Pulsar is a prominent name in the vaporizer industry, consistently delivering innovative, high-quality products. The APX Volt V3 is one of their latest Wax Pens, designed to enhance your concentrate vaping experience with its user-friendly features and compact design.
In this Pulsar APX Volt V3 review, we will see what V3 introduces as improvements over its predecessors. But we are here to see how good these changes actually are and who they might be a good fit for. If you are in the market for a new Wax Pen, I recommend visiting our Best Wax Pens ranking page to get a better view into how it ranks amongst the more popular competitors.
How it Works
The Pulsar APX Volt V3 is designed to be user-friendly for both beginners and seasoned vapers. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use and configure your Pulsar APX Volt V3:
Step 1: Turn the device on by pressing the power button rapidly 5 times.
Step 2: Remove your mouthpiece and load the heating chamber with Wax. Reattach your mouthpiece.
Step 3: Cycle through voltage settings by tapping the power button 3 times quickly. The voltage is set when the LED stops flashing.
Step 4: Press and hold the power button to enable and maintain the heating of your APX Volt V3.
Step 5: Inhale once the concentrate melts (after about 5 seconds).
Step 6: Turn off the device by pressing the power button rapidly 5 times.
Pro Tips:
- You can add the wax before or after heating the unit. Before will take slightly longer and give you better flavor, while after will be quicker and provide thicker vapor.
- The APX V3 comes with a hands-free power mode that you can enable by pressing the button twice rapidly. This removes the need to press and hold to heat up the chamber.
- Clean the quartz cup between sessions using a cotton swab to maintain flavor.
- Always keep the device upright when in use to avoid spilling the heated concentrate.
- Don’t overfill your chamber with wax. Usually, one or two rice-grained globs are more than enough.
- For your first session, make sure to charge the device to 100% battery.
Vapor Quality
Vapor is a huge determining factor for most users when they are looking for a new Wax Pen. The Pulsar APX Volt V3 comes with a few design features that make us believe it was made to produce flavorful vapor. For example, the pure quartz coil-less cup. Since the cup is made of quartz, which is known for maintaining your vapor’s purity, this is a key indicator that flavor was on Pulsar’s mind when designing this vaporizer.
Unlike traditional coil-based systems, the coil-less design ensures that there are no metal elements that could potentially alter the flavor of your concentrates. This results in a cleaner, more flavorful vapor.
At the lowest setting, the flavor is incredible. The first hits are decently smooth and flavorful. While they are good, they aren’t as premium as Wax Pens that come with more sophisticated heating chambers. The way we see it, it’s right down the middle between the most premium 3D chambers that you will find on units like the Focus V Aeris and lower-priced coil units that are mostly made just to get the job done.
The highest setting delivers massive vapor production for those who enjoy intense hits. Seasoned dabbers will definitely appreciate the robust clouds, just consider that the flavor profile of your wax will start to drop when you ramp the heat up.
Overall, the APX Volt V3 produces decent vapor quality, especially at its price point. While there is room for improvement, particularly regarding vapor smoothness at higher temperatures, it still offers a satisfying experience for flavor chasers and cloud enthusiasts. And most importantly, in a compact form factor thats easy to move around with.
Manufacturing Quality
The Pulsar APX Volt V3 showcases a thoughtful design with several enhancements over its predecessors. The main enhancement is the choice of materials in this Wax Pen, which enhances vapor quality. This includes a pure quartz coil-less cup, a borosilicate glass mouthpiece, and the metal mouthpiece option.
Pulsar has done a commendable job ensuring that the plastics are kept away from the heating elements, maintaining the purity of the vapor. However, the glass design has its drawbacks. While it provides a pure flavor profile, it also makes the device less discreet and more fragile. The glass chamber is vulnerable to breakage if dropped, which can be a significant downside for users who are often on the go. During this review, the glass chamber on my unit shattered, highlighting the need for caution.
