Trippy 2 vs. X-MAX V4 Pro – which budget vaporizer wins in 2026?

Two vaporizers, both aimed at beginners. The Trippy 2 by High Labs and the X-MAX V4 Pro are currently two of the most interesting portable dry herb vaporizers under 100 EUR. The similarities pretty much end there. Different heating philosophies, a different approach to handling, different design priorities. Which one is the better pick for you? Let’s find out.

What will you learn from this article?

👉 How do the Trippy 2 and the X-MAX V4 Pro differ when it comes to the heating system?
👉 Which vaporizer delivers better vapour quality and extraction?
👉 How do they hold up in daily use – handling, battery, cleaning?
👉 Who will be happier with the Trippy 2, and who with the X-MAX V4 Pro?
👉 Which dry herb vaporizer at around 90 EUR is worth buying in 2026?

Table of contents:

Trippy 2 vs. X-MAX V4 Pro – two schools of vaporization

Before we get into the details, there is one fundamental difference between these devices that shapes the entire experience.

The Trippy 2 is a conduction vaporizer from High Labs – the herb is heated by direct contact with the hot walls of the ceramic chamber. The result: fast, intense extraction from the very first draw and very dense vapour right through to the end of the session. The trade-off: the herb keeps slowly heating up between draws, so a long pause leaves you “cooking” the material.

The X-MAX V4 Pro is a hybrid vaporizer with a clear convection bias from XVAPE – the herb is heated mainly by hot air passing through the chamber as you draw, and to a lesser degree by direct contact with the hot walls of the heating chamber. The result: full flavour (the Trippy 2 still does it better), less material wasted between draws (especially in on-demand mode) and more precise control. The trade-off: to get the most out of it you need long, deep draws.

This is not a case of better and worse – these are two philosophies, and each has its own following.

Technical specifications of the Trippy 2 and the X-MAX V4 Pro

Trippy 2 vs. X-MAX V4 Pro – heating system and vapour quality

This is the heart of every vaporizer and the biggest gap between these two models.

The Trippy 2 gives you intense, immediate vapour production from the first draw – there is no waiting for the device to get going. Conduction produces dense, rich vapour on relatively short draws, which many people find intuitive. The ceramic chamber keeps the flavour clean and free of stray notes, and the long glass vapour path (removable, running through the whole unit) reinforces that while cooling the vapour effectively, which makes inhaling far more comfortable.

The X-MAX V4 Pro needs longer, slower draws – aim for 10-15 seconds if you want the densest vapour. The glass mouthpiece with a built-in water adapter keeps plastic notes out of the picture, although it cools the vapour noticeably less than the long glass path of the Trippy.

An important note about the V4 Pro: the device actually runs at higher temperatures than the display suggests.

Verdict: if you want dense vapour from the first draw with no fuss, plus better flavour – the Trippy 2. If rich functionality is your priority – the X-MAX V4 Pro.

Trippy 2 vs. X-MAX V4 Pro – chamber capacity and session style

The difference here is substantial and it shows up in everyday use.

The Trippy 2 takes up to 0.25 g of herb (the sweet spot is around 0.2 g). That is a roomy chamber for a portable vaporizer in this class – sessions are intense and satisfying, especially for anyone coming over from smoking. If you prefer smaller doses, you can buy the larger glass chamber filler for the Trippy 2 – the optimal load then drops considerably and microdosing becomes realistic.

The X-MAX V4 Pro holds roughly 0.1-0.15 g. The smaller chamber combined with convection and on-demand mode is a deliberate design decision – the device is optimized for economical, precise use rather than for marathon sessions. On-demand mode lets you take a single draw and put the device away without burning through material.

Verdict: the Trippy 2 suits people who want full, intense sessions. The V4 Pro is for those who prefer controlled, frugal use. The glass chamber filler (sold separately) makes the Trippy 2 a solid pick for lighter doses too.

Operating modes and session control in the Trippy 2 and the X-MAX V4 Pro

Two operating modes are one of the key strengths of the X-MAX V4 Pro, and the Trippy 2 simply does not have them.

The X-MAX V4 Pro gives you two fully fledged operating modes:

• Session mode – the device holds the temperature for 4 or 6 minutes without holding the button, with the heater running the whole time. A bigger share of conduction heating. Ideal for a slow, unhurried session.
• On-demand mode – the heater only runs while you hold the button down (max. 30 seconds). Maximum savings on herb and battery, full control over every draw, minimal conduction heating. Excellent for quick, single draws during the day.

