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Dab Pens Vs. Carts: Which is Better?

Do you want to gain detailed knowledge on the topic of dab pens vs. carts? Thinking of figuring out which of these products is suitable for your world of vaping? Or are you thinking of trying any of these yourself?

If yes, you’re in the right place!

Naturally, an individual who wants tons of options can choose carts. A vaping device used with pre-filled cartridges of refined cannabis oil. Whereas if you wish to do more dabbing connoisseurs instead of microdosing, then dab pens are the one for you.

These days, carts are more in use due to their simplicity and ease of use. Beginners often use it. In contrast, dab pens are preferred by experienced vapers who want high potency.

In this blog, we will familiarize you with dab pen vs. cartridge, its similarities, unique features, and more. By the end, you’ll get to know about the best option for your vaping needs.

So, without further ado, let’s get started!

What Is A Dab Pen?

A dab pen, a portable vaporizer, is designed to consume cannabis concentrates. It is an easier, portable, and discreet way to dab, even for complete beginners.

This vaporizer consists of a battery, an atomizer or coil, and a mouthpiece. It turns out to be more convenient once you get used to it. It is compatible with different kinds of concentrates like shatter, budder, bubble hash, live resin, and more. The main feature of a dab pen is that it vaporizes the cannabis and provides an intense hit without any burning.

Here’s how you can use a dab pen–

  • Expose the atomizer by placing the chosen concentrate.
  • Then turn it on by clicking on the power button.
  • Once it is heated up, you can inhale to enjoy the flavors!

What Is A Vape Pen Cartridge Or Weed Cart?

vape pen cartridge is a pocket-sized device that usually has a battery attached to a vape cartridge. It vaporizes rather than burns cannabis; it is also called a weed cart.

Instead of smoking, the weed cart creates a vapor that is separate from smoking. It is filled with different types of oil, like distillates or extracted THC oil.

All in all, buyers are provided with an option to purchase it empty, where they can fill up the oil of their choice. The cartridge is usually attached to a vape pen. A lot of users prefer it as it doesn’t smell and is more decent than smoking.

Dab Pen Vs. Carts: What’s the Difference?

What's the difference between dab pens and carts? Are dab pens and carts the same? Do you want to know a point-by-point answer?

If yes, this is the perfect section for you!

Let’s get familiar with dab pen vs. carts in the table given below!

Differentiating Factors

Dab Pen

Carts

Use Dab pens are used for vaping wax concentrates that are preferred by seasoned cannabis vapers. Carts are used to operate the vape and release the cannabis using a button.
Experience Dab pens offer a more customizable experience for users. Carts are simpler and easier for beginners to use.
Concentration Concentrates like BHO or CO2, rosin, and live resin are consumed by dabbing. The concentrate oils are pre-filled by sellers. Here, you can choose the flavors and viscosities.
Portability It is portable, but not as much as carts. It is comparatively more portable than dab pens as it is pocket-sized and requires less power to operate.
Flavor Potency Dab pens are more potent and let you consume more THC in every hit Carts are considered to be less potent due to less powerful atomizers.
Flavor Choices Dab pens can be used with any semi-solid concentrate and can be adjusted to different temperatures as well, bringing out different tastes with each hit. Carts come with limited flavor choices.
Temperature Control In dab pens, you can adjust the temperature setting to suit the cannabis concentrate. In carts, you can use the temperature control setting.
Cost Differences It is more expensive due to its increased potency and features. For example, a mid-range dab pen can cost $50 to $100. It is an economic choice as compared to dab pens. For example, a mid-range cartridge costs $40 to $60.
Dab Pen Session Vs. Cart Session Screw on the cartridge and inhale from draw-activated models. Get the waxy THC concentrate to load into the atomizer.
Difference In Cleaning While cleaning a dab pen, you need to disassemble it. Then, clean the mouthpiece, heating chamber, and battery and reassemble it. While cleaning carts, you need to empty and disassemble them. Then, clean the mouthpiece, tank, and heating element. Lastly, reassemble and refill it with the concentrate you want.
Availability It is available anywhere. You can get it from Smoke Cartel, Dr. Dabber, Slick Vapes, and more. It is available in comparatively fewer places. You can get it from PerfectVape, EightVape, ProVape, VapeSourcing, etc.

