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
20
Different Specs
17
Shared Specs
3
Overall Overlap
15%
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 (360°F - 420°F)
RiO
N/A
Chamber Capacity
PAX 3
0.35 - 0.5 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.
Typical price
$250
Sold by To the Cloud Vapor Store
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.
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.
17 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 (360°F - 420°F) | N/A |
| Chamber Capacity | 0.35 - 0.5 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 | — |
| 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 - 0.5 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.