PAX 3 Review and Comparison to Its Competition (vs DaVinci IQ & Crafty)

Today you’re getting the results of our month-long review of the PAX 3. We tested the PAX 3 on every possible metric a vaporizer can be tested on:

• Vapor quality;
• Battery-life;
• Draw-resistance;
• Efficiency, and many other metrics which you’ll learn about today.

You’ll also get an easy comparison table to compare the PAX 3 to its direct competition like the DaVinci IQ.

The best part? You’re getting simple but effective tips to optimize the performance of the PAX 3.

Design / Build Quality (9)

The PAX 3 is a beautiful little vaporizer. Its futuristic shape and aluminum polished outer shell truly make it look and feel like a luxurious item for trendy people.

At the same time:

It’s built like a tank and can take some serious beating. The PAX 3 can survive any drop and any weather. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for a vape to take with you for outdoors activities like skiing, hiking, festivals.

The sturdy, outer aluminum shell comes with one disadvantage though:

The PAX 3 is very susceptible to scratches. This is unlike the PAX 2 which has a brushed aluminum outer shell that’s scratch-resistant.

So even though the PAX 3 looks shinier with the polished shell, in my opinion, the brushed aluminum shell of the PAX 2 is even better for durability.

The materials used in the PAX 3 are pretty much the same as in the PAX 2:

• Surgical grade stainless steel, and;
• Food-safe and heat-resistant plastic.

As you can see there’s mostly metal and no glass inside the PAX 3. Metal has some pros over glass, but glass has some pros over metal.

• Pros of metal: stainless steel is sturdy and easy to clean;
• Pros of glass: glass is absolutely the safest material and best for flavor.

Overall, the PAX 3 is a very well designed portable vaporizer. It’s beautiful and extremely sturdy at the same time.

Portability (9.5)

If there’s one category in which the PAX 3 absolutely excels, it has to be portability. Even though it’s not the smallest portable vaporizer in our arsenal (the MIQRO is slightly smaller for example), we argue that because of its amazing battery-life, the PAX 3 will be the best choice for most vapers that are looking for a pocket-vape for on-the-go.

Size & weight

Think of a vaporizer that easily fits in the palm of your hand or pocket.

Done? Well, the PAX 3 is even smaller than that.

Although the DaVinci IQ and especially the MIQRO are slightly more compact than the PAX 3, the PAX 3 is already small enough to be qualified as a pocket-vape or tiny vaporizer.

Its exact dimensions are as follows:

• 3.87 x 1.21 x 0.85 inches (9.3 x 3.1 x 2.2 cm).

It’s not only small, but very lightweight as well. It only weighs 95 grams, you will barely feel it in your pocket.

Discreetness of design

If discreetness is important to you, look no further than the PAX 3.

Here’s why:

• It’s small;
• Has no mouthpiece sticking out, and;
• Has an extremely quick heat-up time (15 seconds).

Pull your PAX 3 out, have it ready in 15 seconds, take some puffs while covering it with the palm of your hand (no mouthpiece so no one will easily associate it with vaping), get medicated, and sneak back into the shadows.

Just be wary of its:

Smelliness

Because the oven lid is not air-tight, the PAX 3 is quite the smelly vaporizer.

When you’re vaping, anyone around within a couple of meters will smell the beautiful smell of your herb.

Now, if I was that person, I would be glad and thank you for it, because quite frankly, I love the smell of herb.

But if you need to be discreet, this can be a serious hindrance.

It gets better:

The smell doesn’t linger around for long and if you empty your bowl quickly after you’re done with your session, you will minimize any after- or ABV-smells coming out of your unit.

Battery life

PLOOM PAX absolutely aced it with the PAX 3’s battery.

But they had already aced it with the PAX 2, and the PAX 3 doesn’t see any improvement in this area.

You still get an extremely solid 90 minute of continues use. Only a few portable vaporizers will get you more. And none of the other pocket-vapes (small vapes) will get you more battery life than the PAX 3.

The charge-up time of the PAX 3 is 2-3 hours with a standard USB-charger. USB means you can basically charge up your PAX 3 anywhere these days, which is great if you’re on the move a lot. Just always make sure that you use your PAX 3’s cable and not any other random USB-charging cable like your phone’s.

Safety (8.5)

The heating element and air path

The heating element is the most important part of a vaporizer in terms of safety. This is because it has the biggest risk in giving off toxic fumes when questionable materials are in or near it (like lead, plastic, etc.)

But with 100% conductions vaporizers, which are properly designed, such risk simply does not exist, as long as the air path is fully separated from the heating element as well.

Here’s why:

In a full conduction vaporizer, your bowl is what heats up your herb. And the heating element is what heats up your bowl. If your vaporizer is properly designed, the heating element does not come into contact with your herb at all (only with your bowl).