Popular Dab Pens & Flavor Concentrates

Dab pens are a vaporizer that usually includes a battery, atomizer or coil, and a mouthpiece. It is much easier to use due to its convenience, portability, and little maintenance while using it.

Its flavor concentrates include bubble has, live resin, marijuana wax, shatter, budder, and rosin. If you’re thinking of using a liquid that is not quite pure, then you can dab that concentrate easily.

Vapers usually use dab pens as they provide their users with more creative choices. Not only that, it is suitable for those users who prefer hot vapes.

So, without further ado, let’s get familiar with the dab pen and its flavor concentrates.

Puffco Peak Pro

Puffco Peak Pro is a popularly renowned dab pen for its strengths and outgoing version in the concentrate world. Its unparalleled experience is suitable for users from a total beginner to advanced pros.

It has two main components: a glass body and a chamber. You can use its four preset temp settings with a single click to toggle where Blue is the lowest and then Green, Red, and White (highest).

You can use its wax liquidizer mix kit. Choose from any flavors like Green Apple Terpenes, Animal Cookies Terpenes, Blueberry Haze Terpenes, Hindu Kush Terpenes, and more to use this dab pen.

Additionally, it has USB-C charging, a versatile app, a joystick cap, and a high-performing 3D Heating chamber. It is more in demand due to its updated software, using its users can customize anything as per their preferences.

Let’s look at some pros and cons of Puffco Peak Pro!

Pros Cons
  • It can be heated up in no time
  • Provides strong and tasty sessions
  • Your ultimate travel partner due to its portability
  • Includes durable atomizer
  • Unable to replace the ceramic cup
  • Starts with a higher price

Furthermore, you can buy Puffco Peak Pro at the price range of $367 to $420, depending on releases and features.

Dr. Dabber Switch

Use Dr. Dabber Switch, a versatile vaporizer for both herbs and concentrates! Its top features include–

  • A reliable battery
  • Calibrated heat settings with 25 options
  • A ten-second heat-up time, and more

It has incredible induction cups that allow you to maximize and optimize the vaporization of the chosen material. Using its powerful options, you can switch from wax to herb and vice versa in a snap!

New to the vaping world? Don’t you worry, we got you! Dr. Dabber Switch is designed with a self-cleaning mode. It has impressive edge induction heating technology and long battery life that makes it worth its price.

Some of its top encountered concentrates are Shatter, Pull and Snap, Rosin, Live Resin, Hash, Crystalline, and Budder Cutter.

Let’s look at some pros and cons of Dr. Dabber Switch!

Pros

Cons
  • Provides incredible flavor on the lower two settings
  • Amazing battery life
  • Heats up in seconds, and the switch is fast
  • Safe and durable
  • Smaller counterparts
  • Not a dry herb vape

You can buy Dr. Dabber Switch at the price range of $299 to $399.95, depending on features like battery life, charging, temperature, heating system, and more.

Dip Devices Dipper

Dip Devices Dipper is an ingenious Vapor Tip Atomizer that offers a straightforward method of dabbing. It is portable and highly versatile due to its combination with a nectar collector and wax pen.

This device is well known for its compatibility with both wax and oil. You can get started with any of it, i.e., wax or oil! You can also use any of its dual-purpose mouthpieces, auto shutoff features, instant heat coils, three temperature settings, and more.

For users who want a more discreet way, its Quartz Crystal Atomizers allow them to lay the concentrate directly to the pen. Then, it delivers powerful and smooth hits to a nectar collector.

Likewise, this device has an instant-heat coil and pass-through airflow that lets you hit concentrates right on the go! Some of its top flavor concentrates include CBD and THC.

