What This CBD Concentrates Guide Covers
- Every type of CBD concentrate explained β wax, shatter, isolate, crumble, slabs
- How to dab CBD step by step (beginner-friendly)
- Why concentrates deliver faster, more potent effects than gummies or oils
- Our top CBD dabs ranked, with honest pros and cons for each
- How to choose between full-spectrum wax and CBD isolate shatter
Steve's Goods started as a concentrates company. Before gummies took over the CBD world, we were making CBD shatter infused with real cannabis terpene profiles β Pineapple Express, Blueberry OG, Watermelon OG. Concentrates are in our DNA, and they remain the most underrated product category in hemp.
If you've never dabbed before, this guide will walk you through everything. If you're experienced, skip to the product rankings below.
What Are CBD Concentrates?
CBD concentrates are highly potent hemp extracts with CBD concentrations ranging from 60% to 99%. Compare that to a gummy at roughly 3-5% CBD by weight, or an oil tincture at 5-10%. Concentrates are, by definition, concentrated.
The key advantage is speed and potency. When you vaporize a concentrate, CBD enters your bloodstream through your lungs in 1-5 minutes. That's 10-30x faster than an edible. For people who need immediate relief, nothing else comes close.
Types of CBD Concentrates
| Type | Texture | CBD Purity | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBD Wax | Waxy, honey-like, pliable | 80-90% | Full-spectrum dabbing with maximum terpenes and cannabinoids |
| CBD Shatter | Glass-like, brittle, snaps clean | 90-99% | Clean, flavorful dabs using CBD isolate + terpene infusion |
| CBD Isolate Slab | Hard, crystalline, breakable | 99%+ | Purest possible CBD. Versatile β dab it, add to food, dissolve in drinks |
| CBD Isolate Powder | Fine, crystalline powder | 99%+ | Cooking, beverages, DIY products. Can also be dabbed. |
| CBD Crumble | Dry, honeycomb-like, crumbly | 85-90% | Easy to handle β less sticky than wax, easier to portion |
Wax vs. Shatter: What's the Difference?
The short answer is process and spectrum. Our CBD wax is broad-spectrum β it retains a wider range of cannabinoids, terpenes, and plant compounds from the original hemp extraction. It's stickier, more aromatic, and delivers what many call a "fuller" experience.
Our CBD shatter starts with pure CBD isolate, which we then infuse with carefully selected terpene profiles to match real cannabis strains. The result is a cleaner, more controlled flavor with extremely high potency.
If you want the richest cannabinoid experience, go wax. If you want specific strain flavors with maximum CBD purity, go shatter.
How to Dab CBD β Beginner's Guide
Dabbing sounds intimidating if you've never done it, but it's simpler than it looks. Here's the process:
- Choose your device. You need either a dab rig (glass piece + torch), an electric nail (e-nail), or a portable vape pen designed for concentrates. If you're just starting out, a battery-powered dab pen is the easiest entry point β no torch required.
- Portion your concentrate. Start small. With 90%+ CBD content, a piece the size of a grain of rice is a real dose. You can always take a second dab β you can't undo taking too much.
- Heat your surface. If using a rig and torch, heat the nail until it's hot, then wait 15-30 seconds for it to cool slightly. "Low-temp dabs" (around 350-400Β°F) preserve flavor and produce smoother vapor. If using an e-nail or pen, set to medium temperature.
- Apply the concentrate. Use a dab tool to place the concentrate onto the heated surface. Inhale slowly as it vaporizes.
- Exhale and clean. Breathe out, let it hit. Then clean the nail with a cotton swab to prevent residue buildup.
Our Best CBD Dabs β Ranked
I'm ranking our own products here, so take the obvious bias into account. But I'm also the person who formulated every single one of these, so I know exactly what's in them and what separates them.
1. Strawnana CBD wax
Our newest and most innovative concentrate. A CBD/CBG blend with a sharp citrus-pop flavor profile. Available in a 3-gram bucket, which is the best per-gram value in our lineup. If you want to experience what happens when CBD and CBG work together, this is where to start.
2. OG Hemp CBD Wax
Our flagship broad-spectrum wax. Colorado-grown, less than 0.0% THC. Available in multiple terpene profiles. This is the one that put us on the map in the concentrate space β reliable, potent, and smooth. Full-gram units.
3. Pineapple Express CBD Shatter
Our best-selling shatter. CBD isolate infused with Pineapple Express terpenes. 900mg of CBD per gram. If you've never tried CBD shatter, this is where I'd point you β the flavor profile is familiar, the potency is high, and the price point is accessible.
4. Blueberry OG CBD Shatter
Rich blueberry terpene profile with a smooth finish. Same CBD isolate base as Pineapple Express, different flavor experience. Compatible with rigs and battery-powered pocket vaporizers. A customer favorite for evening sessions.
5. CBD Isolate Slab
99% pure CBD. No added terpenes, no additional cannabinoids β just pure cannabidiol in slab form. Break it, dab it, or dissolve it in coffee. This is the building block of everything else in our concentrate line. If you want CBD in its most concentrated, versatile form, this is it.
Explore All CBD Concentrates
Wax, shatter, isolate, and more. All third-party lab tested. Made in our Louisville, KY facility.
Shop CBD ConcentratesBenefits of CBD Dabs vs. Other Methods
The primary advantages of dabbing over other consumption methods come down to speed and efficiency:
- Fastest onset: Effects in 1-5 minutes vs. 30-60 minutes for edibles. When you need relief now, not in an hour, concentrates are the answer.
- Higher bioavailability: Lungs absorb up to 50% of CBD from vapor. Compare that to roughly 20% from edibles after first-pass metabolism in the liver. You get more CBD into your system from a smaller amount of product.
- No smoke: Vaporization produces vapor, not smoke. No combustion means no tar, no carbon monoxide, no ash.
- Precise dosing: With 90%+ concentrations, small amounts deliver meaningful doses. A grain-of-rice-sized dab can deliver 30-50mg of CBD.
- Flavor variety: Terpene-infused shatters deliver specific flavor profiles β from tropical pineapple to earthy blueberry. More variety than most edible lines offer.
Who Should (and Shouldn't) Use CBD Concentrates
Concentrates aren't for everyone, and I'll be honest about that.
Concentrates are great for: experienced CBD users who want faster effects, people who need higher doses, dab/vape enthusiasts who enjoy the ritual, and anyone needing immediate relief.
Concentrates may not be ideal for: complete CBD beginners (start with gummies or oils), people who've never vaped or dabbed anything, anyone uncomfortable with the equipment involved, or people who prefer longer-lasting effects (edibles win here).
If you're brand new to CBD entirely, I'd suggest starting with gummies or oil tinctures to find your dose, then graduating to concentrates once you know how CBD affects your body.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. CBD is non-psychoactive. Our shatter and isolate products contain zero THC. Our broad-spectrum wax contains less than 0.0% THC. You will not experience any intoxicating effects.
Depends on the size of your dab and the product. A small dab (about the size of a rice grain, roughly 0.05g) from a 90% CBD shatter delivers roughly 45mg of CBD. That's the equivalent of 4-5 gummies in one hit.
At minimum, a concentrate-compatible vape pen or a dab rig with a torch. Vape pens are the easiest starting point β no torch, no learning curve. Check our Devices category for compatible options.
Store in a cool, dark place. Heat and light degrade cannabinoids and terpenes. Keep containers sealed. Most concentrates will maintain potency for 6-12 months when stored properly. No need to refrigerate unless you're in a very hot climate.