XMAX V3 Pro vs V4 Pro: Which budget vaporizer is worth it?

Prices are tracked daily across more than 100 shops. Last checked: April 2026.

In short: Since 2022, the XMAX V3 Pro has been the standard recommendation in the budget segment, rated 9/10 by VaporizerWizard and a staple of almost every beginner’s guide. The V4 Pro arrived in mid-2025 with pure convection heating, 3-stage adjustable airflow and an on-demand mode. But does the upgrade justify the price difference? We tested both directly side by side and compared vapor quality, battery life, day-to-day usability and value for money.

Who makes these devices?

XMAX is made by TopGreen, a Shenzhen-based company that has been producing vaporizers since 2009. The V3 Pro established their reputation in the budget segment from €55, while the V4 Pro introduced premium features such as pure convection and adjustable airflow at prices below €100.

XMAX is a brand of TopGreen, a manufacturer from Shenzhen that has been producing vaporizers since 2009. The company built its reputation in the affordable segment, and the V3 Pro cemented that position. Planet of the Vapes calls it “small, punchy, and affordable with great battery life”, which neatly sums up why it appears on nearly every recommendation list for beginners.

The V4 Pro marks TopGreen’s move into a more premium segment. It keeps the price-conscious DNA, but adds features you would normally find on devices costing twice as much: full convection, adjustable airflow and two operating modes.

How do the differences look on paper?

The technical specifications table tells only part of the story, but it is a good place to start. We track prices for the V3 Pro at 80 shops and for the V4 Pro at 37 shops, updated daily.

Which heats better: hybrid or pure convection?

The V4 Pro’s pure convection preserves terpenes noticeably better below 190 °C, because the material is heated only while inhaling. The V3 Pro’s hybrid system produces visible vapor from the very first draw regardless of technique, making it more beginner-friendly. The trade-off: convection requires slower, stronger draws for optimal results.

This is the core difference, and it changes how each device feels in everyday use. The V3 Pro’s hybrid system heats the material simultaneously through contact heat (conduction) and hot air (convection). You get visible vapor from the very first draw, and even slow, gentle pulls still produce decent clouds. It is forgiving.

The V4 Pro takes a different approach. Hot air flows through the material only when you inhale, so nothing keeps cooking between draws. What does that mean in practice? Less waste, more intense aroma and terpene preservation you can genuinely taste. The difference is clearest below 190 °C, where the V3 Pro’s conduction element can mute delicate flavours.

There is a trade-off, though. The V4 Pro needs firmer, slower draws to deliver the best result. That is not difficult once you get the hang of it, but the V3 Pro is more of a grab-and-go device. If you have never used a vaporizer before, the V3 Pro does not punish you for poor technique.

How good is the V4 Pro’s adjustable airflow?

The V4 Pro’s 3-stage airflow slider offers open, medium and restrictive settings — a feature you would normally find on premium devices such as the Tinymight 2 or Venty, not on portable devices under €100. The V3 Pro has fixed airflow, giving users less control over draw resistance and vapor density.

This is a feature the V3 Pro simply does not have, and it is more important than the spec sheet suggests. The V4 Pro has a physical slider above the USB-C port with three positions: fully open, medium and restrictive.

Why does that matter? Fully open airflow produces bigger clouds with less resistance. More restrictive airflow concentrates the vapor for denser, more flavourful draws. Medium sits in between. Most convection devices in this price range have fixed airflow, so the ability to fine-tune draw resistance is unusual. This is the kind of feature you would expect more from a Tinymight or Venty than from a device under €100.

The V3 Pro has fixed airflow, which works well, but gives you less control over the experience. If an adjustable draw character matters to you, the V4 Pro has a clear advantage here.

How long does the battery last?

Both the V3 Pro (2600 mAh) and the V4 Pro (2550 mAh) use replaceable 18650 batteries and deliver 6–10 chambers per charge. A spare cell costs under €10 and instantly doubles runtime — a major advantage over alternatives with built-in batteries such as the Mighty+ at 235 g.

Both use replaceable 18650 batteries: 2600 mAh in the V3 Pro, 2550 mAh in the V4 Pro. In practice, you can expect 6 to 10 chambers per charge, depending on temperature and draw style. For most people, that is enough for a full day.

The real advantage here is not the capacity, but the replaceability. An extra 18650 cell costs under €10 and instantly doubles your runtime. Both devices also support passthrough charging, so you can use them while plugged in. Compare that with devices with built-in batteries such as the Mighty+ (235 g, no battery swap), and the advantage is obvious.

Do dosing capsules make the V3 Pro more portable?

The V3 Pro supports pre-filled stainless steel dosing capsules for clean portable use — a feature the V4 Pro currently lacks (as of April 2026). In return, the V4 Pro’s convection chamber stays cleaner by design, because the walls are not heated directly, which reduces upkeep between sessions.

If you use your vaporizer on the go, this could be the deciding factor. The V3 Pro works with dosing capsules: small stainless steel containers that you pre-fill at home and swap in seconds. Fill a few, throw them into a small case, and you are set for the day without having to carry loose herb.

The V4 Pro currently has no dosing capsule solution. Its convection chamber has a different geometry that existing capsules do not fit. You need to fill the chamber directly every time and brush it out every 3 to 5 sessions.

