The Cannabis Industry’s Need for Vape Cartridge Filling Machines
As consumer behaviors continue to shift sales away from traditional categories such as flower and tinctures, and towards packaged products such as vapes, pre-rolls, and edibles, it’s clear that consumers are looking for more portable and convenient recreational products. Vapes in particular are popular for their portability and ease of use, reflected by sales reaching $4.3 billion in 2024, increasing from $2.8 billion in November 2022.
To sustain this growth in popularity without sacrificing quality, many producers are investing in automated cart filling machines. If you are new to the world of vape cartridges and device-filling equipment, join us as we break down the different types of cannabis oil filling machines along with their advantages, disadvantages, and the best use cases for each.
Table of Contents
- Manual Cannabis Vape Cartridge Filling Machines and Equipment
- Semi-Automatic Cannabis Vape Cartridge Filling Machines
- Fully-Automatic Cannabis Vape Cartridge Filling Machines
- What Else to Consider When Shopping for a Cartridge Filling Machine
- Emerging Gaps & Trends
- What to Choose (2025 Recommendations)
- Still not sure what type of filling machine is right for your operation?
Manual Cannabis Vape Cartridge Filling Machines and Equipment
Manual vape cartridge and device filling machines are the simplest type of vape cartridge filler machines. They are operated by hand with tools such as syringes and heaters, and the operator is responsible for the entire filling process – whether filling cartridges or all-in-one “disposable” type devices.
These machines are inexpensive and easy to use, making them a good choice for small-scale operations. However, they are not suitable for large-scale production due to their slow production speed and reliance on manual labor.
Examples of manual filling machines:
- Manual syringe
- Handheld repeater syringe
- Multi-shot style hand dispensers
Advantages of using manual filling machines:
- Lowest equipment cost
- Easy to use
- Simple setup
- Small physical footprint
Disadvantages of using manual filling machines:
- Highest labor cost
- Slowest production speed
- Inconsistent fill volume
- Operator-dependent
- Easy to damage oil with heat
- Susceptible to operator error
- Syringe lubricant can affect the cartridge
- Risk of operator injury from manual labor
- High maintenance requirements
Best use cases for manual filling machines:
- Small-scale or micro-batch production
- Craft operations
- Limited budget
- Non-technical operators
- Pilot testing
Despite ergonomic improvements to manual vape cartridge filler systems, it’s essential to keep in mind that even modern manual tools yield ~85% dosing precision according to Cannabis Tech Quarterly (2023). This can increase a facility’s product loss and waste, ultimately affecting bottom lines. However, the machines remain relevant for specialized or low-budget operations.
Semi-Automatic Cannabis Vape Cartridge Filling Machines
Semi-automatic vape filling machines, such as the Jet Fueler, are an intermediate between manual and fully automatic cartridge fillers that service carts and disposable all-in-one devices. They require some manual operation by lifting the cartridge or device to the needle for dispensation, but they automate the pumping portion of the filling process.
These machines are suitable for mid-scale production and offer a good balance between cost and efficiency.
Example of semi-automatic filling machines:
- Automatic recharging repeater syringe systems
- Pneumatic systems
- Syringe pump systems
Advantages of using semi-automatic filling machines:
- Faster production speed than manual filling machines
- More consistent fill volume
- More consistent heat application
- Lower labor cost than manual filling machines
Disadvantages of using semi-automatic filling machines:
- Higher equipment cost than manual filling machines
- More complex than manual filling machines
- Not suitable for large-scale production
- Operator still has to cap cartridges separately
Best use cases for semi-automatic filling machines:
- Mid-scale production
- Low to mid-range budget
- Entry-level technical operators
Now, let’s take a closer look at one of the best vape cartridge filling machines that offers semi-automatic operation. The Jet Fueler, by Vape-Jet, offers operators not only increased throughput, but precision, with the ability to fill 4,000–14,000 carts per shift at a ±0.01 mL accuracy.
