Zeus Arc vs DaVinci IQ – Battle of the Minds

Updated: October 6, 2023

Today we have quite the showdown for you as we pit the Zeus Arc GTS Hub vs DaVinci IQ. The Zeus Arc is a newcomer to the vaporizer industry being released in November of 2018. The DaVinci IQ is a bit older being released in late 2016 and already has a successor which you can check out in our DaVinci IQ2 vaporizer review. At the time though it was touted as one of the best portable vaporizers on the market. Both units use conduction style heating but the Zeus Arc, like most of the premium lineup of Zeus vaporizers, employs the use of gold in its chamber and vapor path producing impressive vapor while remaining cool to the lips. So let’s dive down and see how these two units stack up against each other.

Zeus Arc vs DaVinci IQZeus Arc vs DaVinci IQ

Zeus Arc vs DaVinci IQ mouth piece

Vapor Quality

When the DaVinci IQ was first released people were very impressed at the quality of vapor from this small conduction style unit. At the lower end of the temperature spectrum, the IQ does a good job at preserving flavor, but the visibility of the vapor itself is a bit lacking. At the higher end of the spectrum, the DaVinci IQ is able to produce some decent clouds, but the device itself tends to get a bit warm to the touch at higher temperatures.

We also noticed that the DaVinci IQ really requires a stir halfway through to maximize your herbs, when we didn’t stir we found the herbs closest to the bottom of the chamber were still green and not fully cooked.

The Zeus Arc GTS Hub is a seriously impressive device when it comes to vapor quality. The lowest temperature setting does a great job at producing good flavor while also producing favorable sized clouds. You won’t find yourself skipping passed the lowest temperature in the Zeus Arc, in fact all 3 temperature are perfectly calibrated to provide flavorful and robust vapor. The middle temperature on the Arc does a decent job at providing even more visible vapor without much loss of flavor. Stepping up to temperature setting 3 on the Arc will produce the largest clouds, which can rival the vapor production from units like the Mighty. Users that want massive large and cold clouds usually prefer to use the Zeus Arc GT Water Pipe Adapter in conjunction with a bubbler.

Stirring isn’t a requirement with the Zeus Arc, despite the unit having a built-in stir tool and we found herbs were evenly cooked after the session.

The vapor quality on both of these units is pretty great, but when it comes to raw performance based on vapor production, the Zeus Arc takes this one with its powerful and potent vapor it offers in such a small chassis.

Zeus Arc vs DaVinci IQ front display

Manufacturing Quality

The DaVinci IQ is a well-made device and that shows from the use of ceramic zirconia in the vapor path and mouthpiece to the inclusion of smart paths and Bluetooth integration. It also includes the haptic feedback feature similar to the Crafty Vaporizer. The unit feels very nice in the hands and even includes 2 mouthpiece styles to suit your preference.

The light grid LED display is a unique way for the IQ to display its temperature cycles and even allows for precise temperature control. However, the display in certain lighting can be a bit difficult to read and leaves us pining for a true LED display rather than a grid of lights.

The other area of concern with the DaVinci IQ is the hinges which are used on the top and bottom doors of the DaVinci IQ. Over time and with constant use there is a chance for these hinges to wear out or even break if the unit is ever dropped. The hinges are definitely the biggest concern in the design of the IQ as we have seen people develop problems over long-term use, however, to increase its chances of longevity you can always use a zeus armor hard case where this device can fit in.

The Zeus Arc is also extremely well made, featuring a streamlined look and opting for a top-loading design. Rather than hinges, the Zeus Arc’s medical grade silicone mouthpiece sits snuggly on top without the need for hinges to keep it in place.

The Zeus Arc also features an all-gold vapor path which we think is worth noting. The gold chamber conducts heat quickly passing that heat directly to your herbs for more efficient extraction. The gold heatsink in the mouthpiece then works to remove the heat before it hits your lips. It works extremely well in practice and gives you the ability to create massive clouds of vapor without the harshness on your throat. If you need to spruce up your device you can get the zeus arc gt care package.

Both units include a multi-tool. The DaVinci IQ tool is located beside the vapor path underneath the mouthpiece, while the Zeus Arc’s tool is a bit more accessible as it is magnetically attached to the bottom and ready for whenever you need it.

Both units are extremely well manufactured, but we have to give the slight edge to the Zeus Arc for implementing gold in the vapor path and for the lack of moveable parts, giving it less chance to fail down the road.

Zeus Arc vs DaVinci IQ in hand

Ease of Use

The DaVinci IQ is fairly simple to use once you get a hang of all the controls that are available at your fingertips. You can choose to use the device in either Smart Path mode, which allows you to choose 4 temperature ranges when the device will heat from the low end of the temperature range to the highest throughout the session.

And you can also use the DaVinci IQ in the precision mode which allows you to set the temperature down to the individual degree. Swapping between those modes requires a press of the power button and the up or down temperature selector. The IQ also features a boost mode which can be activated by pressing and holding the power button to ramp up the heat in the chamber. Users sometimes tend to use the Zeus Iceborn in order to get large cold vapors. There is also Bluetooth functionality inside the DaVinci IQ as well, allowing you to customize your smart paths for your session.

If this sounds like a lot and is a bit overwhelming you are certainly not alone, many people get intimidated by too many options and settings, some of which they will never use.

