Price (USD)
XMAX Starry 4 edgePAX 3
$250
XMAX Starry 4
$99
XMAX Starry 4 is typically around $151 lower.
Vaporizer Comparison
PAX 3 vs XMAX Starry 4
Side-by-side specs, pricing context, and clear decision guidance.
PAX 3
PAX Labs $250
VS
XMAX Starry 4
XMAX $99
Editorial Summary
PAX 3 and XMAX Starry 4 are both portable / conduction vaporizers, but they target different priorities. XMAX Starry 4 is usually the lower-cost pick at $99, around $151 below PAX 3. XMAX Starry 4 has the quicker listed heat-up profile, which can matter for shorter sessions.
Specs Compared
28
Different Specs
25
Shared Specs
3
Overall Overlap
11%
Shared Traits
Portable Conduction Discrete Electronic
Head-to-Head Highlights
A quick snapshot of the specs people usually care about first.
Heat-Up Time
XMAX Starry 4 edgePAX 3
<30 seconds
XMAX Starry 4
~15 seconds
XMAX Starry 4 has the quicker listed heat-up profile.
Weight
PAX 3 edgePAX 3
~93 grams
XMAX Starry 4
~137g
PAX 3 is the lighter listed unit.
Heating Style
Close callPAX 3
Conduction
XMAX Starry 4
Conduction
Both devices use a similar heating approach.
Key Differences at a Glance
Top specs where these two devices diverge.
Price (USD)
PAX 3
$250
XMAX Starry 4
$99
Heat Up Time
PAX 3
<30 seconds
XMAX Starry 4
~15 seconds
Temperature Range
PAX 3
182°C - 215°C (260°F - 420°F)
XMAX Starry 4
100℃-240℃ (212℉-464℉)
Chamber Capacity
PAX 3
<0.35 grams
XMAX Starry 4
0.4g
Battery Type
PAX 3
Internal 18650
XMAX Starry 4
18650
Battery Capacity
PAX 3
3500mAh
XMAX Starry 4
2550mAh
Battery Life
PAX 3
~90 minutes
XMAX Starry 4
~60 minutes
Charging
PAX 3
Proprietary Dock
XMAX Starry 4
USB-C
Dimensions
PAX 3
98mm x 31mm x 22mm
XMAX Starry 4
115.9 x 37.5 x 24mm
Weight
PAX 3
~93 grams
XMAX Starry 4
~137g
Choose PAX 3 if...
- You want the lighter unit for carrying and travel.
- Your usage leans toward concentrates sessions.
- You prefer PAX 3's overall feature mix and form factor.
Choose XMAX Starry 4 if...
- You want the lower listed entry price ($99 vs $250).
- You care about faster heat-up time for quicker sessions.
- Your usage leans toward budget and battery swap sessions.
Spec Comparison Table
Direct comparison of every spec from each device profile.
25 differ 3 shared
| Specification | PAX 3 | XMAX Starry 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Price (USD) | $250 | $99 |
| Device Type | Portable | Portable |
| Heating Type | Conduction | Conduction |
| Heat Up Time | <30 seconds | ~15 seconds |
| Temperature Range | 182°C - 215°C (260°F - 420°F) | 100℃-240℃ (212℉-464℉) |
| Chamber Capacity | <0.35 grams | 0.4g |
| Battery Type | Internal 18650 | 18650 |
| Battery Capacity | 3500mAh | 2550mAh |
| Battery Life | ~90 minutes | ~60 minutes |
| Charging | Proprietary Dock | USB-C |
| Charge Time | ~90 minutes | ~90 minutes |
| Pass-Through Charging | — | Yes |
| Bluetooth / App | Yes | — |
| Dimensions | 98mm x 31mm x 22mm | 115.9 x 37.5 x 24mm |
| Weight | ~93 grams | ~137g |
| Power Adjustment | Modular - 4 stages | Digital (precise) |
| Chamber Material | Stainless Steel | Ceramic |
| Concentrate Support | Yes | — |
| Brand | PAX Labs | XMAX |
| Adjustable Airflow | — | Yes |
| Country of Manufacture | — | China |
| Display Type | — | OLED |
| Haptic Feedback | — | Yes |
| Manufacturer | — | TopGreen Technology Co |
| Release Date | 2016 | 2023 |
| Replaceable Battery | — | Yes |
| Session Style | — | Session |
| Warranty | 10 years | 1 year |
Comparison FAQs
What is the biggest difference between the PAX 3 and the XMAX Starry 4?
The biggest practical difference is price tier: the XMAX Starry 4 sits at $99 while the PAX 3 is $250, a gap of about $151 that puts them in different buying brackets.
Which is cheaper, the PAX 3 or the XMAX Starry 4?
XMAX Starry 4 is the cheaper option at $99 compared with $250 for the PAX 3, about $151 less. Live retailer pricing can shift, so confirm before buying.
Which heats up faster, the PAX 3 or the XMAX Starry 4?
XMAX Starry 4 reaches session-ready temperature in ~15 seconds, while the PAX 3 takes <30 seconds. That's roughly 15 seconds quicker on the XMAX Starry 4, which is useful if you want shorter, on-demand sessions.
Does the PAX 3 or the XMAX Starry 4 hold more flower?
XMAX Starry 4 has the larger chamber at 0.4g, versus <0.35 grams on the PAX 3. A bigger bowl means fewer reloads on long sessions; a smaller one suits microdosing and quicker bowls.
Which is lighter, the PAX 3 or the XMAX Starry 4?
PAX 3 is the lighter unit at ~93 grams, around 44g less than the XMAX Starry 4 at ~137g. The lighter device is easier to carry and pocket day-to-day.
Which has better battery life, the PAX 3 or the XMAX Starry 4?
PAX 3 is rated for ~90 minutes, ahead of ~60 minutes on the XMAX Starry 4. Real-world battery life depends on how high you set the temperature and how long sessions run.
Can I swap the batteries on the PAX 3 or the XMAX Starry 4?
XMAX Starry 4 uses 18650, so you can carry spares for back-to-back days. The PAX 3 has a built-in battery you can't swap on the go.
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