21 Different Types of Weed Concentrates [2025 Updated Guide]

Key Takeaways

• THCA diamonds are the hottest trend in 2025, with up to 99% purity levels
• Live rosin has exploded in popularity and now represents 16% of concentrate sales
• Solventless concentrates are becoming the premium choice for connoisseurs
• Melted diamonds combine THCA crystals with terpene sauce for flavor and potency
• The concentrate market is projected to hit $44.35 billion by 2032

If you’ve been using weed wax and other marijuana concentrates [or dabbing, in other words], you know that there are scores of different kinds available out there. I would even hazard to say that there are as many types of these extracts out there as there are people (or companies) making them. (There aren’t… but almost).

The concentrate game has exploded since we first wrote this guide. The global cannabis concentrate market is projected to reach $44.35 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 24.5%. That’s some serious green, and it means there are way more options hitting dispensary shelves every month.

Here’s the deal: the concentrate world isn’t just about shatter and wax anymore.

We’re talking THCA diamonds that hit 99% purity. Live rosin that tastes like you’re biting into fresh flower. Solventless extracts that cost more per gram than some people’s rent.

And electric nectar collectors that let you dab on the go without torches or rigs—just heat and sip.

Here’s the Updated Full List & Naming Convention:

What is Weed Wax (Cannabis Concentrate)?

Weed wax, also known as cannabis wax or marijuana wax, is like the superstar of the cannabis world. Think of it as taking all the best parts of your favorite strain and compacting it into a gooey, waxy form – that’s weed wax.

But here’s what’s changed: solventless concentrates now make up 16% of monthly dabbable dollar sales, with rosin leading the charge at 14% of total dabbable sales. That’s double what it was just two years ago.

The science behind these extracts has gotten crazy sophisticated. We’re not just talking about basic BHO anymore – we’ve got closed-loop systems, diamond mining techniques, and solventless methods that preserve every terpene like they’re liquid gold.

Concentrate Type	Potency Range	Price Range	Best For
THCA Diamonds	97-99%	$60-120/g	Maximum potency
Live Hash Rosin	70-85%	$80-150/g	Flavor & purity
Live Resin	70-90%	$40-80/g	Balanced experience
Shatter	80-90%	$30-60/g	Budget potency

3 Ways to Differentiate Between Marijuana Concentrates

The classification system is the same, but the market has shifted dramatically:

1. Extraction Method

Solventless is king now. In mature markets like Colorado, rosin makes up 22% of all dabbable sales. People are willing to pay premium prices for concentrates made with just heat, pressure, ice, and water.

2. Part of the Plant Used

This hasn’t changed much, but live material (fresh-frozen) has become the gold standard. If it doesn’t say “live” in front of it, many consumers won’t even consider it.

3. Consistency

This is where things get wild. We’ve got everything from liquid diamonds to sand-like piatella. The texture tells you how it was made and how to use it.

At-a-Glance:

• Expected potency: Low-moderate (varies)
• Flavor and smell: Harsher, more chlorophyll present
• Purity level: Lower due to plant material used
• How expensive: Budget option (cheapest available)
• Best used with: Vaporizers, can mix with better concentrates
• Best dabbed at temp: Low temps to minimize harshness

Still the budget option Look, trim run is trim run. It’s made from the leftover bits after harvest – stems, leaves, tiny nugs. With wholesale cannabis prices averaging $944 per pound in early 2025, processors are squeezing every last bit of value from the plant.

What’s new: Some processors are getting creative with trim runs, using better starting material and calling it “smalls run” to justify higher prices.

Pros	Cons
Cheapest option available	Lower cannabinoid content
Still gets you high	Harsher taste profile
Great for beginners	More chlorophyll present

Best used in: Vaporizers at low temps or mixed with better concentrates.

