Table of contents
- Similar vapor with minor quirks
- PAX Plus keeps it simple, G Pen Elite II puts you in control
- PAX Plus's simplicity is hard to beat
- G Pen Elite II is easier to charge
- Similar draws
- G Pen Elite II heats up quicker
- Both hold up to half a gram
- Both are ultra-portable with different styles
- G Pen Elite II’s built-in stir-tool is great for tamping
- Cleaning and maintenance
- Both cost $200
- Pros and Cons
- Which Vaporizer is Right for You?
- Frequently Asked Questions
G Pen and PAX are two big names in the industry, known for ultra-portable dry herb vaporizers that deliver easy sessions anywhere. The Elite II and PAX Plus are their flagship portables, each priced at $200 with nearly identical performance. The differences lie in the finer details.
The G Pen Elite II dry herb vaporizer offers full temperature control, a bright digital display, and slightly stronger vapor in a rugged design. The PAX Plus focuses on effortless sessions, better flavor, and a sleek, seamless style.
At the core, it’s all about controls and style. The PAX Plus vaporizer keeps it simple with preset modes and a discreet, modern design, while the G Pen Elite II offers precise temperature control and a bit more power.
So, which one is the better fit? Let’s break it down.
Cut to the Chase – Which Should I Get?
Get the G Pen Elite II if you want a more hands-on experience with stronger vapor. It heats up faster, lets you fine-tune your temperature down to the degree, and the convection boost adds extra power for bigger hits. The G Pen Elite II gives you the control to dial in the perfect experience.
👉 Read our full G Pen Elite II Review.
G Pen Elite II Vaporizer
$184.95 Regular price: $199.95
Take your sessions anywhere with the ultra-portable Elite II: G Pen's best vape yet.
- Ultra-pocketable design
- Precise tempertaure control
- Large 0.5g oven
- Quick 20-second heat-up
- USB-C charging
Free US Shipping
Easy Returns
Expert Advice
Get the PAX Plus if you want a simple, no-fuss vape with better flavor. Its one-button setup and preset modes make it effortless to use while maintaining a sleek and stylish design. The PAX Plus is stylish and easy to use on the go. It just works, no extra thought required.
👉 Read our full PAX Plus Review.
PAX Plus Vaporizer
$200.00
Enjoy PAX’s signature Experience Modes with the PAX Plus - no app required.
- Four preset Experience Modes - no app required
- Cool and tasty or strong and potent vapor
- Ultra pocketable
- Large oven
- Two hours of session time
G Pen Elite II vs PAX Plus: Quick summary
Similarities
- Both are ultra-portable dry herb vaporizers designed for convenience.
- Compact build, tight draw, and conduction heating for consistent vapor.
- Easily fits in a bag or pocket for on-the-go use.
Differences
PAX Plus:
- Prioritizes simplicity and discretion with four preset modes, a sleek design, and a one-button control system.
- Blends in easily and doesn’t immediately look like a vape.
- Has better flavor but less vapor production overall.
G Pen Elite II:
- Offers precise temperature control, a full-color display, and a slightly bigger build.
- Provides more customization with extra steps to dial in a session.
- Is not as discreet.
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Not as flavorful but packs more punch and delivers stronger sessions.
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Technical Specifications |
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Price |
$199.95 |
$200 |
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Session Settings |
Precise controls 200ºF - 430º F (92ºC - 221ºC) |
5 Preset Experience Modes |
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Oven Size |
0.5g |
0.5g |
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Heat Up Time |
20 seconds |
30 - 40 seconds |
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Sessions Per Charge |
7 - 9 |
10 |
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Warranty |
2-years (extendable to 3) |
10-years |
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Bottom line Both vapes deliver solid sessions in a compact design, but the choice comes down to simplicity vs. control. The PAX Plus keeps it effortless with preset modes and better flavor, while the G Pen Elite II offers manual controls and stronger vapor. |
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Similar vapor with minor quirks
The G Pen Elite II is like a slightly stronger PAX Plus. Its gentle convection boost gives it a bit more kick and rewards deeper, slower draws with thicker results. With the PAX Plus and its full conduction, vapor slows down after a few hits, and you have to wait for it to build back up. The G Pen Elite II keeps it going longer with its convection boost.
