Different Types of Dab Rigs

There are so many different types of dab rigs at your fingertips here at Badass Glass. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the dab rig types, whether you’re shopping for your first or looking to upgrade to something new. We’ll help you weigh your options below:

Your search for any of these types of dab rigs ends here at Badass Glass. We’ve handpicked every style in our catalog from the most trusted brands in the industry. Your order is backed by our world-class customer service and hassle-free return policy, too. Shop now!

What is a Dab Rig?

These are like a bong for concentrate - be it rosin, live resin, or anything in between. Instead of a bowl, it uses a banger or nail that you heat and touch the concentrate to. That’s the key difference between dabs vs bongs - these create vapor instead of smoke.

The setup gives you way better flavor, smoother pulls, and far more control over temperature than traditional smoking methods, like bongs or pipes (let alone joints/blunts). You could make the case that dabbing is more cost-effective than smoking, too. 

Different Types of Dab Rigs

Badass Glass is your one-stop shop for all the different types of dab rigs. We want to help you narrow it down to the perfect style for your preferences and budget. Here are the different categories dab rigs fall under:

Glass Dab Rigs

These dab rigs for sale are the most common of all dab rig types. They come as big or as small as you like. What matters most is the quality of the glass. You need to heat the banger or nail with a blowtorch, and cheaper glass is prone to cracking. It’ll also be more prone to shattering if you bump it. Borosilicate glass is the way to go. 

A glass dab rig is right for you if you:

• Enjoy the familiarity of glassware
• Want a sturdy rigs that gives good hits
• Enjoy various smoke diffusion methods
• Enjoy the flavor of the various concentrates
• Like recollecting the oil to smoke again

This style is perfect for newbies and seasoned stoners alike. The only thing you need to keep in mind is the rig will need constant cleaning, and it’s more susceptible to breaking if you aren’t careful. It’s not the best choice for travel. That’s where its silicone counterpart comes into play. 

Silicone Dab Rigs

Silicone dab rigs are cheap and can take a beating. They’re practically indestructible. They're also easy to break down and store if you want to take your rig on the go. Silicone has the added advantage of being dishwasher safe. They’re a solid choice if you:

• Want a bargain but still want a rig that slaps
• Need a rig that isn’t going to break
• Hate cleaning rigs and would rather throw it in the dishwasher
• Prefer a colorful rig with some creative flair
• Need a travel-friendly rig

The main issue we have with these types of dab rigs is the flavor. Silicone doesn’t taste nearly as pure as glass does. Most of these rigs lack percolators, too, which can lead to harsher rips.

Still, silicone is ideal for the dabber on the go who prefers a rig to a pen. Its colorful and indestructible nature also makes it popular among festival goers. 

Recycler Dab Rigs

If you’re looking for the smoothest dab possible, recycler dab rigs fit the bill. It's called a recycler because of how the design works. It cycles the vapor through the percs multiple times before it gets to you.

The smallest recyclers in our lineup at Badass Glass start at 8” tall. Most have super intricate designs, which is why they’ll cost you a bit more than some other dab rig types. Recycler dab rigs are best for dabbers who:

• Want a top-of-the-line dab rig
• Appreciate artistic glass artwork
• Won’t settle for less than the smoothest dab possible
• Have the money to spend

So, just how much do dab rigs cost? In this case, you can expect to pay anywhere from $75 to $200+. You get what you pay for, though, as these types of dab rigs are true works of art!

Mini Dab Rigs

Our mini dab rigs are so popular because they prove that small can be mighty. These are usually less than 7” tall and can be made from either scientific glass or silicone.

Dabs from a mini rig get the vapor nice and concentrated, so it really slaps. They have lots of curves and even some percolators in some cases. This is how the hit feels nice and smooth even though there’s less surface area to cool the vapor. Mini dab rigs are best for dabbers who:

• Are looking for a cheaper rig that still has a lot of percolators
• Have a smaller shelf space to keep their rig
• Prefer a more concentrated dab
• Find smaller pieces cute

They’re not as impressive as some of the larger rigs, but we all know size isn’t everything. These types of portable dab rigs are great for loading up in a bag and taking on the go, especially when made from silicone. 

Electric Dab Rigs (E-Rigs)

Electric dab rigs are by far the most convenient dab rig types we carry. Because let’s be honest - not every stoner can be trusted with a blowtorch! But even beyond that, it’s so much easier to press a button and let your rig heat up. This gives you way more temperature precision, too.

