Finding high quality oil vape cartridges for your vape pen can be a challenge. How do you know what to look for? What features and specs will work best for you or your customers? What differentiates a quality cartridge from a cheap knock-off? How do you know if a manufacturer is trustworthy and their vape cartridges are safe?
Fear not! We have been in your shoes before and now with nearly a decade of experience as a leading manufacturer in the vape industry, we are excited to guide you with everything you need to know about how to choose and buy vape pen cartridges.
O2VAPE has been the most trusted name for 510 thread cartridges and vape pen batteries since 2013 by consistently innovating user-friendly features, utilizing high end components, offering premium quality at affordable prices and continually refining our product designs to offer customers a better vaping and purchasing experience, one that they can’t find anywhere else. You’ll find our commitment to innovation, quality, reliability, safety, performance and style built into every vape cartridge that we offer.
Vape cartridges are components that are used to hold a liquid, extract, distillate or oil. When operated properly in combination with a power source (battery), cartridges heat the contained substance to a proper vaporization temperature. This activates a chemical reaction in the concentrate and allows a user to inhale a fine mist without burning the substance to a point of combustion. Different cartridge designs are used for vaping various types of concentrates, oils, distillates and juices. Their simplicity, portability, broad compatibility and ease of use have caused vape pen cartridges to quickly become the go-to concentrate-based vaping solution for both novices and enthusiasts alike.
The majority of vape pen cartridges today utilize a “510 thread” screw-on connection design which is the industry standard and compatible with the widest variety of vape pen batteries. However, it is important to be aware that despite most cartridges embracing this nearly universal connector design, it does not mean that every cartridge is going to work well with every type of oil concentrate or pair well with every battery.
When choosing a vape cartridge, it’s important to understand and consider the different styles of cartridge design, materials used, available features, varying levels of quality and the important specs that will work best with specific oil types and different battery voltages. Choosing the wrong cartridge can lead to a suboptimal vaping experience with poor tasting vapors, wasteful consumption of your favorite concentrates or possibly even pose health risks.
Let’s quickly go through the most crucial things you need to know about vape pen cartridges to help you choose the perfect one!
Vape cartridges are generally simple in design and usually come in a cylindrical shape that contains three key components:
As noted above, the small heating element in a vape pen cartridge is called an “atomizer”. This is the part of a cartridge responsible for heating and converting a liquid into vapor. There are different styles of atomizers that are sometimes called cartomizers, clearomizers or other names, but they are all still atomizers at heart.
After connecting a filled cartridge to a vape pen battery with compatible specs, the battery is activated by simply inhaling through the mouthpiece or by pressing a button while you inhale (depending on the battery design). The battery will then transmit electrical power to the atomizer in the cartridge, heating it up in a controlled manner based on the electrical resistance of the material(s) the atomizer is made from. Once a sufficient atomizer temperature is achieved, a small amount of the oil is then instantly transformed from a liquid into a vapor while simultaneously activating the desired chemical reactions of the concentrate.
Vape pen cartridges are available in a variety of shapes, capacities, connector types, atomizer materials and some have additional features built in, such as adjustable variable flow to manually control the rate at which vapor can be inhaled. Despite these differences, all cartridges ultimately perform the same function of storing a liquid concentrate with the ability to heat the liquid into an inhalable vapor.
The most basic classification of vape pen cartridges is based on the type of connection used, which largely determines which vape pen battery models a particular cartridge will be compatible with. The two most common connector styles used in modern vape pens are “510 Thread” and “Pods”. A 510 thread vape pen cartridge has an industry standardized size of threading built into one end of the cartridge that is used to hand screw the cartridge onto a battery with corresponding sized threads. Sometimes 510 threads will also offer a magnetic adapter for an even easier secure connection.A pod cartridge is typically held in place magnetically and is inserted directly into a connection port on one end of a battery, rather than screwed on. Pod cartridges usually feature a squatter or more box-shaped design, whereas 510 cartridges are typically shaped as some form of cylinder.
