S&B Venty Review

Background

The Venty dry herb vaporizer is a new flagship portable from Storz & Bickel (visit store.) 

S&B is one of the most respected brands in the vaporization world, with their original Volcano dating all the way back to 1998. Heck, according to my analytics report, around 23% of you guys weren't even born yet at the time!

In 2014, S&B released their first portables- Crafty & Mighty. In late 2019, they refreshed them with “+” versions, and the Volcano got a “Hybrid” version. 

S&B's new product drops are rare and only happen once every few years. And that's why I'm so excited about this Venty. Not only is it a new vape from them, but it's a total redesign. 

So yes, I'm coming into this review with high expectations, even more so when considering the $450 price tag. 

It is available directly from Storz & Bickel (store) or from Vape-smart.com (store).

Design

The Venty is pretty large and hefty. It feels very sturdy and solid while holding and handling. 

Just like the Crafty (review) & Mighty (review), the Venty is made from a high-performance material called PEEK, commonly used in the medical industry and in aerospace and semiconductors. 

The bottom half has an LED screen, up/down buttons, and a power button. Underneath the casing are two 18650 batteries, which supply plenty of power. The batteries are internal and not replaceable, at least not by the average user. 

The top half is the housing of the heating element and, similarly to the Crafty & Mighty, has these grooves that separate your fingers from the hot surface. It also helps the unit disperse the extra heat and cool down. 

Hybrid heating Convection/Conduction

The Venty uses a powerful hybrid heating element. It uses conduction initially to raise the temperature in the chamber, and convection heating is produced under the chamber and pulled in with each inhale. 

S&B portables are known for their efficient and powerful heaters, and that's no exception, but we'll get to that in a minute. 

Heating chamber

The chamber's capacity is around a quarter of a gram, which is the same size as the Crafty & Mighty, and it is compatible with the same dosing capsules. The locking mechanism is smaller, so Crafty & Mighty accessories are not compatible with the Venty. 

Airflow control

The mouthpiece or “cooling unit” once again uses a familiar design with a rotating straw, but it has a new feature- airflow control. 

Turning the orange dial clockwise will close the airpath up to a complete seal. It's so tight that you can't inhale from the mouthpiece at all. 

Turning it to one line, two lines, and three lines gradually opens the airpath, which will allow more air in. 

How open it should be is a personal preference. A lot of new users try vaporization for the first time and may find it harsh or irritating. I've seen new users cough endlessly when trying a vaporizer for the first time.

Inhalation technique, in general, is a learning curve for new users, so being able to adjust the airflow means that you can breathe in comfortably and control how much vapor you are actually getting in. 

Draw Sensors 

The Venty has a “flowmeter” that measures how much air you're taking in and makes real-time adjustments to the heater to optimize the temp and match your draw speed.

Some users like taking fast and strong inhales, which is not possible with most dry herb vapes but totally possible with the Venty. It has the power and the “brains” to handle any type of draw speed or style.

Cooling unit

The cooling unit can also be opened and cleaned, but here is a confession- I never clean my S&B cooling units. New ones are less than $20 each, and I just replace them every month or two and basically never need to worry about cleaning. So much like the Crafty & Mighty, this is a “maintenance-free” vaporizer, in my opinion.

Let's talk interface.

A short click on the power button turns it on, and it automatically starts heating up to the set temperature.

• The display is red to indicate that it's still heating up
• The display green once it is time to vape.

The heat-up time is exceptionally fast for a session vape, at around 20 seconds to 370F, which is where I recommend most beginners to start.

Bluetooth & App

The Venty has Bluetooth connectivity with a compatible web app. The pairing process is pretty easy and seamless.

Once connected, you'd be able to set the default temp, as well as boost and super-boost modes, which will bump the temp by the amounts set here. I'll set mine up on +10F for boost and +10 more for super-boost.

The app will also allow changing settings- vibration, power options, LED brightness, view lifetime usage timer, and perform firmware updates.  

Boost & Super-boost

• Activating Boost Mode:
  • Quickly press the side button twice.
  • Observe the degrees indicator; a slow blink signals the Boost mode is active.
• Activating Super-Boost Mode:
  • Press the side button four times.
  • Watch for the degrees indicator to blink rapidly, showing Super-Boost mode is engaged.
• Personal Usage Tip:
  • Set your device to start at a lower temperature for optimal flavor.
  • After a few minutes, use the Boost or Super-Boost mode to increase the temperature and maximize extraction, eliminating the need to manually adjust with the +/- buttons.

Flavor & Efficiency 

As far as flavor and extraction efficiency- S&B vapes are known to have amazing flavor and very efficient extraction, and this vape not only continues that legacy but actually tops it. 

The flavor and extraction are consistently great. The cashed herb is always brown and crunchy. There are no green patches in the center or signs of combustion where the herb meets the chamber. 

What could have been better?  

1. It's big. And you might see it as a minus if you vape on the go or in public places and value discreetness. There are a lot of good small vapes out there to choose from. I'll link some reviews below. But the Venry has a dominant presence and is more suitable for home use. Plus, here are a few added benefits of larger vapes-

1. They are a lot more comfortable to hold and handle. It's easier to open and load with gloves or even just with big hands.
2. There is space for a screen and onboard controls. The Crafty was app-compatible but lacked onboard controls, and the Mighty had onboard controls but no Bluetooth connectivity. The Venty combines these features into one vape. 
3. Small vapes got hot, sometimes uncomfortably hot to hold. A lot of them come with rubber or silicone sleeves. Large vapes disperse the heat more efficiently and typically don't get so hot. In the Venty's case, for example, you can hold it from the base even after multiple back-to-back sessions. It just won't get hot. 

So yes, the size can be a plus or a minus, depending on your individual needs. 

2. It's expensive. You can get decent vapes for half the price. But very few vapes score so high in all categories. Plus, the Venty is UL-certified and is probably the most “medical grade” vape you can get.

These certifications and safety tests are expensive, and you pay for the peace of mind of knowing that something you use daily won't cause more harm than good. So, for me, it is definitely worth it if you're serious about vaping and can afford it, obviously.

Bottom line 

The Venty gets a nearly perfect score in all categories- build quality, efficiency, flavor, and performance. It combines the best features of the Crafty and Mighty into one vape, and the experience is very consistent and predictable. 

It is simple enough for a total beginner yet powerful enough to satisfy even the most advanced users. The adjustable airflow and “flowmeter” help you find the sweet spot regardless of your draw style. 

Not to mention, it'll last years with very little maintenance. My Mighty has been with me on numerous trips, it is all banged up here on the sides, and I've used it multiple times per day for years, and it still performs almost as the day I got it.

 If you're looking for a dry herb vaporizer, check out my favorites here.