Quick summary: Mad Heaters’ second-generation portable ball vape, reviewed as a strong contender in the torch/induction ball vape category. The adjustable bowl, visual temperature gauge, and modular head design — upgradeable from Tempest V1 — are the standout features.
Mad Heaters is a UK-based vaporizer manufacturer specializing in portable ball vapes, best known for the original Tempest and the Tempest 2.
Manufacturer’s claims:
- Materials: Grade 5 titanium body; anodized aluminum or wood heat shield; stainless steel induction sleeve and indicator housing
- Thermal matrix: 3mm zirconia ball-filled
- Heating: Convection-dominant via zirconia ball thermal matrix
- Bowl: ~0.1g, ~0.15g, or ~0.2g
Confirmed specs:
- Form factor: Portable, battery-free (torch or induction)
- Bowl: Adjustable — 3 positions (set via bowl screen position in tube)
- Temperature indication: Visual gauge + audible click indicators (full extraction in a single heat cycle)
- Airflow: Adjustable air port
- Dimensions: 122mm × 18.5mm / 4.8" × 0.7"
- Weight: 46g / 1.6 oz (aluminum shield); 43g / 1.5 oz (wood shield)
- Price: $225 USD / ~€199
What’s in the box:
- Tempest 2 device (with chosen heat shield)
- Pre-installed 3mm zirconia balls in thermal matrix
- Medium cooling unit / stem
- Spare O-rings
- 3 bowl screens
- 2 ball screens
- Cleaning tool and tube (for setting bowl screen position)
- Small screw
- Extra zirconia balls
- Replacement click disc
Compatibility:
- Works with torch lighters and induction heaters (confirm coil compatibility before ordering)
- Modular design: head (thermal matrix unit) sold separately — upgradeable from Tempest V1
Early coverage:
Where to buy:
Questions and things to find out over time:
- Real-world extraction on a single heat cycle — does the visual gauge reliably indicate completion? Are the temp discs calibrated properly?
- Zirconia vs. ruby vs. sapphire balls — is there a flavor or efficiency difference?
- Which induction heaters work best with the Tempest 2 coil? What settings?
- Head-only upgrade from Tempest V1 — is it a meaningful improvement?
- Cooling unit stem airflow feel vs. other portable ball vapes?
11 Likes
The set up that works for me is ruby balls in the cap. The screen I have at 0.15g setting. For the airflow I have the head fully open, and the body I have it fully closed.
For heating I’m using the YLL 3.0 at 100w for 30-35 seconds
Usually I like to hit it natively, but it shines especially when using it with glass.
This is what the herb looks like at 32 seconds.
Still a bit of green but it’s right on the edge.
The exact timing can vary depending on the environment I’ve noticed so I like to err on the side of caution.
Cheers!
5 Likes
Love the T2. If the Solo III is my fav battery powered vape, then the T2 is my fav non-battery powered stick vape.
Fantastic engineering, accessories are the best, two airflow adjustments, visual heat indicator as well as the click, the end fits everything.
I have two things that annoy me. The process to swap out the balls is not good/easy and the tiny screen to lock the balls, is a PITA. I also dont like how the head attaches to the body, despite the castle locking system at the top, it still moves when tightening the head or loosening a sticky one, for all the engineering involved its surprising they didnt address these issues, which leads me to wonder how amazing the Tempest 3 will be!
10 Likes
Love the Madheaters ecosystem, all I’m missing is a revolve stem for my T1. right now i got a T2 and it pretty much parked all my other ball vapes, winning the reach test every single time. I get a better extraction to flavor ratio with the T2, with ball vapes to get the same performance i gotta run em hot and terps are lost a lot got the wohw and wtko
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Real-world extraction on a single heat cycle — does the visual gauge reliably indicate completion? Are the temp discs calibrated properly?
For me the visual indicator works great, the temp discs are upgraded but still need work, but i find that they click way to early for my taste, but perfect for flavor chasers.
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Zirconia vs. ruby vs. sapphire balls — is there a flavor or efficiency difference?
I mostly use zirc, put in a few rubies in the T1, performance and taste are about the same
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Which induction heaters work best with the Tempest 2 coil? What settings?