Beyond a cartridge’s connector style, the next most important differentiator between cartridges is the material(s) from which the all-important atomizer is made. Atomizer materials determine the voltage range required from a compatible battery to achieve the optimal vapor temperature. Different materials and atomizer designs also have varying levels of consistency and safety.
Early cartridge designs are the lowest cost options available today and use cotton, fiberglass or carbon fiber ‘wicks’ in combination with an exposed heating element, such as a thin wire, to vaporize oils. These designs have proven over time to be of low quality, prone to leaking, and known to produce sub-standard and inconsistent vapors. They also have a tendency to burn the wick easily leaving a burnt taste in your mouth while using. Cartridges which utilize a wick to feed the concentrate to an exposed heating element work best with batteries that operate at voltages lower than 3.3V in order to avoid burning out. We generally recommend staying away from these options since the technology has come such a long way. The extra price of a higher quality cart, means so much when filling it with a quality oil Considerations for Plastic Cartridges with Wicks:
Considerations for Glass Cartridges with Wicks:
Cartridge design later evolved to use ‘wickless’ atomizers made from a variety of metals. This innovation offered much improved vapor production over wicked designs. However, the inconsistency of materials used in some atomizers, and often a lack of verifiable testing results led to occasional health safety concerns. This is due to the indifference of some cartridge manufacturers. Most cartridges of this design type are considered perfectly safe. Of particular note here is the ever-increasing focus from government agencies on heavy metals testing in cartridges, which has prompted a shift to the use of different atomizer materials. Some retailers now prefer to play it safe and avoid cartridges using metal materials altogether. Considerations for Glass Cartridges with Metallic Atomizers:
Another big advance in cartridge technology emerged in 2016 through the utilization of ceramic heating elements with internal heating coils. The results were significant improvements to taste, reduced burning, higher efficiency and increased vapor production, all while offering unmatched consistency and safety. Wickless ceramic atomizers are currently considered the gold standard in cartridge atomizer design, and if you are looking to compete, you’ll need to go in this direction for the foreseeable future. Considerations for Wickless Ceramic Cartridges:
Cartridges with ceramic atomizers will work with vape batteries that function with 3.2 – 4.8 volts. The lower end of that voltage range will provide optimal taste, but produce a smaller draw while the higher end will produce a larger draw but may sacrifice flavor.
As we’ve covered, different types of carts react differently to different battery power, or voltage. In addition, our testing of competitor batteries have shown us that even some of the most popular batteries are wildly off of the reported voltage, further causing confusion. Always keep in mind that the best vaping experience will come from using a battery with a voltage that is properly matched to the type of cartridge and oil that you are using. What follows is a general guide to getting the right voltage for each cartridge. We always recommend starting low and working your way up to a voltage that you’re ecstatic with.
Wicked Cartridges:
Ceramic Cartridges
Another point of differentiation between cartridge types is the material from which the chamber (or “tank”) is constructed. Early carts were (and the cheapest available today are) largely made with plastic or polycarbonate sleeves that are now considered to be low end of the quality spectrum with an unsavory reputation of leaking and poor flavor. Filling them tends to be more difficult than other materials due to smaller openings and they also are usually not compatible with any battery output higher than 3.3 volts.
Modern high quality vape cartridge tanks are usually made from Quartz or Glass. These designs tend to be more resilient against leakage, as well as considered a “cleaner” material than “plastics”. Most glass & quartz chambers also utilize silicone seals that prevent contact between the air and cartridge contents. However, there are ceramic cell carts with polycarbonate sleeves that still result in a great product at a little bit of a cost savings. Our recommendation is to spring for a thicker sleeve. AVOID thin glass sleeves on cheaper options that snap easily in the pocket, like the one pictured here. These lead to poor customer reviews and dispensaries recommending other products, even if the oil is superior. This is why we make a point to manufacture the thickest, and therefore, most durable sleeves available.
In an effort to make vape carts as clean and to take all testing variables out of the equation, we began working on All Glass and Full Ceramic cartridges. With these innovations, oil producers and consumers are able to ensure that their oil never touches any metal surface, reducing any potential testing results for heavy metals due to the cartridge itself. The All Glass are actually made of a very sturdy quartz material, and we focused and making this thicker then the industry average in order to stand up to more abuse in shipping, packing and usage. Skip down to our All Glass and Full Ceramic section to learn more.
