What are the differences between the Pax 2 and the Pax? Throughout this Pax 2 vs Pax vaporizer comparison, I will break down all the Pax 2 upgrades like the “lip sensing technology”, new temp settings and also include a full photo gallery of comparison pictures.
Update: The original Pax Vaporizer is no longer being sold.
I recommend checking out my Pax 3 Vaporizer review and my full Pax 3 vs Pax 2 Breakdown for more info on the two.
The new Pax 2 is a bit pricier than I had anticipated but after some pretty rigorous testing, I think the Pax 2 is a HUGE improvement over the original model.
You can check out my full Pax 2 review that breaks down a lot of the similarities between the Pax and Pax 2, but I wanted to go ahead to write a full comparison/review of the Pax 2 vs Pax vaporizers as well.
Cleaning has been drastically reduced and the newer model is about 25% smaller. Read more below to get all the differences between the Pax vs Pax 2.
*The online authorized retailers of the Pax and Pax 2 I recommend are PaxVapor and Vapor. I highly recommend purchasing from an authorized dealer to make sure you get the 10-year warranty.
Table of Contents
Size and Portability
So first things first, the new Pax 2 is roughly 25% smaller and 10% lighter than the original Pax. I weighed out all my units and the original Pax was around 98 Grams while the Pax 2 was around 90 Grams.
The main thing you notice right away is the size. Not only is the unit smaller but they completely removed the mouthpiece sticking out of the top. The new mouthpiece design sits flush along the top of the unit so they essentially just cut off like an inch and a half from the top of the unit and smushed everything together.
Don’t get me wrong, both of these units are still extremely portable but the Pax 2 definitely replaces the previous model and it’s now my go-to for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, skiing, etc… I still like the size and weight of the original Pax and they even reduced the price to $199 but I’d much rather pay the $80 extra for a smaller, newer, more maintenance-free design.
Heating and Temp Options
The heating has some big upgrades and all for the better. The new heater is designed around what they call “Lip Sensing Technology”. This allows the mouthpiece to sense when your lips are touching it and it then tells the heater to ramp up temp a bit to keep a much more stable environment in the oven (More even AVB).
The Pax 2 comes with four heating settings which is an upgrade from three on the original model. The new temps range from 360F -420F (~180C – 215C) compared to the original Pax with three temps ranging from 370F – 410F (~188C – 210C).
Chambers & Vapor Paths
Both units have a stainless steel oven and vapor path. The Pax 2 uses a different shaped oven which is deeper but not quite as wide. The Pax 2 oven is about 91% the size of the original Pax.
I’m still able to get upwards of .4 grams in the Pax 2 chamber so it’s not that much smaller but the main thing I’ve noticed is that the sessions are much more consistent no matter how you pack it. I definitely get better results with the finishing grinder but it’s not necessary. I’ve also found that using the finishing grinder will add cleaning to your unit because the material is much finer.
Batteries & Charging System
The original Pax used a dinosaur charging system which made the device sit upside down while placed on a charging dock. This caused build-up from the materials in the vape to run down the chamber and into the mouthpiece which then caused problems with the operation of the unit.
You constantly had to clean it and the charging system didn’t help the problem at all.
The new charging system is night and day better. It’s doesn’t charge faster… (how is it better then? DUH?!) but it now uses a USB charging system and an external dock that just attaches to the unit magnetically.
The USB charging opens up options are far as charging locations. You can also pick up battery packs pretty cheap now ($15-$30) that will fully charge portable vapes multiple times over through USB. You are no longer stuck to an outlet or SOL when your Pax 2 dies.
*BONUS TIP: You can use the OLD charging cord from the original Pax and plug it into the new charging dock so you can charge via an electrical outlet. This charges the device much quicker than USB.
The Pax 2 claims a 30% increase in overall battery life which seems to be pretty accurate so far. I’m still doing more testing with average continuous use and charging times from dead battery (both USB and Outlet).
Cleaning & Maintenance
This category was my biggest complaint with the OG Pax model and this is definitely where they improved the most with teh Pax 2. The newer unit completely scratched the old mouthpiece design and now the power/temp button is located on the inside of the unit and out of the vapor path. No more having to worry about cleaning the mouthpiece in order for your vape to work.
The only cleaning I’ve had to do on the new unit is running the pipe cleaner through vapor path. You’ll notice the draw resistance increases as the vapor path gets gunked up.
Pax 2 vs OG Pax Comparison Wrap-Up
Both of these units are still great if you need portability but the newer version is without a doubt a top contender in the portable vaporizer market and far better than the original. They fixed the main complaints with the original version and they did it all while making it smaller.
If you are trying to stay under $200 then Pax 1 is still a good option. I’m just not a fan of the cleaning associated with the unit. It still works extremely well in group situations and easy to use while on the go but if you have the extra $80, I really recommend that you upgrade and go with the Pax 2.
Either way, they both come with a 10-year manufacturer warranty and the PaxVapor/Ploom customer service team is absolutely fantastic. Probably top three in the business as far as customer care and product support.
My personal favorite is the Pax 2 but the original Pax will always have a special place in my heart. The Pax 1 revolutionized the portable vape market and I’m fairly certain they will only continue to get better.
*Important: I recommend you buy direct from PaxVapor or Vapor. They are both authorized dealers so you can be sure you will get a legit product and will be covered if you ever need product support.
Thanks for checking out my site and leave a comment below if you guys have any questions about either of these units or any other vapes.
