30-Second Verdict
The Arizer Solo 2 MAX wins — 8.8 to 8.3 — on flavour, battery, ease and cleaning. The XMAX V4 Pro wins on portability and value, and it's the one that goes in your jeans pocket. They're two of our best sellers and, less obviously, both convection-led. One pours its flavour through all-glass stems at home for 14–16 bowls a charge. The other goes out with you, runs on a swappable 18650 and doubles as a water-pipe adapter — but it wants you to learn the draw.
Arizer Solo 2 MAX: 8.8/10
XMAX V4 Pro: 8.3/10
Buy the Solo 2 MAX if:
- Your vaping mostly happens at home, in sit-down sessions
- You want glass-path flavour with no technique: load, heat, inhale
- Battery life matters: 14–16 bowls per charge, with pass-through
- Cleaning should take thirty seconds, not a Sunday afternoon
Buy the V4 Pro if:
- You want a genuine jeans-pocket vape: about 130g and 110mm
- You want on-demand as well as session mode, and an 11-second heat-up
- You use a water piece: the magnetic glass mouthpiece is a 14mm/18mm adapter out of the box
- You want a removable 18650 you can swap for years — and the lowest price of the two
Quick Specs Face-Off:
| Solo 2 MAX | XMAX V4 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Heating | Convection-led (its review calls it pure convection) | Pure convection |
| Modes | Session only | Session + on-demand |
| Heat-up | ~30 seconds | ~11 seconds |
| Vapour path | All-glass stems | Ceramic chamber, magnetic glass mouthpiece |
| Battery | Sealed, 14–16 bowls, pass-through | Removable 18650, 6–8 bowls, pass-through |
| Charging | USB-C, ~3 hrs | USB-C, ~2 hrs |
| Water pipe | Works with Arizer glass; auto-inverting display | Mouthpiece is a 14mm/18mm WPA |
| Size / weight | 113mm, 210g | 110 × 32 × 25mm, ~130g |
| Price | Check current price | Check current price |
The Hook
Every old boy at my local had a decanter at home and a hip flask in his coat, and not one of them thought the two were competing.
The decanter lived on the sideboard. Heavy crystal, generous pour, and it made whatever was in it look and taste its best. It never left the house. It didn't need to: when you sat down with it, you were settled in for the evening. You didn't need any skill to use it. You just poured.
The hip flask went everywhere — the football, the allotment, weddings where the bar was a bit far away. It was small, tough and cheap enough not to worry about. Pour badly from a hip flask and you'd spill it down your coat, so there was a knack to it. But it was there when you needed it, and the decanter never was.
The Solo 2 MAX is the decanter. The XMAX V4 Pro is the hip flask.
I called the Solo 2 MAX "the Greggs that got a coffee machine" and the V4 Pro "the sourdough starter kit" in their reviews. Both still stand. But these two are best sellers for completely different reasons, and the sideboard and the coat pocket is the clearest way I know to show which one belongs in your life.
We stock both at HerbVape.co.uk — details and pricing below.
Vapour Quality
Winner: Solo 2 MAX — 9.0/10 against 8.5/10.
Here's the surprise: both are convection-led — the Solo 2 MAX review calls its heater pure convection, and the V4 Pro is pure convection by design. Neither cooks the bottom of the bowl while the top waits its turn, and both have that clean, first-draw terpene clarity that conduction devices can't reach.
The difference is the path and the effort. The Solo 2 MAX sends vapour through an all-glass borosilicate stem — nothing added, nothing taken away — and it asks nothing of you. Load, heat, inhale; slow, long draws, "milkshake through a straw." Its review's highest praise was consistency: session after session, month after month, no technique required.
The V4 Pro runs hot air through a ceramic chamber and out through a magnetic glass mouthpiece. When you draw it properly — slow, firm, 6–8 seconds — its flavour competes with devices costing three times as much. When you don't, you get thin, harsh vapour. It also gets harsh above 200°C through the bare mouthpiece, which is why its mouthpiece is shaped to go straight into a water piece.
At their best, both taste excellent. The Solo 2 MAX is at its best every time.
The Strain Test, Side by Side
Same jars, same grinder, same weights logged, stems and mouthpieces cleaned between strains. Both devices ran the full two-strain protocol in their reviews.
