Concentrate hardware has settled into two dominant formats: the refill-style 510-thread cartridge and the all-in-one disposable vape pen. Both hold strain-specific distillate, both fit in a pocket, and both have passionate fans. But technically they're quite different devices — and depending on how you collect, one will suit you better than the other. Here's the full breakdown.
How each format works
The 510-thread cartridge
A cartridge is a glass tank with an integrated heating element and a standardised threaded connector — the "510" refers to the thread specification that became the industry norm. The cartridge itself contains no power source; it screws onto a separate rechargeable battery. Our cartridges come in a 1ml format, the most common size on the market.
The disposable pen
A disposable integrates everything — tank, heating element and battery — into a single sealed unit. There's nothing to assemble, charge separately (though many modern disposables include a USB-C port to top up the built-in cell) or maintain. When it's finished, the whole unit is done. You'll find these in our Vape To Go collection.
Head-to-head comparison
Hardware and compatibility
- Cartridge: requires a 510 battery, but that's a one-time purchase — after that, any standard 1ml cart from any producer fits the same base. The ecosystem is fully interchangeable.
- Disposable: zero setup, zero accessories. Nothing to be compatible with because everything is built in.
Capacity and longevity
- Cartridge: the 1ml standard is generous, and because the battery is separate, its power never limits the tank.
- Disposable: capacities vary more between models. The sealed design means battery and tank are matched at the factory.
Price per millilitre
- Cartridge: once you own a battery, cartridges are usually the more economical way to build a collection — you're only paying for the tank and its contents. Multipacks push the value further: our 3PACK and 6PACK sets bring the per-unit price down noticeably compared to buying singles.
- Disposable: you pay a small premium for the built-in battery in every unit. For occasional pieces that's negligible; across a large collection it adds up.
Portability and convenience
- Cartridge: a cart plus battery is still pocket-sized, but it's two components, and the battery needs charging.
- Disposable: the clear winner for grab-and-go simplicity — one sealed piece, no threads, no charger to forget.
Collecting and display
- Cartridge: the glass tank shows off the distillate's colour and clarity, and the standardised format makes side-by-side strain comparisons tidy. Swapping carts on one battery is quick.
- Disposable: designs vary widely between products, which some collectors enjoy in itself — each piece is its own complete object.
So which format is for you?
Choose 510 cartridges if you:
- want the best price per ml, especially via 3PACK/6PACK sets;
- plan to collect multiple strain profiles and compare them on one battery;
- like the standardised, modular ecosystem;
- prefer seeing the oil through a glass tank.
Choose disposables if you:
- value maximum simplicity — no battery, no charging routine, no threads;
- want a self-contained piece to gift or add to a collection as-is;
- are just starting out and don't want to invest in hardware first.
Plenty of collectors end up with both: a 510 battery with a rotating line-up of cartridges at home, and a couple of disposables for the shelf. There's no wrong answer — just different tools for different habits.
A note on quality
Whatever the format, the things worth checking are the same: clean, strain-specific terpene profiles, clear labelling of contents, and hardware from reputable manufacturers. Every product in our range states its contents and origin, so you always know exactly what's in the tank.
For readers 18+. All products at One More Puff are sold as collector's items for technical purposes and further processing under Czech Act No. 167/1998 Coll. §5, and are not intended for consumption. Always check the laws of your own country before ordering.