Now, why did I say “as long as the air path is fully separated from the heating element”?

IF there’s a risky heating element in your vaporizer (with materials like lead, plastic or silicon near it or even inside it), it can still pollute the air in your vaporizers air-path, and therefore the vapor you inhale. Therefore it’s always preferred that your vaporizer’s air-path is separated from the heating element with conduction vapes. With convection vapes this is impossible, that’s why with convection vapes the safety of the heating element becomes even more important.

As it turns out:

The air path of the PAX 2 is fully separated from the electronics, including the heating element. Which means you don’t risk inhaling toxic fumes with the PAX 2. Although I haven’t seen the internals of the PAX 3, I think it’s safe to assume that the PAX 3 is designed the same way.

Then onto the materials. The vapor path and bowl are made of surgical grade stainless steel and the mouthpiece is made from heat-resistant and food-safe plastic.

This is all fine from a safety perspective.

The only tip I would give is to keep your bowl clean. Because acidic substances like resin do have the capability to corrode stainless steel and make it leach chromium and nickel, both of which can be toxic if ingested in sufficient quantities.

Vapor Potency (7.5)

If you’re looking for big clouds, the PAX 3 has got you covered.

No, it won’t produce monster clouds like the MIGHTY or CRAFTY, but big enough for most.

Now, I’m not exactly sure why, but with full conduction vaporizers, I simply need more hits to reach comparable levels of medication compared to hybrid (conduction and convection heating colmbined) or convection vaporizers.

So even though the PAX 3 can produce big clouds, the clouds coming out of a Firefly 2, MIGHTY or Boundless CFX help me reach higher levels of medication quicker (the last 2 being really crazy in that regard).

The bottom line is:

The PAX 3 hits hard enough for most, but if you’re looking to take huge hard-hitting rips, I recommend to either get a very powerful portable vaporizer like the MIGHTY or CRAFTY or any desktop vaporizer (desktop vaporizers always hit harder than portable vaporizers because of their access to more electricity from an outlet).

Vapor Flavor (7.5)

For a conduction vaporizer, the PAX 3 provides really good flavor.

With most conduction vaporizers, the flavor deteriorates fast after the first few hits. But the PAX 3 keeps the flavor relatively constant throughout your session. Only after 5-6 hits it starts to deteriorate a bit.

I attribute this quality to its auto-cooling mechanism, which makes sure the heating element only heats your bowl when you’re really using your unit (through lip and motion sensing).

Now:

Although the flavor is good, it can’t compare to a convection vaporizer like the Firefly 2 or hybrid vaporizer like the MIGHTY. So if you’re a flavor-purist, check out these vapes instead.

The vapor does get harsh on the highest heat settings. So if you’re a high-temp vaper, get a nice water adapter and bubbler for your PAX 3 (read about these in the tips and tricks section at the end of the review).

Efficiency (6.5)

This is where PLOOM PAX did improve the PAX 3 a bit compared to the PAX 2.

Both the PAX 2 and 3 have a large oven (0.3-0.4 grams), and the nature of conduction vaporizers makes it so that you really need to pack your oven tightly to get proper vapor production.

This means that without an extra accessory, you can’t put any less herb than 0.3-0.4 grams in the PAX 3 for it to function well.

With the PAX 2 this extra accessory, the half-pack oven lid, you had to purchase separately.

With the PAX 3, the half-pack oven lid is included with your unit, which means it’s more efficient straight out of the box.

The PAX 3, however, stays an inefficient vaporizer by its core design:

• Conduction vaporizers are always less efficient than convection vaporizers because they continuesly cook your herb, and;
• Even with the half-pack oven lid, the minimum amount you need to fill the bowl with to get proper vapor production is high compared to some other vapes like the Firefly 2 or Arizer Solo 2.

For a conduction vaporizer though, The PAX 3 is efficient. It’s more efficient than the Boundless CFX or Flowermate vaporizers for example.

User Experience / Ease of Use (8.5)

Imagine such a sleek and futuristic looking vaporizer as the PAX 3, being extremely difficult to use.

Now that would be a huge anti-climax.

Fortunately, the PAX 3 is very easy to use.

Learning curve

What learning curve? There is none.

But if you’re completely new to vaporizers just make sure you do the following 3 things:

1. Grind your herb fine (powder-fine would best with the MFLB Finishing Grinder for example, but just fine will work);
2. Whether you pack your bowl with the regular or half-pack oven lid, make sure your bowl is 90% packed, and;
3. Compress your herb slightly (not too much) with the PAX loading tool.