It’s not as flavorful, though, and that’s where the PAX Plus excels. The Elite II carries a faint plastic taste that’s hard to ignore, while the PAX Plus delivers cleaner herbal flavors right from the first hit. The flavor from both of these vapes fades fast, but the PAX holds on just a little longer.
The differences are in the details – subtle shifts in flavor, minor strength variations – but they share the same experience, like close siblings with slightly different personalities.
Overall, these two dry herb vaporizers feel almost identical.
PAX Plus keeps it simple, G Pen Elite II puts you in control
The PAX Plus dry herb vaporizer keeps things classy and effortless with one of the simplest control setups in an ultra-portable vape. A single button and four LED petals handle everything, with clear indicators for session mode and battery level. There are only two button gestures to learn and four experience modes.
Its four session modes range from low to high:
- Stealth Mode (One Petal) – A discreet 360°F /182°C setting with dim purple lights and minimal vapor for low-key sessions.
- Efficiency Mode (Two Petals) – A slow-burning session with teal lights that preserves flavor and extends the experience.
- Flavor Mode (Three Petals) – A terpene-rich setting with yellow lights that prioritize intense flavors.
- Boost Mode (Four Petals) – A high-powered mode with orange-red lights that extracts quickly and delivers on clouds.
Think of it as a broad temperature scale, from low to high, to make it even simpler.
The G Pen Elite II takes a more hands-on approach. It offers precise temperature control from 200°F / 93°C to 430°F / 221°C, multiple session settings, and a vibrant digital display. While it provides more customization, the controls feel less intuitive and lack the effortless style of the PAX Plus.
If I want a quick, no-fuss session, I grab the PAX Plus. The G Pen Elite II is better for a fine-tuned experience, but if that level of control matters to you, there are better options out there—like the POTV Lobo
PAX Plus's simplicity is hard to beat
The G Pen Elite II's manual style utulizes a single power button and two temperature control buttons:
- Click and hold the power for five seconds to turn it on.
- Press the up and down to set your temperature.
- Double-click the power to start the session.
- Give the power button five clicks to access session settings.
The bright, full-color screen showcases a color spectrum, your selected temperature, and a battery meter.
The PAX Plus keeps it simple, with only a single button for everything:
- Click the button on top of the mouthpiece once to turn it on, and it will immediately heat up to your last-used setting.
- Click and hold to access the mode selector.
- Single-click through the four experience modes.
- Click and hold again, or give it a quick shake to lock in your selection.
Its LED petal system makes everything easy to understand, too, with colors shifting from cool to hot as a visual temperature guide. Need to check battery life? Shake it once, and the petals light up white, with each one representing a 25% charge.
The only reason I’m reaching for one of these vapes is for their discreet size and quick, easy results. The PAX Plus nails both.
G Pen Elite II is easier to charge
The Elite II wins points for its modern USB-C charge port that plugs in nearly anywhere. The PAX Plus is a bit more cumbersome with its proprietary charging dock. It’s cool, but if you misplace it or leave it at home on a trip, you’re out of luck.
- G Pen Elite II: 7 - 9 sessions per charge
- PAX Plus: 10 sessions per charge
Similar draws
Side by side, I couldn’t tell much of a difference in the way these vaporizers actually hit. Both have a tight, sippy draw that requires a slow, sustained inhale for the best results.
The biggest difference is in the mouthpieces. I used the flat mouthpiece on the PAX Plus, which blends seamlessly into the design and delivers discreet hits. It feels classier. The G Pen Elite II has a more pronounced mouthpiece and feels more obvious. PAX includes a riased mouthpiece if that's more your style.
