Vaping is undoubtedly one of the most popular ways of using weed. It’s safer than smoking and kicks in a lot faster than edibles, and vendors are constantly coming up with new flavors and varieties for both regulars and newcomers.
Cartridges are by far the most popular vape devices today. They make vaping more cost-effective and convenient than just about any other form—plus, they're better for the environment (the lithium batteries are reusable).
The main complaint people have with carts is that they're too small — which is why some companies opt for larger 1-gram carts instead.
Here, we've rounded up the best full-sized 1-gram carts on the market, starting with the top choice: Area 52’s Premium Delta 8 Vape Cart (1 gram with 900 mg cannabinoids).
Top-Rated Full Gram Delta 8 Carts
We love full, 1-gram vape carts because they can hold higher amounts of THC, making them last longer and hit harder. This list consists of the best Delta 8 brands and products on the market — all with multiple strain options, accessible prices, and top-shelf quality.
1. Area 52 Delta 8 Vape Carts (Editor’s Pick)
Area 52 is one of the most reliable vendors on the market. It’s no wonder most users of hemp-derived products have tried at least one of their crafts, and its reviews certainly reflect that!
Its Delta 8 Vape Carts are made of hemp-derived D8 THC and natural terpenes — so there's no need to worry about synthetics in the mix. Each 1 ml cart contains 900 mg of pure delta 8, which should be more than enough to blow even the most experienced weed user out of the water.
Although technically not a full gram, the terpene mix makes up for the missing 100 mg, as it allows the entourage effect to occur — a phenomenon where multiple compounds from hemp work synergistically.
You can choose from three flavors: Pineapple Express, Granddaddy Purple, and Berry Gelato. We recommend a few puffs of the energizing Pineapple Express for a fresh taste and an uplifting high.
And the best part? These carts are very easy to use. They have a ceramic core, a mouthpiece, and a CCELL glass cart that safely holds the juice even while you're carrying it around.
Area 52's high-tech production methods guarantee a killer high with no unpleasant side effects. With free shipping over $110, this brand is the one to beat in the cannabis market.
Pros & Cons of Area 52’s Delta 8 Vape Carts:
Pro: Delta 8 derived from high-grade distillate
Pro: High-tech CCELL glass carts
Pro: Standardized 510 threading will fit any standard vape battery
Pro: Excellent user reviews and a 5-star customer service
Pro: No synthetic oils or ingredients (flavored using cannabis-derived terpenes)
Pro: High concentration delta 8 per mL
2. Finest Labs Delta 8 THC Cartridge (Runner-Up)
Finest Labs cartridges are excellent value for your money — especially compared to other full 1-gram carts in this price range.
These carts are made using lab-grade cannabinoid distillates filled to precisely 1 gram (with 900 to 970 mg active delta 8 THC). The rest consists of trace cannabinoids like CBC, CBD, and CBG.
These carts are strong — when paired with a high-quality battery, each puff delivers roughly 4 mg of delta 8 THC. Most users require just one or 2 puffs, and the heaviest users are easily satisfied with 3 or 4 puffs max.
Finest Labs is best known for its all-natural, strain-specific cannabis-derived terpene mixes, which they use to flavor their carts and cannabinoid distillates. This particular cart uses the infamous Strawberry Cough strain, which contains high concentrations of the terpenes pinene, caryophyllene, and myrcene. All three enhance the bioavailability and slow the breakdown of THC (making the effects kick in faster and last longer than carts flavored with artificial ingredients).
Overall, this is an excellent buy if you want to optimize for cost. The Area 52 cart is just a little bit nicer, using a name-brand cart and offering multiple cannabis-derived terpene flavor profiles, but the Finest Labs is a slightly better deal overall.