Its features are intuitively designed, with a modular design that can easily fit in small or large operations, with interchangeable nozzles to allow for versatility in SKUs. From disposable all-in-one devices, to .5 grams, to 1 grams, and beyond, the Jet Fueler’s system allows for adjustable volumes with a short oil path to reduce oxidation.
The cart filling machine also offers clean-in-place features that reduce downtime and keep your workflows moving. That means, when using this Vape-Jet cartridge filler, you can not only increase productivity and output, but also preserve the integrity of the original oil, for the utmost in quality.
In today’s competitive world of cannabis, customer retention and loyalty are crucial to scaling, heightening the importance of operators balancing quality and efficiency for ultimate returns. Hence, the popularity and growing trend of extraction facilities investing in semi-automatic vape filling machines.
Fully-Automatic Cannabis Vape Cartridge Filling Machines
Fully-automatic filling machines such as the Vape-Jet are the most advanced class of filling machines. They automate and control the pumping, dispensing, and heating processes. Some even automate the capping process, while others are designed to work with a separate capping machine.
These machines offer the highest production capacity and consistency in fill volume. However, they are also the most expensive and may require specialized accessories such as hardware jigs or additional operator training. Despite the cost and additional expenses, in the long term, these machines result in the lowest total cost of ownership.
Example of fully-automatic filling machines:
- Robotic-assisted recharging repeater syringe systems
- Robotic assisted pneumatic systems
- Robotic assisted syringe pump systems
Advantages of using fully automatic cartridge filler machines:
- Lowest labor cost
- Highest production capacity
- Consistent and accurate fill volume
- Flexibility in handling a wide range of fill volumes and viscosities
- Increased reliability with minimal room for operator error
- Limited exposure to environmental contaminants
- Operator can multitask during the filling process
Disadvantages of using fully-automatic cart-filling machines
- Highest equipment cost
- Largest physical footprint
- Requires additional operator training
Best use cases for fully automatic vape cartridge filler machines:
- Large-scale production
- Mid to high-range budget
- Experienced technical operators
Automatic cartridge fillers, like the Vape-Jet, offer the highest level of throughput and precision of all the equipment covered today. Using machine-vision alignment, Vape-Jet increases throughput to 5,000–10,000 carts per shift, while also protecting terpenes and the extract’s natural integrity with low-temp heated vape filler technology.
When investing in the cream of the crop, operations don’t just gain the advantage of efficiency and increased productivity; they gain the benefits necessary to scale in the competitive market, such as the ease of handling multiple cartridge and disposable type devices, for numerous SKUs, expanding market reach (and profits!).
Even more, advanced equipment like the Vape-Jet offers add-ons that not only serve the vape category, but can be upgraded with modules such as the Fuel Injector, which is designed to infuse pre-rolls specifically. Lastly, automated clean-in-place procedures and remote support reduce downtime and allow operators to maintain retail deadlines and improve relationships with consistent delivery of quality products.
What Else to Consider When Shopping for a Cartridge Filling Machine
Choosing the right cart-filling machine helps increase production efficiency, reduce waste, and
ensure consistent and accurate fill volumes. Of course, it’s crucial to select the right machine for your operation, which will depend primarily on your production volume and available budget. Regardless of where your operation stands, here are the top key factors to consider:
Adaptability & Hardware Compatibility
Some fully-automatic cart filling machines lock you into a limited number of cartridge and device styles you can fill without investing in physical retooling or additional custom hardware. Look for systems that can adapt to your hardware, not the other way around.
Product Support & Maintenance
Complicated filling machines may require more complex training and repairs. As you vet equipment manufacturers, be sure to ask how they provide product support, how long you can expect to wait on replacement parts, or how quickly they can get on-site support technicians to your facility should the need arise.
Data & Reporting Features
As states continue to pass additional regulations on the cannabis industry, it’s crucial to consider where you can implement data collection in your production process. Some fully-automatic filling machines have data reporting features built in, giving you insight into production trends as well as an additional quality management checkpoint.
Cleaning Process
A key part of the cartridge filling process is the cleaning procedure between strains or at the end of the day. Producers new to automated filling equipment often overlook the importance of this feature. Look for machines with an efficient and automated cleaning-in-place process to save on time and labor.
