Key Takeaways
- Crafty+ from 161 €: Гибрид heating, 3200 mAh, 60s heat-up, dosing capsules
- IQ3 from 175 €: Konduktion heating, 4000 mAh, 30s heat-up, Smart Paths
- Winner vapor: Crafty+ (wider airpath, more consistent) | Winner app: IQ3 (Smart Paths, temp curves)
| Feature | Crafty+ | DaVinci IQ3 |
|---|---|---|
| Heating | Гибрид | Konduktion |
| Heat-up | 60s | 30s |
| Battery | 3200 mAh | 4000 mAh |
| Max temp | 210°C | 221°C |
| Dosing capsules | Да | No |
| App | Да | Ja |
| Weight | 135g | 170g |
| Warranty | 2 years | 10 years |
All specs from manufacturer data
Which produces better vapor — Crafty+ or IQ3?
Winner vapor quality: Crafty+. Both use hybrid heating with slightly different results. The Crafty+ has a wider vapor path and delivers smooth, consistent vapor from the first draw. The IQ3 uses a ceramic-zirconia chamber with a glass vapor path for a more concentrated flavor profile.
At lower temperatures around 180°C, the IQ3 tastes noticeably fresher with clearer terpene separation. The Crafty+ produces denser clouds and stays more consistent throughout the entire session. Storz & Bickel uses a patented combination heater: a thin aluminum block surrounds the chamber (conduction) while a separate heating element warms the air passing through (convection). You get visible vapor from the very first draw.
The IQ3 responds better to slightly quicker draws. The ceramic chamber benefits from active airflow pulling heat through the material. Too slow and the vapor thins out. Too fast and you get cool air. After a few sessions you find the right rhythm. The adjustable airflow on the bottom adds another variable for fine-tuning.
How do they compare for daily handling?
Both fit in a pocket but handle differently in practice. The Crafty+ weighs 135g, is lighter, and has dosing capsules for clean, fast reloads on the go. You can pre-load a capsule magazine with 8 capsules and have an entire day prepared. The sealed capsules also contain smell effectively.
The IQ3 offers Smart Paths (automatic temperature curves) via the app but has no capsule option. You pack the ceramic chamber directly each time. This means more frequent cleaning but slightly better thermal contact with the material. DaVinci includes a carrying case, and the flush mouthpiece does not catch on fabric.
Winner handling: Crafty+ for commuters and on-the-go use thanks to dosing capsules. IQ3 for users who prefer direct chamber loading.
Which battery lasts longer?
The Crafty+ has 3200 mAh, the IQ3 4000 mAh. The IQ3 has the larger battery but also a slightly longer heat-up time of 30 seconds versus 60 seconds for the Crafty+. In daily use, both manage 4-6 full sessions. Neither has a swappable battery; both support passthrough charging.
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Which app is more capable — S&B or DaVinci?
Winner app experience: IQ3. Both connect via Bluetooth to smartphone apps. The S&B app for the Crafty+ provides temperature control, a boost function, and firmware updates. The interface is clean but deliberately minimal. Most Crafty+ users set their preferred temperature once and rarely open the app again.
The DaVinci app goes further. Smart Paths create automatic temperature curves from a start to a finish temperature over the session duration. You can save multiple profiles, and the app tracks usage statistics and provides cleaning reminders. For users who enjoy tweaking settings, the IQ3 app delivers significantly more value.
How durable are the build materials?
The Crafty+ body is medical-grade polymer over an aluminum frame. Storz & Bickel designs their devices for thousands of sessions. The cooling unit on top can be fully disassembled and replaced. Common wear items like seals and mouthpieces are cheap and widely available. After two years of daily use, a well-maintained Crafty+ still performs like new.
The IQ3 uses a brushed aluminum exterior that feels more premium in hand. The ceramic chamber is durable but the glass flavor path needs careful handling. DaVinci sells replacement parts but the ecosystem is smaller than S&B. Both are built to last, but the Crafty+ has an edge on repairability and parts availability.
Can both connect to water pipes?
Yes. The Crafty+ has official WPA adapters that replace the cooling unit and connect directly to 14mm and 18mm glass joints. This turns the Crafty+ into a home station with significantly cooler, smoother vapor. The IQ3 also works with water pipes through third-party adapters, though the fit is not always perfect and the selection is smaller.
Price and ecosystem — which offers more value?
Crafty+ from 161 €, IQ3 from 175 €. Both sit in the mid-range segment. The Crafty+ benefits from the massive S&B ecosystem: dosing capsules, charging docks, mouthpieces, and WPA adapters are widely available. The IQ3 has less accessory support but a more capable app with Smart Paths and a longer warranty of 10 years.
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Price History
Who should choose which vaporizer?
Choose the Crafty+ if: you want simple sessions with dosing capsules, S&B build quality, and the largest accessory ecosystem. The Crafty+ has been on the market for years, its performance is well documented, and the community around S&B devices is the biggest in the vaporizer world.
Choose the IQ3 if: you prefer a more compact form factor, enjoy experimenting with Smart Path temperature curves, and appreciate ceramic flavor. The IQ3 rewards experimentation with excellent low-temperature flavor.
Current prices: Crafty+ from 161 € | IQ3 from 175 €
Price Comparison
Prices updated daily
Official product pages: Storz & Bickel, DaVinci
Daily Use and Practicality
In everyday use, heat-up time shapes your routine more than any spec sheet suggests. The IQ3 reaches operating temperature in 30 seconds, while the Crafty+ needs 60 seconds. That difference adds up over weeks of daily sessions. Quick morning sessions before work favor the faster device; relaxed evening sessions make the gap irrelevant.
Consider your typical usage pattern. If you vaporize 3-5 times daily, a few seconds per session compound into meaningful time savings. If you have one session per evening, both devices serve equally well. The IQ3 rewards impulsive, grab-and-go use. The Crafty+ rewards users who plan their sessions.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Regular cleaning directly affects vapor flavor and device longevity. Both the Crafty+ and IQ3 benefit from weekly isopropyl alcohol soaks of removable parts. Screens and seals are consumable items that should be replaced every few months for optimal performance. A basic cleaning kit consisting of isopropyl alcohol (90 percent or higher), cotton swabs, and pipe cleaners covers most devices.
A clean device delivers noticeably better flavor than a neglected one. Most flavor complaints in online forums trace back to insufficient cleaning rather than device limitations. Residue buildup narrows the vapor path, increases draw resistance, and adds a stale taste. Budget 10 minutes per week for maintenance and both devices will perform at their best for years. Deep cleaning every 2-4 weeks prevents hard-to-remove buildup and keeps the airflow unrestricted.
Long-Term Value and Durability
A vaporizer is a long-term investment. Beyond the purchase price, consider replacement parts, cleaning supplies, and eventual battery degradation. The IQ3 has the longer warranty at 10 years versus 2 years for the Crafty+.
The resale market for vaporizers is active. Well-maintained devices from reputable brands retain 50-70 percent of their original value after a year. Both the Crafty+ and IQ3 hold their value well due to brand reputation and build quality. Buying a quality device upfront typically costs less than cycling through cheaper alternatives.
Community support also factors into long-term value. Devices with large user bases have better troubleshooting resources, aftermarket accessories, and replacement part availability. Both brands covered here have established communities that make ownership easier over the years.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Crafty+ better than the IQ3?
Which heats up faster: Crafty+ or IQ3?
Which has the better warranty?
Testing and comparing vaporizers at VapoChecker since 2020. 800+ devices, 274 shops, 51 countries.
Last updated: April 2026