Live Resin Vs. Distillate: What’s Better?

When it comes to premium hemp-based vaping devices, two names stand out: live resin and distillate cartridges. Both contain highly potent and concentrated cannabinoid formulations, perfect for delivering strong, flavorful, and quick hits. However, the ingredient compositions differ drastically.

Live resin products keep the full chemical profile of the cannabis plant intact, while distillate products focus on isolating specific cannabinoids and featuring them in their purest forms.

So, which one should you go for? That’s where things get tricky!  

There’s no “perfect” winner between live resin and distillate cartridges. When taking a call, it really comes down to your personal preference, your vibe, and what kind of hit you’re chasing that day. We’ve created this detailed guide to compare every aspect of the two, so you can make an informed choice.

What Is A Live Resin Cart?

Live resin cartridges and live resin disposables are vaping devices filled with thick, concentrated, and terpene-rich cannabinoid extracts derived from fresh or flash-frozen hemp plants. 

The extracts retain the plant’s entire chemical profile, including full-spectrum cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other naturally occurring hemp compounds. The only things they’re exclusive of are unwanted fats, lipids, and waxes that may dilute the impact of cannabis vaping.

Extraction Process: Since the vape liquid in live resin carts aims to deliver a full-spectrum hemp experience, they are extracted from raw hemp flowers plucked straight from the plants. 

However, these flowers have the potential to quickly lose terpenes and flavonoids when stored after harvest. 

To prevent the same, the extraction process starts right after harvest. Flowers are immediately frozen to lock the terpenes, flavonoids, and cannabinoids. Later, the frozen buds are blasted with super-cold butane (between -20°F and -50°F) inside a closed-loop extractor. This pulls out all the hemp compounds in a single go. 

The unwanted fats, lipids, and waxes are removed in the dewax chamber, and what’s left behind is a golden, aromatic live resin extract ready to be loaded into carts.

Pros & Cons Of Live Resin Cartridges 

You may shop for a live resin cart if you want to enjoy the full vibe of the hemp plant, its natural potency, flavor, and aroma intact. But like everything in the cannabis world, they come with their highs and lows. 

Pros

Live resin carts retain the plant’s original cannabinoid profile, delivering a more well-rounded  “entourage effect,” to say the least! Plus, since their extracts are made from fresh-frozen flowers, they are true to the strain, with loud, complex flavors and aroma, thanks to those preserved terpenes and flavonoids. Finally, all compounds present are highly concentrated and deliver insane potency in every puff! 

Cons

The high-end extraction process of live resin liquid usually comes with a steeper price tag, and the cheapest cart could cost you around $25. Besides, since the consistency of the liquids is generally thicker than standard vape liquids, clogging issues may arise quite frequently if the carts are not cleaned and maintained well. 

Thinking of a more affordable and low-maintenance alternative? Try live resin gummies instead! They are flavorful, pre-dosed, full-spectrum bites of hemp you can even consume on the go for quick effects. 

What Is A Distillate Cart?

Distillate carts are all about purity and precision. These vape cartridges contain cannabis extracts that have been stripped down to a single cannabinoid, like THC, CBD, or THCa, through a refinement process known as distillation. The result? A super potent vape liquid with little to no extras.

Unlike live resin, distillates don’t carry much of the plant’s original flavor or aroma, as the distillation process strips it of terpenes and flavonoids. Some carts reintroduce strain-specific or botanical terpenes for a boosted feel, while others keep it minimal for a clean, no-frills hit.

Distillate carts are generally preferred by those who want high potency and consistent effects. Just don’t expect that earthy, full-plant flavor! 

How Does Cannabis Distillation Work?

Cannabis distillation isolates the good stuff, in essence, the particular cannabinoid that needs to go into the vape liquid from the rest of the hemp matter. The process starts with crude extraction, where the resin-rich trichomes are pulled from the plant using solvents like CO₂ or butane.

Next up is winterization, a chill phase (literally) that filters out fats, waxes, and chlorophyll to clean up the extract even more. This is followed by decarboxylation, which uses heat to activate the cannabinoids, so they’re actually effective when consumed.

