The PAX Plus is one of the most recognizable portable vaporizers on the market, and that recognition is earned. At 93 g and 98 mm tall, it's one of the easiest session vaporizers to pocket at this level of build quality. It isn't in our portable vaporizer rankings, where the hybrid PAX 4 8.9 carries the brand.
That pocketability comes with trade-offs. In our sessions, pure conduction heating and four fixed modes left the PAX Plus behind hybrid-heated rivals like the Crafty+ 8.2 Being phased out on vapor quality. But if fitting a capable vaporizer into a slim pocket is the priority, the Plus belongs on your shortlist.
We tested the PAX Plus over several weeks of daily use for this review. Here's the full breakdown.
What's in the box
The Complete Kit we tested bundles everything needed for both cannabis flower and concentrate sessions:
- PAX Plus vaporizer
- Flat and raised mouthpieces
- Half-pack oven lid and full oven lid
- 3D oven screens
- Concentrate insert
- Multi-tool and wire cleaning brush
- Magnetic USB charging cable
The Starter Kit covers the flower basics and skips the concentrate insert, half-pack lid, multi-tool and extra screens, so check which kit you're buying. Accessories swap with the PAX 2 and PAX 3. The Mini 2 takes the half-pack lid and concentrate insert too, but the original Mini's shallower oven doesn't.
The PAX Plus Complete Kit laid out flat.
93 g aluminum body built to survive your pocket
The PAX Plus measures 98 mm x 31 mm x 22 mm and weighs 93 g. The body is anodized aluminum with a matte finish that hides scratches and dings far better than the glossy PAX 3 shell it replaced.
The vapor path runs from the stainless steel oven through a stainless steel tube to the mouthpiece, sealed off from the battery and electronics. Both mouthpieces (flat and raised) are food-grade and press into place, while the oven lid snaps on magnetically.
The PAX Plus sits comfortably in an open palm and disappears entirely once you close your fingers around it.
The PAX Plus in Periwinkle, resting in an open palm.
PAX also reshaped the oven screen into a 3D design that's easier to get out. A press with the multi-tool, or a push from the brush through the vapor path, pops it free. Anyone who's wrestled a stuck PAX 3 screen out with a paperclip will appreciate the improvement.
Build quality earns high marks across the board. The aluminum body feels solid without adding weight, and the matte finish ages well under daily pocket carry. Material quality and assembly rival anything in the portable category at this price point. It comes in Onyx, Sage, Periwinkle and Elderberry, all with the same matte finish.
Conduction heating with four experience modes
The PAX Plus heats cannabis through pure conduction, with the stainless steel oven walls contacting your material directly. Unlike convection vaporizers that pass hot air through the cannabis, conduction heats from the outside in. That's why tight packing is essential for good results. Our convection vs conduction guide explains the trade-offs in detail.
The oven packed with ground cannabis, magnetic lid off.
PAX quotes about 22 to 30 seconds from cold. The lights pulse pink while it warms, then glow in your mode's color and the vape vibrates when it's ready. PAX calls its four settings experience modes rather than listing exact temperatures.
| Mode | Light color | When we reach for it |
|---|---|---|
| Stealth | Purple | Low-key sessions in public, with dimmed lights |
| Efficiency | Teal | Longer, slower sessions |
| Flavor | Yellow | Taste-first draws |
| Boost | Red | Fast, dense sessions and the concentrate insert |
Four presets simplify the choice but remove fine-tuning control.
Draw resistance is moderate with the flat mouthpiece and slightly looser with the raised option. The flat mouthpiece gave us denser vapor, so we preferred it for performance, though the raised one is more comfortable for longer sessions.
A visible cloud from the PAX Plus.
We also found uneven browning near the center of the load, a common conduction quirk where the cannabis furthest from the heated walls stays underdone.
The PAX Plus handles concentrates with the aluminum insert from the Complete Kit (it's also sold separately), best used in Boost mode. Performance is fine for occasional concentrate sessions, but dedicated hardware does better. Our temperature guide covers how heat affects terpenes and cannabinoids.
