Price (USD)
Tempest 2 edgeIO Hornet
$260
Tempest 2
$179
Tempest 2 is typically around $81 lower.
Vaporizer Comparison
IO Hornet vs Tempest 2
Side-by-side specs, pricing context, and clear decision guidance.
IO Hornet
IO MFG $260
VS
Tempest 2
Mad Heaters from £149.17 GBP
Editorial Summary
IO Hornet and Tempest 2 are both ball vape / convection vaporizers, but they target different priorities. Tempest 2 is usually the lower-cost pick at $179, around $81 below IO Hornet. Tempest 2 has the quicker listed heat-up profile, which can matter for shorter sessions.
Specs Compared
28
Different Specs
27
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.
Heat-Up Time
Tempest 2 edgeIO Hornet
3-5 minutes on a 16mm coil, longer on 20mm and 25mm adapters
Tempest 2
~30-45 seconds with torch
Tempest 2 has the quicker listed heat-up profile.
Heating Style
Close callIO Hornet
Convection as an injector, hybrid with conduction as a diffuser
Tempest 2
Convection-heavy with thermal ball matrix
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 2
$179
Device Type
IO Hornet
Desktop
Tempest 2
Portable
Heating Type
IO Hornet
Convection as an injector, hybrid with conduction as a diffuser
Tempest 2
Convection-heavy with thermal ball matrix
Heat Up Time
IO Hornet
3-5 minutes on a 16mm coil, longer on 20mm and 25mm adapters
Tempest 2
~30-45 seconds with torch
Temperature Range
IO Hornet
271-338°C (520-640°F) recommended by IO MFG
Tempest 2
N/A
Chamber Capacity
IO Hornet
0.08g to about 0.2g, around 0.15g for a full draw
Tempest 2
0.1g - 0.2g (adjustable)
Charging
IO Hornet
None
Tempest 2
N/A
Power Adjustment
IO Hornet
Set on a separate PID controller, included only in the Complete Kit
Tempest 2
Visual gauge with click indicators
Chamber Material
IO Hornet
316L stainless steel with a Bocote wood handle
Tempest 2
Titanium
Brand
IO Hornet
IO MFG
Tempest 2
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 2 if...
- You want the lower listed entry price ($179 vs $260).
- You care about faster heat-up time for quicker sessions.
- You prefer a convection-heavy with thermal ball matrix heating profile.
- Your usage leans toward portable and analog sessions.
Current price
£149.17GBP
at Mad Heaters
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.
27 differ 1 shared
| Specification | IO Hornet | Tempest 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price (USD) | $260 | $179 |
| Device Type | Desktop | Portable |
| Heating Type | Convection as an injector, hybrid with conduction as a diffuser | Convection-heavy with thermal ball matrix |
| Heat Up Time | 3-5 minutes on a 16mm coil, longer on 20mm and 25mm adapters | ~30-45 seconds with torch |
| 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 | 0.1g - 0.2g (adjustable) |
| Battery Type | None | None |
| Battery Capacity | — | N/A |
| Battery Life | — | N/A |
| Charging | None | N/A |
| Charge Time | — | N/A |
| Dimensions | — | 122mm x 18.5mm |
| Weight | — | 46g |
| Power Adjustment | Set on a separate PID controller, included only in the Complete Kit | Visual gauge with click indicators |
| 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 Type | 100 x 2.5mm lab grown ruby balls | — |
| Body Material | — | Grade 5 titanium, aluminum heat shield, stainless steel |
| 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 | 1 year |
Comparison FAQs
What is the biggest difference between the IO Hornet and the Tempest 2?
The biggest practical difference is form factor: these aren't the same kind of device. IO Hornet is a desktop, Tempest 2 is a portable. Pick based on whether you want something portable or something stationary.
Which is cheaper, the IO Hornet or the Tempest 2?
Tempest 2 is the cheaper option at $179 compared with $260 for the IO Hornet, about $81 less. Live retailer pricing can shift, so confirm before buying.
Which heats up faster, the IO Hornet or the Tempest 2?
Tempest 2 reaches session-ready temperature in ~30-45 seconds with torch, while the IO Hornet takes 3-5 minutes on a 16mm coil, longer on 20mm and 25mm adapters. That's roughly 203 seconds quicker on the Tempest 2, which is useful if you want shorter, on-demand sessions.
What's the difference in heating between the IO Hornet and the Tempest 2?
IO Hornet uses convection as an injector, hybrid with conduction as a diffuser heating, while the Tempest 2 uses convection-heavy with thermal ball matrix. Heating style influences flavor profile, vapor density, and how forgiving the device is to draw technique.
Is the IO Hornet or the Tempest 2 better for home versus on-the-go use?
Tempest 2 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.
How much flower do the IO Hornet and Tempest 2 hold?
IO Hornet lists a chamber capacity of 0.08g to about 0.2g, around 0.15g for a full draw; the Tempest 2 lists 0.1g - 0.2g (adjustable).
Is the IO Hornet or the Tempest 2 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.
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