Price (USD)
Close callG Pen Elite II
$250
IO Hornet
$260
Pricing is very close between both devices.
Vaporizer Comparison
G Pen Elite II vs IO Hornet
Side-by-side specs, pricing context, and clear decision guidance.
G Pen Elite II
Grenco Science from $180
VS
IO Hornet
IO MFG $260
Editorial Summary
G Pen Elite II and IO Hornet are both electronic vaporizers, but they target different priorities. Their listed prices are close ($250 vs $260). G Pen Elite II has the quicker listed heat-up profile, which can matter for shorter sessions.
Specs Compared
28
Different Specs
28
Shared Specs
0
Overall Overlap
0%
Shared Traits
Electronic
Head-to-Head Highlights
A quick snapshot of the specs people usually care about first.
Heat-Up Time
G Pen Elite II edgeG Pen Elite II
~30 seconds
IO Hornet
3-5 minutes on a 16mm coil, longer on 20mm and 25mm adapters
G Pen Elite II has the quicker listed heat-up profile.
Heating Style
Close callG Pen Elite II
Hybrid (Primarily Conduction)
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)
G Pen Elite II
$250
IO Hornet
$260
Device Type
G Pen Elite II
Portable
IO Hornet
Desktop
Heating Type
G Pen Elite II
Hybrid (Primarily Conduction)
IO Hornet
Convection as an injector, hybrid with conduction as a diffuser
Heat Up Time
G Pen Elite II
~30 seconds
IO Hornet
3-5 minutes on a 16mm coil, longer on 20mm and 25mm adapters
Temperature Range
G Pen Elite II
93°C - 220°C (200°F - 428°F)
IO Hornet
271-338°C (520-640°F) recommended by IO MFG
Chamber Capacity
G Pen Elite II
0.3 - 0.5 grams
IO Hornet
0.08g to about 0.2g, around 0.15g for a full draw
Battery Type
G Pen Elite II
Internal
IO Hornet
None
Charging
G Pen Elite II
USB-C
IO Hornet
None
Power Adjustment
G Pen Elite II
Digital Control
IO Hornet
Set on a separate PID controller, included only in the Complete Kit
Chamber Material
G Pen Elite II
Ceramic
IO Hornet
316L stainless steel with a Bocote wood handle
Choose G Pen Elite II if...
- You care about faster heat-up time for quicker sessions.
- You prefer a hybrid (primarily conduction) heating profile.
- Your usage leans toward portable and hybrid sessions.
Lowest price
$180
at Slick Vapes
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 ball vape sessions.
- You prefer IO Hornet's overall feature mix and form factor.
Prices are read automatically from retailer pages and were last checked Aug 27, 2026; confirm the price at checkout. Some links are affiliate links, which support Thermal Extractions at no extra cost to you.
Spec Comparison Table
Direct comparison of every spec from each device profile.
28 differ 0 shared
| Specification | G Pen Elite II | IO Hornet |
|---|---|---|
| Price (USD) | $250 | $260 |
| Device Type | Portable | Desktop |
| Heating Type | Hybrid (Primarily Conduction) | 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 | 93°C - 220°C (200°F - 428°F) | 271-338°C (520-640°F) recommended by IO MFG |
| Chamber Capacity | 0.3 - 0.5 grams | 0.08g to about 0.2g, around 0.15g for a full draw |
| Battery Type | Internal | None |
| Battery Capacity | 2100mAh | — |
| Battery Life | ~1 hour of use | — |
| Charging | USB-C | None |
| Charge Time | 90 minutes | — |
| Dimensions | 117x30x28mm | — |
| Weight | 146g | — |
| Power Adjustment | Digital Control | Set on a separate PID controller, included only in the Complete Kit |
| Chamber Material | Ceramic | 316L stainless steel with a Bocote wood handle |
| Concentrate Support | — | Suited to traditional hash, not built for wax or oil |
| Brand | Grenco Science | IO MFG |
| Adjustable Airflow | Yes | — |
| 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 |
| Display Type | High Resolution TFT (LCD) | — |
| Joint Size | — | 14mm bowls included, 10mm and 14mm diffusers, 14mm and 22mm injectors |
| Manufacturer | — | IO MFG LLC |
| Mouthpiece Material | Zirconia | — |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2024 |
| Session Style | Session | On-Demand |
| Warranty | 2 years | None, IO MFG sells the Hornet as is with no express or implied warranty |
Comparison FAQs
What is the biggest difference between the G Pen Elite II and the IO Hornet?
The biggest practical difference is form factor: these aren't the same kind of device. G Pen Elite II is a portable, IO Hornet is a desktop. Pick based on whether you want something portable or something stationary.
Which heats up faster, the G Pen Elite II or the IO Hornet?
G Pen Elite II 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 G Pen Elite II, which is useful if you want shorter, on-demand sessions.
What's the difference in heating between the G Pen Elite II and the IO Hornet?
G Pen Elite II uses hybrid (primarily conduction) 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.
Does the G Pen Elite II or the IO Hornet hold more flower?
G Pen Elite II has the larger chamber at 0.3 - 0.5 grams, versus 0.08g to about 0.2g, around 0.15g for a full draw on the IO Hornet. A bigger bowl means fewer reloads on long sessions; a smaller one suits microdosing and quicker bowls.
Is the G Pen Elite II or the IO Hornet better for home versus on-the-go use?
G Pen Elite II 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.
Which is cheaper, the G Pen Elite II or the IO Hornet?
Listed prices are close: $250 for the G Pen Elite II versus $260 for the IO Hornet. Day-to-day price will likely come down to whichever retailer is running a promotion.
Can I set custom temperatures on the G Pen Elite II or the IO Hornet?
G Pen Elite II controls heat with digital control, while the IO Hornet uses set on a separate pid controller, included only in the complete kit. G Pen Elite II gives you finer per-degree control.
Need a different matchup?
Jump into the comparison hub to pick any two devices and open a canonical side-by-side page.