O2VAPE’s “All Glass” Cartridge features award winning ceramic cell technology with a casing and center post made entirely from glass for the ultimate in clean, metal-free vaping. With the All Glass Cartridge, your oil never comes in contact with any metal surfaces. The only metal used in the cartridge is for the 510 threads, connection plate and the internal wires in the heating element.
The consistency of heating elements across our various cartridge lines means that you can use the same voltage that you would with other ceramic cell carts. The result of this design is unparalleled vapor purity with increased safety and consistency. We have tested extensive iterations and design elements for all glass cartridges, leading us to a winning combination that prevents leaks and exceeds performance expectations, every time. Like anything made from glass, there is still a need to not be too heavy handed when filling and capping and the consideration of using a concealable battery. No matter how tough we make them, glass will always be inherently more fragile than metal or plastics. That said, the benefits of an All Glass Cartridge more than makes up for the marginal extra care required. We recommend using these vape cartridges with 3.7V or higher vape batteries due to the properties of the ceramic atomizer. To use, just screw this cartridge right on to the 510 thread of one our 3.7 volt button vape pen batteries or Variable Voltage Pens, then go ahead and rip the cleanest and smoothest tasting hit that you have experienced to date!
Our “Full Ceramic” Cartridge features O2VAPE’s award winning ceramic cell technology with a ceramic pole, tip and glass tank for premium quality vaping.
Similar to the experience with our All Glass Cartridge’s wickless design, your oil never comes in contact with any metal surfaces. The only metal present is once again in the threads, which allows for the electrical conductivity that heats your oils. The consistency of the ceramic heating element means you get an unparalleled vaping experience and the ultimate in flavor when combined with one of our 3.7V+ batteries. While we make sure that every cartridge you buy from O2VAPE passes rigorous heavy metals testing, we also understand the draw for a cart that has no metal touching your oil, at any point. Our All Glass & Full Ceramic Vape Cartridges are the perfect solution for this type of premium vaping experience. Refillable vs. Disposable (locking vs. non-locking)
Vape cartridges are also available in two additional styles, locking & non-locking. Refillable carts (non-locking) come unfilled and are typically used by enthusiasts who make their own concentrates, concentrate producers to package their oils or by retailers who purchase oils in bulk. These cartridges can sometimes be refilled multiple times depending on the design, although cartridges will generally have a maximum number of times that is recommended to refill before compromising the integrity of the cartridge and hampering optimal vaping results.
Disposable vape cartridges (locking) most often come pre-filled with concentrate and are designed to be discarded after the contents have been used. These usually have some sort of a child safety mechanism that prevents them from being opened once they are securely closed after the first fill.
Most commonly, a reference to a disposable cart refers to an all in one single charge, single use, battery and cartridge. These pre-charged batteries (sometimes called ‘vape sticks’) are designed to last until the cart has been emptied and then tossed out. They were historically considered poor quality with a short shelf life as the single use batteries could discharge before purchase, prompting upset customers and inventory losses. We started the lead in changing this by innovating rechargeable disposable designs with improved ceramic cartridge technology. These have helped change the perception of disposables as they now offer greater reliability, vastly improved vapor quality, child safety features and a more sophisticated overall look and feel.
Considerations for Disposable Vape Cartridges:
Choosing the right internal hole size is an important step when selecting an empty vape cartridge and is largely dependent on the type(s) of oil you will be vaping and their respective viscosities, or ‘thicknesses’. These holes are the openings through which the oil passes to reach the atomizer. Holes may be as small as .9mm and as large as 2.0mm. If you are using a thin oil or e-juice, it will be important to get a smaller hole size to avoid any chance of your oil flooding the atomizer which in turn will lead to leaking and clogging issues down the road. Thick distillates and extracts may require a larger hole size to perform optimally. Some cartridges feature holes of varying sizes to offer compatibility with a wider range of oils.
