A dab rig is a small water pipe made for concentrates. Instead of a bowl, it uses a banger or nail that you heat, then you place the concentrate on the hot surface and inhale the vapor through water. Glass rigs use a torch, while electric rigs, or e-rigs, heat themselves with a battery.
Key takeaways
- A dab rig has four main parts: the banger, the joint, the body with water and the mouthpiece.
- Dab rigs are smaller than water pipes on purpose. A short path keeps vapor from cooling too much and losing flavor.
- A glass rig needs a banger, carb cap, dab tool and torch. An e-rig replaces the torch and banger with a heated chamber.
- Mini rigs, usually under 8 inches, are the most popular for flavor and storage.
What are the parts of a dab rig?
Every glass dab rig has a banger or nail, a joint, a body that holds water and a mouthpiece. Many also include a percolator to break up the vapor.
Heating
Banger or nail
The bucket you heat and load. Quartz bangers are the most common.
Connection
Joint
Where the banger plugs in. Most rigs use 10mm or 14mm joints.
Body
Chamber and percolator
Holds water. A percolator splits vapor into small bubbles for cooling.
Top
Mouthpiece
Where you inhale. A narrow neck keeps the path short.
What is the difference between a dab rig and a bong?
A dab rig is built for concentrates and uses a heated banger; a bong is built for dry herb and uses a bowl. Rigs are usually smaller to protect flavor, while bongs are larger for more cooling.
| Feature | Dab rig | Water pipe (bong) |
|---|---|---|
| Made for | Concentrates | Dry herb |
| Heating piece | Banger or nail, heated with a torch | Bowl, lit directly |
| Typical size | Small, often under 10 inches | Medium to large |
| Joint size | Usually 10mm or 14mm | Usually 14mm or 18mm |
| Extra gear | Torch, carb cap, dab tool | Lighter, grinder |
Rigs worth showing off
Shop dab rigs
Mini rigs, recyclers and complete kits with a banger included. Free US shipping over $49.99.
What is the difference between a glass dab rig and an e-rig?
A glass rig needs a torch to heat the banger. An e-rig heats a chamber with a battery and lets you pick an exact temperature, so there is no torch or timing.
E-rigs like the Puffco Peak cost more but are simple and consistent. Glass rigs cost less and give you full control, but take a little practice. Many people own both. Browse our e-rigs if you want to skip the torch.
What size dab rig should you get?
Most people choose a mini rig of 5 to 8 inches for strong flavor. Larger rigs with more percolation give cooler, smoother draws but more distance for vapor to travel.
- Mini rigs (under 8 inches): best flavor, easy to store and clean.
- Mid-size rigs (8 to 10 inches): a balance of flavor and cooling.
- Recyclers: loop water for extra filtration and a smooth draw.
- Silicone rigs: hard to break, good for travel.
What else do you need with a dab rig?
With a glass rig you need four extras: a quartz banger, a carb cap, a dab tool and a butane torch. Some rigs include a banger in the box.
Banger
Quartz banger
Match your rig’s joint size and gender.
Cap
Carb cap
Traps heat so you can dab at lower temperatures.
Tool
Dab tool
Lets you handle and place concentrate cleanly.
Heat
Butane torch
Heats the banger. A refillable torch like the Wulf Mods Warhead works well.
Complete kits save guesswork. The Wulf Mods Alpha 14mm dab rig includes a quartz banger, and you can add a Wulf Mods Warhead torch and accessories from our dab accessories collection.
Complete your setup
Shop dab accessories
Bangers, carb caps, terp pearls and dab tools. 100% Authentic from top brand names.
How do you set up a dab rig for the first time?
Rinse the rig, add water, insert the banger and do a test heat to cure it. Then you are ready for your first session.
- Rinse the rig with warm water to remove dust from shipping.
- Fill with water so the downstem or percolator slits are just covered.
- Insert the banger into the joint so it sits snug and angled correctly.
- Do a first heat with no concentrate to burn off any residue on new quartz, then let it cool fully.
- Keep your carb cap, dab tool and torch within reach on a stable, heat-safe surface.
For the full session walkthrough, see our guide on how to use a dab rig.
How much do dab rigs cost?
Simple glass rigs start around thirty to fifty dollars, kits with a banger cost a little more and artist or recycler rigs cost more again. E-rigs typically range from about one hundred to several hundred dollars.
What types of dab rigs are there?
The main types are mini rigs, recyclers, incyclers, beaker-style rigs and electric rigs. They differ in how water moves inside, how big they are and whether you need a torch.
- Mini rigs: compact glass rigs, often under 8 inches. Less glass means vapor travels a short path, which many people like for flavor.
- Recyclers: use two chambers and connecting arms so water keeps cycling back. This adds filtration and makes a satisfying rolling motion.
- Incyclers: a variation of the recycler where the water loop sits inside the main chamber.
- Beaker-style rigs: a wider base for stability, similar to a beaker bong but sized for concentrates.
- Electric rigs: battery-powered devices that heat a chamber for you, so there is no torch to handle. Puffco, Focus V and Dr. Dabber all make them.
For a first rig, a simple mini rig or an electric rig is the easiest place to start. Recyclers look great but take a little more care to fill and clean.
Shop dab rigs and e-rigs we carry
In stock now and ready to ship. Free US shipping over $49.99.
-
Yocan Torch XL Portable Enail
$69.99 -
Yocan Torch Portable Enail
$39.99 -
Yocan Black Phaser Max E-Rig
$159.99
Frequently asked questions
How much do dab rigs cost?
Basic glass dab rigs often start around thirty to fifty dollars, and complete kits with a banger cost a little more. Artist-made glass, recyclers and heavier pieces cost more. Electric rigs usually range from about one hundred dollars to several hundred, depending on the brand, battery and features.
Do you need a torch for a dab rig?
A glass dab rig needs a torch to heat the banger, usually a refillable butane torch. An electric dab rig, or e-rig, does not, because a battery heats the chamber to a set temperature. If you want to skip the torch entirely, an e-rig is the simpler option.
Can you use a dab rig for dry herb?
Dab rigs are designed for concentrates. You can swap the banger for a bowl if the joint matches, but the small size and short path are built for concentrates, and herb can clog small percolators. For dry herb, a water pipe or bubbler is a better fit.
What is a banger on a dab rig?
A banger is the bucket-shaped piece, usually quartz, that plugs into the rig’s joint. You heat it with a torch, let it cool to your target temperature, then place concentrate inside. It replaces the bowl you would use on a water pipe for dry herb.
What is a mini dab rig?
A mini dab rig is a small rig, usually under 8 inches tall. The short path from banger to mouthpiece keeps vapor from cooling too much, which many people prefer for flavor. Mini rigs are also easier to store, clean and travel with than larger pieces.
100% Authentic from top brand names
Find your first rig
Free US shipping over $49.99, $9.99 flat under that. Ships within the USA to adults 21+.
Pick the rig that fits how you dab
Choose glass for control and value, an e-rig for convenience, and a mini rig if flavor is your priority. Compare every option in our dab rigs collection.
