Price (USD)
CAT edgeCAT
$199
IO Hornet
$260
CAT is typically around $61 lower.
Vaporizer Comparison
CAT vs IO Hornet
Side-by-side specs, pricing context, and clear decision guidance.
CAT
End Game Labs $199
VS
IO Hornet
IO MFG $260
Editorial Summary
CAT and IO Hornet are both convection / ball vape vaporizers, but they target different priorities. CAT is usually the lower-cost pick at $199, around $61 below IO Hornet. CAT has the quicker listed heat-up profile, which can matter for shorter sessions.
Specs Compared
26
Different Specs
26
Shared Specs
0
Overall Overlap
0%
Shared Traits
Convection Ball Vape Electronic
Head-to-Head Highlights
A quick snapshot of the specs people usually care about first.
Heat-Up Time
CAT edgeCAT
~30 seconds
IO Hornet
3-5 minutes on a 16mm coil, longer on 20mm and 25mm adapters
CAT has the quicker listed heat-up profile.
Heating Style
Close callCAT
Convection
IO Hornet
Convection as an injector, hybrid with conduction as a diffuser
Heating style differs, which can impact flavor and extraction behavior.
Key Differences at a Glance
Top specs where these two devices diverge.
Price (USD)
CAT
$199
IO Hornet
$260
Device Type
CAT
Portable
IO Hornet
Desktop
Heating Type
CAT
Convection
IO Hornet
Convection as an injector, hybrid with conduction as a diffuser
Heat Up Time
CAT
~30 seconds
IO Hornet
3-5 minutes on a 16mm coil, longer on 20mm and 25mm adapters
Temperature Range
CAT
Up to 230°C
IO Hornet
271-338°C (520-640°F) recommended by IO MFG
Battery Type
CAT
Swappable 21700
IO Hornet
None
Charging
CAT
USB-C
IO Hornet
None
Power Adjustment
CAT
Digital Control
IO Hornet
Set on a separate PID controller, included only in the Complete Kit
Brand
CAT
End Game Labs
IO Hornet
IO MFG
Joint Size
CAT
14mm / 18mm
IO Hornet
14mm bowls included, 10mm and 14mm diffusers, 14mm and 22mm injectors
Choose CAT if...
- You want the lower listed entry price ($199 vs $260).
- You care about faster heat-up time for quicker sessions.
- You prefer a convection heating profile.
- Your usage leans toward portable sessions.
Choose IO Hornet if...
- You prefer a convection as an injector, hybrid with conduction as a diffuser heating profile.
- Your usage leans toward desktop and microdosing sessions.
- You prefer IO Hornet's overall feature mix and form factor.
Spec Comparison Table
Direct comparison of every spec from each device profile.
26 differ 0 shared
| Specification | CAT | IO Hornet |
|---|---|---|
| Price (USD) | $199 | $260 |
| Device Type | Portable | Desktop |
| Heating Type | Convection | Convection as an injector, hybrid with conduction as a diffuser |
| Heat Up Time | ~30 seconds | 3-5 minutes on a 16mm coil, longer on 20mm and 25mm adapters |
| Temperature Range | Up to 230°C | 271-338°C (520-640°F) recommended by IO MFG |
| Chamber Capacity | — | 0.08g to about 0.2g, around 0.15g for a full draw |
| Battery Type | Swappable 21700 | None |
| Battery Capacity | 4000mAh | — |
| Battery Life | ~50 minutes | — |
| Charging | USB-C | None |
| Charge Time | ~2.5 hours | — |
| Dimensions | 104x60x33mm | — |
| Weight | 200g | — |
| Power Adjustment | Digital Control | Set on a separate PID controller, included only in the Complete Kit |
| Chamber Material | — | 316L stainless steel with a Bocote wood handle |
| Concentrate Support | — | Suited to traditional hash, not built for wax or oil |
| Brand | End Game Labs | IO MFG |
| Ball Type | — | 100 x 2.5mm lab grown ruby balls |
| Bowl Compatibility | — | Classic DynaVap tips, IO conduction and glass bowls, many third party 14mm bowls |
| Coil Size | — | 16mm, with adapters for 20mm and 25mm coils |
| Haptic Feedback | Yes | — |
| Joint Size | 14mm / 18mm | 14mm bowls included, 10mm and 14mm diffusers, 14mm and 22mm injectors |
| Manufacturer | — | IO MFG LLC |
| Release Date | — | 2024 |
| Session Style | Both | On-Demand |
| Warranty | 1 year | None, IO MFG sells the Hornet as is with no express or implied warranty |
Comparison FAQs
What is the biggest difference between the CAT and the IO Hornet?
The biggest practical difference is form factor: these aren't the same kind of device. CAT is a portable, IO Hornet is a desktop. Pick based on whether you want something portable or something stationary.
Which is cheaper, the CAT or the IO Hornet?
CAT is the cheaper option at $199 compared with $260 for the IO Hornet, about $61 less. Live retailer pricing can shift, so confirm before buying.
Which heats up faster, the CAT or the IO Hornet?
CAT reaches session-ready temperature in ~30 seconds, while the IO Hornet takes 3-5 minutes on a 16mm coil, longer on 20mm and 25mm adapters. That's roughly 210 seconds quicker on the CAT, which is useful if you want shorter, on-demand sessions.
What's the difference in heating between the CAT and the IO Hornet?
CAT uses convection heating, while the IO Hornet uses convection as an injector, hybrid with conduction as a diffuser. Heating style influences flavor profile, vapor density, and how forgiving the device is to draw technique.
Is the CAT or the IO Hornet better for home versus on-the-go use?
CAT is the take-anywhere choice. It's a portable, battery-powered unit, while the IO Hornet is built for home use, where bigger heaters, AC power, and larger chambers make sense.
Can I swap the batteries on the CAT or the IO Hornet?
CAT uses swappable 21700, so you can carry spares for back-to-back days. The IO Hornet has a built-in battery you can't swap on the go.
Can I set custom temperatures on the CAT or the IO Hornet?
CAT controls heat with digital control, while the IO Hornet uses set on a separate pid controller, included only in the complete kit. CAT gives you finer per-degree control.
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