I didn’t know much about the Zeus Arc GT4 prior to testing it. But once I knew it was coming in for review, I decided to do some research.
Turns out I’ve been missing out. This gold-plated beauty is lauded by plenty of reviewers I regularly listen to as one of best quality portable dry herb vaporizers on the market right now.
And from the moment you crack the packaging and feel its golden body press against your palm, yeah, I admit: it does look and feel special.
Kind of like a supercar-version of the DaVinci IQ2.
Regular readers will know my daily driver is the Mighty+ and I’m partial to the PAX Plus for stealthy sessions on the go.
So, how does the Zeus Arc GT4 compare to these two vaporizers? Let’s break down what this device actually does, how it performs in real-world use, and whether you should spend your money here or look elsewhere.
What You’re Getting: Zeus Arc GT4 Specs
Before we get into performance, here’s what you’re working with out of the box:
Core Specs:
- Heating system: Conduction-based “3D” heater with 24K gold heat sink and vapor path
- Temperature control: Nine preset temperature settings plus dedicated concentrate/wax mode
- Battery: 3500 mAh internal (non-removable), roughly 90 minutes of continuous use
- Charging: USB-C, full charge in about 90 minutes
- Heat-up time: 30-35 seconds depending on temperature setting
- Form factor: Compact metal body available in black or 24K gold-accented “Gold Edition”
- Controls: Single-button operation with LED interface, haptic feedback, motion sensor auto-shutoff
- Use case: Dual-use design for dry herb (primary) and concentrates
What’s in the Box:
- Zeus Arc GT4 vaporizer
- Iceborn cooling attachment
- Water pipe adapter
- ArcPod compatibility (pods sold separately)
- Cleaning tools and accessories
The big surprise here is what Zeus includes versus sells separately.
Both the Iceborn and water pipe adapter come standard, and they’re both great, adding in a tonne of additional utility to an already very, very impressive platform, which matters when you realize PAX charges extra for similar accessories.
With this in mind, I now get the price of the Zeus Arc GT4 more. Yes, it is expensive. But that’s because it is built using very expensive materials (gold ain’t cheap, bro) and it comes with a slew of useful accessories.
Fun Fact: The Zeus Arc GT4 uses actual 24-karat gold in its heat sink and vapor path. Gold is one of the most thermally conductive metals available, which is why high-end electronics use it for heat dissipation. In this case, it’s not just marketing flash—that gold construction genuinely impacts how quickly heat spreads and how smoothly vapor cools before hitting your throat.
What Makes the Zeus Arc GT4 Different
The GoldSink Vapor Path
Look, every vape manufacturer claims their heating system is revolutionary. Most of the time it’s just marketing spin.
But after three months with the GT4, I’m convinced the 24K gold heat sink actually makes a difference.
The vapor from this thing is noticeably smoother than what I get from my PAX Plus, especially at higher temperatures.
With the PAX, anything above 390°F starts getting harsh fast.
The Zeus Arc GT4 stays surprisingly smooth even when I crank it up to the highest presets, and I’m pretty sure that gold vapor path is why.
It dissipates heat more efficiently than standard stainless steel or aluminum, so you’re not pulling superheated air straight from the chamber. And the vaporizer itself never gets very hot which is odd; I’m used to mine basically feeling like hand-warmers.
Is it worth the premium over standard materials? That’s debatable. But it’s definitely NOT marketing snake oil.
The ArcPod Ecosystem
Zeus built an entire accessory system around pre-packable pods called ArcPods.
Here’s how it works: you buy ArcPods separately (they’re reusable dosing capsules), fill them with ground herb using the Xtruder filling tool, store them in the Zeus Hub charging dock, and then pop them into the GT4 when you’re ready to vape.
I was skeptical at first because I generally hate proprietary accessories.
But after using this setup for travel, I get it. Being able to pre-pack five or six sessions worth of material, keep them organized in the Hub, and swap them out in seconds without handling loose herb on the go is genuinely convenient.
No more fumbling with grinders and jars in parking lots or in train bathrooms.
The downside: you’re locked into Zeus’s ecosystem. These aren’t generic dosing caps you can buy anywhere. If Zeus discontinues ArcPods or you lose your stash, you’re stuck. And unless you now a good iron monger with precision machining tools, you’re screwed.
Fortunately, I don’t think Zeus is going anywhere any time soon.
