The Crafty vs The Pax 3

The Crafty is discontinued and replaced by the Crafty Plus ! Other Storz and Bickel Vaporizers can be found here.

Which Portable Vaporizer Wins

Both the Crafty and the Pax 3 are incredibly accessible portable vaporizers, suitable for both newbies and vaping veterans alike. They accommodate a variety of users, and purchasing the complete kit of either the Crafty and the Pax 3 make both devices suitable for dry herb use as well as wax concentrates. However, both have different strengths and cater to slightly different preferences, so this handy guide will help you figure out which choice is best for you. 

The 'Look'

Straight off the bat, it's clear to see that while the Crafty is a pocket-sized vaporizer the Pax 3 is definitely more travel-friendly. Weighing in at approximately 93 grams and measuring just under 4 inches tall, the Pax 3 is a modern, streamline vaporizer that can easily slip into any pocket. With three different mouthpieces, it can be customized to your preferred vaping experience.

The Pax 3 comes in an elegant polished finish, a change from the brushed aluminum of the Pax 2. Aesthetically, this works in it's favor, however the finish may leave it more susceptible to scratches and smudging. While the Pax 3 may be the more fashionable choice of the two, this is not to discount the portability of the Crafty. Although it's a little heftier than the Pax 3, the Crafty's industrial design and durability may be more suitable for people seeking a sturdier vaporizer.

The Pax 3 weighs in at approximately 93 grams, while the Crafty comes in at over 50% heavier at 135 grams. The Crafty shell leaves it pretty impervious to scratches, or at least renders them more or less unnoticeable. It comes in at about 4.3 inches, not much taller than the Pax 3 but it is much wider at 1.3 inches, and 2.2 inches deep, compared to 0.85 inches deep with the Pax 3. So while the Pax 3 may be a much sleeker, lighter design – what the Crafty lacks in elegance it makes up for in sturdy German engineering.

Conduction vs Hybrid

One reason for the Crafty's bulkier appearance is the built-in cooling unit coupled with convection heat, which although it makes the device a little more cumbersome, it does result in a high-quality vapor with no charring. The Pax 3 on the other hand relies on conduction heat, which does mean that the flavor of your vapor can fade quite quickly into a session.

The airflow on the Pax 3 is also slightly more restricted than the Crafty, so getting the perfect draw will require some practice. The Crafty in comparison, is incredibly user friendly with minimal draw restriction.

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Smart-phone Apps

Since both devices are portable vapes and as such are more limited in their capabilities, both have a smart-phone app for adjusting your vaping experience to your tastes. The Crafty only has two preset temperatures on the device, however with the smartphone app you can adjust the temperature down to a single degree. You can also leave the app open while using the Crafty to achieve complete control over the temperature, unlike the Pax 3 app which does not offer this feature.

The Pax 3 however has four preset temperatures on the advice, so arguably there is less need for the smartphone app in the first place. There is one extra programmable temperature in the Pax 3 smartphone app, which is variable within the range that the device operates.

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Battery Capacity

The battery capacity of the Pax 3 lasts for about 60-90 minutes, depending on the length and temperature of your preferred sessions. The battery life of the Crafty is shorter, with one single lithium ion battery that lasts up to 45 minutes at full charge. Although the battery life of the Crafty is shorter, the charging unit is more portable than Pax 3, arguable making it an easier device to travel with in that respect.

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The Pax 3 comes with a magnetic charging dock (which also has to be plugged in), on which it can reach a full charge in 90 minutes. The Crafty on the other hand offers a USB charging adapter which lets you connect to laptops, USB car adapters, and battery packs. The Crafty also includes an automatic power-off feature after one minute of inactivity, to help prolong battery life. So while the Pax 3 battery may has longer, the Crafty may be easier to charge on the go.

The Crafty also features pass-through charging, after your device has reached 20%. Once your vape has reached 20%, the chamber has enough energy to start heating and you use your Crafty when it is still plugged in to charge. When it comes to choosing between the Crafty and the Pax 3, ultimately, it's different strokes for different folks.

It all depends on what you prioritize, whether it be battery life or portability, or each of use. Both vaporizers produce a smooth quality vapor, so whatever your preference you can be safe in the knowledge that you won't have to compromise on vapor quality – which in the end is why you're even here.

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