Have you ever wondered which vaporizers are considered the best portable devices to carry? I know that there are hundreds and thousands of different options available, but the Pax Plus Vaporizer and DaVinci IQ3 Vaporizer are surely the ones to look out for.
These vaporizers have been one of the most demanded devices of their respective companies due to the discreet set of features. The Pax Plus Vaporizer was introduced in 2022, having the most compact and iconic build. It had four simple temperature settings and a unique mode of control.
In 2024, the DaVinci IQ3 Vaporizer was launched to overcome the issues smokers faced while using the DaVinci IQ2 Vaporizer. With a superlative heating system in a slim body, this device shaped everybody’s perception of the product line.
Despite being the best products from their manufacturer, which one of these devices stands out? In this article, I will explain the features that you will love and the shortcomings that you must know before purchasing either of these two devices.
Both the vaporizers under consideration have aesthetically pleasing bodies. The manufacturers of these products have used metallic material to make them durable and classy. The DaVinci IQ3 Vaporizer is made of aircraft-grade aluminum, which gives it durability and a smooth feel. The same is true for the Pax Plus Vaporizer, which is also made of aluminum.
The Pax Plus Vaporizer is slightly more portable with its wand-like shape that resembles a cigarette lighter. It has a 0.5-gram metallic oven with a heat source integrated directly underneath. The silicone mouthpiece on top of the chamber keeps your lips safe from heat. Other than this, you will find a magnetic charging connector on the device to ensure easy charging.
On the other hand, DaVinci IQ3 is a tad heavier but fits inside the hand or pocket. I love it for the simple yet effective design. The chamber is located at the bottom, where you will find a lid with an adjustment pearl to pack the dry herbs. The zirconia chamber has a 0.7-gram capacity, which is sufficient for a group. The airpath is made of zirconia to preserve the vapor quality, while the trademark cool core reduces the vapor temperature before it reaches your lips. It has buttons on the side and an LED grid on the front for easy usage.
Core Performance Metric
Heating Performance
When it comes to the heating performance and vapor quality, the DaVinci IQ3 is a beast. It has a short heating time of 30 seconds and an airtight zirconia heating chamber and air path for maximum flavor preservation. The hybrid heating system combines the conduction efficiency and maintains the airflow through its convection airflow. I never felt a taste hindrance while using the DaVinci IQ3 Vaporizer. Moreover, the temperature range is between 0 and 221 degrees Celsius. You can opt for your favourite intensity at an increment of a degree. This is combined with the smart parts that are easy to switch and select.
The Pax Plus Vaporizer has an equally short heating time as its contemporary. However, it has several issues that impair the taste at higher temperature intensities. The over is made of stainless steel that exposes the dry herbs directly to the metallic components. Other than this, the conduction heating system heats the dry herbs directly through the stainless steel chamber wall (like a frying pan). These shortcomings spoil the dry herbs’ natural flavor. Furthermore, the Pax Plus Vaporizer offers only four intensities to choose from. Absence of precise temperature controls limits an experienced smoker’s ability to improvise.
Battery Performance Metrics
The DaVinci IQ3 Vaporizer has unimpressive battery stats for a device that costs around $300. It performs for 90 minutes, which is acceptable. However, the battery takes around 2 to 3 hours to charge. The only thing that saves the DaVinci IQ3 from failing the power test is its replaceable battery. This feature allows you to carry an extra set while travelling or attending events. The extra batteries add more cost to the initial purchase price.
The Pax Plus Vaporizer is somewhat similar to the DaVinci IQ3 Vaporizer. It has around 90 to 120 minutes of battery life. At low intensities, it can reach a 2-hour running time. The charging time is unacceptably long, where you have to wait for 2 or 3 hours to smoke again. The Pax Plus Vaporizer has an internal battery, which means that you have to compromise with the long charging time.
Another worthy thing to discuss is the charging type. The Pax Plus Vaporizer has the aesthetic magnetic charging technology that looks simple and requires no effort to mount the device. However, magnetic chargers are hard to find everywhere. On the other hand, the DaVinci IQ3 has a universal USB-C charging port. You will never feel troubled finding the charging cable.
Vapor Quality and User Experience
As I have discussed earlier, the vapors produced by the Pax Plus Vaporizer are vulnerable to taste hindrance due to conduction heating and a metallic heating chamber. However, the DaVinci IQ3 has several other features that help preserve the quality and maintain vapor consistency. It has an airtight zirconia vapor path that ensures maintenance of temperature and flavor throughout the session. It also has an air dial to help adjust the airflow and vapor density. The Pax Plus Vaporizer has no airflow control.