Nug Run

At-a-Glance:

• Expected potency: High (premium flower potency)
• Flavor and smell: Flavorful, preserves flower terpenes
• Purity level: High quality from choice buds
• How expensive: Premium pricing
• Best used with: Any consumption method
• Best dabbed at temp: Standard temps (500-600°F)

The premium flower option Nug run concentrates use the choice buds – the sticky, resin-heavy flowers that dispensaries charge top dollar for. These extracts are flavorful, potent, and command premium prices.

2025 update: With indoor flower commanding premiums over outdoor grows, nug run from indoor cultivation is becoming a luxury item.

Best used in: Any consumption method. This is the stuff you want to taste.

Named for the Extraction Process

Sauce & Sugar

At-a-Glance:

• Expected potency: High with THCA crystals
• Flavor and smell: Excellent, terpene-rich profiles
• Purity level: High, terp-focused extraction
• How expensive: Premium pricing
• Best used with: E-rigs preferred for terp preservation
• Best dabbed at temp: Low temps (400-500°F)

The terp hunters’ paradise Sauce is basically liquid gold – a mixture of terpene sauce and THCA crystals. Terpene-rich extracts that emphasize natural flavors and aromas are trending heavily in 2025.

Sugar has that wet, crystalline consistency that looks like… well, sugar soaked in cannabis oil.

“The sauce game has completely changed. We’re seeing live resin sauces with terpene profiles that taste better than the original flower.” – Top extractor, 2025

Best used with: E-rigs at low temperatures (400-500°F) to preserve those precious terps.

THCA Diamonds (NEW)

At-a-Glance:

• Expected potency: Extreme (97-99% THCA)
• Flavor and smell: Minimal terpenes/flavor
• Purity level: Highest available purity
• How expensive: Premium pricing
• Best used with: Dab rigs, concentrate vape pens, flower enhancement
• Best dabbed at temp: 450-550°F for optimal vaporization

The ultimate purity play THCA diamonds are taking center stage as one of the most exciting developments heading into 2025, with crystals reaching up to 99% THCA content.

Here’s the science: THCA diamonds form when live resin is extracted and then put through a “diamond mining” process involving specific temperature and pressure conditions over 2+ weeks.

The result? Clear, crystalline structures that look like actual diamonds but pack a punch that’ll send you to another dimension.

THCA Diamond Benefits	Considerations
Highest potency available (97-99%)	Requires heating to activate
Clean, pure concentrate	Minimal terpenes/flavor
Versatile usage options	Premium pricing
Long shelf life	Intense effects – start small

How to use them:

• Dabbing: Heat your nail, drop in a tiny diamond, enjoy the ride
• Flower enhancement: Crush and sprinkle on bowls or in joints
• Vaping: Use concentrate-friendly vape pens

Melted Diamonds (NEW)

At-a-Glance:

• Expected potency: Very high (diamond potency with terps)
• Flavor and smell: Excellent, combines diamonds with terpene sauce
• Purity level: High, 70/30 diamonds to HTE ratio
• How expensive: Premium pricing
• Best used with: Vape carts, dab rigs, e-rigs
• Best dabbed at temp: 450-550°F

THCA diamonds meet terpene sauce Melted diamonds combine pure THCa diamonds with aromatic, cannabis-derived terpenes, creating a powerful, flavor-packed experience.

Think of it this way: if THCA diamonds are a concentrated espresso shot, melted diamonds are like a rich, multi-layered latte. You get the potency of diamonds with the flavor complexity of live resin.

The process: THCa diamonds are mixed with high-terpene extract (HTE) sauce in a 70/30 ratio.

Best used in: Vape carts, dabbing, or e-rigs. Perfect for people who want maximum potency without sacrificing flavor.

Live Rosin (UPDATED)

At-a-Glance:

• Expected potency: High, full-spectrum effects
• Flavor and smell: Excellent, preserves fresh cannabis essence
• Purity level: Very high (solventless)
• How expensive: Premium ($25-35/gram estimated)
• Best used with: All methods, especially low-temp dabs
• Best dabbed at temp: Low temps (400-500°F) to preserve terps

The solventless champion Live rosin has absolutely exploded. Rosin sales have doubled between 2021 and 2023, and in California, rosin makes up 21% of all dabbable sales.

