PAX Plus BL6 [A23]

The world of portable vaporizers is constantly evolving, with each new release aiming to outshine its predecessors. In 2016, the Pax 3 set a high standard for the industry, leaving consumers wondering what the next big innovation would be. Now, the Pax Plus has arrived, promising to take the vaping experience to the next level.

In this review, we’ll closely examine the Pax Plus, exploring the changes that distinguish it from the Pax 3. We’ll assess whether these improvements justify the device’s premium price tag and determine who will benefit most from this new offering in the vaporizer market. Let’s dive in and see what the Pax Plus brings to the table.

Gain insight into how we test vaporizers in the methodology section.

July 2024 Update

2024 Paragraph

Quick Review Summary

[P0 – All the different colored PAX Plus units standing next to each other]

Unboxing and First Impressions

The Pax Plus arrives in the classic sleek Pax packaging. Inside the box, you’ll find:

• Pax Plus Vaporizer
• Flat & Raised Mouthpieces
• Oven Lid
• Half-Pack Oven Lid
• Concentrate Insert
• 3x 3D Oven Screens
• Multi-Tool
• Wire Brush
• Dock Charger

[P1 – Close-up shot of all included Pax Plus accessories laid out]

The kit comes with a solid array of accessories to customize your vaping experience. I especially appreciate the inclusion of the half-pack oven lid for smaller sessions and the concentrate insert to expand the device’s versatility.

Holding the Pax Plus for the first time, the first thing I noticed was the new matte finish on the exterior. This is a change from the glossy, scratch-prone finish on the Pax 3. The matte coating provides a more premium feel and should help with grip and durability.

[P2 – Pax Plus held in hand to show scale and exterior finish]

The Pax Plus maintains the same compact, ultra-portable design as its predecessors. At just 3.87 in x 1.21 in x 0.85 in (9.83 cm x 3.07 cm x 2.16 cm) and weighing 3.21 oz (91 g), it remains one of the most pocketable dry herb vaporizers on the market.

[P3 – Pax Plus next to common pocket items like keys, wallet, phone for size comparison]

The signature Pax LED petal lights are present on the front of the device, but they appear to be slightly brighter and more defined than on the Pax 3. The lights will display your current battery level and heat setting.

Heating System and Vapor Quality

The Pax Plus utilizes a conduction oven, which heats your material through direct contact with the hot oven walls. The oven appears unchanged from the Pax 3, with the exception of the new 3D oven screen.

This redesigned screen sits flush with the oven and has larger holes to improve airflow compared to the raised screen on the Pax 3. In my testing, I found the draw resistance to be slightly reduced, making it easier to get satisfying hits without as much effort.

[P4 – Close-up of Pax Plus oven with new 3D screen visible]

The vapor quality from the Pax Plus is very good for a conduction vaporizer. The vapor is smooth and flavorful, especially during the first half of the session. However, as with most conduction vapes, the flavor does taper off towards the end as the material gets more toasted.

[P5 – Shot of vapor production from Pax Plus]

The vapor path in the Pax Plus is fully isolated from the electronics, ensuring a pure flavor. The stainless steel oven and vapor path, along with the food-grade silicone mouthpieces, keep the vapor cool and free from any off-putting tastes.

One of the biggest changes with the Pax Plus is the introduction of the new Experience Modes, which replace the precise temperature control of the Pax 3. There are four modes to choose from:

Stealth Mode (One Petal, 360-380°F / 182-193°C): Lowest heat, minimal vapor production, dimmed LEDs for discreet sessions.

Efficiency Mode (Two Petals, 380-400°F / 193-204°C): Balanced vapor production while conserving material.

Flavor Mode (Three Petals, 400-420°F / 204-216°C): Prioritizes flavor with a boost in temperature when drawing.

Boost Mode (Four Petals, 420-430°F+ / 216-221°C+): Highest heat for maximum vapor production, ideal for concentrates.

While I do miss the precise temperature control, I found the Experience Modes to provide distinct and enjoyable session types for different preferences and situations.

Battery Life and Charging

[P6 – Pax Plus on charging dock]

The Pax Plus is powered by a 3000mAh non-replaceable battery, which is a slight downgrade from the 3500mAh battery in the Pax 3. Despite this, I was still able to get around 8-10 sessions on a full charge, with each session lasting about 10 minutes.

Charging is done via the included charging dock, which connects to the Pax Plus via a magnetic connection. A full charge takes about 2 hours, which is reasonable but not incredibly fast by today’s standards.

[P7 – Close-up of Pax Plus charging pins and dock connection]

One minor complaint is that Pax has stuck with their proprietary charging dock rather than moving to a more universal USB-C connection. This means you’ll always need to carry the specific Pax charger rather than being able to top up with a common cable in a pinch.

The LED petals on the front of the Pax Plus serve as the battery meter, with each petal representing about 25% of the battery. When it’s time to charge, the petals will flash red to let you know.

Ease of Use

The Pax Plus is extremely simple to operate, even for complete beginners. To load the oven, remove the magnetic oven lid at the bottom of the device and pack your ground material inside. The oven holds about 0.4 grams, but you can use the half-pack lid to reduce the capacity to around 0.15-0.2g for shorter solo sessions.

[P8 – Show the where and how to push the hidden button to illustrate how its started]

To power on the device, simply press the top of the mouthpiece (the hidden button in the center of the mouthpiece). The Pax logo will illuminate and the device will immediately begin heating to your last used Experience Mode.

To change Experience Modes, hold down the mouthpiece button for 2 seconds until the petals begin to flash, then press it again to cycle through the modes. The selected mode will flash for a few seconds before the device finalizes the selection and continues heating.

[P9 – Show the PAX Plus as it has reached temperature with the petals solid green]

Once the Pax Plus reaches temperature (which takes around 30 seconds), the petals will turn solid green and the device will vibrate to let you know it’s ready. From there, simply start taking draws from the mouthpiece and enjoy your session.

The Pax Plus will intelligently sense your lips and adjust the temperature while you’re drawing to maintain consistent vapor production. It also uses an accelerometer to detect when it’s being picked up, automatically exiting standby mode and boosting the heat.

[P10 – PAX Plus being picked up, on the way to being used]

If you set the device down for more than 30 seconds, it will automatically cool down to preserve your material, then quickly get back up to temperature when you pick it up again. This allows you to take your time with your session without wasting herb.

Overall, the Pax Plus is one of the most intuitive and user-friendly vaporizers I’ve used. The lack of complicated button combinations or a screen to navigate makes it easy to operate, even when you’re already a few hits in.

Portability and Discretion

[P11 – Pax Plus being in a half-way in a jeans pocket]

The Pax Plus is an absolute champion when it comes to portability. Its compact size and rounded edges make it incredibly easy to slip into any pocket or small bag for on-the-go use. The matte finish also provides good grip to prevent accidental drops.

In terms of discretion, the Pax Plus does a great job of blending in thanks to its sleek, understated design. To the uninitiated, it could easily be mistaken for a power bank or some other common electronic device.

[P12 – Pax Plus concealed in the hand, showing how easy it is to hide it in the palm of your hand and use discreetly]

When using the device in public, the adjustable Experience Modes allow you to tailor your session to your surroundings. The aptly-named Stealth Mode is perfect for a quick hit on the sly, with minimal vapor production and dimmed LEDs.

Of course, no vaporizer is completely odorless, so always exercise caution and respect when using the Pax Plus (or any vape) around others. But as far as portable herb vapes go, the Pax Plus is about as discreet as they come.