Gone are the days of being forced to choose between a joint or a bowl. The world of cannabis has experienced an evolution over the past few decades, and today, concentrates reign supreme. They’re more versatile, potent, and in many cases, more cost-effective.
This is basically just pulling the good stuff out of the cannabis plant - like THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids along with terpenes and flavonoids. The end result is a true-to-strain experience without any unnecessary plant matter.
They say there are many ways to skin a cat, and that weird adage applies perfectly here. There are plenty of different extraction methods. But not all forms of cannabis concentrate are created equal. Today, we’ll compare and contrast two popular choices side by side - live resin vs wax.
Learn all about the difference between live resin vs wax below and where each has an edge. But, is live resin better than wax? The short answer is yes. It’s more potent, pure, and versatile, which is why we use it in many of the products we sell here at Evn.
Explore our live resin gummies and see for yourself why this form of extract is the #1 choice!
What’s the Difference Between Live Resin and Wax?
While they more or less do the same thing in that they deliver a more concentrated form of pure cannabis flower, there is a big difference between live resin and wax. Let’s take a look at how each is extracted before comparing and contrasting wax vs live resin side by side.
What is Live Resin?
So, what is live resin? We consider it to be the pinnacle of cannabis concentrate. That’s because it’s as close to true-to-strain as you’ll get in an extract since extractors use fresh-frozen cannabis immediately after the plant is harvested.
This keeps the most authentic terpene and cannabinoid profiles intact. Some of these are lost during the traditional drying and curing process - which is where the difference between live resin and wax lies.
The live resin extraction process relies on solvents like butane or propane are used to strip cannabinoids and terpenes from the frozen plant material. The end result is a highly terpene-rich concentrate that retains the flavor, aroma, and overall complexity of the fresh plant.
Its texture can range from saucy to sugary, but in any form, you can rest assured it’s packed with both THC and the minor cannabinoids that enhance the entourage effect - a synergy between cannabinoids and terpenes that amplifies the high.
Even when infused into edibles you can taste and feel the difference with live resin. We’ll talk more about why we love it in a moment, but we need to introduce the other half of the live resin vs wax comparison first.
What is Wax?
Wax is a blanket term for traditional extracts to a certain extent. You may hear it referred to as shatter or budder depending on its consistency. There’s a bit more flexibility in what is considered “wax.”
But for the sake of this conversation on wax vs live resin, we’re just talking about concentrated made from cured cannabis material. This means the plant is harvested, dried, and cured before extraction begins.
While this approach removes excess moisture and enhances the shelf life of the flower itself, it also compromises the terpene content to a certain extent. It may be just as potent as live resin but the flavor and aroma will fall short.
The solvents used to extract wax tend to be the same - butane or propane - but the cured starting material yields a different consistency. Here’s what you could end up with depending on the extraction and purging techniques:
- Crumble: Dry and crumbly.
- Budder: Creamy and smooth.
- Sugar Wax: Grainy and sticky.
- Shatter: Hard and brittle.
Wax is typically used for dabbing, or in some cases putting on top of bowls or in joints. It’s less commonly used to produce edibles. It’s preferred by those who prioritize THC content and cost-effectiveness over a more flavorful, rounded high.
Live Resin vs Wax: Which Cannabis Concentrate is Better?
You might already be starting to lean towards one concentrate or the other based on the difference between live resin and wax alone. But if you’re still on the fence and want to see exactly where each has an edge, we’ll compare and contrast live resin vs wax below.
Flavor and Aroma
This is where live resin has an undeniable edge over wax - it tastes and smells much more true-to-strain than wax does. That goes back to its extraction method which uses fresh-frozen flower for maximum terpene and flavonoid preservation.
This makes for a vibrant, flavorful experience that appeals to cannabis connoisseurs. This is not just relevant for those who dab their concentrate but those who eat in edible form, too.
We here at Evn have created a delicious selection of live resin gummies that have a taste that mirrors that of their strain to perfection. For example, our hybrid gummies are made from Sour Space Candy, which has earthy yet fruity-tasting notes. We’ve enhanced it with wild strawberry flavoring for a unique, flavorful experience similar to the strain’s namesake.
That’s not to say wax can’t be flavorful and smell great. It’ll just almost always fall short of live resin. Even the best extractors will deal with some level of terpene loss during the curing process.
While the potency is still there, the full-spectrum sensory experience may leave a bit ot be desired. Speaking of potency…
Potency and Purity
The strength of live resin and wax are fairly comparable. This really comes down more to the potency of the strain itself and the quality of the extraction method. Each style can range in THC content from 60-90%.
But the perceived effects tend to vary slightly because of the entourage effect. So, why are live resin gummies stronger than those made from wax?
