ARE ALL VAPE CARTRIDGES THE SAME?

If you have just begun your vaping journey it is totally understandable to feel overwhelmed. From e-liquids to oils to box mods to dry herb vaporizers, there is a lot to get a handle on. One of the most common questions asked by beginners is – are all vape cartridges the same?

In this article we will answer this key question and hopefully leave you equipped to navigate the vape cartridge marketplace. Vape cartridges are the most common carriers for oil, wax and e-liquids in a range of vaporizers, including box mods and the sleekest vape pens. At the end of the day, one would not be able to vape with most vaporizers without a cartridge.

VAPE CARTRIDGE BASICS
In their simplest form, vape cartridges are vessels for storing vapable materials such as wax, oil and e-liquids. A lot of cartridges come equipped with a “coil,” which is a type of heating component that basically heats up the material in the cartridge to produce vapor. You can find vape cartridges in a range of sizes, from small to large. In the end, always remember that vape cartridges are incapable of doing anything themselves as a battery will be required. Thus, vape pens usually have three major components – a battery base, cartridge and mouthpiece. Do keep in mind there are TONS of vape cartridges out there with their own compatibility, which we will explore in the next section.

ARE VAPE CARTRIDGES UNIVERSALLY COMPATIBLE?
No, not vape cartridges are not universally compatible. While a plethora of vapes utilize 510-threads, which makes them compatible with an equal number of vaporizers. That said, there are notable exceptions to this rule. One can find vape cartridges especially made for specific vaporizers, making them singularly unique to a single brand or model of vape. If you plan on replacing your cartridge or are in the market for a brand-new vaporizer, keep this tip in mind as some cartridges offer little flexibility in terms of their compatibility with other vaporizers.

510-THREAD VAPE CARTRIDGES
As we briefly mentioned in the above paragraph, 510-thread vape cartridges are the most plentiful option on the market today, which makes them compatible with a swathe of vaporizers ranging from pens to box mods. In general, we recommend first time buyers stick with vaporizers that utilize 510-thread cartridges, since they are easy to replace and offer a more forgiving experience in terms of switching to new cartridges with different materials. These cartridges are capable of holding a range of materials including wax, oil and even dry herbs in some cases.

OTHER CARTRIDGE TYPES
Besides 510-thread cartridges, there are a range of vape cartridges on the market today that are specifically tailored to one type of vaporizer. We urge buyers to pay close attention to this detail when purchasing a vape, as you may actually be looking for something with more compatibility options. That being said, plenty of vapers opt for vaporizers with specially designed cartridges, it does make them more unique. If you accidentally purchase a non 510-thread cartridge for a vape that uses 510-threads, you will not be able to attach the cartridge and could possibly damage the other vaporizer components. We recommend you consult manufacturer instructions to ensure you’re purchasing the correct type of cartridge.

WRAPPING UP
In all, vaping cartridges can be slightly complicated for many first-time buyers and even seasoned pro’s in some cases. This guide should hopefully make things clearer by clearly defining how the various types of cartridges work. To recap, most vape cartridges utilize a standard 510-thread, which makes them more compatible with different types of vaporizers. Conversely, there are cartridges specially designed for certain vaporizers, which makes them not compatible with 510-threads. If you keep these two points in mind, you’ll find your shopping experience a hell of a lot easier.