Among the different types of vaporizers, dab pens and 510-thread batteries with vape cartridges are the two most popular vaping options without a doubt. Although both types of vaping setups are used to vaporize herbal extracts, they differ in the types of extracts for which they’re designed.
- A dab pen is designed to work with waxy extracts, which are solid at room temperature.
- A vape cartridge – also known as a cart – is designed to work with oily extracts, which are runny at room temperature.
Although both types of extracts are much more potent than conventional dry herbs, they’re different in many other respects including what type of equipment works best with them and how you should use them in order to have the best possible experience. Many vaping aficionados keep both dab pens and carts in their arsenals – but if you don’t own a vaporizer yet, you need to choose which type you’re going to buy first. That’s what we’re going to help you do in this comparison of dab pens vs. carts.
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Benefits of Dab Pens
- Waxy extracts tend to be a bit more potent than oily extracts. Although both are significantly more potent than flower, it’s important to consider this point if you have high tolerance or simply want your experience to be as elevating as it can possibly be.
- Dab pens tend to allow for greater airflow than carts. This promotes the formation of bigger clouds, which further enhances potency.
- Dab pens have longer-lasting components. Refillable vape cartridges need to be replaced when their flavor quality drops. A wax coil, on the other hand, can be submerged in alcohol to remove residue and can last almost indefinitely.
- Many dab pens either have built-in bubblers or have bubblers available as separate accessories. When you use a bubbler, the vapor is forced through a vial of water before it enters your mouth. This provides extra smoothness that can make the experience even more enjoyable.
Drawbacks of Dab Pens
- Dab pens are less portable than carts. That’s partially because the devices themselves are often larger and partially because they’re not self-contained like a cart, which provides storage for your oil. When you use a dab pen, you keep your wax in a separate container, and you need to add more wax to the coil after a few puffs.
- Because of the factors listed above, dab pens are usually intended more for at-home use than for on-the-go vaping. Although many dab pens are small enough for relatively easy transportation, using one outside the home is inconvenient due to the need to regularly add more wax to the coil.
Benefits of Carts
- Vape pens and carts are both very small and discreet. You can easily carry a vape pen in your pocket, and many of the devices are so small that you can wrap your entire hand around them. You can take a vape pen almost anywhere.
- Even a small vape cartridge holds enough oil for many vaping sessions. Unlike a dab pen – which requires you to add wax after a few puffs – a cart may last days or even weeks before you’ll need to think about getting a new cartridge or adding more oil.
- Vape cartridges are available in both pre-filled and empty forms, so you can buy either type depending on what fits your needs.
Drawbacks of Carts
- Vape carts may cost more than dab pens in the long run. Even the best vape cartridges only last through a few refills before their flavor quality begins to decline – and single-use cartridges aren’t designed to be refilled at all. When a cart runs out of oil or no longer produces a good flavor, you need to replace it. A wax coil, on the other hand, can last months before you’ll need to even begin thinking about getting another one.
- Oily concentrates tend to be slightly less potent than waxy concentrates. Once again, all herbal concentrates are significantly more potent than flower. If you have high tolerance, though, you may end up going through your cartridges more quickly than an average vaper would.
Wrapping Up the Debate on Dab Pens vs. Carts
In this article, we’ve provided a comprehensive overview of the strong and weak points of both dab pens and carts. As you’ve learned, both types of vapes have so many strengths that many people and up buying both. That way, they can switch between the two whenever the mood strikes them.
If you’re looking for advice when buying your first vape, though, we suggest that you’ll be most able to make the right choice for your needs if you consider your requirements for portability and think about where you’re most likely to use your device.
- If you want a vaporizer that you can use on the go, you’ll probably be happiest with a vape pen and carts because there’s nothing that’s smaller or more discreet. There’s no need to carry your concentrate in a separate container because a vape pen is a self-contained package that contains more than enough oil to last a day and even longer.
- If you expect to do most of your vaping at home, you might be happier with a dab pen – especially if you like high potency and huge clouds. Also, the ritual of using a dab pen – putting a bit of wax on the coil and letting it soften before taking a deep puff – is something that many people find very relaxing and enjoyable.
Are you ready to make your decision? Shop our selection of vaporizers now or read our ultimate guide to 510-thread batteries and vaporizers to learn even more. If you have a question that isn’t answered here, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our friendly experts answer questions from new vapers like you every day, and we can’t wait to help you find a vaporizer that’s perfect for you.