Background
If it’s an affordable, high-quality vaporizer that you’re looking for, then you can’t do much better than these three. They are all priced on the lower end of the scale, yet they have features that would put them a lot higher on that scale. They are all above average when it comes to vaporizer quality as well, which makes them a great choice for anyone trying vaping for the first time. Considering that they are all priced similarly, it might not be easy to decide which is the right one for you. That is why this guide is here. It is here to show you the features, strengths, and weaknesses of each vape so that it is easier to decide which one is right for you.
Design and Features
KandyPens K-Vape Pro
Like most budget vapes, the K-Vape Pro has a simple design that consists of just two parts, the main body that contains the battery and oven, and the mouthpiece. That simplicity continues with its single power button that also controls the temperature selection. The K-Vape Pro does have a tapered glass mouthpiece, which is a little fancier than what you normally see in this price range. Nonetheless, the K-Vape Pro mostly keeps things simple and uncomplicated, which makes it perfect for beginners.
The K-Vape Pro is small and easily portable and the simple design is actually pretty ergonomic, so holding it and vaping from it feels very comfortable. It is made from anodized aluminum so it is more durable than you might expect, though the glass mouthpiece is exposed, so some care needs to be taken. While the design of the K-Vape Pro won’t turn any heads, it’s simple practically is sure to be appreciated.
Planet of the Vapes One
The One has a fairly standard box-style design but it has a few design flourishes to set it apart from the pack. Unlike the other vapes here, it has a digital display that can be inverted depending on how you hold it. It also includes a glass mouthpiece as one of its accessories, which is unusual at this price range. The same goes for precise temperature control, which the One also has.
You do pay a premium for those fancy features because the One is a little more expensive than the other two vaporizers here. At least you get what you pay for since it also has haptic feedback and a nice rubberized coating that makes it very nice to hold. Overall, the higher price does mean a better feature set than the other vapes here.
X Max Starry
The Starry also has a boxy shape that is hardly out of the ordinary in the world of vaporizers, however, it does have one nice design flourish in its swiveling mouthpiece. It is similar to the one on the Crafty and Mighty vaporizers and it gives users extra convenience just like it does with those vapes. It also makes the Starry the most portable friendly of the three vapes here because the mouthpiece swivels out of harm’s way when not in use. The Starry also boasts precise temperature control, which gives it a decent amount of customization.
Another nice thing about the Starry is that it uses a removable 18650 battery so you don’t have to wait around for it to recharge, you can just replace a dead battery with a fresh one. The build quality of the Starry is also top-notch because it is made from anodized aluminum and features a zirconia mouthpiece. Overall, the Starry has great features that you would expect to see in more expensive vapes.
Cleaning and Maintenance
KandyPens K-Vape Pro
The simplicity of these budget vapes usually extends to their cleaning procedures as well, and the K-Vape Pro is no exception. You only really need to clean the herb chamber and since the kit includes a cleaning brush that is perfectly suited for the job, cleaning is a cinch.
Planet of the Vapes One
The One needs a little more maintenance than the other two vapes here, but not much. You will need to clean out the chamber of course, which you can do using the cleaning brush in its kit. You can also use isopropyl alcohol and cotton swabs for a deeper clean. You can use the same method to clean the two included mouthpieces as well.
X Max Starry
The Starry is also very easy to clean since, like the other vapes here, you only really need to worry about cleaning the chamber. The included cleaning brush will suffice as long as you clean it a little after a session has ended, while the residue is still warm. You can also use a cotton swab dipped in iso for a more thorough cleaning.
Longevity and Reliability
KandyPens K-Vape Pro
Even though they are cheap, many budget vapes tend to be reliable precisely because they are so simple and consist of so few parts. That means there is a lower chance that anything can go catastrophically wrong with them. That is certainly the case with the K-Vape Pro. It is the simplest of the three in terms of construction, plus it is made from anodized aluminum, so it is a very durable device. The glass mouthpiece is the most fragile part of the K-Vape Pro but it is short enough and tough enough that you don’t need to worry about it breaking.