Let’s look at some pros and cons of Dip Devices Dipper!

Pros

Cons
  • Provides solid rechargeable 650mAh battery
  • Skinnier than the EVRI 3-in-1 device
  • User guide and loading tools
  • 2 Nectar collectors
  • Less versatile
  • Steep price tag

You can buy Dip Devices Dipper at the price range of $110 to $122, depending on its temperature setting, auto-shut features, etc.

Popular Carts & Flavor Concentrates

A cart is a portable capsule that contains different marijuana oil extracts or concentrates. It has a glass chamber that is filled with weed oil. The other key part of a cart includes an atomizer and mouthpiece.

The flavor concentrates used in carts are Flavorah, Capella Flavor Drops, The Flavor Apprentice (TFA/TPA), Inawera, and FlavourArt.

Usually, a vaper prefers carts due to threaded devices. Also, you’ll get an option to choose from a wide variety of vape juice brands. You just need to swap between different flavors and liquid blends the way you want.

Let’s get familiar with the top 3 carts and their flavor concentrates.

Stiiizy

Stiiizy is a vape company created in 2017 in Los Angeles and throughout California. This handy dandy device has a couple of vape battery options. One device has a 210 mAh rechargeable battery, and the other has a 550 mAh rechargeable battery.

It is renowned for its three different pods, including Original Pods, Live Resin Pods, and Cannabis Terpene Pods. You can experience a mellow buzz with its balanced ratio of THC: CBD.

Some of its top flavor concentrates are Lemon Meringue, Orange Sherbet, Mango Kush, Grape Sorbet, and more.

You’ll get to see a sleek design and excellent vapor production. It is an all-in-one device for battery and oil, so you don’t need to drive your focus towards battery or charging.

Let’s look at some pros and cons of Stiiizy!

Pros

Cons
  • Versatile
  • Plenty of flavors and colors
  • Common to find any dispo
  • Inhale vapor, not smoke
  • Low potency
  • Short-lived effects

Stiiizy is retailed for around $30 with a half gram of cannabis oil.

Select Oil

Select Oil is a company from Portland, Oregon, that is well-known for selling cartridges at an affordable price. It doesn’t use any silica wicks or coils; instead, it uses Japanese cotton and a ceramic core.

You can get awesome CO2 oil pre-filled in this cartridge. Its elite selection ranges from 75% to 95% THC and uses quickly medicated cookie strains for 80%.

It offers many different strains, some of which are disposable vapes or stand-alone wax for dabs. This brand selects tastes to the highest standards for potency and pesticides.

Some of its flavor concentrates are Sativa, Blue Dream, Tropicana Cookies - Hybrid, Indica, Strawberry Lemonade, Peach Mango, and more.

Let’s look at some pros and cons of Select Oil!

Pros

Cons
  • Potent high effects
  • Natural flavors
  • Consistent quality
  • A wide array of products
  • A tad pricey
  • Short-lived effects

The price of its products and concentrate varies depending on the number of gallons.

Raw Garden

Raw Garden provides its customers with some of the best cartridges. Usually, its products have trendy flavors, clear, amazing inhales, and powerheads that last longer.

Its concentrates have amazing quality at a significantly affordable price. Get a gram of notch sauce for just $30. The packaging is completely clean and inviting.

You can get complete details about THC content, batch number, strain information, and lab results QR. The concentrates of Raw Garden sit at around 80% THC levels to create a lasting buzz.

Some of the best flavors provided by Raw Garden are Lime Mojito, Pomello Jello Refined Live Resin Cartridge and Pen, Lime Cookies, Crushed Diamonds, and more.

Let’s look at some pros and cons of Raw Garden!

Pros

Cons
  • Enhanced version of cannabis buds
  • Pure cannabis resin vape cart
  • Eco-friendly and produces less waste
  • Plenty of strain selection options
  • Comparatively pricy products
  • Fewer options

The price varies as per the product and concentrate choice.

