Cannabis concentrate users have been provided with two major ways to consume concentrates — vape carts and dabs pens. They share a common goal — to vaporize concentrates. However, they are fundamentally different in how they approach the goal. As a person who has used both for years, I find it difficult to view them as comparable devices; it is a philosophical difference in how you choose to use cannabis.
Your decision as to which provides a better experience will depend upon what you value most. Do you prefer ease-of-use, or do you prefer an amazing flavor? Do you want a portable, discreet product, or a richer and more traditional cannabis experience? To help us understand this, let’s discuss the experiences of each of these products.
The Vape Cartridge: The Experience of Effortless Access
The Vape Cart is the Smart Phone of Cannabis — Sleek, Intuitive, and Designed for Fast Pace Living. The experience is defined by its ease-of-use.
Last summer, I was attending a concert. The lines for the bathroom were enormous and the crowd was huge. My back hurt. Less than 15 seconds after pulling the small battery and cartridge out of my pocket and taking two quick and discreet puffs without anyone noticing, I felt the relief I needed before my friend finished speaking. That is the essence of the cartridge experience — speed.
Breaking Down the “Better” in the Vape Cart Experience:
- Ease-of-use is Key: The 510 thread standard is a masterpiece of compatibility — it’s the USB-C of cannabis — screw, click, inhale. No other method is quicker and easier.
- Stealth: The cartridge wins when it comes to discretion. Its visual presence is very subtle and the vapor odor dissipates quickly and is much less pungent than that produced by a dab pen.
- Consistency & Control: The cartridge provides consistency and control — the amount of potency on the label is mostly what you receive throughout the entire experience. If you want to manage your dosages in a predictable manner, the cartridge is excellent.
The trade off for this ease of use is depth. I've noticed that even when I'm vaping live resin cartridges, the flavor is less intense than the actual plant. It's like comparing a high compression MP3 to a high resolution audio file — you get the music, but you lose some of the nuances. Sometimes, the high can seem flat — just a strong THC hit without the complexity of the "entourage effect" of the full spectrum of a dab.
The Dab Pen: The Experience of Culinary Appreciation
The Dab Pen is the Pour-over coffee kit of cannabis. It has more steps, more equipment and more expertise. But the rewards are higher too. The experience is based on the ritual and reward.
On a quiet Saturday morning, I'll grab my dab pen and a gram of freshly made, cold cure live rosin. The process is almost meditative — removing the lid, placing a tiny, gold colored dab onto the coil, choosing a low temperature. The first inhale is always an epiphany. It's not just weed taste — it's a burst of the specific flavors of the strain — sharp citrus, earthy pine, sweet gas. The effects come up slower and more fully than those of a cartridge high. That is the dab pen's core experience — appreciation.
Breaking Down the “Better” in the Dab Pen Experience:
- Flavor: This is where the dab pen clearly wins. By vaporizing pure, unthinned concentrates at lower temperatures, it retains the terpene profiles in a way that cartridges cannot. You're getting high and tasting the strain.
- Full Spectrum Effects: Because you are consuming the whole concentrate, you are receiving the benefits of the whole array of cannabinoids and terpenes. I believe this results in a more complex, nuanced and pleasing high that feels more like smoking premium flower.
- Customization/Ritual: Good dab pens allow for temperature control. At lower temperatures, you'll retain more of the flavor; at higher temperatures, you'll create more vapor. This ability to customize the experience based on your mood is a level of empowerment that cartridges simply do not possess.
Effort is required to experience the “better” experience. Placing a grain of rice-sized dab of concentrate is a tricky thing to do, especially under bad circumstances. Cleaning the device regularly with isopropyl alcohol is not optional; if you do not clean your device regularly, it will eventually develop a burn flavor.
Decision Matrix: Determine Your “Better”
Which experience is superior? It is dependent upon your own definition of “better.”
The Vape Cartridge provides a better experience if your top priority is:
- Easy Access: You require a tool that functions immediately, anywhere.
- Stealth: Your use must remain covert in public or in areas shared with others.
- Simple: You desire a no fuss, no muss, entry-level product.
- Predictable: You prioritize consistent effects and easy dose management above all else.
The Dab Pen provides a better experience if your top priority is:
- Premium Flavor: You are a terpene aficionado and believe that flavor makes up half of the experience.
- Richer High: You are looking to obtain the entourage effect and a more complex psychoactive journey.
- Ritual/Engagement: You enjoy the process of consuming cannabis as a mindful aspect of your cannabis use.
- Value & Versatility: You would like to experiment with different types of concentrates and reduce costs over time.
Final Inhale
For myself, I no longer see them as competitors. I see them as special-purpose tools for different times in our lives. The cartridge is for life; it is my trusty, discreet companion for the hectic world. The dab pen is for living; it is my instrument for enjoying, experimenting with, and appreciating the plant.
Therefore, the “better” experience is not inherent to the device; it is determined by the user. What is important to you? Your truthful response to this question will guide you to the appropriate tool for you.