Price (USD)
RiO edgePAX 3
$250
RiO
$150
RiO is typically around $100 lower.
Vaporizer Comparison
PAX 3 vs RiO
Side-by-side specs, pricing context, and clear decision guidance.
PAX 3
PAX Labs $250
VS
RiO
Stache $150
Editorial Summary
PAX 3 and RiO are both portable / conduction vaporizers, but they target different priorities. RiO is usually the lower-cost pick at $150, around $100 below PAX 3. Session style, airflow, and extraction behavior will matter more than raw spec sheet numbers here.
Specs Compared
21
Different Specs
18
Shared Specs
3
Overall Overlap
14%
Shared Traits
Portable Conduction Concentrates
Head-to-Head Highlights
A quick snapshot of the specs people usually care about first.
Weight
PAX 3 edgePAX 3
~93 grams
RiO
~522g
PAX 3 is the lighter listed unit.
Heating Style
Close callPAX 3
Conduction
RiO
Conduction
Both devices use a similar heating approach.
Key Differences at a Glance
Top specs where these two devices diverge.
Price (USD)
PAX 3
$250
RiO
$150
Temperature Range
PAX 3
182°C - 215°C (260°F - 420°F)
RiO
N/A
Chamber Capacity
PAX 3
<0.35 grams
RiO
N/A
Battery Type
PAX 3
Internal 18650
RiO
N/A
Charging
PAX 3
Proprietary Dock
RiO
N/A
Weight
PAX 3
~93 grams
RiO
~522g
Power Adjustment
PAX 3
Modular - 4 stages
RiO
Manual
Chamber Material
PAX 3
Stainless Steel
RiO
Glass
Brand
PAX 3
PAX Labs
RiO
Stache
Warranty
PAX 3
10 years
RiO
1 year
Choose PAX 3 if...
- You want the lighter unit for carrying and travel.
- Your usage leans toward discrete and electronic sessions.
- You prefer PAX 3's overall feature mix and form factor.
Choose RiO if...
- You want the lower listed entry price ($150 vs $250).
- Your usage leans toward microdosing and analog sessions.
- You prefer RiO's overall feature mix and form factor.
Spec Comparison Table
Direct comparison of every spec from each device profile.
18 differ 3 shared
| Specification | PAX 3 | RiO |
|---|---|---|
| Price (USD) | $250 | $150 |
| Device Type | Portable | Portable |
| Heating Type | Conduction | Conduction |
| Heat Up Time | <30 seconds | — |
| Temperature Range | 182°C - 215°C (260°F - 420°F) | N/A |
| Chamber Capacity | <0.35 grams | N/A |
| Battery Type | Internal 18650 | N/A |
| Battery Capacity | 3500mAh | — |
| Battery Life | ~90 minutes | — |
| Charging | Proprietary Dock | N/A |
| Charge Time | ~90 minutes | — |
| Bluetooth / App | Yes | — |
| Dimensions | 98mm x 31mm x 22mm | — |
| Height | — | 14 inches |
| Weight | ~93 grams | ~522g |
| Power Adjustment | Modular - 4 stages | Manual |
| Chamber Material | Stainless Steel | Glass |
| Concentrate Support | Yes | Yes |
| Brand | PAX Labs | Stache |
| Release Date | 2016 | — |
| Warranty | 10 years | 1 year |
Comparison FAQs
What is the biggest difference between the PAX 3 and the RiO?
The biggest practical difference is price tier: the RiO sits at $150 while the PAX 3 is $250, a gap of about $100 that puts them in different buying brackets.
Which is cheaper, the PAX 3 or the RiO?
RiO is the cheaper option at $150 compared with $250 for the PAX 3, about $100 less. Live retailer pricing can shift, so confirm before buying.
Which is lighter, the PAX 3 or the RiO?
PAX 3 is the lighter unit at ~93 grams, around 429g less than the RiO at ~522g. The lighter device is easier to carry and pocket day-to-day.
Can I set custom temperatures on the PAX 3 or the RiO?
PAX 3 controls heat with modular - 4 stages, while the RiO uses manual. Both let you change temperature, just with different levels of precision.
How much flower do the PAX 3 and RiO hold?
PAX 3 lists a chamber capacity of <0.35 grams; the RiO lists N/A.
Which is more discreet, the PAX 3 or the RiO?
PAX 3 is the better pick if low-profile use matters. It's tagged as stealth or pocket-friendly in our database, while the RiO is more conspicuous in hand and harder to keep out of sight.
Is the PAX 3 or the RiO better for microdosing?
RiO is the better fit for microdosing in our database, typically thanks to a smaller chamber, finer temperature control, or both.
Need a different matchup?
Jump into the comparison hub to pick any two devices and open a canonical side-by-side page.