Being able to switch between modes on the fly is worth a lot day to day – one precise draw in on-demand mode in the morning, a full session in session mode in the evening.

The Trippy 2 works in session mode only, with an automatic shut-off after 7 minutes. Simple, predictable, no configuration.

Verdict: if flexibility and control matter to you – the X-MAX V4 Pro wins clearly. If you would rather press a button and stop thinking about it – the Trippy 2 is enough.

Trippy 2 vs. X-MAX V4 Pro – temperature control

Another area where the two models are fundamentally different.

The Trippy 2 offers 5 carefully chosen presets: 160, 175, 190, 205 and 220°C (320, 347, 374, 401 and 428°F). The new temperature spread in the second generation is clearly thought through – the lower settings are tuned for flavour, the higher ones for efficient extraction. For most people five presets are plenty and they keep the device easy to operate.

The X-MAX V4 Pro gives you full control in 1°C steps across 100-220°C (212-428°F). For anyone who knows what they want and enjoys experimenting with exact settings (say 178°C / 352°F for one particular strain), that is an advantage the Trippy cannot match. Keep in mind, though, that the real working temperature differs from the one shown on the screen. So you get precise control in single-degree steps instead of presets, yet it is the Trippy with its predefined settings that ends up being more accurate.

Verdict: users who prefer single-degree adjustment and can live with the inaccurate readout will be well served by the X-MAX V4 Pro. If you prefer accurate presets and simplicity – the Trippy 2.

Trippy 2 vs. X-MAX V4 Pro – battery and charging

Both devices carry a battery of around 2600 mAh, but the thinking behind them is completely different.

The Trippy 2 has a built-in battery. Runtime is an impressive ~80 minutes (about 12 sessions), well beyond most of the competition. Charging takes just 90 minutes (80% in an hour), a real step up from the first generation.

The X-MAX V4 Pro uses a removable 18650 battery. Runtime is ~6-8 sessions, but a spare cell in your pocket means practically unlimited use. Bear in mind that the extra cell is a separate purchase – only one comes in the box. Swapping takes a few seconds. Charging takes ~1-1.5 h.

These are two different answers to the same problem. The built-in battery of the Trippy 2 is more convenient day to day – one charge in the evening and you are covered for the whole next day. The removable battery in the V4 Pro gives you unlimited flexibility, which is especially valuable with heavy use or out in the field with no charger around.

One difference matters in the long run: replacing the cell in the V4 Pro after 2-3 years of use costs around 10 EUR. Replacing the built-in battery in the Trippy 2 means a trip to a service centre.

Verdict: the Trippy 2 has the better battery life, so you will get through more sessions before you need to plug it in. The X-MAX V4 Pro lets you swap the cell instead – though you have to buy the spare batteries if you want to use that option, and that is another expense.

Trippy 2 vs. X-MAX V4 Pro – ease of use

The Trippy 2 is simplicity itself: two buttons, five temperature levels, a vibration once the temperature is reached. If you have never held a vaporizer before, learning it takes about a minute. No setup, no screens, no decisions to make before a session.

The X-MAX V4 Pro packs in more: a colour OLED screen, two operating modes, temperature control in 1°C steps, an airflow slider. Every one of those features is worth having, but each takes a moment to get familiar with. For someone with vaporizer experience that is a plus. An absolute beginner may need a while to land on their optimal settings.

Verdict: the Trippy 2 is remarkably easy to operate and anyone will get along with it – switch it on, pick one of the 5 modes, and the rest happens by itself. The X-MAX V4 Pro asks you to get used to the fact that the temperature you set is not the temperature the device actually runs at.

Trippy 2 vs. X-MAX V4 Pro – design, build and portability

Both vaporizers are discreet and compact, but they have different characters.

The Trippy 2 has a stainless steel body, takes styling cues from the PAX series and comes in four colour variants (Classic Black since launch; Green Obsession, Storm Blue Steel and Deep Graphite since May 2026). It measures 36 × 24 × 123 mm and weighs 121 g. The removable glass vapour path running through the entire device is a rarity at this price. It cools effectively and keeps the flavour clean, and on top of that cleaning is extremely quick and simple.

