Sunstone Zapp Plus 2 vs Sunstone Orion mPulse

Both stop at 30 joules, both carry a 72-inch stylus and a 3-year warranty. So where do $1,500 go? Into the interface and the fine end of the range. The mPulse has a touchscreen and moves in half-joule steps up to 15 joules; the Zapp Plus 2 has a dial with a lock and moves one joule at a time. Sunstone also puts three ground ports on the mPulse. For bracelets and anklets all day, a dial you can lock is hard to beat, and our formula agrees: the cheaper welder scores higher because the extra money doesn't move a single criterion except half-steps. Buy the mPulse if you also do bench work on tiny parts and want that half joule.

Sunstone Zapp Plus 2: 1 to 30 joules, 30 settings on one dial, one weld per second; controls: dial with a lock. Sunstone Orion mPulse: 1 to 30 joules: half-joule steps from 1 to 15, single-joule steps from 15 to 30; controls: touchscreen. For bracelets, anklets and necklaces you spend your day at the low end of the range, on fine jump rings (Everlinx's own strength test used 22 gauge): a low starting point and small steps matter more than the top figure. A welder with no published joule range can still weld; you just can't compare it on paper.

Sunstone Zapp Plus 2: shaded safety glasses in the box; Basic ADL, Upgraded ADL, PJ Scope or 5x arm microscope sold separately; training: operator's guide and Sunstone's US-based phone and text support; no course in the price. Sunstone Orion mPulse: shade 5 welding glasses in the box; auto-darkening lens or microscope sold separately; training: user manual and Sunstone's US-based phone and text support; no course in the price. A pulse arc weld is a bright flash a few inches from your face. Shaded glasses do the job; a screen that darkens for each weld lets you see the ring before and after without lifting anything.

On November 13, 2026, Sunstone Zapp Plus 2 was $1,699 and Sunstone Orion mPulse $3,199, each on its brand's own US store. That is $1,500 between them. Warranty: Sunstone Zapp Plus 2, 3-year manufacturer warranty; optional paid "forever warranty" plan (Sunstone Circle); Sunstone Orion mPulse, 3-year manufacturer warranty; optional paid "forever warranty" plan (Sunstone Circle). Returns: Sunstone Zapp Plus 2, 30-day return policy with a 10% restocking fee; refunds are paid by check (Sunstone refund policy); Sunstone Orion mPulse, 30-day return policy with a 10% restocking fee; refunds are paid by check (Sunstone refund policy).

Sunstone Zapp Plus 2 weighs 1.9 lb and plugs into a wall outlet; argon: argon-ready: 7 ft of argon tubing in the box, tank and regulator sold separately. Sunstone Orion mPulse does not list its weight and plugs into a wall outlet; argon: argon-ready: shielding gas hose in the box, tank and regulator sold separately. Neither price includes chain, pliers or a course: add them to your budget.

Full reviews: Sunstone Zapp Plus 2 review and Sunstone Orion mPulse review. Both appear in our ranking of permanent jewelry welders, permanent jewelry machine, permanent jewelry welder for beginners, mobile permanent jewelry.

Other head-to-heads: Sunstone Zapp Plus 2 vs Sunstone Zapp, Pepetools Helix vs Sunstone Zapp Plus 2, Sunstone Zapp Plus 2 vs Everlinx EVERARC.

Still deciding what you need? Read how to choose a welder.