Testing the Pax 3

The Pax 3 vaporizer is one of our favorites. A worthy successor to the Pax 2, it has evolved while retaining the style and efficiency that set it apart. And it now allows users to vaporize concentrates.

The Pax 3's Design

As for the packaging, it has doubled in size between the Pax 2 and the Pax 3. The presentation remains high-end, with the vaporizer, its magnetic charger, and the USB cable on one side, and the accessories on the other.

The Pax now comes in a glossy finish, which isn't necessarily ideal for fingerprints and minor scratches. Available in gold, silver, bronze, and black.

Pax 3 Features

One of the major innovations of the Pax 3 is that it can now accommodate concentrates. The accessories therefore include a concentrate cartridge. It’s slightly deeper than the one for dried herbs and will protrude slightly from the vaporizer once inserted, though this isn’t a problem. Concentrates should be placed inside the cartridge, between the two air holes.

Other accessories include:

• A lid for dried herbs that allows you to fill the heating chamber only halfway. On the Pax 2, a heating chamber filled only halfway resulted in less efficient vaporization. The Pax 3 therefore makes it easier to enjoy short sessions.
• A detachable mouthpiece. By default, the Pax comes with a flat mouthpiece, which I prefer, but it also includes another type of mouthpiece
• Protective grilles
• A tool for concentrates
• A cleaning kit, including a mini bottle rinse and fabric brushes

How to Use the Pax 3

Using the Pax 3 is as simple as ever. Click once to turn it on or off. Press and hold for 2 seconds to access the temperature settings, click once to scroll through the temperature options, and press and hold for 2 seconds to select a temperature. A purple LED indicates that the Pax is heating up, and a green LED indicates that it’s ready to use. When it’s ready, the Pax vibrates slightly to let you know.

When you shake your Pax, it will display the battery level on the X. The battery lasts for 5 to 7 vaping sessions before it needs to be recharged. Charging takes about 2 hours when plugged into a wall outlet, and a little longer if you plug the USB cable into your computer, for example.

The heating chamber is always located at the bottom of the vaporizer, while the mouthpiece can be removed to clean the air tube or change the tip. The flat mouthpiece looks nicer, but that’s up to each person to decide. The cartridges slide easily into the Pax, whether they’re for dried herbs or concentrates.

Another major feature of the Pax 3 is the app. Available on iOS and Android, it gives you greater control over the Pax’s temperature and lets you unlock certain special features (such as LED brightness, locking your vaporizer, or disabling vibrations) and pre-configured temperature profiles: Boost, Efficiency, Discretion, and Aromas. Depending on your vaping habits, you can choose the one that suits you best. The app also lets you update your Pax to maximize its performance.

From the outside, not much has changed with the Pax 2. But after using it for a few days, you realize that the latest version is smarter, smoother, and more efficient. With dried herbs, the Pax produces a rich, dense vapor. Inhaling is pleasant and requires little effort. At the end of the session, the dried herbs are brown but not burnt—a sign that they’ve given their all.

With concentrates, the Pax gets the job done, though we’re less impressed than we are with dried herbs. The vapor is just as flavorful and dense as ever, and once again, that fully satisfies us, but we’ve been more impressed by other vaporizers designed specifically for concentrates.

Verdict

In conclusion, the Pax is an excellent dual-purpose vaporizer. I personally prefer it for dried herbs, but it works very well for concentrates, too. At €259, it isn’t necessarily within everyone’s budget. You could opt for the Pax 2, which is still available for €189. But if you can, go for the Pax 3! It comes with a 10-year warranty—more than enough time to see a Pax 7 come along by then.