Price (USD)
Close callIO Hornet
$260
PAX 3
$250
Pricing is very close between both devices.
Vaporizer Comparison
IO Hornet vs PAX 3
Side-by-side specs, pricing context, and clear decision guidance.
IO Hornet
IO MFG $260
VS
PAX 3
PAX Labs $250
Editorial Summary
IO Hornet and PAX 3 are both electronic vaporizers, but they target different priorities. Their listed prices are close ($260 vs $250). PAX 3 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
Electronic
Head-to-Head Highlights
A quick snapshot of the specs people usually care about first.
Heat-Up Time
PAX 3 edgeIO Hornet
3-5 minutes on a 16mm coil, longer on 20mm and 25mm adapters
PAX 3
<30 seconds
PAX 3 has the quicker listed heat-up profile.
Heating Style
Close callIO Hornet
Convection as an injector, hybrid with conduction as a diffuser
PAX 3
Conduction
Heating style differs, which can impact flavor and extraction behavior.
Key Differences at a Glance
Top specs where these two devices diverge.
Price (USD)
IO Hornet
$260
PAX 3
$250
Device Type
IO Hornet
Desktop
PAX 3
Portable
Heating Type
IO Hornet
Convection as an injector, hybrid with conduction as a diffuser
PAX 3
Conduction
Heat Up Time
IO Hornet
3-5 minutes on a 16mm coil, longer on 20mm and 25mm adapters
PAX 3
<30 seconds
Temperature Range
IO Hornet
271-338°C (520-640°F) recommended by IO MFG
PAX 3
182°C - 215°C (360°F - 420°F)
Chamber Capacity
IO Hornet
0.08g to about 0.2g, around 0.15g for a full draw
PAX 3
0.35 - 0.5 grams
Battery Type
IO Hornet
None
PAX 3
Internal 18650
Charging
IO Hornet
None
PAX 3
Proprietary Dock
Power Adjustment
IO Hornet
Set on a separate PID controller, included only in the Complete Kit
PAX 3
Modular - 4 stages
Chamber Material
IO Hornet
316L stainless steel with a Bocote wood handle
PAX 3
Stainless Steel
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.
Choose PAX 3 if...
- You care about faster heat-up time for quicker sessions.
- You prefer a conduction heating profile.
- Your usage leans toward portable and conduction sessions.
Typical price
$250
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Spec Comparison Table
Direct comparison of every spec from each device profile.
26 differ 0 shared
| Specification | IO Hornet | PAX 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price (USD) | $260 | $250 |
| Device Type | Desktop | Portable |
| Heating Type | Convection as an injector, hybrid with conduction as a diffuser | Conduction |
| Heat Up Time | 3-5 minutes on a 16mm coil, longer on 20mm and 25mm adapters | <30 seconds |
| Temperature Range | 271-338°C (520-640°F) recommended by IO MFG | 182°C - 215°C (360°F - 420°F) |
| Chamber Capacity | 0.08g to about 0.2g, around 0.15g for a full draw | 0.35 - 0.5 grams |
| Battery Type | None | Internal 18650 |
| Battery Capacity | — | 3500mAh |
| Battery Life | — | ~90 minutes |
| Charging | None | Proprietary Dock |
| Charge Time | — | ~90 minutes |
| Bluetooth / App | — | Yes |
| Dimensions | — | 98mm x 31mm x 22mm |
| Weight | — | ~93 grams |
| Power Adjustment | Set on a separate PID controller, included only in the Complete Kit | Modular - 4 stages |
| Chamber Material | 316L stainless steel with a Bocote wood handle | Stainless Steel |
| Concentrate Support | Suited to traditional hash, not built for wax or oil | Yes |
| Brand | IO MFG | PAX Labs |
| 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 | — |
| Joint Size | 14mm bowls included, 10mm and 14mm diffusers, 14mm and 22mm injectors | — |
| Manufacturer | IO MFG LLC | — |
| Release Date | 2024 | 2016 |
| Session Style | On-Demand | — |
| Warranty | None, IO MFG sells the Hornet as is with no express or implied warranty | 10 years |
Comparison FAQs
What is the biggest difference between the IO Hornet and the PAX 3?
The biggest practical difference is form factor: these aren't the same kind of device. IO Hornet is a desktop, PAX 3 is a portable. Pick based on whether you want something portable or something stationary.
Which heats up faster, the IO Hornet or the PAX 3?
PAX 3 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 PAX 3, which is useful if you want shorter, on-demand sessions.
What's the difference in heating between the IO Hornet and the PAX 3?
IO Hornet uses convection as an injector, hybrid with conduction as a diffuser heating, while the PAX 3 uses conduction. Heating style influences flavor profile, vapor density, and how forgiving the device is to draw technique.
Does the IO Hornet or the PAX 3 hold more flower?
PAX 3 has the larger chamber at 0.35 - 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 IO Hornet or the PAX 3 better for home versus on-the-go use?
PAX 3 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 IO Hornet or the PAX 3?
Listed prices are close: $260 for the IO Hornet versus $250 for the PAX 3. Day-to-day price will likely come down to whichever retailer is running a promotion.
Can I set custom temperatures on the IO Hornet or the PAX 3?
IO Hornet controls heat with set on a separate pid controller, included only in the complete kit, while the PAX 3 uses modular - 4 stages. Both let you change temperature, just with different levels of precision.
Need a different matchup?
Jump into the comparison hub to pick any two devices and open a canonical side-by-side page.