Pax FLOW Review

At-a-glance specs

In the box: PAX FLOW, flat mouthpiece (installed), raised mouthpiece, USB-C cable, multitool, 3× oven screens, 3× cotton swabs, user guide.

First impressions: familiar shape, fresh execution

I’ve lived with FLOW for a little over a week—roughly a hundred sessions split between pockets, walks, and the couch. It looks like a PAX, but the side-mounted oven and wider, straighter vapor path make it feel like a new class. Only two removable parts (mouthpiece and oven door) keep setup and daily care simple.

The relocated oven is the headline. Pop the door and you’re staring at a straight shot to the mouthpiece, which does two things right away: opens the draw and makes cleaning a 90-second habit.

Heating & airflow: the “new PAX” moment

Previous PAX models were pure conduction—easy to use, not always perfectly even. FLOW adds convection by preheating the incoming air and pulling it through the load. Conduction from the oven walls still does work, but the warmed airflow keeps the center in step with the edges. Translation: more even extractions, brighter early flavor, fewer mid-session stirs.

You feel it on the first inhale. Where older models could feel like milkshake through a coffee straw, FLOW breathes. Light sips, longer pulls—it keeps up without fighting you.

The five modes, translated (with colors)

• Stealth — soft output for low-key rooms and late nights; flavor-forward sips. (LEDs don’t dim.)
• Efficiency — 2 green petals; starts easy and ramps for longer, slower sessions.
• Flavor — 3 yellow petals; front-loads terps for 3–6 bright pulls before the oven fully saturates.
• Boost — 4 orange petals; faster saturation and thicker clouds when you want punch.
• Bong Mode — unlock via triple-cycle to rainbow; targets ~437°F / 225°C for water pieces (adapter sold separately).

Quick path to Bong Mode

Power on, then tap through the four regular modes three times; when the petals go rainbow, you’re in. Sounds fiddly, but it becomes muscle memory after a day.

Heat-up is quick (~35–45s to the top) and changes settle fast. Active temp control compensates if you draw hard.

Real-world performance

Flavor

Two steps up from PAX Plus. I get three bright terp sips, then 3–4 thicker hits as the oven saturates, then a smooth taper. Medium grind + light tamp cooks evenly, edge to center.

Vapor

Boost and Bong Mode can fog a small rig fast; Stealth and Efficiency stay relaxed and low-key. Long, unhurried draws feel smooth even when the clouds get dense.

Capacity

Hybrid heating handles a range. Microdose around 0.15 g or pack tight to ~0.35 g; the sweet spot is ~0.25 g with a light tamp.

Battery life & charging

Plan on ~4–6 sessions per charge, mode and draw style depending (using 8–10 minutes as a baseline). That’s a day out if you’re conservative; if you chain sessions or live on high, expect a mid-day top-off.

USB-C at last: ~50% in ~20 minutes, ~75% in the high-20s, and full in ~37–40 with a decent brick. No swappable battery, so quick top-offs matter. There’s an optional desktop dock if you want a drop-in home base.

Cleaning & care: the two-minute reset

1. While the oven’s slightly warm, pop the door and brush the chamber.
2. Run a dry swab through the vapor path and around the mouthpiece well.
3. If flavor fades or airflow tightens, swap the stainless screen (spares are in the box).
4. Occasionally do a deeper clean with alcohol-damp swabs—keep liquid away from electronics.

The multitool is actually useful: light tamp on load, flat edge to scoop the bowl in one go.

Comfort, heat & accessibility

FLOW can get warm toward the end of hot sessions or in Bong Mode; back-to-backs will heat the shell and even the mouthpiece. If you’re heat-sensitive or have grip concerns, try shorter sessions on Stealth/Efficiency and consider a silicone sleeve for insulation and traction. The one-button interface is friendly and harder to pocket-activate than older PAX models.

Who it’s for (and who it isn’t)

If you liked PAX before but wanted easier airflow and cleaner flavor, FLOW finally does both without losing the discreet, go-anywhere vibe.

Ideal for

• Daily carry, coffee-break sessions, travel
• Newer users who want a guided, low-friction experience
• Fans of quiet, terp-forward draws who don’t need volcano-level output

Not ideal if

• You want all-day battery with zero top-ups
• You need precise temp control or app profiles
• You require a device that stays cool to the touch on the highest settings

Value check & alternatives

At ~$350, FLOW sits against larger “heavy hitter” portables that trade stealth for stamina and raw output. If you prioritize polish, pocketability, and a truly improved PAX draw, this is the right fit. If you mostly rip through water pieces or run marathon sessions, consider a bigger, home-leaning portable—the job is different, not worse.

Warranty note: Standard coverage is two years; register within 30 days to extend to four.

Bottom line

FLOW isn’t perfect, but it’s the best ultra-portable PAX yet. The hybrid heater and open path finally make the “PAX experience” match the reputation, and USB-C fixes the old charging gripe. If previous PAX models worked for you, this is a straight upgrade—it’s replaced my Plus as my out-of-the-house pick.