Product intro and specs
One of my all-time favorite pod vape series is entering its fourth generation, and I couldn’t be more excited. The OXVA XLIM 4 is a simple, slim device designed for the average vaper. The XLIM PRO 4 caters to the techy crowd with a large color screen and advanced features. Both retain the familiar XLIM aesthetic, but they also have a few new tricks up their sleeves.
Let’s quickly run through the highlights. Despite its unassuming design, the XLIM 4 offers three power modes and adjustable lighting effects. The larger PRO 4 debuts OXVA’s anti-burn technology (ABT), which alerts you whenever the pod is nearly empty. The included pods also feature UNITECH 3.0, first introduced with the NeXLIM 2 devices.
When I reviewed the XLIM PRO 3 in 2025, I suggested that OXVA was “chasing perfection.” Have they finally achieved it with the XLIM 4 and XLIM PRO 4? Maybe, but I don’t want to spoil the review. Keep reading to the end to find out where I land.
OXVA XLIM 4 Price: TBA
OXVA XLIM 4 Colors: Aurora petal pink, aurora petal purple, black carbon, nacre pink, nacre purple, nacre white, silken black leather, silken blue leather, silken brown leather, silken champagne leather
OXVA XLIM PRO 4 Price: TBA
OXVA XLIM PRO 4 Colors: Black carbon, cocoa black leather, flowing dark blue, flowing ice blue, flowing midnight, flowing moonlight, flowing rose pink, glacier grey leather, stardust blue, stardust purple
Build quality and design
My first reaction after unboxing the XLIM 4 and XLIM PRO 4 was, “You guys are just showing off.” Suffice it to say that this section of the review is going to be a gush fest. Both devices have nearly flawless build quality. If that’s good enough for you, feel free to skip ahead. For everyone else, let’s gush.
Both devices feature glossy metal chassis, centrally positioned buttons, side-mounted airflow sliders and USB-C ports, and intricate back panel accents. Here’s where they differ.
The XLIM 4 comes in four distinct styles. I only received the silken leather versions, so some of my impressions won’t apply to the others. The overall design is pretty traditional, but the panels are on another level. They look like someone meticulously crosshatched them with a razor blade and a ruler. The texture is striking, and they feel amazing. An LED ring surrounds the button, adding a vibrant pop of color to the simple design.
The device itself is small and slim, following the XLIM tradition. It feels comfortable in the hand and fits nicely in a pocket, but it’s noticeably more refined than previous generations. I’d give the overall design and build a 9.8/10.
Moving on to the XLIM PRO 4, I received the “flowing” versions. The panels have a wavy pattern, reminiscent of silk sheets or a superhero’s cape. They’re gorgeous! The pattern is subtle and confident, giving the device an understated elegance. A thin stripe along the back shifts to a slightly darker hue, adding another layer of visual appeal. It’s the kind of attention to detail you’d expect on a fancy automobile. Honestly, it’s the classiest pod vape I’ve ever owned.
The PRO 4 also features a large color screen. The colors are sharp, the layout is practical, and the fonts are sized appropriately. While its handfeel is familiar, the departure from previous XLIM generations is noticeable. It’s not particularly large or heavy, but it feels more substantial than you might expect. My only real criticism is the glossy metal frame. It attracts fingerprints and smudges—considerably more than the XLIM 4 does, although that may depend on the color.
Getting started
Using the XLIM 4 is easy once you learn the controls, but I wouldn’t describe it as intuitive. The single button toggles power modes; it is not used for firing (auto-draw only). Click the button twice to cycle through low, medium, and high output. The illuminated portion of the LED ring indicates your selection:
- Low: the very bottom of the ring
- Medium: half of the ring
- High: the entire ring
You can also check your battery status and selected mode by clicking once or reinserting the pod. The color (green, red, or blue) indicates the battery status; the illuminated portion of the ring indicates the power mode. Lastly, press the button four times to switch between the two lighting effects.
The XLIM PRO 4 has a screen, so there’s much more to explore. Let’s start with a basic click guide:
- One click to wake the screen; press and hold to fire (when button-firing is activated)
- Two clicks to enter the menu (theme, light, clear puffs, eco mode)
- Three clicks to enter wattage-adjustment mode
- Four clicks to lock or unlock button-firing
- Five clicks to power on or off
- Eight clicks to turn ABT on or off (ABT pod must be installed)
Press and hold the button to confirm menu selections.
I was happy to see that OXVA updated the puff-clearing option. The device now asks for confirmation before resetting the puff counter, dramatically reducing the chance of an accidental reset. And for anyone wondering, eco mode dims the screen, turns off animations, and defaults to a simple theme. You can still use other themes in eco mode, although they may drain the battery slightly faster.
When inserting a pod into the XLIM PRO 4, the screen displays its resistance and recommended wattage range. It also clearly indicates whether you’re using a new ABT pod. We’ll discuss those in more detail shortly.
