Is a Cart a Vape?
Although a cart is a component of a vape, it is not a vape by itself. A vape generally consists of two parts, a cartridge and a battery. The battery powers a heating element that vaporizes the oil or distillate inside a swappable cartridge. There are also some disposable vapes, or “dispos,” which have the battery and cart combined into one unit for ease of use.
Some vape batteries are draw-activated, meaning they turn on when you inhale through the mouthpiece of the vape. Others have a button you press or hold to preheat the element before inhaling. Some batteries also have variable voltage, which means they can heat the coil to different temperatures for different types of oil.
What Is a Dab Cart?
A dab cart is another type of THC vape cartridge. Traditional dabs use a special kind of extra-concentrated cannabis oil. This oil, usually called “wax,” is often thick and sticky, more like honey, and is highly potent, producing a much more intense high than typical flower or oils. The heated oil is placed in a specialized pipe called a dab rig, and the vapors are inhaled through a mouthpiece at the other end.
Dab cartridges are much like a typical cannabis vape cart, but they’re filled with the highly concentrated “wax” used for dabs. Some dab pens may need to be manually filled using special tools. These pens have a refillable cartridge with an atomizer that gets hot enough to vaporize highly concentrated THC compounds such as wax, shatter, crumble, or budder.
Do Dab Carts Smell?
The short answer is yes, like most THC products, dab carts share the distinctive smell associated with cannabis. Although the oil is contained within the cartridge, once it’s vaporized, that vapor can escape into the surrounding atmosphere.
The aroma comes from terpenes, a type of naturally occurring compound found in most plants. Unique terpene combinations are responsible for the individual smells, colors, and even flavors of various plants. In cannabis plants, the combination of terpenes found in a particular strain can also influence the type of high that strain produces.
Dab carts smell somewhat less than other inhalant methods because less of the vapor is able to escape. While smoking flower or doing dabs with a rig allows some smoke to escape through the pipe’s bowl, the enclosed vape cart keeps almost all of the vapors inside until you’re ready to inhale them.
Of course, keep in mind that any exhaled vapors may still smell, whatever setup you use. If you need to be discreet, go outside or exhale through a filter to minimize lingering scent particles.
What Is the Difference Between a Cart and a Pen?
A cart or cartridge is the unit that contains the THC oil or distillate to be vaporized. It consists of an outer shell, often glass, plastic, or metal, which contains a THC-infused oil or resin, and a heating element, known as an atomizer.
A cannabis pen is the component that holds the battery. This powers the coil and is typically rechargeable, so it can be reused with multiple cartridges.
Vape batteries come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Pen batteries are long and thin, like a pen or pencil. Other batteries may be shorter and more square or rectangular. Some even come in fun shapes like an old-school tobacco pipe. Different batteries may have higher capacities or be compatible with certain types of cartridges, so it’s good to check which carts work with which battery before you buy.
What is the Difference Between Vape Cartridges and Disposable Vapes?
Both vape carts and dispos contain a THC compound that is vaporized by a coil. But cartridges are designed to be attached to a reusable battery so that only the cartridge needs to be replaced, while disposable vapes are a single unit that is designed to be thrown out or recycled when it is emptied.
Carts and dispos often vary in other ways, such as price, size, and potency. Disposable vapes tend to be smaller and more portable, often easy to slip into a pocket, while vape carts require a battery, which can range from small and portable to large and bulky, depending on the brand and battery capacity.
On the other hand, disposables can be a little more expensive than cartridges because they include the battery. Cartridges tend to be cheaper because the only part being replaced is the coil and the infused oil. However, the initial vape battery purchase can range in price depending on the type, brand, technology, and capacity.
Can a THC Cart Expire?
Like any cannabis product, a THC cart loses its potency over time. Under ideal storage conditions, most carts typically have a shelf life of up to a year. But if the cartridge is exposed to light, moisture, extreme temperatures, or air, it can begin to degrade sooner.
As it degrades, the oil may lose THC potency, become less flavorful, darken in color, or even grow mold or bacteria. Fortunately, proper storage in a sealed container can reduce these effects and prolong the oil’s shelf life.
Generally, it’s best to order a cartridge only when you plan to use it soon. This way, you won’t have to store it for long periods and risk it expiring.
Why Use Vape Cartridges for Cannabis?
There are a lot of ways to consume cannabis, and each has its advantages. Smoking, edibles, topicals, tinctures, and vapes all have different onsets and produce different effects.
Cannabis vapes are preferred by many because they have a quick, near-instant effect, much like flower, without all of the tar or ash associated with smoking.