The rest really just speaks for itself. Turn your PAX 3 on, pick your temperature and start drawing. There’s no specific draw technique involved. But I like to take slow and controlled draws.

Now, if you want full extraction of the goods (cannabinoids, terpenoids etc.) in your herb, you do need to stir your oven every 4-5 draws. But even without stirring the extraction will be good.

Draw resistance

Compressing your herb in the oven works great for proper vapor production with the PAX 3. But it also hinders airflow in the oven. And hindered airflow means draw-resistance.

So yes, the PAX 3 definitely has some draw-resistance. It has more draw-resistance than the MIGHTY, CRAFTY.

It’s less than the Firefly 2 though.

The PAX 3 APP

Phone apps for vaporizers sound gimmicky to me.

That’s why I absolutely hate it if you need the phone app to get access to all the functionalities of your vape.

Now:

The core functionalities of the PAX 3 are controllable without the app.

But some of the extra functionalities, which are part of the PAX 3 upgrades, are not controllable without the app.

Here’s exactly what you can do with the app:

• Control your temperature in 1°F increments for full control over the effects of your vapor;
• Choose different heating profiles optimized for vapor production, maximum extraction, efficiency or flavor;
• Program the vibration alert for additional feedback and enhanced user experience;
• Lock your unit to prevent anyone else from using your PAX 3.

I do think this app is a bit gimmicky. But you can see it as an extra, as the PAX 3 works fine without the app as well.

Maintenance / cleaning downtime

Cleaning the PAX 3 is easy. There are 4 parts which need regular cleaning:

• The screen at the bottom of the oven;
• The oven itself;
• The vapor path, and;
• The mouthpiece.

The screen is the most important to keep clean and will need the most frequent cleaning (every 4-5 sessions). The other parts you can clean every 8-10 sessions.

To clean these parts, you’ll need:

• ISO alcohol;
• Pipe cleaners, and;
• Q-Tips.

How you clean your PAX 3 is as follows:

1. Remove the oven lid and mouthpiece;
2. Get a pipe cleaner and dip it in ISO alcohol;
3. Clean the vapor path with the ISO-dipped pipe cleaner;
4. Pop the oven screen out and let it soak in ISO alcohol for 5-10 mins.
5. Get a Q-Tip and dip it in ISO alcohol;
6. Clean your mouthpiece, oven and oven lid with this Q-Tip.
7. Let everything dry properly and re-assemble your PAX 3.

It’s an easy process and will take only 5 minutes, so you can get on with what really matters quickly: producing big and tasty clouds with your PAX 3.

Note: NEVER soak anything else than the screen in ISO alcohol. It’s ok to rub the other parts with tools that are dipped in it though.

Temperature Control (9)

The PAX 2 had an interval-based temperature control system.

And while the PAX 3 kept these intervals during regular use (without the phone app):

PAX 3 Temperature Setting	Temperature in Fahrenheit & Celsius
Level 1 (Green)	360°F / 182°C
Level 2 (Yellow)	380°F / 193°C
Level 3 (Orange)	400°F / 204°C
Level 4 (Red)	420°F / 215°C

You now also get precise temperature control with the phone app. Which in turn gives you full control over the effects of your vapor.

If you want to know which temperatures are best for achieving which specific effect, check out this post:

• Best Temperature to Vape Weed

Plus, you get 4 different types of heating profiles, which heat the oven according to different algorithms:

1. Boost: High temperature with aggressive boosting, less auto-cooling. Best for vapor production (potency);
2. Efficiency: Progressively turns up the temperature as your session progresses. Best for maximum extraction;
3. Stealth: Low temperature, fast auto-cooling, dimmed lights. Best for discretion and good for efficiency.
4. Flavor: Regular temperature with occasional boosting, fast auto-cooling. Best for flavor and good for efficiency.

Now, these profiles look fancy and they do work to a certain extent.

The heat-up time is 15 seconds, which is really fast.

Essentially, the PAX 3 is a session-vaporizer with an on-demand heat-up time.

Reputation and Reliability (9.5)

PLOOM PAX has been making vaporizers for 5+ years, and their reputation is undisputed.

They always make premium and very reliable vaporizers. And their customer service is top of the line:

• They act fast, and;
• Always honor the 10-year warranty.

Yes, you get a 10-year warranty with your PAX 3. Which is not only rare in the vaporizer-industry, but also gives you the confidence you need to spend your hard-earned money.

Although the PAX 3 hasn’t been out for 5+ years (in 2019), based on the earlier versions (the original PAX and the PAX 2), I’m pretty confident that this is one of the most reliable portable vaporizers you can get.

The PAX and PAX 2, are extremely reliable:

• They have very low defect-rates;
• They can take some serious beating (drops especially), and;
• Keep functioning like new for a very long time.

