Price (USD)
XMAX Starry 4 edgePuffco Proxy
$280
XMAX Starry 4
$99
XMAX Starry 4 is typically around $181 lower.
Vaporizer Comparison
Puffco Proxy vs XMAX Starry 4
Side-by-side specs, pricing context, and clear decision guidance.
Puffco Proxy
Puffco $280
VS
XMAX Starry 4
XMAX from $99
Editorial Summary
Puffco Proxy 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 $181 below Puffco Proxy. XMAX Starry 4 has the quicker listed heat-up profile, which can matter for shorter sessions.
Specs Compared
29
Different Specs
23
Shared Specs
6
Overall Overlap
21%
Shared Traits
Portable Conduction Electronic
Head-to-Head Highlights
A quick snapshot of the specs people usually care about first.
Heat-Up Time
XMAX Starry 4 edgePuffco Proxy
~25 seconds
XMAX Starry 4
~15 seconds
XMAX Starry 4 has the quicker listed heat-up profile.
Weight
Puffco Proxy edgePuffco Proxy
77 grams with the stock glass pipe
XMAX Starry 4
~137g
Puffco Proxy is the lighter listed unit.
Heating Style
Close callPuffco Proxy
Conduction (3D Chamber, heated ceramic side walls)
XMAX Starry 4
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)
Puffco Proxy
$280
XMAX Starry 4
$99
Heating Type
Puffco Proxy
Conduction (3D Chamber, heated ceramic side walls)
XMAX Starry 4
Conduction
Heat Up Time
Puffco Proxy
~25 seconds
XMAX Starry 4
~15 seconds
Temperature Range
Puffco Proxy
254-285°C (490-545°F) across four presets, custom values in the Connect app
XMAX Starry 4
100℃-240℃ (212℉-464℉)
Battery Type
Puffco Proxy
Internal, sealed
XMAX Starry 4
18650
Battery Life
Puffco Proxy
~15 dabs per charge
XMAX Starry 4
~60 minutes
Charge Time
Puffco Proxy
~2 hours
XMAX Starry 4
~3 hours
Pass-Through Charging
Puffco Proxy
Yes
XMAX Starry 4
No
Dimensions
Puffco Proxy
140 x 75 x 35mm with the stock glass pipe
XMAX Starry 4
115.9 x 37.5 x 24mm
Weight
Puffco Proxy
77 grams with the stock glass pipe
XMAX Starry 4
~137g
Choose Puffco Proxy if...
- You want the lighter unit for carrying and travel.
- You prefer a conduction (3d chamber, heated ceramic side walls) heating profile.
- Your usage leans toward concentrates and ceramic chamber sessions.
Typical price
$280
Sold by The Stash Shack
Choose XMAX Starry 4 if...
- You want the lower listed entry price ($99 vs $280).
- You care about faster heat-up time for quicker sessions.
- You prefer a conduction heating profile.
- Your usage leans toward budget and battery swap sessions.
Lowest price
$99
at The Stash Shack
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.
23 differ 6 shared
| Specification | Puffco Proxy | XMAX Starry 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Price (USD) | $280 | $99 |
| Device Type | Portable | Portable |
| Heating Type | Conduction (3D Chamber, heated ceramic side walls) | Conduction |
| Heat Up Time | ~25 seconds | ~15 seconds |
| Temperature Range | 254-285°C (490-545°F) across four presets, custom values in the Connect app | 100℃-240℃ (212℉-464℉) |
| Chamber Capacity | — | 0.4g |
| Battery Type | Internal, sealed | 18650 |
| Battery Capacity | — | 2550mAh |
| Battery Life | ~15 dabs per charge | ~60 minutes |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Charge Time | ~2 hours | ~3 hours |
| Pass-Through Charging | Yes | No |
| Dimensions | 140 x 75 x 35mm with the stock glass pipe | 115.9 x 37.5 x 24mm |
| Weight | 77 grams with the stock glass pipe | ~137g |
| Power Adjustment | Four presets plus custom profiles in the app | Digital (precise) |
| Chamber Material | Ceramic | Ceramic |
| Concentrate Support | Yes (a separate Flower Bowl accessory is sold for dry herb) | — |
| Brand | Puffco | XMAX |
| Adjustable Airflow | Joystick Cap steers airflow, no airflow dial | Yes |
| App Control | Yes, Puffco Connect over Bluetooth | — |
| Country of Manufacture | China | China |
| Display Type | LED light bar (dimmable, customisable in the app) | OLED |
| Haptic Feedback | Yes | Yes |
| Heat Cycle Duration | 40 seconds default, up to 2 minutes in the app, Boost adds heat and time | — |
| Manufacturer | Puffco | TopGreen Technology Co |
| Release Date | 2022 (current Bluetooth version from 2025) | 2023 |
| Replaceable Battery | — | Yes |
| Session Style | Session | Session |
| Warranty | 2 years on the base, 6 months on the chamber | 1 year |
Comparison FAQs
What is the biggest difference between the Puffco Proxy and the XMAX Starry 4?
The biggest practical difference is price tier: the XMAX Starry 4 sits at $99 while the Puffco Proxy is $280, a gap of about $181 that puts them in different buying brackets.
Which is cheaper, the Puffco Proxy or the XMAX Starry 4?
XMAX Starry 4 is the cheaper option at $99 compared with $280 for the Puffco Proxy, about $181 less. Live retailer pricing can shift, so confirm before buying.
Which heats up faster, the Puffco Proxy or the XMAX Starry 4?
XMAX Starry 4 reaches session-ready temperature in ~15 seconds, while the Puffco Proxy takes ~25 seconds. That's roughly 10 seconds quicker on the XMAX Starry 4, which is useful if you want shorter, on-demand sessions.
What's the difference in heating between the Puffco Proxy and the XMAX Starry 4?
Puffco Proxy uses conduction (3d chamber, heated ceramic side walls) heating, while the XMAX Starry 4 uses conduction. Heating style influences flavor profile, vapor density, and how forgiving the device is to draw technique.
Which is lighter, the Puffco Proxy or the XMAX Starry 4?
Puffco Proxy is the lighter unit at 77 grams with the stock glass pipe, around 60g less than the XMAX Starry 4 at ~137g. The lighter device is easier to carry and pocket day-to-day.
Can I use the Puffco Proxy while charging?
Yes, only the Puffco Proxy supports pass-through charging. The XMAX Starry 4 has to finish charging before you can use it.
Can I swap the batteries on the Puffco Proxy or the XMAX Starry 4?
XMAX Starry 4 uses 18650, so you can carry spares for back-to-back days. The Puffco Proxy has a built-in battery you can't swap on the go.
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