Pax 2

# Pax 2

Overview

The Pax 2 is a portable dry herb vaporizer manufactured by PAX Labs (formerly Ploom), released in 2015 as the successor to the original Pax (Pax 1). It uses a conduction heating method, with the herb material directly contacting the heated oven walls. The device is powered by an internal rechargeable lithium-ion battery and charges via a proprietary magnetic USB dock.

The Pax 2 was widely recognized for its sleek, minimalist industrial design, compact form factor, and pocket-friendly size. It became one of the most commercially successful portable vaporizers of its era, often likened to the "iPhone of vaporizers" in mainstream coverage. Within the enthusiast vaporizer community, however, reception was more nuanced, with the device appreciated for portability and discretion but scrutinized for vapor quality and efficiency relative to other options in its price class.

Specifications

Note: The Pax 2 does not feature precise temperature dialing; it is limited to four discrete heat settings indicated by LED petals on the device.

Community Reception

Within the vaporizer community, the Pax 2 occupied an interesting position: widely popular among mainstream consumers and newcomers, but viewed with some reservation by experienced enthusiasts. The device was praised for its build quality, discretion, and ease of use, but criticized for being a pure conduction session vaporizer that could be inefficient with material compared to convection or hybrid alternatives at similar price points.

Pros frequently cited by the community:

• Extremely portable and discreet; one of the most pocketable vaporizers available at the time
• Solid build quality and attractive anodized aluminum body
• Simple, intuitive operation with lip-sensing activation
• Industry-leading 10-year warranty
• Adequate vapor production, especially at higher temperature settings

Cons frequently cited by the community:

• Pure conduction heating can unevenly extract material and waste herb if the oven is not fully packed
• The oven is relatively large (~0.3–0.4g), making it less ideal for micro-dosing or small sessions without aftermarket accessories
• Lacks the precise temperature control found on competitors (limited to 4 presets)
• Requires regular cleaning to maintain airflow and performance
• Some community members noted that the original Pax 1 charger required a voltage converter for international use (110V to 220V), and potential buyers in Europe were advised to verify electrical compatibility before purchasing from US retailers

Interestingly, some community members noted that in certain comparisons, the Pax 2 was considered "all around better than the III model" by more than one reviewer, as one user mentioned when seeking advice on upgrading. This sentiment was not universal but reflected a segment of the community that felt the Pax 3's additions (app control, concentrate insert) did not justify the price premium over the Pax 2, and that the core vaping experience was essentially the same between the two models.

Tips & Techniques

The community developed several key techniques for optimizing the Pax 2 experience:

Loading the Oven

• Pack it tight: The Pax 2's conduction oven works best when fully and firmly packed. A tight pack ensures maximum surface contact with the heated oven walls, leading to more even extraction. A loose or half-filled oven often results in uneven heating and wasted material.
• Grind fine: A fine, consistent grind significantly improves vapor production and efficiency. Many users recommended using a quality herb grinder to achieve this.

Drawing Technique

• Slow, steady sips: The community widely agreed that long, slow draws (rather than hard, fast pulls) produce the best vapor from the Pax 2. Hard draws cool the oven and reduce vapor density.

ABV (Already Been Vaped) Reuse

A notable community practice involved saving ABV from the Pax 2 for use in edibles. One community member shared a simple technique of mixing approximately 1 gram of Pax ABV (vaped on the high heat setting) into a couple of scoops of ice cream, reporting noticeable effects within about an hour. The key was to mix thoroughly with a spoon. Another member noted that ABV from the Pax tends to be vaped more thoroughly (darker) compared to some other devices like the Volcano, which should be considered when dosing ABV for edibles, as darker ABV contains less residual THC.

A simple ABV milk recipe shared by a community member:

• 1 tablespoon of ABV
• 1.5 cups of full-fat milk
• Simmer for 15 minutes, strain, and add flavoring (instant coffee, chocolate, etc.)

