Price (USD)
Close callCipher NOVA
$120
PAX Plus
$125
Pricing is very close between both devices.
Vaporizer Comparison
Cipher NOVA vs PAX Plus
Side-by-side specs, pricing context, and clear decision guidance.
Cipher NOVA
Cipher $120
VS
PAX Plus
PAX Labs from $159.95
Editorial Summary
Cipher NOVA and PAX Plus are both portable / electronic vaporizers, but they target different priorities. Their listed prices are close ($120 vs $125). Session style, airflow, and extraction behavior will matter more than raw spec sheet numbers here.
Specs Compared
23
Different Specs
22
Shared Specs
1
Overall Overlap
4%
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 Plus
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 Plus
$125
Heating Type
Cipher NOVA
Dual arc lighter (combustion, not vaporization)
PAX Plus
Conduction
Temperature Range
Cipher NOVA
Not applicable, the arc ignites the load
PAX Plus
360°F - 420°F
Battery Type
Cipher NOVA
Internal
PAX Plus
Internal 18650
Battery Capacity
Cipher NOVA
1000mAh
PAX Plus
3300mAh (internal)
Battery Life
Cipher NOVA
100+ hits per charge at three seconds of arc per hit
PAX Plus
2+ hours
Charging
Cipher NOVA
USB-C
PAX Plus
Magnetic dock via USB, under ~120 minutes
Charge Time
Cipher NOVA
About 1 hour
PAX Plus
2-3 hours
Dimensions
Cipher NOVA
130 x 20mm
PAX Plus
98mm x 31mm x 22mm
Power Adjustment
Cipher NOVA
None
PAX Plus
Stealth, Efficiency, Flavor, Boost modes
Choose Cipher NOVA if...
- You prefer a dual arc lighter (combustion, not vaporization) heating profile.
- Your usage leans toward budget sessions.
- You prefer Cipher NOVA's overall feature mix and form factor.
Typical price
$120
Sold by Daily High Club
Choose PAX Plus if...
- You prefer a conduction heating profile.
- Your usage leans toward conduction and concentrates sessions.
- You prefer PAX Plus's overall feature mix and form factor.
Lowest price
$159.95
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.
22 differ 1 shared
| Specification | Cipher NOVA | PAX Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Price (USD) | $120 | $125 |
| Device Type | Portable | Portable |
| Heating Type | Dual arc lighter (combustion, not vaporization) | Conduction |
| Heat Up Time | — | <30 seconds |
| Temperature Range | Not applicable, the arc ignites the load | 360°F - 420°F |
| Chamber Capacity | — | 0.25g - 0.5g |
| Battery Type | Internal | Internal 18650 |
| Battery Capacity | 1000mAh | 3300mAh (internal) |
| Battery Life | 100+ hits per charge at three seconds of arc per hit | 2+ hours |
| Charging | USB-C | Magnetic dock via USB, under ~120 minutes |
| Charge Time | About 1 hour | 2-3 hours |
| Dimensions | 130 x 20mm | 98mm x 31mm x 22mm |
| Weight | — | 91 grams |
| Power Adjustment | None | Stealth, Efficiency, Flavor, Boost modes |
| Chamber Material | High temperature glazed ceramic pods | Stainless Steel |
| Concentrate Support | — | Supports concentrate insert (Complete Kit) |
| Brand | Cipher | PAX Labs |
| Ambient Operating Range | 3.5-43°C (38-110°F) | — |
| Body Material | Stainless steel | — |
| Release Date | 2022 (V3 revision 2026) | 2022 |
| Session Style | On-Demand | Session |
| Warranty | 1 year | 10 years |
| Water Pipe Adapter | Optional accessory | — |
Comparison FAQs
What is the biggest difference between the Cipher NOVA and the PAX Plus?
The biggest practical difference is heating approach: Cipher NOVA runs dual arc lighter (combustion, not vaporization) while PAX Plus runs conduction. That changes flavor delivery, vapor density, and how the device responds to slow versus fast draws.
What's the difference in heating between the Cipher NOVA and the PAX Plus?
Cipher NOVA uses dual arc lighter (combustion, not vaporization) heating, while the PAX Plus 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 Plus?
Cipher NOVA is rated for 100+ hits per charge at three seconds of arc per hit, ahead of 2+ hours on the PAX Plus. Real-world battery life depends on how high you set the temperature and how long sessions run.
Which is cheaper, the Cipher NOVA or the PAX Plus?
Listed prices are close: $120 for the Cipher NOVA versus $125 for the PAX Plus. Day-to-day price will likely come down to whichever retailer is running a promotion.
Which charges faster, the Cipher NOVA or the PAX Plus?
Cipher NOVA fully charges in About 1 hour, ahead of 2-3 hours on the PAX Plus.
Which uses USB-C, the Cipher NOVA or the PAX Plus?
Cipher NOVA charges over USB-C; the PAX Plus uses a Magnetic dock via USB, under ~120 minutes port. USB-C means one fewer cable to keep around if your phone and laptop already use it.
Need a different matchup?
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