Price (USD)
Close callIO Hornet
$260
Tempest
$247
Pricing is very close between both devices.
Vaporizer Comparison
IO Hornet vs Tempest
Side-by-side specs, pricing context, and clear decision guidance.
IO Hornet
IO MFG $260
VS
Tempest
Mad Heaters $247
Editorial Summary
IO Hornet and Tempest are both ball vape / convection vaporizers, but they target different priorities. Their listed prices are close ($260 vs $247). Session style, airflow, and extraction behavior will matter more than raw spec sheet numbers here.
Specs Compared
26
Different Specs
25
Shared Specs
1
Overall Overlap
4%
Shared Traits
Ball Vape Convection
Head-to-Head Highlights
A quick snapshot of the specs people usually care about first.
Heating Style
Close callIO Hornet
Convection as an injector, hybrid with conduction as a diffuser
Tempest
Convection-heavy with some 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
Tempest
$247
Device Type
IO Hornet
Desktop
Tempest
Portable
Heating Type
IO Hornet
Convection as an injector, hybrid with conduction as a diffuser
Tempest
Convection-heavy with some conduction
Temperature Range
IO Hornet
271-338°C (520-640°F) recommended by IO MFG
Tempest
N/A
Chamber Capacity
IO Hornet
0.08g to about 0.2g, around 0.15g for a full draw
Tempest
0.075g - 0.15g
Charging
IO Hornet
None
Tempest
N/A
Power Adjustment
IO Hornet
Set on a separate PID controller, included only in the Complete Kit
Tempest
Manual
Chamber Material
IO Hornet
316L stainless steel with a Bocote wood handle
Tempest
Titanium
Brand
IO Hornet
IO MFG
Tempest
Mad Heaters
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 electronic sessions.
- You prefer IO Hornet's overall feature mix and form factor.
Choose Tempest if...
- You prefer a convection-heavy with some conduction heating profile.
- Your usage leans toward portable and analog sessions.
- You prefer Tempest's overall feature mix and form factor.
Spec Comparison Table
Direct comparison of every spec from each device profile.
25 differ 1 shared
| Specification | IO Hornet | Tempest |
|---|---|---|
| Price (USD) | $260 | $247 |
| Device Type | Desktop | Portable |
| Heating Type | Convection as an injector, hybrid with conduction as a diffuser | Convection-heavy with some conduction |
| Heat Up Time | 3-5 minutes on a 16mm coil, longer on 20mm and 25mm adapters | — |
| Temperature Range | 271-338°C (520-640°F) recommended by IO MFG | N/A |
| Chamber Capacity | 0.08g to about 0.2g, around 0.15g for a full draw | 0.075g - 0.15g |
| Battery Type | None | None |
| Battery Capacity | — | N/A |
| Battery Life | — | N/A |
| Charging | None | N/A |
| Charge Time | — | N/A |
| Power Adjustment | Set on a separate PID controller, included only in the Complete Kit | Manual |
| Chamber Material | 316L stainless steel with a Bocote wood handle | Titanium |
| Concentrate Support | Suited to traditional hash, not built for wax or oil | — |
| Brand | IO MFG | Mad Heaters |
| Adjustable Airflow | — | Yes |
| Ball Size | — | 2.5mm Zirconia |
| 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 | — |
| Country of Manufacture | — | Made in China, Assembled in the UK |
| Joint Size | 14mm bowls included, 10mm and 14mm diffusers, 14mm and 22mm injectors | — |
| Manufacturer | IO MFG LLC | — |
| Release Date | 2024 | — |
| Session Style | On-Demand | — |
| Warranty | None, IO MFG sells the Hornet as is with no express or implied warranty | — |
Comparison FAQs
What is the biggest difference between the IO Hornet and the Tempest?
The biggest practical difference is form factor: these aren't the same kind of device. IO Hornet is a desktop, Tempest is a portable. Pick based on whether you want something portable or something stationary.
What's the difference in heating between the IO Hornet and the Tempest?
IO Hornet uses convection as an injector, hybrid with conduction as a diffuser heating, while the Tempest uses convection-heavy with some conduction. Heating style influences flavor profile, vapor density, and how forgiving the device is to draw technique.
Is the IO Hornet or the Tempest better for home versus on-the-go use?
Tempest 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 Tempest?
Listed prices are close: $260 for the IO Hornet versus $247 for the Tempest. Day-to-day price will likely come down to whichever retailer is running a promotion.
How much flower do the IO Hornet and Tempest hold?
IO Hornet lists a chamber capacity of 0.08g to about 0.2g, around 0.15g for a full draw; the Tempest lists 0.075g - 0.15g.
Is the IO Hornet or the Tempest better for microdosing?
IO Hornet is the better fit for microdosing in our database, typically thanks to a smaller chamber, finer temperature control, or both.
Need a different matchup?
Jump into the comparison hub to pick any two devices and open a canonical side-by-side page.