PAX Plus Review: Is This Dual-Use PAX Still Worth It?

The PAX Plus took everything people loved about the PAX 3 and simplified it. It dropped the app, added four easy Experience Modes and kept the dual-use design that lets you vape both dry herb and concentrates. We spent plenty of time with it to see how it holds up, and whether it's still a smart buy now that PAX has released newer models.

Short answer: it's still a stylish, easy-to-use portable, but the newer PAX 4 and PAX Mini 2 are the better picks for most people today. Here's why.

Instead of exact temperatures, the PAX Plus uses four Experience Modes, shown by the LED petals:

• 1 petal, Stealth Mode: Lighter vapor and less smell for discreet sessions.
• 2 petals, Efficiency Mode: Slower, relaxed sessions that stretch your herb.
• 3 petals, Flavor Mode: Focused on taste.
• 4 petals, Boost Mode: The most power, best for bigger clouds and concentrates.

PAX doesn't publish the exact temperature for each mode. Based on earlier PAX models, they likely range from roughly 356°F to 419°F (180°C to 215°C). That covers most casual users, but the top setting is lower than many competitors, which limits how fully it extracts your herb.

Vapor Performance

Each mode does what it says. Vapor is smooth, even in Boost Mode, and flavor is good for a conduction device. If you've used a PAX 2 or PAX 3, the Plus feels like a clear step up.

Extraction is decent but not perfect. The herb in the very centre of the oven, near the lid, doesn't always get fully vaped. Stirring once during a session helps.

Compared to similarly priced portables, the PAX Plus isn't the strongest performer. Larger devices often deliver denser vapor, but they're also bigger and more noticeable. With the PAX Plus, you're trading some power for a very compact, stylish design.

How to Use

If you've used a PAX before, the Plus works the same way:

1. Remove the magnetic lid on the bottom and fill the oven with ground herb. Snap the lid back on.
2. Press the centre of the mouthpiece to turn it on.
3. Hold the button to enter mode selection, then tap to cycle through the four modes.
4. Hold the button again to confirm your mode.
5. When the LED goes solid, inhale gently.

For concentrates: Open the concentrate insert, add your concentrate and close it. Place the insert into the empty oven and follow the same steps. The insert sits slightly out from the bottom, which is normal. Boost Mode gives the best results with concentrates.

Heat up is quick, usually under 30 seconds. Between sessions, let the device cool for a few minutes before emptying the oven.

Build quality is where PAX shines. The PAX Plus keeps the classic PAX shape, with a sleek metal body that feels premium in the hand. The design has aged well since the PAX 2, and PAX clearly followed the rule of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

The inner oven lid has been upgraded from the plastic used on early PAX models to a harder, ceramic-like material. That's better for flavor, but it also holds more heat, so give it time to cool before handling.

The mouthpieces are made from heat-resistant, medical-grade silicone and come in flat and raised styles. Some people can still notice a slight silicone taste, but it doesn't react to heat.

Depending on the kit, the PAX Plus includes flat and raised mouthpieces, a half-pack oven lid for smaller sessions, and a concentrate insert, along with spare screens and a multi-tool.

When compared to its predecessors and contemporaries like the Pax 2, Pax 3 or Crafty Plus Vaporizer, the Pax Plus holds its ground with its unique blend of style, functionality, and durability. While it may not offer the same degree of temperature control as some full-spectrum devices, its user-friendly design and consistent performance make it a favored choice among many users.

The PAX Plus is one of the smallest dry herb vaporizers you can buy, at about 98 x 31 x 22mm and around 90g. It slips easily into a pocket, and the solid build handles everyday bumps and outdoor use well.

The fast heat up makes it easy to take a quick session on the go. Carrying it upside down in your pocket helps keep the lid in place.

Battery and Charging Performance

PAX claims up to about 2.5 hours, or 8 to 10 sessions, per charge. In our experience, it came in closer to under 2 hours, depending on your mode and how long you draw. That's still enough for most people to get through a day.

The battery is internal and not user-replaceable. Given the compact size, PAX doesn't have room for a larger battery without changing the shape.

Daily Use and Cleaning

The PAX Plus is very easy to use. There's no app to set up, and the single button handles everything. Switching modes is simple once you've done it a couple of times, though some people wish the exact temperatures were listed.

The wide oven is easy to access and clean. Let it cool, remove the lid and scrape out spent herb with the multi-tool. Every so often, wipe the oven and mouthpiece with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol, and clean or replace the screen when airflow feels tight. A spare PAX Multi-Tool is handy to keep around.

Smell and Stealth

The PAX Plus is very discreet. Its sleek, minimal look can easily pass for a portable battery or gadget.

Stealth Mode lowers vapor production and reduces lingering smell, which is useful in shared spaces. Like any dry herb vaporizer, it still produces some aroma, but vaping lingers far less than smoke.

The One Design Flaw We Noticed

The magnetic oven lid can come loose. In a bag or purse, it sometimes pops off, and loaded herb can spill out. Carrying it upside down in a pocket helps, but a case or pouch is the best fix.

The body can also get quite warm around the oven, especially during longer sessions. It's normal, but it may surprise you in your pocket.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy the PAX Plus?

The PAX Plus is a stylish, well-built and easy-to-use portable. Dual-use capability, four simple Experience Modes and a fast heat up make it a solid all-rounder, especially if you care about design as much as performance.

That said, PAX has moved on. If you're shopping today, we'd point you to the newer models:

• PAX 4: The classic PAX shape with hybrid heating for stronger vapor.
• PAX Mini 2: Smaller and simpler, now with four heat modes and a bigger oven.
• PAX Flow: The most powerful PAX, with hybrid heating and open airflow. Read our PAX Flow review.

Already own a PAX Plus? Keep it running with the PAX Charging Tray, PAX Grip Sleeve and PAX Water Pipe Adapter, all compatible with the Plus. Browse all PAX parts and accessories, or compare models in our PAX vaporizer comparisons.

Pros

• Very compact and pocket-friendly
• Premium, durable build
• Works with dry herb and concentrates
• Four simple Experience Modes
• Fast heat up
• Discreet Stealth Mode

Cons

• PAX doesn't list exact mode temperatures
• Lower max temperature limits full extraction
• Real-world battery life falls short of PAX's claim
• Oven lid can come loose in a bag
• Body gets warm near the oven
• Replaced by newer PAX models

Review Written By: Riley H

Riley H is the owner and founder of Canadian Vaporizers. He started working in the vaporizer industry at 19 and has spent more than 10 years running online vaporizer and cannabis accessory stores. In that time, he has personally tested almost every vaporizer on the market, from pocket-sized pens to full desktop units.

Riley is a daily cannabis user who uses it to stay focused and motivated, not to slow down. That hands-on, everyday experience shapes every review he writes. He knows what matters when you're actually using a device day after day: how it hits, how long the battery lasts, how easy it is to clean and whether it's worth the money. His goal is to give Canadians honest, straightforward advice so they can choose the right vaporizer the first time.

Our reviews and ratings are based on personal testing and over a decade of industry experience. They reflect the opinion of the author and are meant as a helpful starting point for your research. We encourage every reader to compare options before making a purchase.