Pax Labs has been hailed for its widespread appeal and even wider color options. Their latest offering, the Pax Plus, proves they are keen on providing a seamless feature-rich experience. We could easily name this article Pax 4 Review, as this device includes features that are made to beat its predecessor – the Pax 3 vaporizer. Let’s dive deeper into this review and uncover the performance of the newest Pax unit!
The Pax Plus offers herb and wax compatibility and various experience modes. While overall, the Pax Plus seems like the same old everything, it has to be pointed out that Pax is really attempting a BIG gambit. It is pushing into the 3rd Generation of Vaporizers, but not like other major devices we have seen, such as the Zeus Arc Series with the Zeus Arc S. The Pax Plus is not a 3rd gen out of the box, but read along as we explain why Pax’s attempt is respectable.
Have the California Kings at Pax Labs dropped some duds, or have they done their duuude-diligence? If you are fresh into the portable vaporizer world, take a glance at your Best Portable Vaporizer ranking page, where we show the most prominent portable vaporizers on the market.
How it Works
Much like the Pax 3 and even the Pax 2, the functionality of this device remains similar to previous models. For the uninitiated, you remove the magnetic lid at the bottom to reveal your heating chamber. Fill with your material of choice and snap the lid back into place. Then just follow these steps:
- Step 1: Turn the Pax Plus on by pressing the center of the mouthpiece.
- Step 2: Hold the button to enter the temperature menu. Quick presses will cycle through the temperatures.
- Step 3: Hold the button down again once you’ve selected your temperature mode.
- Step 4: Wait for the LED to stay solid and sip on the mouthpiece until you are satisfied.
If you have chosen the Pax Plus Complete kit, you can use the concentrate chamber as follows:
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- Find the small notch in the steel bucket and lift it to open the concentrate bucket.
- Fill with your material of choice, and replace the thin steel lid.
- Place the concentrate container into the empty heating chamber
- Continue with the steps above.
The concentrate chamber will stick out slightly from the bottom of the device, which is normal. We recommend using this container with the highest temperature setting (setting 4) for the best results, but not really comparable to dedicated wax vaporizers. Dry herb vaporizers with dual compatibility give good flavor, but pen-like devices are not dense if the temperature is below 220 degrees Celsius. If you want the best flavor and density from your concentrates, check out the Best E Rigs available, as those are the next level of dedicated beasts for concentrates.
Between sessions, the Pax’s wide heating chamber is very easy to access but will need a little break to allow the unit to cool down. This is generally unnecessary with other conduction devices with narrower heating chambers, like the Arc series.
Temperature Flexibility
Pax went with a unique way of controlling your sessions, they stuck to 4 temperature settings. can’t find any precise information about what temperature each mode represents. While no specific temperatures are listed, it’s safe to assume they didn’t stray too far from what was on the Pax 2 or Pax 3. We’ll use those here as rough estimates for each mode’s temperature.
The four temperature modes of the Pax Plus are:
One Petal is Stealth mode (182 C): Minimal cloud production for more incognito sessions.
Two Petals are Efficiency Mode (193 C): Relaxed and slow-paced sessions.
Three Petals are Flavor Mode (204 C): Emphasizes tastes and flavor.
Four Petals are Boost Mode (215 C): Prioritize power, great for both flower and concentrates.
While this temperature range is solid for a casual user, it is odd that Pax did not list the details that would explain these modes. The ceiling of these temperatures leaves the device bottom hotter than its closest comparison, the Arc S, but stops short of producing equivalently dense vapor. The Max temperature is also lower than some of its more affordable competitors like the Milatron which can ramp up to 240°C(464°F). Still, this unit uses a hybrid heating system, which is more focused on vapor quality instead of long-lasting batteries or overall discreetness.
Vapor Quality
Each mode performs as advertised, offering a wide array of experiences for various situations. The vapor quality is surprisingly smooth, even in ‘boost mode,’ I found the extraction to be decent, though it still does not fully extract herb right at the lid’s center. As a former Pax 2 owner, I liked my session with this device. The heat-up time is also improved, heating up in under 30 seconds. This area is something that other devices, like the Arc, can certainly improve on.
