TL;DR: What’s Changed, and Which Should You Buy?
I own both the original Puffco Proxy and the new one. I bought the new Proxy for two main reasons:
- The bigger battery. It’s 24% larger than the original. Battery life was one of my biggest gripes with the OG model, so the extra capacity is a welcome improvement. It still won’t last all day, though.
- The larger 3D chamber. It gives me better flavor and makes it easier to take bigger dabs.
The app controls are a nice extra, but I never use them. They weren’t what made me buy the new Proxy.
Check Today’s Prices →The differences
| Feature | Original Puffco Proxy | New Puffco Proxy |
|---|---|---|
| 3D chamber | Smaller chamber | Taller, larger chamber that handles bigger dabs and reduces splash-out |
| Battery | 1,350 mAh | 1,680 mAh, around 24% more capacity |
| App control | No Bluetooth or app | Bluetooth and Puffco Connect app for adjusting temperature, session time, vapour level and lighting |
| Glass | Original pipe shape | Updated Sherlock-style pipe; your old Proxy glass still fits |
| Chamber compatibility | Uses the original chamber | Uses the new chamber; the two generations’ chambers don’t interchange |
How The New PuffCo Proxy is Better Than OG PuffCo Proxy
The chamber is the biggest performance upgrade
The original Proxy’s chamber works well, but it’s one of the things that made the device feel a bit limited to me. You need to keep the dab size in check, and if you load too much, you can end up with material splashing out.
The new 3D chamber is taller and larger, so you have more room to load a dab. I prefer using it because it gives me better performance and better flavour than the original chamber. It also makes the Proxy feel less fussy about the size of the load. You still don’t want to overfill it, but there’s more room to work with and less chance of making a mess.
That’s a meaningful change if, like me, you wanted a bit more from the Proxy without moving to a larger, more expensive rig like the Dr Dabber Switch 2.
It doesn’t turn it into a desktop device, not even close, really, and the chamber is still compact. But side by side with the original, the new chamber is a proper step up and something that makes it a worthwhile upgrade.
The battery is better, but don’t expect miracles
Battery life was one of my biggest gripes with the original Proxy. I bought the new one partly because it has 24% more battery capacity, and I do find it better across a full day. It’s not a massive difference but if you’ve used both, you do notice that little extra it gives you.
It’s still not amazing. You can’t treat the Proxy like a device that’ll keep going all day without a charge. How long it lasts depends on how you use it, but I still keep an eye on the battery if I’m taking it out for a longer stretch.
The difference here is that the new Proxy feels less restrictive; there’s less battery anxiety. I get more use out of a charge than I did with the original, and I’m less likely to feel that the battery is getting in the way of using it.
If the original battery life annoyed you, the new one is a worthwhile improvement. Just don’t buy it expecting the battery to become a non-issue.
App control is useful, but it wasn’t why I upgraded
The new Proxy connects to Puffco Connect over Bluetooth. You can adjust the temperature and session time, change the vapour level, and customise the lighting. The original gives you its preset heat settings and that’s it.
I see the app control as a bonus. It’s good to have if you enjoy adjusting your sessions, but you don’t need to use it to enjoy the device. If you usually pick a heat setting and get on with your dab, this feature probably won’t change your routine much.
What carries over from the original?
Your Proxy glass works with both generations, ditto the PuffCo Bub which is totally worth getting. If you already have a pipe or bubbler you like, you can use it with the new base.
The chambers are different. The original chamber won’t fit the new Proxy, and the new 3D chamber won’t fit the original. So if you buy a refurbished original, make sure it comes with the right chamber and check what a replacement would cost before committing.
Which Proxy should you buy?
If you’re on a budget, have a look at refurbished original Proxies. They can be quite cheap, and the original is still a capable device. That’s a sensible option if you’re happy taking smaller dabs, don’t mind the shorter battery life, and find one in good condition at the right price.
If you simply want a Puffco Proxy, get the new one. The larger chamber gives you more room for a dab and better performance, while the bigger battery makes the device easier to live with.
Those are proper quality-of-life improvements, and they’re the two main reasons I bought it.
