When comparing ion thrusters to Hall effect thrusters, what trade-off typically exists?

Ion thrusters often trade slightly lower power processing capability for higher efficiency and longer life.

Both ion thrusters and Hall effect thrusters fall under the umbrella of electric propulsion, but they embody different design philosophies regarding performance optimization. While both achieve high specific impulse compared to chemical rockets, high-power Hall thrusters often prioritize generating greater thrust by processing more power. Conversely, gridded ion thrusters, such as those flown on Deep Space 1 or utilized in the NEXT program, typically optimize for the highest possible efficiency and longest operational lifespan, which often necessitates accepting a trade-off involving lower power processing capacity and consequently, lower thrust output compared to their Hall counterparts.