As mentioned earlier, Pax Plus comes with dual compatibility where you can use both dry herbs and concentrates. However, if you prefer using only dry herbs, Pax Plus comes with a Starter Kit that also costs you less than the complete kit. You won’t get some additional tools like Concentrate Insert, Multi-Tool, or 3 extra Oven Screens. But I loved the starter kit as I rarely use concentrates. So, for people who use dry herbs more frequently than wax, the Pax Plus Starter Kit can be the ideal choice.
While the device performed decently, it isn’t as great compared to similarly priced units, like the AirVape Legacy Pro. Even mid-range convection units on the market, such as the Utillian 723 and 621, offer better vapor quality than the Pax. But, with that said, these other units are bigger and more noticeable, so at the end of the day, its up to you to pick whether you prefer portability or vapor quality.
Manufacturing Quality
Manufacturing quality is typically where Pax Labs shines. They haven’t made many adjustments to the device’s appearance for a good reason. The initial Pax 2 design has aged very well among the other devices available in 2016, and the Pax Plus follows a similar path. The Pax devices are solid dry herb vaporizers when it comes to quality.
The body is constructed with a stainless steel exterior, giving the device a slick look. It feels wonderful and makes plastic units feel inferior, but that does not come with a tradeoff.
The downside is that the body can run very hot because of the wide bottom loading heating chamber. Especially around the heating chamber, the units get hot, which also explains why the Pax’s max temperature is relatively low at 215 degrees Celsius. I prefer metal bodies to plastics, but now you know the tradeoff when you feel something hot in your pocket and wonder if that is normal.
The material of the bottom lid used to be plastic in the original Pax models, and while it was safe, the difference in taste is noticeable. Over the years, the inner part has changed into a material that I think is zirconia, which is great for flavor. There is really no detail on the exact material available right now, but it is as hard as glass, so it leaves me to conclude that it is no longer plastic.
This is great and preferable, in my opinion, but be aware that it makes the lid feel hotter, and handling it is harder. You can’t touch the lid of the Pax Plus when it’s fresh from a session. If you like to have back-to-back sessions, remember that you’ll need to wait for the lid to cool down before emptying your spent herb. This is not the end of the world and is a well-chosen tradeoff.
Including a half bowl and wax container is indelible, giving this device a bit of range. The internal components of the Pax Plus have also been upgraded, as the sessions start faster and hit harder than they have on previous models. If you’re looking to take this device around on your commute, you can put the device upside down in your pocket to avoid the lid from coming off and spilling into your pocket.
I would not recommend throwing the Pax Plus in a bag or purse, as the lid comes off sometimes, and the preloaded herb unloads by itself. I eventually got a dedicated pouch or case, similar to the Armor case, to solve the problem. However, the lid coming off will certainly dock the portability of the Pax Plus despite its amazing form factor to be portable.
The mouthpiece uses medical-grade high heat-resistant silicone in flat and raised styles. In my testing, it was effective, as it didn’t react to heat while maintaining a decent flavor. Most people can detect the smell of silicone, which is usually due to non-medical silicone or silicone treated with oils used in low-end devices. However, even medical-grade silicone isn’t as good as the glass used in the Utillian 621.
While much of the Pax’s design appears unchanged, it’s for good reason. The Pax continues to be a great option for users who view electronics as an extension of their fashion sense and style. It seems as if Pax Labs has stuck to the age-old adage: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Battery Life
Pax claims you can get up to two and a half hours, or about 8-10 sessions, with the Pax Plus. In my testing, I didn’t even get 2 hours. I could not find a mAh number for this either, though all gadget manufacturers list this detail. Despite its claims of an improved battery, the unchanged body leads me to believe otherwise. I think they just changed their battery life testing to a lower temperature to get a better battery performance in minutes. Similar to how some car manufacturers quote their fuel economy, driving the car at snail’s pace and with no breaking.
The pocketable size of the Pax Plus rules out the possibility of a battery that is larger than an 18650, which is capped at 3500mAh. As per our information, the last Pax models already had the biggest and baddest battery inside. The unit size did not increase to house a 20 series battery like the great Air Max does.
Portability
When it comes to portability, the Pax Plus offers several features designed to enhance its on-the-go usability. It has a small and sleek design that fits easily in my pocket, measuring 98mm x 31mm x 22m which makes it one of the smallest vaporizers available, weighing only 90 grams. Due to its strong build, you can use it for skiing, mountain biking, hiking, or simply for outdoor activities without breaking it even after a drop or bang.
