Price (USD)
Cipher NOVA edgeCipher NOVA
$120
PAX FOUR
$250
Cipher NOVA is typically around $130 lower.
Vaporizer Comparison
Cipher NOVA vs PAX FOUR
Side-by-side specs, pricing context, and clear decision guidance.
Cipher NOVA
Cipher $120
VS
PAX FOUR
PAX Labs $250
Editorial Summary
Cipher NOVA and PAX FOUR are both portable / electronic vaporizers, but they target different priorities. Cipher NOVA is usually the lower-cost pick at $120, around $130 below PAX FOUR. Session style, airflow, and extraction behavior will matter more than raw spec sheet numbers here.
Specs Compared
26
Different Specs
24
Shared Specs
2
Overall Overlap
8%
Shared Traits
Portable Electronic Discrete
Head-to-Head Highlights
A quick snapshot of the specs people usually care about first.
Heating Style
Close callCipher NOVA
Dual arc lighter (combustion, not vaporization)
PAX FOUR
Hybrid (conduction and convection)
Heating style differs, which can impact flavor and extraction behavior.
Key Differences at a Glance
Top specs where these two devices diverge.
Price (USD)
Cipher NOVA
$120
PAX FOUR
$250
Heating Type
Cipher NOVA
Dual arc lighter (combustion, not vaporization)
PAX FOUR
Hybrid (conduction and convection)
Temperature Range
Cipher NOVA
Not applicable, the arc ignites the load
PAX FOUR
190-220°C (374-428°F)
Battery Type
Cipher NOVA
Internal
PAX FOUR
Internal lithium-ion
Battery Capacity
Cipher NOVA
1000mAh
PAX FOUR
2800mAh
Battery Life
Cipher NOVA
100+ hits per charge at three seconds of arc per hit
PAX FOUR
Up to 5 sessions, about 50 minutes of run time
Charge Time
Cipher NOVA
About 1 hour
PAX FOUR
~90 minutes
Dimensions
Cipher NOVA
130 x 20mm
PAX FOUR
108 x 36 x 29mm
Power Adjustment
Cipher NOVA
None
PAX FOUR
Four preset heat modes (purple, green, yellow, orange)
Chamber Material
Cipher NOVA
High temperature glazed ceramic pods
PAX FOUR
Stainless steel
Choose Cipher NOVA if...
- You want the lower listed entry price ($120 vs $250).
- You prefer a dual arc lighter (combustion, not vaporization) heating profile.
- Your usage leans toward budget sessions.
Typical price
$120
Sold by Daily High Club
Choose PAX FOUR if...
- You prefer a hybrid (conduction and convection) heating profile.
- Your usage leans toward hybrid sessions.
- You prefer PAX FOUR's overall feature mix and form factor.
Typical price
$250
Sold by The Stash Shack
Prices are read automatically from retailer pages; confirm the price at checkout. Some links are affiliate links, which support Thermal Extractions at no extra cost to you.
Spec Comparison Table
Direct comparison of every spec from each device profile.
24 differ 2 shared
| Specification | Cipher NOVA | PAX FOUR |
|---|---|---|
| Price (USD) | $120 | $250 |
| Device Type | Portable | Portable |
| Heating Type | Dual arc lighter (combustion, not vaporization) | Hybrid (conduction and convection) |
| Heat Up Time | — | 55-70 seconds |
| Temperature Range | Not applicable, the arc ignites the load | 190-220°C (374-428°F) |
| Chamber Capacity | — | ~0.3g |
| Battery Type | Internal | Internal lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | 1000mAh | 2800mAh |
| Battery Life | 100+ hits per charge at three seconds of arc per hit | Up to 5 sessions, about 50 minutes of run time |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Charge Time | About 1 hour | ~90 minutes |
| Dimensions | 130 x 20mm | 108 x 36 x 29mm |
| Weight | — | 125 grams |
| Power Adjustment | None | Four preset heat modes (purple, green, yellow, orange) |
| Chamber Material | High temperature glazed ceramic pods | Stainless steel |
| Concentrate Support | — | No (not compatible with the PAX Concentrate Insert) |
| Brand | Cipher | PAX Labs |
| Adjustable Airflow | — | No (flat and raised mouthpieces change the draw) |
| Ambient Operating Range | 3.5-43°C (38-110°F) | — |
| Body Material | Stainless steel | — |
| Display Type | — | LED petals |
| Manufacturer | — | PAX Labs, Inc (model X410) |
| Release Date | 2022 (V3 revision 2026) | 2026 |
| Session Style | On-Demand | Session |
| Warranty | 1 year | 2 years, plus 1 year when registered within 30 days |
| Water Pipe Adapter | Optional accessory | — |
Comparison FAQs
What is the biggest difference between the Cipher NOVA and the PAX FOUR?
The biggest practical difference is price tier: the Cipher NOVA sits at $120 while the PAX FOUR is $250, a gap of about $130 that puts them in different buying brackets.
Which is cheaper, the Cipher NOVA or the PAX FOUR?
Cipher NOVA is the cheaper option at $120 compared with $250 for the PAX FOUR, about $130 less. Live retailer pricing can shift, so confirm before buying.
What's the difference in heating between the Cipher NOVA and the PAX FOUR?
Cipher NOVA uses dual arc lighter (combustion, not vaporization) heating, while the PAX FOUR uses hybrid (conduction and convection). Heating style influences flavor profile, vapor density, and how forgiving the device is to draw technique.
Which has better battery life, the Cipher NOVA or the PAX FOUR?
Cipher NOVA is rated for 100+ hits per charge at three seconds of arc per hit, ahead of Up to 5 sessions, about 50 minutes of run time on the PAX FOUR. Real-world battery life depends on how high you set the temperature and how long sessions run.
Can I set custom temperatures on the Cipher NOVA or the PAX FOUR?
Cipher NOVA controls heat with none, while the PAX FOUR uses four preset heat modes (purple, green, yellow, orange). Both let you change temperature, just with different levels of precision.
Which charges faster, the Cipher NOVA or the PAX FOUR?
Cipher NOVA fully charges in About 1 hour, ahead of ~90 minutes on the PAX FOUR.
How similar are the Cipher NOVA and the PAX FOUR?
Across the 26 specs we line up, they share 2 and differ on 24, an overlap of about 8%. The differences are concentrated in the areas the spec table highlights with a marker.
Need a different matchup?
Jump into the comparison hub to pick any two devices and open a canonical side-by-side page.