Carts vs. Disposables: What’s the Difference & Which is Better?

The debate over carts vs. disposables is a hot topic in the vaping world. Some users are die-hard cart enthusiasts while others opt for dispos, praising their grab-and-go convenience — even if they’re not the most economical choice.

So, which one is better? Let’s clear the air on this vaping debate. In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between carts and disposables so you can find your perfect puff.

What is a Dispo (Disposable) Cart?

Disposable vape cartridges are cylindrical glass containers pre-filled with vape juice or cannabis oil for use with rechargeable battery pens. Similar to nicotine pods, carts are made up of an e-liquid tank, a mouthpiece, and a heating element that vaporizes the liquid by drawing power from the connected battery. It’s like plug-and-play vaping.

Unlike vape pods, which typically contain nicotine vape juice, carts are more commonly used for cannabis extracts and oils. Some carts come empty, allowing users to fill them with their favorite vape oil, but most come pre-filled and ready to use out of the box. Either way, you’re meant to toss the carts when empty. Before you ask: no, they’re not reusable.

Ultra user-friendly, disposable cartridges screw onto the battery like a lightbulb. You’ll notice the majority of carts have 510 threads — this standardized sizing means that most carts will fit most pens, regardless of brand.

This two-part cart and battery system generally works pretty well, but just like any close relationship, it has its ups and downs.

Pros and Cons of Vape Carts

The best thing about vape carts is their versatility, but maintenance can be a bit of a drag. Let’s break down the pros and cons more closely so you can see what we mean.

Vape Cart Pros

The main advantages of disposable vape carts include:

• Versatility: Carts can work with any compatible battery, making it easy to change your setup to play around with different voltages or settings.
• Variety: Carts come in a wide range of flavors and potencies to keep things interesting.
• Easy to Use: Pre-filled vape carts are ready to go out of the box — as long as you remember to charge your battery pen.
• Cost-Effective: Buying one reusable battery and restocking with replacement carts is often cheaper than buying multiple disposables, at least in the long run.
• Less Waste: In all honesty, no disposable vape or cart can be considered eco-friendly, but the reusable battery is definitely easier on the planet.

Vape Cart Cons

While carts might sound like a great option so far, users have raised a few gripes and grievances about their functionality. Here are the main disadvantages of carts:

• Upfront Cost: Carts require a bit of an initial investment since you have to buy a separate battery — and the good ones can be pricey.
• Maintenance: Not only do the batteries require regular recharging, but the contact points between the cart and the battery will benefit from some occasional cleaning.
• Battery Life: The lifespan of a typical vape cart pen is around a year with regular use, so it too will need replacing eventually. Sadly, rechargeable batteries are not infinitely reusable.
• Leaks and Clogs: Carts tend to have issues with leaking or clogging more often than all-in-one devices.
• Compatibility: While most carts fit most vape batteries, differing voltage settings, e-liquid viscosity, and cartridge shapes can affect compatibility and performance. Double-checking compatibility can make shopping a little more time-consuming.

In short, disposable carts are a lot like single-serve coffee capsules: they’re convenient and cost-effective but require an upfront investment and regular maintenance to keep everything running smoothly. Disposable vapes are more like a cup of coffee from your local cafe — pick it up, take it wherever you like, and toss it when you’re done.

What is a Dispo Vape?

Hold up — is a dispo a vape? Yes. A dispo, or disposable vape, is a closed-system vaping device with an integrated battery that comes pre-filled with e-liquid or cannabis oil. They’re draw-activated, meaning the device turns on automatically when you inhale — no buttons or pre-heating needed. Unlike carts, the entire device is tossed out when empty.

Some disposable options have rechargeable batteries, like many of our Ziip Stick disposable vapes, while others don’t require any charging at all. Either way, when the vape juice runs out, it’s time to toss the device and pick up a new one. Sounds easy, right? There’s a lot to love about disposable pens, especially if you’re a fan of fuss-free convenience.

Pros and Cons of Disposable Vapes

The benefits and drawbacks of disposable vapes can be summarized as the classic trade-off between convenience and sustainability. Let’s start with the good bits.

Dispo Pros

People who love disposable vape products rave about their ease of use. But there’s more to dispos than puff, puff, toss:

• Convenient: Most disposable vape pens require no filling or setup — just open the package and vape away.
• Lightweight and Discreet: Disposable pens are slim and compact, making them easy to carry around all day and use in public without turning heads.
• Always Ready: Pre-charged dispos are ready to go when you are. No waiting around for the battery to charge or searching for a lost cartridge in the couch cushions.
• Cheap: Upfront, disposables tend to be more affordable than carts. It’s a great opportunity to try out different brands before committing to a more permanent setup.

Dispo Cons

All of this frustration-free convenience comes at a cost. These are the main drawbacks of disposable vapes over carts:

• More Wasteful: Single-use devices create more electronic waste than carts. It never feels great tossing rechargeable batteries with plenty of life left in them.
• Limited Options: Dispos have a much more limited selection of unique vape juice flavors and strengths.
• Long-Term Cost: Disposables will likely cost you more money in the long run.
• Battery Reliability: Single-use vapes that are not rechargeable can sometimes die before the e-liquid is fully used.

With all the various pros and cons of vape cartridges and disposable vapes, it’s hard to tell which option stands out as the clear winner. Hint: there might not be one. Read on for our verdict.

Which is Better: Carts or Disposables?

Whether disposables or carts provide a better vaping experience comes down to personal preference. Disposables are great for vape newbies, occasional users, or anyone who values always-ready, travel-friendly convenience. On the other hand, carts offer better variety and control — and will save you some money if you vape a lot.

While some users feel that disposable vapes hit better than carts, neither option is stronger than the other. There are also no safety differences between these two vaping forms — both come with the same health risks, which depend more on what you’re vaping than the device producing the vapor.

In the end, the best vape is the one that fits your lifestyle. If you’re always on the go, it’s hard to beat an all-in-one disposable. If you want more bang for your buck and better control over your experience, carts are where it’s at.

Find Your Perfect Vape

The easiest way to determine whether you should get a cart or disposable is to try both and see which you like best. If you’re not up for the investment, rechargeable disposable vapes are an excellent in-between, offering the longevity of a cart-and-battery combo with the one-and-done convenience of a disposable.

While we don’t sell traditional cannabis carts at Ziip Stick, we have plenty of great disposable nicotine vapes in various sizes, from sleek pens to larger rechargeable devices that will outlast any pod. Shop our disposable vapes here to see what all the fuss is about.