If you’re after the best possible performance when it comes to portable vaporizers, two names you will hear mentioned often are the Davinci IQ and the Firefly 2 – but which is best? I’ve owned both weed vapes a while now… and these are my thoughts on how they compare…
Which Do I Prefer Using? (Quick Verdict)
I’m lucky enough to own both of these vaporizers. I’ve lived with and used both pretty extensively during the past several months. I have owned the DaVinci IQ for longer, but I do tend to use the Firefly 2 quite a bit too – especially for concentrates.
But which vaporizer would I choose out of the two if I could only have one? It’s a tough call because I really do love both of these devices… But my favorite has to be…
The Cheaper Davinci IQ!
This is kind of impossible to say definitively. Both of these vaporizers are truly excellent devices that are well thought out from an engineering and design perspective. They’re both also incredible performers.
I have the pleasure of owning both, so I get to compare and contrast them quite often. For me, the biggest difference between the two vaporizers are as follows:
- The DaVinci IQ is easier to set up (you set it and forget it)
- The IQ produces more vapor (and I like vapor)
- I prefer the physical design of the IQ (it’s smaller and more robust)
These three points are, mostly, subjective. The IQ does not do concentrates and it does heat up a lot faster than the IQ. The flavor the Firefly 2 produces is also better.
I’d say both are equals on the battery front, lasting a good long while between charges. The Firefly 2 does charge quicker, but the IQ runs 18650s and I always have fresh ones of those knocking around.
As I said: it’s really tricky to call…
Personally, if I were going to buy one of these vaporizers today, I’d probably go with the DaVinci IQ because it is about $100 cheaper and is easily the best, straight-up dry material vaporizers around right now.
I don’t do concentrates either. If I did use them, I’d probably be way more inclined to go with the Firefly 2.
Bottomline: if you just want loose leaf vaporizing, the Davinci IQ is impossible to beat for simplicity, flavor, and value for money.
You’ll save money and still get very impressive performance.
Full Comparison of Firefly 2 and Davinci IQ
If you’re after the best possible performance when it comes to portable vaporizers, two names you will hear mentioned often are the Davinci IQ and the Firefly 2 – but which is best?
I own both of these vaporizers and have used them pretty extensively. Both are excellent options. But there are some marked differences in how they work and function that potential users’ definitely need to know about.
They’re also both REALLY expensive, so you’ll want to know as much detail as possible before buying. This is why this post is so long; I want to you know everything about both vaporizers so you can make an informed decision on which is best for your needs.
Right! Let’s do this…
Davinci IQ vs Firefly 2 – Battle of The Premium Weed Vapes
Design
When it comes to ultra-portable weed vapes, the design of the device is super-important. You want a device that is ergonomic and portable. But it also has to be easy to use as well.
Both the DaVinci IQ and Firefly 2 are designed to be super-portable, though the way they go about industrial design and how they function is very different, as you’ll see below…
DaVinci IQ
The DaVinci IQ is smaller and definitely more pocketable than the Firefly 2. It is shorter and squatter than the Firefly, and this makes it preferable for use on the move – like when you’re walking the dog. It takes up less room in your pocket and can be easily palm-hidden for stealth vaping.
Setting up the DaVinci IQ is simple too: materials go in the bottom, you can pack them in however you like, and you’re good to go. The mouthpiece is concave and sits snug to your lips, though there is an extended mouthpiece accessory you can add too.
For me, the DaVinci IQ is near-perfectly designed. It’s solid, robust and it is honed from extremely premium-feeling materials. It feels and looks expensive, basically. And it is also super-simple to use: pack it, click the power key five times, set power, wait… and vape!
Firefly 2
The Firefly 2 is longer and bigger than the DaVinci IQ. With respect to aesthetics, it is hard to say that one is better than the other. The Firefly 2 is a handsome chap with a well thought-out design.
The entire front panel of the vaporizer comes off to reveal a convection oven at the base. This is where you put your ground materials (weed) or concentrates (using the provided concentrate pads).
To fire the Firefly 2 you have to hold the two capacitive buttons located on the bottom of the device. The LED flashes green, then turns solid green. Once it does this, it’s ready to go. All in, you’re looking at 10 seconds (this makes it a lot faster than the IQ)
Again, the materials used in the Firefly 2’s construction are super-premium and it looks great. The convection oven is the main event, however, as it is insanely quick with respect to heat-up times.
In addition to this, the battery inside the Firefly 2 is removable, always a plus. You also get a spare one in the pack too – and that is freakin’ awesome because NO ONE does this, so kudos to Firefly for doing that.
Specs & Features
Heat-up times, temperature settings, and the ease with which you can implement changes are all key things a vaporizer has to get right. You also need excellent battery life and a decent sized oven for heating your weed.
Now, let’s delve into the core specs and features used by these two vaporizers in a bid to see which is the best option for you.
DaVinci IQ
- Dimensions: 1.65″ W x 3.54″ H x 0.94″ D
- Weight: 5 oz
- Heat-up Time: (to 230° F)16 Sec
- Battery: Rechargeable / Replaceable 18650 Battery
- Charging Time: 3 Hours
- Warranty: 10 Year
Firefly 2
- Dimensions: 2 x 7 x 7 inches
- Weight: 1.25 lbs.
