The cannabis industry gives us an incredible variety of options to choose from, ranging from tasty treats (edibles) to flavorful inhales (inhalables). Edibles are pretty straightforward: gummies, baked goods, softgels, and in some cases, tinctures and oils. You consume a single dosage, wait an hour or two for the effects to kick in, and you’re in for a delicious and long-lasting euphoria. However, the category of inhalables is a bit more advanced and it depends on your specific preference to getting high. If you prefer to smoke rather than vape, raw flower requires some basic knowledge of grinding and rolling up while pre-rolls (exactly what they sound like) offer a joint that’s already rolled and dusted with kief, ready to just grab and light up. If you prefer the vape options, you have disposable devices and vape carts. But which one is better, and why? In this article, we’ll break down the two categories of vape carts versus disposables and help you understand which may be better for you, as well as some options that we carry.
What’s A Vape Cart?
A vape cartridge, or cart for short, is a thin glass tube filled with what looks like very viscous oil. This oil is actually a distillate filled with a blend of cannabinoids and terpenes. The bottom end of the cart has a threaded nub, while the top end has a mouthpiece that you slip between your lips and inhale. The threaded nub on the bottom is designed to screw into an external device called a vape battery; these vaporizer pens usually support a 510-threaded connection, as that size is the most common. Once the vape cart has been screwed onto the hardware, the vape battery can be operated by pressing the power button and inhaling. As the power button heats up the distillate to either a preset or customized temperature (depending on how advanced the vape battery device is), the viscous oil is transformed into a vapor that can be smoothly and easily inhaled.
What’s A Vape Disposable?
Vape disposables eliminate the need to have or obtain exterior hardware. The device comes with a built-in battery and a chamber of distillate (containing a blend of cannabinoids and terpenes) that is often rechargeable. These devices may come with either a firing button/pin (much like external vape pen batteries) or are draw-activated (activated upon inhalation). Once the chamber of distillate is completely empty, the entire device should be discarded. Disposables are more attractive for first-time users, as the simplicity and discretion of the device can be easily transported and doesn’t require any additional hardware to use. Some disposables come with charging cables while others simply assume you already have either a microUSB cable or Type-C cable.
Similarities & Differences Between Vape Carts and Disposables
Vape carts and disposables offer a unique way to get high depending on your preference. Convenience, longevity, and functionality are things you’ll want to consider when choosing your ideal inhalable. Let’s take a look at some of the similarities & differences between vape carts and disposables.
Similarities
Vape carts and disposables both utilize a blended distillate of terpenes and cannabinoids to get you comfortably high. They also operate the same, as in the distillate is heated by either a firing pin or draw-activation to deliver silky smooth (and often flavored) vapor to your lungs. Both are easy to dose, meaning you can alternate between one or several puffs to get you high in a matter of minutes. Vape carts and disposables offer a discrete and simplified way to get high, and come in a wide variety of strains, flavors, strengths, and sizes. The effects of both vape carts and disposables will most likely be similar due to the amount of vapor you inhale on each hit, and both will likely deliver effects that last for a similar amount of time (anywhere from 1-2 hours).
Differences
The biggest difference between vape carts and disposables is that one comes with a built-in battery and the other will need an external device that you’ll need to purchase separately. Opting for an external device allows the user to specifically choose the options on the device itself: ohms, wattage, battery life, charging port, etc. Disposables will limit the user to what the manufacturer has decided to offer. vape batteries will need some specific tailoring prior to use: set a specific wattage, make sure it’s charged, and confirm you have the correct charging cable for your device.
Vape carts allow you to swap out your strain as frequently as you like, whereas disposables limit you to a single distillate that usually isn’t refillable. The largest size that vape carts can hold is 2 grams, whereas disposables may hold less (depending on the size of the chamber). Vape carts may offer a better quality battery and tend to have greater longevity, while you’re at the mercy of how long a disposable battery may last. Vape carts will require some assembly (screwing in the cart to the external battery), whereas disposables have a preset wattage and are ready to go right out of the box.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to choosing the right inhalable, the market is inundated with a plethora of options. It can be intimidating to choose between vape carts and disposables, but it all comes down to your personal preference. Do you want to shell out extra cash for a premium vape battery, or is a disposable that’s ready to go out of the box a more convenient option? If you prefer to swap out your cartridge flavors/strains, you may feel too limited with the singular option that disposables offer and might do better with vape carts that can suit your preferences for that day. Both devices offer discretion, smooth vapor, and a way to get high in a matter of minutes. It all comes down to just how convenient you want to go! For DIYers, carts may be a better option, versus if you’re constantly on the go, disposables may be a more viable solution.
Here at Native Extracts, we offer a delightful assortment of Delta-8 THC, Farm Bill Compliant Delta-9 THC, HHC, and THC-O. in both vape cartridges and disposable devices. We’ll be doing a separate article outlining all the varieties and strain options we carry, but for now, feel free to browse our shelves and see what tickles your fancy! We also carry a sprawling selection of edibles, featuring gummies, softgels, and tinctures. If you’re not quite sure which one to choose, feel free to take advantage of our Try Before You Buy option. Rather than purchasing a full-size option, now you can experience the full power in a sample size! We also offer a recurring subscription service to help you save even more.
Should you have any questions regarding anything in this article or about any of the products we carry, feel free to reach out to us! All of our products have been tested for purity and potency by third-party independent labs, thus ensuring you’ll receive and enjoy a premium product. The results of these tests are listed both in the product’s description on our site as well as via a QR code printed on the product’s packaging. Check back with us soon for more in-depth articles regarding the wonderful world of cannabis and all it has to offer!