Jack Herer is where the two convection heaters sound closest. The V4 Pro took 0.15g with 2–3mm headroom on Stage-1 airflow, with slow 7–8 second draws. Draw one at 180°C was almost embarrassingly bright — pine and lemon peel with the menthol edge sitting on top — and draws two and three held the citrus. At 195°C the pine stepped back behind the pepper, and the top stage went through a bubbler, because the bare mouthpiece at 205°C is harsh. Eight draws in eleven minutes. The Solo 2 MAX ran fourteen draws over about fourteen minutes, with Jack arriving in the order it was written: pine, lemon, pepper, wood, earth. The glass gave the fragile top end a fair hearing all the way through, and the cost was body — it's a thin, precise vapour. The V4 Pro's first three draws are as good as anything at the money; the Solo 2 MAX's fourteen draws are consistently good, with no bubbler and no technique.
Wedding Cake splits them on temperament. The V4 Pro (0.15g, Stage-2 airflow) delivered vanilla, cream and dough as three separate things at 180°C, then butter and pepper at 195°C — and it bit me when I pulled one draw too hard, leaving a scorched edge that took a draw to clear. The Solo 2 MAX was "defined rather than luxurious": vanilla, butter, dough and pepper separated better than anything else at its price, just a little thinner than a cooling-unit device would give you. Both kept the two strains distinct at the top stage.
The call: these two are closer on flavour than their prices and reputations suggest. The Solo 2 MAX wins because it gets there every time without you trying.
Design & Build
Winner: Solo 2 MAX — 8.5/10 against 7.5/10.
The Solo 2 MAX is anodised aluminium over a ceramic heater and stainless chamber, and it feels like a device built to last years — because the Solo 2 it's based on has been lasting years for thousands of people. Mine survived a full mug of Yorkshire Tea across my desk. The weak point is the glass: I've cracked one stem in four months.
The V4 Pro is plastic with metal accents and a budget OLED, and its review is honest about it: it feels exactly like what it costs. It's well-made budget — no flex, proper detents on the airflow slider, a sturdier battery door than the V3 Pro — and if it gets sat on, you haven't lost much. XMAX counterfeits are around on marketplaces, so buy from an authorised stockist.
Battery & Charging
Winner: Solo 2 MAX — 9/10 against 8/10.
The Solo 2 MAX does 14–16 bowls at 185–195°C, around 12 run hot, and up to 18 on gentle sessions — more than double the V4 Pro per charge. It takes about three hours to charge over USB-C and supports pass-through after a few minutes on the cable, so mine lives plugged in at my desk as a quasi-desktop. The one real concern is that it's sealed: no swapping cells.
The V4 Pro does 6–8 bowls at 185–195°C from a removable 18650 cell. It charges in about two hours, supports pass-through, and — the reason Dave ordered one — you can carry a spare cell and never run out. When the cell ages, you replace a cell, not the device.
Per charge, it's not close. Over five years, the V4 Pro's removable cell makes the argument more interesting.
Ease of Use
Winner: Solo 2 MAX — 9.5/10 against 7.0/10 — the biggest gap on the card.
The Solo 2 MAX is the easiest glass-path vape I've tested. Dip the stem in the grinder, tap, insert, set the temperature (to the degree, 50–220°C), wait about 30 seconds, draw. Dark Mode dims the display for film nights, the display auto-inverts when you flip it upside down on a bubbler, and it powers on in two seconds.
The V4 Pro's controls are just as simple — one power button, plus and minus, long-press minus for on-demand — but the draw has a genuine learning curve. On day one I drew like it was my Mighty+ and thought I'd bought a dud. By day four I was pulling slow, firm 7–8 second draws and it made sense. Dave put it best: "You're drawing like it's an Arizer. This wants a bong pull." In other words, what's natural on the Solo 2 MAX is exactly wrong on the V4 Pro.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Winner: Solo 2 MAX — 9.5/10 against 7.5/10.
Glass stems are the only part of the Solo 2 MAX that gets gunky. The herb sits in the stem, not the oven, so after months of daily use the oven looks essentially new. Brush the stem after sessions, soak it in ISO every 10–15 bowls, done.
The V4 Pro is easy for a budget vape. The magnetic glass mouthpiece drops into an ISO bath and clicks back on, but the ceramic chamber wants a brush after every session and a soak every 20 bowls, and the chamber screen is a cheap consumable you replace every couple of months.
Portability
Winner: V4 Pro — 8/10 against 6.5/10.
