AirVape X vaporizer review
The AirVape X is a mid-level herb vaporizer with a ceramic chamber and mouthpiece, precise temperature control and informative LED screen. It offers a decent level of discretion and portability while providing a good tasting vapor. There are also useful accessories (silicone mouthpiece and X Shell), giving it great value. All in all, this is an excellent travel vaporizer at a decent price, but if vapor quality is your #1 priority, there are bigger and better devices out there.
The original AirVape dry herb vaporizer was launched in 2017 and was one of the highly recommended compact dry herb vaporizers on the market. AirVape's Type X came out a year later and retained the same slim and simple design and improved overall performance.
The X has a 25% larger heating chamber and a ceramic mouthpiece instead of a glass one, allowing it to produce a higher quality vapor. The mouthpiece has been redesigned and fitted with magnetic connections to make it convenient and easy to remove when placing herbs in the chamber. This is a vaporizer that will satisfy the needs of beginners and intermediate users.
Kit and accessories
In the package you will get:
- AirVape X
- Dabbing and cleaning tools
- Replacement filter screens
- USB charging cable
- User manual
Concentrate pad
The concentrate pad is used to vaporize concentrates. However, I do not recommend this as the wax will not evaporate effectively and cleaning will be a sticky and messy process. If you want to vaporize extracts, stick to a vaporizer pen.
X Shell
Provides protection for the entire body of the vaporizer, increasing both durability and portability. The X shell is easy to put on the vaporizer and maintains its slim profile while providing additional impact and splash protection.
Optional accessories
Various accessories are available for the AirVape that can potentially enhance your vaping experience:
Water Bubbler
The Water Bubbler allows you to use water filtration to cool your vapor. This feature is mainly for daily-based vaporizer users as it removes one of the most important features of the X, which is - portability.
The hookah adapter
Allows the X to adapt to any traditional water pipe. Suitable for both beginners and experienced vaporizer users who want to use a traditional bong without the use of a lighter.
Powerbank & charging station
Since the battery life of the AirVape X is relatively short, there are several different types of chargers available to keep it charged.
Design & Features
The AirVape X is the thinnest dry herb vaporizer I've encountered to date - it's as narrow as a smartphone, and a little wider at the top where the herb chamber is located. The overall slimness of the X means it's very lightweight, which makes it easy to carry around. Even though it's light, it feels quite solid because the device has a stainless steel construction.
The X is ten centimeters tall and has a rectangular body with rounded edges. It has an LED screen on the front paired with a power switch and temperature adjustment button below it. Overall, the X has a simple design that offers a high level of portability.
Mouthpiece
The X has a ceramic mouthpiece with a thin tip that fits comfortably on the lips. The mouthpiece is magnetically attached and requires a fair amount of force to remove. This means that compared to the AirVape Xs Go, it won't accidentally detach, especially in your pocket.
The downside, however, is that it gets hot during a longer session. The included silicone tip cover makes it bearable to take a drag, but the vapor can get hot and intense.
Heating chamber
The AirVape X has an oval heating chamber with smooth edges at the top, making it quick to fill as you can easily scoop the herb and start your session. It is made of ceramic and holds up to 0.25g of dry herb. Underneath there is a ceramic plate that heats the herbs from top to bottom. It also has a compartment that collects hot air, which helps the herb vaporize more efficiently.
How to use it
The AirVape X is a plug-and-play device, and beginners will have no problems with this vaporizer. Make sure the device is fully charged before using it for the first time. To use it, you must:
1. (Recommended) I suggest that you crush your herbs using a high quality crusher such as the Blitz to increase the surface area and heat the herb evenly.
2. Remove the magnetic mouthpiece to expose the herb chamber.
3. Fill the herb chamber and then replace the mouthpiece.
4. Press the power button three times to turn the device on.
5. Use the up and down buttons to adjust the temperature.
6. Once the device vibrates, inhale from the mouthpiece.
Temperature setting: you can precisely adjust the temperature in one degree increments from 93 to 220 °C. Press the power button and the down button to switch from degrees Fahrenheit to degrees Celsius.
Auto Shut-Down: You can switch the auto shut-down function from three minutes to five minutes by pressing the power button and the up button simultaneously.
Vibration feedback: the device vibrates when the heating process is complete.
Performance and vapor quality
I achieved the best results when vaporizing around 175 to 185°C, at lower temperatures the flavor is not as strong, at higher temperatures the vapor is very intense. For more satisfying experience, I recommend finishing the session at 200 °C as you will get the right intensity and flavour of the vapour.
Due to the size of the device, the vapor produced by the Type X is quite flavorful, but cannot match the quality of vapor produced by high-end vaporizers. The ceramic chamber and mouthpiece work in unison to keep the vapor clean and tasty. The mouthpiece also does a solid job of keeping the vapor cool despite the short air path, though it can get a little warm, especially at higher temperature settings.
However, as I mentioned, the temperature never gets high enough to properly vaporize the wax concentrates. Although the X is marketed as a dual use vaporizer, its use with concentrates is practically only in the realm of theory. Please use vaporizers designed for concentrates.
Battery Power: The X has a 1300 mAh battery that lasts for an hour of vaporization. It uses a micro-USB charger and takes approximately eighty minutes to charge. The thing is, the battery life is quite low for a mid-level vaporizer, but beware - you can use the X even when plugged into an outlet because it supports pass-through charging.
Bottom line
In my opinion, the X is still a viable option for vaporizer users looking for a durable device that offers a high level of discretion and portability. It has a slim and intuitive design that features precise temperature control and ceramic vapor management that allows it to produce vapor of good quality.
However, the X doesn't last long in terms of battery life compared to most mid-level herbal vaporizers, and carrying around a powerbank is inconvenient. It also has a short vapor line that doesn't allow the vapor to cool down more.
Specifications
Brand: AirVape
Type: Portable vaporizer
Compatibility: Dry Herbs & Extracts
Mobile App: No
Vibration: Yes
Material: Aluminum
Heating element
Chamber Material: Ceramic
Chamber Capacity: 0.25 g
Temperature setting: 93-220 °C
Heating method: Hybrid
Heating time: 20-30 s
Battery
Battery type: Built-in
Battery Capacity: 1300mAh
Charging Time: 1-2 hours
Battery life: 4-6 sessions
Charger Type: Micro-USB
Pros and Cons
Pros:
+ Fast charging
+ Durability
+ Easy to clean
+ Discretion
+ Fast warm-up
+ Easy to use
+ Precise temperature control
+ Vibration feedback
Cons:
- High price
- Battery cannot be replaced