- Heat-Up Time: 3 Seconds
- Battery: 2x Rechargeable Batteries
- Charging Time: 45 Minutes
- Warranty: 2 Years
As you can see in the specs list, the Firefly 2 pretty much wipes the floor with the DaVinci IQ in a couple of key areas: heat-up time and recharging time. Now, this isn’t a deal-breaker by any means but it does earn the Firefly 2 a couple of additional points.
The Firefly 2’s heat-up time is insanely quick, faster than anything else on market right now. The charging stand it comes with also recharges the device inside an hour, besting the DaVinci IQ by a solid 2 hours and 15 minutes!
However, the DaVinci does run 18650 batteries, so you can always have a couple on charge. If you do this you will experience very little downtime. Most vapers have a few 18650s knocking around, so, again, for me, this is a big pro of the IQ.
The heat-up time is not even up for debate; the Firefly 2 is vastly superior in this regard. One issue I do have is that you can’t be super precise with temperatures on the Firefly 2. Instead, you have heating modes: low, medium and high.
The IQ lets you get way more specific with exact temperatures.
Performance (Vapor & Flavor)
Specs, features, heat-up times, bowl size. These are all important, but they mean NOTHING if overall performance isn’t stellar.
As I said: I use both of these vaporizers pretty regularly, so I know exactly how they perform.
Below, I’ll discuss the differences in how they perform, what they’re best at, and which is my normal go-to vaporizer for a session.
DaVinci IQ
This is where things get a little more interesting. The Firefly 2 is around $100 more expensive than the DaVinci IQ. That’s a lot of money. But for my personal tastes, I do think the IQ performs better in certain regards.
For starters, it is WAY easier to set up. There is no learning curve whatsoever; you grind up materials, pack them into the bowl, turn it on and set the temperature, wait 20 seconds, and vape.
The flavor is always great and the vapor production dense. For me, this is what a vaporizer should be all about. The bowl is a decent size too, so you can easily get extended sessions from each bowl.
You can use the phone app or the analog controls to adjust the temperature; I tend to use the analog controls. I just find it simpler. I normally start off at 2 and then work my way up to 4 towards the end of the bowl.
Performance on the IQ is consistent and reliable. It hits the same pretty much every time, regardless of how you pack the bowl. You can use grinded-up materials or hand-torn materials. It literally does not matter.
Firefly 2
The Firefly 2 is very different to the IQ. You have to do things in a certain fashion to get good results. And for me, this is definitely a negative for this vaporizer.
First and foremost, you HAVE to use coarsely ground materials in the Firefly 2’s oven. If you use weed that is too finely ground, it simply will not work properly.
And because the Firefly 2 uses a convection oven, you also have to jiggle around your weed half way through bowl so as to ensure you get the maximum from each load.
Then… you have to make sure you pack it correctly. Ideally, you want coarsely ground materials that come up to just about the lip of the oven. Once you’ve done this, place the front panel back on and then tap the device to loosen the materials.
Now you’re ready to take a hit. The first one won’t deliver much vapor; this first one is to just get things going. The second and third draw will produce more vaper. And you want to take long, 6/7 second draws to get the maximum results and vapor.
Now… this does sound fiddly. And it is. But once you get the hang of it, the flavor the Firefly 2 kicks out is incredible. In fact, I’d say it surpasses pretty much everything else in the ultra-portable vaporizer niche right now.
And it also does concentrates as well. And it does them VERY well indeed.
Ease of Use
I like things that just work. I don’t like fiddling around with settings or having to perform lots of superfluous tasks in order to get a result. I want a vaporizer that works quickly and efficiently.
The DaVinci IQ and Firefly 2 are both designed for speed and performance.
But is one better than the other?
Let’s examine how each performs individually and what both devices’ core strengths are…
DaVinci IQ
The DaVinci IQ is A LOT easier to live with than the Firefly 2. It’s easier to set up and it is easier to get working right. It also produces more vapor – like way more.
However, it is slower than the Firefly 2 and the flavor isn’t quite as precise. It also doesn’t do concentrates either, and this could be seen as quite a negative – though it will depend on your specific needs.
For a loose-leaf vaporizer that is easy to use and produces excellent flavor and vapor, the DaVinci IQ is very hard to beat. For me, it is a near-perfect vaporizer for my exact needs (I only really use loose leaf).
Firefly 2
The Firefly 2 is a lot more quirky to use. It requires some finesse and that you pay attention to and monitor what’s going on inside the bowl. You have to re-do the bowl mid-way through a session, and you HAVE to use coarsely-ground materials. Anything too fine will just clog it up.
Having said that, once you get used to the maintenance side of things, the flavor and vapor quality you get from it is incredible. It heats up in an instant and it will do concentrates. I just wish the bowl was less hassle when you’re using it with loose leaves.
Overall, the Firefly 2 is definitely more tricky to use than the DaVinci IQ. Both are excellent devices, just different – kind of like the difference between stick and automatic.
Prices For Each Vaporizer
DaVinci IQ | $274.99 (10 Year Warranty)
Firefly 2 | $329.99 (2 Year Warranty)
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