The Zeus Arc is much more straightforward in its application. There is only a single button and three perfectly calibrated temperature settings you can cycle through with just the press of the button, no need to learn fancy button combinations, just set it and forget it. It can’t get much easier than this. It is as easy as operating the LITL 1, the only difference between the two is that LITL 1 has just one preset temperature.

Some people will really appreciate the hassle-free approach that the Zeus Arc takes, it is a much easier unit to learn if you are a newbie and this is why we are giving this section to the Arc. It does what it is supposed to, does it easily, and does it well.

Zeus Arc vs DaVinci IQ with armor case

Portability

When it comes to the Arc vs DaVinci IQ, both of these devices are roughly the same size and shape making it super simple to toss either the Zeus Arc or DaVinci IQ in your pocket for a day or night out.

The Zeus Arc is a bit easier to load while on the go and the scoop/funnel in the mouthpiece allows you to quickly scoop herbs into the chamber without even having to handle your herbs.

While the DaVinci IQ features a removable battery like the Flowermate V5 Nano which allows you to easily swap your battery on the go, that is if you remember to carry an extra battery with you.

When it comes to portability both of these units will serve you well, so we chalk this section up to a tie.

Zeus Arc vs DaVinci IQ usb slot

Battery Life

The DaVinci IQ comes with a 3500mah 18650 and the battery life is around 60 minutes on average, some who use the device with lower temperatures will have a bit better life, and those who use higher temperatures will experience less life.

One thing we have noted is the DaVinci’s battery indicator can be a bit inaccurate showing fully charged batteries as already missing a bar of life or on the inverse a battery that still shows a bit of a charge that then reads as dead when the device heats up. This can be a little frustrating, especially when trying to judge if you can get another session in.

The DaVinci IQ does feature a removable battery which allows you to quickly swap to another when one is dead.

The Zeus Arc houses a 3500mah battery lithium polymer battery which is not removable putting the battery life on the Zeus Arc is 90 minutes. In our tests the 90-minute claim is extremely accurate, allowing us to get roughly 6 – 10 sessions depending on the length of your session and temperature. Users that want even longer sessions usually lean towards Arizer Solo 2 Vaporizers because it has 3 hours battery time that gets around 14 to 17 sessions depending on the temperature settings.

The battery indicator on the Zeus Arc is also more accurate than the IQ giving you a better sense of when its time to charge the unit. Although the battery on the Zeus Arc is not removable you can pick up an accessory like the Zeus Charge Power Bank to top up your unit when you’re on the go.

We are going to chalk this section up as a tie in the battle of the Arc vs IQ, the Zeus Arc’s battery is more efficient and able to last longer than a single DaVinci IQ battery, but the DaVinci IQ does have the ability to swap batteries.

Zeus Arc vs DaVinci IQ power control

Temperature Flexibility

As we discussed the DaVinci IQ has 2 methods for controlling temperature, Smart Path mode which allows you to choose 1 of 4 temperature ranges to vape within, slowly increasing the temperature over the duration of your session. The precision mode allows you to use the DaVinci IQ with precise temperature control, similar to the popular Arizer Air 2,  setting your units anywhere up to 220 degrees Celsius.

The Zeus Arc has 3 temperature cycles that are expertly calibrated to maximize flavor and vapor production simultaneously. The first temperature cycle is at 205 degrees Celsius, the second is at 215 degrees and the third is at 225 degrees Celsius.

The idea behind the Zeus’ temperatures is that you should be able to get a full session on each one of these temperature settings with a single bowl allowing you to maximize the use of your herbs.

Also, the third setting at 225 degrees Celsius ensures full extraction of your herbs to maximize their potential.

So while the Zeus Arc may not allow you to control the precise temperature it gives you an excellent range to work within and provides satisfying vapor with minimal thinking.

However, this section goes to the IQ which gives you maximum flexibility through the precision mode.

Zeus Arc vs DaVinci IQ winner

SHOWDOWN


Both the DaVinci IQ and Zeus Arc are great portable vaporizers and goes to show how far vaporizers have come, shrinking down their size to become powerful and potent machines at your fingertips.

The DaVinci IQ is packed full of features which may be overwhelming to some and features a removable battery to combat a weaker battery than its competition.

However, overall we feel like the Zeus Arc narrowly beats out the DaVinci IQ for the top portable unit. The Zeus Arc’s hassle-free approach and impressively powerful vapor production through the unique gold chamber and vapor path cannot be ignored.

The Zeus Arc simply just works without the need to learn any nuances of the device, just pack it, turn it on and enjoy super potent vapor. After all, when it comes to vaporizers the vapor is the most important part, and the Zeus Arc can produce vapor in spades.

You can pick either of these 2 awesome portable vaporizers directly from our store. After watching the battle between Zeus VS DaVinci, if you’d like to see another comparison, check out our recent showdown between the Zeus Arc vs Pax 3 and to see how these 2 units stack up against the field, be sure to check out our Portable Vaporizer Ranking Chart.

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About Author
Avatar for Alex Karakatsanis

Alex is a cannabis enthusiast, long time vaporizer lover, writer and filmmaker. He is also a board and video game nerd with a penchant for hosting a weekly board game night. Partygoers have been heard saying things like “is anyone else going to show up?” and “I don’t think I can make it next week”. He strives to make people laugh at every opportunity and sees cannabis as a helpful tool in doing so.

The reviews and ratings are based on personal and decade-plus of industry experience. Such content is based on the opinion of the Editor/Author. They are solely provided as a basis for research and should be used only as guidance. We encourage thorough research by all visitors to attain the most objective viewpoint before purchasing.