WNC CBD vs. Arete vs. Carolina Hemp Cafe: Which Brand is Best?
Wells Westmoreland
With more options than ever, THCA shoppers might have a hard time deciding what will make or break their experience.
Whether you're after flavor, effects, or dependable service – or a combination of the three – we want to help you choose the right hemp brand for your needs.
In this article, we break down three popular online hemp retailers: WNC CBD vs. Arete vs. Carolina Hemp Cafe.
WNC CBD vs. Arete vs. Carolina Hemp Cafe: Quick Comparison
| Attribute | WNC CBD | Arete | Carolina Hemp Cafe |
| Potency & Effects | Potent THCA flower with terp-rich strains | Potent strains, especially for live rosin | Dispensary-level THCA flower & concentrates |
| Consistency & Transparency | COAs provided; mostly positive on quality but mixed on customer service | COAs provided; mixed customer reviews | COAs provided; consistently high quality |
| Product Variety | Mostly THCA flower and some rosin | THCA flower, pre-rolls, live rosin, edibles | Full suite: THCA flower, vapes, edibles, and minor cannabinoids |
| Price & Value | Competitive, fair for the quality | Premium pricing, some say overpriced | Mid-premium, strong value for potency & service |
| Shipping & Service | Fast shipping; service quality varies | Free shipping, but mixed service reviews | USPS Priority on orders more than $25, satisfaction guarantee |
WNC CBD Overview
WNC CBD has a reputation among hemp flower connoisseurs for its high-potency THCA strains, which are grown and cured in Asheville, North Carolina.
Customers praise the brand for its smooth smoke, great nose appeal, and strong effects, especially on strains like Kush Mints and Gas Face. But when it comes to customer service, some users reported issues with shipping to restricted states, such as those that haven’t legalized recreational cannabis, and slow replies when problems arise.
Pros
- Potent THCA flower with strong terps
- Grown and cured in small batches
- Transparent about strain lineage and effects
Cons
- Quality of customer service has decreased
- Limited product range outside of THCA flower and rosin
Arete Overview
Arete Hemp offers a variety of THCA products, including flower, pre-rolls, rosin, and edibles.
They're known for premium packaging, high-THCA lab results, and for only working with organic hemp farms.
Some users rave about the purity and strength of their live rosin, while others have issues with pricing and inconsistent customer service.
Pros
- High-THCA flower and live rosin
- Broad product selection with upscale branding
- COAs provided on all orders
Cons
- Premium pricing
- Mixed customer service reviews
- Minimal focus on budget or bulk offerings
Carolina Hemp Cafe Overview
Carolina Hemp Cafe is a North Carolina-based premium hemp brand offering THCA flower, pre-rolls, concentrates, and edibles.
All of our products are backed by verified (and clearly labeled) COAs. Standout offerings include Death Star THCA flower at 37.8% and live rosin crumble over 90% THCA.
Customers appreciate our attention to detail, including the moisture-controlled packaging we use for shipping.
We provide the highest-quality THCA and other hemp products, and back that up with best-in-class customer support and fast, secure shipping.
Pros
- Dispensary-grade THCA products with reliable potency
- Wide selection, including minor cannabinoids like CBN
- Free USPS priority shipping on orders of $99 or more
- Excellent customer support with real humans
Cons
- Higher price point than discount brands
- Fewer online reviews than more tenured vendors
- No budget-tier THCA products
WNC CBD vs. Arete vs. Carolina Hemp Cafe: Which is the Best?
Here’s a look at WNC CBD vs. Arete Hemp vs. Carolina Hemp Cafe when considering freshness, potency, consistency, product variety, pricing, and shipping.
Freshness
Carolina Hemp Cafe leads in freshness with moisture-controlled jars and humidity packs that ensure buds arrive soft and fragrant.
WNC typically ships fresh, well-cured THCA flower, although customers occasionally report receiving slightly dry nugs
Arete’s flower is generally fresh, although customer reports suggest that’s not always the case.
Potency and Effects
All three brands deliver strong THCA potency, but Carolina Hemp Cafe and WNC CBD consistently hit 30% or more THCA on flower.
Arete’s flower is solid in terms of potency, but where they really shine strength-wise is with their live rosin, which routinely impresses extract lovers. People have reported loving both the texture and potency of their rosin.
If you’re looking for a wide selection of potent THCA flower, Carolina Hemp Cafe is the best, followed by WNC CBD. If you’re chasing premium dabs, then Arete’s rosin could be a good pick.
Consistency and Transparency
Carolina Hemp Cafe posts verified COAs for all products, includes potency data, and clearly labels strain genetics and product type. Because of our larger selection, we tend to have more options that can be shipped to states where THCA isn’t legal.
WNC CBD also provides COAs. Their product has received largely positive reviews for quality, but some customers have had a difficult time interacting with customer service for shipping or return issues.
Though Arete discloses COAs as well, users have complained about unclear refund policies and occasional delays.
Product Variety
Arete and Carolina Hemp Cafe offer the widest variety, covering everything from THCA flower to edibles and vapes. However, we also carry minor cannabinoid products, such as CBN and CBG gummies, at Carolina Hemp Cafe.
WNC CBD keeps it simple with flower, some rosin, and occasional new drops.
Price and Value
WNC CBD strikes a good balance with competitively priced, quality flower. Arete leans toward premium pricing, especially for extracts.
Carolina Hemp Cafe charges a bit more than both, but our lab-tested potency, packaging, and customer service justify the price.
If you’re looking for bulk flower on a budget, consider WNC CBD. For top-tier rosin, go with Arete.
But if you need high-potency THCA and five-star customer support, we have you covered at Carolina Hemp Cafe.
Shipping and Service
Carolina Hemp Cafe offers free USPS priority shipping on orders of $99 or more, along with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
If you have questions or concerns, we also offer direct support from real people.
WNC CBD ships quickly, but some users experienced inconsistent support or lack of communication when shipped to restricted states.
Arete ships reliably but can have slower response times for support issues.
Conclusion: Our Comparison of WNC CBD vs. Arete vs. Carolina Hemp Cafe
WNC CBD has quality THCA flower with good pricing and strong effects, but if you go this route, you could experience support issues. Premium rosin lovers will likely lean toward Arete Hemp so long as they don’t mind paying more for high-end extracts and sleek packaging.
Still, Carolina Hemp Cafe remains the most consistent for lab-tested potency, our variety, and excellent customer support. If you want premium flower and fast, reliable service, we’re your top-tier option.
Want to keep exploring? Check out more THCA brand comparisons on our blog.