The only problem is the battery is not swappable, and no matter what you do, every batter degrades over time. There’s no easy way to replace the battery once it starts degrading.

It gets better:

My PAX 2 still gives me close to the same on-time as when I first got it 4 years ago.

This is much better longevity than the batteries from Storz and Bickel portable vaporizers for example (CRAFTY and MIGHTY).

Pros and Cons & Conclusion

The PAX 3 is the most reliable and easiest to use pocket-vape on the market at this time (2019). Not only can the PAX 3 be dropped, thrown or chewed without degrading in performance, it’s very easy to get the same performance every time with your PAX 3. This pokcet vape has no learning curve whatsoever and delivers great clouds that taste well each and every session.

If you already have the PAX 2, getting the PAX 3 isn’t a life-changing upgrade.

The 4 biggest upgrades you would get by getting a PAX 3 if you already own a PAX 2, are:

• It’s usable with concentrates;
• Has a faster heat-up time, which just provides a better user experience in all aspects;
• Improved heating algorithms for flavor, efficiency or potency;
• Precise temperature control with the app, for full control over the effects of your vapor.

If you don’t have a PAX 2 yet, IMO it’s worthwhile to pay the extra $80 for the extra versatility the PAX 3 provides. Plus, you get the half-pack oven lid, which you would have to buy separately for the PAX 2, which makes the additional cost only $60.

If you have a PAX 2 already, there’s no need to spend $200 for these upgrades.

Despite the somewhat underwhelming upgrades (especially in terms of flavor, potency, and efficiency), the PAX 3 is the most reliable and durable pocket vapes with best battery life that you can currently (2019) get.

Where to buy the PAX 3:

• US – (PAX Official Website)
• Europe – (VapoShop)
• Amazon – (UK / DE) 

Comparison table of the PAX 3 with its biggest competitors:

• PAX 3
• DaVinci IQ
• CRAFTY

	PAX 3	DaVinci IQ	CRAFTY
			</
Price	$199 Shop Now »	$274 Shop Now »	$279 Shop Now »
Features
Size & Weight	3.87(h) x 1.21(w) x 0.85(d) inches / 9.3 x 3.1 x 2.2 cm	3.54(h) x 1.65(w) x 0.94(d) inches / 9 x 4.2 x 2.4 cm	4.3(h) x 2.2(w) x 1.3(d) inches / 10.9 x 5.6 x 3.3 cm
Battery-Life	90 minutes or 10 sessions	50-60 minutes or 5-6 sessions	40 minutes or 4-5 sessions
Heating System	Conduction	Conduction	Hybrid
Draw-Resistance	Medium	Medium	Low
Bowl-Capacity	0.3-0.4 grams	0.3 gram	0.3 grams
Heat-up Time	15 seconds	30 seconds	1-2 minutes
Ratings
Clouds
Vapor Quality
Efficiency
Ease of Use
Safety
Reliability

Now, there are some other options on the market if you’re looking for better vapor quality or efficiency. And I wrote a full post where you can easily compare the PAX 3’s strong/weak points to other vaporizers:

• Compare the PAX 3 to other portable vapes here

Also, if you’re purely looking to vape concentrates, I highly advise to get one of the vape pens in this post:

• Vape Pens for Concentrates

PAX 3 Tips and Tricks

How to grind your herb:

For best results:

Grind your herb powder-fine.

The way I like to do this, is first with a regular grinder and then finish with the MFLB Finishing Grinder.

How to pack your bowl:

Whether you use the half-pack oven lid or the regular oven lid…

Always pack your oven full and compress it with the PAX loading tool.

How to draw:

I like to take slow and controlled sips.

But there isn’t any specific draw-technique which works better.

Just make sure you don’t put the whole mouthpiece in your mouth when drawing. Put your lips slightly over the edge of your mouthpiece when drawing.

Stir your bowl:

For full extraction, always stir your bowl after 4-5 draws.

How to attach a bubbler to the PAX 3

Get a PAX 3 water-pipe adapter like this one:

• Delta 3d Studios PAX 3 Waterpipe Adapter

And get a cheap bubbler like this one:

• D020-D Bubbler

How to reduce smell

The PAX 3 does smell while heating up and when you keep herb in the bowl (the oven lid is not air-tight).

You can get vinyl caps, which you can place on the top and bottom. These will mask the smell to some extent while there’s herb in your unit’s bowl.

• PAX Caps

More Wax & Dry Herb Vaporizer Articles

• Portable Vaporizers
• Desktop Vaporizers
• Wax/Dab Pens
• Vaping Temperatures
• Are Vaporizers Safe?
• Weed Grinders
• Individual Vaporizer Reviews