How to Choose a Dab Rig: A Buyer's Guide

Start with how and where you will use it

Think about whether the rig will live on a shelf at home or travel with you. A larger rig usually gives you more water to cool the vapor, while a mini rig is easier to store and move. There is no best size, only the best size for your routine.

Joint size and fit

The joint is where the banger or nail connects to the rig. The common sizes are 10mm, 14mm and 18mm, and your banger needs to match the joint on your rig. Buying the rig and the banger together, or asking staff to confirm the fit, saves a return trip.

• ✓10mm: compact, common on mini rigs
• ✓14mm: the most widely available size
• ✓18mm: found on larger pieces and some older designs

Percolators and diffusion

Perc designs change how vapor moves through the water. Simple rigs with fewer parts are easier to clean and harder to break. More complex diffusion looks great, but it also means more places for residue to collect. Pick what you will actually keep clean.

Glass thickness and brand

Thicker glass handles bumps better, and borosilicate is the standard for good pieces. Premium makers like ROOR, Zob Glass and HVY Glass are known for build quality, and in person you can feel the difference in weight and finish.

Rig, oil burner or e-rig

A traditional rig needs a torch and a banger. An oil burner pipe is a simpler glass piece without water. An electric e-rig such as a Puffco heats on its own and skips the torch. If you are not sure which fits you, ask the team to show you each side by side.

Set a budget, then add the extras

Plan for accessories too: a banger, a carb cap, a torch and cleaning supplies. A solid mid-priced rig with the right accessories beats an expensive rig with nothing to run it.