Accuracy & Compliance
A precise fill isn’t just a requirement for customer satisfaction and loyalty – it’s a requirement to avoid significant compliance risks. Manual methods often lead to inconsistent fill volumes, which can trigger costly product recalls or lost consumer trust.
Automated or semi-automatic systems with built-in calibration and dosing verification help ensure every cartridge meets state weight and volume requirements, for compliance and customer purposes.
Oil Integrity
The more the industry evolves, the more discerning consumers become regarding the quality and integrity of the oil they consume. That means, upgrading your processes wth the best vape cartridge filling machines for preserving the extract’s natural profile is crucial to attracting connoisseur-like consumers, and keeping them coming back for more.
Poorly engineered fillers can expose extracts to excess heat, oxygen, or contamination, degrading potency and terpene content. So look for equipment that offers programmable heat zones for various consistencies (think live rosin, live resin, etc.) and minimal oxygen exposure, through nitrogen-assisted paths, too.
Scalability & ROI
When evaluating equipment, it’s critical to look beyond immediate needs and consider the long-term return on investment. Machines that can scale with your growth, whether through modular upgrades, higher throughput, or multi-use functions, help future-proof your operation.
Although fully-automated systems may require more upfront capital, they often deliver more substantial ROI by reducing labor costs, improving precision, and minimizing product waste over time. The right machine isn’t just an expense, it’s an investment in efficiency and profitability.
Emerging Gaps & Trends
As the cannabis industry continues to evolve, so does the technology and equipment that’s designed to boost productivity, efficiency, and quality. In 2025, the latest upgrades to everyday workflows include:
- Pre-roll infusion automation: Infused pre-roll popularity is on the rise, and so is the upgrade of modules to current cannabis oil filling machines, to adapt to consumer demand.
- Heated vape fillers: Heated vape filler systems are solving viscosity challenges by keeping extracts at stable temperatures, ensuring smoother fills, fewer clogs, and higher throughput.
- Nitrogen vape fill systems: Nitrogen vape fill systems are gaining ground for their ability to protect oil integrity, extend shelf life, and deliver a fresher consumer experience right out of the package.
Even more, as operations seek ways to gain a competitive advantage and scale, automatic cartridge filler adoption has never been more popular. From large-scale to mid-scale operations, operators are increasingly adopting automatic systems, including modular and multi-use machines that bridge cartridges and pre-rolls.
By doing so, companies can target the vaporizer market audiences and flower markets by expanding their SKUs to include both.
What to Choose (2025 Recommendations)
With so many equipment options available today, it can be difficult for any single operator to decide which is right for them. To finish our complete guide to the types of cannabis vape cartridge filling machines, let’s finish with a summary of each, so that you can select the best option for your facility today, and for its brightest future:
- Manual vape cartridge fillers remain a go-to choice for small craft producers or R&D labs where batch sizes are low, and flexibility is key. As the lowest cost option, they’re also ideal for start-up brands, but operators should be mindful of higher labor inputs and variable precision.
- Semi-automatic vape filling machines offer a balance between manual workflows and automatic systems that they might not yet be able to afford. For growing brands, they offer speed and consistency improvements without the investment required for full automation, making them ideal for those looking to expand into multiple SKUs.
- Fully automatic cartridge filler equipment is the clear choice for high-volume producers. These machines deliver unmatched throughput, dosing precision, and compliance-friendly documentation, ultimately driving ROI by reducing labor costs and product waste.
When evaluating new equipment in 2025, consider not just today’s production needs but also tomorrow’s opportunities. Look for solutions that maximize ROI by improving accuracy, supporting smart operations with reliable data tracking, and optimizing workflow efficiency to keep teams focused on scaling the brand, rather than troubleshooting bottlenecks.
Still not sure what type of filling machine is right for your operation?
Contact our crew to find out if a Jet Fueler, a semi-automatic vape filling machine, or Vape-Jet, an automatic cartridge filler, would be the right fit for you. Still growing? We offer an upgrade path from our semi-automatic to fully-automatic systems.