Cartridge
A cartridge (often called a "cart") is a pre-filled container of concentrate oil that screws onto a vape battery. It's a self-contained chamber with a built-in heating element — add a battery and you're ready to go.
Key features:
- Pre-filled with concentrate oil — no loading required
- 510 threading fits most standard batteries
- Built-in heating element and mouthpiece
- Glass or plastic chamber lets you see remaining oil
- Disposable once empty
Most cartridges use 510 threading, which has become the universal standard. This means you can use cartridges from different brands with the same battery, giving you flexibility in your setup. The threading connects to your battery, which supplies power to the heating element inside the cartridge.
Inside, there's a ceramic or cotton wick that draws oil to the heating coil. When you inhale (or press the battery button, depending on your setup), the coil heats the oil and creates vapor. Chamber materials vary — glass preserves flavor better and doesn't interact with the oil, while certain plastics are lighter but may affect taste over time.
Oil quality and viscosity matter. Thicker oils (like distillate) work reliably in most cartridges. Thinner oils or those with high terpene content sometimes require specific cartridge designs to prevent leaking or clogging. Quality cartridges use food-grade materials throughout the vapor path and proper seals to prevent leaks.
Building your cartridge setup: Cartridges require a compatible battery — 510-threaded batteries are widely available and range from basic stick designs to variable voltage options. Variable voltage batteries allow you to adjust heat settings, which in turn affects vapor production and flavor. Lower voltages (2.4V-3.0V) preserve terpenes and deliver smoother hits. Higher voltages (3.5V-4.0V) produce bigger clouds with more immediate effects. Keep your cartridge upright when not in use to prevent leaking, and store it at room temperature. Some people use a vape pen case to protect cartridges during transport.