Different Types of Cannabis Vape Cartridges
By Keivan Kehlhofer
Quick Answer: Cannabis vape cartridges come in four main types: distillate (high THC, 85–95%, clean and simple), CO2 (balanced cannabinoids and terpenes, clean extraction), live resin (full-spectrum, flash-frozen for bold flavor), and rosin (solventless, premium quality). Don't shop by THC% alone — extraction method, starting material, and hardware all matter!
These days, there are so many options when picking out a cartridge that sometimes it can be overwhelming to decide which one is the best for you.
I have written this blog to help you narrow down which cartridge might be the best option for the experience that you are looking for--but first, let me introduce myself. My name is Keivan, and I have been in the cannabis industry for four years and have been an Assistant Manager at Hashtag for the past two.
I buy cartridges often and help guide folks through the process of picking one out in stores on a regular basis.
Cartridges are one of the most popular ways to consume cannabis. Not only are they discreet, but they are also effective and produce a strong high with no mess and little to no smell. If you have tried cartridges in the past, you probably have had good experiences with some, and possibly bad or just not memorable experiences with others. I’m here to explain the different types of extraction methods and hardware that companies use to create these cartridges to help you get a better understanding of what the differences are between the options that you have.
When buying a cartridge from a company, you want to consider a few things. Firstly, what was the flower that was used to create this concentrate, and what quality was that flower?
Secondly, what grower did it come from, and what sort of pesticides or other practices might’ve been used during the growing process?
Lastly, you want to be looking at the extraction process. Is this a distillate, live resin, rosin or a CO2 cartridge? Getting to know these different types of extraction methods can be key in deciphering which cartridge is the best for you.
Let me break down a couple of the different extraction methods to give you a better understanding of what goes into creating concentrated oil out of cannabis.
Cannabis Distillate:
Distillate is essentially a process in which the goal is to extract purely just the THC out of the plant and nothing else. These extracts often have very, very high THC levels, typically ranging from 85 to 95%, and produce a very (in my opinion) short-lived but potent high. While distillate can be effective and a favorite among some consumers for these reasons, others feel that because it only has THC and low levels of other cannabinoids that it lacks the ‘fullness’ that smoking cannabis typically delivers. Some heavy consumers aren't able to get the desired effect from a distillate cartridge and look for other extraction methods instead.
Cannabis CO2:
For many, CO2 is the number one choice when it comes to picking a cartridge. The companies that make CO2 cartridges often do so with high quality starting material. CO2 is often considered the best of both worlds when it comes to extraction methods. CO2 does a really good job of isolating certain cannabinoids and terpenes, while also being considered cleaner than BHO, which is a solvent often used to make distillate oils.
Cannabis Live resin:
This extraction method is my personal favorite and often what I look for when purchasing a cartridge. Live resin is a thicker oil made from freshly harvested flowers that are flash frozen at the time of harvest in order to keep vital cannabinoids and terpenes intact. Live resin is often a full spectrum concentrate because they contain most of the same cannabinoids and terpene profiles that the flower did at the time of harvest, therefore giving the consumer an experience that is closer to the experience of smoking flower. I personally feel like I get a tastier, longer lasting and better high when consuming Live Resins, and that's why I prefer this extraction method over any other!
Cannabis Rosin:
Rosin is a completely solventless extraction method using temperature & pressure to squish and squeeze out all that oily resin from the plant’s resin glands. Rosin is one of the nicest and often most expensive forms of cannabis oil due to its high quality and lack of harmful chemical solvents. “Live Rosin “ is rosin that was made with flowers that were frozen at the time of harvest to maximize the smell, taste and potency of the oil.
Now that you know a little more about the different extraction methods used, you might be starting to understand why there is such a wide range of prices and options to choose from.
While distillate vapes might have really high THC levels, they might often be priced at the lowest end of the spectrum, while some Rosin and Live resin cartridges with lower THC levels are often more expensive because of the extraction method and presence of other cannabinoids and terpenes. This is why it can be helpful to not shop based on THC numbers but instead by grower & extraction method.
Another thing I wanted to mention is Hardware. Most cartridges come in standard stainless steel cartridges. Recently some higher end brands like Heylo & Puffin Farms have been producing ceramic cartridges. I highly recommend trying one if you come across a ceramic cartridge because they really help enhance the flavor of the oil and elevate your smoking experience entirely!
All of this information can be overwhelming, and that's why I recommend thinking about what you really want out of a cartridge.
Something affordable with a high THC number? Or maybe something a little more high end with more abundance of other cannabinoids and terpenes? Or possibly something in the middle like a CO2 cartridge? Considering the brand, the starting material, extraction method, and hardware are all important factors in finding the best option for you.
Where can I find Cannabis Vapes?
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FAQ Different Types of Cannabis Vape Cartridges
What are the main types of cannabis vape cartridges and how are they different?
There are four main extraction types you'll encounter at a dispensary. Distillate is the most refined — very high THC (85–95%) but stripped of most other compounds. CO2 uses carbon dioxide to extract a cleaner, more balanced oil with good terpene retention. Live resin is made from flash-frozen fresh flower, preserving the full cannabinoid and terpene profile for the richest flavor. Rosin is completely solventless — made with just heat and pressure — making it the most premium and often priciest option.
Why shouldn't I just buy the cartridge with the highest THC percentage?
This is one of the most important things to understand about vape shopping! High THC percentage doesn't automatically mean a better or stronger experience. Distillate cartridges often have the highest raw THC numbers but can feel short-lived and one-dimensional compared to live resin or CO2 carts with lower THC but richer cannabinoid and terpene profiles. The entourage effect means all those other compounds work together to enhance the experience — so a live resin cart at 70% THC can genuinely feel more satisfying than a distillate at 90%.
What is rosin and why is it more expensive than other vape cartridges?
Rosin is the only extraction method that uses zero chemical solvents — just heat and pressure applied to cannabis to squeeze out the resinous oil. This makes it the cleanest possible extraction process and preserves an exceptional range of cannabinoids and terpenes. The higher cost reflects both the premium quality of the starting material required and the labor-intensive process. Live rosin takes it even further by using flash-frozen fresh flower as the starting material for maximum flavor and potency.
What is the difference between live resin and regular resin vape cartridges?
The key difference is when the cannabis was processed! Regular resin (or cured resin) is made from dried and cured cannabis flower. Live resin is made from flower that was flash-frozen immediately at harvest, before any drying or curing takes place. This preservation of the fresh plant captures a much fuller and more vibrant terpene profile — which is why live resin carts taste so noticeably better and more true-to-strain than their cured counterparts.
Does vape cartridge hardware really make a difference in quality?
Yes — more than most people realize! Most standard cartridges use stainless steel heating elements, which get the job done but can slightly mute flavor. Ceramic cartridges, offered by premium brands, heat the oil more evenly and at lower temperatures, which dramatically enhances flavor and produces a smoother hit. If you come across a ceramic cartridge from a quality brand, it's absolutely worth trying — the difference in the vaping experience is noticeable, especially with live resin or rosin oils.
What should I consider besides THC percentage when buying a vape cartridge?
Great question — and the answer covers four key factors. First, the quality of the starting flower used to make the oil. Second, the grower's practices — including whether pesticides were used during cultivation. Third, the extraction method — distillate, CO2, live resin, or rosin each produce very different experiences. Fourth, the hardware — ceramic vs standard stainless steel significantly affects flavor and smoothness. When you consider all four factors together, you'll find a much better cartridge than just chasing the highest THC number!