Arizer Solo 2 Max Vaporizer Review

The Arizer Solo 2 MAX is an “enhanced” version of the OG Solo and Solo 2 vaporizers featuring upgraded USB-C charging, quicker heat-up times, and an automatic inverted display for use with water pieces.

The previous models (OG Solo and Solo 2) used DC charging which wasn’t terrible but it’s nice to have a more universally accepted USB-C charging type.

The Arizer Solo vaporizers are known for their impressive battery life, excellent vapor quality via the all-glass vapor path, and one of the most reliable portable vaporizers to ever be created.

The Solo 2 and Solo 2 Max currently hold the top spots for portable vaporizers with the best battery life and while the new Venty (Storz and Bickel) comes close to knocking them off the top, I was able to get 16 bowls on a full charge with the new Solo 2 Max. Roughly 4-5 more than the Venty portable vaporizer.

Overall the Solo 2 Max is a powerhouse with best-in-class battery life, vapor quality, and one of the easiest vaporizers to clean/maintain. The only downsides in my opinion are the overall size and weight of the device and the fact that it uses a glass stem making it not the best device for overall portability. But I’ll get more into the pros and cons later on in this Arizer Solo 2 max vaporizer review.

The Solo 2 Max currently retails for $269 ($215 with coupon code VAPEWIZ20) and you can click here to pick it up directly from Arizer. Check out the buying options and coupon code section for more stores to purchase from. Read on below for my full Solo 2 max review.

Included in the Box

The Arizer Solo 2 Max comes with everything you need to vape flower (except the flower) and Arizer has finally included the WPA (Water Pipe Adapter) with the kit. Previous Solo models included an Aromatherapy dish which I’ve never used so it’s nice to have a WPA included for use with my glass pieces.

Size and Portability

The Solo 2 Max is a relatively small and easily pocketable vaporizer but it uses a glass stem as a bowl/mouthpiece. It does come with PVC tubes with silicone stoppers on the end which allows you to pre-load bowls and safely store the glass stems while out and about, but you’ll have to attach the stems to the device when you’re ready for a session.

The all-glass stem/vapor path is arguably one of the best features of the Solo vaporizers and all Arizer portable vaporizers, but unfortunately, that system also adds one more piece to carry with you on the go.

The PVC tubes do a great job of protecting the glass stems and you can easily pocket both the Solo 2 Max with a single tube in your pocket so it’s not the end of the world but there are smaller, more pocket-friendly portable vaporizers on the market. None with 16 bowls of battery life though.

My preferred method of use with all the Solo vaporizer versions is with a WPA and a big bubbler. Chilling on the couch watching some shows and going to the moon. I very rarely take my Solo vaporizers out of the house.

Build Quality and Design

All of the Arizer vaporizers are known for their pretty much indestructible alloy shell, high build quality, and reliability. Not much has changed appearance-wise over the years other than the addition of the display. They did slim down the Solo 2 and Solo 2 Max when compared to the OG Solo which makes the newer units a lot easier to pocket.

The biggest improvements of the Solo 2 Max come via software updates and include features like automatic display inversion, advanced rapid-heating technology (30-second heat-up times) and the latest addition, “Dark Mode”, which simplifies the display for more discreet use in dark atmospheres.

At first, I felt like the auto inversion was kind of a gimmick, but it’s actually very useful for the exact reason I use the Solo vaporizers… at home, with a bubbler, and usually always inverted. The controls are also auto inverted which makes the entire system better to use with your glass bubblers at home.

Of course, the biggest change from the Solo 2 to the Solo 2 MAX is the addition of USB-C charging which I’ll get more into below.

Overall I don’t think you can purchase a more reliable vaporizer than the Arizer vaporizers. They undoubtedly stand the test of time and are some of the easiest vaporizers to own and maintain over the life of the device.

Battery Info and Charging Options

Battery Info – At last, the reason why you’re here. The Solo 2 MAX is powered by two internal non-replaceable rechargeable 18650 batteries producing over three hours of continuous use from one single charge. I was able to get 16 bowls, yes that’s right, 16 BOWLS on a single charge. I even let the unit cool down in between rounds.I also ate about $300 worth of groceries in one night but hey it’s all worth it in the name of vaporizer reviews!? Right?! RIGHT!? I digress.

