Limelight Frolic vs TEMPEST 2: Battery Hybrid Meets Butane Convection
This isn’t a typical comparison. The Limelight Frolic is a battery-powered hybrid portable with a 5000 mAh cell and OLED display. The TEMPEST 2 runs on butane, weighs 46 grams, and has zero electronics. Two devices that couldn’t be further apart in design philosophy — yet both target experienced users who prioritize vapor quality above everything else.
Which one fits your life? That depends on what you’re willing to carry, how you prefer to heat, and whether you want to charge batteries or refill a torch.
Key Takeaways
- Frolic from 345 €: hybrid heating, 5000 mAh replaceable 21700, –s heat-up, OLED display
- TEMPEST 2 from 209 €: pure convection via butane, 46 g, no battery needed, 290°C max
- Frolic wins on convenience, battery life, and digital precision. TEMPEST 2 wins on portability, ritual, and raw convection flavor.
Current offers from our partner shops
All prices come from automated shop queries. Some shop links are affiliate links.
Price History
What sets the Frolic and TEMPEST 2 apart?
The Frolic is an electronic hybrid portable from Limelight in Serbia. CNC-machined from Ultem and PEEK, it uses a 120W CTS (Ceramic Transfer Surface) heater combining conduction and convection. A 0.96″ OLED display, USB-C charging, passthrough capability, and a removable 21700 battery make it a feature-rich daily driver.
Key fact: The Limelight Frolic uses hybrid heating with a swappable 21700 battery (5000 mAh) and electronic temperature control, while the TEMPEST 2 relies on pure butane convection with no electronics at all. The Frolic heats in 5 seconds electronically; the TEMPEST 2 requires a torch lighter and manual heat management (Vapochecker, 2026).
The TEMPEST 2 is a butane-powered convection vaporizer from Mad Heaters. No battery, no display, no charging cable. You heat it with a torch lighter, listen for the click, and draw. The entire device weighs 46 grams. It’s the ultralight hiking boot of vaporizers.
How do the Frolic and TEMPEST 2 differ in detail?
Power source: battery vs butane
This is the fundamental split. The Frolic runs on a 5000 mAh 21700 battery — the largest removable cell in any portable vaporizer. Expect 10-15 sessions per charge. When it dies, swap in a fresh cell (Samsung 50E recommended, around 10 EUR).
The TEMPEST 2 uses butane from a torch lighter. No batteries, no charging, no outlets needed. A single lighter fill provides roughly 10 heat cycles. The trade-off: you need a quality single-flame torch, and refilling is a manual process.
Why does this matter? If you’re camping, traveling light, or simply hate charging devices, butane wins. If you want consistency, one-button operation, and precise temperature control, the Frolic’s battery system is hard to beat.
Heating: hybrid vs pure convection
The Frolic’s CTS heater delivers hybrid heating at 120 watts. Material touches a heated surface (conduction) while hot air flows through it (convection). The result: dense, aromatic vapor with good volume from the first draw. No technique required.
The TEMPEST 2 is pure convection. Butane heats a metal chamber, and only hot air touches the material. This produces exceptionally clean flavor — especially in the first two draws. The terpene expression is vivid and layered. But extraction depends on your technique: heating angle, torch distance, draw speed all affect the result.
Short version: Frolic = consistent quality with no learning curve. TEMPEST 2 = peak flavor for those willing to master the technique.
Heat-up time: –s vs 15s
The Frolic reaches temperature in – seconds. Press the button, glance at the OLED, draw. The TEMPEST 2 takes about 15 seconds of torch heating until the click signals readiness.
Both are fast for their respective categories. The Frolic is among the fastest battery portables. The TEMPEST 2 is among the fastest butane devices.
Temperature control: digital precision vs analog feel
The Frolic offers digital temperature control via a dial and OLED display. Session mode goes up to 220°C, demand mode up to 240°C. You see the exact temperature in real time.
The TEMPEST 2 has no temperature readout. You control heat through torch placement and heating duration. Shorter heating = lower temperature, more flavor. Longer heating = higher extraction, thicker vapor. The click mechanism provides a safety reference point, but the rest is feel and experience.
The TEMPEST 2 can reach 290°C if pushed — far beyond what any battery device offers. Whether you’d want to go that high is another question.
Weight and portability
Here’s where the TEMPEST 2 dominates completely. At 46 grams, it disappears in a pocket. The Frolic at 245 grams (with battery) is about 5x heavier. Still portable, sure — but you know it’s there.
For backpacking, festivals, or simply preferring a minimalist carry, the TEMPEST 2 is unmatched. For daily desk-to-couch use where weight doesn’t matter, the Frolic’s extra grams buy you a lot of features.
Water pipe compatibility
Both are WPA-compatible. The Frolic includes an adapter. The TEMPEST 2 is practically designed for water pipe use — many users consider it the optimal way to use the device, as the bubbler cools the butane-heated vapor and takes the technique factor down a notch.
