IO Hornet vs Puffco Proxy

The biggest practical difference is form factor: these aren't the same kind of device. IO Hornet is a desktop, Puffco Proxy is a portable. Pick based on whether you want something portable or something stationary.

IO Hornet is the cheaper option at $260 compared with $280 for the Puffco Proxy, about $20 less. Live retailer pricing can shift, so confirm before buying.

Puffco Proxy reaches session-ready temperature in ~25 seconds, while the IO Hornet takes 3-5 minutes on a 16mm coil, longer on 20mm and 25mm adapters. That's roughly 215 seconds quicker on the Puffco Proxy, which is useful if you want shorter, on-demand sessions.

IO Hornet uses convection as an injector, hybrid with conduction as a diffuser heating, while the Puffco Proxy uses conduction (3d chamber, heated ceramic side walls). Heating style influences flavor profile, vapor density, and how forgiving the device is to draw technique.

Puffco Proxy 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.

IO Hornet controls heat with set on a separate pid controller, included only in the complete kit, while the Puffco Proxy uses four presets plus custom profiles in the app. Puffco Proxy gives you finer per-degree control.

IO Hornet covers 271-338°C (520-640°F) recommended by IO MFG, a wider band than the Puffco Proxy at 254-285°C (490-545°F) across four presets, custom values in the Connect app. A wider range gives you more room to dial in flavor at the low end and big clouds at the top.