Most cartridges are offered in either 1mL or 0.5mL sizes, which refers to how much liquid concentrate can be stored inside the chamber. The mL measurement is roughly correlated to the same amount measured in grams, so if you have an applicator that dispenses 1 gram of oil, you will need either a 1ml cartridge or two .5ml cartridges. The popularity of 1ml cartridge size continues to increase, though many vapers don’t require the larger capacity and prefer the compact size of the 0.5mL. It is also important to note here that there are no standardized outer dimensions for the shape of particular cartridge capacity, with some designed wider or taller than others. If you are unsure if a cartridge will fit on your battery, consult with the retailer, manufacturer or err on the safe side with a thinner and smaller option.
Some cartridges offer the innovative feature of variable air flow through the use of a manually adjustable valve on the cartridge. This allows you to control the rate of flow into the cartridge as you inhale. This control allows users to dial in the size and intensity of each hit to their preference. O2VAPE pioneered this feature in our Vari-Flow cartridges.
Vapers today are able to choose from a wide range of mouthpiece colors, materials and shapes to personalize your vaping experience and match your style. O2VAPE offers options such as Rose Gold, Gun Metal and Natural Wood ‘tips’, with the most popular choice being Chrome. These colors are available in multiple shapes, including flat tip and round tip designs. Generally speaking, this comes down to style choices, branding direction and personal taste. The functionality between tips does not have a huge impact on the performance of the cartridge.
510 thread vape cartridges take the guesswork completely out of the equation. Contrary to other methods of consuming oil, such as a dab rig, carts require little to no effort – just screw the cartridge onto a charged 510 vape battery, press a button and inhale.
The 510 thread connector design is considered the industry standard for vape pen batteries and cartridges. 510 cartridges offer the widest compatibility and are the most common style of cartridge available on the market today.
Oil vape carts with 510 threads are arguably the best and easiest method for enjoying your concentrates while on the go. Their sleek and minimalist design allows for discreet vaping, free of the cumbersome traits of larger setups. You can easily slip a 510 vape pen into your pocket or bag.
For uninitiated concentrate consumers, dosing can be a major concern. Nobody wants an overwhelming experience. Using a pre-loaded 510 cartridge allows for a controlled dose with each inhalation, giving you more control over how much or how little you consume.
One of the reasons 510 vape cartridges are so popular is because of their simplicity. They are easy to use, but you also always want to make sure you are using your vape components as recommended. Most cartridges are used in the same manner, but be sure to follow any special instructions provided by the retailer or listed by the manufacturer on the packaging.
In addition to your filled oil cartridge, you’ll need a compatible vape pen battery that is charged up (disposable vape pens usually come ready to use “out of the box”). Attach your cartridge to the battery by either screwing it on with 510 threads, aligning it into place magnetically or by inserting a pod into the corresponding port on one end of the battery. You now have a complete “vape pen” that is ready for activation and inhalation.
While some batteries turn on automatically as you inhale, others require that you tap the button a certain number of times (5 quick button presses being the most common) to activate. If done correctly, this action will be usually accompanied by a blinking light to verify that the battery is now ready for use. You’ll also know if the battery is on because most activated batteries will light up whenever the button is pressed. Hold the button while inhaling through the mouthpiece and feel the vapor enter your lungs. When you exhale, you will see some of the vapor and know the vape pen is working. Don’t expect a giant cloud like you see people get with ejuice box mods. That isn’t the point.
Each 510 battery has similar operating instructions, however, model specific instructions are usually included. Read the instructions on your vape battery’s packaging or instruction manual for specifics or check the product page or FAQ’s online.
If you are in tune with the vape pen culture or industry, you’ve probably heard and read news in the past couple years regarding toxic vape cartridges being sold to the public that were failing safety requirements for heavy metal testing. It’s a fact that the market had been tainted in the past with oil vape cartridges which contained dangerous levels of heavy metals and other materials leaching into oils, such as lead, arsenic, mercury, and cadmium. Michigan (our home state) was the first state to take it a step further and begin testing for chromium, nickel and copper. While these unsafe cartridges left a significant blemish on the industry, it boldly underscored the importance of testing and finding a reliable manufacturer whose vape cartridges meet and exceed all safety standards.