Its fast heat-up time allows you to quickly sneak in a session during your commute. The inclusion of a keyring packing tool is a thoughtful addition where it allows you to tamp your ground herb down wherever you go, but one has to seriously keep that in mind if you have car keys on the same chain. You should make sure you tab it down and avoid any smell buildup on the tool as that would just invite problems.
Pax offers “Infused Pax Pucks“, likely a response to the growing demand for third-generation vaporizers. These pucks are compacted dry herbs with small amounts of concentrate, providing a hands-free vaping experience with added potency. However, availability is limited to certain jurisdictions, but we highly recommend trying them out if they are available at your local retailers If you’re seeking an all-in-one dry herb experience and Pax’s Pucks aren’t available where you live, we recommend the Zeus Arc GT3 Hub with its ArcPod system, which allows users to pre-pack their herbs in advance.
One potential issue of Pax Plus is the chamber lid being slightly loose, as it runs the risk of detaching when carried in a pocket or purse. This can be remedied by using a carrying case, such as the Zeus Armor kit.
Overall, the Pax Plus vaporizer is a portable option that offers convenience and durability for various outdoor activities. Its thoughtful design features and innovative options like the Infused Pax Pucks make it a strong contender in the portable vaporizer market, despite a few minor drawbacks.
Ease of Use
As many manufacturers have, Pax has done away with their iOS app controls. This is due to Apple’s unwillingness to play nice with vaporizer brands on the App Store. I’m glad it’s gone, to be honest. Not only did it probably add a host of complexities for Pax to keep the App updated, but based on our surveys, it got minimal use.
The single-button operation of the Pax Plus creates a level of ease that’s hard to find. Switching between the modes is very intuitive, creating appeal for enthusiasts who don’t want to be bogged down by terpene-specific gaseous state extraction. People who simply want their dry herb vaped will be more than satiated by the options provided by the Pax Plus. While the Pax Plus’s minimal settings create a minimal learning curve, searching for temperature settings is slightly inconvenient.
It’s safe to assume that Pax wants to widen the availability of these pucks, and I can see this idea taking off as a convenient option for users on the go. This is a very refreshing innovation I find, that Pax deserves credit for. It is a monster of a business model to pull off, and only really applies to consumers in select US jurisdictions that they can bring pucks to market in, but for this undertaking, we must applaud them.
Discreetness
The Pax Plus offers a high level of discreteness through its minimal design and pre-built modes. Its slick design can be easily hidden or mistaken for a high-end portable battery.
The Pax Plus also offers ‘stealth mode‘, which advertises minimal odor and cloud production. Any dry herb vape will create odor, as the herb needs to enter a gaseous state for extraction to occur. However, stealth mode will greatly reduce the time the smell lingers, as particulates created by smoking will bind to fabrics in furniture and clothing.
While the Pax Plus’s discreteness is a far cry from what’s achieved with a concentrate-based session, the Pax Plus Starter Kit offers a lot for users who want dry herb exclusivity as one of the few dry herb vapes with a built-in discrete mode.
Overall Experience
The Pax Plus portable vaporizer is a commendable update from Pax Labs, showcasing their commitment to enhancing user experience with a sleek design and feature-rich functionality. This device features dual-use capability, allowing for both herb and wax use, and various experience modes for different preferences.
I was particularly impressed by the Pax Plus’s portability and ease of use. Its compact size and robust build make it ideal for outdoor activities, while the fast heat-up time and key ring packing tool add to its convenience. The introduction of Infused Pax Pucks is a notable innovation that provides a hands-free vaping experience with added potency, though availability is limited to certain jurisdictions.
When compared to other best portable vaporizers on the market, the Pax Plus holds its ground well. Its a good option for combining portability, durability, and user-friendly features. However, it does face stiff competition from devices like the Zeus Arc S, which offers superior vapor quality and a more comprehensive pre-pack system.
To sum it up, the Pax Plus creates solid value by providing a combination of range, convenience, and aesthetics. The sleek build quality, impressive mode variety, and speedy heat-up satisfy the metrics of a great vaporizer. This device particularly appeals to fashion enthusiasts who incorporate their personal electronics into their style. Much like headphones and smartphones, there is a wide market of people who view their vaporizer as something they can use to accessorize an outfit.
If you have any questions about our Pax Plus vaporizer review, need specific instructions on how to use your Pax Plus, or simply want to share your thoughts, please leave a comment below. Thank you for reading, and keep vapin!