This is the V4 Pro's category. At about 130g and 110 × 32 × 25mm, it fits in a jeans pocket (not skinny jeans) and disappears in a jacket. Take the mouthpiece off and it's a smooth plastic block. I've used it on trains, at gigs and in pub gardens, and nobody's said a word. With an 11-second heat-up and on-demand mode, a quick session on the go is actually practical.
The Solo 2 MAX is a 210g aluminium cylinder with a glass stem sticking out of the top. Jacket pocket if you mean it, bag without a problem, jeans never. It's an around-the-house portable with a marathon battery for the occasional trip out, and it's session-only, so once it's on, you're sitting down.
Value for Money
Winner: V4 Pro — 9.5/10 against 8.5/10.
The V4 Pro is one of the best value devices on the site: pure convection, a swappable 18650 with pass-through, a three-stage airflow slider, an 11-second heat-up and a built-in water-pipe adapter, for budget money. Its review scored value 9.5 and meant it.
The Solo 2 MAX costs more, and it's still excellent value: glass-path flavour, the longest battery in the Arizer range and cleaning that takes seconds. Its review called it arguably the best value session vape at its price, and at about 90% of the Solo 3 v2 for noticeably less money, that holds up.
Per pound, the V4 Pro wins. Per session, if you vape mostly at home, the Solo 2 MAX earns its extra.
Score Comparison
| Category | Solo 2 MAX | XMAX V4 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Vapour Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 |
| Design & Build | 8.5/10 | 7.5/10 |
| Battery & Charging | 9/10 | 8/10 |
| Ease of Use | 9.5/10 | 7/10 |
| Cleaning & Maintenance | 9.5/10 | 7.5/10 |
| Portability | 6.5/10 | 8/10 |
| Value for Money | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 |
| Overall | 8.8/10 | 8.3/10 |
Five categories to the Solo 2 MAX, two to the V4 Pro. That looks one-sided, but the V4 Pro's two are portability and value — and for a lot of buyers, those are the two that decide it.
Who Should Buy Which
Buy the Solo 2 MAX if your vape lives at home. It's the right choice for sofa and desk sessions, for medical users who want the same result every time without technique, for anyone who hates cleaning, and for water-pipe users who'll love the auto-inverting display. It's also the better first "proper" vape of the two, because there's nothing to learn.
Buy the V4 Pro if your vape goes out with you, or if budget is tight. It's the right choice for commuters, festival-goers and anyone who wants pocket carry, for water-piece users who want a built-in adapter, and for people who believe sealed batteries are a countdown timer. Just be ready for a week of learning the draw.
The honest answer for a lot of people is both: the decanter on the sideboard and the flask in the coat. Between them, they still cost less than a lot of single premium portables.
How I Actually Choose
The Solo 2 MAX gets three or four evenings a week at my desk, pass-through cable plugged in, 185°C stepping to 195°C, 0.12g in a standard stem. It's what I pick up when I want clean Arizer flavour without making any decisions, and it's my default on the bubbler.
The V4 Pro has been in daily use since it arrived. It does morning micro-sessions, the evening water-pipe sessions when I want pure convection through glass, and day trips when I don't want to carry anything dear. When I'm tired or distracted, I don't reach for it — it punishes inattention.
Dave is the proof that you don't have to choose. He's owned a Solo 2 since 2019 that still works, and he doesn't buy vapes for fun. He borrowed my V4 Pro for a weekend and ordered his own on the Monday. The Solo 2 stayed on his sideboard.
The Verdict (The Bookend)
The decanter is the better way to enjoy a drink. You don't need any skill, it pours beautifully every time, and it makes whatever's in it taste its best. The Solo 2 MAX is the better vaporiser: 8.8 against 8.3, with glass-path flavour that needs no technique, more than double the battery and cleaning that takes thirty seconds.
But the decanter doesn't come to the football. The V4 Pro is the one you'll actually have with you: jeans-pocket small, quick to heat, cheap to own for years, and a built-in water-pipe adapter when you get home. Learn to pour from it and it'll surprise you.
Sideboard or coat pocket. Decide where your vaping happens, and the choice makes itself.
FAQ
XMAX V4 Pro vs Arizer Solo 2 MAX — which should I buy?
The Solo 2 MAX if you vape mostly at home and want the easiest glass-path flavour, the longest battery and trivial cleaning (8.8/10). The V4 Pro if you want a pocketable vape with on-demand, a removable 18650, a built-in water-pipe adapter and the lower price (8.3/10).
Which has better flavour?