Pros & Cons of Finest Labs Delta 8 Vape Carts:
Pro: Formulated with all-natural synergistic cannabis-derived terpenes
Pro: Strawberry Cough flavor is deliciously sweet & piney
Pro: Uses standard 510 threading
Pro: Very high concentration of THC for a low-budget 1-gram cart
Pro: All third-party tests are available to the public via the company’s website
Con: Brand not as well-known as Area 52
Con: Only one flavor is available at the time of writing
3. TribeTokes Delta 8 Vape Carts
Tribe Tokes is a women-led brand that prides itself on its full-spectrum extracts, which provide the full aroma and flavor of the cannabis plant. Each cart contains not just hemp-derived delta 8 but also CBD, CBG, and CBN for synergy.
The wide variety of options, including multiple strains and live resin-based ones, makes for a versatile product that anyone can enjoy. But don't just take our word for TribeTokes' quality — check out the glowing customer reviews on its website.
Pros & Cons of TribeTokes’ Delta 8 Vape Carts:
Pro: Varied strain options
Pro: Live resin carts are available
Pro: Excellent user reviews
Con: Brand not well known (not many online reviews)
Con: No third-party lab tests available on the website
4. Budpop Fruity Cereal Delta 8 Cart
Budpop’s Fruity Cereal is one of the finest pure delta 8 products on the market. It’s packed with 800mg of delta 8 and added natural terpenes and flavors for both a smooth and euphoric high.
The Fruity Cereal strain is one of the sweetest out there. Its creamy flavor will remind you of your good old childhood days, and its uplifting aroma will leave you energized and in a good mood.
Budpop’s carts come from USA-grown hemp. Plus, they’re additive-free and third-party lab-tested for maximum safety.
While its Fruity Cereal cart is the bomb, the rest of its delta 8 carts available don’t quite match its quality. It's a pity, but it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the sweet ride of this vape cart.
Pros & Cons of Budpop’s Fruity Cereal Delta 8 Vape Carts:
Pro: 800 mg of hemp-derived delta 8
Pro: Cart crafted with American-made materials
Con: Lower concentration compared to other 1-gram carts (800 mg THC in 1 gram volume)
Con: Some quality control issues reported in the past
Con: Uses artificial flavoring
5. Koi CBD Delta 8 Vape Carts
Long-time users are very familiar with Koi's massive catalog, affordable prices, and speedy delivery.
Its Delta 8 Vape Carts hold up to the brand’s standards. They contain a full gram of hemp-derived delta 8 and natural terpenes with no additives or fillers.
These carts are easy to carry around, feature a ceramic coil, and are conveniently compatible with standard 510-thread vaporizer batteries.
These carts are available in 10 of the most classic strains. Whether it’s the soothing Blackberry Kush or the energizing Super Sour Diesel, you can get any of these for an affordable $30.
Unfortunately, a downside to Koi’s carts is that they often run out of stock. Though you still can sign up for updates on strains out of stock, if you’re settled to one strain, you may not like the idea of having to wait for too long.
Pros & Cons of Koi’s Delta 8 Vape Carts:
Pro: Varied strain options
Pro: Compatible with 510-threaded batteries
Con: Doesn’t ship to certain states
Con: Lower-quality cartridge than other brands
Con: Heating elements were reported to burn out before the tank was empty
6. Canna River Blue Dream Vape Cart
Canna River has some of the most affordable prices on the market, and its Blue Dream Delta 8 Cart is one of the best options for one of the most popular strains in the game.
Blue Dream is a top choice among cannabis users due to its euphoric and clear-headed buzz, as well as its stress-relieving properties.
At $15 a cart, you might think that’s absurdly low. The good thing is Canna River keeps an updated backlog of all its third-party lab test data on its website, so its products are beyond trustworthy.
If you’re looking for more variety, though, you might not be satisfied with the quality of most of the other strains on Canna River’s site.
If you want a ready-made option for Blue Dream, Area 52’s disposable Blue Dream vape pen might do the trick while maintaining the highest quality standards.
