What is the difference between a vape cartridge and a disposable?
A vape cartridge and a disposable differ in the battery. The cartridge attaches to a battery pen that contains the battery, and CDC says e-cigarettes with a cartridge are rechargeable and designed to be used multiple times. CDC says disposable e-cigarettes come pre-filled and may be rechargeable, and that they are not designed to be refilled.
Cartridge and disposable compared
The CDC visual dictionary of vaping products is the federal glossary for vape hardware, and CDC's e-cigarette overview describes disposables. Together they supply the definitions in this table.
| Vape cartridge | Disposable | |
|---|---|---|
| What you buy | A cartridge that attaches to a battery pen | One device with nothing to attach |
| Battery | In the pen, which is rechargeable | Built in, which CDC says may be rechargeable |
| Designed use | Multiple times | Pre-filled, not designed to be refilled |
| Bought together | The cartridge and battery pen are typically purchased separately | Comes pre-filled as one device |
| Fit | Typically attaches to 510-thread batteries | Nothing to match |
| Price, THC and stock | On the live menu | On the live menu |
| Where to look | Vapes aisle | Vapes aisle |
What you take home on day one
A disposable comes pre-filled as one device. A cartridge can be half of a setup, because CDC says the cartridge and battery pen are typically purchased separately. If you do not already own a pen that fits the cart, plan on buying one with it.
The oil inside is its own choice, and our guide to live resin, rosin and distillate walks through three common ones. If a cart or disposable lists terpenes, our guide to cannabis terpenes explains what those compounds are.
Which one fits how you use a pen
The choice mostly comes down to whether you want to own a pen. A 2025 paper in Chemical Research in Toxicology says disposable products are designed to be completely replaced after each use, unlike cartridges and pods where the battery can be reused.
- A cartridge suits you if you already own a battery pen, or want to buy one and keep it.
- A disposable suits you if you would rather not keep a separate battery pen.
If you want to skip batteries altogether, our comparison of infused and regular pre-rolls covers two formats that need no vape battery.
Labels to check before you buy
The format does not change what a Connecticut package has to show. Under the Connecticut cannabis labeling regulations, labels carry a DCP-issued symbol that the package contains THC and a symbol that it is not safe or legal for people under twenty-one. Each symbol must be unobscured and not less than one-half inch by one-half inch. A concentrate above thirty percent total THC must also carry a high-potency warning, which matters if the oil inside is a concentrate.
Find carts and disposables on the live menu
Start in the vapes aisle. Under the article on that aisle page you see the live vape list from the menu of your selected store, and a switch opens the other store's list.
Whether you pick a cart or a disposable, both stores take pickup orders: order on the Derby menu to collect at Derby, or on the Hartford menu to collect at Hartford. Online ordering takes orders at any hour, so you can choose a cart or a disposable at any hour. Open the Derby live menu or the Hartford live menu, then collect at our Derby store or our Hartford store. If you are not sure a cart will fit the pen you own, call us at 860-420-BUDS (2837) before you order. More format guides are on the Hi! People blog.
Questions about carts and disposables
Do pods work the same way as carts?
Not across brands. A 2025 paper in Chemical Research in Toxicology says pods are typically proprietary to specific brands and work only with their corresponding batteries. Match a pod to the battery from its own brand, and ask us if a listing does not say which one it needs.
Can I recharge a disposable?
It depends on the device. CDC says disposable e-cigarettes come pre-filled and may be rechargeable, and that they are not designed to be refilled. Check the listing for charging details, and call us if it does not say. If you would rather charge and keep a battery, look at a cartridge and a separate pen instead.
Will a cartridge fit any battery pen?
Not necessarily. A 2025 paper in Chemical Research in Toxicology says cartridges typically attach to 510-thread batteries, providing cross-compatibility between cartridges and battery models. That compatibility is stated for that thread type only, so match the thread on your pen to the cart and read the listing before you order, or call us at the number above.
Do I need to buy a pen with a cartridge?
Probably, if you do not already own one. CDC says the cartridge and battery pen are typically purchased separately, because the cartridge attaches to a battery pen that contains the battery. CDC says a disposable is designed to be used one time only, so the separate battery pen is a question about carts. If you already own a pen, check the listing for the thread before you order.
What does a Connecticut vape package have to show?
For adults 21 or older, a Connecticut cannabis vape package shows two DCP-issued symbols: one saying the package contains THC and one saying it is not safe or legal for people under twenty-one. Each must be unobscured and not less than one-half inch by one-half inch under Connecticut's labeling regulations.
Can I order a vape ahead for pickup?
Yes, at either store. Derby's menu and Hartford's menu both take pickup orders. Online ordering takes orders at any hour, and you collect the order at the counter. If you want a second opinion on cart fit first, call us at 860-420-BUDS (2837) before you place the order.