The most popular brands are not always the best in our opinion. The most well known manufacturer and distributor of Ceramic Cell cartridges have themselves experienced issues with quality and heavy metal toxicity in the past (2018). This is somewhat common with poor supply chain control and lax pre-market testing. Metals such as lead, cadmium or mercury have also frequently been found in products coming from exporters at the low end of price ranges on Alibaba and DHgate as well.
More research into the long term health effects of vaping is still needed, but there are studies backing up the perceived health benefits of this consumption method. A 2007 study, for example, found that vaporization led to the same amount of THC consumed as other methods, while “there was virtually no exposure to harmful combustion products when using the vaporizing device”.
At O2VAPE we place the highest priority on product safety and quality and have certified testing performed on all of our cartridges to ensure that customers can vape confidently. In our continual efforts at full transparency, we publish our test results right on our website. We are here to address any questions or concerns you may have, as well as help to educate customers on safety best practices. You can be confident that you are getting vape cartridges from us that are safe for you or your customers.
How long a vape cartridge lasts depends on an individual’s rate of consumption, as well as the type of concentrate being vaporized and the type of heating element used. A vape cartridge with a larger tank capacity will inherently last longer than one with a smaller capacity. Other factors that increase consumption are intake hole size, voltage, and length of draw. Ceramic atomizers tend to be the most efficient type of heating element which allows the consumer to experience the full flavor profile of their oil.
\Some vape enthusiasts and oil producers prefer to purchase empty vape cartridges which are not pre-filled, but rather designed to be filled using fresh oil using an applicator (formerly known as a syringe), or, if filling in bulk quantities, with a vape filling machine.
When filling a vape cartridge, you first remove the mouthpiece to gain access to the chamber. It is important to then use a proper applicator (syringe) to add the oil as it reduces the potential for making a sticky mess. Once filled to the desired level, simply put the mouthpiece back on and you should be ready to attach it to a battery and begin vaping (although sometimes you may need to wait a little bit to allow time for the atomizer to be primed with thicker oils). Please note that proprietary designs like pods are not refillable, so you will have to dispose of them when emptied and buy new pre-filled ones each time.
*Pro tip: when using an applicator, gently heat it (and the cartridge) with a hair dryer before filling. This will help reduce any mess or waste. Check out our guide on filling a vape cartridge. You’ll realize that O2VAPE’s upgraded filling holes allow oil applicators to smoothly and easily fill without overflow, even with the thickest oils.
While some vape manufactures are only interested in maximizing their profit margins by using inferior materials for their cartridges, we have always prioritized providing the best vaping experience possible with every one of our products. We would rather steer you towards a good value for higher quality products, then try to make a quick buck with inferior products and then disappear, leaving you disappointed. O2VAPE is considered an industry leader with ceramic cell 510 thread cartridges and we offer unparalleled quality with cutting edge product designs like our All Glass and Full Ceramic carts. If you want the most reliable, best performing vape cartridge with the purest taste, you need to start with the right materials.
O2VAPE has been a leading US manufacturer of innovative and premium vaporizer products since 2013. Our extensive experience in cartridge design, manufacturing processes, material selection and wholesale sourcing, combined with the invaluable feedback from our customers, allows us to take pride in the world class lineup of premium quality vape pens and cartridges we offer today.
It’s especially important to know that the manufacturer you’re buying from is testing their carts and ensuring that they pass the most highest standards for quality and health safety. At O2VAPE we maintain a tightly controlled supply chain that ensures our vape cartridges meet the most stringent safety testing requirements and are in compliance with regulations.
With all of the news about heavy metals and the alleged toxicity of vape cartridges, O2VAPE feels it important to ensure customers that our cartridges contain absolutely no heavy metals or toxic chemicals, without any compromises to their performance. You can reference our heavy metals vape cartridge test results right on our website.
Our team of experts is passionate about providing exceptional customer service to ensure you have the best experience possible. For example, we are so confident in the quality of our products that O2VAPE offers a hassle free lifetime warranty on all of our vape batteries. For retailers, we always have Quick Ship Wholesale vape cartridges and vape pens ready to go. If you have questions regarding any of our vaporizer products, please contact us!
