For the first time in nearly a decade, Storz & Bickel — one of the most influential and innovative names in the cannabis vaporizer space — has released an entirely new vape. Called the Venty, it promises speed and efficiency unheard of with other vaporizers, and its precision is said to be as exacting as other S&B products (which is already a high bar, no pun intended).
But can this brand's promises stand up to the hype? To find out, I got hands-on with the brand-spanking-new Venty to find out for myself. Over the course of several weeks, I've had the pleasure of using this new device as my daily weed vape, putting it through the paces to see if, indeed, the Venty lives up to its towering promises and potential. Here's what I found out.
Storz & Bickel Venty: What We Think
At $449, this is Storz & Bickel's most expensive portable vaporizer to date — and its third-most expensive, period (coming in just $30 under the famed Volcano Classic). That alone is going to scare off a lot of potential buyers. Pair that with its size — about the same as a TV remote but with a bit more girth — and the Venty may be a pretty tough sell.
Having said that, this vape is noticeably better performance-wise than virtually every other I've tested, at least from a technological standpoint. It heats up so fast that the time is almost negligible (at least twice as fast as most others). And the adjustable airflow allows for hits as big or small as you want (just be careful, as it can hit pretty hard if you're not paying attention).
All told, I genuinely believe that the Venty sets a new standard in the weed vape industry, and I'm interested to see how long other brands take to catch up. Yes, it's quite expensive and could be smaller, but it's definitely worth the investment if the price doesn't immediately spook you.
To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here.
The heat-up speed is truly jaw-dropping
In the past, I've been disappointed by the amount of time weed vapes take to heat up to a smokable temperature, especially when it comes to higher-end portable options. So when I heard that the Storz & Bickel Venty was the brand's fastest device to date, I was skeptical. That skepticism was quashed the first time I turned the thing on. Not only does this thing heat up super fast (just 20 seconds from cold), but it happened so fast I wasn't even paying attention by the time it was ready to go.
Upon further use (and in an attempt to scrutinize its jaw-dropping speed), I can confirm that this is the fastest dry herb vape I've ever used. And it's a true pleasure not to have to sit and wait around to take that first puff. Even at higher temperatures — there are three presets available, all with just a double-click of the power button: Basic (356 degrees Fahrenheit), Boost (383 degrees Fahrenheit) and Super (410 degrees Fahrenheit) — it's just as quick.
Watch out — the adjustable airflow might surprise you
At the top of the vape, just below the mouthpiece, there's a small orange dial demarcated with a series of notches — I, II and III — meant to illustrate the amount of airflow available. This is a first-of-its-kind inclusion and another I was skeptical of (could there really be that much of a difference, or is this all smoke and mirrors?). It turns out I was wrong yet again.
Not only does the dial actually work — restricting the airflow as much (or as little) as you want — but the sizable hits I got out of going all-out to the highest setting took me by surprise. What I've come to love about this, however, is that it lets me better control how high I want to get. Want just a little puff to take the edge off? Set it to the lowest setting and take just a couple of puffs to your satisfaction. Want to melt into your couch and veg for half an afternoon? Crank that guy up and breathe in deep. I wouldn't call the airflow dial a necessary inclusion, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't enjoying using it.
It's portable, just not as portable as I'd like
When I first saw what the Venty looked like, I saw it only in pictures and not held in someone's hand. Compared to the brand's other vapes and devices, it looked downright small. Unfortunately, I was incorrect in that estimation, discovering that it's really more like the size of a TV remote or even a microphone.
Granted, that still makes it more compact and portable than many of the brand's other devices — especially the Volcano and even the Mighty+ — but it isn't quite as small as I had hoped. Yes, I would still call it portable, but portable like something you'd keep at home and tote from place to place. I would not say it is pocketable unless you are stashing it in your cargo pants pocket, and that limits where you might take it.
Is the device worth the price? I'm not convinced
The most eye-watering piece of the Venty puzzle is the price. At $449, it's Storz & Bickel's third-most expensive product and a good $50 over the next-closest portable vape (the Mighty+). When your competition is vapes that are half that price or less, you've got to wonder if the investment is really worth it.
While I'm not sure I'd be so eager to spend this amount of money on a vape (one without a replaceable battery, no less), I actually do understand the price point. It's the technology and nigh-medical precision that this thing offers that excuse the incredibly high price. And those features have definitely left a very positive impression on me. If you have the means, I'd certainly recommend spending your scratch on the Venty. If it feels excessive, this device probably isn't for you.
Storz & Bickel Venty: Alternatives
Obviously, any alternative you might pick out isn't going to stand up to the kinds of tech and precision found in the Venty. That being said, there's no reason you can't get a great vape for a fraction of the price, including the Pax Plus (our pick for the best all-around vape you can buy). And while I might not suggest picking up the Mighty+ (just spend the extra $50 at this point), its sibling, the Mighty, is only $319 and offers much of the same precision, if not the same speed. And if you want something much, much more budget-friendly, you could do far worse than the G Pen Dash, our best affordable vape pick.
