The global cannabis vaporizer market is rapidly expanding—estimated at US$5.9 billion in 2024, with projections between $6.3–6.6 billion in 2025, climbing to ~$13 billion by 2030–2034, growing at a 14–15 % CAGR. North America, especially the U.S., drives this growth, fueled by legalization trends and evolving consumer preferences.
Within the delivery ecosystem—particularly home delivery services—vapor pens are a top-tier category. In both the U.S. and Canada, vapor pens rank as the 2nd and 3rd most popular cannabis segments, comprising 23.6% (US) and 17.1% (Canada) of total cannabis sales. This popularity makes delivery services a natural conduit: pens ship easily, are discreet, and align with convenience-seeking consumers.
But passage through home delivery systems sees two contenders:
- Pre‑filled cartridges (“carts”)
- All‑in‑one disposable pens
Market Share: Cartridges vs. Disposables
- Cartridges overwhelmingly dominate: in Canada, they make up 93.3% of vapor pen sales; in the U.S., around 84.5%, with disposables at approximately 15%.
- Among vapor pen users:
- Single‑gram cartridges capture nearly 70 % of cartridge sales in both countries.
- ½‑gram variants claim about 25% in the U.S.
- Cartridges are preferred for variety, potency control, and lower waste.
Growth Trends in Disposables
Though smaller in share, disposables are growing fast:
- Reports from as early as 2019 noted 30 % Y‑over‑Y growth in disposable unit sales.
- A 2025 wholesale analysis highlighted a booming demand for disposable THC carts, driven by convenience, potency, and stealth—ideal for home delivery.
- Anecdotal stakeholder feedback notes strong growth in disposables post‑pandemic as users sought “discreet, convenient” options even in public/home settings.
Consumer Preferences & Interfaces
- Cartridges:
- Excellent customization: wide strain/flavor variety.
- Require separate battery maintenance; better suited for repeat/power users.
- Often more cost‑effective over time if battery already owned.
- Disposables:
- All‑in‑one, no maintenance; ideal for new, casual, or occasional consumers.
- Slightly higher per‑unit cost over time.
- Light, travel‑friendly, minimal learning curve/infrastructure.
Why Home Delivery Favors Both
- Logistics: Both products travel well; disposables offer especially robust packaging and longer shelf life.
- Customer experience: Dispensaries often bundle starter kits with both a battery and cartridge. Delivery menus mirror this, offering disposables to complement, not replace, carts.
- Demographics: Younger users gravitate toward disposables for convenience; experienced users lean into carts for customization and cost-efficiency.
Outlook Summary
| Product Type | Current Share (Delivery Sales) | Key Drivers |
|---|---|---|
| Cartridges | ~85–93% of vapor pen volume | Variety, affordability, established battery ecosystem |
| Disposables | ~7–15% but fast growing | Convenience, plug‑and‑play, discreet consumption |
Cartridges retain dominance in home delivery due to scale, economy, and user familiarity. However, disposables are carving out a niche among newer consumers and as impulse purchases, with strong growth potential.
Future Outlook
We expect:
- Cartridges to maintain majority share through at least 2028, benefiting from economies of scale, retailer familiarity, and comfort among experienced users.
- Disposables to grow at a faster pace—appealing to wellness/new demographics—with innovations in battery capacity, live resin options, and branding enhancing their appeal.
- Regulatory & environmental pressures may affect disposables more (e.g., e‑waste concerns), but sustainability trends could boost reusable cartridge systems .
- Delivery platforms will likely capture both segments, tabbed separately in menus and potentially offering bundle deals—e.g., a battery + cartridge starter kit vs. individual disposable pens.
Conclusion: Cartridges currently dominate home delivery vapor sales (85–93 %), but disposables—though smaller (~7–15 %)—are experiencing rapid growth driven by new consumers seeking convenience and discretion. Expect disposables to continue gaining share, supported by innovation and targeted delivery incentives, though cartridges will likely hold majority share through the late 2020s.
Read more on other top cannabis products trending in delivery orders here.