The Clash of three top dry herb portable vaporizers 
The Pax 3, the DaVinci IQ and the Arizer ArGo are all very popular portable dry herb vaporizers. The vaping experience between these three top selling vaporizers is however vastly different. After extensive experience of our own as well as ample feedback from customers, we thought a comparison review would be quite useful for choosing which dry herb vaporizer suits your vaping needs best.
Design
Arizer ArGO: While the shape and design of the Arizer ArGo isn’t nearly as impressive when compared to the beautiful IQ or the sleek PAX, its simple design and finishes are very functional and neat.
The ArGo comes with a borosilicate glass mouthpiece which cools and preserves your vapor as well as makes for easy herb loading. The glass mouthpiece is vulnerable to cracking or breaking when unprotected, however, the ArGo easily protects it with just the touch of a button. The Argo also has OLED display and Granular temperature control.
DaVinci IQ: The IQ is beautiful: the shape, the matt finish, the design, the colour options, the weight of it in your hand. All of these add to the impression of a neat but solid little vape.
The buttons work well and feel sturdy. The 56* LED Light display is very functional, displaying heating mode, precision temperature as well as battery level and more. When compared, it is smaller than the Argo but bigger than the PAX.
PAX 3: The PAX wins with regard to design in our opinion. Whether shiny or matt finish, this vape looks smart and sophisticated and sits comfortably in the hands.
It’s super sleek, small shape makes it easy to slip into your pocket, whilst due to the fact it has no removable parts nothing can be broken or lost. In our experience, the PAX 3 is extremely durable; and works like a champ even after being dropped on numerous occasions.
Heating Method and Modes:
- Arizer ArGo: The ArGo uses a convection heating system that produces very pure flavours. While the device does heat up slightly, it never becomes uncomfortable to hold and use. The vapour the ArGo produces consistently remains cool and smooth. The ArGo heats up in about 45 seconds and the oven capacity is roughly 0.15 grams which equates to between 10 and 13 hits. There are no special heating modes; you simply turn on the device, set the temperature and enjoy the smooth flavourful vapour.
- DaVinci IQ: The Davinci IQ utilizes a conduction heating system and has a zirconia “pearl” in the oven that enhances heat distribution so that the herb is vaped evenly. The IQ heats up in about 45 seconds and gives off haptic feedback when ready.
At times the IQ can heat up quite significantly and become uncomfortable to hold, especially when used through a water pipe. We do love that the extended zirconia mouthpiece doubles up as a water tool too. The smart paths offer great heating mode options, with each mode programmed for a specific desired effect. These modes are also customizable when paired with the Davinci IQ app.
- PAX 3: The Pax 3 heats up quickly and really is incredibly simple to use. It is cylinder shaped with a flat section at either end. On its base, there’s a removable lid which is where you place your ground-up herb. The mouthpiece at the top of the device also functions as the power-on button. To begin your session, you push this down, and the LEDs on the front of the Pax 3 begin to flash. After about 30 seconds, the lights turn green and the device vibrates to let you know that it’s time to get vaping.
While, the Pax 3 produces flavoursome vapor, it might not meet the expectations of some serious vapers. The main reason for this is the Pax’s use of conduction technology. You place your herb in a metal container at the device’s base. The sides of this then heat up, “cooking” the weed – a process known as conduction. With convection vapes on the other hand, air is heated and pushed through the container. This means the herbs are “cooked” more evenly, improving efficiency and flavour. What the Pax 3 loses in flavour it certainly makes up for in vapor production and effects; there’s something incredibly satisfying about producing huge clouds of vapor!
Battery and Charging
Arizer ArGo: The ArGo charges using a simple Micro USB and 2-point base like your smart phone charger. The downside is the charge times: It takes roughly 3.5 hours to charge the device via USB with the battery in the unit. The average battery life so far has been around 90 minutes which is usually around 7-8 bowls. Generally, this is more than enough battery life for outdoor adventures, trips to friends, festivals, concerts etc. However, for something like a multi-day camping trip I would recommend packing an extra battery or two. The ArGo can also charge via USB and uses path-through charging.
DaVinci IQ: The IQ allows for 4 or 5 10 min sessions per charge. It can be charged using a USB port and this takes approximately 4 hours. The Haptic feedback on the vaporizer vibrates so you know when you need to charge the DaVinci. The Davinci IQ has the option to replace a battery. As the battery is often the first thing to go, this is fantastic news. The unit comes with a 3500 mAh 18650 battery which is not only fully replaceable but is also rechargeable.
PAX 3: The Pax takes approximately 2.5 hours to fully recharge via USB. For faster charging, the AC Adapter is where it’s at, fully recharging the battery in just 90 minutes and from a fully charged PAX you can expect about 8 sessions. To determine whether the battery is fully charged, simply look to the flower-shaped LEDs on the front of the device. The number of petals lit up indicates how fully charged the Pax is.
