Crafty+ vs Venty: Which Storz & Bickel Portable Should You Pick?
In short: Both are made in Germany by the company behind the Volcano. The Crafty+ is S&B’s most compact portable, delivering flagship vapor quality in a pocket-sized form. The Venty is their latest design with 20-second heat-up, adjustable airflow up to 20 L/min, and Bluetooth app with temperature curves. We’ve tested both extensively. The choice comes down to size vs speed.
- The Crafty+ (from €114, ~110 g) is the smallest S&B portable with Mighty-level vapor quality, Bluetooth app, and passthrough charging. Best for portability and value.
- The Venty (from €166, ~120 g) heats 3x faster (20s vs 60s), has adjustable airflow up to 20 L/min, Boost mode, and USB-C fast charging. Best for performance and daily heavy use.
- Both use hybrid heating, dosing capsules, and water pipe adapters. Both carry a 3-year warranty when registered through the S&B app.
How Do the Specs Compare?
On paper, these two look similar. Both use hybrid heating (conduction + convection), both run the S&B app, both take dosing capsules. The differences show up in speed, airflow, and charging. We track prices daily across 133 shops for the Crafty+ and 147 for the Venty.
| Feature | Crafty+ | Venty |
|---|---|---|
| Current best price | from €114 | from €166 |
| Heating | Hybrid | Hybrid (improved airflow) |
| Heat-up time | ~60s | ~20s |
| Temp range | 40–210 °C | 40–210 °C + Boost mode |
| Airflow | Fixed | Adjustable (up to 20 L/min) |
| Battery | 3200 mAh | 3000 mAh (2x 18650) |
| Sessions per charge | ~6–7 | ~10–12 |
| Passthrough charging | No | No |
| USB-C fast charge | Yes (~65 min) | Yes (~40 min to 80%) |
| App control | Bluetooth | Bluetooth + temp curves + Boost |
| Dosing capsules | Yes | Yes |
| Water pipe adapter | Yes (included) | Yes (included) |
| Display | None (app only) | None (app only) |
| Weight | ~110 g | ~120 g |
| Warranty | 3 years (registered) | 3 years (registered) |
How Different Is the Vapor Quality?
Here’s what surprised us: the Crafty+ and Venty produce very similar vapor. Both use Storz & Bickel’s hybrid heating system with comparable chamber designs. At the same temperature, the taste and density are nearly identical in a blind test. The Crafty+ genuinely delivers “Mighty-level” quality despite being the smallest device in the S&B lineup.
Where the Venty has an edge is airflow. S&B specs the Venty at up to 20 liters per minute, roughly double what the Crafty+ delivers. That means cooler, smoother draws with less effort. It doesn’t change the fundamental flavor, but it makes the experience more comfortable, especially above 195 °C where things can get warm.
The Venty also has a Boost mode that temporarily pushes the temperature 15 °C above your set point. Handy for extracting that last bit from a bowl without changing your base temperature. The Crafty+ doesn’t have this feature.
Does 20-Second Heat-Up Actually Matter?
The Crafty+ needs about 60 seconds to reach temperature. The Venty gets there in 20 seconds. That’s a 40-second gap, and honestly, it matters more than most people expect.
For a single session at home, 60 seconds is fine. You set the Crafty+ on the table, do something for a minute, and it’s ready. But if you’re someone who uses their vaporizer 3 to 5 times a day, those extra 40 seconds per session compound. Over a week, that’s 5+ minutes of staring at your device. The Venty’s 20 seconds feels almost instant, and it changes how you reach for the device. Quick hit before dinner? The Venty is ready before you finish setting the table.
The Crafty+ counters with passthrough charging. If you keep it plugged in at your desk, the heat-up time matters less since you can just leave it on. But if portability is the point, the Venty wins on speed.
Which Battery Strategy Suits You Better?
The Crafty+ packs 3200 mAh, enough for 6 to 7 sessions per charge. The Venty uses dual 18650 cells rated at 3000 mAh, good for 10 to 12 sessions. Neither has swappable batteries, so you’re dependent on charging.
The Crafty+ supports passthrough charging: plug it in and use it at the same time. Great for home users who keep it near a USB cable. The Venty can’t do this, but its USB-C fast charging gets to 80% in about 40 minutes, compared to roughly 65 minutes for a full Crafty+ charge.
Bottom line: if you mostly use at home and don’t mind a cable, the Crafty+’s passthrough is convenient. If you need all-day battery away from a charger, the Venty’s larger capacity and faster charging make more sense.
What Can the Venty’s App Do That the Crafty+ Can’t?
Both devices require the S&B app for temperature control since neither has a display. The Crafty+’s app lets you set temperature (1 °C steps) and view battery status. Simple, works well.
The Venty’s app adds temperature curves: custom heating profiles that change over the course of a session. You can program a slow ramp from 175 to 210 °C over five minutes, or create a step profile that jumps between temperatures. The community has shared dozens of profiles for different situations. The Boost button on the device temporarily adds 15 °C above your set point for denser draws.
Is this essential? No. You can use both devices just fine with a fixed temperature. But if you enjoy dialing in your sessions, the Venty gives you tools the Crafty+ can’t match.