3300 mAh battery runs 10 sessions per charge
The 3300 mAh built-in battery delivers roughly 10 sessions per charge, and PAX rates it at over two hours of use. That's enough for a full day of moderate use without hunting for a charger, and respectable for a vaporizer this compact.
A full recharge takes about 2.5 hours on the proprietary magnetic charging puck, which snaps onto the back of the vape. There's no USB-C port on the Plus itself. There's no pass-through charging, so you'll need to wait for a charge before resuming. The motion-sensing standby mode helps conserve battery between draws, which adds real-world longevity beyond the raw session count.
The PAX Plus charging on its magnetic puck.
The battery is built in, and normal battery wear isn't covered by the warranty. Expect capacity to fade after a few years of heavy daily use. Portables with swappable batteries, like the XMax V3 Pro with its 18650 cell, suit buyers who prioritize long-term ownership.
One-button operation, but plan to clean often
The PAX Plus is among the simplest vaporizers to operate. Press the mouthpiece once to power on, hold it for two seconds to enter mode selection, quick-press to cycle modes, and hold or shake to confirm. That's the entire interface.
Loading takes seconds. Grind your cannabis fine to medium (our grinding guide covers ideal consistency for conduction vaporizers), then pack it tightly and snap the magnetic lid back. A full oven holds about 0.35-0.5 g depending on your grind. The half-pack lid cuts that to roughly 0.17-0.25 g for solo microdosing sessions.
As a session vaporizer, the PAX Plus heats continuously once activated. Draw slowly and steadily for the best extraction. Fast, aggressive pulls gave us noticeably thinner vapor.
Cleaning is the main maintenance requirement. PAX's quick-start guide calls for a clean every 3-5 sessions to keep airflow and flavor at their best. Let the vape cool for at least 15 minutes, pop out the 3D screen, and feed an alcohol-dipped pipe cleaner through the vapor path. The screen and silicone mouthpiece can soak in isopropyl alcohol. Never soak the oven lids or the body, and let everything dry fully before heating. Skip too many cleanings, and you'll notice restricted draw and muted taste. Our cleaning guide covers the full process.
A pipe cleaner fed through the vapor path from the oven opening.
Motion sensing and haptic feedback keep sessions smart
Unlike the PAX 3, the Plus has no app or Bluetooth control. Everything runs through the four built-in modes, which is a big part of why it's so easy to live with.
The petals glowing purple, the Stealth mode color.
Motion sensors detect when you pick up or set down the vaporizer, triggering standby mode to conserve both battery and cannabis. Haptic vibration signals status changes (ready, mode switched, low battery). Shaking the vape shows the remaining charge through the same petal LEDs, each one worth about a quarter. These small touches make the PAX Plus feel more aware than most portables in its class.
PAX Plus vs PAX 3, PAX 4, Crafty+, Mini 2 and XMax V3 Pro
Here's how the Plus lines up against its PAX siblings and the portables buyers most often weigh it against.
| Vaporizer | Our score | Heating | Temperature control | Battery | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAX Plus | 7.9 | Conduction | 4 preset modes | Built-in, about 10 sessions | 93 g | 10 years |
| PAX Mini 2 | 8.4 | Conduction | 4 preset modes | Built-in, 3 to 4 sessions | 89 g | 2 years (3 if registered) |
| PAX 4 | 8.9 | Hybrid | 4 preset modes | Built-in, about 5 sessions | 125 g | 2 years (3 if registered) |
| Crafty+ | 8.2 | Hybrid | 3 presets, single degrees in the app | Built-in, about 5 sessions | 135 g | 2 years |
| XMax V3 Pro | 8.2 | Convection | Single degrees, 100-220°C | Swappable 18650, about 7 sessions | 105 g | 1 year |
PAX Plus vs PAX 3: same body, simpler controls
The Plus is the PAX 3's successor in the same 98 mm body. It swaps the app and Bluetooth for four built-in modes, a matte finish that shrugs off pocket wear, and a 3D screen that pops out with the multi-tool. Lids, mouthpieces and the concentrate insert carry over. If your PAX 3 still works, you don't need to upgrade.