Nine Temperature Presets Without an App
Most modern vapes either give you three basic settings or force you into an app for precision control.
Zeus splits the difference with nine preset temperatures plus a dedicated concentrate mode, all accessible through button combinations on the device itself.
I spend most of my time on presets 6-8 (roughly 380-410°F range based on vapor production). That’s the sweet spot for flavor without combustion.
The fact that I can cycle through nine distinct temperatures without pulling out my phone is key here. I HATE having to use my phone to dial my vaporizer in. This is one of the main reasons why I love the Mighty+ so much and really didn’t care for Storz & Bickel’s newer and more expensive Venty vaporizer.
That said, if you’re the type who obsesses over hitting exactly 387°F, this won’t satisfy you. There’s no degree-by-degree precision here.
Living With the Zeus Arc GT4: Real-World Performance
Vapor Quality and Flavor
This is where the GT4 earns its price tag. The vapor is dense, flavorful, and remarkably smooth compared to similarly-sized portables I’ve tested. You get more vapor and denser flavor when not using the pods, as you’d expect, but I’m terrible at remembering to clean my gear so, for the most part, I stick with the pods.
When I pack the chamber with quality flower and run it on preset 6, the first few draws taste incredible.
Clean, full-spectrum flavor without the charred notes you sometimes get from conduction vapes.
As the session progresses, flavor obviously drops off (that’s just physics), but it stays pleasant longer than my PAX Plus manages.
Cloud production is legitimately impressive for a pocket vape. I’m talking visible, satisfying clouds that feel closer to my Mighty+ than anything else this size.
The combination of that powerful 3D heater and the gold cooling system means you can take longer draws without coughing your lungs out, which lets you extract more per hit.
Vapor quality from the Zeus Arc GT4 is orders of magnitude better than the PAX Plus and DaVinci IQ2. It’s not quite Mighty+ territory (nothing portable really is), but it’s the closest I’ve found in this form factor.
Extraction Efficiency
One thing I check with every vape: how evenly does it roast the herb? With conduction vapes especially, you often get dark spots at the bottom and green bits at the top unless you stir mid-session.
The GT4 handles this better than expected.
After a 10-minute session, my AVB (already vaped bud) comes out consistently dark brown with minimal green remaining. I never have to stir which speaks volumes about how well it handles heat distribution inside its 3D chamber.
Compare that to my PAX Plus, which almost always needs a mid-session stir to avoid wasting material, and you can start to see where that premium pricing comes from. More efficient extraction means you’re using less herb to achieve the same effects.
Battery Life and Charging
The 3500 mAh battery is legitimately big for a vape this size, and it holds up forever and ever. The 90 minutes continuous use is right on the money.
I usually fire it up, take a few hits, and then switch it off again. Doing this means you can basically get a week or more from it without having to charge it.
If you’re sat down with your buddies, chaining it, yeah, you’ll run it down in 90 minutes or so. But it’s rare that I actually get to do that (I have kids and I’m old).
Even with heavier, solo use I think you’d easily get 2-3 days from it, no problem.
The USB-C charging is fast too. I can go from dead to full in about 90 minutes, which beats waiting half a day like I used to with micro-USB devices.
The motion sensor auto-shutoff is a small touch that adds up over time. I don’t lose charge to forgetting the device is on.
My one complaint: the battery isn’t removable. My DaVinci IQ2 uses a swappable 18650, which means I can carry spares and never worry about running out.
With the GT4, once the battery is dead, you’re waiting on USB power. For most people that’s fine, but if you’re a heavy user or like multi-day camping trips, it’s something to consider.
The Iceborn and Water Pipe Adapter
These bundled accessories actually get used, which isn’t always the case with included extras.
The Iceborn is a small cooling chamber you snap onto the mouthpiece that you can fill with crushed ice. It makes higher-temperature sessions way more pleasant.
I mostly use it when I’m with friends, chasing bigger clouds or want to maximize extraction without irritating my throat.
The water pipe adapter is straightforward: it lets you connect the GT4 to any 14mm or 18mm water piece. If you’ve got a small bubbler or bong sitting around, running the vape through water takes smoothness to another level.
The fact that Zeus includes both of these instead of charging extra (looking at you, PAX) is a genuine value add that helps justify the price.
Head-to-Head: Zeus Arc GT4 vs PAX Plus vs Mighty+ vs DaVinci IQ2
I’ve been rotating between these four vapes for months now.
