Price (USD)
PAX 3 edgeHot Rod
$340
PAX 3
$250
PAX 3 is typically around $90 lower.
Vaporizer Comparison
Hot Rod vs PAX 3
Side-by-side specs, pricing context, and clear decision guidance.
Hot Rod
Old Head $340
VS
PAX 3
PAX Labs $250
Editorial Summary
Hot Rod and PAX 3 are both electronic vaporizers, but they target different priorities. PAX 3 is usually the lower-cost pick at $250, around $90 below Hot Rod. Session style, airflow, and extraction behavior will matter more than raw spec sheet numbers here.
Specs Compared
22
Different Specs
22
Shared Specs
0
Overall Overlap
0%
Shared Traits
Electronic
Head-to-Head Highlights
A quick snapshot of the specs people usually care about first.
Heating Style
Close callHot Rod
Convection
PAX 3
Conduction
Heating style differs, which can impact flavor and extraction behavior.
Key Differences at a Glance
Top specs where these two devices diverge.
Price (USD)
Hot Rod
$340
PAX 3
$250
Device Type
Hot Rod
Desktop
PAX 3
Portable
Heating Type
Hot Rod
Convection
PAX 3
Conduction
Temperature Range
Hot Rod
N/A
PAX 3
182°C - 215°C (360°F - 420°F)
Chamber Capacity
Hot Rod
~0.25g
PAX 3
0.35 - 0.5 grams
Battery Type
Hot Rod
N/A
PAX 3
Internal 18650
Charging
Hot Rod
N/A
PAX 3
Proprietary Dock
Power Adjustment
Hot Rod
Single Dial
PAX 3
Modular - 4 stages
Chamber Material
Hot Rod
Titanium
PAX 3
Stainless Steel
Brand
Hot Rod
Old Head
PAX 3
PAX Labs
Choose Hot Rod if...
- You prefer a convection heating profile.
- Your usage leans toward desktop and convection sessions.
- You prefer Hot Rod's overall feature mix and form factor.
Choose PAX 3 if...
- You want the lower listed entry price ($250 vs $340).
- You prefer a conduction heating profile.
- Your usage leans toward portable and conduction sessions.
Typical price
$250
Sold by To the Cloud Vapor Store
Prices are read automatically from retailer pages; confirm the price at checkout. Some links are affiliate links, which support Thermal Extractions at no extra cost to you.
Spec Comparison Table
Direct comparison of every spec from each device profile.
22 differ 0 shared
| Specification | Hot Rod | PAX 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price (USD) | $340 | $250 |
| Device Type | Desktop | Portable |
| Heating Type | Convection | Conduction |
| Heat Up Time | — | <30 seconds |
| Temperature Range | N/A | 182°C - 215°C (360°F - 420°F) |
| Chamber Capacity | ~0.25g | 0.35 - 0.5 grams |
| Battery Type | N/A | Internal 18650 |
| Battery Capacity | — | 3500mAh |
| Battery Life | — | ~90 minutes |
| Charging | N/A | Proprietary Dock |
| Charge Time | — | ~90 minutes |
| Bluetooth / App | — | Yes |
| Dimensions | — | 98mm x 31mm x 22mm |
| Weight | — | ~93 grams |
| Power Adjustment | Single Dial | Modular - 4 stages |
| Chamber Material | Titanium | Stainless Steel |
| Concentrate Support | — | Yes |
| Brand | Old Head | PAX Labs |
| Power Adapter | AC Power | — |
| Power Usage | 18W (peak 60W) | — |
| Release Date | 2021 | 2016 |
| Warranty | — | 10 years |
Comparison FAQs
What is the biggest difference between the Hot Rod and the PAX 3?
The biggest practical difference is form factor: these aren't the same kind of device. Hot Rod is a desktop, PAX 3 is a portable. Pick based on whether you want something portable or something stationary.
Which is cheaper, the Hot Rod or the PAX 3?
PAX 3 is the cheaper option at $250 compared with $340 for the Hot Rod, about $90 less. Live retailer pricing can shift, so confirm before buying.
What's the difference in heating between the Hot Rod and the PAX 3?
Hot Rod uses convection heating, while the PAX 3 uses conduction. Heating style influences flavor profile, vapor density, and how forgiving the device is to draw technique.
Does the Hot Rod or the PAX 3 hold more flower?
PAX 3 has the larger chamber at 0.35 - 0.5 grams, versus ~0.25g on the Hot Rod. A bigger bowl means fewer reloads on long sessions; a smaller one suits microdosing and quicker bowls.
Is the Hot Rod or the PAX 3 better for home versus on-the-go use?
PAX 3 is the take-anywhere choice. It's a portable, battery-powered unit, while the Hot Rod is built for home use, where bigger heaters, AC power, and larger chambers make sense.
Which is more discreet, the Hot Rod or the PAX 3?
PAX 3 is the better pick if low-profile use matters. It's tagged as stealth or pocket-friendly in our database, while the Hot Rod is more conspicuous in hand and harder to keep out of sight.
Need a different matchup?
Jump into the comparison hub to pick any two devices and open a canonical side-by-side page.