Zeus ARC GTS & Xtruder Review: A High-End Vape for Cannabis Nerds

Written by Jessica McKeil

November 14, 2024

Cannabis tech reviews Zeus ARC GTS and the Zeus Xtruder, a portable vaporizer and associated grinder engineered in Germany. This high end vaporizer comes as a complete kit with all the bells and whistlers, and is perfect for the cannabis connoisseur who loves to tinker.

Disclosure: This product review was made possible through the receipt of a complimentary device. In our commitment to transparency, please note that our reviews may contain affiliate links. When readers use these links to make a purchase, it doesn’t incur any additional cost for them, but it allows us to earn a small commission, supporting the ongoing efforts of our publication. We appreciate your understanding and support as it enables us to provide informative and unbiased content. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.

Zeus ARC GTS & Zeus Xtruder

Attention all cannabis nerds — this Zeus ARC GT3 review is for you. This portable vaporizer is taking the technology into the space age, from the over-the-top packaging to the sleek, smart design features. This vaporizer was engineered in Germany, which you can tell from the moment the package arrives.

If I’m honest, I was a bit overwhelmed by all the components, from the Zeus Xtruder and the electric upgrade to the many tiny bits and bobs I kept finding within the Hub. But, after I overcame the initial setup, the device function was actually very simple, and the experience was beautiful.

This vaporizer is a high-end option perfect for those who like to experiment and curate every vape session, from temperature settings to airflow, even down to convenience level.

If you classify yourself as a connoisseur and love the meticulousness and craftsmanship of German engineering — the Zeus Arc GTS and Xtruder are for you. 

The Highlights

Zeus ARC GTS and Zeus Xtruder Review
  • Price: $299.99
  • Dimensions: ‎1.6 x 0.8 x 3.4 inches
  • Key features: ArcPods, Goldsink Technology, Airflow, Temperature Flexibility
  • What we liked:
    • Great mouthpiece
    • Simple one-button functionality
    • Smart vape and temperature settings
  • What we didn’t like:
    • Steep Learning Curve
    • Complicated Components
    • Pricier end of the spectrum
  • Where to Buy: TVape

The EVRI electric dab straw by Dip Devices is a multi-function hand-held device designed for complete vaporizer versatility. The battery works with several evolving attachment options. I received attachments for 510 cartridges, flower, and concentrates, but it’s easy to keep adding new options, from a nectar tip to a glass attachment to a pod-compatible attachment. 

With an easy click-on battery back, this device is specifically designed to evolve with each session without needing a shelf full of technology. Priced at $69.99 for a starter pack and with each additional attachment only $19.99 more, this is one of the most affordable and versatile vaporizers on the market today.

Key Features

GoldSink Technology

The Zeus Arc GT3 isn’t your average dry herb vaporizer. Thanks to its GoldSink Technology, featuring gold-plated components (yes, you read that correctly — real gold), this device is built to preserve the rich flavors of flower without the interference of conventional plastic or silicon parts. Medical-grade materials should help maintain precise, consistent temperatures and, hopefully, long-lasting flavor preservation.

Convenient ArcPod Compatibility

One of the features of the Zeus Arc GT3 is its compatibility with ArcPods—pre-filled cannabis pods that offer no-mess, on-the-go convenience. You can still pack the Arc GTS without the ArcPods, but you can also pack a stash to bring with you. Each ArcPod is perfectly portioned, and the kit even includes a set of 45 reusable metal pods with disposable paper lids. Replacement lids are relatively inexpensive.

Enhanced Airflow

The Zeus Arc GT3 takes airflow seriously, delivering a 20% boost in air intake for smoother, more flavorful draws than its predecessor. This increased airflow supports an even extraction, maximizing the potency of your flower while delivering consistent, satisfying clouds every time. It’s also adjustable should you want bigger clouds vs. easier inhales.

Precision Temperature Control

Temperature flexibility is a game-changer for fine-tuning your experience, and the Zeus Arc GT3 delivers three customizable settings at 205°C, 215°C, and 225°C. Adjust to your preference and explore different profiles of your herb, from light and flavorful at the lowest setting to dense and intense at the highest. It also has an automatic option that cycles through the temperatures from lowest to hottest in a single session.

Performance

Zeus ARC GTS and Extruder Hub received for review

Vape Experience

The user experience here is impeccable. Firstly, I loved the smooth mouthpiece that’s more akin to a harmonica than a conventional vape pen mouthpiece. Although I didn’t have an opportunity to compare it against the original version, the GTS supposedly delivers 20% more air intake on the draw.

Either way, the draw is gorgeous and doesn’t require much effort. Should you want bigger vape clouds, then with a quick adjustment (using one of the many, many components that come with the kit), you can toggle for easier inhales vs. thick vapor clouds. Dealer’s choice!

I also loved how long the session lasted. All too often, vaporizers have an automatic shut-off to save battery life. But the GTS goes for as long as you do, or at least until the chamber (the ArcPod) is pouched.

The final part of the Zeus ARC GTS experience I loved was the easy controls. The single operational button is incorporated into the top of the vaporizer, and I found the on-off controls and temperature adjustment easy to master even before skimming through the manual.

Arc Pods

The Zeus Arc GTS is ArcPod compatible. Although you don’t technically need to use the pods when you vape, if you are on the go, they can really help reduce the mess and hassle of prepping fresh flower. Pre-pack a few before a hike or a party, and all you need to do is pop the next one in. No grinding, no mess, no time lost.

