Choosing the Right Vaping Cartridge
Cartridges are growing in popularity among new cannabis consumers. They’re portable, discreet and usually less pungent than flower.
Cartridge materials can be high or low quality. Some contain polymer insulation or sheaths that may thermally degrade or volatilize at high internal temperatures.
Others feature a medically impactful concentrate like THC distillate or rosin. These cartridges are refilled with extracts of different textures, viscosities and flavor profiles.
Stand-Up Single-Use Cartridges
Cartridges are the stand-up comedians of the vaping world. They offer a discreet and simple way to enjoy cannabis, but they don’t last long. If you want to keep giggling all night, you’ll need a refillable cartridge.
Unlike a vape pen, which has a built-in tank that’s designed for one use only, cartridges are designed to be opened and refilled. Refillable carts are often used by vape enthusiasts to make their own oils or by oil producers who package their products in bulk. They’re also a popular choice for retailers who buy from wholesalers and need to provide their end users with an easy-to-use option that’s backed by rigorous product testing.
Single-use cartridges are a great way to try out different strains, but they don’t offer the same kind of control and precision dosing as a refillable cart. They’re also typically cheaper and can be difficult to open, so if you’re looking for a consistent experience or flower-like effects, we recommend investing in a refillable cartridge.
Refillable cartridges come pre-filled with a range of concentrates, including distillate, CO2 oil, and full-spectrum oil. Distillate cartridges tend to have a very potent effect and a clean, smooth taste, while CO2 oil cartridges preserve all the cannabinoids and terpenes for a more flavorful and aromatic experience. Full-spectrum cartridges are similar to distillates, but they’re made from the whole plant, so they provide a more entourage effect and can be a little more expensive.
PAX Era Pods
The Pax Era is one of the most simple and convenient ways to vape your concentrates. It’s a pod system that attaches to an app-enabled battery and doesn’t require any cleaning or refilling. It’s also a smaller pod than most other devices and it’s incredibly easy to conceal in your hand or pocket. It’s only available in a few states and you can only buy Pax pods from select growers, but they are a little more expensive than other prefilled cartridges. When a pod is empty, just throw it away and clip on a new one.
The cartridges themselves are incredibly durable and have two coils for intense vapor production and redundancy. They’re designed to optimize airflow for a smooth draw and feature double-ended nichrome heating wires inside food-grade plastics and cotton. The cartridges also have a vaping cartridge mouthpiece with air holes that’s designed to prevent clogs and a bottom window so you can see the oil level.
The PAX app is what sets this device apart from others because it offers the same functionality you’d find on a Vessel or other 510-compatible devices, but with some extra features. You can set temperature controls, use a safety lock to prevent accidental activation, and check your battery life. You can also get notifications when it’s time to swap out a pod, or the device detects a clogged cartridge.
Live Resin Cartridges
Live resin cartridges are made from extracts of fresh cannabis buds that have been flash-frozen immediately after harvesting to preserve their terpenes. This unique extraction process provides a flavor and aroma profile that’s closer to vaping actual flowers, making them popular among cannabis enthusiasts who prioritize sensory experiences. Live resin carts also tend to be potent with a full-spectrum blend of cannabinoids, unlike normal cartridges that use distillate. This may make them more effective for some users who seek specific therapeutic effects or need to monitor their dosing more precisely.
In addition to being more potent, live resin cartridges can also deliver a balanced high thanks to their heightened terpene profile. This can enhance the entourage effect, a phenomenon that suggests certain cannabinoids work better together than they do in isolation.
Like other cartridges, live resin carts are compatible with standard vape pens and require a battery to heat them. When choosing a battery to pair with your cartridge, it’s best to start at a lower voltage and work your way up as you experiment.
While cartridges come in a variety of shapes and sizes, you should always consider the quality of the materials used. Low-quality plastics can leach chemicals into your oil, which can negatively impact flavor and potency. Look for cartridges with glass, metal, or ceramic bodies to avoid these risks and ensure a safe, high-quality experience.
Specialty Cartridges
The cannabis industry offers a variety of cartridge options. Each type of cartridge provides a distinct experience based on its extraction method, cannabinoid content and more. Choosing the right cartridge is important for your enjoyment and responsible consumption. Consider the following factors when selecting your next cannabis vape cartridge:
Flavor: Choose a cartridge that best complements your flavor preferences. There are a variety of flavors available from fruity to minty and tobacco-flavored. Some cartridges are infused Vaping Cartridge Filling Solutions with specific strains of cannabis to deliver specific effects. For example, a cartridge infused with Girl Scout Cookies delivers a calming and relaxing experience while cartridges infused with pineapple express offer a boost of energy.
Potency: Cartridges with higher concentrations of cannabinoids provide a more powerful vaping experience. Look for cartridges containing higher levels of THC, CBD or both. High-potency cartridges are often more durable and easier to clean than other types of cartridges.
For true connoisseurs, try live resin cartridges. These specialized cartridges use a flash-frozen process to preserve the natural cannabis aroma and terpene content, providing a robust and authentic flavor profile. The high terpene content of live resin cartridges may also enhance the entourage effect, a potential therapeutic benefit of combining cannabinoids and natural terpenes. For added convenience, choose refillable cartridges that allow you to mix and match different strains and terpene profiles.