Warranty – Lifetime
Planet of the Vapes One
The One is the most complex of the three vaporizers here, but it is still a relatively simple device so there isn’t a whole lot that can go seriously wrong with it. The glass mouthpiece is the main concern, but it is pretty thick and won’t break easily. Aside from that, the One is a pretty reliable vaporizer.
Warranty – Two years
X Max Starry
Like the other two vaporizers here, the Starry is a simple device with few moving parts, so there is very little that can go wrong. It also has an anodized aluminum shell so it’s a pretty tough little device. Overall, you never really have to worry too much about the Starry.
Warranty – One year
Battery and Charging
KandyPens K-Vape Pro
The K-Vape Pro has an 1100mAh battery that only lasts for about an hour, which is on the short side, so you can get about four to six sessions from it. That wouldn’t be too bad if the charge time was short, but unfortunately, it takes about ninety minutes to two hours to recharge. So it’s a good thing that pass-through charging is available to mitigate all the waiting.
Planet of the Vapes One
The One has a lot of great features, but the battery life isn’t one of them. The 1600 mAh battery only lasts for thirty to forty minutes, though that is still good for about six to eight sessions. Those sessions go by quickly because the One heats up fast and has a low draw resistance. Recharge time is only ninety minutes, but that is still a lot longer than the active time of the One.
X Max Starry
The Starry has a 2600 mAh battery that lasts for about eighty minutes before it needs to be recharged. Recharging the battery takes about ninety minutes but at least you have the option of replacing it instead of waiting for it to charge up.
Vapor Quality
KandyPens K-Vape Pro
You shouldn’t expect exemplary vapor quality from the more inexpensive vapes, but you shouldn’t expect poor vapor quality either. The vapor quality of the K-Vape Pro just about fits into that median vapor quality pretty well. You will get the best vapor from the two middle settings because that is where the flavor is most balanced. The K-Vape Pro holds about 0.25 grams of herb which is just right for solitary users.
Planet of the Vapes One
The One uses a hybrid conduction/convection heating system, so its vapor quality is easily among the best in this price range, though it can’t quite match the very best dry herb vaporizers. The hybrid system means that the herb gets vaporized far more thoroughly and efficiently than it would with just one of those heating systems. The result is rich flavor that is among the best in its class. The glass mouthpiece is the preferred one because the neutral glass material doesn’t affect the vapor quality and keeps the vapor cool. It also provides lower draw resistance so it’s easier to enjoy the flavorful vapor.
X Max Starry
The Starry has decent vapor quality but it’s in cloud production that it really impresses. Even in the 370° to 390°F range, where the flavor is best, the Starry produces voluminous clouds. Crank it to higher temperatures and you will be surprised at how dense the vapor can get. The Starry produces great vapor and can more than hold its own in this company.
So, which one should you choose?
All of these are great budget dry herb vapes and great vapes in general. There isn’t anyone factor that puts one ahead of the others, so your preference is going to come down to what is important to you in a vaporizer.
If you’re a beginner and ease of use is your main concern, then the K-Vape Pro is your best bet. It has no moving parts to worry about, it’s easy to clean, and intuitive to learn. The use of preset temperatures makes it easy for new users to get to grips with the K-Vape Pro. However, the lack of precise temperature selection might discourage veteran vapers looking for an inexpensive vaporizer.
If you’re all about vapor quality, then the One is the one for you. It produces the best flavor of the three vapes here and its included glass mouthpiece also offers the best vaping experience. Precise temperature control also means that you can customize the vaping experience to your liking. The main downside of the One is its frustratingly short battery life, plus it is the most expensive vaporizer of these three.
The X Max Starry is great for anyone who likes really dense vapor and portable convenience. The removable battery gives it a greater level of convenience than the other vapes here because you can just replace it when it dies. The swiveling mouthpiece also makes the Starry a lot more portable-friendly than the other two vapes here because it keeps the mouthpiece clean no matter the situation.
All three of these vapes are great under any circumstances but they are particularly great when you consider their price. They are all proof that budget vapes don’t mean budget value or budget quality. They all offer great features and good vapor quality at a reasonable price. Which means that no matter which one you choose you will be getting a great deal.