Portability
- Arizer ArGo: The Argo is extremely portable and great for a full day out. You can literally palm the ArGo for discretion and the new design allows the mouthpiece to be completely concealed for on the go use. Previous Arizer units were too tall to fit comfortably in a pocket, but this has been fixed with the ArGo. It’s not quite as light as Pax 3 (93 grams) but at 135 grams it’s still one of the lighter portables and it’s not going to weigh you down by any means.
- DaVinci IQ: The IQ fits very nicely into a pocket when travelling and in the palm of your hand when vaping. Slightly bigger than the Pax but still a comfortable size to accompany you on a day out. The DaVinci IQ is the heaviest of the 3 weighing 141 grams but this doesn’t really affect its portability in any way.
- PAX 3: The Pax 3 is one of the most portable vaporizers currently available. It measures in at a mere 9.83cm tall and 3cm wide, and weighs in at just 93 grams. It can easily be slipped into a purse or pocket and chances are you won’t even notice it is in there. The increased battery capacity makes the unit more portable as well, so you won’t have to worry about finding a place to recharge charge your device mid-day.
Functionality
Arizer ArGO: When it comes to simplicity, the ArGo is one of the leaders here. No Bluetooth app is needed with this device in order to customize any settings. The ArGo gets to 190° C in about 60 seconds from a cold start, and to the top temp of 220° C in 90 seconds. Not blazing fast, but just right for having a quick or relaxing session. If you’re looking for the occasional on-demand single hit, the Arizer ArGo is not the best pick; with the PAX and the IQ you don’t need to finish the bowl in one session- the Argo works better when you have the whole session.
Davinci IQ: Smart Path technology on the IQ can make your vaping feel much longer because of the intense experience. The IQ offers many different functions and has great versatility. The device is very easy to load and also features Boost mode which allows for a very quick temperature increase. In addition, holding the power button activates it, and the temperature climbs very rapidly until you release the button. Finally, the removable battery allows for you to take the IQ on long trips. It is ideal when you might not necessarily have a charger or even a wall outlet to plug into. 
PAX 3: The Pax 3 is incredibly straightforward to use, once you’ve figured it out. It will however take some playing around with the Bluetooth app to understand how to change all the available settings and to learn what certain modes actually do. Pax could also really work on their screen setup in the heating chamber to promote easier cleaning. You really do have to keep on top of cleaning with the Pax or you will notice a significant reduction in performance over time.
Vapor Production and Quality
- Arizer ArGo: The ArGo vaporizer has a nice, easy and wide-open draw that’s comfortable with virtually no resistance. It has a glass, ceramic and stainless-steel air path combined with hybrid heating that protects the taste of your herbs, keeps them warm in between draws, and heats them up when taking a hit. The vapor is always tasty with satisfying clouds.
- DaVinci IQ. The IQ features 360° conduction heating which allows for the herb to cook evenly and produces a super smooth taste. For a clean and pure vape, smooth yet intense flavour, and highly customizable vaping, the DaVinci IQ is a really good device to choose. The IQ’s high-quality mouthpiece combined with 100% ceramic zirconia air path allows the user to draw out the purest possible flavour.
- PAX 3: Vapor from the Pax 3 is smooth and satisfying. It can be modified by selecting a different temperature and heating mode, with flavour mode being one of our favourites. The downside to the Pax 3 is that it still utilises conduction heating; which will never provide as pure a flavour as convection. If you are in the market for a convection style vaporizer then look to the ArGo for better results.
Pros and Cons
Arizer ArGo:
Pros
- High-quality construction
- Portable and durable design
- Excellent, pure and tasty vapor production
- Easy to clean
- OLED display and simple controls
Cons:
- Vapor is thin for the first few drags after heating up
Davinci IQ:
Pros
- Highly portable and comfortable to hold
- Battery is removable and replaceable
- App makes herbal vaporizer easy to operate
- Smart Path and Boost Mode give you full control
- Can be used with glass adapters
- Excellent vapor quality
- Simple to load
Cons
- Price is high when compared to some other models
- Zircon Pearl on the door of the oven can be lost, leaving you with an overly expensive paperweight.
- Gets build-up that can be hard to clean
PAX 3:
Pros
- Ready for fast use
- Easy to control with included app
- Vibration and LED lights make it easy to use
- Works with concentrates and herbs
- Excellent vapor quality
- Backed by a 10-year warranty
- Uses lip-sensing technology to adjust heating as you vape
Cons
- Higher selling price than other portable vaporizers
- Conduction as opposed to convection vaporizer
- Does not work as well as some other concentrate vaporizers
Final Thoughts
Out of the 3 vaporizers tested here, all three are certainly top tier and have outperformed our expectations. The PAX 3 does come out on top slightly, with its’ great combination of vapor production and flavour, combined with long lasting battery life and sleek design. That said, both the IQ and the ArGo are both phenomenal vaporizers, each offering their own unique advantages.
Which vaporizer is best? It’s a tough call, and will inevitably come down to personal preference and requirements.
~ Mary-Jane, Vape Store
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