Price (USD)
Cipher NOVA edgeCipher NOVA
$120
PAX Mini
$150
Cipher NOVA is typically around $30 lower.
Vaporizer Comparison
Cipher NOVA vs PAX Mini
Side-by-side specs, pricing context, and clear decision guidance.
Cipher NOVA
Cipher $120
VS
PAX Mini
PAX Labs from $95.95
Editorial Summary
Cipher NOVA and PAX Mini are both portable / electronic vaporizers, but they target different priorities. Cipher NOVA is usually the lower-cost pick at $120, around $30 below PAX Mini. Session style, airflow, and extraction behavior will matter more than raw spec sheet numbers here.
Specs Compared
22
Different Specs
21
Shared Specs
1
Overall Overlap
5%
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 Mini
Conduction
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 Mini
$150
Heating Type
Cipher NOVA
Dual arc lighter (combustion, not vaporization)
PAX Mini
Conduction
Battery Life
Cipher NOVA
100+ hits per charge at three seconds of arc per hit
PAX Mini
~60 minutes
Charging
Cipher NOVA
USB-C
PAX Mini
USB-C, about 90 minutes
Charge Time
Cipher NOVA
About 1 hour
PAX Mini
~1.5 hours
Dimensions
Cipher NOVA
130 x 20mm
PAX Mini
93mm x 31mm x 22mm
Power Adjustment
Cipher NOVA
None
PAX Mini
Four heat modes (LED X)
Chamber Material
Cipher NOVA
High temperature glazed ceramic pods
PAX Mini
Stainless Steel
Brand
Cipher NOVA
Cipher
PAX Mini
PAX Labs
Release Date
Cipher NOVA
2022 (V3 revision 2026)
PAX Mini
2025
Choose Cipher NOVA if...
- You want the lower listed entry price ($120 vs $150).
- 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 Mini if...
- You prefer a conduction heating profile.
- Your usage leans toward conduction and compact sessions.
- You prefer PAX Mini's overall feature mix and form factor.
Lowest price
$95.95
at VPM
Prices are read automatically from retailer pages and were last checked Aug 27, 2026; 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.
21 differ 1 shared
| Specification | Cipher NOVA | PAX Mini |
|---|---|---|
| Price (USD) | $120 | $150 |
| Device Type | Portable | Portable |
| Heating Type | Dual arc lighter (combustion, not vaporization) | Conduction |
| Heat Up Time | — | 22 seconds |
| Temperature Range | Not applicable, the arc ignites the load | — |
| Chamber Capacity | — | 0.25g - 0.5g |
| Battery Type | Internal | — |
| Battery Capacity | 1000mAh | — |
| Battery Life | 100+ hits per charge at three seconds of arc per hit | ~60 minutes |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C, about 90 minutes |
| Charge Time | About 1 hour | ~1.5 hours |
| Dimensions | 130 x 20mm | 93mm x 31mm x 22mm |
| Weight | — | 89 grams |
| Power Adjustment | None | Four heat modes (LED X) |
| Chamber Material | High temperature glazed ceramic pods | Stainless Steel |
| Brand | Cipher | PAX Labs |
| Ambient Operating Range | 3.5-43°C (38-110°F) | — |
| Body Material | Stainless steel | — |
| Release Date | 2022 (V3 revision 2026) | 2025 |
| Session Style | On-Demand | — |
| Warranty | 1 year | 2 years |
| Water Pipe Adapter | Optional accessory | — |
Comparison FAQs
What is the biggest difference between the Cipher NOVA and the PAX Mini?
The biggest practical difference is heating approach: Cipher NOVA runs dual arc lighter (combustion, not vaporization) while PAX Mini runs conduction. That changes flavor delivery, vapor density, and how the device responds to slow versus fast draws.
Which is cheaper, the Cipher NOVA or the PAX Mini?
Cipher NOVA is the cheaper option at $120 compared with $150 for the PAX Mini, about $30 less. Live retailer pricing can shift, so confirm before buying.
What's the difference in heating between the Cipher NOVA and the PAX Mini?
Cipher NOVA uses dual arc lighter (combustion, not vaporization) heating, while the PAX Mini uses conduction. 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 Mini?
Cipher NOVA is rated for 100+ hits per charge at three seconds of arc per hit, ahead of ~60 minutes on the PAX Mini. Real-world battery life depends on how high you set the temperature and how long sessions run.
Which charges faster, the Cipher NOVA or the PAX Mini?
Cipher NOVA fully charges in About 1 hour, ahead of ~1.5 hours on the PAX Mini.
Need a different matchup?
Jump into the comparison hub to pick any two devices and open a canonical side-by-side page.