What Is a 510 Vape Cartridge?
Vape cartridges might seem universal, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg. They might be rare, but there are other carts out there that might run you for a loop if you’re not familiar with the proper terminology.
In this guide, learn what 510 vape cartridges are, and find out if there are any competing vapes that you might mix up. By the end, you’ll be well equipped to handle any vape cart you might come across.
The basics: 510 vape cartridge definition
Before we go on, what is a 510 vape cartridge in the first place?
- A 510 vape cartridge is a cart featuring 510 threading
- 510 threading is the most common type of threading in the vape market
- “Threading” refers to the metal lines that interlock the cart and its battery
- A 510 threaded cartridge will not screw into a non-510 battery — and vice versa
- It’s rare to find a vape or battery that isn’t 510 as this threading has become the norm
- Still, it’s important to learn how to distinguish 510 from other vapes to avoid buying the wrong product
Vaping 101: What Is a vape pen?
Now that you know what a 510 vape cartridge is, it’s time to move into a general definition of “vape pen.” A vape pen is a device that combines a battery and an atomizer to produce inhalable vapor out of a mouthpiece. Called “pens” due to their small size and slim shape, vape pens come in quite a few variations but usually feature standard 510 threading.
Anatomy of a vape pen (Vape Pen Parts)
Let’s dive a bit deeper into what makes up a vape pen. These portable vaporization devices consist of two distinct parts, and there’s also a third component that you musn’t forget:
Battery
The battery of a vape pen is what supplies the electricity necessary to activate a vape cartridge’s battery. It’s also possible to hit a vape cartridge without a battery, which we’ll discuss toward the end of this guide.
Vape pen batteries are generally cylindrical and can vary considerably in diameter. Some vape batteries are just about the same width as a standard 510 cartridge while others are considerably wider.
In the same way, the mechanisms used to charge vape batteries can vary consistently. Some models have standard USB-C or MicroUSB charging ports on the bottom, but it’s also common to come across vape battery chargers that screw onto a battery’s threading.
Vape batteries take around 2-3 hours to charge and last around 2-5 days of use. You’ll generally need to recharge your battery 1-2 times before you finish a 1g cartridge.
Cartridge
The cartridge is the component of a vape pen that contains its coil and whichever substance is intended for vaporization — in the case of Secret Nature vapes, artisan live resin cannabis extract. It consists of a tank, a mouthpiece, and an atomizer.
Cartridges usually contain either 500ml or 1000ml of fluid, which works out to 500mg or 1g of cannabis extract. The vast majority of vape cartridges have glass tanks, and it’s common to use high-end components like surgical stainless steel.
We’ll cover all the components of a vape cartridge in considerably more detail in the next section.
Charger
Before moving on, it’s important to recognize a vape pen’s charger as its often-overlooked third component. You’ll need to recharge your vape battery eventually, at which point it will be necessary to both know where its charger is and how it works.
The only challenge can be with threaded vape chargers, which don’t simply plug in like other charging mechanisms. Instead, you’ll need to screw your vape battery into this type of charger until it’s reasonably tight and the indicator light goes on.
Other vape batteries might not charge when connected this way, though. Make sure to charge your vape with the charger it came with.
Vape cartridge cross-section (Vape Cart Parts)
It’s finally time to observe the various components of a vape cartridge in the most detail we’ve used so far. Pay special attention to the final component to learn what makes a 510 cartridge different from other vapes:
Mouthpiece
This is the part that emits vapor if a vape pen is working. It’s designed to fit between your lips, and it contains a tiny hole where vapor comes out. Vape pen mouthpieces are usually made from plastic, but they might also consist of metal or ceramic.
Tank
The tank of a vape cart is the part that contains the cannabis extract or whichever other substance is being vaporized. As such, it must be both durable but also transparent, leading most manufacturers to make their tanks from glass or highly translucent plastic.
Atomizer
Sealed to the mouthpiece with a rubber gasket, the tank connects on the other side to the atomizer, the component of a vape cartridge that heats oil and turns it into vapor. Atomizers contain coils, which heat and supply enough energy to transition oils like cannabis extract into their aerosolized forms.
Threading
The part of a vape cart that connects the atomizer to the battery is the threading. It looks a lot like the type of threading you’d see on a large bolt. When it comes to vape cartridge threading, any numbers in the name — such as “510” — usually refer to a measurement taken of the size of the threading.
Is there vape threading aside from 510?
It might be possible to find vape carts with threading aside from the 510 standard threading featured on almost all vapes. However, these types of carts are few and far between. To avoid confusing their customers, almost all vape manufacturers now use 510 threading — this type of threading has been the standard for more than a decade.
What is a “510 vape battery?”
A 510 vape battery is a vape battery featuring 510 threading, meaning it is standard and will be compatible with almost all vape cartridges. You can assume that a vape battery is 510-threaded unless otherwise stated.
Are 510 vapes compatible with other batteries?
No, 510 vape cartridges are generally not compatible with other types of vape batteries, which is why it’s important to make sure you choose the right battery for your cart. Thankfully, non-510 vape batteries are quite uncommon these days, making it relatively difficult to choose incorrectly.
How do you hit a 510 vape without a battery?
If you don’t happen to have a charged 510 vape battery lying around, you can still hit your cart as long as you have a spare Android (MicroUSB) charger. For full details on how to use this workaround, view the official Secret Nature guide on how to hit a vape cart without a battery.
Understanding 510 carts: The bottom line
To be perfectly honest, the discussion surrounding 510 vape carts has mainly died down. In the early days of the vape industry, it was much more common to come across vapes that had all sorts of different charging mechanisms. Over the last five years or so, though, 510 threading has become the norm.
You’d be hard put to find a vape battery — especially a cannabis vape battery — that isn’t 510 threaded nowadays. Even so, it’s important to understand the terminology surrounding these types of vapes in case you encounter any common issues. So, just to finish up, keep in mind that “510” is the standard threading for vape carts, and “threading” refers to the part where your vape cart screws into its battery.
