Cloudious9 Hydrology 9 NX

The Hydrology 9 NX from Cloudious9 is a revised version of the popular Hydrology 9 - and anyone who knew the original will quickly notice what has been improved. The battery has been increased to 1900 mAh, the heating time has been reduced to around 45 seconds, and the striking design with built-in water filter has remained. That's exactly what makes this vaporizer so special: Instead of an external bong attachment system, you simply use the built-in liquid reservoir, which cools and filters the vapor on the way from the chamber to the mouthpiece.

The device heats up to 235 °C via conduction. The temperature can be regulated via five preset levels, which is sufficient for most users. If you're looking for a stepless control, you're in the wrong place - but if you want a well-functioning system with satisfactory vapor quality without having to deal with technical details, the NX is a good choice.

Pass-through charging is possible, meaning you can vape and charge at the same time — handy for longer sessions at home. The device is portable, but with its dimensions and the integrated water chamber concept it is more of a device for the couch or desk than for your pocket. It is less suitable as a discreet outdoor device, but if you use it in your own room, you will appreciate the cooling and the comparatively pleasant steam temperature.

The chamber holds a decent amount of herb, which is enough for extended solo sessions or with two people. After use, the water pipe must be cleaned regularly - this is the only real additional effort compared to simpler devices. Isopropyl alcohol dissolves residues well, and with a little routine, cleaning can be done quickly.

Cloudious9 gives a one-year warranty on the device. The build quality is solid, the aluminum casing feels high quality. Compared to other conduction portables in the price range, what stands out is the water filtering - most competitors only offer this as an accessory, here it is permanently installed. If you are looking for exactly this feature and don't want external accessories, you will find an elegant solution in the Hydrology 9 NX. The price is set according to the function, not a bargain, but not an exaggeration either.