Dab Rig Buying Guide: How to Choose Your First Rig

Choosing your first dab rig can feel overwhelming with so many options available. This guide breaks down everything you need to know—from rig types and sizes to percolators and joint fittings—so you can make an informed decision.

Quick Answer

For beginners: Get a small to medium rig (6-9 inches) with a simple percolator, 14mm male joint (for female banger), and thick glass. Budget $50-100 for quality. Avoid overly complex percolators. Smaller rigs = better flavor, easier to clean, more efficient for concentrates.

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Understanding Dab Rigs

For glass manufacturing standards, Glass Association of North America provides industry guidelines.

How They Work

A dab rig is a water pipe designed specifically for cannabis concentrates. Unlike bongs, dab rigs are optimized for:

• Smaller chamber volume (preserves flavor)
• Lower diffusion (maintains potency)
• Accepting bangers/nails instead of bowls

Why Not Just Use a Bong?

You can, but dab rigs are better because:

• Smaller volume preserves terpenes
• Less filtration = more flavor
• Designed for concentrate-specific attachments
• More efficient vapor delivery

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Rig Sizes

Mini Rigs (4-6 inches)

Best for: Flavor chasers, portability

Pros:

• Maximum flavor preservation
• Easy to clean
• Highly portable
• Less water needed
• Efficient use of concentrate

Cons:

• Smaller hits
• Less cooling
• Can be harsh for some
• Easier to tip over

Medium Rigs (6-9 inches)

Best for: Most users, especially beginners

Pros:

• Good balance of flavor and cooling
• Comfortable hit size
• Stable base
• Versatile

Cons:

• Less portable than minis
• More water = more cleaning

Large Rigs (9+ inches)

Best for: Cloud chasers, high tolerance users

Pros:

• Biggest hits possible
• Maximum cooling
• Impressive appearance
• Good for groups

Cons:

• Flavor loss through distance
• Harder to clean
• Less efficient for small dabs
• More expensive typically

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Percolator Types

Why Percolators Matter Less for Dabs

Unlike smoking flower, dabs don't need extensive filtration. Vapor is already smoother than smoke. Too much percolation:

• Reduces flavor
• Wastes vapor
• Makes cleaning harder
• Is unnecessary

Recommendation: Simple is better. One small perc is plenty.

Common Percolator Styles

Inline:

• Horizontal tube with slits
• Simple and effective
• Easy to clean
• Great for dabs

Showerhead:

• Vertical tube with holes at bottom
• Good diffusion
• Moderate cleaning difficulty
• Popular choice

Honeycomb:

• Flat disc with many holes
• Lots of bubbles
• Harder to clean
• Often overkill for dabs

Matrix:

• Cylinder with vertical and horizontal slits
• Excellent diffusion
• Moderate cleaning
• Good for larger rigs

Recycler:

• Water cycles continuously
• Ultra-smooth hits
• Complex cleaning
• Premium option

Best Perc for Beginners

Inline or showerhead with minimal slits. Simple, effective, easy to clean.

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Joint Sizes and Genders

Understanding Joint Sizing

The "joint" is where your banger connects to the rig. Two factors matter:

Size: 10mm, 14mm, or 18mm diameter

Gender: Male (protrudes) or Female (recessed)

Banger Compatibility

Critical rule: Your banger must be OPPOSITE gender of rig joint.

• Rig has male joint → Use female banger
• Rig has female joint → Use male banger

Size Recommendations

14mm is the standard and best choice:

• Most common size
• Widest selection of bangers
• Good airflow
• Easy to find accessories

10mm is for very small rigs. 18mm is for larger rigs.

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Glass Quality

What to Look For

Thick glass:

• 4mm+ for durability
• Heavier = generally better
• More resistant to thermal shock

Quality indicators:

• Smooth, even joints
• No bubbles in glass
• Uniform thickness
• Clean welds

Avoid:

• Very thin glass
• Visible bubbles or imperfections
• Rough joints
• Uneven thickness

Glass Types

Borosilicate glass: Standard, good quality

Scientific glass: Premium, very durable

Soft glass: Budget, more fragile

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Rig Styles

Standard Rigs

Classic design, tube or beaker base with downstem and percolator.

Pros: Affordable, simple, easy to find

Cons: Basic appearance, may tip easier

Recyclers

Water continuously cycles through multiple chambers.

Pros: Ultra-smooth hits, visually impressive

Cons: Expensive, complex cleaning, harder to find

Incyclers

Recycler action inside the main chamber.

Pros: Smoother than standard, more compact than recycler

Cons: More expensive, complex cleaning

Mini Rigs

Very small, focus on flavor and efficiency.

Pros: Maximum flavor, easy cleaning, portable

Cons: Smaller hits, less cooling

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Budget Ranges

Budget ($30-50)

What you get:

• Basic design
• Thinner glass
• Simple percolators
• Functional but not durable

Best for: Trying dabbing, backup rig

Mid-Range ($50-100)

What you get:

• Quality glass
• Reliable construction
• Decent percolation
• Good functionality

Best for: Most beginners, daily use

Premium ($100-200)

What you get:

• Thick, quality glass
• Better designs
• Smoother function
• More durable

Best for: Regular dabbers, enthusiasts

High-End ($200+)

What you get:

• American-made glass
• Artistic designs
• Premium function
• Collectible pieces

Best for: Collectors, connoisseurs

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What Else You'll Need

Essential Accessories

Must have:

• Quartz banger (match joint size/gender)
• Carb cap
• Dab tool
• Torch
• Timer or temp gun (recommended)

Nice to have:

• Dab mat
• Q-tips for cleaning
• Isopropyl alcohol
• Terp pearls

Total Startup Cost

Budget setup:

• Rig: $40
• Banger: $20
• Carb cap: $10
• Dab tool: $5
• Torch: $20
• Total: ~$95

Quality setup:

• Rig: $75
• Banger: $40
• Carb cap: $20
• Dab tool: $10
• Torch: $25
• Total: ~$170

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Beginner Recommendations

Best First Rig Characteristics

• Size: 6-8 inches
• Joint: 14mm male (for female banger)
• Perc: Simple showerhead or inline
• Glass: 4mm+ thickness
• Price: $50-100

Brands to Consider

Budget-friendly quality:

• MJ Arsenal
• Grav Labs
• TAG (Thick Ass Glass)

Mid-range:

• Higher Standards
• Eyce (silicone option)

Premium:

• Evan Shore
• Toro Glass
• Mothership

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Buying Too Big

Large rigs dilute flavor and waste concentrate. Start small.

Mistake 2: Over-Complex Percolation

Multiple percs are for smoke, not vapor. Simple is better for dabs.

Mistake 3: Wrong Joint Size

Make sure banger matches your rig. 14mm is safest bet.

Mistake 4: Cheap Glass

Very cheap rigs break easily and function poorly. Invest in quality.

Mistake 5: Forgetting Accessories

Budget for banger, carb cap, and torch—not just the rig.

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Summary Checklist

Before buying, verify:

• [ ] Size appropriate for your use (6-9" recommended)
• [ ] Joint size identified (14mm ideal)
• [ ] Joint gender noted (for banger selection)
• [ ] Simple percolation
• [ ] Thick, quality glass
• [ ] Budget for accessories included

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This guide is for educational purposes. Cannabis laws vary by jurisdiction.