PAX 3 Vaporizer Review: There’s a Reason It’s Considered the Best

It’s hard to imagine that a product commonly called “the best vaporizer in the world” would need much of an upgrade, but just as most products can use a bit of incremental improvement, the PAX 3 Vaporizer is the upgraded and latest model in an already strong line.

The PAX 3 Vaporizer comes in a box that appears simple enough, yet it is loaded with compartments holding a plethora of accessories.

The box includes the PAX 3 vaporizer, a concentrate insert, a charging dock, a MicroUSB to USB cable, two mouthpieces, two oven lids, three spare screens, a maintenance kit, a spare O-ring gasket, and a multi-tool keyring.

Specifications

Material: Loose-leaf & extract

Finish: High-polished anodized aluminum

Heat Time: 15 seconds

Temp Settings: 4+

Charge Time: 90 minutes

Colors: Black, gold, silver, rose gold

Dimensions: 3.87″ long by 1.21″ wide by 0.85″ thick

Open Volume: .4″ tall by 0.73 wide by 0.34″ deep

So let’s take a look at the PAX 3 vaporizer, and then we can talk about some of the accessories and how it performs. The PAX 3’s highly polished aluminum body has a beautiful sheen and a nice heft; it feels good when in-hand.

The only sharp edges are on the ends, where its oblong cylindrical shape stops. Four LEDs cut into the aluminum form the PAX logo; the lights have various functions—they indicate charge (in 25% increments), glow white, purple, and green when the Pax 3 is powered on, and indicate temperature.

On the back of the PAX 3, there are two contacts that connect with the charging dock.

The bottom of the vaporizer has a cap that is held on with magnets. To remove it, you press on one end, and it will come off. Inside, you can see the loose-leaf chamber with a filter installed.

This is the concentrate insert; I have to confess that I have zero experience with concentrates, so this bit of the review is more theoretical than practical. So … in order to load it, you remove the end piece and place a small amount of concentrate into the chamber.

You should avoid getting any concentrate into the two chamber tubes. Then, you replace the chamber lid and insert the end piece into the PAX oven. My one complaint is that the concentrate insert doesn’t fit all the way in. It seems secure enough for use, but it looks like it would be easily knocked off.

To use the concentrate chamber, you turn the PAX 3 vaporizer on and let it heat for at least 30 seconds before you use it. When you are done using it, you should turn the PAX off and allow the insert to cool for at least 2 – 3 minutes before removing the insert.

The PAX 3 vaporizer has a built-in mouthpiece that might seem a bit off-putting if you are used to a rubber tip, but it is discreet and easy to use— you simply rest your mouth against the top edge of the vaporizer over the hole, and breathe in.

If you absolutely hate using this type of mouthpiece, it’s no problem — use the included multi-tool to pop the low-profile mouthpiece off and then insert the rubber tip mouthpiece. Options are good, right?

When the PAX 3 is charging, the LEDs will glow and blink white, then solidly once charging is complete.

When you turn the PAX 3 on (by pressing the middle of the mouthpiece), the lights will start at white, then they will glow purple, and then ultimately green. There is a haptic feedback given when the temperature is reached, which is a nice touch — and it gets there quickly — just ~15 seconds versus the PAX 2’s 45 seconds.

You can adjust the temperature by pressing the center of the mouthpiece and holding it for two seconds. Low heat is indicated by a green bar in the upper left, medium low heat is indicated by two yellow bars on the top half of the logo, medium high is indicated by three orange bars (at the top and bottom left of the logo), and high heat is indicated by four red bars.

The PAX 3 has a 3500 mAh battery (which is bigger than any previous PAX models), so you can expect fewer charges in between uses and quicker heating time. Because there are two oven lids, you can decide if you want to load more or less in the loose-leaf chamber; the appropriate lid will make sure that you get the same great vaping experience either way.

It can be a little tricky to load the chamber without spilling your herb, but if you set the pen on a flat surface and take a moment to do it carefully, you’ll manage.

