Quick answer: A cart is a refillable-style cartridge that screws onto a separate 510 thread battery. A disposable has the battery and oil built in and gets thrown away when it’s empty. If your cart won’t hit, it’s usually a clog, a loose connection or a dead battery, and most can be fixed in a minute.
Carts vs disposables at a glance
| Cart + battery | Disposable | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Screw the cart onto a battery | Ready out of the box |
| Voltage control | Yes, on most batteries | Usually fixed |
| Cost over time | Lower; you reuse the battery | Higher per gram |
| Convenience | Good | Best |
| Best for | Regular users, people who like to switch strains | Travel, trying a strain, beginners |
What is a 510 thread battery?
“510” is the standard screw thread used by most vape carts. Any 510 cart fits any 510 battery. Batteries come as slim pens, button-press pens and small box mods. Many have three or more voltage settings, and some heat up automatically when you inhale.
Best voltage for THCA carts
Start low. Most THCA and liquid diamond carts taste best between about 2.5 and 3.3 volts.
- Low (2.5 to 2.9 V): best flavor, smoothest hits, oil lasts longer.
- Medium (3.0 to 3.4 V): bigger clouds, still good flavor.
- High (3.5 V and up): can taste burnt and wear out the coil faster.
If a hit tastes harsh or burnt, turn the voltage down.
Why your cart won’t hit, and how to fix it
- Check the battery. Charge it fully. A blinking light usually means it’s low or the cart isn’t connecting.
- Check the connection. Unscrew the cart and screw it back on gently. Over-tightening can push the center pin down. If you need to, lift the battery’s center pin slightly with a toothpick.
- Clean the contacts. Wipe the bottom of the cart and the top of the battery with a cotton swab and a little isopropyl alcohol.
- Warm it up. Thick oil can clog when it’s cold. Use the battery’s preheat setting, or hold the cart in your hand for a minute.
- Clear the clog. Take a few short, gentle puffs without pressing the button, then try again. A paperclip can clear the mouthpiece if oil has built up.
Still not working? The coil may be done. Contact us through our contact page with a photo if it’s a new cart.
How long does a disposable last?
A 1 gram disposable usually lasts a few hundred puffs. A 2 gram lasts about twice as long. How long that takes depends on how often and how long you pull. Store it upright, at room temperature, out of a hot car.
Liquid diamonds: what’s in our vapes
Our vapes use liquid diamonds: THCA diamonds melted down and blended with terpenes. Read what are THCA liquid diamonds for how they’re made and how they compare with live resin.
Shop THCA vapes, including 1 gram and 2 gram liquid diamond disposables in 10-packs and bulk THCA carts for shops.
FAQ
Can you recharge a disposable?
Many newer disposables have a charging port. Recharge it if the oil isn’t finished yet.
Why does my cart taste burnt?
The voltage is too high, or the cart is nearly empty and the coil is dry. Turn the voltage down and take shorter puffs.
How should I store carts?
Upright, at room temperature, away from heat and sun. Heat thins the oil and can make it leak.
Do THCA carts turn into THC?
Yes. Vaping heats the THCA and converts it to delta-9 THC, like smoking flower.