On the other hand, the V4 Pro’s convection chamber stays cleaner by design. Because the walls are not heated directly, less residue sticks to them. So while you lose the convenience of capsules, upkeep between deep cleans is easier.

For microdosers and commuters, the V3 Pro’s capsule system is a real advantage. For home users who do not mind filling a chamber, it matters less.

How good is the build quality in this price range?

Both devices use anodised aluminium housings with zirconia ceramic chambers and therefore exceed the typical build quality below €100. The V4 Pro adds a fully isolated air path (ceramic and glass only) and weighs just 107 g — 13 g less than the V3 Pro. Its glass mouthpiece also serves as a 14mm water pipe adapter.

Both use anodised aluminium housings with zirconia ceramic chambers. The build quality is above what you would expect under €100. The V3 Pro feels solid for a device that has been refined since 2022. The V4 Pro’s construction, however, brings some notable upgrades.

The V4 Pro’s air path is fully isolated from the electronics, which means you inhale only through ceramic and glass. Its glass mouthpiece also works as a 14mm water pipe adapter straight out of the box, so no extra accessory is needed. With the V3 Pro, you need a separate WPA adapter (typically €10 to €15).

At 107 g, the V4 Pro is also lighter than the V3 Pro’s 120 g, which surprised us. Both are pocket-friendly, but the V4 Pro disappears into a jacket pocket more easily.

Which works better with a bong?

The V4 Pro’s glass mouthpiece fits directly onto 14mm joints, with no extra adapter at all. Combined with pure convection and water cooling, it delivers exceptionally smooth draws. The V3 Pro requires a separate WPA adapter (€10–15) and carries a little more conduction flavour over water.

Both are compatible, but the V4 Pro has the edge here. Its glass mouthpiece fits directly onto 14mm joints, with no extra adapter at all. Pure convection plus water cooling makes for exceptionally smooth draws with full flavour retention.

The V3 Pro needs a separate adapter, and because of the hybrid heating you still get a bit more conduction flavour even over water. Still decent, but the V4 Pro on a small bubbler is in a different league. If bong use is a priority for you, the V4 Pro is the clear winner.

What do prices look like at the moment?

We track both devices daily across hundreds of shops worldwide. The V3 Pro is currently available from €55 in 80 shops. The V4 Pro starts at €68 in 37 shops.

The price gap between the two has narrowed since the V4 Pro came onto the market. In our live price comparison, you will find the current best prices for the V3 Pro and the V4 Pro.

What about the accessories ecosystem?

The V3 Pro has been on the market since 2022, and it shows. Glass stems, WPA adapters, third-party capsules, carry cases: brands such as 420VAPE and DynaBox make accessories specifically for it. You can customise the V3 Pro in ways the V4 Pro currently still cannot match.

The aftermarket scene for the V4 Pro is still developing. The integrated WPA and adjustable airflow reduce the need for some accessories, but if you want a complete ecosystem from day one, the V3 Pro has the edge.

Both devices have active user communities. Temperature tips, cleaning guides and mods are easy to find on Reddit in r/vaporents, in FC forums and in specialist vaporizer communities.

The verdict: which one should you buy?

Choose the V3 Pro (from €55) for affordable portable use with dosing capsules and forgiving hybrid heating. Choose the V4 Pro (from €68) for better flavour, adjustable airflow, integrated WPA and on-demand convection that performs far above its price class.

The V3 Pro is the right choice if you want to spend as little as possible, need dosing capsules for use on the go or prefer a device that delivers good vapor even with loose, light draws. It is the safer choice for first-time vaporizer buyers.

The V4 Pro makes more sense if flavour matters most to you, if you want to fine-tune your draws with adjustable airflow or if you plan to use a bong. The on-demand mode and isolated air path are features that sit far above this price range.

Both are outstanding for the money. The V3 Pro remains the budget king for good reason. But as the price gap narrows, the V4 Pro’s convection upgrade is harder to ignore than it used to be.

Related: Take a look at the comparison between the V3 Pro and the DynaVap M7: DynaVap M7 vs XMAX V3 Pro | Looking for more options? Full price comparison

FAQ

Is the V4 Pro a direct replacement for the V3 Pro?

Not quite. XMAX sells both in parallel. The V4 Pro is positioned as the premium convection option, while the V3 Pro remains the affordable hybrid alternative. They prioritise different things rather than replacing one another.

Can I use my V3 Pro batteries in the V4 Pro?

Yes. Both use standard 18650 cells. Any battery that fits the V3 Pro also works in the V4 Pro, and vice versa.

Which produces denser clouds?

At the same temperature, the V3 Pro tends to produce slightly denser visible vapor because the hybrid system heats the material from all sides. The V4 Pro delivers cleaner, more flavourful vapor with slightly less visible density. Through a bong, the difference is negligible.

Are there dosing capsules for the V4 Pro?

As of April 2026, there are no official dosing capsules for the V4 Pro. The convection chamber has a different geometry from the V3 Pro. XMAX has not announced any plans for V4 Pro capsules so far either.

Which is better for absolute beginners?

The V3 Pro. Its hybrid heating produces good vapor even with slow, light draws. The V4 Pro’s convection works best with firmer, slower inhalations. That is not hard to learn, but the V3 Pro is more forgiving from day one.

Does the V4 Pro have app control?

No. Neither the V3 Pro nor the V4 Pro has app connectivity. Both use a simple OLED display and one-button controls for temperature adjustment.