E-rigs are best for dabbers who:

• Want something convenient that heats up quickly
• Desire temperature control over their various oils, waxes, and honeys
• Take their dab rig on the go
• Are looking to pay for a mid-price rig

If you like the convenience of a dab pen but still want to hit a rig, get an E-Rig. It gives you convenience without sacrificing flavor. Your search for the best portable dab rig ends here at Badass Glass. 

Nectar Collectors and Dab Straws

Last but not least in our guide to the different types of dab rigs, we have one the dab straw - also known as a nectar collector. But whether you call it a nectar collector vs dab straw, they’re super unique.

This is what you get when you merge a dab pen with a dab rig. These dab rig types are the best of both worlds, depending on what you like in a dab. An E-rig can give you all the convenience of an electronic heating unit in a dab rig. They’re really portable and easy to use.

These are relatively new, but they’ve quickly become the best choice for a variety of reasons. You can’t go wrong with adding one of these to your arsenal if you:

• Like the convenience of a dab pen but still want to use a blowtorch
• Want to be able to take their dabs camping or to concerts
• Want something that’s easy to clean
• Are looking for a bargain rig

There's only one real downside to Nectar Collector. The very simple design means it lacks percolators. So if you’re a bit sensitive to dabs, you might want to reach for the recycler rig. You can learn more about the nectar collector vs dab rig in our blog. 

Which of the Different Dab Rig Types is Right For You?

There you have it, all the different types of dab rigs! Now it’s just a matter of figuring out which is right for you. It depends on how you like to dab, where you like to dab, your aesthetic preferences, your budget, and a few other factors. Here’s what you need to consider:

• Where do you usually take dabs? If it’s in a small apartment, you’ll probably want a mini rig. If it’s a shared house with roommates, you might want a sturdier silicone rig so nobody breaks it. 
• How sensitive are you to hot vapor? A nectar collector/dab straw or silicone rig might not be a good fit if you find yourself constantly coughing. Go with a glass rig or recycler that has percolators to cool the vapor.
• Do you actually enjoy heating with a torch? This is the traditional approach, but electronic heating saves you a ton of time, energy, and uncertainty - which is why e-rigs are so popular. 
• Do you want big clouds or smaller, terp-heavy hits? That preference determines the size of the chamber and how concentrated the vapor will feel.
• What’s your budget? Recyclers, more sophisticated glass rigs, and e-rigs are going to cost you more than silicone pieces or mini rigs. 

Asking and answering these questions should help you narrow it down to the perfect style. Keep in mind, you might want more than one of these dab rig types in your arsenal for different occasions or just to keep adding to your collection! 

Your Search For All the Different Types of Dab Rigs Ends at Badass Glass

Badass Glass pulls every style of dab rig into one place so you can shop without bouncing between a dozen sites. Our team hand-picks rigs that actually deliver. You get clean flavor from glass, tough builds for silicone, smooth pulls from recyclers, fast heat-up from e-rigs, and simple on-the-go hits from nectar collectors.

Everything ships from our Southern California warehouse, packed safely and ready to use the moment it lands. Your order is backed by our satisfaction guarantee, too. You can always get in touch with our customer service team for one-on-one guidance if you’re still on the fence about which of the different types of dab rigs is right for you, too!

How to Use Different Types of Dab Rigs

We want to quickly touch on how to use different types of dab rigs since the approach will differ a bit across these styles. The basics stay more or less the same, though. 

Heat your surface, let it cool a little, drop your dab in, and pull steadily. Cap the banger to let vapor build up, then remove it and clear the chamber. Keep a cotton swab nearby so you can clean the bucket or tip while it’s still warm. That’s how you keep everything hitting right.

E-rigs change the routine a bit since there’s no torch. You just pick a temperature, wait for the heater to reach it, and the device handles the rest. They’re great when you want consistent results or you’re still learning the timing with a torch.

Dab straws work differently, too. Heat the tip directly, then touch it to the edge of your concentrate while you inhale. Don’t jam the hot tip into the middle of your jar, or you’ll burn through your gram way too fast. We recommend sitting a little bit aside and dabbing just that. Think of it like sipping from the side rather than scooping from the center.

Final Words on the Different Dab Rig Types

We hope our guide to the different types of dab rigs has left you feeling clear on which best suits your needs. Whether you want smoother vapor, stronger hits, or something easy to travel with, we have you covered here at Badass Glass. Shop the best rigs online today and build a setup that hits exactly the way you want!