PAX Plus vs PAX 4: longer warranty vs hybrid vapor
The PAX 4 adds hybrid heating and USB-C charging, and we liked its vapor better. Both run on one button and four modes. The Plus is 32 g lighter, lasts about 10 sessions per charge against the PAX 4's five, and carries a 10-year warranty against two (three if you register the PAX 4). See our PAX Plus vs PAX 4 comparison for the full breakdown.
PAX Plus vs Crafty+: portability vs vapor quality
The Crafty+ uses hybrid heating and supports dosing capsules, producing smoother, more flavorful vapor in our sessions. Flavor clarity and extraction evenness are noticeably better than what the PAX Plus achieves through pure conduction.
At 135 g, the Crafty+ is bulkier and harder to conceal. Choose the Crafty+ for vapor quality. Choose the PAX Plus for maximum pocketability. Storz & Bickel is phasing the Crafty+ out, so current stock is the last.
The Crafty+ next to the slimmer PAX Plus.
PAX Plus vs PAX Mini 2: same price, smaller body
The PAX Mini 2 8.4 also has four heat modes and a one-button interface, in an 89 g body that's 5 mm shorter. It ships with a half-pack lid and works with the concentrate insert. The key difference is the warranty: 10 years on the Plus versus two on the Mini 2, or three if you register it within 30 days. At a glance, you'd struggle to tell them apart. For a detailed breakdown, compare the PAX Plus and PAX Mini 2.
The PAX Mini 2 (left) beside the PAX Plus.
PAX's US store listed both at $150 in September 2026, with the Plus Complete Kit on Notify Me. With price off the table, it comes down to size versus warranty, and the 10-year cover is the Plus's trump card.
PAX Plus vs XMax V3 Pro: form factor vs value
The XMax V3 Pro 8.2 carries a $99 US list price and brings full convection heating, a replaceable 18650 battery, and degree-by-degree control across 100-220°C. We got better vapor from it in our sessions.
The PAX Plus, PAX Mini 2 and XMax V3 Pro, left to right.
The trade-off is refinement: the V3 Pro is larger, uses more plastic, and lacks the PAX's polished aluminum feel. For raw performance per dollar, the V3 Pro is the stronger buy. The PAX Plus wins only if form factor and build materials top your list.
Who should buy the PAX Plus
- Pocketability-first buyers who need a vaporizer that fits in tight jeans, ski jacket pockets, or a closed fist without drawing attention.
- First-time vaporizer users who want zero learning curve with one button, four modes, and no screens or apps to deal with.
- Dual-use experimenters who want to try both cannabis flower and concentrates from a single vaporizer with the concentrate insert.
Skip it if:
- You want exact temperatures. Four preset modes are all you get. The XMax V3 Pro gives you degree-by-degree control.
- Flavor is your top priority. Conduction gave us less flavor than the hybrid PAX 4 and Crafty+.
- You live on concentrates. The insert is fine for the occasional session, but dedicated hardware does better.
- You want USB-C. The Plus charges only on its magnetic puck, so pack the puck when you travel.
Final verdict
The PAX Plus earns its reputation as one of the easiest session vaporizers to carry. The 93 g body, quick heat-up, and dead-simple interface make it an ideal grab-and-go companion for active lifestyles.
PAX backs the Plus with a 10-year limited warranty on units bought from authorized sellers, one of the longest in the portable category. PAX repairs or replaces defective units, but normal battery wear and damage from concentrates or liquids aren't covered.
Weighing PAX's side-door hybrid too? The 135 g PAX Flow 8.1 with its removable side oven door gets the full side-by-side in our PAX Flow vs PAX Plus comparison.
We recommend the PAX Plus specifically for buyers who rank pocketability above vapor performance. Vapor quality and value lag behind the hybrid and convection alternatives above, so everyone else will find more for their money in the mid-range competition.
