What Are Vape Cartridges? A Beginner's Guide to Cannabis Vaping

Vape cartridges 101

A cannabis vape cartridge (or "cart") is a pre-filled container of cannabis oil designed to attach to a battery-powered vape pen. When you inhale, the battery heats the oil to produce vapor — no combustion, no smoke, no ash.

Carts have become one of the most popular cannabis formats because they're portable, discreet, and easy to use. There's no grinding, rolling, or cleaning involved.

Types of vape cartridges

The main types are distillate carts (refined oil, high THC, often flavored), live resin carts (full-spectrum, preserving natural terpenes), and CO2 oil carts (a middle ground between distillate and live resin).

Distillate carts are the most common and affordable. Live resin carts are the premium choice for flavor seekers. Our Bonafide cartridge line covers several popular strain profiles.

How to use a vape cart

Screw the cartridge onto a compatible 510-thread battery (the most common standard). Press the button (or just inhale, on draw-activated batteries) and take a short, gentle puff. Wait a minute before your second draw to gauge the effect.

Pros of vaping vs. smoking

No combustion means fewer tar and irritant byproducts. Vapor dissipates faster than smoke, making it more discreet. Carts are also highly portable — most fit in a pocket or purse.

How to choose your first cartridge

Start with a strain profile you already enjoy in flower form. If you like citrus sativas, try a limonene-forward cart. If you prefer earthy indicas, look for myrcene-dominant options.

Our Vape category shows strain type, terpene profile, and customer ratings for each cartridge to help you choose.

Storage and care

Store carts upright, at room temperature, away from direct sunlight. Extreme heat can thin the oil and cause leaks; extreme cold can thicken it and reduce vapor production. Most carts last several months when stored properly.