Zapp Plus® 2 Permanent Jewelry Welder Review 2025

When you’ve spent some time in the permanent jewelry space, you start to realize that not all welders are created equal. Some are bulky and intimidating, and others market themselves as beginner-friendly but fall short when it comes to performance. Then there’s the Zapp Plus® 2—a welder that stands out for all the right reasons.

It’s compact enough to fit in a tote and light enough to travel with—perfect for pop-ups or home studios where space is limited. From the moment I came across its simple dial system and ultra-light design, it was clear this welder was built specifically for the permanent jewelry artist. It keeps things easy without sacrificing the precision and polish your clients expect.

If you’ve been looking for that sweet spot between power and simplicity, this review will walk you through everything you need to know about the Zapp Plus® 2. Based on what I’ve seen across dozens of setups—and the way artists talk about it—it’s quickly becoming a go-to favorite in the permanent jewelry world.

What Is the Zapp Plus® 2?

The Zapp Plus® 2 is one of the newest welders created just for permanent jewelry artists. It’s not some clunky machine repurposed from another industry—it was designed from the ground up with our kind of work in mind. That means it’s lightweight, super easy to use, and built to do one thing really well: link dainty jewelry quickly and easily, without the hassle.

It uses pulse arc welding, a method that delivers a quick, controlled burst of electrical energy to create a tiny, high-heat spark. When the stylus tip touches the metal, that spark melts and fuses the metal instantly—no flame, no solder, and no loud noise. It’s safe to use on skin-contact jewelry, making it perfect for permanent bracelets, anklets, and necklaces.

What makes this welder stand out is that it wasn’t thrown together by random engineers. It was designed by people who actually understand the permanent jewelry business. They knew we needed something reliable, precise, and fast—without complicated setups or a bunch of confusing buttons. Just clean, consistent welds on dainty jewelry, done right, every time.

overview:

• 💥 Energy Range: 1–30J
• 🎯 Weld Spot Size: 0.5–2.0 mm
• 🧲 Stylus: 72″, removable
• ⚡ Weld Speed: 1 pulse/second
• 💼 Weight: 1.9 lbs
• ✅ Great for: New and growing artists, mobile pop-ups, small studios
• ❌ Not ideal for: High-volume, industrial shops

Unboxing + First Impressions

Opening the Zapp Plus® 2 feels like unboxing the most important asset of your business. It comes with everything you need to start welding permanent jewelry—no guessing or piecing things together later. Inside the box, you’ll find the welder itself, the power adapter and cord, a full 72″ Orion welding stylus, and shaded safety glasses to protect your eyes.

You’ll also receive three premium 1 mm electrodes, 7 feet of argon tubing, both a precision ground clip and a standard alligator clip (so you can choose what feels best), and a stylus holder to keep your setup clean and organized. It also comes with a metal practice card that lets you test your welds before working with real chains. And for anyone who’s nervous about setup, the operator’s guide is easy to follow and incredibly thorough.

All in all, it’s a well-thought-out kit that’s clearly made for permanent jewelry artists—not some clunky machine that leaves you scrambling for accessories.

Key Features That Stand Out

The Zapp Plus® 2 keeps things simple in the best way. There’s no confusing menu to scroll through or buttons to memorize. It’s just one easy-to-use dial. You twist the dial to adjust your energy level—left to decrease and right to increase. That’s it. Super straightforward—and easy to adjust if you need to change settings while you’re working with a client.

You get 30 different energy levels to work with (from 1 to 30 joules), so whether you’re welding tiny, delicate chains or thicker jump rings, this machine can handle it. The welds come out crisp and clean, with spot sizes ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 mm depending on the setting you choose. Plus, you’ll receive a helpful chart that outlines the best energy settings for each metal type and gauge, so you’re never left guessing what to use.

The 72″ stylus is another bonus. It gives you tons of flexibility—especially if you’re doing pop-ups or want more room to move around your workspace. It’s easy to connect and feels solid in your hand.

How Easy Is It to Use?

If you’re feeling a little intimidated about using a welder for the first time—don’t be. The Zapp Plus® 2 is beginner-friendly and built to make your first few welds feel less overwhelming. Setup is straightforward, the operator’s guide is easy to follow, and the included practice card gives you a safe space to build confidence before working with real chains, charms, and jump rings.

When you choose the Zapp Plus® 2 through LINKED Permanent Jewelry Training, you’re not just getting a top-tier welder—you’re getting a full launch plan. LINKED walks you through how to use your equipment with confidence, but it goes way beyond the technical side. You’ll also learn how to price your services, market your business, and attract paying clients—whether you’re running pop-ups, booking appointments, or selling from a boutique.

And when it’s time to weld, it’s as easy as touch and spark. No foot pedal or complicated triggers—just clip the ground to your jewelry or tool, and the welder fires automatically when your stylus touches the metal. Whether you’re working from a pop-up table or your home studio, the whole experience is smooth, consistent, and designed to support your workflow from day one.

Real-World Performance

Let’s talk about what really matters—how the welds actually turn out. Because at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how sleek your welder looks if it can’t perform when it counts.

