The original Arizer Extreme Q desktop vaporizer has been ranked as our best budget desktop vaporizer for the better part of a decade. It’s relatively easy to use, produces great vapor quality, and offers multiple delivery methods at a great price point.
Now we finally have an upgraded version of the Extreme Q called the Arizer XQ2 desktop vaporizer (Arizer XQ2 Review), including some much-needed albeit minor improvements.
The new Arizer XQ2 and the original Arizer Extreme-Q desktop vaporizers are multi-use desktops meaning they can vape dry herbs via a whip system, direct-draw via mini whip, or a balloon method similar to the Volcano Hybrid. Both the XQ2 and the EQ are great introductory desktop vaporizers or great desktop vaporizers for beginners because of their quality and price.
In this Arizer XQ2 vs. Arizer EQ comparison, I plan to go over all the upgrades from the original Extreme-Q desktop vaporizer (Extreme Q Vaporizer Review) and help you decide which Arizer desktop vaporizer is best for you. I will also share my thoughts on whether or not I think the Arizer XQ2 (Arizer XQ2 Vaporizer Review) is worth the upgrade if you already have the Arizer Extreme-Q.
Table of Contents
The best place to pick up the Arizer XQ2 and the Extreme-Q is from POTV. Click here to check out the pricing, and let me know if you have any questions. You can also check out my list of the best desktop vaporizers if you want to see more plug-in-type vaporizers. Read below for my full Arizer Extreme Q vs. Arizer XQ2 vaporizer comparison.
XQ2 Exterior Redesign and New Features
The new Arizer XQ2 received a much-needed facelift, and while it resembles a tall-looking UFO of sorts, I think I prefer the sleekness and matte finish of the new model. There’s nothing “wrong” with the Extreme Q exterior, it’s just a bit boxy with sharp edging, and the finish is more susceptible to fingerprints. To each their own.
The original Extreme-Q is the lighter of the two units at 440 grams. The XQ2 is roughly 60 grams heavier for a total of 500 grams. You can tell the difference in weight when holding them side by side, but it doesn’t matter much because you’ll be setting it on a desk, and if anything, the added weight makes it a bit more stable.
The LED lighting in the base seems gimmicky, but it’s actually a very useful system. The XQ2 LED lighting system indicates what the vaporizer is doing via different color lights or via “pulsing.” I’ll get more into how this system works below in the Dynamic LED Lighting section.
The Arizer XQ2 also features a newly added swappable air intake filter and a fully isolated vapor path. The community was very vocal about this, and it’s nice to see Arizer include it with the new XQ2 model.
Another exterior feature worth noting is that the fan button is no longer only on the remote or in the menu options but also directly over the temperature buttons, making it easy to change on the fly. The new remote control redesign includes three preset temperature options. It’s nice just to press a button for your preferred session-style temps.
Cyclone Bowl vs. Connoisseur Bowl
The Cyclone Bowl is included with the Extreme Q, and the Connoisseur Bowl is the new option for the Arizer XQ2. You can use both bowls with either system, but overall the Connoisseur Bowl is the much better option.
The Connoisseur Bowl moves the glass screen from the middle of the chamber to the lower or upper third, depending on how you flip it. When the glass screen is closest to the chamber, this is called the Cloud Bowl. When the glass screen is further away from the heater, this is called the Flavor Bowl. I personally only use the cloud side because it’s easier to get consistent results across all delivery methods (whip, mini whip, balloons).
For years the Extreme Q performed best with modified setups or packing techniques like the elbow pack. While those methods still work with the XQ2, they are no longer needed as the Connoisseur bowl works great right out of the box directly from Arizer.
If you already have the Extreme Q and never modded it, I recommend picking up the new Connoisseur Bowl and some new screens. All of the latest accessories made for the XQ2 are swappable with the Arizer Extreme Q, so I don’t think it’s really necessary to upgrade.
XQ2 Balloon System Redesign
The new Arizer XQ2 features a newly redesigned balloon system with an attachable cap to seal in the vapor. The original Extreme Q doesn’t have a cap for the end of the glass connector, and while it uses fewer pieces, I like the new design of the XQ2 much better for replacing and changing bag sizes.
The good thing about both of these systems is they are very free-flowing via the all-glass connector, meaning that there is essentially zero resistance when drawing. This allows you to take bigger draws.
One big perk to the new Arizer XQ2 balloon design is that the glass connector now doubles as a WPA (Water Pipe Adapter). I don’t think the old EQ glass connector had this feature but I had an older version with mods over time so I could be wrong. Let me know in the comments below if your EQ glass connector doubles as a WPA.
Another upside is that all the accessories are about a 3rd of the price when compared to Volcano vaporizer accessories. You can get a six-pack of replaceable balloons for around $15 for the Arizer XQ2, whereas a six-pack of replaceable balloons for the Hybrid or Classic Volcano will run you $49. Granted, each Volcano bag comes with its own mouthpiece, but you can just clean the glass mouthpiece on the Arizer XQ2 and replace the balloon.
