Price (USD)
Close callIO Hornet
$260
PAX FOUR
$250
Pricing is very close between both devices.
Vaporizer Comparison
IO Hornet vs PAX FOUR
Side-by-side specs, pricing context, and clear decision guidance.
IO Hornet
IO MFG $260
VS
PAX FOUR
PAX Labs $250
Editorial Summary
IO Hornet and PAX FOUR are both electronic vaporizers, but they target different priorities. Their listed prices are close ($260 vs $250). PAX FOUR has the quicker listed heat-up profile, which can matter for shorter sessions.
Specs Compared
27
Different Specs
27
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 FOUR edgeIO Hornet
3-5 minutes on a 16mm coil, longer on 20mm and 25mm adapters
PAX FOUR
55-70 seconds
PAX FOUR has the quicker listed heat-up profile.
Heating Style
Close callIO Hornet
Convection as an injector, hybrid with conduction as a diffuser
PAX FOUR
Hybrid (conduction and convection)
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 FOUR
$250
Device Type
IO Hornet
Desktop
PAX FOUR
Portable
Heating Type
IO Hornet
Convection as an injector, hybrid with conduction as a diffuser
PAX FOUR
Hybrid (conduction and convection)
Heat Up Time
IO Hornet
3-5 minutes on a 16mm coil, longer on 20mm and 25mm adapters
PAX FOUR
55-70 seconds
Temperature Range
IO Hornet
271-338°C (520-640°F) recommended by IO MFG
PAX FOUR
190-220°C (374-428°F)
Chamber Capacity
IO Hornet
0.08g to about 0.2g, around 0.15g for a full draw
PAX FOUR
~0.3g
Battery Type
IO Hornet
None
PAX FOUR
Internal lithium-ion
Charging
IO Hornet
None
PAX FOUR
USB-C
Power Adjustment
IO Hornet
Set on a separate PID controller, included only in the Complete Kit
PAX FOUR
Four preset heat modes (purple, green, yellow, orange)
Chamber Material
IO Hornet
316L stainless steel with a Bocote wood handle
PAX FOUR
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 FOUR if...
- You care about faster heat-up time for quicker sessions.
- You prefer a hybrid (conduction and convection) heating profile.
- Your usage leans toward portable and hybrid sessions.
Typical price
$250
Sold by The Stash Shack
Prices are read automatically from retailer pages; 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.
27 differ 0 shared
| Specification | IO Hornet | PAX FOUR |
|---|---|---|
| Price (USD) | $260 | $250 |
| Device Type | Desktop | Portable |
| Heating Type | Convection as an injector, hybrid with conduction as a diffuser | Hybrid (conduction and convection) |
| Heat Up Time | 3-5 minutes on a 16mm coil, longer on 20mm and 25mm adapters | 55-70 seconds |
| Temperature Range | 271-338°C (520-640°F) recommended by IO MFG | 190-220°C (374-428°F) |
| Chamber Capacity | 0.08g to about 0.2g, around 0.15g for a full draw | ~0.3g |
| Battery Type | None | Internal lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 2800mAh |
| Battery Life | — | Up to 5 sessions, about 50 minutes of run time |
| Charging | None | USB-C |
| Charge Time | — | ~90 minutes |
| Dimensions | — | 108 x 36 x 29mm |
| Weight | — | 125 grams |
| Power Adjustment | Set on a separate PID controller, included only in the Complete Kit | Four preset heat modes (purple, green, yellow, orange) |
| Chamber Material | 316L stainless steel with a Bocote wood handle | Stainless steel |
| Concentrate Support | Suited to traditional hash, not built for wax or oil | No (not compatible with the PAX Concentrate Insert) |
| Brand | IO MFG | PAX Labs |
| Adjustable Airflow | — | No (flat and raised mouthpieces change the draw) |
| 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 | — | LED petals |
| Joint Size | 14mm bowls included, 10mm and 14mm diffusers, 14mm and 22mm injectors | — |
| Manufacturer | IO MFG LLC | PAX Labs, Inc (model X410) |
| Release Date | 2024 | 2026 |
| Session Style | On-Demand | Session |
| Warranty | None, IO MFG sells the Hornet as is with no express or implied warranty | 2 years, plus 1 year when registered within 30 days |
Comparison FAQs
What is the biggest difference between the IO Hornet and the PAX FOUR?
The biggest practical difference is form factor: these aren't the same kind of device. IO Hornet is a desktop, PAX FOUR is a portable. Pick based on whether you want something portable or something stationary.
Which heats up faster, the IO Hornet or the PAX FOUR?
PAX FOUR reaches session-ready temperature in 55-70 seconds, while the IO Hornet takes 3-5 minutes on a 16mm coil, longer on 20mm and 25mm adapters. That's roughly 178 seconds quicker on the PAX FOUR, which is useful if you want shorter, on-demand sessions.
What's the difference in heating between the IO Hornet and the PAX FOUR?
IO Hornet uses convection as an injector, hybrid with conduction as a diffuser heating, while the PAX FOUR uses hybrid (conduction and convection). Heating style influences flavor profile, vapor density, and how forgiving the device is to draw technique.
Does the IO Hornet or the PAX FOUR hold more flower?
PAX FOUR has the larger chamber at ~0.3g, 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 FOUR better for home versus on-the-go use?
PAX FOUR 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 FOUR?
Listed prices are close: $260 for the IO Hornet versus $250 for the PAX FOUR. 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 FOUR?
IO Hornet controls heat with set on a separate pid controller, included only in the complete kit, while the PAX FOUR uses four preset heat modes (purple, green, yellow, orange). 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.