Finally, the refined extract undergoes distillation using heat and vacuum pressure. This step separates and concentrates the target cannabinoid into a clean, potent aping liquid ready to be filled in distillate vape carts. 

Pros & Cons Of Distillate Cartridges 

Distillate carts are like the Swiss Army knives of the vape world—clean, concentrated, and endlessly adaptable. But behind that polished finish, there’s a trade-off or two worth knowing about.

Pros

With cannabinoid concentration levels often pushing 90% or higher, distillate carts pack a serious and potent punch. Some brands may even add terpenes after distillation to fine-tune the flavor and potency. Nevertheless, the end product you use is always the purest and cleanest, with almost a flavorless base that’s the perfect blank slate for hosting a range of different cannabinoids.

Cons

Stripping away native terpenes and flavonoids means losing that full-spectrum entourage effect. So, the high from distillate cart vapes may hit hard owing to intense cannabinoid concentration, but might not offer the depth or complexity of more terpene-rich options like live resin.

Live Resin Vs. Distillate Carts: Key Differences 

Both live resin and distillate carts may get you lifted, but the vibe they offer can be wildly different. Here’s how they stack up against some key parameters.

• Extraction Method: Live resin carts are made from flash-frozen cannabis using hydrocarbon extraction to preserve all-natural terpenes. Distillate carts are created through the process of distillation that involves isolating a single cannabinoid in its purest form, and stripping away every terpene, flavonoid, and other plant material in the way. 
  
• Cannabinoid Content: Distillate carts usually contain a higher cannabinoid concentration (up to 90% at least), further intensified by the lack of other impurities. Live resin carts offer a full-spectrum cannabis session and contain all-natural hemp compounds that may relatively lower the cannabinoid concentration.
  
• Terpene Profile: Live resin preserves native plant terpenes for a richer, more aromatic feel. Distillate carts lose original terpenes, though brands may reintroduce botanicals or cannabis-derived ones later to enhance their profile.
  
• Flavor: Live resin carts bring bold, earthy, strain-specific flavors.
  Distillates are mostly flavorless.
  
• Effect & Experience: Live resin carts are known to offer full-spectrum cannabis effects, popularly known as the “entourage effect”. Distillates, on the other hand, offer pure effects associated with the single cannabinoid present in the formulation. 

Live Resin Vs. Distillate: Is There A Winner? 

Not really! There’s no universal winner here, just what works best for you. The “better” cart depends on your mood, your goals, and what kind of high (or chill) you’re after.

Live resin is all about preserving the plant’s natural profile. It tends to deliver a more well-rounded, full-spectrum effect that’s ideal for those who love a flavorful, true-to-strain high. Perfect for when you want to vibe with terps and are looking for a nuanced sesh.

Distillates, on the other hand, bring in the big hits. They’re high in potency, stripped down to the cannabinoid basics, and great for users who want consistency, strong effects, and minimal flavors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are distillate carts better than live resin?

Not necessarily. Distillate carts offer higher cannabinoid potency and concentration for more consistent and “true to the strain” effects, while live resin carts deliver better flavor and a full-spectrum vibe. “Better” depends on whether you value intensity or a more natural, terpene-rich profile.

Does resin get you higher than distillate?

Live resin offers a more balanced high due to preserved terpenes, not necessarily a stronger one. On the contrary, it’s the distillate carts that generally contain a higher percentage of cannabinoids, which can lead to a stronger psychoactive effect. 

Are live resin carts the strongest?

No, they’re not the strongest in terms of raw potency. Distillate carts typically have higher cannabinoid concentration. However, live resin carts can deliver more complex and full-bodied high due to the presence of terpenes and minor cannabinoids.

What gets you higher, live resin or distillate?

Distillate usually delivers a more intense “high” due to its high cannabinoid concentration. Live resin may feel more balanced or euphoric thanks to its full-spectrum content.

Are live resin products more expensive than distillate products?

Not really! Both live resin and distillates can be pricey owing to their extensive and highly technical extraction processes. However, distillate products often run higher due to their extreme purity, potency, and the extra refinement steps involved.