They also make it so you have a much more discrete method of filling, which, depending on who you are with or where you live, could be a necessity.

A quick note to say that while the metal Arc Pods are reusable (the Hub actually has an integrated component that helps clean them out), you’ll need to repurchase the paper lids. The Arc Pod paper lids come in packs of 50 for $7.99. Again, pods aren’t necessary for this handheld device, but I liked the convenience they offered for certain situations.

Ease of Use

If I’m being honest, the Zeus ARC GTS and Xtruder components are a bit overwhelming. The packaging and the Hub elements are intensely designed (the German engineering here is really apparent), and I had to watch an unboxing video, not just to understand all the parts — but to find them. Trust me when I say the Hub contains many treasures, so don’t forget to turn it over to unpack it all.

This may be my ADHD showing, but when the overwhelm hit, I had to put testing this vape on hold for a few days. But after watching a few videos, I realized actually using the Zeus isn’t all that complicated; it just seems that way with all the extra pieces and over-engineering of the Hub design.

Like most other higher-end vaporizers, the Zeus is actually very straightforward to use. Open, fill, heat, and vape. If you want to fill the pods, there is a slight learning curve, but once you’ve mastered one, you’re well on your way to success.

Long Battery Life

The Zeus Arc GT3 is ready when you are, with 90 minutes of continuous use on a full charge. That’s much better than many other premium handhelds on the market. Plus, it has a standard USB-C fast-charging capability that can recharge to 56% in just 40 minutes, and you can even use the device when it’s charging, so downtime is minimal. is minimal.

Zeus Xtruder | A Mini Review

Now, what about the elephant … I meant other element in the room — the Zeus Xtruder? This is the grinder and ArcPod filler that comes with the full Zeus ARZ GTS kit. There is both a manual version and an electric upgrade. Do you really need these to use the Zeus?

In short, you don’t. While these fancy pieces of technology do facilitate the filling of the ArcPods with that perfectly packed serving size, they aren’t absolutely necessary. You could easily grind the old-fashioned way and, with a few experiments, figure out the perfect pack in the pod.

I found the manual version of the Xtruder very time-consuming. It seemed to take forever for the flower to push through to fully pack into an ArcPod. When you swap out for the electric component, things go a bit faster, but it still seems slow.

With that said, the Xtruder seems extremely accessible for anyone with mobility issues. So long as you can pop a few nugs in the top, with the press of a button, you can fill ArcPods to your heart’s content without any manual twisting.

Plus, there is something over the top about the Xtruder that will really appeal to the cannabis nerds in the room. This is space-age tech, and I personally know a lot of people who would love to nerd out over it.

How to Clean Zeus Arc GT3?

We love a vaporizer that’s designed to clean! Pop open the top, following the basic instructions, and within minutes and just a few common cleaning tools (q-tip, wipes), the job is done. And if you’ve been using the ArcPods, you will basically never need to clean the device itself because they keep everything nice and contained.

Compared: Zeus ARC GTS vs Omura Vape Series X vs. DaVinci Vaporizers

When it comes to high-end dry herb vaping, the Zeus ARC GTS, Omura Vape Series X, and DaVinci IQC all easily fall into this category with their features and price tags. The Zeus ARC GTS stands out as it’s especially geared towards tech-savvy cannabis nerds willing to invest in precision, flexibility, and durability, though some may feel that its packaging and components are a bit over-engineered.

The Omura Vape Series X, at a slightly lower price point, emphasizes simplicity with its pre-filled FlowerStix for straightforward use. But not everyone is a fan of a product that can’t just load and go.

The DaVinci IQC combines high customization with a sleek design and up to 430°F in temperature settings, plus app connectivity for personalized experiences. While it lacks the convenience of the ArcPods, its ceramic-lined chamber maintains a pure flavor profile, and the device still offers the user lots of room to curate the vape experience.

Want to read more about the Omura? Check out our recent review here.

FeatureZeus ArcOmura Vape Series XDaVinci IQC Vaporizer
Price$299.99, plus $99.99 for the Zeus Xtruder E-Module
$139.99
($149.99 Complete Series X Bundle)
$269.00
TypeDry herb and concentrateDry herb vaporizerDry herb and concentrate
TemperatureSettings3 temperatures: High heat (430°F) Low heat (300°F)Up to 430°F, Customizable
Heat Time45 seconds20-25 seconds30 seconds
Non-reusable ComponentsYes and No, must reorder Arc Pod LidsYes, FlowerStixNo
Battery LifeUp to 90 minutesUp to 12 sessionsUp to 2 hours
ChargingUSB-C fast chargingProprietary docking station (USB cable)USB A to USB-C
SizeLength: 3.5 inchesLength: 3.66 inches Varies by model
Material & DesignGoldSink technology and medical grade componentsNAGlass-lined ceramic oven, Zirconia pearl
Mobile AppNoNoYes (select models)
WarrantyHassle-Free Warranty (Undefined) 1 year1 year (varies by model)

Cannabis Tech Staff Perspective

Cannabis Tech Zeus ARC GTS & Zeus Xtruder Review

What We Liked:

  • Great mouthpiece
  • Simple one-button functionality
  • Smart vape and temperature settings
  • Design and Comfort
  • Ease of Use
  • Vape Experience
  • Battery Life
Zeus vaporizer review. Zeus Arc
zeus xtruder review

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Complicated Components
  • Pricier end of the spectrum
  • Manual ArcPod Xtruder