Incycler vs Recycler Rigs: What's the Difference?

Both incyclers and recyclers use the same idea of cycling water and vapor through multiple chambers for smoother, cooler hits. That’s where they each get their names from. So what’s the difference then?

The incycler vs recycler question is really about where that cycling happens: outside the main body or inside it. That one design difference changes the size, durability, visual appeal, and feel of every hit. 

This quick guide will help you narrow it down to the perfect dab rig between a recycler vs incycler.

Incycler vs Recycler (Fast Facts)

What is a Recycler Dab Rig?

A recycler dab rig uses an external loop or tube system to move water and vapor between two separate chambers in a continuous cycle. It’s one of the most unique types of dab rigs you’ll come across.

Vapor enters the first chamber as soon as you take a hit. It gets pulled through water, then travels up through an external arm into a second chamber for another round of filtration. The water drains back down to the first chamber, and the cycle repeats until you finish your pull. 

The vapor has been filtered multiple times before it reaches your lungs, so it’s way smoother and cooler than your average single-chamber rig. 

Recyclers also prevent splashback. Instead of water pooling near the mouthpiece where a hard pull can send it into your lips, the drain tube pulls it back down before it gets that high.

The external loop is super eyecatching. Watching water spiral through the arms is half the fun of owning one. This dramatic water action is honestly the first thing that comes to mind for people picturing the difference between an incycler vs recycler.

How Does an Incycler Work?

An incycler does the same thing as a recycler, just internally. Instead of external tubes connecting separate chambers, the second chamber sits inside the main body of the rig. 

Water and vapor cycle through this internal structure - up into the inner chamber, filtered, then drained back down. This all happens within a single enclosed piece of glass.

Incyclers are usually more compact and sturdier than recyclers with exposed arms because everything is contained. The trade-off is visual. You can't watch the water loop through external tubes the way you can with a recycler. 

The function is nearly identical, though. Same multi-stage filtration, same smooth hits, same flavor preservation. Pair either one with quality quartz bangers and a good carb cap, and you'll get clean, flavorful dabs regardless of which design you choose.

Incycler vs Recycler: Side-by-Side Comparison

Both designs deliver top-tier filtration, but the incycler vs recycler choice comes down to your priorities. Here's how they stack up on what matters most:

Filtration and Smoothness

Pretty much a tie. Both cycle vapor through water multiple times, which is what makes them smoother than standard rigs in the first place. 

Some dabbers say recyclers have a slight edge because the longer external path gives vapor more contact time with water, but the difference is marginal at best. If filtration is the main reason you're weighing the incycler vs recycler decision, either one will deliver what you’re looking for.

Flavor Preservation

Incyclers have a narrow advantage here because the shorter internal path means vapor spends less time traveling through air before reaching your lungs. 

It makes sense when you think about it. Less air exposure = more terpenes survive the trip. It's a subtle difference, but flavor chasers who dab at low temps will definitely notice it. 

Speaking of flavor, you need to weigh the quartz banger vs glass banger decision alongside your rig choice. Quartz paired with an incycler is hard to beat for terp retention.

Size and Portability

Incyclers win here since the recycling mechanism is built into the main body, so the piece takes up less table space. Recyclers need room for their external tubes and arms, which adds both height and width to the footprint. 

This is only something that matters if you dab on the go, travel with your rig, or have limited counter space. Some incyclers are compact enough to rival mini rigs while still delivering multi-chamber filtration.

Durability

Those external arms on a recycler are the most fragile part of the whole rig. All it takes is one bump in the wrong spot, and you're shopping for a replacement. 

In contrast, incyclers keep everything protected inside a single glass body, which means fewer weak points. Neither design is indestructible, but incyclers survive clumsy moments a little better.

Visual Appeal

Recyclers win this one by a mile. Watching a water tornado through the external loop is mesmerizing. It’s the main reason a lot of people buy recyclers in the first place. Now, incyclers function beautifully themselves - but don't expect the same captivating show.

Ease of Cleaning

Incyclers are easier to maintain with fewer tubes, fewer joints, fewer places for residue to hide. A quick iso rinse and shake handles most buildup. 

Recyclers aren’t rocket science, but they do require more patience. Isopropyl alcohol needs to reach every bend in those external arms, and some designs have tight spots that are nearly impossible to scrub without soaking overnight. 

Regular cleaning keeps either style performing well, but the incycler makes the chore noticeably shorter if you hate the maintenance side of dabbing. Either way, you should get in the habit of burning off excess material - or invest in a reclaim catcher to prevent messes in the first place!

Which is Right For You?

Honestly, these are two of the most unique dab rigs you can add to your arsenal. You can’t go wrong either way, especially when you shop at Badass Glass.

• Go recycler if you dab at home, want the visual experience, and don't mind a slightly larger piece with more cleaning upkeep. These are statement pieces - functional art that performs as well as it looks. They're the centerpiece rig, the one you pull out when friends come over. 
• Go incycler for compactness, durability, and low maintenance. You get the same type of filtration in a tighter package with fewer fragile components. They're also a great option if you travel with your rig or share a smaller space. 

And if you're still on the fence about whether a traditional rig setup is even what you need, our blog has separate comparisons of the nectar collector vs dab straw or nectar collector vs dab rig. Just remember Badass Glass is your one-stop shop for all the dabbing essentials, whatever they may be!

Wrapping Up Our Recycler vs Incycler Comparison

Hopefully this recycler vs incycler comparison has left you with total clarity on which best suits you. Both outperform standard rigs on smoothness, flavor, and cooling. Recyclers give you the show. Incyclers give you practicality. 

But either way, you're getting multi-stage water filtration that makes every dab noticeably better than a basic setup. You can’t go wrong. We carry both styles in our collection, and every piece ships free from our California warehouse with same-day dispatch on orders before 4 PM EST. You’ll get the lowest dab rig price, too.

Browse the collection today, find the piece that fits how you dab.