Remember, wax has lower terpene content than live resin. Those terpenes don’t just impart a unique flavor and aroma, they have therapeutic properties of their own and can influence the way a high “feels.”
In this sense, live resin is known for producing a more balanced, full-spectrum high than wax. From a purity perspective, both can be 100% safe when purged correctly. We get asked all the time, is live resin dangerous? Not at all - you just need to make sure you’re shopping with a brand you can trust, like Evn CBD.
Versatility
We touched earlier on the differences in usability between wax vs live resin. One is much more versatile than the other, and that’s live resin. It can be dabbed or vaped of course, which are the most common methods.
But it can also be loaded on top of a flower bowl, or our preferred approach, infused into edible goodies for a more discreet, potent experience.
You can even find THC tinctures crafted from live resin! It’s so popular because of its flavor and balanced effects - these translate nicely across all consumption methods.
In contrast, wax is a bit more restricted to dabbing or vaping because of its texture. You won’t find it used in edibles very frequently, nor will you find it in tinctures.
Shelf Life and Storage
In comparing live resin vs wax, shelf life is only relevant if you’re stocking up on something. Most degradation will be negligible if you’re buying in the optimal quantities.
However, wax does have a slight advantage here since it’s made from cured flower. This makes it more stable over time and less likely to lose potency as a result of environmental conditions or improper storage.
It can still dry out and lose its texture if not stored correctly, as can any extract. But live resin on the other hand is a bit more sensitive to suboptimal conditions like heat and light. Of course, this can be mitigated by storing your gummies or live resin extract in a cool, dark place.
Cost and Accessibility
We don’t think you should make the choice between live resin vs wax based on cost alone, as you get what you pay for. While wax tends to be cheaper upfront, you’re not getting that full-spectrum experience like cannabis was intended to be enjoyed.
Live resin presents better value for the money since it’s not only going to deliver a more balanced high but also a more flavorful, aromatic experience. It’s not outrageously priced, either. You can get 40 gummies for $35 at Evn!
So, is Live Resin Better Than Wax?
You should have a clear understanding of the key differences between wax vs live resin and which better aligns with your preferences. If not, let’s make it crystal clear - is live resin better than wax?
We think so, and we’re certainly not alone. Sales data shows that live resin is the top concentrate segment in the US. It offers much better flavor, aroma, and a more balanced high. Customers are willing to pay a higher price point for a more enjoyable experience.
What About Other Types of Concentrate?
In comparing wax vs live resin there’s a clear winner, but what about other types of concentrate - like liquid diamonds vs live resin, or what about distillate? We’ll quickly touch on a few others below.
- Distillate: A highly refined concentrate containing nearly pure THC or CBD with almost all other compounds, including terpenes, removed. It’s potent and used for edibles, vape cartridges, and tinctures. But, it produces a flat, one-dimensional high lacks flavor or nuance without terpenes and other plant compounds.
- Live Rosin: A solventless concentrate made from fresh-frozen cannabis using heat and pressure. Similar to live resin, it preserves the plant’s full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes for a pure, flavorful, and balanced experience. This comes at a cost, though. It’s more expensive and harder to find.
- Diamonds: Crystalline THCA combined with terpene-rich sauce. The high THC content is great for users seeking intense effects, while the terpene sauce adds depth and aroma. It’s a bit less versatile, though, and only really used for dabbing.
- CO2 Oil: Extracted with carbon dioxide as the solvent for a clean, versatile concentrate often used in vape cartridges and edibles. It preserves some terpenes, but falls short in flavor and complexity compared to live resin or rosin. It’s a solid middle-ground option.
The key takeaway is that live resin is as good as it gets from an all-around cannabis experience. Really the only other form of concentrate that can contest with it is live rosin, and this all goes back to terpene and flavonoid preservation.
That being said, every extract has its place. Now that you know where each has an edge, you can confidently make the right choice!
Bringing Our Wax vs Live Resin Comparison to a Close
That does it for our comparison of live resin vs wax. Hopefully we’ve left you feeling clear on which is better for you, as the difference between live resin and wax is obvious. Live resin delivers unmatched flavor and a balanced high that wax could never rival.
Our blog has more resources like indica vs sativa for sex, how long do live resin gummies take to kick in, indica gummies effects, top Runtz strains, indica vs sativa vs hybrid, and more.
Otherwise, the only thing left to do if you haven’t already is spoil yourself with the best live resin or live rosin gummies at Evn. Whether you prefer indica gummies or sativa gummies, we’ve got you covered with true-to-strain experiences sourced from the most elite cultivars in cannabis.
They’re thoughtfully crafted with traceable ingredients you can trust and lab-tested for complete peace of mind. Order yours today and feel the difference yourself!
