The Pax was the original portable vaporizer made by Ploom. The retail price on the Pax by Ploom was $199 and it is no longer being manufactured/sold. In my opinion, the Pax was one of the best vaporizers that you could get for absolute portability and discreetness. It has a very high-quality build and a very sleek design which helps conceal the vaporizer in almost any situation.
Update: The OG Pax was replaced quite some time ago, but the Pax 2 and Pax 3 will also be discontinued soon. There are a few “Sage” and “Onyx” Pax 3 complete kits still available from Pax Labs as I update this, but they won’t be around for long. I think the Pax 2 is officially gone.
The Pax 2 and Pax 3 vaporizers have been replaced by the Pax Mini and Pax Plus, respectively. The Pax Mini (Pax Mini Review) is a smaller, more compact version of the Pax 2, and the Pax Plus (Pax Plus Review) is a simplified, easier-to-use version of the Pax 3. Check out my reviews and hit me up with any questions.
Any information below here is likely out of date, but still cool to see the older models.
The Pax vaporizer fits perfectly in your pocket or even a small eyeglass case. It does require a bit of cleaning compared to other portables but it is super easy to use and has above-average battery life.
The Pax was my highest-rated vaporizer in terms of portability at the time, and if it were still sold today, I would rate it an 8.6 because the cleaning/mouthpiece was a bit of a pain to deal with.
Size and Portability
I can’t stress the fact about how portable and concealable the Pax is. The unit is also really easy to travel with because you don’t have to keep track of glass tubes, batteries, whips or mouthpieces. Everything is attached and stays together. Ploom designed it well with no finicky parts or flawed designs.
Pax Chamber and Oven Info
The oven is super easy to pack. Simply remove the cap from the bottom of the unit and place your herbs inside. Since the cap is magnetic it just snaps right back into place. I have never had any problems with it coming apart once it latches back into place.
The design and elegance of this unit are one of the things that sets it apart from other units. The Pax is very consistent and reliable. I’ve had mine for over 2 years now and no problems what-so-ever. The chamber, or “oven” is bigger than other portable vapes which allows you to get more out of a single vape session.
The one complaint some people have about the Pax is that there is a bit of a resistance to the draws during your sessions. I’ve found it’s best to slow down your draw and increase its length. Try to aim for 10-15 seconds with a controlled slow draw and it works great.
Fake Pax vs Real Pax
There are many different counterfeit versions of the Pax so it is hard to narrow down exactly whether or not you have a fake. My first recommendation is to buy from an authorized dealer. If you find a Pax below the $249 $199 MSRP it is most likely a fake and will not be covered under the 10-year manufacturer warranty.
To get the warranty you must purchase the Pax from an authorized local head shop or online retailer.
From PaxVapor: “Consumer safety is our utmost concern. To ensure consumers receive the quality we stand behind, we urge consumers to purchase Pax vaporizers from Paxvapor.com or from authorized retailers identified through the PaxVapor Authorized Retail Locator,” They go on to say: It has recently come to light that certain Pax counterfeits contain plastic materials which are not stable at operating temperatures. PaxVapor suggests that any consumer who has purchased a counterfeit Pax to discontinue their use immediately.
I understand that everyone wants to save a buck where they can but this is not the place to do it. You are using an inhalation device to heat herbs in excess of 400 degrees. You don’t want to be inhaling plastic with your herbs. Buying straight from an authorized retailer is the only way to guarantee that you are getting quality parts, from a quality manufacturer. You’ll also feel better knowing you’re covered for 10 years should anything happen to the Pax. It’s better to pay the full price for peace of mind.
Pax Vaporizer FAQ
Q. How long does it take to heat up?
A. The Pax is one of the fastest heating portable vaporizers on the market. The Pax heats up in as little as 30-45 seconds. It will glow purple when the unit is heating up and it will glow green when the Pax is ready to use.
Q. How many hits can the OG Pax get in one session?
A. I’m able to get about 15 hits in a session with my Pax. I usually pack the chamber pretty full of some finely ground herbs and start out at the medium setting. Check out my list for the best weed grinders. Sometimes I’ll smoke the entire chamber in one sitting. If I’m trying to chill and not be completely out of my mind then I’ll take 2-4 draws and turn it off.
Important! Paxvapor also goes on to mention that the limited warranty does not cover normal “degradation” of batteries or neglecting cleaning instructions. With that said, here is my Pax Cleaning Tutorial. I recommend you clean it about every 8-12 sessions to ensure the longevity of the unit.
Warranty – The Pax is covered for ten (10) years against defects in materials and workmanship for the original purchaser starting on the date of purchase.
PaxVapor: warrants Pax against defects in materials and workmanship under normal use for a period of ten (10) years from the date of retail purchase by the original end-user purchaser. If a physical defect arises and a claim is received within the Warranty Period, at its option and to the extent permitted by law, Ploom will either (1) Repair the product defect, (2) Exchange the product with a product that is new or is at least a functionally equivalent product, or (3) Refund the purchase price of the product.
Review Summary
Pax Vaporizer
The Pax is a dry herb portable vaporizer made by the company Pax Labs. The Pax portable vaporizer features four heat settings, good battery life and it's very pocket friendly.
Product Brand: Pax Labs
8.6