In the realm of durability, the choice of materials plays a crucial role. A hard shell, such as a stainless steel or metal body, offers enhanced durability and resistance to damage, addressing concerns related to fragility. Some manufacturers even prefer to go with Zirconia mouthpieces like the Tronian Gammatron. This is partly due to the higher durability, but also because Zirconia is as good as glass when it comes to retaining flavor profiles in your vapor. Although the design of the Volt V3 incorporates silicone around the edges of the chamber to protect the glass, the overall build is still mostly glass and metal.
The new enhanced LED display is also a welcomed addition, providing clear and functional feedback during use. The brushed aluminum body is also very nice to hold and makes the unit feel like it has some heft.
Overall, the APX Volt V3 is built pretty well, but there is room for improvement. The glass top, while stylish and functional, is a point of vulnerability. The device feels well-built aside from this, and the inclusion of a silicone dab container and enhanced LED display are nice touches.
Temperature Flexibility
The APX Volt V3 offers a range of four temperature settings which are indicated by the LED display:
- One Square Box – 2.5V
- Two Square Boxes – 2.8V
- Three Square Boxes – 3.2V
- Four Square Boxes – 3.7V
The variable temperature allows users to fine-tune their experience, whether they prefer lower temperatures for enhanced flavor or higher temperatures for more substantial vapor production. The LED indicator makes it easy to switch between settings and find the perfect temperature for your needs.
With these four settings, you can achieve a variety of vaping experiences. At 2.5V, the vapor is smooth and light, and very flavorful. As you increase the voltage to 2.8V and 3.2V, the vapor becomes denser, balancing flavor and cloud production. At the highest setting of 3.7V, the APX Volt V3 delivers quite the punch. It’s important to mention that these voltages are on the lower side. While 3.7 Volts can produce larger clouds, the whole range seems more focused on the flavor side over huge clouds. If huge clouds is something you prioritize, units such as the Utillian 5 that come with strong coil chambers might be a better fit since they are known for producing lots of dense vapor.
Overall, the APX Volt V3’s temperature flexibility is solid, offering a good range of options for various vaping styles. However, the addition of fully adjustable temperature control would elevate the device, providing users with the ultimate customization for their vaping experience.
Battery Life
The Pulsar APX Volt V3 features an 1100 mAh battery, offering solid battery life, especially for a wax vaporizer with a quartz bucket design. However, the bucket tends to use more power compared to coil-based systems, so you may need to recharge more frequently.
A key improvement in this model is the addition of USB-C charging, which greatly enhances convenience. The first full charge takes about 3 hours, but subsequent recharges are much faster, around 1.5 hours. The APX logo LED helps users understand if their unit is properly plugged in. When the Logo flashes red, this means it is currently charging. At some point, the logo will turn into a solid green light that indicates the charging is completed.
As far as the current battery levels go, the APX Volt V3 uses a straightforward LED system:
- Green: 100-60%
- Orange: 60-20%
- Red: 20-0%
The 1,100 mAh battery supports multiple sessions throughout the day. While there are definitely Wax Pens with larger batteries, they tend to be bigger than the Volt V3, so I think Pulsar opted for a good battery in a small form factor over a great battery in a larger form factor. Despite this, the USB-C charging and overall performance make the APX Volt V3 a solid choice for wax vaporizer users.
Portability & Discreetness
In terms of portability, the APX Volt is compact, measuring just 3.5 inches (8.89 cm) in height, which allows it to fit comfortably in your pocket or bag, ensuring that you can carry it with ease wherever you go. Its size is similar to the Utillian 2 but smaller than many other vaporizers, and its design makes it more pocket-friendly. The design, with the battery slightly extended to the side, keeps the overall size shorter and more compact, enhancing its portability advantage.