The Solo 2 MAX, narrowly and consistently. Both are convection-led, and the V4 Pro's first draws are excellent when you draw it properly. The Solo 2 MAX delivers glass-path flavour every time with no technique.
Which is better for beginners?
The Solo 2 MAX. It needs no special draw technique. The V4 Pro needs slow, firm 6–8 second draws, and short pulls give thin, harsh vapour until you learn.
Which has the better battery?
The Solo 2 MAX per charge: 14–16 bowls against 6–8. The V4 Pro's 18650 is removable, so you can carry spares and replace the cell when it ages. Both support pass-through charging.
Which is better with a bong or water pipe?
Both are good. The V4 Pro's magnetic glass mouthpiece fits 14mm/18mm joints with no adapter, and it's recommended for high-temperature sessions. The Solo 2 MAX's display flips automatically when you turn it upside down on a bubbler.
Can I take either on a plane?
The V4 Pro's removable 18650 can come out of the device and travel in a proper battery case in cabin baggage. The Solo 2 MAX has a sealed battery. Check your airline's rules before you fly.
About Dennis M.
Dennis M. has been vaping daily for the best part of a decade — since an original Mighty in 2018 — and has tested 50+ devices for this site. He works in IT, has ADHD, and uses cannabis for chronic pain management. He lives in Manchester with his partner Sarah, who has made it clear that the Solo 2 MAX's place on the desk is a privilege, not a right.
A note on spelling: 'vaporizer' is the de facto international spelling, but I've stuck with the British 'vaporiser' throughout this blog.
Questions, corrections, or a device you want tested? dennis@herbvape.co.uk
Related Content
Full Reviews:
- Arizer Solo 2 MAX Review: The Greggs That Got a Coffee Machine →
- XMAX V4 Pro Review: The Sourdough Starter Kit →
Head-to-Head Comparisons:
- XMAX V4 Pro vs V3 Pro →
- Arizer Solo 3 v2 vs Solo 2 MAX →
- Arizer Solo 2 MAX vs Air MAX →
- XMAX V4 Pro vs TinyMight 2 →
- All Head-to-Head Comparisons →
Best-Of Guides:
New to Vaping?
How I Score:
Get Either at HerbVape.co.uk
Arizer Solo 2 MAX — the decanter: generous, glass, and never leaves the house.
Buy the Solo 2 MAX →
Worth grabbing with it: Air / Solo Glass Mouthpiece 90mm — a spare stem, because you will crack one eventually.
XMAX V4 Pro — the hip flask: small, tough, always with you.
Buy the XMAX V4 Pro →
Worth grabbing with it: X-MAX Starry Bong Adapter — more water-piece options beyond the built-in mouthpiece joint.
Just one more bowl.
Last updated: 25 September 2026.
Review Policy: I buy or borrow the devices I review. HerbVape.co.uk is my employer, but my opinions are my own — they pay me to be honest, not to sell you shite. Affiliate links and discount codes exist because running a site costs money, not because they influence scores. This comparison reflects four months of use with the Solo 2 MAX and six weeks of daily use with the V4 Pro.
Strains Used: Jack Herer — sativa (Haze × Northern Lights #5 × Shiva Skunk), ~20% THC, terpinolene/caryophyllene/pinene-dominant, pine-citrus-pepper profile with fragile top notes. Wedding Cake — indica-leaning hybrid (Triangle Kush × Animal Mints, via Triangle Mints #23), ~24% THC, caryophyllene/limonene/myrcene-dominant, vanilla-cream-dough dessert profile over peppery earth. Same two strains, same jars, across every vaporiser reviewed on this site — the strain is the control, the device is the variable. Strain effects vary by individual, batch and consumption method.
Counterfeit Warning: XMAX counterfeits are circulating in UK marketplaces. Only buy from authorised retailers. HerbVape.co.uk is an authorised XMAX/TopGreen stockist — your warranty is valid and your device is genuine.
Medical & Legal Disclaimer: Nothing in this comparison constitutes medical advice, and I am not a medical professional. Cannabis is a controlled substance in the UK; medical cannabis is legal only on prescription from a registered specialist clinic — Sapphire, Cantourage and Zerenia are three of the larger ones. HerbVape.co.uk sells vaporiser hardware only: we do not sell, prescribe, or recommend cannabis or cannabis products. Vaporisers are sold for use with legal dry herbs and legally prescribed medical cannabis. You must be 18 or over to buy one, and cannabis law varies by jurisdiction — check yours.