What makes it special: Made from fresh-frozen cannabis using only ice water, heat, and pressure. No chemicals, no solvents, just pure cannabis essence.

Two main types:

• Fresh Press: Straight off the press, usually more liquid consistency
• Cold Cure: Aged in cold storage, develops a badder-like texture

Live Hash Rosin (NEW)

At-a-Glance:

• Expected potency: Very high, full-spectrum
• Flavor and smell: Exceptional, hash heritage with rosin purity
• Purity level: Highest (solventless, small-batch)
• How expensive: Most expensive (~$35/gram, 73% higher than live resin)
• Best used with: Low-temp dab rigs, e-rigs
• Best dabbed at temp: Low temps (400-500°F)

The connoisseur’s choice Live hash rosin combines the rich heritage of hash with the purity and potency of rosin extraction, taking ice-water hash and pressing it between heat and pressure.

This is the premium of the premium. Hash rosin commands an average retail price of $35/gram, about 73% higher than live resin.

The process:

1. Fresh cannabis → ice water wash → bubble hash
2. Bubble hash → heat + pressure → live hash rosin
3. Result: Solventless concentrate with full-spectrum effects

Why it costs more: Labor-intensive, small-batch production, and incredible purity.

Piatella (NEW)

At-a-Glance:

• Expected potency: High, full-spectrum
• Flavor and smell: Incredible flavor retention
• Purity level: Ultra-clean (solventless)
• How expensive: Boutique/premium pricing
• Best used with: Easy to work with, all methods
• Best dabbed at temp: Low-medium temps (450-550°F)

The boutique hash experience Piatella hash resin is rapidly gaining traction in the cannabis industry, celebrated for its exceptional purity and potency.

Piatella looks different – it has a unique sandy, almost couscous-like texture. It’s made through specific agitation and drying techniques that create this distinctive consistency.

Why people love it: Ultra-clean solventless extraction with a texture that’s easy to work with and incredible flavor retention.

At-a-Glance:

• Expected potency: High (varies by quality)
• Flavor and smell: Can be harsh, depends on starting material
• Purity level: Good when properly purged
• How expensive: Mid-range pricing
• Best used with: Vaporizers preferred
• Best dabbed at temp: Lower temps to avoid harsh taste

The OG extraction method BHO is still around and still popular, but it’s facing serious competition from solventless methods. With pricing pressures and consumer preferences shifting toward cleaner extracts, BHO producers are focusing on higher-quality starting material.

Best used in: Vaporizers at lower temps to avoid harsh taste.

CO2 Extraction

At-a-Glance:

• Expected potency: Consistent, moderate-to-high
• Flavor and smell: Clean but can lack terpene complexity
• Purity level: Very consistent, pharmaceutical-grade possible
• How expensive: Mid-range, scalable pricing
• Best used with: Vape cartridges, consistent products
• Best dabbed at temp: Standard temps (500-600°F)

The clean corporate choice CO2 extraction remains popular with large-scale producers because it’s scalable and produces consistent results. Manufacturers are investing in pharmaceutical-grade extraction facilities and closed-loop systems to verify product purity.

Best for: Vape cartridges and products where consistency matters more than artisanal quality.

The Bullet 2.0 Has Been Dubbed the ‘Flavor Bomb’ Concentrate Vape Pen
Join 10,000+ Happy Users & Be the One Everyone Comes to for a Hit

ZERO Wasted Product I Scrumptious Flavor I Tasty Clouds I Easy to Clean

Yes, I Want My Bullet 2.0 Today (Click Here)

Named for Consistency

Shatter

At-a-Glance:

• Expected potency: High (up to 91.25% THC possible)
• Flavor and smell: Limited, live resin versions better
• Purity level: Good (up to 99.7% total cannabinoids)
• How expensive: Mid-range, no longer premium
• Best used with: Dab rigs, requires breaking/handling
• Best dabbed at temp: High heat (600°F+) for full vaporization

The glass-like classic Shatter still has its place, but it’s not the premium product it once was. High-end shatter like Mohave Gold can still reach 91.25% THC with 99.7% total cannabinoids.

