I was able to give the PAX 3 vaporizer a try this week after hearing about it for a long time. This device boasts the ability to use both concentrates and dry herbs from the same device. Not at the same time, of course. The PAX 3 stripped away the need to have more than one device for users who like to alternate between concentrates and dry herbs.
Look and Design 5/5
As we’ve come to expect from PAX, this device is nothing short of sleek and elegant. It’s shiny and comes in an array of attractive colors. The PAX logo adds a nice touch without being obvious, making it even more discreet and attractive than some others.
It’s small but sturdy. It was actually heavier than I was expecting when I first picked it up, though it still fits in my hand easily and can be obscured from view without much problem. It’s bigger than the PAX Era but maintains the same size as the PAX 2, so it doesn’t deviate too much from regular PAX user’s expectations.
It comes in a simple box as expected, though it’s important to note that the contents of your box will depend on if you buy the complete kit or the device only. If you buy the device only, you lose the ability to use concentrates as it won’t come equipped with concentrate inserts.
Build quality 4.5/5
This thing is solid. It’s heavy but in an “I-know-this-thing-is-durable” way, not an unnecessarily bulky way. I never dropped this device or did anything too wild with it, so I can’t speak to its ability to endure everything, but I do feel confident knowing it won’t get destroyed if accidents happen. It comes with different mouthpieces too which I appreciate because different users have different preferences.
I prefer the raised one, though I know many people who prefer the flat top. Either way, putting it all together was super easy and didn’t take long.
The biggest problem for me was how hot the overall device became after just a few minutes of use. It was uncomfortable to hold, and I wouldn’t dare put it back in my pocket after using it, which kind of gets in the way of the whole discreet thing.
For a portable device that stays in my hands, I want one that won’t be uncomfortable or make me feel like it’s about to overheat.
Hit/High Experience 9/10
It’s a PAX, so of course, I had high expectations. It definitely exceeded my expectations when it comes to producing quality, smooth vapor without irritating the throat. The range of temperatures made it easy to get the exact kind of vapor I wanted to achieve.
I was using CBD flower, so I was paying careful attention to each temperature setting without risking getting intoxicated which would have thrown the review off, I’m sure. Each temperature produced satisfactory vapor with a nice, pure taste. Toggling between temperatures was easy as well because the heat up time is extremely quick with the PAX 3.
The temperature range is 360 to 420 degrees Fahrenheit, which is not a huge range but falls right into the high-temperature vaping sweet spot. As I reached the highest temperatures, it naturally produced harsher vapor, but it still felt smooth, which is not always the case when vaporizing at high temperatures. Still, I wish the PAX 3 was capable of vaping at lower temperatures. The temperature range is rather small and doesn’t allow for a lot of experimentation.
Vaping at low temperatures can be useful, especially in the case of handheld vaporizers where users are already being discreet.
Maintenance and Longevity 5/5
The battery life is good, with an average of 8-10 sessions per charge as opposed to the 6-8 expected for the PAX 2. It also heats up in about 20 seconds, which is super fast. I didn’t feel like the vapor was really ready until at least another 20 seconds, so I’d recommend waiting at least 30 seconds before using it after heating up.
Charging the PAX 3 is very easy as well, and I really like the build of the charger. It takes about 90 minutes to fully charge, which is an improvement from the 120+ minutes expected for the PAX 2. The only downside I see for maintaining this device is the cleanup.
This part is a bit more extended than some other vapes, but I don’t mind because keeping the parts clean means having a quality device for a long time. Still, you have to do a full cleanup every now and again or you’re going to have a very clogged vape.
For daily use though, you pretty much just have to keep the mouthpiece and bowl clean. It comes with the territory and shouldn’t be too much of an issue. If you maintain this part well, doing a full cleaning every now and again won’t be too difficult and will help extend its life.
Overall thoughts on the PAX 3 - 4.7/5
This is quite the vaporizer coming in at a relatively low price. For about $250, you can swap between dry herbs and concentrates while maintaining a high level of discretion. My biggest hangup is how the whole device gets hot after use, but as far as I can tell, it’s not about to explode.
This is a minor downside when you look at the quality of the device and the flavor and smoothness of the vapor produced by it. I would also prefer it if the temperature would go a little lower than 360 degrees Fahrenheit. I’d recommend this device to anyone who likes to vaporize both dry herbs and concentrates.
Quality is not sacrificed for either capability, making it a great choice for someone who really cares about their experience and wants to be able to get the best of both worlds. It’s worth mentioning this vaporizer has extensive Bluetooth capabilities and can be controlled by your phone. I skipped over this function because but I imagine this could be a huge plus for many users.