The weed industry is buzzing as millions of dollars are invested every day to develop new products and methods of consumption. Vaping is a classic choice, and its popularity largely rests on a variety of devices that can vaporize cannabis for a satisfying experience. Among these devices, disposables and weed cartridges reign supreme. Yet, many beginners can hardly differentiate between the two.
We are here to show you the way to marijuana vaping and introduce you to devices that are making a splash.
What are cartridges?
You can’t start a puffing session without a container holding a distillate or oils. In layman’s terms, that’s what a cartridge is. This small yet crucial component serves as a reservoir for what becomes aromatic and potent weed clouds and determines the quality and duration of your vaping experience.
Unlike a disposable, a weed cartridge is meant to be paired with a battery before you can vape. You should make sure the battery is charged and the cart is filled with enough distillate for a vaping sesh. Cartridges are reusable and allow for different experiences, depending on what you put into them.
Carts are touted by vapers and weed admirers thanks to:
- Versatility. Carts let you explore a spectrum of THCA-rich oils and distillates. When the liquid volume nears its end in your Indica-based cartridge, you can instantly swap it for Sativa to enjoy different effects.
- Continuous enjoyment. When your cartridge runs dry, you can refill it to keep experimenting with flavors and effects. There’s no need to replace the entire device between sessions as long as your battery is good.
- Personalization. Most carts come with a power button and adjustable voltage. When you want to take a puff, you push the button. If not pushed, your device’s battery is not depleted.
With carts, you’ll need to foot the bill for a battery and refills. Budget-wise, reusable devices will set you back more than disposables in terms of an initial investment.
What are disposables?
A disposable, such as a pen, is your shortcut to the clouds. Unlike weed cartridges, disposables are full-fledged vaping devices that come with everything you need to vape (read a mouthpiece, a pre-filled container, and a battery). You can take one and instantly start vaping without piecing components together.
Forget about refilling disposables like vape cartridges with weed. They are one-use devices and are supposed to be tossed away when the puff count is over (there’s a limited number of draws you can get from a single disposable).
Disposables have their own strong following because they are:
- Ready to go. Everything is pre-set and pre-charged for you. You can grab a disposable and go on the ride without any tinkering in between. Once your session is finished, you can discard the device.
- Perfect for newbies. Disposables are a cinch to enjoy for everyone. They involve no fumbling with batteries, setups, and other technical stuff. Also, they save you time on refills.
- Budget-friendly. Disposables will set you back $20 to $50 for hundreds of puffs per vape pen. There are no extra costs for additional components like batteries.
If you are looking for a one-off experience without getting into the nitty-gritty of vaping devices and configurations for different sessions, be sure to buy a pre-filled THCA disposable.
Comparing the two in detail
Choosing between disposable weed vapes and cartridges can be challenging as both have what to add to your relaxing or mood-boosting experience. Explore their pros and cons to select the perfect device for unforgettable vaping sessions.
The strings attached
Opt for disposables for no-obligation indulgence. They are compact, pre-filled devices with an integrated battery for one-time use. Once it runs out of THCA extract, you can discard the entire device without second thoughts. If you don’t like it, you can move on without worrying about spending too much.
On the other hand, cartridges will be there for you for longer. Their tanks are refillable and meant to be attached to a vaporizer for repeated use. Buying them doesn’t make sense if you are not sure if vaping is your cup of tea.
The learning curve
Most disposables are draw-activated. They do not require assembly and refilling skills. These devices are ready to indulge straight out of the box.
With cartridges, you’re supposed to be well-versed in configuring vaping settings, adjusting voltage, and coupling components. This adds a layer of complexity to the vaping process.
What your session feels like
If you were to juxtapose a disposable and a cartridge for weed effects, the winner would come to your mind in a jiffy. The former supports all consumer preferences for strains and potency. Case in point: you can puff some heavy-hitting Pineapple Rings throughout the day and switch to more relaxation-geared Pineapple Express in the evening. And you don’t have to deplete the container to refill it with another distillate.
This kind of preparation is indeed required for carts. However, they may still be good for those who have found their favorite flavor or prefer consistency over experiments.
What’s better for your wallet
Let’s put a price tag on disposables and cartridges with weed to help you take your pick. If you shop at Venera, you can snap up a one-use 2G pen for as low as $19.99. On the other hand, high-end carts will cost you $50-$80 in the US, excluding the battery.
Doing the math has never been easier. Yet, if you’re a one-strain type, cartridges may help you stash some savings in the long term.
What’s better for the world
Because they are thrown away frequently, disposables produce more waste. However, if you are environmentally conscious and have adopted responsible recycling habits, you can do your bit for waste reduction by looking up specialized recycling programs in your area.
By definition, cartridges are a greener alternative to disposables due to their refillable setup. In reality, they involve tons of detachable components that you’ll need to replace throughout your vaping journey. These can inundate the planet, too.