Using the PAX 3 vaporizer is a simple matter of lightly pressing the top of the mouthpiece until the LEDs come on and then waiting for it to heat up. Depending upon whether you are smoking concentrate, dry herbs, or something else, you can adjust the temperature for the best experience.

The PAX 3 heats the bowl using a conductive heating element that warms the oven as you draw in; if it is turned on, the material in the bowl will continue to cook, so it is important to remember to turn the PAX 3 off when you aren’t actively using it — luckily it will turn back on to the proper temperature quickly.

Using the low-profile mouthpiece, it is easy to get a good draw without sucking hard; the vapor produced is thick and rich, and the oven is very efficient at cooking the entire contents. You can use the multi-tool to pack and stir the bowl as you go to make sure that you are vaping at maximum efficiency.

What sets the PAX 3 Vaporizer even further apart from others is its smartphone app. Pairing the vaporizer to the app is a simple matter of pressing the mouthpiece button (while the app is open) and then shaking the vaporizer until the lights glow blue. You can name your vaporizer, and you may have to do an update.

Once your PAX 3 vaporizer is connected and updated, you can use the app to control its temperature (it’s much more exact than the general settings you can reach on the vaporizer); you can also use it to personalize your PAX 3 with color themes, brightness, games, and the vibration level.

Games with our vaporizer? What? Okay, sure. Seems like a good way to run the battery down, though.

There are also various configurations for using your vaporizer — everything from a default setting to a maximum discretion setting to a temp boost that increases during your draw and decreases quickly after — giving you the most possible flavor.

Whether you are using your PAX 3 Vaporizer for loose-leaf herbs or concentrates, this is one of the easiest to use, easiest to personalize, and best experiences available.

The PAX 3 Vaporizer retails for $274.99, and it is available directly from the manufacturer and from other retailers.

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample

What I Like: Dual use vaporizer; ~15-second heat up time; Smartphone app; Easy to use; 10-year warranty; Multiple temperature settings; Haptic feedback; Complete accessory and maintenance kit included; Excellent vaping experience

What Needs Improvement: The concentrate chamber doesn’t sit flush with the vaporizer, which seems clumsy and wrong on an otherwise nearly perfect device

 

DISCLAIMER:
The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from healthcare practitioners.

Please consult your healthcare professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires this notice.

Vaping products are only intended for sale to adults 21 years or older. The reviews and information posted on this site are not intended to be used as a substitute for professional health or medical advice and/or information, as no two people are alike.

You and your doctor know your body best, and you should always get professional advice that is specific to you before trying any of the suggested actions, solutions, remedies, or instructions found on this site.

The owners, editors, contributors, administrators, and other staff of Gear Diary LLC and Gear Diary are not qualified medical professionals, and the materials presented here are not intended to be nor do they constitute actionable professional advice.

About the Author

Judie Lipsett Stanford
Judie is the co-owner and Editor-in-Chief of Gear Diary, which she founded in September 2006. She got her start in 1999 writing software reviews at the now-defunct smaller.com; from mid-2000 through 2006, she wrote hardware reviews for and co-edited at The Gadgeteer. A recipient of the Sigma Kappa Colby Award for Technology, Judie has written for or been profiled by nationally known sites and magazines, and she has served on multiple industry hardware and software award panels. She is best known for her device-agnostic approach, enjoyment of exploring tech, gadgets, and gear, and her deep-diving, jargon-free reviews.

3 Comments on "PAX 3 Vaporizer Review: There’s a Reason It’s Considered the Best"

  1. The concentrate chamber doesn’t sit flush intentionally so that it is easier to remove. Concentrates tend to gum up inserts so not sitting flush allows you to get more leverage in prying it out if it does gum up and stick. Nice review.

  2. do you have to charge the PAX3 via computer? Can you just plug the usb doc into a wall charger (ex. samsung) or does the usb have to be plugged into a computer/laptop?

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