Pros & Cons of Canna River’s Blue Dream Vape Carts:
Pro: Alcohol, gluten, and cruelty-free
Pro: Updated third-party lab test data
Con: Expensive shipping options
Con: Some negative reviews in previous versions of this cart
7. Exhale Wellness Delta 8 Vape Carts
Exhale Wellness offers a wide array of delta 8 products, among many other ethnobotanical goods like delta 9 or amanita.
The brand’s Delta 8 Vape Carts come in many different flavors, all full-spectrum extracts with no additives or preservatives.
The cart is intuitive and straightforward to use. It comes with an atomizer, a chamber holding the oil, and a mouthpiece.
Although these carts are affordable without a discount, you can make them even cheaper by subscribing to Exhale Wellness' membership plan — saving you up to 25% on any purchase.
Pros & Cons of Exhale Wellness’ Delta 8 Vape Carts:
Pro: Third-party lab tests available online
Pro: Uses naturally flavored vape juice
Con: Lower concentration of THC compared to other 1-gram carts
Con: Problems reported with customer service
Vape Carts vs. Vape Pens: Similarities & Differences Explained
Vape carts are glass containers that can hold different types of cannabis concentrates.
They hook up to a vape pod attached to a battery via a screw thread. Many vapes go by the name of ‘510’ because they connect to 10 threads, 5mm apart.
On the other hand, vape pens most commonly refer to disposable single-piece devices that come loaded with vape juice and ready to use.
The main difference between vape carts and pens is that you can’t replace the liquid that single-piece disposable pens originally come with. Also, most pens aren’t rechargeable, although the battery usually lasts long enough for this not to be a worry.
On the other hand, vape carts require a bigger investment at first, as you need a battery to use carts like the ones on our list. But if you're planning to go down the road of vaping, it's worth it.
Carts are less of an environmental hazard, and they're generally built with higher-quality material than disposable pens. Plus, once you have a battery, you have a much wider variety than pens.
What to Look Out for When Buying Vaping Devices
As vaping grows to be one of the more popular methods to use weed, so does the amount of sketchy vendors out there. It’s worth taking a look at some general pointers to make sure you’re making the right purchase.
Here are some aspects to account for when buying vape carts online:
1. Cart Type & Compatibility
Let's get the technical stuff out of the way: First, make sure the cart you're getting adapts to both your preferences and your vaping device.
Disposable vapes may sound convenient since they come pre-filled, but you can only use them once and then have to throw them away.
Vape carts are more cost-effective in the long run but require maintenance and care.
Choosing which type of cart you want depends on your budget, your vaping experience, and other aspects you’re better off exploring yourself.
Vape carts and batteries connect through threads. Most vendors offer vape carts that fit the 510-thread batteries, but since there’s no fixed industry standard, there’s no guarantee that this will always be the case.
So, make sure to check if your battery fits the cart you’re looking at before getting all excited about the product description.
2. List of Ingredients
Although most vape carts contain a main active compound such as delta 8, terpenes, and some natural flavorings, low-quality carts can contain undesired traces of dangerous chemicals. This is why you always want to go with sellers who display COAs of third-party lab tests.
Also, be on the lookout for any artificial flavorings. These aren’t toxic per se, but we always prefer the organic taste of the weed and its natural terpenes.
Apart from the ingredients, it’s always a good sign when a vendor is transparent about their whole production process, including sourcing and extraction methods.
3. Third Party Lab Test Data
For transparency’s sake, most trustworthy vendors keep a backlog of third-party lab result reports on all their main products on their websites. These reports guarantee that the products don’t contain harmful substances or chemicals.
Make sure lab test results match the product’s labeling, and watch out for any heavy metals, pesticides, residual solvents, or mycotoxins.
Check when the results were last updated — the more recent, the better.