Usage is another key feature that puts the DaVinci IQ3 Vaporizer ahead of the Pax Plus Vaporizer. The Pax Plus Vaporizer is a fairly simple device with a unique but easy mode of physical controllability. It has no mobile app with advanced features, but the haptic feedback and the floral LED indicators ease things up a bit. The floral LED indicators can be difficult to get along with at first because you would not find any numbers on them (no battery life or temperature readings).
The DaVinci IQ3 Vaporizer is better as it has physical controls accompanied by a smartphone app. The smartphone app offers many advanced features like the smart paths and dosage controls to help keep you healthy & sober. Apart from this, the DaVinci IQ3 Vaporizer also has an LED grid to communicate things in numbers. This LED grid is the trademark and identity of the IQ series. It also has a haptic feedback mechanism to notify you of everything on time.
Ease of Use and Maintenance
Using the Pax Plus is fairly simple. You get oven screens, a half oven lid, and a concentrate insert to get started. The mouthpiece should be removed from the top to expose the oven. You have to put on the oven screen and load the desired amount of dry herbs. Put the half or full oven lid on the dry herbs and put the mouthpiece back on.
For concentrate smoking, the same routine must be performed, but you must remove the oven screen and brush the oven before putting the concentrate insert in place. Cleaning the Pax Plus Vaporizer is also very simple, as you need the wired brush soaked in iso solution to brush the vapor path.
The DaVinci IQ3 Vaporizer has a lid at the bottom. You need to flip open the lid to expose the chamber. Fill the chamber with your favorite dry herb. Extend the pearl to pack the dry herbs tightly. Flip the lid back on, and you are ready to go. Cleaning the DaVinci IQ3 is easy as well. You need the cleaning brush to clean the chamber. However, the path often goes unaddressed.
Price and Value Proportion
The Pax Plus Vaporizer is more budget-friendly as it was first marketed on the official website at $200. Pax Labs later reduced the price to $125, which made it even more affordable. It does offer a complete accessory set to enable smoking concentrates and microdosing. However, if you do not want the Pax Plus Vaporizer for microdosing or concentrate smoking, then you should opt for the starter kit costing $99.
The DaVinci IQ3 Vaporizer is available on the official website for $300. The price is kept premium to make sure that the real smokers and flavor chasers purchase it. It offers a superlative heating system, airflow management, mobile app controllability, and a replaceable battery for a higher price. However, buying extra batteries will add more cost to this decision.
Warranty and Customer Support
Both the vaporizers compared in this article come with a 10-year warranty. The warranties cover manufacturing defects and performance issues under normal usage. Any physical damage due to mishandling cannot be claimed.
The respective companies do honor their warranty claims, but the non-compliant claims often go unreplied to. If you are planning to reach out to the customer support, make sure that you have read the terms and conditions.
Recommendation
Beginners – both Pax Plus and DaVinci IQ3 are beginner-friendly. However, I would suggest going for Pax Plus because it has simple preset modes and it does not cost you too much.
Travelers – the DaVinci IQ3 is undoubtedly a better option for travelers because it is equally compact and has a battery replacement feature.
Flavor chasers – DaVinci IQ3 is hands down one of the best vaporizers on the market to produce flavorful vapors. Its airflow adjustments and premium heating features allow you to smoke the best vapors.
Heavy users – both the Pax Plus and DaVinci IQ3 are not meant for heavy users. The battery life is not long enough. However, DaVinci IQ3 battery replacement holds the key.
Final Verdict
The final verdict is pretty simple and evident if you have read the entire comparison. The Pax Plus Vaporizer is a decent device when you consider the price at which it is being sold. It has a decent build, somewhat sufficient battery life, and a simple mode of operation. It is a physically controlled device with its prime focus on heating efficiency.
The DaVinci IQ3 has better features, where you will find airflow adjustment, a hybrid heating system, and mobile app controllability. However, all this comes with a price. The results are good enough to save money and spend on this powerhouse. As a flavor chaser, I would recommend going for the DaVinci IQ3. If there are any budgetary restraints, buy the Pax Plus Vaporizer.
Hello and welcome! I’m Daniyal, your guide to the vaping world here at Revival Vape. I bring a unique expertise to the vaping industry. My passion for working in the vaping industry is driven by my love for understanding product innovation, consumer education, and regulatory compliance. I am here to stay up-to-date and keep you informed regarding the launch of the latest vaping products and other developments in the industry. Check About Us.