They’re also easily portable, like edibles or tinctures, whereas smoking flower involves more preparation. Edibles and tinctures also take much longer to kick in than inhalants, though the high may last longer.
Vapes also make it easier to control your dose, as the oil has a consistent potency throughout. Flower, on the other hand, may vary from bud to bud depending on how potent and abundant the trichomes are. Although cannabis flower is typically tested and assigned an average potency, there may be more or fewer trichomes on individual buds, making it a little harder to control or measure your expected high.
How Do You Choose the Right Cannabis Cart?
Vape carts vary in a number of ways: size, potency, flavor, and effect. Finding the right combination of these factors can help you achieve your best high.
Size
First, vape carts come in different sizes or capacities. This is how much of the oil is contained within the cartridge.
Don’t make assumptions about the capacity based on the physical size of the cartridge — some brands have longer mouthpieces, wider heating coils, or thicker walls, affecting the amount of actual product. Always look at the advertised capacity, which usually ranges from 0.5 grams to 2 grams, though some larger carts up to 5 grams are becoming available in some markets.
If you’re a frequent user, aim for a larger cartridge to last you longer. If you’re a more occasional user, you might choose a smaller cart to keep it from expiring before it runs out.
Potency
THC carts can vary significantly in potency. Depending on how concentrated the oil is, a cart may have a higher or lower percentage of THC. You’ll want to find a potency that gets you to your desired high within one or two draws for the best results.
If a cartridge is too potent, you may accidentally overdo it if you take a longer inhale than usual. If the potency is too low, you’ll need to take several puffs to get high, which means you’ll go through the cartridge much faster.
Flavor
The flavor of a vape cart typically comes from the terpenes in the strain used to concentrate the oil. Each strain has its own flavor, which will carry over into the oil. You can generally guess if you will like the flavor of a new cartridge by looking at the terpenes and seeing if they’re similar to other strains or carts you’ve enjoyed.
Effect
The effect of a cannabis product is largely determined by the strain it’s derived from. There are three types of cannabis strains: sativa, indica, and hybrid. Sativa strains produce more of a “head” high, giving you an uplift in energy. You may experience rapid thoughts, higher motivation, and a burst of creativity with these strains.
Indica effects are known as a “body” high. You may feel euphoric sensations throughout your body or find yourself very relaxed. Some indica users become “couch-locked,” where they feel so relaxed that they don’t want to move at all. Strains with this effect can be helpful for reducing anxiety or relieving chronic pain.
Hybrid strains are a combination of sativa and indica, often with the effects of both. Depending on which is stronger, a hybrid may be sativa-leaning or indica-leaning, and will produce more head or body effects accordingly.
What’s Better, a Cart or a Dispo?
Whether a cart or a dispo is better largely depends on your preferences and how you plan to use them. Each has advantages and drawbacks.
Pros and Cons of Vape Cartridges
Vape carts are often a preferred choice for the thrifty and the eco-conscious. When using carts, you only have to replace the cartridge itself, while the battery is reused. This means carts can often be cheaper than dispos, and fewer batteries wind up thrown out or needing to be recycled. If you’re a frequent vape user, carts are probably the way to go.
There are a few downsides. A reusable battery means it must be recharged, so if you forget to charge it, you might have to wait a bit before you can get a hit. Vape pens and batteries are also a little larger than most dispos, so you might find them less portable if you like to take them on the go.
Lastly, not all vape batteries are compatible with every vape cart. Some brands have their own batteries and carts that are not compatible with other brands, so you’ll have to make sure the carts you buy work with your battery and vice versa.
Pros and Cons of Disposable Vapes
Disposable cannabis vapes are ideal if you’re a discreet traveler, a light user, or kind of forgetful. Most dispos come pre-charged, so you don’t need to remember to charge them up. Although disposable vapes often can be recharged, the battery is really only meant to last as long as the oil does, so you won’t be hunting for a charger every time you want to smoke.
Disposables are usually smaller than carts and pens, because they’re self-contained. This makes them easy to discreetly slip into a pocket or a purse on the go. Just make sure you’re still complying with local laws when traveling with cannabis products.
Dispos can cost more than carts, but if you’re not a frequent cannabis user or vaping isn’t your preferred method, it may still work out as more cost-effective because you don’t have to invest in a battery. Additionally, the disposable vape batteries can be recycled, although not through typical recycling bin programs. You’ll need to either find a dispensary with a recycling program or find an electronics recycler nearby if you don’t want to just throw them out.
Live the High Life With SMOKEA®
When you’re looking to order quality cannabis vape carts, batteries, and dispos, look no further than SMOKEA®. We’re your go-to online marketplace for alternative smoking products, including vapes and carts, along with a wide range of other THC and CBD products.