Build quality and materials
The Frolic uses Ultem (PEI) and PEEK — aerospace-grade plastics that resist heat, corrosion, and wear. The airpath is 100% PEEK with 200mm+ cooling channels. CNC-machined in Serbia by Limelight.
The TEMPEST 2 is built from stainless steel and titanium. Simple, durable, effectively indestructible. The modular design means individual parts can be replaced. Made in the EU by Mad Heaters.
Comparison table
| Feature | Frolic | TEMPEST 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Power | Battery (21700) | Butane |
| Heating | Hybrid (CTS 120W) | Pure convection |
| Heat-up | –s | 15s |
| Max temp | 240°C | 290°C |
| Weight | 245 g | 46 g |
| Battery | 5000 mAh (replaceable) | N/A (butane) |
| Display | 0.96″ OLED | None |
| Water pipe | Yes | Yes (ideal) |
| Passthrough | Yes | N/A |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
| Origin | Serbia (CNC) | EU |
| Expert Score | 8.2/10 | 6.5/10 |
| Price from | 345 € | 209 € |
Which one is right for you?
The Frolic fits you if…
- You want one-button convenience. Press, wait 5 seconds, vape. No torch, no technique.
- Battery life matters. 5000 mAh with swap capability means genuinely unlimited runtime.
- You value precision. OLED display, exact temperature readout, session and demand modes.
- Hybrid vapor is your preference. Dense, warm, full-bodied — the Frolic delivers consistently.
- You don’t mind the weight. 245 g is fine for pockets and bags, just not ultralight travel.
The TEMPEST 2 fits you if…
- Weight is everything. 46 grams. That’s lighter than most smartphones’ cases.
- You love pure convection flavor. The terpene clarity from butane convection is hard to match.
- You enjoy the ritual. Torch, heat, click, draw — some users find this meditative.
- You need independence from power outlets. Butane works anywhere. No battery anxiety ever.
- Water pipe use is your main mode. The TEMPEST 2 through a bubbler is an experience.
Should you choose convenience or purity?
The Limelight Frolic is the rational choice. More features, more convenience, zero learning curve. A 5000 mAh battery that outlasts everything, hybrid vapor that satisfies from day one, and an OLED display that removes all guesswork. For daily use as your one and only portable, it’s hard to find a more complete package.
Key fact: Users who want electronic precision with replaceable batteries should choose the Frolic (from 345 EUR at 56 shops). Those who prefer analog simplicity with zero electronics and pure convection flavor should pick the TEMPEST 2 (from 209 EUR at 38 shops).
The TEMPEST 2 is the emotional choice. Pure convection flavor that battery devices struggle to match. A weight so low you forget you’re carrying it. A ritual that some users genuinely prefer over pressing a button. Through a water pipe, it punches well above its weight class.
These aren’t competing products. They’re complementary ones. Many experienced users own both — the Frolic for daily convenience, the TEMPEST 2 for weekend sessions and water pipe use. If you can only pick one: your lifestyle decides.
Frolic from 345 € | TEMPEST 2 from 209 €
Overview of all comparison articles.
Compare Prices Now
- Frolic from €345 → Compare 56 shops
- TEMPEST 2 from €209 → Compare 38 shops
Is the Frolic better than the TEMPEST 2?
Different tools for different jobs. The Frolic offers battery-powered hybrid heating with digital precision and 5000 mAh runtime. The TEMPEST 2 delivers butane-powered pure convection at 46 grams with no electronics. Better depends entirely on your priorities: convenience (Frolic) or flavor purity and portability (TEMPEST 2).
Can I use both with a water pipe?
Yes. Both are WPA-compatible. The TEMPEST 2 is particularly well-suited for water pipe use — many users consider it the best way to experience the device. The Frolic also works well through glass, especially in demand mode at higher temperatures.
Which has better flavor?
The TEMPEST 2’s pure convection typically produces more nuanced, terpene-forward flavor — especially in early draws. The Frolic’s hybrid heating creates denser, warmer vapor with more consistent flavor across the entire session. Pure convection fans lean TEMPEST 2; those who prefer full-bodied vapor prefer the Frolic.
Do I need a torch lighter for the TEMPEST 2?
Yes. A quality single-flame torch lighter is essential (not included). Recommended brands: Honest, Zico, or Blazer. Budget 20-40 EUR for a reliable lighter plus butane refills. The Frolic needs only a USB-C cable to charge.
Which is more portable?
The TEMPEST 2 at 46 grams is dramatically lighter — about five times lighter than the Frolic’s 245 grams. For ultralight travel, backpacking, or minimal carry, the TEMPEST 2 wins decisively. The Frolic is still pocketable but noticeably heavier.
Testing and comparing vaporizers at VapoChecker since 2020. 800+ devices, 279 shops, 51 countries.
Sources: Limelight Vapes (Frolic Manufacturer) · MAD Heaters Official · Hazekamp et al., J Cannabis Therapeutics (2006)