Note to editors (please remove before publishing): Working draft. (1) Check to see if the Pax 3 is still in the active catalog — if not, close the article by recommending the Pax Plus and change references to the 3 to “anyone who still finds it used or in residual stock.” (2) Reread the specs. (3) Add your own photos.
Why compare them?
Pax is the Californian brand famous for bringing a minimalist aesthetic and an iPhone-style user experience to the portable vaporizer: few buttons, plenty of design, and plenty of marketing. For years, it has been the most iconic and recognizable vaporizer on the market.
In 2022, Pax launched the Pax Plus, a direct upgrade from the Pax 3 , which had been in the catalog since 2016. They are very similar models aesthetically but with significant practical differences. If you're considering purchasing or have a Pax 3 and are wondering whether it's worth upgrading, this guide tells you everything.
At a glance: the main differences
| Characteristic | Pax Plus | Pax 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Release year | 2022 | 2016 |
| Heating | Optimized management | Management |
| Warm-up time | ~15 seconds | ~15 seconds |
| Battery life | Up to 3 hours | Up to 2 hours |
| Recharge | USB-C | Magnetic base (proprietary) |
| How to use | Grass only (dedicated room) | Herb + concentrates (optional chamber) |
| Check | 4 temperature presets | 4 temperature presets |
| App | Yes (Bluetooth) | Yes (Bluetooth) |
The 5 practical differences that matter
1. Charging: USB-C vs. Magnetic Base
The most tangible difference is in everyday use. The Pax Plus charges with any USB-C cable—the one from your laptop, tablet, or Android smartphone. The Pax 3 requires its proprietary magnetic base: if you lose it on the go, you're stuck.
This single difference explains why many longtime Pax 3 users have upgraded to the Plus: the freedom to charge anywhere changes the practical use.
2. Battery life: the Plus has a larger battery
The Pax Plus offers up to 3 hours of continuous use, while the Pax 3 tops out at 2 hours. In real-world sessions, that means 8-10 sessions with the Plus versus 6-7 with the 3. It's not a dramatic difference, but it's noticeable for those who use it multiple times a day.
3. Weed chamber vs. concentrate chamber
Here, the Pax 3 has a small advantage: the original package includes two separate chambers, one for herb and one for concentrates (wax). The Pax Plus only comes with the herb chamber, and the concentrate chamber must be purchased separately as an accessory.
If you never use concentrates, this difference won't matter to you. If you use them occasionally, however, the Pax 3 seems more complete out of the box—but it's worth noting that the concentrate experience on the Pax has never been as good as dedicated wax vaporizers like the Puffco Proxy. If concentrates are important to you, it's best to look at dedicated models.
4. Temperature
There's no substantial difference. Both have four pre-configured temperature presets (base 182°C, medium 193°C, high 204°C, maximum 215°C approximately), all customizable via the Pax Vapor app on your smartphone.
5. Price
The Pax Plus is on average cheaper than the Pax 3 (which was going out of production), when you could still find it. Today, the Plus is the obvious choice for its price/quality ratio alone, as well as its technical upgrade.
Which one to choose today?
If you're buying your first Pax: the Pax Plus, hands down. USB-C charging, a larger battery, and a better price make it the obvious choice. The Pax 3 is a great product, but it's six years older, and buying 2016 tech today when the 2022 version is available doesn't make much sense.
If you already have a Pax 3 and are considering upgrading: it depends on how you use it. If you're happy with the magnetic base and don't have battery life issues, your Pax 3 could last for years. However, if the proprietary charging is becoming a hassle (e.g., when traveling), upgrading to the Plus is worth it.
If you have a Pax 3 with a camera and use it regularly, don't upgrade to the Plus, or you'll have to buy the dedicated camera separately. The Pax 3 is still more complete in that case.
[PHOTO: Pax Plus in hand, showing off its compact design]
Pax Plus vs. similarly priced competitors
If you're considering the Pax Plus, it's worth briefly comparing it to competing models in the same price range:
- Pax Plus vs. Crafty+ by Storz & Bickel: The Crafty+ has hybrid heating (slightly more flavorful vapor), while the Pax Plus is more compact and features four years less technology. Similar price. They're two different philosophies: Pax = design + simplicity, Crafty+ = top vapor quality.
- Pax Plus vs. Arizer Solo 3: The Solo 3 offers pure convection vapor, longer battery life, and a similar price, but is bulkier. The Pax Plus remains unbeatable for portability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Pax Plus vaporize concentrates well?
With a dedicated chamber (a separate accessory), yes, but the experience isn't as good as vaporizers designed specifically for wax. If concentrates are your priority, look at models like the Puffco Proxy.
Is the Pax Plus compatible with Pax 3 accessories?
Yes for mouthpieces, replacement chambers, and cleaning kits. Not for the magnetic charging base (not needed on the Plus , which uses USB-C).
Why is it less expensive than the Crafty+ or the Mighty+?
The Pax Plus uses conduction heating (simpler and cheaper to produce) instead of Storz & Bickel's hybrid convection/conduction. The vapor is still good, but it has a slightly less "clean" flavor than a hybrid. For most users, the difference isn't dramatic.
Do you need the app or can you use it without?
It's perfectly fine to use without the app. The four factory temperature presets are already well-calibrated for "average" use. The app is only useful if you want to customize the presets or access advanced options (e.g., motion sensors to turn the device on and off).
Our final advice
For those new to the Pax world: Pax Plus. It's the natural evolution of the Pax 3, with an improved experience across all critical points (charging, battery life, price). Find all Pax models and accessories here: → Pax vaporizers.
If you have any questions or need personalized advice, chat with us: we usually respond within a few hours.