I only got the wand so that one, i like flower mode, 4 leafs/fires, put it trough the big hole and rest it on the lip, run it until the light stops blinking, on average around 36 seconds, for reheats i go around 30 seconds and with both I feather the wand to mantain optimum performance for a longer time. makes for really thick vapor perfect for OHE
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Head-only upgrade from Tempest V1 — is it a meaningful improvement?
it has a bigger bowl and better airflow on the tip, with the same amount of flower loaded i find performance and taste equal. IH tek is the same for both
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Cooling unit stem airflow feel vs. other portable ball vapes?
I have not used any other portable ball vapes but i can say that the airflow with a closed body and fully open tip is really great, i can activate the recyclers function without feeling like I’m about to burst a lung xD. Vs a dynavap it probably has like 5x the airflow through the tip
6 Likes
I picked up a Tempest 2 quite a few months ago and used it with The Wand.
Not a fan of torches as I find it difficult to be 100% consistent and I hate burning a load and having to clean…LOL!
For some reason I could not get the hang of it and I put it away for a few months.
Decided to give it another go but in a slightly different manner.
Instead of using the screen spacing system, I leave it on the lowest setting for the largest bowl.
Carb is also 100% closed.
I load the bowl to just below the top holes are, there is a rim just below that.
Slightly tamp the load down and you are good to go!
When I heat there is still about 5mm of the Titanium sleeve visible, trying to not heat the bowl at all is the aim of the game!
Wand set to 635F and allowed to “Time Out”.
Place on bong and watch till the markers center lines up with the first mark on the body and GO!
Delicious, thick vapor and nice light/medium roast!
I have messed around with different types of balls but always seem to end up with the stock ones.
They really seem to be the best option. Unless you are after more power, then stainless steel balls are for you!
It’s a great little vape!
3 Likes
What’s up, Lazy!! Great to see you here!
1 Like
Great to be here!!
Thank you so much @stickstones for setting this up for all of us!
And everyone else involved as well!!!
3 Likes
ill have to throw up some pics of my legacy build… my wands a lil beat up, as well as the reloads lol, but ill make a new pic and bring out some old ones maybe.
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Been enjoying a lot my T2 on revolve 2 stem 
Highly recommended by me
10 Likes
I love the visuals with that glass stem!
2 Likes
Quick Question!
What does the condenser actually do?
I have used mine with it in since I received it but removed it last night for a test.
Seems to work better without it?
The Tempest 2 has a super long condenser while my Tornado has this super short one.
Just curious as to what they actually do apart from removing a lot of oils.
1 Like
Love our T2, just did first monthly deep clean and swapped in 2.5mm rubies as well as the longer cooling spiral. Still dialing in the wand heating until a better solution than the yll cones along.
1 Like
Cheers! Is great to see there is a grid/carousel option. Let´s check it!
I dont know if i should share my short review as a closer video to see the device and pieces
7 Likes
The Tempest 2 has quickly shot up the Reddit ranks as the Hive Mind’s go to and for a good reason. The Visual Indicator, click discs (calibration issues aside) and it’s nimble cool down and heat up make it easy for beginners to dial in without leaving performance behind. 47 seconds at 75W in the YLL 3.0 gives a ride the line hit that will chuck vapor for a solid minute.
10 Likes
That’s a really cool design!
3 Likes
I do not like the ritual of smoking anymore and the form factor of the Tempest 2 has never been a favorite of mine, too similar to holding a cigarette or joint for me…
For myself, I always used it in my WT and found it to be way more efficient and effective.
I find I use it as a one hitter most of the time with only a small amount loaded, maybe 0,5g.
Playing around with some adapters I found this awesome combo!
A small Viton o-ring and a shorty 18mm stem is all you need.
The o-ring seals it perfectly and it is vert stable, you can unscrew the cap without anything moving.
Also a lot less condensation points for oils as well.
The 18mm adapter was from when I had a Mighty, before they made WT adapters for them and we had to make our own!
Really enjoying this vape now that it has finally clicked with me!
5 Likes
How’s everyone’s click back time? I’m an early adopter of the T2, so my click disks should be very well broken in. The first one clicks back in under a minute on the Reload, but the second one still needs around 25+ minutes.
1 Like
TWENTY FIVE MINUTES!?!?
Madheaters sent me an updated T2 but I haven’t played with it yet. I’m overwhelmed and need a clone/assistant
1 Like