I was also testing out the Arizer Air Max and the new Arizer AIR SE and all of these units have very impressive battery life so it’s been a wild few days. I think I went through 40+ bowls during battery testing between the three different Arizer portable vaporizers. You can check out my Arizer Vaporizer Buying Guide to learn more about all of the different Arizer vaporizers. This guide was designed to help you decide which Arizer vaporizer is best for your scenario and breaks them all down into easily digestible categories.

Charging Options – The new Solo 2 MAX now charges via USB-C. The two previous Solo models (Solo and Solo 2) charged via DC and while the charging times weren’t that bad, it’s nice to have a universally accepted charging system. Most people will have a USB-C charging brick or USB-C ports somewhere throughout the home for charging and opens up options to charge the Solo 2 MAX while out on the go.

You can pick up massive external battery packs with USB-C ports for pretty cheap these days which adds to the already super impressive Solo 2 Max battery performance and options.

The Solo 2 MAX also features pass-through charging which means you can use the device while charging as long as it has a small initial charge to get it going. Roughly 5-10 minutes on the charger and you’ll be good to go.

The Solo 2 MAX also includes built-in battery protections to stop overcharging or draining the battery too low which will help with the overall longevity of the internal batteries.

Charging Times – I averaged around three hours to fully charge the Arizer Solo 2 Max from dead. It took roughly 60 minutes to get to an 80% charge and the fastest 100% charge took just 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Overall I’m super impressed with the overall battery life and charging times of the new Solo 2 MAX. The addition of USB-C charging made a big difference in how quickly you can get back to a session.

Heating and Temp Options

The OG Solo (first SOLO model) featured 7 pre-set temps with up and down arrows to select each temp setting. While there’s nothing wrong with that system, the addition of a display and full-temperature spectrum in the Solo 2 and Solo 2 Max makes life so much easier. Not only are you able to customize your session down to the exact temperature, but the visual display gives you an easy-to-read, quick indicator of exactly where you’re at during the session.

The Solo 2 Max features a full temperature spectrum ranging from 122F – 428F (50C – 220C). Single button presses will move the temp up or down in one-degree increments or you can hold down the up or down temperature buttons to move in 10-degree increments.

Heat-up times have been averaging around 20-30 seconds depending on starting temps (380F for testing), ambient temps, and whether or not it’s a cold start or carrying on from another session.

I’ve noticed that the Solo 2 MAX seems to run a little hot especially compared to other Arizer portable vaporizers like the Air MAX and Air SE. The default 392F temp setting is way too hot and I’ve been using temps in the 315F – 345F range to compensate. I’ve reached out to Arizer to see if this is a one-off occurrence or if the Solo 2 MAX does indeed run hotter than previous models. I will update this review when I hear back from them.

Overall the Solo 2 Max features a fully customizable session experience with a full temperature spectrum and quick/consistent heating.

Vapor Quality and Draw Resistance

One of the best features of the Arizer vaporizers is the full glass vapor path and isolated air path. The Solo 2 Max achieves some very tasty sessions and can kick out some massive clouds, especially when hooked up to glass with the included WPA.

The Solo 2 MAX uses a hybrid heating system which combines both convection and conduction meaning the bowl/glass gets hot around the herb but most of the airflow is controlled by you, by pulling/drawing hot air over the herb and through the all glass vapor path.

While pure convection heating is most definitely the tastiest extraction method, hybrid heating techniques are a very close second and are used in most of the devices currently on the market, including all of the Storz and Bickel portables.

The downside to the Arizer portable vaporizers is the draw resistance. The go-to explanation for a session with an Arizer portable vaporizer is likened to sucking a thick milkshake through a straw. You really have to slow down the inhale to reduce the draw resistance which can make it hard for individuals with weak lungs or short inhales.

If you think you’ll struggle with this type of session, I highly recommend checking out the new Venty from Storz and Bickel. It’s one of the most free-flowing vaporizers I’ve reviewed and rated as my best overall portable. Check out my Venty vaporizer review for more info.

The Solo 2 Max and all Arizer portables are session-style vaporizers and work best when you have about 10 minutes to sit down and enjoy the session. That’s why I prefer to use the Solo 2 most at home with a bubbler. It’s the perfect home-use session-style portable vaporizer.

Chamber Info

I’ve been using about .15 grams of dry herb in each of my Solo 2 MAX sessions. You can load more but it tends to increase the draw resistance even more. I’ve also experimented a bit with loading small nugs directly into the stem and had good results as well. Usually, a grinder will produce the best results but I’ve also got a few Scooby snacks when grinding too fine.