How Do They Compare on Size and Build Quality?
The Crafty+ is the smaller device at ~110 g. It genuinely disappears into a front pocket, which is its main selling point. The Venty at ~120 g is still very portable but slightly larger. Both use medical-grade polymer and aluminum with excellent build quality.
Neither has a display, which keeps both devices slim but means you need your phone nearby. Both use the same chamber size, the same dosing capsule system, and the same cooling unit design. The Venty’s cooling unit is slightly improved for better airflow, but both are easy to disassemble for cleaning.
Water Pipe and Dosing Capsules: Any Differences?
None. Both come with a water pipe adapter in the box. Both use the same S&B dosing capsule system (interchangeable between all S&B portables). Both work well through a 14mm bubbler. The Venty’s higher airflow makes draws through water slightly easier, but the Crafty+ through glass is already very smooth.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Both need regular cleaning to maintain vapor quality. The cooling unit should be soaked in isopropyl alcohol weekly if you’re a daily user, every two weeks for lighter use. Residue buildup narrows the vapor path, increases draw resistance, and adds stale taste. The good news: both cooling units disassemble in seconds without tools.
The chamber itself needs a quick brush after every few sessions. Dosing capsules help here since the herb stays contained and the chamber barely gets dirty. If you use capsules regularly, deep cleaning drops to once a month.
What Do the Prices Look Like Right Now?
We track both daily across hundreds of shops:
- Crafty+: from €114 across 133 shops
- Venty: from €166 across 147 shops
Check our live price comparison for today’s best deals on the Crafty+ and Venty.
Price History (30 Days)
The Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
The Crafty+ is the right choice if pocket size is non-negotiable, you want the lowest entry price into the S&B ecosystem, or you mostly use at home with passthrough charging. It delivers the same vapor quality as the Venty in a more compact, more affordable package.
The Venty makes sense if you use your vaporizer multiple times daily (the 20s heat-up pays dividends), want adjustable airflow for smoother draws, or appreciate app features like temperature curves and Boost mode. It’s the more capable device.
Both are excellent. Both resale well (50-70% after a year thanks to the S&B name). Both share the same capsule and accessory ecosystem. The Crafty+ gives you 90% of the Venty experience at a lower price and smaller size. The Venty gives you that last 10% plus speed and airflow that heavy users will appreciate every single session.
Related: Mighty+ vs Venty | Crafty+ vs Mighty+ | PAX Plus vs Venty | Full price comparison
FAQ
Is the Crafty+ vapor quality worse than the Venty?
No. Both use the same hybrid heating system from Storz & Bickel. At the same temperature, the taste and density are nearly identical. The Venty has better airflow which makes draws smoother and cooler, but the fundamental vapor quality is comparable.
Does either device have a display?
Neither the Crafty+ nor the Venty has an on-device display. Both require the Storz & Bickel Bluetooth app for temperature control and battery monitoring.
Can I use Crafty+ capsules in the Venty?
Yes. All Storz & Bickel portables (Crafty+, Mighty+, Venty) use the same dosing capsule system. Capsules, magazines, and accessories are fully interchangeable.
Which charges faster?
The Venty reaches 80% in about 40 minutes via USB-C fast charging. The Crafty+ takes about 65 minutes for a full charge. However, the Crafty+ supports passthrough charging (use while plugged in), which the Venty doesn’t.
Is the 3-year warranty automatic?
The base warranty is 2 years. To get the extended 3-year warranty, you need to register your device through the Storz & Bickel app. Both the Crafty+ and Venty qualify for this extension.
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Daily Use and Practicality
In everyday use, heat-up time shapes your routine more than any spec sheet suggests. The Venty reaches operating temperature in 20 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 Venty rewards impulsive, grab-and-go use. The Crafty+ rewards users who plan their sessions.
Build Quality and Materials
The Crafty+: German-engineered medical-grade polymer and aluminum. Every component is designed for thousands of sessions. Storz & Bickel devices are manufactured in Tuttlingen, Germany, with quality standards borrowed from the medical device industry.
The Venty: German-engineered medical-grade polymer and aluminum. Every component is designed for thousands of sessions. Storz & Bickel devices are manufactured in Tuttlingen, Germany, with quality standards borrowed from the medical device industry.
Battery Strategy in Detail
The Crafty+ packs 3200 mAh, the Venty has 3000 mAh. The larger battery does not always mean longer runtime — heating method, chamber size, and usage pattern all affect real-world endurance. Both devices manage 5-8 full sessions on a charge under normal conditions.
Neither has a swappable battery. Both charge via USB-C and support passthrough charging.
Water Pipe Compatibility
Both devices support water pipe use. Water filtration cools the vapor and makes higher temperatures more comfortable. WPA adapters (14mm and 18mm joints) are available for both the Crafty+ and Venty. Combining a vaporizer with glass elevates the experience significantly.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Regular cleaning directly affects vapor flavor and device longevity. Both the Crafty+ and Venty 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. Both offer 2-year warranties.
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 Venty 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.
Who Should Buy Which?
- Users who want dosing capsules only have that option with the Crafty+.