The New PAX FOUR: Reviews, How to Use, FAQs & More

PAX dry herb vaporizers have been defining the portable vape category for nearly two decades, and the brand just released what they claim is their most powerful device yet.

The PAX FOUR launched in early March, and it’s a significant step forward from anything PAX has released before—a high-output hybrid heating system, four precision heat modes, USB-C charging, and a redesigned oven—all in the same compact, minimalistic silhouette the brand is known for.

If you’ve been watching the PAX lineup or wondering whether the FOUR is worth the $250, this breakdown covers everything: specs, real user reviews, how to use it, and how it stacks up against the rest of the PAX family.

The PAX FOUR is PAX’s most powerful dry herb vaporizer to date, built specifically for cannabis flower and engineered to produce denser vapor, stronger effects, and faster onset than any previous PAX device—all without combustion.

It’s designed for consumers who’ve found standard vapes underwhelming and want something closer to the impact of smoking while still getting the cleaner experience that vaporization offers. Unlike some dry herb vapes that produce thin or inconsistent vapor, the FOUR’s hybrid heating system generates visibly thick clouds and consistent sessions across all four heat settings.

Key specs and features at a glance:

• Price: $250
• Available colors: Onyx and Greenstone
• Compatible with: Cannabis flower (not compatible with concentrate insert)
• Heating method: Hybrid (conduction + convection)
• Oven capacity: 0.3g
• Heat-up time: 55 seconds
• Heat modes: 4 presets (Petal 1–4), ranging from minimal discreet vapor to maximum dense clouds
• Temperature range: 374°F–428°F
• Airflow: 2.5 liters/min, closed airpath
• Battery run time: Up to 50 minutes (approximately 5 sessions)
• Charging: USB-C (100-minute charge time)
• Vapor output: Up to 50% more than PAX 2, PAX 3, PAX PLUS, PAX MINI, and PAX FLOW
• Warranty: 2 years, +1 year extended when registered within 30 days
• In the box: PAX FOUR device, Multi-Tool, 3 Oven Screens, Wire Brush, Flat and Raised Mouthpieces, USB-C Charging Cable
• Smart features: Haptic feedback, auto shutoff (if device exceeds 55°C), shake-to-check battery

The hybrid heating system is the headline feature. Where earlier PAX devices like the 3 and PLUS used conduction-only heating, the FOUR layers in convection—meaning hot air is also pulled through the material during draws, not just heat conducted from the oven walls. The result is more efficient extraction, thicker vapor, and stronger impact per session.

Getting started with the PAX dry herb vape is straightforward, but a few nuances make a real difference in session quality.

Step 1: Charge it first. Plug in via the included USB-C cable. A full charge takes about 100 minutes and gets you up to 50 minutes of session time.

Step 2: Grind your flower. A medium-fine grind works best. Too coarse and airflow is inconsistent; too fine and material can pass through the screen. A consistent grind is one of the biggest factors in vapor quality.

Step 3: Pack the oven. The FOUR’s redesigned oven holds 0.3g. Fill it, then use the Multi-Tool to tamp the material down—not hard-packed, but firm enough that there’s no air gap between the material and the lid. A well-packed oven is key to getting thick, even vapor from a dry herb vape PAX session.

Step 4: Power on. Press and hold the power button for 2 seconds. The device will vibrate, and the petal indicators will light up.

Step 5: Select your heat mode. Short-press the power button to cycle through the four modes:

• Petal 1 (Purple): Lowest temp, minimal vapor, fully discreet
• Petal 2 (Green): Extended sessions, conserves material
• Petal 3 (Yellow): Flavor emphasis, smooth vapor
• Petal 4 (Red): Maximum vapor production, densest clouds

For first sessions, Petal 2 or 3 is a solid starting point. Petal 4 delivers the kind of output the FOUR is built for, and the 50% vapor increase over other PAX devices really shows.

Step 6: Wait for heat-up. The FOUR reaches temp in about 55 seconds. The device vibrates when it’s ready.

Step 7: Draw slowly and steadily. Long, slow pulls pull more vapor than short, sharp ones. The FOUR’s smart session monitor (accelerometer) detects when it’s in use and optimizes accordingly.

Step 8: Clean after every few sessions. The redesigned oven is notably easier to clean than previous PAX devices. Use the wire brush to clear residue from the screen, and the Multi-Tool to remove the screen for deeper cleaning. Don’t clean immediately after use. Wait at least 10 minutes for the oven to cool down.

The PAX FOUR has only just launched, but early reactions from dry herb vape communities are pretty positive—particularly from people who’ve used PAX devices before.

The most consistent theme across early reviews is vapor quality. Users who’ve tried multiple dry herb vapes described the FOUR’s output as better than anything they’d previously experienced from a PAX device, and some went further, saying it got closer to the flavor and impact of combustion than most vapes manage at any price point. That tracks with PAX’s own positioning around the device—power you can feel. Vapor density, speed of onset, and overall potency were all called out as solid improvements over the PAX 3 and PLUS.