To fill either device, unplug the rubber tab on the pod’s side. I recommend tilting the mouthpiece downward as you fill to minimize air bubbles. The UNITECH 3.0 pods feature 30-second quick priming, so you won’t have to wait long to vape. Still, I’d recommend starting at a low power setting so the coil and cotton can break in.
Performance
The XLIM 4 and XLIM PRO 4 are the first devices in the series to feature UNITECH 3.0 pods. The technology debuted with the NeXLIM 2 and 2 Mini, and the performance was fantastic. Let’s see if OXVA can recapture that magic in a smaller format.
I used 50/50 e-liquids in both devices, with the airflow adjusted primarily for MTL use.
0.6-ohm ABT pod: I filled this pod with one of my favorite dessert flavors (freebase nicotine) and was immediately impressed. I even wondered if the e-liquid recipe had changed, because I don’t remember it tasting this good. The flavor is top-tier. I won’t claim it’s dramatically better than UNITECH 2.0 XLIM pods, but it certainly doesn’t disappoint. I’ve now put 50 mL through it, and it’s still vaping great. I’m eager to find out how much longer it’ll last.
0.8-ohm pod: Filled with an icy fruit nic salt, this was initially my favorite of the two pods. The flavor was so good that I couldn’t seem to put it down. However, I noticed a flavor drop around the 15 mL mark, and it started producing dry hits at 25 mL. Maybe the pod had a minor defect, or maybe it was the liquid, which admittedly has killed coils quickly in the past. Either way, the pod was exceptional in its prime.
For the most part, the airflow is pleasant and smooth on both devices. The tight MTL setting on the XLIM PRO 4 is the exception. With the airflow adjusted to the small pinhole, I get a high-pitched whistle. It’s not loud, but it’s annoying, and it occurs on both of my sample units.
OXVA Anti-Burn Tech (ABT)
I was so excited to start testing the XLIM PRO 4 that I didn’t bother reading the packaging or manual beforehand. A few hours later, the device wouldn’t fire, and the display said, “Please Fill The Pod.” I checked the pod, and sure enough, it was nearly empty! I was shocked. How did it know?
That experience pretty much sums up anti-burn tech (ABT). It detects when the pod is running empty and prompts you to refill, sparing you an unpleasant dry hit. I still don’t know how it works, but OXVA says it isn’t temperature control, and the pods use Kanthal wire. Whatever is happening under the surface, it’s one of the most fascinating pod innovations I’ve ever seen. It’s been extremely reliable, too.
ABT pods are compatible with the entire XLIM series, but the anti-burn feature only works with ABT-enabled devices. At the time of this review, the only pod vape on that list is the XLIM PRO 4, but I’m sure more are coming. The technology is far too good to only make a solo appearance.
Battery life and charging
These devices have different battery and charging specifications, so I’ll address them individually.
The XLIM 4 features a 1600 mAh battery and 2-amp charging. In my previous testing, devices with these specs have taken 48-60 minutes to charge. The XLIM 4 takes 51-52 minutes, putting it toward the faster end of that range. Depending on the power mode, I’ve been getting about 7.5-8 mL per charge. Note that power drops quite a bit when the battery is low, so performance suffers during the last mL.
The larger XLIM PRO 4 has more muscle in the battery department: an 1800 mAh battery and 3-amp charging. It takes about 47 minutes to charge, which is impressive. However, its runtime fell short of my expectations. I’ve been getting only 7-7.3 mL per charge at around 22 watts. I even tested the same pod in the XLIM 4 for comparison, and a full charge yielded 7.5 mL. To be fair, the XLIM 4 doesn’t have a display, so I may have been running it at a lower wattage. Still, I’d expect about 8 mL from an 1800 mAh device.
The XLIM PRO 4’s charging display also shows the estimated time remaining, but it’s far from accurate. For example, I set a 30-minute timer when the display showed 30 minutes remaining. When the timer went off, the device still showed 11 minutes remaining. I can’t knock OXVA too hard for this, though; I’ve tested several devices with this feature and had similar results.
Pros / Cons
Gallery
Verdict
The XLIM 4 and XLIM PRO 4 are two of the best pod vapes in the long-running series. In fact, I’d probably put them both in the top three. The build quality and design are outstanding, and the UNITECH 3.0 pods deliver big flavor. It’s clear OXVA put a lot of thought into these devices.
While preferences will vary, the XLIM 4 is the runaway winner for me. I love simple, screenless designs, but I also want adjustable power; this device gives me both! It proves you don’t need to sacrifice versatility for simplicity. I do wish it were ABT-enabled. That technology would have been the icing on the cake.
The XLIM PRO 4 deserves plenty of recognition, too. It looks so premium that I almost feel like I should reserve it for special occasions. Its anti-burn technology is probably the highlight of this review: a useful innovation that could change the pod landscape. The device does have some downsides, though. The runtime is shorter than expected, and the pinhole airflow setting whistles.
Overall, I’m a big fan of both devices. OXVA didn’t just give the series a cosmetic refresh; they added value with new and expanded features. They’re still chasing perfection, but they’re closer than ever.
Highly recommended.
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