Despite its small size, the APX Volt V3 is sturdy and robust, though the glass mouthpiece does require some care to avoid damage. This fragility is a minor trade-off for the device’s overall durability and compactness. The APX Volt V3 can be hidden away almost entirely in your hand, making it discreet and easy to use in public settings without drawing much attention. If you are worried about your glass component, I suggest using a carrying case like the Zeus Armor Case that can help you move with the device while on the go without any fear of breaking the glass component. You can even carry extra materials with the case to extend your sessions.
It is important to ensure that you can keep the unit upright if you load your wax in the chamber before heading out with it. Having the unit lay on its side with wax in it will inevitably result in leakage, which may lead to core components breaking in the worst case or lots of wax to clean in the best case.
Shaped to resemble an average e-juice box mod, the APX Volt V3 blends in well, and most people won’t give it a second glance if they see you using it. However, the glass top makes it slightly more noticeable than pen-style vapes or smaller mod devices. It gives off more of a “mod vibe,” which may attract attention, especially in public settings.
Overall, the Pulsar APX Volt V3 offers excellent portability and discreetness, making it a reliable companion for those who value convenience and subtlety in their vaping experience.
Ease of Use
The Pulsar APX Volt V3 is designed for both beginners and experienced users, prioritizing ease of use. One of its most appealing features is the straightforward operation. The wide chamber allows for easy loading of concentrates, and the intuitive temperature control helps you quickly load, heat, and start your session. The 2-Click Hands-Free Power Mode adds extra convenience for seamless vaping since you wont need to press and hold the button down to control its heating.
Pulsar recommends cleaning the chamber after every session to keep it clean and prevent wax buildup for optimal performance. This simple step is crucial for long-term maintenance. Cleaning the APX Volt V3 is relatively easy, but it could be even more convenient with the use of additional accessories. For instance, using a heated tip tool like the Utillian Hot Wax Axe can make loading and cleaning more efficient, reducing the need for constant tool cleaning.
How to Clean the Mouthpiece of APX Volt V3:
- Remove the mouthpiece by gently pulling it from the device.
- Soak it in isopropyl alcohol for one hour.
- Wipe with a cleaning cloth, rinse with cold water, and dry.
How to Clean the APX Volt V3 Heating Chamber:
- Remove the glass or metal mouthpiece from the device.
- Use a Cotton Swab with Alcohol or a Zeus Grime Stick to remove any excess wax from your chamber.
- If any residue is present, clean the outside of the chamber. It’s best to use a paper towel dipped in alcohol or a Zeus Grime Wipe.
Overall, the APX Volt V3 is very user-friendly and a good choice for those new to vaping. Its ease of use, thoughtful design features, and straightforward maintenance make it a reliable and enjoyable device.
Overall Experience
Overall, the Pulsar APX Volt V3 is a solid choice for Wax Vaporizer enthusiasts, offering a blend of user-friendly features and reliable performance. Its compact size and innovative design make it convenient for on-the-go use, while USB-C charging and intuitive controls enhance the overall experience.
The vapor quality is quite good thanks to the glass mouthpiece and pure quartz coil-less cup, which ensure clean and flavorful vapor. However, the vapor could be harsh at higher temperatures for the shorter vapor path.
A key takeaway is that the APX Volt V3 is geared toward those who prefer flavorful vapor. For those of you who want a Wax Pen that can produce big clouds, we recommend looking for a coil-based heating chamber like the ones found on the Utillian 5 or Gammatron. Coil-based units don’t heat your wax as evenly as a bucket chamber, but they reach higher temperatures in a shorter amount of time, resulting in larger clouds with less flavor.
Overall, the Pulsar APX Volt V3 offers a satisfying vaping experience with its blend of portability, ease of use, and vapor quality.
For those who are not convinced and think there might be other Wax Pens that can satisfy their needs better, I recommend visiting the Best Wax Pens ranking page to find comprehensive comparisons and insights on top-performing devices.
Thank you for reading this Pulsar APX Volt V3 Wax Pen Review. We will catch you all in the next one. And as always, keep vaping.