The X-MAX V4 Pro has a slim, pen-like shape with a matte aluminium finish – 2.7 × 2.4 × 15.8 cm, 130 g. It is slightly lighter. The screw-on battery cap and the side USB-C port (charging while it stands upright) are well-judged details. The colour OLED display stays readable even in bright sunlight.

Verdict: both devices are discreet and well made. The X-MAX V4 Pro is a touch lighter, the Trippy 2 offers more colour options. Worth remembering that the Trippy 2 draws less attention and is the tougher of the two.

Trippy 2 vs. X-MAX V4 Pro – water filtration

Here the V4 Pro has a clear advantage in terms of what comes in the box. In actual use with a bong, though, the Trippy 2 performs better.

The X-MAX V4 Pro ships with a glass mouthpiece featuring a built-in 14.5/18.8 mm water pipe adapter as standard – drop the mouthpiece into your bong and you are done. Nothing extra to buy. Paired with a bong the V4 Pro does very well. The clouds are dense and genuinely large, and you gain the effective cooling that is missing without water. Keep in mind, though, that the X-MAX V4 Pro sometimes heats the herb unevenly. That effect can be even more noticeable with a bong. Dosing capsules help to smooth it out. On top of that the first cloud is usually smaller, because the herb still has to be heated by the air flowing through it.

The Trippy 2 has no water pipe adapter in the box – you have to buy one separately. This vaporizer also comes into its own once you connect it to a bong. You get dense, sizeable clouds from the very first draw. Extraction is genuinely fast and even, with no hot spots.

Verdict: fans of water filtration have a reason to look at either vaporizer. With the Trippy 2 you do have to buy the extra accessory, since it is not included – in exchange you get even extraction and dense clouds from the first draw. With the X-MAX V4 Pro, factor in the uneven heating and the smaller first cloud, since the herb has to be warmed up by the hot air passing through it.

Trippy 2 vs. X-MAX V4 Pro – cleaning and maintenance

The Trippy 2 wins on convenience here: the removable glass vapour path is one of its biggest assets. Pull it out in a couple of seconds, soak it in isopropyl alcohol, rinse it and you are done. A clean vapour path means fresh flavour for almost no effort.

The X-MAX V4 Pro has a glass mouthpiece that comes apart into five pieces – cleaning is straightforward, but the mouthpiece needs attention more often under heavy use. The chamber gets a brush after every session, standard procedure.

Verdict: the Trippy 2 is the more convenient one to clean, and the process is faster and easier than on the X-MAX V4 Pro.

Trippy 2 or X-MAX V4 Pro – which one for whom?

The Trippy 2 is the better choice if:

• You are starting out with vaporization and want maximum simplicity
• You are switching from smoking and need a roomy chamber for intense, satisfying sessions
• You want long runtime on a single charge without buying extra batteries and dealing with carrying and swapping them safely
• You like dense, intense vapour from the first draw
• Easy cleaning is a priority for you
• You are after great vapour flavour – the ceramic-coated chamber and the glass vapour path make it a brilliant pick for connoisseurs too
• You already vaporize and want a second device purely for going out – efficient, quick and discreet

The X-MAX V4 Pro is the better choice if:

• You are looking for your first vaporizer – it suits beginners with a low tolerance in particular
• You want full control: on-demand mode, session mode, 1°C steps, airflow slider
• You use a water pipe – the water pipe adapter in the box is a real saving
• You vaporize very often and want a removable battery
• You prefer smaller, precise doses

Summary – which one to choose?

If you can only buy one dry herb vaporizer under 100 EUR and you are new to vaporization, the Trippy 2 is the safer bet. Simpler, more intuitive, with a roomy chamber and impressive battery life. It delivers satisfying results without asking you to learn anything about the device first. Vapour quality is excellent, the chamber is generous, extraction is even, and the whole thing stays very discreet.

If versatility, precision and full control over the session are what you want, the X-MAX V4 Pro brings a feature set the Trippy 2 simply does not have: on-demand mode, three-stage airflow, full temperature control and a water pipe adapter in the box. This model does lose ground on vapour quality, extraction efficiency, and on how easy it is to use and clean. There are also the drawbacks worth weighing up: the uneven heating and the gap between the temperature on the display and the real one.

Neither of these choices is a bad one. Both devices are excellent in their price bracket, they just play different games. You know your priorities, so you know the answer.