Dab Pens Vs Carts: Which One Should You Choose?

According to the National Library of Medicine, almost 61% of respondents have reported using weed vaporizers once in their lifetime. Due to the increased demand, there are huge selections and options to choose from!

Dab pens, also known as wax pens, are portable; you can carry them anywhere, either in your bag or pocket. If you’re an individual who prefers on-the-go use, dab pens are definitely the one for you!

Carts are well-known among users for their simplicity, versatility, and convenience. It can be easily attached to batteries for vaping. An atomizer or its coil powers up the heat required to vaporize the concentrates.

Carts provide more fluid versions, whereas dab provides a more waxier form of concentrates.

When it comes to potency, carts provide a middle-range experience as they use cannabis oil and distillates. In contrast, dab pens provide a more robust and powerful punch due to the use of pure concentrates.

However, the answer depends totally on your personal preference. If you’ve just got started and are a beginner, carts can be a suitable option due to their convenience. But if you're an experienced vaper who needs high potency, Dab pen is the one for you!

Before making a purchase, give deep thought to potency, affordability, nature or concentration, ease of use, and more.

When to Transition From Dab Pens to Carts?

There are a lot of differences between dab pens and carts. Are dabs better than carts? In some ways, it might be!

Here are some of the reasons why we’d suggest you transition from Dab pens to Carts in the following cases:

  • Convenient usage option: Carts are preferred to be a convenient option due to their features like thread batteries, compactness, portability, and more.
  • Less cleaning priorities: While using weed carts, there is no necessity to clean in between every usage.
  • Pre-filled liquid cannabis oil: Carts are suitable for those who prefer pre-filled liquid cannabis oil.
  • Economic: Looking for an economic choice? Carts are definitely the economic option as compared to dab pens.
  • Hides the scent: If you’re an individual who likes to hide scent, then carts are definitely a suitable option for you.
  • Traveling partner: Perfect travel partner! Why? Its portability lets you fit carts in anywhere you’re going.

When to Transition from Carts to Dab Pens?

What's the difference between a dab pen vs carts? Why switch from carts to dab pens?

Here are some of the top reasons to transition from carts to dab pens:

  • Plenty of customization options: Dab pens provide its users with plenty of customization options and different concentrate varieties.
  • Solid and semi-solid concentrates: If you prefer solid or semi-solid cannabis concentrates, dab pens are the one for you!
  • Potent: Dab pens are more potent as they provide more THC in every hit as compared to carts.
  • Better features: The Dab pen is comparatively more expensive. The reason? It has amazing features and potency that are unbeatable.
  • Complete control: It provides more control to fit in with your vaping needs than carts.
  • Hotter vapes: Do you prefer hotter vapes? If yes, dab pens might be the preferable option.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we’d not entirely suggest you choose between a dab pen vs cartridge, as it depends on your vaping needs. However, if you’re an experienced vaper looking for better control and potency dab pen is the suitable option. Similarly, if you’re a beginner and want something simple, go for carts!

If you find it challenging to choose between these options, some devices work as both.

Determine your options, like priorities, budgets, usage habits, and more. Then, choose an option that aligns best with your cannabis consumption goal. Go to PerfectVape to buy some of the best dap pens and carts. You can also check out this read if you ever have issues with your cart not hitting

Happy vaping!

FAQS

Dab pens and cartridges have different strengths. Dab pens are considered stronger than carts because they have a higher concentration of cannabis extract. Cartridges are more beginner-friendly, while dab pens are better suited for experienced individuals.

Yes, a dab pen hits harder than carts. That is because a dab pen’s atomizer is more powerful than a cart pen’s atomizer. One hit from a dab pen roughly equals three or more hits of a cart.

If you enjoy cannabis concentrates and want a convenient way to get potent hits, a dab pen is a great choice for you.

Yes, carts are really good for convenience. They are reusable, which means you can get used to one device and swap cartridges easily.

2nd Nov 2023

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