The Venty wins on our scores, 9.2 against 8.9 for the PAX 4. It makes denser, easier vapor, with adjustable airflow and 1°C temperature control. Pick the PAX 4 if you want a vape that vanishes in a front pocket, at $199 less at US list price.
Key differences
- Size: 125 g and 107.5 mm tall for the PAX 4, against 252 g and 157 mm for the Venty.
- Oven: both hold about 0.3 g of ground cannabis.
- Temperature: the PAX 4 has four heat modes named by intensity. The Venty sets 40°C to 210°C in 1°C steps.
- Heat-up: about 20 seconds for the Venty, 55 to 70 seconds for the PAX 4 (maker figures).
- Airflow: a fixed, tight PAX draw against a Venty dial that opens up to 20 L/min.
- Extras: both work with a water pipe through an adapter (PAX sells one for the FOUR that fits 14 mm and 18 mm joints). The Venty adds a web app and takes dosing capsules. The PAX 4 has neither.
- Battery: we averaged 11 sessions per charge on the Venty, and PAX rates the PAX 4 for up to 5. Both batteries are sealed, and neither runs while charging.
- Warranty: two years on both, plus a third when you register (within 30 days for PAX, four weeks for Storz & Bickel).
- Price: $250 against $449 at US list price.
Vapor and airflow
This is the Venty's biggest lead, 9.5 against 8.4. Its flowmeter reads your inhale and adjusts heater output to match. In our sessions, gentle sips and full lung pulls both gave visible, flavorful clouds with no change in technique. Turn the airflow dial wide open and there's almost no draw resistance. The two-level cooling unit keeps vapor cool through back-to-back sessions.
The PAX 4 is a sipper at its lower modes, with light vapor where terpenes come through cleanly. Modes 3 and 4 get noticeably denser, and PAX rates its new hybrid heater at up to 50% more vapor than earlier models. The draw stays fixed and fairly tight, which suits PAX's sipping style but not big lung hits. Load it with a medium-fine grind and a light tamp, not the tight pack older PAX models wanted. Our heating methods explainer covers how both hybrids work.
Size and pocketability
The PAX 4 scores 9.8 for portability against 8.8, the best mark in this comparison. Its anodized aluminum body measures 107.5 × 36 × 26.7 mm, and in a closed hand only the mouthpiece peeks out.
The Venty is heavier than most portables, though lighter than it looks. Its tapered body gives a natural grip, and the flat base lets it stand upright for loading. It fills a palm without overwhelming it, but for a front pocket the PAX 4 is the clear choice. Build quality is close, 9.3 for the Venty and 9.2 for the PAX 4.
Controls and ease of use
Both score 9.5 for ease of use, and neither needs an app for daily sessions. The PAX 4 runs on one button and a set of LED petals that show heat mode and battery. A haptic buzz says the oven is ready, and a shake shows the battery level mid-session.
The Venty uses a power button, plus and minus buttons and a small display. It glows orange while heating, turns green when ready and vibrates at both steps. A double-press adds a 15°C boost, and a second double-press adds 15°C more. The web app is optional, for boost settings, ECO charging and firmware updates.
Battery, charging and price
Battery is the Venty's second big lead. We averaged 11 sessions per charge on it at 199°C, about four minutes each. PAX rates the PAX 4 for up to 5 sessions or 50 minutes, so a full day out means carrying a charger.
A full USB-C charge takes the PAX 4 about 90 minutes. The Venty reaches about 80% in 40 minutes on a 27 W or stronger USB-C PD charger, and about 90 minutes to full. Neither battery is user-replaceable.
The Venty scores 8.5 for value against 8.0, even at $449. You pay more, but you get the vapor and airflow that lead our best portable vaporizers ranking. The PAX 4 sits third on that list, behind the Venty and the XMax V4 Pro.
Which should you buy?
- Front-pocket stealth: the PAX 4.
- PAX Plus owners upgrading: the PAX 4, with hybrid heating and USB-C charging.
- Best vapor with no technique: the Venty.
- Sharing with friends new to vaping: the Venty, whose airflow makes a good first hit easy.
- Dosing capsule fans: the Venty.
- All-day sessions away from a charger: the Venty, with more than twice the sessions per charge.
- A $250 ceiling: the PAX 4.
