PAX 3 vs Arizer ArGo

Head to Head Battle - The Pax 3 vs Arizer Argo

In this comparison, we’ll be looking at the PAX 3 and the Arizer ArGo vaporizers. Both vaporizers are incredibly popular and well-loved, but they’re quite different in design, technology, and overall controls. Not to mention that they’re both famous for their amazing vapor quality and vape durability.

However, with prices typically are premium, it’s easy to say that the PAX 3 and Arizer ArGo are quite expensive compared to other vapes, and knowing that they are both so different from one another can make choosing between the two difficult.

Well, fear not! We want you to be thrilled with your next vape purchase, so we’re going to break down the differences between the PAX 3 and the Arizer ArGo so you can make sure that your purchase is the best one for you.

Curious to know about other vapes for lower prices? Also check out: Pax 3 vs Pax 2 for another great comparison if you’re curious about other vapes, and visit our comparison blogs to get the scoop on all our vapes’ features.

Pros and Cons: Pax 3

Pros and Cons: Arizer ArGo

What’s Included with the two Vapes

PAX 3

With the full kit, you receive an insert for wax concentrates, extra screens, a packing and cleaning tool, and a half-pack oven lid - for those quick personal sessions!

Arizer Argo

In the package, you’ll receive four extra screens, two glass stems, two silicone caps, a packing and cleaning tool, and a battery. The Arizer ArGo uses a removable 18650 battery which can also be bought separately as an extra or a replacement.

Controls

The differences between the PAX 3 vs. Arizer ArGo begin with the way in which you use the vaporizers. This means temperature controls, on/off buttons, the inclusion/exclusion of a screen, etc.

Pax 3 Controls

The PAX 3 design really embodies simplicity in terms of controls. Pressing the mouthpiece turns the device on and off; the LED display on the front of the device turns green when the preheating cycle is complete’ and there is really nothing else to it.

Since the PAX 3 device senses motion, it knows when you aren’t using the device. This means that if you don’t move the device for 3 minutes, it automatically turns off to save battery life, prevent overheating, and save as much product as possible.

To change the temperature during a vaping session when using the PAX 3, you just have to push the mouthpiece for two seconds. To switch between temperature settings, you just need to shake the device or tap the mouthpiece - simple, right?

If you want finer temperature control over the vaping experience, you’ll need to download the free PAX Mobile app for your smartphone. The device connects to it using Bluetooth technology, and the entire experience is hands-free.

Arizer ArGo Controls

You can access all of the Arizer ArGo’s functions using the buttons on the device. Although the Argo lacks some of the PAX 3’s advanced functions – the PAX 3 has a mode that conserves the flavor of your material, for example – it does have an intuitive control scheme that makes temperature adjustments fast and easy.

The Argo beeps upon reaching your selected temperature. You can also disable the beep, change the speaker volume and configure an automatic sleep timer.

Best Flavor

One of the greatest things about vaping that it allows you to truly taste the delicate balance of terpenes in your dry herb. But to fully enjoy those flavors every time you vape, you need a vaporizer with a vapor path made from top-quality materials, and specifically designed to give you the best flavor possible.

The Arizer ArGo features an all-glass vapor path, which is considered the best material for vapor paths (in terms of flavor quality). It also boasts an oven made from high-grade ceramic and stainless steel, which are also optimal in this case.

The PAX 3 has a medical-grade stainless steel vapor path which many people consider to be great (though not as great as the glass used in the ArGo). It also comes with a silicone mouthpiece, which can actually lower the quality of the vapor due to its porous properties.

Since the flavor is subjective, only you can decide which vaporizer materials you prefer. So if you already have a vaporizer, keep in mind what materials it is made with, and consider whether you think the flavor can be improved, or if you like it just how it is.

However, a very important way to make sure that your vaporizer is giving you the best flavor possible is to make sure it’s clean and to clean it regularly. Since this is so important, a vaporizer that’s easy to clean is absolutely essential.

Cleaning the PAX 3 and ARGO

PAX 3

Because the PAX 3 doesn’t have a removable vapor path, cleaning it takes a bit of time compared to cleaning other vapes. To clean the PAX 3:

• Begin by opening the herb chamber and, using a metal cleaning tool, gently scrape away any residue.
• Next, remove the silicone mouthpiece. Wet the included pipe cleaner with a bit of alcohol and use the pipe cleaner to scrub the oven and stem.
• If you need a firmer touch when cleaning the oven, you can use an alcohol-soaked cotton swab. Then, allow the vaporizer to dry completely before using it again.

Arizer Argo

One of the best features of the Arizer ArGo is that your material only touches the glass mouthpiece, which is a removable piece. This makes cleaning your ArGo much simpler compared to the PAX 3. All you need to do is:

• Remove the stem.
• Soak it in strong alcohol for around 30 - 80 minutes. Then, use a pipe cleaner or soft-bristled cleaning brush to scrub off any stubborn residue.
• Rinse away any remaining residue or alcohol in the sink.
• Use a soft pipe cleaner and a bit of alcohol to clean the heating chamber of the vaporizer to keep the flavor clean and pure.