Choosing a high quality vape cartridge from a reputable manufacturer can mitigate your risks as a business in many important ways, while also increasing your brand perception and customer satisfaction. Choosing the wrong cartridges can lead to wasted product that leaks, doesn’t function well, is not compatible with certain batteries and can taste horrible. It can even lead to legal problems if the carts don’t pass FDA approval or other state inspections.
When purchasing wholesale vape cartridges, we can not overstate the importance of making sure that you have legitimate lab testing results on the model of cartridge you are looking to purchase, prior to placing a bulk order. You need to have a very high level of confidence in your wholesaler when sourcing and as a retailer you must be sure that the manufacturer you’re buying from is testing their carts and ensuring that they pass the highest standards for quality and health. Once an order is placed, strict quality control measures from the manufacturer to customer then become paramount.
At O2VAPE, we maintain a tightly controlled supply chain that ensures our vape cartridges meet the most stringent safety testing requirements and compliance with regulations. Even the biggest names get pulled from shelves. Don’t run the risk of failing regulatory tests due to your wholesale partner.
We are the leading experts in wholesale vape cartridge sourcing. We understand the most important aspects of what it means to be a reliable distributor to your business and we are focused on building long lasting relationships with our customers by going above and beyond what others in the industry promise. With the ever growing number of low quality competitors entering the marketplace, combined with heightened scrutiny and stricter health & safety requirements in vape cartridge lab testing standards, it is more important than ever to align your business with a trustworthy and reputable wholesale vape supplier to avoid disappointed customers, legal issues and products getting pulled off your shelves. We genuinely want to help guide you with solutions that are best for your business, now and in the future.
That’s why hundreds of wholesale customers like vaporizer specialty stores, marketing and promotional companies, vape oil producers, and CBD companies have partnered with O2VAPE to gain a real business advantage by working with a seasoned wholesale vape cartridge supplier. We specialize in providing tailored guidance for strategic product selection, sourcing best practices, shipping and customs management, quality assurance and custom branding with the industry’s fastest turnaround and easiest wholesale process. O2VAPE is able to source the widest variety of 510 thread vape cartridge designs at low MOQ’s, including cutting edge products that offer unparalleled taste, consistency and safety at competitive prices. We can also help educate you on the latest technology such as All Glass Cartridges with our award winning ceramic cell technology, and Full Ceramic Cartridges.
Don’t take our word, have a look at our vape testimonials to see what our partners think!
Contact us today to get professional insights and a fast quote from our friendly wholesale sourcing experts. We stand firmly behind all our wholesale products and are committed to providing your business with a level of communication and service that you won’t find anywhere else. Learn why O2VAPE has earned the reputation in the industry of being the best wholesale vape cartridge supplier anywhere. Let’s work together to make your business as successful as possible.
If you are searching for a long term partner to help you manage your vape cartridge supply chain, Call (855) 978-6518 or Contact Us online. If you’re looking for fast shipping on under 1,000 units scroll on down to our Quick Ship options.
One of the best ways to make your products professionally stand out is with custom vape branding with graphics or logos on your vape cartridges. Whether for a promotion at an event, a crucial item in your sales arsenal or a customer appreciation gift, branded vape cartridges are an excellent marketing tool that can elevate the perception of your business, brand or cause.Several different types of branding services and customized vape products are available for wholesale purchases including:
We hope this guide has been helpful in your search for the perfect vape pen cartridge. With the information above, you should be better prepared to navigate the available options and differentiate modern premium quality cartridges from low end offerings. Knowing the key things to look for and crucial factors to check before making a purchase will ensure that you end up with a cartridge that offers the best performance, taste, consistency and safety. If you have any questions about which cartridge is right for you, contact us for assistance!
Whether you are looking for a few empty cartridges to fill at home with your favorite oils, or you need a large quantity of custom branded cartridges for your company’s retail vape products, O2VAPE is here to help you source high quality vape cartridges that are tested, safe, and always a great value.
For more on vape pens, read our definitive guide to vape pen batteries