Once you master the power settings (included with your purchase), the Zapp Plus® 2 delivers smooth, consistent welds that look professional every time. It works with solid gold, gold-filled, sterling silver, and even stainless steel without scorching the metal or leaving a mess behind. It welds at one pulse per second, so it’s quick enough to keep things moving—especially if you’ve got multiple customers waiting at a pop-up.

And because it’s argon-ready, you can hook up a tank to get more polished welds with fewer oxidation marks—something your customers will definitely notice. If you’ve never used argon before, Sunstone makes it easy with pre-filled mini tanks and simple hookup instructions. And yes, using argon really does make your welds smoother and stronger.

How It Compares to Other Machines

Sunstone makes a few different welders, and they’re all solid. So what makes the Zapp Plus® 2 the right permanent jewelry welder to go with?

Zapp vs. Zapp Plus® 2

Compared to the original Zapp, the Zapp Plus® 2 isn’t just a minor update—it’s a thoughtful redesign that really considers the needs of working permanent jewelry artists. One of the biggest improvements is the digital dial. With the original Zapp, adjusting your energy settings was more manual and less precise. The Plus 2 gives you fine-tuned control, so you can easily match your settings to the type of metal and chain you’re working with. That means fewer mistakes and less stress when you’re juggling different styles throughout the day.

Then there’s the 72-inch stylus, which is a clear upgrade from the shorter, fixed stylus on the original Zapp. The added length makes a noticeable difference—especially when you’re working on anklets or necklaces. It gives you more freedom to move around your client without awkward repositioning or dragging the machine closer. For mobile artists or pop-up setups where space is tight, that extra flexibility really matters.

And finally, the overall design and feel of the Plus 2 is more modern. The layout is cleaner, the weld flow feels more natural, and everything is built with efficiency in mind. When you’re working with clients back-to-back—especially at pop-ups or in a busy studio—those little ergonomic upgrades really add up. You’re not just buying a welder; you’re investing in a smoother workflow and better client experience.

Zapp Plus® 2 vs Orion mPulse 2.0

If you’re deciding between the Zapp Plus® 2 and the Orion mPulse® 2.0, it really comes down to where you are in your permanent jewelry journey. Both are made by Sunstone and deliver clean, professional results—but they’re designed with different levels of experience and business volume in mind.

The Zapp Plus® 2 is a smart choice for artists who want something simple, portable, and dependable. With a 1–30 joule energy range, a 72″ removable stylus, and an intuitive dial control, it offers plenty of power without unnecessary complexity. It’s compact enough for travel and pop-ups, making it perfect for mobile artists, boutique owners, or anyone starting or scaling their business.

The Orion mPulse® 2.0, on the other hand, is widely considered the gold standard in the industry. It’s built for high-volume, full-time professionals who need maximum precision and performance. It features Tru-Fire® Technology for fewer misfires, a responsive digital touchscreen, and dual-zone energy control with 0.5-joule increments from 1–15J for delicate work. With front-facing ports, a space-saving vertical or horizontal setup, customizable skins, and remote software updates, it’s the most advanced permanent jewelry welder Sunstone offers—designed to keep up with serious demand.

The mPulse 2.0 offers top-tier performance—but it may be more machine than most beginners need. For ease, portability, and pro-level results without the extras, the Zapp Plus® 2 is a smart, scalable choice.

Related: Top 3 Power Supply Banks for Permanent Jewelry Pop-Ups

Who Should Buy The Zapp Plus® 2?

If I were starting from scratch today, the Zapp Plus® 2 is the welder I’d feel confident investing in. It’s a fantastic choice for anyone just getting their permanent jewelry business off the ground—and just as reliable for artists who need a machine that can keep up as their client list grows.

It’s especially great for:

• Mobile artists who need something lightweight, compact, and easy to transport.
• Boutique owners looking to add permanent jewelry as a new service without investing in overly complicated equipment.
• Creative entrepreneurs who want precise, professional results without getting bogged down by technical setups.

The only time this welder might not be the best fit is if you’re running a high-volume studio that needs to weld nonstop, day in and day out. In that case, it’s worth looking into one of Sunstone’s more advanced Orion models that are built specifically for heavy-duty use. But for most artists starting or growing their business, the Zapp Plus® 2 hits that perfect balance of simplicity, power, and portability.

The Zapp Plus® 2 is hard to Beat

The Zapp Plus® 2 really does live up to the hype. From the first weld, it’s clear this machine was built for the pace and precision permanent jewelry artists need. It takes up such a small footprint on your desk that you can easily work around it without it getting in the way, even in tight spaces.

From the sleek design to the smooth, consistent welds, it takes the stress out of your setup and instantly makes your workspace feel more professional. If you want a welder that’s reliable, portable, and strong enough to keep up as your business grows, this one checks all the boxes.

If you’re new to permanent jewelry, don’t skip the training. A quality course—like LINKED Permanent Jewelry Training—can save you tons of trial and error. And definitely take advantage of the included practice card and jump rings. Just a little hands-on time with those before you go live will make a huge difference in your confidence and your results.