Since the stem is made from glass, it’s important to use cleaning tools that aren’t made of metal because metal will etch the glass, and it will look beat-up and old. Also, make sure to be careful not to get the body of the vaporizer wet, so don’t rinse the heating chamber after cleaning it, as you should with the glass stem.

Loading

PAX 3

The PAX 3 is incredibly easy to load. Simply remove the bottom lid, place your material in the oven, pack the material down and replace the lid. Your material should touch every side of the oven to ensure even heating throughout.

That’s actually the reason that the full PAX 3 kit includes a half-pack lid. Since the PAX 3 chamber can hold quite a bit of herb, people use the half-pack lid to minimize the size, which uses less product and also ensures all-around contact with the chamber.

Arizer ArGo

The Arizer ArGo is a bit more challenging to load compared to the PAX 3, because you need to put the material directly into the removable glass stem, which can prove a bit tricky for some -- especially if you like vaping on-the-go.

To load the ArGo vape, remove the stem and push it directly into a pile of ground dry herb. Some of the material will remain stuck inside the stem, so invert the stem, pack the material down, and place the stem back inside the vaporizer.

It definitely sounds a bit more challenging than it really is, but it clearly requires much more effort than packing the PAX 3. It also requires you to have a place to store the dry herb you will use if you plan on vaping more than a pre-packed bowl.

Battery Life

PAX 3

The PAX 3 has a built-in 3500 mAh battery that charges in about 2.5 hours with a USB cable, or 90 minutes using the PAX charging dock. Each full charge holds enough battery life for up to 10 vaping sessions, depending on the length of your sessions, and the temperature at which you vape.

Also note that the battery is built-in, so the only battery you can use with the PAX 3 is the one it comes with. This means that if your vape runs out of charge, you need to wait until it charges again. It also means that if the battery gives out or loses its power, you need to buy a whole new vape unit. This can be a deal-breaker for many people.

Arizer ArGo

The Arizer ArGo, on the other hand, uses a removable 18650 battery. While the PAX 3 has better battery life, the ArGo allows you to use spare batteries, which means that if one battery dies, you can simply remove it and install another one while you charge it.

The ArGo also works while the battery charges via USB, allowing you to take little vape hits while you wait for it to reach full charge. PAX 3, on the other hand, does not work while charging.

Size, Weight and Portability

The Arizer ArGo is both larger and heavier than the PAX 3 with a volume of a bit over 5 cubic cm and a weight of 137 g. The PAX 3, meanwhile, has a volume of about 4.5 cubic cm and a weight of 95 g.

With its smooth outer case and sleek design, the PAX 3 is definitely easier to carry in a pocket. Both devices are, however, highly portable. When you press a button on the back of the ArGo, the body of the vaporizer extends to cover and protect the delicate glass stem.

If you carry a spare battery for your ArGo, carry the battery in a protective case. Lithium-ion batteries can short circuit when they touch other metal objects. A case keeps the battery’s metal terminals from touching your keys or spare change.

Oven Capacity

The PAX 3 comfortably holds .25 grams of material if you tightly pack the chamber, and about .15 grams with the half-pack lid, which is an ideal amount for a nice personal sesh.

The ArGo comfortably holds about .15 grams of material in its stem and doesn’t come with a half-pack option. However, to get longer sessions, all you need to do is reload the chamber and go again!

Regardless of your preferred amount of material, packing the oven is a skill that you’ll learn with time, and you shouldn’t shy away from vapes that seem a bit more complicated. You’ll get the hang of it no matter what unit you use!

Wax Compatibility

In comparing the PAX 3 and the ArGo, one of the most important aspects to consider is that the ArGo works with dry herbs only, and the PAX comes with special wax pads that you can use for vaping concentrates. These pads are available in the full PAX 3 pack.

To use the PAX 3 wax insert just open the container and put a dab of wax that’s about the size of a pea in the center of the container. It’s easy and it adds value to the PAX 3. However, many argue that their experience when using the concentrate pads is not nearly as good as expected, and usually recommend just sticking with using the PAX 3 with dry herb.

Oven Heat-Up Time

One of the biggest claims to fame of the PAX 3 is that its oven heats incredibly quickly, allowing you to vape from it almost immediately. The PAX 3 goes from a cold oven to 210° C in just 22 seconds!

The Arizer ArGo, however, reaches 210° C in about 60 seconds. But a point in the ArGo’s favor is that it reaches a slightly higher maximum temperature than the PAX 3 of 220° C. (The maximum temperature of the PAX 3 is 215° C).

Warranty

PAX Labs offers a 10-year warranty for the PAX 3 vaporizer. This warranty covers materials and workmanship defects. But it doesn’t cover any of the accessories or other parts that you purchase for the PAX 3.

Keep in mind that while the PAX 3 warranty is longer, it has significant limitations and only covers manufacturer defects; while the ArGo’s 2-year warranty offers coverage for manufacturing defects, and offers a lifetime warranty for the heating element. The glass, however, is not covered by either warranty.

Keep in mind that the warranties don’t cover the normal degradation of the battery or misuse of the vaporizer.