Temperature Guide

The Pax 2 offers four preset temperature levels, each suited to different preferences:

A common community approach was to start a session at setting 1 or 2 for flavor, then progressively step up through 3 and 4 to fully extract the material. One community member specifically noted using the high heat setting when the goal was to produce ABV intended for edible reuse, as this ensured more material was extracted during the vaping session while still leaving some residual cannabinoids for edible consumption.

Maintenance & Cleaning

Regular cleaning was considered essential for the Pax 2, as resin buildup in the vapor path and mouthpiece area significantly degrades airflow and performance over time. Community recommendations included:

• Frequency: Clean every 5–10 sessions, or whenever draw resistance noticeably increases.
• Vapor path: Use a pipe cleaner dipped in isopropyl alcohol (90%+ recommended) to clean the internal vapor path. Insert through the mouthpiece opening and work it through.
• Oven: Use isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab to clean the oven after each session or at minimum during regular cleaning.
• Mouthpiece: Remove the mouthpiece and soak it briefly in isopropyl alcohol to dissolve resin buildup. Clean the mouthpiece channel thoroughly.
• Oven screen: The oven screen can be soaked in isopropyl alcohol to remove residue. Replace if warped or heavily clogged.
• Exterior: Wipe down the exterior with a slightly damp cloth. Avoid getting liquid into electronic components.

Common Issues & Fixes

Accessories & Modifications

While the Pax 2 has a more limited aftermarket ecosystem compared to some other vaporizers, the community discussed several accessories:

• Half-pack oven lid: The Pax 3 introduced a half-pack lid that is compatible with the Pax 2. This accessory reduces the effective oven size, making the device more suitable for smaller sessions and improving efficiency for solo use. One community member specifically cited the half-size chamber capability as an appealing feature of the newer Pax models.
• Concentrate insert: While designed for the Pax 3, some community members experimented with concentrate use. The Pax 2 does not natively support concentrates.
• Aftermarket screens and mouthpieces: Various third-party raised or 3D-printed mouthpieces and replacement oven screens were discussed to improve airflow or comfort.
• Water pipe adapters (WPA): Third-party WPAs were available to connect the Pax 2 to water pipes, which community members used to cool and smooth the vapor, mitigating the sometimes harsh draw at higher temperatures.

Comparisons

Pax 2 vs. Pax 3

Community opinion on this comparison was notably divided. Some users felt the Pax 3 offered meaningful upgrades (haptic feedback, app control with precise temperature adjustment, half-pack lid included, concentrate compatibility, and slightly faster heat-up time). However, others in the community felt the Pax 2 was "all around better" or at least a better value, arguing that the core dry herb vaping experience was nearly identical and the Pax 3's additions did not justify the higher price. For users focused exclusively on dry herb, the Pax 2 was often recommended as the more economical choice.

Pax 2 vs. Arizer Air / Air II

This was a frequently discussed comparison in the community. The Arizer Air II appealed to users seeking precise temperature control (the Air II allowed users to dial in exact temperatures, unlike the Pax 2's four presets) and a user-replaceable 18650 battery. The Pax 2 was preferred for portability and discretion. One community member who owned both an original Air and original Pax reported using the Air "several times a day" as their primary device, suggesting that for heavy daily use, the Air's swappable batteries and glass stem vapor path were practical advantages. The Pax 2's conduction oven versus the Air's hybrid glass-stem-based approach represented fundamentally different vaping philosophies.

Pax 2 vs. Other Portables ($200–250 Range)

When community members sought alternatives in the Pax 2's price range, frequently recommended devices included:

• Haze Dual V3 – Praised for dual bowls and removable 18650 batteries
• Fury 2 – Widely popular for its compact size, fast heat-up, and hybrid heating
• AirVape XS – Another compact, discreet option
• Milaana – An on-demand convection portable for users seeking a different experience from the Pax 2's session-style approach

The community generally positioned the Pax 2 as an excellent entry point and lifestyle device—ideal for users prioritizing discretion, portability, and simplicity—while acknowledging that more experienced users or those prioritizing vapor quality and efficiency might find better performance from less mainstream alternatives in the same price bracket.