4. THC Concentration
One of the most important things to look at when shopping for 1-gram carts is the concentration of the active ingredients. Many companies are catching on that people prefer the full 1-gram versions of cartridges because they ensure there's enough distillate inside to last several weeks or months (depending on consumption patterns). The problem is that some companies dilute their cannabis distillate with other oils. The volume will still equal 1 gram total, but THC levels could remain below optimal levels.
A 1-gram cart should contain at least 850 mg of active ingredients — even better is 900 or above.
Anything less indicates the company is either using a low-quality extract or is actively diluting its products.
What Is Delta 8 THC?
Delta 8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a psychoactive compound in the cannabis plant that's grown popular as an alternative to the more common but illegal delta 9 THC.
Though both share many properties, their main chemical difference stems from their double-bonded atoms being located differently in the carbon chain. That’s how they get their names since delta 8 has its double bond at the eight-carbon chain.
In practice, delta 8 produces a much mellower high. It's a bit less potent than delta 9 THC, and most users report much fewer negative side effects, such as paranoia and anxiety. Low doses can enhance productivity, while higher doses are generally used for relaxation.
Delta 8 THC vs CBD: What’s The Difference?
THC and cannabidiol (CBD) are the two main cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant, and while they complement each other, they’re fundamentally different.
CBD has no psychoactive effects, but it is widely known for its relaxing and pain-relieving properties. Let’s be clear about this: CBD does not make you high.
Delta 8 is called diet weed for a reason. It's a much more forgiving isomer than regular D9 THC, as we've previously mentioned. It can induce a relaxed state of mind and help you deal with stress while keeping some considerable psychoactivity.
Is Delta 8 THC Legal?
Yes, delta 8 is legal — but the real answer is a bit more complicated than that.
The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) states that a Schedule I drug has no acceptable medical use and has a high potential for abuse.
The 2018 Farm Bill established cannabis products with over 0.3% delta 9 THC fall into the Schedule I controlled substance category. It also states any cannabis plant with less than 0.3% delta 9 THC is called hemp.
There’s no mention of delta 8 or other THC isomers in either the Farm Bill or the CSA. This creates a legal loophole that makes D8 that comes from hemp federally legal.
Right now, delta 8 is technically legal under federal law, alongside any hemp-derived THC products. However, some states have explicitly made delta 8 and other hemp-derived psychoactive cannabis products illegal.
Those states are:
Alaska
Colorado
Delaware
Hawaii
Idaho
Massachusetts
Mississippi
Montana
Nevada
New York
North Dakota
Oregon
Rhode Island
Utah
Vermont
Washington
West Virginia
Frequently Asked Questions: Vape Cartridges
1. How long does a 1-gram cart last?
It depends on how often you vape, the length of your puffs, and your tolerance level.
An average user that takes two or three pulls a day can make one cart last as far as 2 months. But if you’ve got a higher ceiling and need that extra dose, you could kill it in a couple of weeks.
You can only use a cart as long as the pen it’s connected to has energy. Some pens have rechargeable batteries, while others run out once the juice does.
2. How many hits are there in a 1 gram cart?
A 1 gram cart typically contains about 300 hits if you take three-second puffs, but there’s no set number. It depends on the length of your puffs and the potency of the cannabinoids.
Most THC carts recommend waiting 10-15 minutes in between hits so you feel the effects come in at a cool pace.
3. Is vaping different than smoking?
Yes, it’s more forgiving on your lungs, has a higher bioavailability, and it’s much more discreet. It may be easier to microdose with the smaller amounts on a joint, but the best vape carts are all toxin-free and induce a much cleaner high with a lower risk.
4. What are THCA carts?
THCA (THC-acid) is the raw, inactive form of THC found naturally in both hemp and marijuana plants. It’s become popular lately because of some loopholes in federal law that allow hemp plants that contain high levels of THCA, but low levels of THC to remain legal.
While raw THCA is inactive, once heated by a vaporizer, the acid component breaks off to yield pure THC.
THCA distillate carts are quickly becoming the most popular cannabinoid among vape users in the United States.