G Pen Elite II heats up quicker
The G Pen Elite II is one of the faster options on the market, with a consistent 20-second heat-up time. The PAX Plus takes a bit longer, at around 30 to 40 seconds.
Both hold up to half a gram
Both vaporizers hold up to half a gram of ground herb with a tight pack but also handle smaller loads well. The PAX Plus also comes with a half-pack lid that cuts the oven in half for lighter loads.
Both are ultra-portable with different styles
Both are great travel vaporizers that fit easily in a bag, pocket, or purse. The PAX Plus is lighter, slightly smaller, and more discreet, with a sleek design that blends in without drawing too much attention. It doesn’t immediately look like a vape. The G Pen Elite II is a little bigger, but not by much, and comes with more pronounced features that make it look more like a vape.
G Pen Elite II dimensions:
- Height: 4.52 in / 11.5 cm
- Width: 1.25 in / 3.17 cm
- Weight: 5.5 oz / 156g
PAX Plus dimensions:
- Height: 3.85 in / 9.8 cm
- Width: 1.22 in / 3.2cm
- Weight: 3.21 oz / 91 g
G Pen Elite II’s built-in stir-tool is great for tamping
The G Pen Elite II comes with a built-in stir tool, which came in handy. Instead of stirring, I used it as a tamp for tight packs, and it worked great. This is a small but handy feature, especially when traveling light.
Cleaning and maintenance
PAX Plus
The PAX Plus is easy to maintain with a quick wipe-down of the oven and mouthpiece, plus an occasional soak of the oven screen. For deep cleanings, use a pipe cleaner to clear out the vapor path.
G Pen Elite II
The G Pen Elite II requires mouthpiece disassembly, a brush for the oven, and a soak for the vapor spiral and screen.
Both cost $200
At $200 each, the PAX Plus and G Pen Elite II sit at the same price point but offer different experiences. The PAX Plus keeps things simple, sleek, and efficient, while the G Pen Elite II provides more customization and power.
There’s no clear value winner—it all comes down to whether you prefer effortless sessions with better flavor or deeper control with punchier vapor.
G Pen Elite II vs PAX Plus: Pros and Cons
G Pen Elite II Pros & Cons
| Pros 👍 | Cons 👎 |
| Stronger vapor | Flavor is not as good as the PAX Plus |
| Precise temperature control | Controls can be cumbersome |
| 20-second heat-up | |
| Large oven | |
| Full, vibrant display |
👉 Shop G Pen Elite II Vaporizer
PAX Plus Pros & Cons
| Pros 👍 | Cons 👎 |
| Better flavor | Vapor is not as strong as the G Pen Elite II |
| Easy one-button controls | Proprietary charging dock |
| Large oven | |
| Sleek, modern design that’s discreet | |
| Intuitive LED light petals |
Conclusion: Which Vaporizer is Right for You?
Choose the G Pen Elite II if you want a quick, pocketable vape with a more hands-on experience and slightly stronger vapor. Choose your temperature down to a single degree, adjust session settings, and enjoy a vibrant digital display with all of your session info.
Choose the PAX Plus if you want the closest thing to a hands-off experience with slightly better flavor and effortless controls. Get in and out of your session with just a few clicks and then blend in with the crowd with its discreet and stylish design. It’s simple to use and easy to master.
G Pen Elite II vs PAX Plus: FAQs:
Q: Is G Pen better than PAX?
A: The G Pen Elite II hits harder with full temperature control, while the PAX Plus delivers better flavor with an effortless design. It comes down to power vs. simplicity—pick what matters more to you.
Q: Is the PAX Plus the best vape?
A: The PAX Plus is the best vape for the right person. It’s all about your preferences and style. A heavy-hitter on the go will want something like the POTV Lobo, while a light sipper will want something like the G Pen or PAX Plus.
Q: Does the G Pen Elite II or PAX Plus have better battery life?
A: The PAX Plus has better battery life with 10 sessions per charge or about 75 minutes of runtime, while the G Pen Elite II provides up to 7 to 9 sessions or just under an hour.