Here’s how they actually stack up in daily use:
Zeus Arc GT4 vs PAX Plus
The PAX Plus is the style king. It’s sleeker, simpler, and more pocketable than the Zeus. Single button, minimal fuss, throw it in your pocket and forget about it.
But here’s what PAX doesn’t tell you: the vapor quality just isn’t in the same league. I consistently get hot spots with my PAX that require mid-session stirring.
The flavor is good and I love the way PAX vapes draw but the flavor on the whole is not as good as what you get from the GT4’s gold-infused vapor path. And PAX’s battery life (while decent) can’t touch the Zeus’s 3500 mAh capacity.
The Zeus Arc GT4 wins on performance, battery, and included accessories. PAX wins on simplicity, aesthetics, and lower price.
If you want the best possible vapor from a portable device and don’t mind a few extra components, go Zeus. If you want the most foolproof, grab-and-go experience and can live with slightly less impressive performance, PAX still makes sense.
For my money, I reach for the Zeus Arc GT4 90% of the time now. The PAX stays in my rotation mostly for situations where I need maximum discretion.
Zeus Arc GT4 vs Mighty+
The Mighty+ is still the performance king. Storz & Bickel’s hybrid heating system produces vapor that’s marginally better than anything else I’ve tested, including the Zeus Arc GT4.
The Mighty+ also has a larger chamber, more precise temperature control, and bulletproof German engineering.
But the Mighty+ is also significantly bigger and less portable.
It’s not truly pocketable the way the GT4 is.
And while vapor quality on the Mighty+ is technically superior, the gap is smaller than you’d think. The Zeus Arc GT4 gets you maybe 85-90% of Mighty+ performance in a device that actually fits comfortably in a jacket pocket.
If portability matters and you want the best vapor quality in a truly portable form factor, the Zeus Arc GT4 is your move. If you mostly vape at home or don’t mind carrying something bigger, the Mighty+ is still worth the investment.
Zeus Arc GT4 vs DaVinci IQ2
The only real advantage the IQ2 has is that removable battery. If long-term device longevity is your top priority and you plan to keep this vape for 5+ years, the ability to swap in fresh batteries matters.
For everything else, the Zeus Arc GT4 wipes the floor with it.
Zeus Arc GT4: The Honest Pros and Cons
What This Vape Does Really Well
- Outstanding vapor quality for the size – This is the GT4’s strongest selling point. Dense, flavorful clouds that rival desktop vapes in a portable form factor.
- Excellent battery life – The 3500 mAh capacity outlasts everything else in its size class. 5-7 sessions per charge is legitimately good.
- Fast heat-up and USB-C charging – 30-35 seconds to temperature and 90-minute full charges mean less waiting around.
- Included accessories add real value – The bundled Iceborn and water pipe adapter actually get used, and they’d cost extra with competitors.
- Efficient, even extraction – Consistently dark AVB with minimal stirring required. You’re not wasting herb.
- Simple operation with enough control – Nine presets hit the sweet spot between PAX’s limited options and DaVinci’s app complexity.
- The ArcPod ecosystem works – If you invest in pods, Xtruder, and Hub, the convenience for travel is legitimately great.
Where It Falls Short
- Expensive – Let’s not dance around this. At roughly $500, you’re paying premium prices. That’s double what a PAX Plus costs and more than a Mighty+.
- Too many small pieces for some users – Between the main unit, Iceborn, water adapter, ArcPods, and cleaning tools, you’ve got a lot to keep track of. If you want simplicity, this ain’t it.
- No precision temperature control – Nine presets are enough for most people, but if you’re particular about exact temperatures, you’ll miss app control.
- Non-removable battery – When that 3500 mAh cell eventually degrades (2-3 years of heavy use), you can’t just swap in a new one like you can with the IQ2.
- Proprietary ecosystem lock-in – ArcPods only work with Zeus devices. You’re committing to their accessory lineup.
- Learning curve with all the accessories – Getting the most from the Iceborn, water adapter, and pod system takes time and experimentation.
