Price (USD)
PAX Plus edgeIO Hornet
$260
PAX Plus
$125
PAX Plus is typically around $135 lower.
Vaporizer Comparison
IO Hornet vs PAX Plus
Side-by-side specs, pricing context, and clear decision guidance.
IO Hornet
IO MFG $260
VS
PAX Plus
PAX Labs from $159.95
Editorial Summary
IO Hornet and PAX Plus are both electronic vaporizers, but they target different priorities. PAX Plus is usually the lower-cost pick at $125, around $135 below IO Hornet. PAX Plus has the quicker listed heat-up profile, which can matter for shorter sessions.
Specs Compared
25
Different Specs
25
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 Plus edgeIO Hornet
3-5 minutes on a 16mm coil, longer on 20mm and 25mm adapters
PAX Plus
<30 seconds
PAX Plus has the quicker listed heat-up profile.
Heating Style
Close callIO Hornet
Convection as an injector, hybrid with conduction as a diffuser
PAX Plus
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 Plus
$125
Device Type
IO Hornet
Desktop
PAX Plus
Portable
Heating Type
IO Hornet
Convection as an injector, hybrid with conduction as a diffuser
PAX Plus
Conduction
Heat Up Time
IO Hornet
3-5 minutes on a 16mm coil, longer on 20mm and 25mm adapters
PAX Plus
<30 seconds
Temperature Range
IO Hornet
271-338°C (520-640°F) recommended by IO MFG
PAX Plus
360°F - 420°F
Chamber Capacity
IO Hornet
0.08g to about 0.2g, around 0.15g for a full draw
PAX Plus
0.25g - 0.5g
Battery Type
IO Hornet
None
PAX Plus
Internal 18650
Charging
IO Hornet
None
PAX Plus
Magnetic dock via USB, under ~120 minutes
Power Adjustment
IO Hornet
Set on a separate PID controller, included only in the Complete Kit
PAX Plus
Stealth, Efficiency, Flavor, Boost modes
Chamber Material
IO Hornet
316L stainless steel with a Bocote wood handle
PAX Plus
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 Plus if...
- You want the lower listed entry price ($125 vs $260).
- You care about faster heat-up time for quicker sessions.
- You prefer a conduction heating profile.
- Your usage leans toward portable and conduction sessions.
Lowest price
$159.95
at VPM
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.
25 differ 0 shared
| Specification | IO Hornet | PAX Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Price (USD) | $260 | $125 |
| 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 | 360°F - 420°F |
| Chamber Capacity | 0.08g to about 0.2g, around 0.15g for a full draw | 0.25g - 0.5g |
| Battery Type | None | Internal 18650 |
| Battery Capacity | — | 3300mAh (internal) |
| Battery Life | — | 2+ hours |
| Charging | None | Magnetic dock via USB, under ~120 minutes |
| Charge Time | — | 2-3 hours |
| Dimensions | — | 98mm x 31mm x 22mm |
| Weight | — | 91 grams |
| Power Adjustment | Set on a separate PID controller, included only in the Complete Kit | Stealth, Efficiency, Flavor, Boost modes |
| Chamber Material | 316L stainless steel with a Bocote wood handle | Stainless Steel |
| Concentrate Support | Suited to traditional hash, not built for wax or oil | Supports concentrate insert (Complete Kit) |
| 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 | 2022 |
| Session Style | On-Demand | Session |
| 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 Plus?
The biggest practical difference is price tier: the PAX Plus sits at $125 while the IO Hornet is $260, a gap of about $135 that puts them in different buying brackets.
Which is cheaper, the IO Hornet or the PAX Plus?
PAX Plus is the cheaper option at $125 compared with $260 for the IO Hornet, about $135 less. Live retailer pricing can shift, so confirm before buying.
Which heats up faster, the IO Hornet or the PAX Plus?
PAX Plus 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 Plus, which is useful if you want shorter, on-demand sessions.
What's the difference in heating between the IO Hornet and the PAX Plus?
IO Hornet uses convection as an injector, hybrid with conduction as a diffuser heating, while the PAX Plus 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 Plus hold more flower?
PAX Plus has the larger chamber at 0.25g - 0.5g, 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 Plus better for home versus on-the-go use?
PAX Plus 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 more discreet, the IO Hornet or the PAX Plus?
PAX Plus is the better pick if low-profile use matters. It's tagged as stealth or pocket-friendly in our database, while the IO Hornet is more conspicuous in hand and harder to keep out of sight.
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