DaVinci Miqro ultra-portable vaporizer review

DaVinci Miqro review - Performance

Flavour Queen

The Miqro is all about smooth, terpy, wholesome vapour. Even at the highest temperature settings, vapour remains rather wispy and leaves you longing for a lungful. On the plus side, building up to these higher temperatures is a highly satisfying experience. The zirconium air path, mouthpiece, oven lid and high-quality ceramic oven guarantee a pristine flavour that will only gently tickle the back of your throat. Smaller devices generally don’t make for impressive smokestacks but the Miqro faces additional challenges due to its noticeable draw resistance. The oven holds about 0.25 grams and the device performs better when the material is finely ground and tightly packed. To this end, the oven lid comes with an extendable ‘pearl’ which firmly holds your material in place. You may want to stir your herbs mid-session, which is easily done with the device’s built-in stirring tool. The oven’s limited capacity and the need to tightly pack your herbs means that this vaporizer is not for cloud chasers. Then again, the Miqro will surely meet expectations from even the most demanding flavouristas.

Removable and rechargeable battery

While its older and bigger sister, the DaVinci IQ, sports the 18650 removable and rechargeable battery, the Miqro had to settle for the 18350 battery, about half its size. Nonetheless, the fact that it has a removable battery is already quite a feat for a vaporizer this size. The battery will last about 30 minutes while vaping on higher temperature settings so this is not a vape suitable for multiple sessions shared with a bunch of friends. As a light-use vape for one person this is more than enough. The batteries can be charged in a separate charger and are small enough to carry a few spares wherever you go. The Miqro can be also be used while the battery is charging.

Hot tamale

In Smart Path mode, you can choose between four temperature bands. The vaporizer heats up to the highest temperature band in under 40 seconds with a freshly charged battery and a bit over a minute when your battery is close to being depleted. Cycling between smart paths takes only a few seconds, even when your battery is about to give out. To accomplish this feat, heat is siphoned off mainly through the aluminium outer shell, which is why the device tends to be pretty hot to the touch.

DaVinci Miqro review - Build quality

Deluxe feel and look

The Miqro’s design is simply impeccable. Elegant curves, a sturdy outer shell with a matte finish available in five different colours (Amethyst, Cobalt, Graphite, Onyx and Rust). Even though the device could be swallowed whole by a medium-sized dog, it feels reassuringly heavy in your hand.  The mouthpiece lid closes magnetically and gives access to the battery compartment, which is sealed off with an additional lid of its own. The extendable pearl on the oven lid feels more sturdy than the one on the IQ and just to be sure, a replacement gasket and screw are included in the box. All hinges feel solid and the metal control and temperature buttons are recessed, which adds to the overall sleekness of the device. The front cover features an intriguing led indicator composed of 15 individual LEDs which spells out letters, numbers, battery and temperature levels. As a finishing touch, the DaVinci logo has been stylishly and discreetly engraved on the front side of the vaporizer.

Isolated airpath

Like its bigger sibling, the Miqro’s design includes zirconium and other ceramic elements all along the vapour path: from the extendable pearl on the lid used to pack your herbs tightly, over the removable airpath tube all the way up to the mouthpiece. Zirconium is often used in medical implants and is a thermal insulator, which is why it’s a perfect fit for the vapour path. The oven itself is made out of a more thermally conductive ceramic material.

DaVinci Miqro review - User-friendliness

Ultra-portable

We’ve already mentioned it a few times: this little gem is only slightly larger than your run-of-the-mill cigarette lighter. The Miqro comes with an optional 10 mm tubular mouthpiece but can even be used without it, which renders it even more compact. This device is definitely one of the more discreet vaporizers we’ve come across and also features a stealth mode, reducing the brightness of the indicator LEDs. The Miqro may be highly portable, it’s not ideal for sharing at social events as the smaller oven and battery would probably not be able to satisfy popular demand.

Friendly little helper

The Miqro’s size would suggest limited functionality yet the opposite is true. Through the combination of a power button and two temperature buttons, the device allows you the switch between a Smart Path mode and precise temperature control. In Smarth Path mode, the Miqro will automatically heat across a 10°C temperature range, gently raising the temperature during a session. The vaporizer also features a boost mode which will keep the device at 220°C as long as you press and hold the control button, effectively turning the device into an on-demand vaporizer. This elaborate functionality doesn’t come at the expense of intuitive controls and the device is easily mastered after only a few sessions. Appropriately programmed haptic feedback makes the use of the Miqro easier in situations where discretion is advised.

DaVinci Miqro review - Maintenance and essential accessories

Easy cleaning

The removable vapour tube and mouthpiece make for easy cleaning. Break out the isopropyl alcohol swabs and wipes and get to work on the oven while you let the removable parts soak in a bath of isopropyl alcohol. Detailed cleaning instructions can be found in the video below.

Accessories galore

The standard edition of the Miqro comes with replacement parts for the oven lid’s extendable pearl, fluffy cleaning rods, a 10 mm tubular mouthpiece which doubles as a water pipe adapter, a spare silicone mouthpiece gasket, a stirring tool and a quality USB-cable. The deluxe ‘Explorer’ edition also includes a battery carry-on case featuring a herb container, a carrying pouch, a vaporizer sleeve and a beautifully designed grinder card. Most removable parts can be bought separately as well as extra batteries and a 18350-compatible battery charger. You can sign up for a 5-year warranty for the Miqro by registering your device on the company’s website.

DaVinci Miqro Review - Pros and Cons

Pros

• Highly portable and discreet
• Gorgeous and sturdy design
• Flavourful, clean and smooth vapour on all temperature settings
• Go-to vaporizer for light use or microdosing at a reasonable price
• High functionality combined with intuitive controls

Cons

• Draw resistance and smaller oven prevent deep tokes
• Feels a little hot to the touch at higher settings

 

DaVinci Miqro review - Who is this for?

The Miqro should figure high on the wish-list for anyone who’s looking for something very small and discreet yet doesn’t want to compromise on quality. The Miqro does an impressive job integrating high-end functionality and design in a compact model. If you are looking for a reliable, durable vape for light use to carry with you without imposing itself on you, the DaVinci Miqro is a strong contender. The Miqro is less suitable for cloud chasers, who might be put off by the device’s wispy vapour, even at higher temperature settings.