Overall I’m happy with the updated Arizer XQ2 balloon design, and it’s a good improvement over the Arizer Extreme Q system. I still think it’s not quite the quality of the Volcano Classic and Hybrid vaporizers, but it’s close and much cheaper.
Dynamic LED Lighting
With most things that light up and change colors, I’ve found them to be pretty useless, but the LED lighting system on the base of the Arizer XQ2 is actually rather useful. I could also see it being pretty useful for people who are hard of hearing or like me and just can’t stand the sound of those audible beeps.
The best lighting option, in my opinion, is the dynamic lighting mode which allows you to see the state of the unit with a quick glance. The colors and what they represent are below:
- Heating: Pulses from Yellow to Orange during heat up
- Reach Set Temperature: Blinks Green twice when the set temperature is reached
- Stable Temperature: Pulses orange continuously while the set temperature is maintained
- Fan Operation: Pulses purple when the fan is active
- Cooling: Pulses cyan while the temperature is cooling down
- Cooling with Fan: Pulses blue while cooling with the fan activated.
You can also select a spectrum mode or choose a solid color from 8 different options. Again I just left it on Dynamic mode because it’s a good indicator of what the unit is doing at all times.
Performance Differences
During testing, the only performance difference I’ve found is a slightly faster heat-up time with the XQ2. While that’s nice, both units work best when they are left at temp for five minutes or so before throwing on a bowl.
The new Connoisseur Bowl does improve the overall vapor quality, but I’ll get more into that below.
Vapor Quality
Both units have the potential to produce basically the same excellent, pure convection vapor quality. The only difference is the Arizer XQ2 comes with the new Connoisseur bowl, which allows placement of the herbs closer to the heater.
The Cyclone Bowl (Extreme Q) has a central screen, and the new Connoisseur Bowl (XQ2) places the screen in the upper or lower third depending on how you flip it.
Arizer labels the screen closer to the heater as the “cloud chamber.” Flipping the connoisseur bowl will place the screen higher away from the heater; this is called the “flavor chamber.”
I prefer to use the cloud chamber for all methods of use: whip, balloon, and direct draw. I feel like it produces more consistent results and extracts the herbs better.
Price Difference
The XQ2 is $179 at POTV, and the Extreme Q is $149. I definitely think the Arizer XQ2 is worth it at that price and is a great budget desktop vaporizer. Check out my breakdown in the section below for info on whether it’s worth upgrading if you already have the EQ. Click here to pick up the XQ2 from POTV.
XQ2 vs. EQ Comparison Breakdown
Overall, I don’t think the Arizer XQ2 is worth the upgrade if you already have the Extreme Q. You can pick up the new Connoisseur Bowl, the Tuff BowlGrips and some extra screens for around $25. That is my opinion, and I could easily see how it could be worth it to someone for the sealed vapor path, air filter addition, balloon redesign, remote control presets, and, dare I say it, the LED lighting system. These are all great upgrades, but nothing that really changes the performance other than the glass bowl itself.
All of the new XQ2 accessories are interchangeable with the original Extreme Q desktop vaporizer.
Now, if you don’t already have the Extreme Q and you are looking for a great budget desktop vaporizer, look no further than the Arizer XQ2. As you can tell from above, it’s loaded with great features, even rivaling some of the best desktop vaporizers for a fraction of the price. The flavor is excellent, and you get lots of delivery options, including a whip, mini-whip, and balloon system. Check out my full Arizer XQ2 desktop vaporizer review for more info. Click here to check out the current price at POTV.
While it does hit most marks, there’s really nothing that compares to the quality and simplicity offered in the Volcano Classic and Volcano Hybrid models. The Volcano desktop vaporizers offer quicker heat-up times, faster fill times, more consistent sessions via the easy loading chamber, less cleaning, and the balloon system is self-closing, meaning no caps to place over the end.
However, expect to pay roughly $200 more for the Volcano Classic and upwards of $400 or more for the Volcano Hybrid. Check out my Volcano Classic Review and my Volcano Hybrid Review for more info on these two desktop vaporizers.
While it might not be the best in all categories, the Arizer XQ2 offers the ability to use all delivery methods for a fraction of the price and can help you determine which delivery method you prefer. Or you’ll just fall in love with the Arizer XQ2, and you’ll never need another vaporizer. Good luck with that! #VAS
Thank you for taking the time to read my Arizer XQ2 vs. Extreme Q Vaporizer Comparison, and feel free to hit me up in the comments with any questions regarding the XQ2, EQ, or any other desktop vaporizer.
If you still don’t quite know if either of these vaporizers is right for you, I suggest checking out my guide for the best desktop vaporizers, which breaks down more options into categories like price, dry herbs and concentrate use, and delivery methods.