Who Should Buy the Zeus Arc GT4 (and Who Shouldn’t)
This vape makes sense if you:
- Want the best possible vapor quality in a truly portable device
- Value battery life and don’t want to charge constantly
- Appreciate included accessories instead of buying them separately
- Plan to use water pipes or bubblers with your vape
- Like the idea of pre-packing sessions with the ArcPod system
- Don’t need smartphone app control or obsessive customization
- Can afford premium pricing for premium performance
Skip the Zeus Arc GT4 if you:
- Need the absolute simplest, most foolproof device (get a PAX instead)
- Want true desktop-level performance (get a Mighty+ or desktop unit)
- Require precise degree-by-degree temperature control (get a DaVinci IQ2)
- Value long-term battery replaceability (again, DaVinci IQ2)
- Don’t want to manage multiple accessories and components
- Can’t justify spending $500 on a vaporizer
Wrapping Up: Is the Zeus Arc GT4 Worth $500?
After three months of daily use, my thoughts are pretty conclusive: the Zeus Arc GT4 delivers on its promises. The vapor quality genuinely is excellent, the battery life is great, and the included accessories add real value.
It’s a more refined, powerful experience than the PAX Plus and it delivers consistently better vapor than nearly all of its peers.
I still prefer the Mighty+ but that’s just me.
If you’re looking for a rock-solid, super portable dry herb vaporizer that can do concentrates and comes with a butt-load of useful attachments, the Zeus Arc GT4 is 100% worth getting. I really, really like mine.
But is it worth $500? That depends entirely on what you value. If vapor quality, battery life, and included accessories matter most to you, yes.
This is the best portable dry herb vape I’ve tested that isn’t the Mighty+, and it’s significantly more pocket-friendly than the Mighty+.
If you’re budget-conscious, prefer minimalist designs, or mostly vape at home anyway, you can get 80% of the experience from devices costing half as much.
For me personally, the Zeus Arc GT4 quickly took on its role as my daily driver while I was testing it for a few months, and it didn’t really miss a beat.
I still love my Mighty+ for home sessions and keep the PAX Plus around for maximum discretion, but now I’m done with the review, I still find myself gravitating towards it, rather than the Mighty Plus.
That gold vapor path, rock-solid battery, and consistently great performance is hard to NOT take advantage of when you know its waiting for you.
FAQ You, Man!
How does the Zeus Arc GT4’s battery life compare to other portable vapes?
The 3500 mAh battery is one of the largest in its class. I consistently get 5-7 full sessions per charge with moderate use, which translates to 1-3 days depending on how heavily you vape. That’s noticeably better than the PAX Plus (smaller battery) and DaVinci IQ2 (smaller capacity despite being removable). Only downside: it’s not removable, so when the battery eventually degrades after a few years of heavy use, you can’t just pop in a fresh cell like you can with the IQ2.
Can you really taste a difference with the gold vapor path?
I was skeptical about the 24K gold being more than marketing flash, but after rotating between the GT4, PAX Plus, and DaVinci IQ2, the Zeus consistently delivers smoother, less harsh vapor at equivalent temperatures. Gold is genuinely better at heat dissipation than stainless steel or aluminum, which means vapor cools more before reaching your throat. Is it revolutionary? No. Is it noticeable? Absolutely.
Is the ArcPod system actually useful or just a gimmick?
It’s useful if you vape away from home regularly. Pre-packing 5-6 ArcPods, storing them in the Hub, and swapping them out in seconds beats fumbling with grinders and jars when you’re out. The pods also help keep the chamber cleaner since you’re not packing loose herb directly. Downside: it’s proprietary, so you’re locked into Zeus’s ecosystem. If that doesn’t bother you and convenience matters, the pods are worth it. If you mostly vape at home and don’t mind loading chambers normally, save your money.
How does this compare to the Mighty+ for vapor quality?
The Mighty+ still edges out the Zeus Arc GT4 for pure vapor quality. Storz & Bickel’s hybrid heating system produces marginally better flavor and smoother draws at equivalent temperatures. But here’s the thing: the gap is smaller than you’d expect. The GT4 gets you maybe 85-90% of Mighty+ performance in a device that’s actually pocketable. If portability matters and you want the best vapor quality in a truly portable form factor, the Zeus Arc GT4 is the better choice. If you mostly vape at home, get the Mighty+.
Does the Zeus Arc GT4 work well with concentrates?
It has a dedicated concentrate/wax mode and technically supports dual-use, but I’d call it “capable” rather than “great” for concentrates. It’ll handle wax and concentrates in a pinch using the proper temperature setting, but if concentrates are your primary focus, you’d be better served by a device designed specifically for dabs. The GT4 excels at dry herb and does concentrates adequately when needed. Don’t buy this primarily as a concentrate vape.
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