Review Summary
The Solo 2 is a session-style vaporizer with a hybrid convection/ conduction oven that delivers dense and flavorful vapor. Design-wise, it’s definitely on the more functional side of the spectrum. The Solo 2 has two main parts; the body (which features an OLED display) and the glass mouthpiece. Since the mouthpieces dampen its portability – this device is recommended as a dependable at-home vape.
Pricing Info ⓘ
Specifications
Arizer Solo 2
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|---|---|
| Score (1-5) |
4.3 Current Review |
| Brand | Arizer |
| Retail Price |
$169.00 |
| Release Date | March 2017 |
| Compatible With | Dry Herb |
| Heating Method | Hybrid |
| Body Material | Aluminum |
| Mouthpiece Material | Glass |
| Heat Up Time | 30 Seconds |
| Precise Temp Control | ✓ |
| Temperature Range | 122-428°F |
| Oven Capacity | 0.3 |
| Oven Material | Stainless Steel |
| Battery Type | Internal |
| Battery Capacity | 3400mAh |
| Sessions Per Charge | 6-9 |
| Charge Time | 2-3 Hours |
| Charger Type | Proprietary |
| Display Type | OLED |
| Smartphone App | ✗ |
| Adjustable Airflow | ✗ |
| Warranty | 2 Years |
Update [January 15th, 2024]
New version was just released! It's called the Arizer Solo 2 MAX and the sale starts on February 15th.
Design and Features
The Solo 2 has a pretty bland, but functional design. It has a circular menu pad that is very responsive and an OLED screen above it that displays vital information like the temperature setting and battery level. It’s also very easy to use because all you need to do is stick the end of the mouthpiece into your herb and then stick it into the oven. It’s one of the easiest and quickest filling procedures out there. The overall plainness of the design might not be too exciting, but that is made up for by the sheer ease of use of the whole device. It’s a very solid, sturdy feeling device as well. Once you hold it, you can tell that the fit and finish are top class, nothing feels cheap or shoddily made here.
The glass stem is made from durable, heat resistant borosilicate glass. It helps to keep the vapor cool because of the long air path, and it preserves the flavor of the vapor because of the neutral material of the glass. It has four good-sized air holes in the partition that separates the airpath from the section of the mouthpiece where the herb is placed.
You can use one of the filter screens if you want, but it’s not necessary, especially since you have to worry about cleaning those screens if you do use them. As long as you don’t grind your herb too finely, you won’t need those screens.
The Solo 2 is a little on the large side for a portable, it won’t fit in your pocket, but it fits just fine in a purse or a backpack. So it’s better suited to at-home vaping as opposed to taking it out on a hike or any other outdoor activity, especially since you have to worry about that long glass stem.
Kit and Accessories
- Arizer Solo 2 Vape
- One 90 mm glass tube + one 110 mm glass tube
- Two silicone stem caps
- Glass aroma dish for using aromatherapy herbs
- Stainless steel stirring tool & filter screens
- Wall charger & carrying case
- Lavender botanical aromatic samples
Compatibility: The Solo 2 is only compatible with dry herb. However, it does have a secondary function as an aromatic diffuser. In that mode, aromatic herbs can be placed in the “aroma dish” where they heat up and spread their therapeutic aroma throughout the environment.
Official Accessories
There are a variety of different accessories available for the Solo 2, but the most interesting are the various mouthpieces.
- Curved Mouthpiece – This mouthpiece curves at the top and allows users to vape without having to hold the Solo 2 directly below them. This is possibly the best mouthpiece for the Solo 2 and it would have been nice if it were included.
- Tipped Aroma Tube – This mouthpiece has a narrow, tapered opening that feels more natural to inhale from. It also allows users to inhale less vapor during each draw.
- Frosted Glass Tube – If you want to attach a water pipe to the Solo 2, then this is the accessory you need.
There are also replacements available for any of the accessories included in the kit. You can get all of these accessories from the Arizer website, just make sure to use the Arizer coupon code when you do.
Features
The long borosilicate glass mouthpieces included with the Solo 2 are an Arizer trademark and they are its most notable features. Not only do they simplify the loading process, but their long air path also helps to cool down the vapor before it reaches the user’s mouth. The neutral material of the glass also helps to keep the flavor of the vapor pure so it is untainted by any foreign materials. They might be simple, but the glass mouthpieces are some of the best features you will encounter in any vaporizer.
How to Use
- Place the bottom end of one of the glass tubes into your herb, tap the end to create a small space between the herb and the opening, and then place the tube into the herb chamber.
- Hold down the menu button and the up button simultaneously to turn on the device.
- Press the up-down buttons to choose the temperature in 1° increments or hold them down to select the temperature in 10° increments.
- Inhale from the mouthpiece when heating is complete.
Cleaning and Maintenance
The Solo 2 is one of the lowest maintenance vaporizers you will ever use. Only the glass tubes need to be cleaned do and doing so is easy. The included cleaning tool is used to scrape out any herb residue from inside the glass tube. That’s usually all you need to do, but if you want to be more thorough, then you can soak them in isopropyl alcohol for a few minutes and then rinse them out with hot water. The oven occasionally needs cleaning as well, and you can do so by using an iso dipped cotton swab while holding the Solo 2 upside down.
Tip: Don’t leave the herb residue in the glass tube for too long because it will dry out, get sticky and make cleaning more difficult. Instead, clean the mouthpieces after each session while the mouthpiece is still a little warm and the residue is still loose.
Performance and Vapor Quality
Performance
Aside from the quick loading, the Solo 2 is also convenient because it heats up extremely quickly. And, unlike smaller vapes, the Solo 2 doesn’t get hot after extended use.
Vapor Quality
The vapor of the Solo 2 is smooth, pure, and cool all because of the hybrid heating system and the borosilicate mouthpieces. The reason is that the mouthpieces provide a lengthy air path that cools down the vapor and keeps it pure. The longer mouthpiece is better for keeping the vapor cool because of its length. The vapor does feel warmer with the shorter mouthpiece, so that’s something you need to keep in mind when deciding which mouthpiece to use.
Draw resistance depends on the density of your grind and how tightly you pack your herb. If you don’t grind the herb fine enough and if you overpack the stem, then the draw can be pretty restrictive. Finer grinds and a looser pack will make the vapor more free-flowing.
The Solo 2 produces dense, visible vapor, more than you would expect from a weed vaporizer. The vapor is denser at the higher temperatures while the flavor is better at the lower end, so remember that when selecting your temperature.
The Solo 2 can fit about 0.15 grams of herb, but you don’t need to fill it to capacity if you don’t want to. It’s possible to microdose by using just enough herb to fill the stem. However, you will need to set the temperature a little higher than usual in order to vaporize the herb. The Solo 2 is one of the better Arizer dry herb vaporizers, but if you want to know if it’s the best Arizer vaporizer, then you’ll have to check out the Arizer Solo 2 vs Arizer Air 2 vs Arizer Go comparison.
Battery Performance
The Solo 2 has one of the longest-lasting batteries in the biz, capable of going for up to three hours without a recharge. So you can have multiple sessions in a row if that’s your thing. Charging takes a brisk ninety minutes so you’ll never be without its services for too long. And, as a nice bonus, the Solo 2 has pass-through charging so you can continue to vape even as it charges up.