The hybrid heating system is the reason. Where conduction-only devices can produce thinner vapor and uneven extraction, the FOUR’s combination of conduction and convection creates more thorough, consistent sessions. Several users noted that the FOUR delivered a strong flavor even at mid-range heat settings, which is often where conduction-only devices fall short.

One point of comparison that comes up frequently: the FOUR vs. the PAX FLOW. The FLOW launched 6 months before the FOUR and was positioned as PAX’s flavor-focused device. Early reviews suggest the FOUR may outperform it on both vapor quality and value—at $100 less than the FLOW—while the main difference is the oven placement (the FLOW features a side oven). For most users, that distinction doesn’t really affect the experience.

The device’s build quality carries on PAX’s reputation—compact, lightweight, and premium-feeling without being fragile. USB-C charging is a practical upgrade that users in previous PAX generations specifically called out as a long-overdue improvement over the magnetic proprietary charger.

On the stealth side, users coming from older PAX devices noted that the FOUR fits into the category well. It’s discreet in form and quiet in operation, with Petal 1 providing genuinely low-profile sessions when needed.

The absence of a concentrate adapter has been flagged in early discussion threads, though PAX has indicated more information is coming. For flower-only consumers, it’s a non-issue. For those who use both, it’s worth knowing.

A YouTube review of the PAX FOUR covers the device in detail, including a side-by-side comparison with other PAX models and a heat-up time test. The consensus from that review positions the FOUR as landing somewhere between the MINI and FLOW in the lineup—bringing session-style vaping with better vapor density and flavor than previous conduction-based PAX devices.

PAX currently offers three dry herb vapes: the MINI, the FLOW, and the FOUR. Each targets a distinct kind of user, and understanding the differences makes the decision easier.

PAX FOUR: $250

• Heat type: Hybrid (Conduction + Convection)
• Capacity: 0.3g
• Heat time: 55 seconds
• Heat modes: 4
• Airflow: 2.5 L/min, closed airpath
• Run time: 50 minutes
• Charging: USB-C
• Warranty: 2 years (+1 when registered)

PAX FLOW: $350

• Heat type: Hybrid (Conduction + Convection)
• Capacity: 0.3g
• Heat time: 35 seconds
• Heat modes: 5 (fifth mode is an extra Bubbler Mode designed for water pipe use with an adapter)
• Airflow: 10 L/min, open airpath
• Run time: 35 minutes
• Charging: USB-C Fast Charge
• Warranty: 2 years (+2 when registered)

PAX MINI: $150

• Heat type: Conduction
• Capacity: 0.25g–0.5g
• Heat time: 22 seconds
• Heat modes: 4
• Airflow: 1.5 L/min, closed airpath
• Run time: 60 minutes
• Charging: PAX Magnetic Charger
• Warranty: 2 years (+1 when registered)

PAX FOUR vs. PAX FLOW

Both use hybrid heating and the same 0.3g oven capacity, but the differences matter. The FLOW has an open airpath at 10 liters/min, which means significantly more airflow and a different draw experience—airier, less restricted, and traditionally positioned as the flavor-focused option. The FOUR uses a closed airpath at 2.5 liters/min, which increases resistance during draw and produces denser vapor. The FLOW heats up faster (35 vs. 55 seconds) and charges faster, but runs for a shorter time (35 vs. 50 minutes). The FOUR is $100 less. Based on early reviews of both PAX dry herb vapes, the FOUR appears to hold its own on vapor quality and offer better value for most users, unless the open airpath and faster heat-up are specifically important to how someone consumes.

PAX FOUR vs. PAX MINI

The MINI is the entry-level device in the lineup: simpler, lighter, cheaper, and faster to heat up (22 seconds). It uses conduction-only heating, which produces a different vapor profile than the FOUR’s hybrid system. The MINI’s flexible oven capacity (0.25g–0.5g) is a plus for users who prefer smaller or larger loads. Plus, battery life is slightly better on the MINI (60 minutes vs. 50). The FOUR delivers more vapor output and stronger sessions, and the hybrid heating advantage makes a big difference. The choice here is primarily about budget and intensity: the MINI is solid for casual or new users; the FOUR is built for people who want performance.

The PAX dry herb vaporizer lineup has always been good, but the FOUR may just offer users a different experience. The hybrid heating system is a generational upgrade over the conduction-only PAX 3 and PLUS, and early hands-on accounts from experienced dry herb vape users suggest the vapor quality is the best the brand has ever produced—getting closer to the flavor and intensity of combustion than most portable vapes at any price point have managed.

Is the PAX FOUR their best dry herb vaporizer yet? Time will tell. The device just launched, and a longer track record of user experience will fill in the picture. But the early indicators are strong. 

The FOUR delivers on the power positioning, makes practical improvements (USB-C, redesigned oven, better vapor output), and does it at $100 less than the FLOW. If the reviews continue in the direction they’ve started, the FOUR has a strong case for being the most well-rounded device in the current PAX lineup.

Discover the full PAX FOUR at pax.com.