The glass stems are easy to load, just dip the bowl side into the grinder and press herbs into the stem. The stem does come with a few screens to place in the bottom but I’ve found that they come out rather easily and I’ve already lost a couple in the process. Over time, the glass stem will start to build a little residue and cut down on the treats coming through the stem.

It’s helpful to remove any herbs from the chamber/stem directly after a session to reduce the overall maintenance and cleaning needed.

Maintenance and Cleaning

All of the Arizer portable vaporizers are easy to clean and maintain because the herbs are contained in the glass stem and don’t actually sit in the chamber. Most other dry herb portable vaporizers drop the dry herbs directly into the heating chamber which causes residue to build up within the chamber. Arizer completely avoids all of that which considerably increases the longevity of the device and massively reduces the cleaning/maintenance involved.

I used the same glass stem for testing the Arizer Air MAX, the Arizer Air SE, and the Solo 2 MAX. Over 40 bowls went through the same stem and didn’t need to be cleaned yet. There’s obvious residual build-up but it in no way affected the performance of the vaporizer.

The only thing you need to do to clean the Solo 2 Max is drop the glass stem in some isopropyl alcohol and swab out the chamber with a Q-tip and a small amount of iso. That’s it. There are no pieces to take apart, no rubber/silicone seals, just straight glass and a ceramic heating chamber.

This is a huge benefit, especially when compared to other popular portable vaporizers like the Venty. While the Venty offers some impressive features and a huge boost in airflow when compared to the Solo 2 Max, the Venty cooling unit has a half dozen different pieces to take apart and clean when the time comes.

I can fully clean the Solo 2 Max (and other Arizer portable vaporizers) in less than 5 minutes. It takes me 5 minutes just to take apart the cooling unit on the Venty, let alone clean everything.

Overall if you’re looking for a practically maintenance-free portable vaporizer with excellent reliability, the Solo 2 MAX might be your best bet.

Warranty Info

The Solo 2 MAX comes with a lifetime warranty on the ceramic heating element, a two-year manufacturer warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship, and a one-year warranty on the two 18650 internal batteries. The glass stems are NOT covered.

The Arizer Air MAX and Air SE come with a one-year limited manufacturer warranty and they don’t cover the replaceable batteries.

So you get a little extra piece of mind with the Solo 2 Max internal battery system.

Overall I’ve owned/tested 10+ devices from Arizer and I’ve never had a single issue with any of them. The build quality is exceptional, the devices are extremely reliable, and will probably outlast the majority of portable dry herb vaporizers currently on the market.

Summary

If you’re looking for a portable powerhouse with the absolute best battery life that you can currently get out of a portable vaporizer, look no further than the Solo 2 Max. The subtle additions like USB-C and the auto-inverted display really jump the Solo 2 MAX up in value and made it one of the best portable vaporizers you can buy around the $200 mark.

The only downsides are the draw resistance and the overall portability of the unit but as I’ve said a few times already, I really enjoy using the Solo 2 Max at home with a bubbler while watching my shows. It’s the perfect couch companion and satisfies everything I want in that scenario.

The Arizer Solo 2 MAX currently retails for $269 and you can click here to pick it up directly from Arizer. Don’t forget to use my coupon code VAPEWIZ20 to save 20%. More buying options are listed below.

Thank you for taking the time to read my Arizer Solo 2 Max review. Hit me up with any questions, comments, or corrections below in the comments or via my contact page.

Buying Options and Coupon Codes

Technical Specs

Name:	Arizer Solo 2 Max Vaporizer
Category:	Best Battery Life
Manufacturer:	Arizer
Rating:	9.29/10
Price:	$269
Materials:	Dry Herbs
Temp Range:	122F – 428F (50C – 220C)
Heating:	Hybrid (Session Style)
Battery Life:	16 Bowls Avg (180 minutes)
Battery Type:	Rechargeable / Non-Replaceable
Charging Type:	USB-C
Charging Times:	140 Minutes
Warranty:	2-Year / 1-Year on Batteries

Performance by Category

Category	Rating
Vapor Quality	9.2
Ease of Use	9.2
Build Quality	9.6
Reliability	9.8
Portability	8.7
Efficiency	9.0
Battery Life	9.8
Cleaning	9.2
Value	9.2
Warranty	9.2
Arizer Solo 2 MAX Rating:	92.9/100

Pros and Cons

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