PAX Comparison: PAX Mini vs PAX 4 vs PAX Flow

PAX makes three dry herb vaporizers right now: the PAX Mini, the PAX 4 and the PAX Flow. They all look like they came from the same family, and they all run on one button. But once you use them, they feel pretty different.

I've spent a lot of time with all three. Here's how they actually compare, and which one I'd recommend depending on how you vape.

The Short Answer

• PAX Mini: The smallest and simplest. Best for everyday carry, beginners and slow, relaxed sessions.
• PAX 4: The classic PAX shape with a hybrid heater. Stronger vapor than the Mini, but a slower heat up.
• PAX Flow: The most powerful PAX. Big clouds, open airflow and a Bong Mode, but it's the largest of the three.

If you just want a small, reliable vape to throw in your pocket, get the Mini. If you want the most vapor PAX has ever made, get the Flow. The PAX 4 sits right in the middle.

All three are pocketable, but you'll notice the difference once you hold them.

• PAX Mini: About 93mm tall and 90g. This is the one that disappears in your pocket.
• PAX 4: About 10.75cm tall and 125g. A little bigger and heavier than the Mini, but still the familiar PAX shape.
• PAX Flow: The largest PAX yet, at about 135g. Still easy to carry, but you'll feel it in your jeans.

How Each One Heats

This is the biggest difference between them, and it changes how you should use each one.

The PAX Mini uses conduction heating. The oven walls heat your herb through contact, so you want a fairly tight pack. Sessions are slow and steady, usually four or five minutes.

The PAX 4 and PAX Flow both use hybrid heating, which mixes conduction with convection (hot air). That means stronger, denser vapor and faster extraction. These like a lighter pack so air can move through the herb. The Flow also adjusts its heat in real time based on how you draw.

Not sure what that all means? Our guide to conduction vs convection vaporizers explains it in plain English.

Heat Settings

PAX Mini: 4 heat modes

• 356°F, 374°F, 392°F and 420°F

PAX 4: 4 heat modes

• 374°F, 392°F, 410°F and 428°F

PAX Flow: 5 heat modes

• 356°F, 374°F, 392°F and 419°F, plus Bong Mode at 437°F

None of them give you degree-by-degree control, and honestly, most people don't miss it. You pick a mode and go. The Flow's Bong Mode is the standout here. It's designed for use with a water pipe and a Flow-specific adapter, and it hits hard.

Vapor: What Each One Actually Feels Like

PAX Mini: Light, smooth and flavorful. The draw is a bit restrictive, almost like sipping through a straw. It's not the device for big clouds, but it's consistent and easy on the throat.

PAX 4: Noticeably stronger than the Mini. PAX says it puts out up to 50% more vapor than its other dry herb devices, and you can feel it. The draw is still on the tighter side compared to some competitors, though.

PAX Flow: This is the one that surprised me. The airflow is way more open than any older PAX, and the clouds are much bigger. It's the closest PAX has come to the feel of a larger portable.

• PAX Mini: Up to 0.5g, or 0.25g with the included half lid. The magnetic lid pops off the bottom.
• PAX 4: About 0.3g in a funnel-shaped oven. Loads from the bottom like older PAX models.
• PAX Flow: About 0.3g. It loads from the side through a magnetic oven door, which makes loading and cleaning a lot easier.

The Mini's half lid is a nice touch if you vape alone and don't want to waste herb on a full bowl.

Heat Up Time, Battery and Charging

Heat up:

• PAX Mini: About 22 seconds
• PAX Flow: About 35 seconds
• PAX 4: About 55 to 70 seconds

Battery life:

• PAX Mini: About 60 minutes
• PAX 4: About 50 minutes, or roughly 5 sessions
• PAX Flow: Shorter than some larger portables, but charges fast

Charging:

• PAX Mini: Magnetic charging cable only, about 90 minutes to full
• PAX 4: USB-C, about 100 minutes to full
• PAX Flow: USB-C, full in about 40 minutes

The Mini's lack of USB-C is my biggest gripe with it. If you forget the magnetic cable on a trip, you can't borrow a phone charger. The Flow's fast charging, on the other hand, is a real win.

Everyday Stuff: Cleaning, Heat and Quirks

All three get warm, especially toward the end of a session. Small vapes have nowhere for the heat to go. The Flow tends to run the warmest, while the Mini is the most comfortable to hold for longer.

A few quirks worth knowing:

• PAX Mini: Has smart standby. Set it down and it lowers the heat to save battery and herb, then heats back up when you pick it up.
• PAX 4: The bottom warms up during use, and the heat up is slower than the other two.
• PAX Flow: The side oven door is removable, so keep an eye on it when you're out. It's easy to misplace.

Cleaning is simple on all three. Let it cool, clear the oven with the multi-tool, and wipe things down with an iso-dipped cotton swab every few sessions. The Flow's side door makes it the easiest to get into.

• PAX Flow: 4 years
• PAX 4: 2 years, plus 1 more when you register within 30 days
• PAX Mini: 2 years, plus 1 more when you register

What's in the Box

PAX Mini: Device, multi-tool, 3 oven screens, wire brush, flat and raised mouthpieces, standard oven lid, half oven lid and magnetic charging cable.

PAX 4: Device, multi-tool, 3 oven screens, wire brush, flat and raised mouthpieces and USB-C charging cable.

PAX Flow: Device, oven door, multi-tool, flat and raised mouthpieces, oven screens (3 spare plus 1 installed), cleaning swabs and USB-C charger.

Both have been discontinued. The PAX 4 is the modern replacement for the PAX 3, and the current PAX Mini now does almost everything the PAX Plus did, with four heat modes and a bigger oven.

If you're still weighing those older models, check out our PAX Plus vs PAX Mini and PAX Plus vs PAX 3 comparisons.

Which PAX Should You Buy?

Get the PAX Mini if you mostly vape on the go, want something tiny and discreet, or you're new to vaporizers. It's the one I reach for most when I leave the house. Read our PAX Mini review.

Get the PAX 4 if you loved the PAX 3 and want that same feel with stronger vapor. Just be okay with a slower heat up.

Get the PAX Flow if you want the biggest clouds, the most open draw and the longest warranty. It's the best performer of the three by a good margin. Read our PAX Flow review.

PAX Mini Pros

• Smallest and lightest PAX
• Fastest heat up at about 22 seconds
• 0.5g oven with a half lid
• Smart standby saves battery and herb
• Easy for beginners

PAX Mini Cons

• No USB-C, magnetic charger only
• Slightly restrictive draw
• Not built for big clouds

PAX 4 Pros

• Hybrid heating in the classic PAX shape
• Stronger vapor than the Mini
• USB-C charging
• Simple, no app needed

PAX 4 Cons

• Slowest heat up of the three
• Tighter draw than many competitors
• Bottom gets warm during use

PAX Flow Pros

• Most powerful PAX by far
• Very open airflow
• Bong Mode for water pipes
• Fast USB-C charging
• 4-year warranty

PAX Flow Cons

• Largest of the three
• Runs the warmest
• Removable oven door can go missing

Want to see how PAX compares to other brands? Read our PAX vs Storz & Bickel comparison, or browse all PAX vaporizers and PAX parts and accessories.

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.