What’s changed: Live resin shatter is becoming more common, offering better flavor than traditional shatter.

Requires: High heat (600°F+) to fully vaporize.

Crumble

At-a-Glance:

• Expected potency: High, varies by extraction
• Flavor and smell: Moderate, depends on source material
• Purity level: Good, clean when properly made
• How expensive: Mid-range pricing
• Best used with: All methods, user-friendly consistency
• Best dabbed at temp: High heat for full vaporization

The easy-to-handle option Crumble’s popularity comes from its user-friendly consistency. It’s easier to dose than sap or sauce, making it perfect for concentrate newcomers.

Best temperature: High heat for full vaporization.

(Actual) Weed Wax

At-a-Glance:

• Expected potency: Moderate-to-high
• Flavor and smell: Variable, middle-ground quality
• Purity level: Good, standard extraction
• How expensive: Mid-range (between budget and premium)
• Best used with: Most consumption methods
• Best dabbed at temp: Standard temps (500-600°F)

The versatile middle ground Classic wax consistency remains popular because it’s easy to work with and compatible with most consumption methods.

Price point: Usually sits between budget concentrates and premium live products.

Rick Simpson Oil 

Rick Simpson Oil (or RSO) is a widely known type of THC concentrate that is used mostly for medicinal purposes. Unlike regular medical concentrates, it is made from female plants that have over 20% of THC, and buds and leaves are both used. This means that RSO

Rick Simpson Oil (RSO)

At-a-Glance:

• Expected potency: Very high, full-spectrum medicine
• Flavor and smell: Strong, earthy, medicinal
• Purity level: Full-spectrum, not refined
• How expensive: Medical pricing varies
• Best used with: Oral consumption, transdermal patches
• Best dabbed at temp: Not typically dabbed (oral/topical use)

The medical concentrate RSO remains popular in medical markets, especially for patients who need high-dose, full-spectrum medicine.

2025 update: More advanced formulations are targeting specific health concerns, with transdermal patches providing sustained relief.

Which Concentrate Should You Choose?

For beginners: Start with live resin or quality wax. They offer good potency without the intensity of diamonds.

For flavor chasers: Live hash rosin or sauce. You’ll pay more, but the terpene profiles are incredible.

For maximum potency: THCA diamonds or melted diamonds. Just remember – a little goes a long way.

For budget-conscious users: Well-made BHO or CO2 concentrates still deliver solid effects.

For health-conscious consumers: Stick with solventless options like rosin, live rosin, or full melt.

The Bottom Line

The concentrate game has evolved way beyond basic wax and shatter. The market is stretching into culinary applications with water-soluble concentrates and emulsions, and we’re seeing innovations that would have been science fiction just five years ago.

Here’s my advice: Don’t get overwhelmed by all the options. Start with what’s available in your area, find a reputable brand, and work your way up the quality ladder. Whether you’re dabbing diamonds or vaping live resin, the most important thing is finding what works for your preferences and budget.

The concentrate revolution isn’t slowing down – it’s just getting started. And trust me, 2025 is going to be one hell of a ride.

For those looking to enhance their experience, investing in quality wax pens can make a significant difference. If you’re unsure which device is right for your concentrate preferences, check out our comprehensive Best Wax Pen Ranking Guide to find the perfect match for your needs.

Want to experience these concentrates at their best? The Bullet 2.0 vaporizer handles everything from sauce to diamonds with precision temperature control and zero waste. Because when you’re paying premium prices for premium concentrates, you want a device that can keep up.

The Bullet 2.0 Has Been Dubbed the ‘Flavor Bomb’ Concentrate Vape Pen
Join 10,000+ Happy Users & Be the One Everyone Comes to for a Hit

ZERO Wasted Product I Scrumptious Flavor I Tasty Clouds I Easy to Clean

Yes, I Want My Bullet 2.0 Today (Click Here)