargeable Li-Ion battery provides more than enough power for multiple vaping sessions, and the battery carries its own warranty. This vaporizer was designed specifically for essential oils and concentrates, and it might just be the most effective vaporizer of its kind and size that we have seen.

5. Loki Touch Vaporizer by Loki Vape ($159.99)

The Loki Touch Vaporizer by Loki Vape has been given lots of attention as the world's first touchscreen vaporizer, and rightfully so. The touchscreen functionality makes temperature adjustments on this portable vaporizer a breeze and the display allows for easy monitoring of battery life. It's only $159.99, too, a price that is probably lower than you expected. The Loki Touch is designed for vaping dry herbs and oils, and it delivers massive vapor from both.

At 5" X 1.5", the Loki Touch fits comfortably in the palm of your hand as well as in a pocket or small bag. The battery sports a phenomenal three hours of life and 45 minutes of continuous run time. Fine ceramics in the heating chamber and a pass-through cleaning system make this unit a winner on all counts. 

4. Exxus Mini Vaporizer by Exxus Vape ($124.99) 

The Exxus Mini Vaporizer by Exxus Vape, priced at $124.99, could have easily ranked higher on this list. At just 4" X 1", the Exxus Mini is the smallest vaporizer of its kind. If you are looking for maximum portability and convenience in a dry herb vaporizer, the Exxus Mini is for you.

The unit has a 30-second warm-up time and 410F max temperature. It permits easy temperature monitoring and adjustments via its digital screen and buttons on the front of the unit. The anodized heating chamber spreads heat evenly across the chamber for intense vapor production. A continuous run time of thirty minutes and overall life of two hours speak well of the unit's rechargeable battery

3. Exxus Go Concentrate Vaporizer by Exxus Vape ($99.99)

Retailing at just $99.99, the Exxus Go Concentrate Vaporizer by Exxus Vape is one of the better bargains on this list. Made specifically for vaping concentrates, this portable device includes a Triple Quartz XL Atomizer and a tri-coil design that creates copious amounts of vapor that renders intense flavor. The 1100 mAh Li-Ion battery will provide hours of use on a single charge, and the unit even has a magnetic base to prevent it from falling over or rolling when you put it down.

The tri-coil heating method does a superb job of dispersing heat evenly to get the best results from waxy concentrates. As a brand, Exxus has developed a reputation in the vaping community for standing behind the quality of all their products, so an Exxus Vape purchase is always a wise one. 

2. Crafty Vaporizer by Storz & Bickel ($339.00)

Imagine the same quality and performance of the Volcano Vaporizer put into a portable unit and you'll have a pretty good idea of what the Crafty Vaporizer is all about. Storz & Bickel uses their patented heat exchanger in the Crafty for convection heating, and this unit delivers a strong draw and bold flavor for its size. Measuring a scant 4.2" by 2.2" by 1.3" and weighing just 0.3 lbs, the Crafty is perfect for those who do a lot of traveling with their vape

The Crafty retails for $339 and includes Bluetooth compatibility that allows temperature adjustments to be made from a smartphone app, making this vaporizer a remote controlled piece of precision. Power is supplied by a single Li-Ion battery that will afford hours of run time before needing to be recharged. All vaporizers from Storz & Bickel, including the Crafty, come with a 3-year warranty. 

1. Digital Volcano Vaporizer by Storz & Bickel ($599.00)

There is a reason why vaporizers from Storz & Bickel claim the top two spots on our list. Since the company was founded in 2002 they have led the way in innovation, and the Digital Volcano Vaporizer by Storz & Bickel represents the pinnacle of vaporizer technology. It replicates the Volcano Classic with one important addition. The brand added a digital display to the iconic cone of this desktop unit made to vape dry herbs, oils, and concentrates. The display gives a temperature reading that is accurate to +2.7F and permits easy adjustments between 104F-446F for ultimate customization.

Priced at $599, the unit is the most expensive of the vaporizers on this list. Many would agree that it is worth every penny. The proprietary convection heating method invented by Markus Storz perfectly warms plant material, the stainless steel construction is odor-free and food-safe while affording unprecedented durability, and the vaporizer is backed with a 3-year warranty. The Digital Volcano is 7.9" X 7.1" and weighs 4.0 pounds.