Looking for the best dab rig for beginners? You’ve come to the right place! Our beginner dab rig guide is going to help you uncover the perfect piece, and we’ll even show you how to use a dab rig for beginners.
Badass Glass is the #1 place to find dab rigs online, so we’ll share a few great options for your first rig below. You’ll also discover all the dab essentials you need to make the most of your concentrate from the very first session. Learn more below!
These specialized water pipes use the same mechanics as your favorite glass bong - but with a few key distinctions to make them better for vaporizing concentrate than burning dry herb. Let’s take a look at what actually makes it work.
You need to know about a few important dab rig parts.
You’ll see some similarities between a bong vs dab rig, but it’s the differences that matter most.
We’ll talk more about this later on, but you’ll want to keep a bong in rotation for flower and a dab rig for your extract. They shouldn’t be used interchangeably.
We know how overwhelming it can be for beginners to pinpoint the perfect dab rig. We have all been there, option overload paralysis is a real thing.
We’re here to take your hand and lead you through the glass factory. Like Gene Wilder said, “Come with me, and you’ll see a world of pure imagination.” Let’s begin by breaking down some of your options in general, starting with size:
Size doesn’t impact anything other than personal fulfillment. If you like larger water pipes, then by all means use a larger one. If you like the convenience of traveling with your water pipe and easy stowage, then a smaller one is right for you. Personally, we prefer smaller dab rigs because they produce better flavor.
There are many types of dab rigs at your disposal - these are the most popular:
A recycler dab rigs is a water pipe that is normally composed of a two chamber percolator that recycles water inside the piece. This provides more smoke filtration for smoother, more enjoyable rips.
Recyclers ensure the operator never encounters splashback (water entering the mouthpiece) and keeps the smoke from becoming stale providing the most flavor while imbibing. The function is a lot of fun to watch, too!
A silicone dab rig is the most durable option. Are you accident-prone? Always dropping things? Silicone provides a worry-free smoking experience even for the most clumsy smoker.
If you’re looking to bring your smoke during travel or go to a gathering, silicone offers the durability to do so while not detracting from the quality of smoke one would receive.
We know you came here to find the best dab rig for beginners, but hear us out. Nectar Collectors are more portable and discreet. It looks and acts like a straw and can either be made of silicone or glass.
The “tip” replaces the “nail.” You heat the tip and then stick it right into your concentrate. Inhale through the opposite end of the straw. Doesn’t really get much simpler than that!
It sounds a lot more complicated, but an electronic dab rig (or E-rig) gives you the ultimate control over your smoking experience. You can change temperature at the click of a button and you won’t have to use a torch at all.
The benefits of having an automated heating system outweigh the potential price climb. The “Goldilocks Zone” or ideal temperature for dabs to be taken lies between 315 and 440 degrees. You can crank it up for lung-busting rips or dial it down for flavor purity.
You want a personalized recommendation? You’ve got it. Here are the top 10 beginner dab rigs at Badass Glass, all perfect for your very first piece.
This small yet effective rig screams simplicity. Standing at 7.5”, it’s small enough to store easily, yet will provide just enough of a punch to get you to Cloud 9. The slitted showerhead percolator located near the bottom of the piece is tactfully manufactured just for those being introduced to the world of dabbing, being easy to clean and not easily clogged.
What a beauty! Three chambers for water vapor to pass through before reaching the user ensures that each hit will be as smooth like Uncle Rocco’s freshly shaven head at Danksgiving, I mean Thanksgiving. This rig stands at 5” and is an art piece in itself.
Another option for just setting out into the world of dabs is a Mini Banger Hanger. This small and simplistic rig is designed for those that like the low maintenance aspects of life.
The wide base and 5mm borosilicate glass throughout the rig means this one is less vulnerable than many others. Standing at 5” it is a perfect fit in your hand, so you can feel comfortable whilst dabbing. One of the best portable dab rig options we carry!
Are you looking for a smaller rig but not a smaller high? The Pocket Oil Rig by Glob Squad is a match made in heaven. The rig’s slim design lets it fit just about any place you would like to stash it.
Equipped with a donut percolator, the quality and consistency of smoke stays the course as the leading competition. The Pocket Oil Rig allows the first-time user to feel comfortable during their experience. Definitely one of the best dab rigs for beginners!
The Double Showerhead Oil Rig gives you a super smooth hit as the smoke is diffused not only once but twice in this rig. The angled neck allows for a laid-back, relaxed smoke session and is very easy to use.
The Double Showerhead Oil Rig by Diamond Glass stands at 8” and will not only take the concentrate straight to your dome, but will make a statement from an artistic standpoint, too.
The silicone body of this piece is nearly indestructible. It’s the perfect travel companion as it breaks down into three separate pieces; mouth/stem, middle glass chamber, and the beaker. This silicone option is the optimal stress free design for any first timer. The colorful silicone rig stands at 9” and is made out of BPA free, non-toxic food grade silicone.
This unique design makes this dab rig stand out! The one of a kind look will have all your smoke buddies asking about your rig. Standing at 5” this mini recycler is small yet mighty, packing the same amount of punch that a rig twice the size would.
Optimal neck design ensures no splashback for those unfamiliar to the scene of dabbing or using water pipes. This piece is made out of 5mm borosilicate glass and is very durable for its small package.
The SOC Dab Rig is a self-heating electronic dab rig so you don’t need a torch, making this one of the easiest dab rigs to use. It’s the perfect travel companion for taking your sessions to new heights (or destinations). Complete with a secured carb cap, quartz dish, and ceramic dish, all one needs to complete this setup is a dabber/wand.
The SOC Dab Rig stands at 6” and has an adjustable temperature gauge for those who prefer to take lower temperature dabs. This fully automated rig is the perfect beginner dab rig.
Sitting at 7” the Mini Inline to Honeycomb Oil Rig offers two percolators for the smoothest hit possible for a small rig. The Honeycomb percolator is one of our favorites; more holes = more diffusion in the smoke. More diffusion of smoke = a smoother toke.
This rig does not need a lot of water to ensure that pristine toke. Designed with a bent neck for a comfortable user experience, a larger base for stability, and a simple yet durable design, the Mini Inline to Honeycomb Oil Rig is the perfect rig for beginners.
Let freedom ring with this patriotic 7” design by Bougie. The showerhead percolator ensures smooth rips. It also has a wide base for optimal stability. This unique yet simple design is also low maintenance.
Equipped with a large mouthpiece and enough curve in the neck/stem to prevent backsplash, the Liberty Bell Dab Rig is perfect for any patriotic newcomer.
Now, let’s talk numbers. How much are dab rigs? Honestly, less than you’d think! Even the best dab rig for beginners can cost as little as $25-$50. You get what you pay for most of the time, but you don’t have to break the bank for your very first piece. Start with something basic and upgrade your collection over time as you figure out if you really want to commit to dabbing.
Silicone pieces are cheaper, but remember, you’ll miss out on some flavor purity. Glass pieces let you taste the nuanced notes of your extract, which is the whole point of dabbing, right?
Learning how to use a dab rig for beginners looks intimidating, but it's simpler than you'd think:
A dab rig is smaller with tighter chambers for concentrate flavor. Banger instead of a bowl, vaporizing instead of combusting.
You technically can if you add a bowl piece, but your beginner dab rig isn't designed for it. Use a bong for flower.
You could attach a banger, but again, a dedicated rig is the way to go.
Just enough to cover the perc slits. Take a dry pull to test and adjust from there. Less is usually more.
Heat until it glows, let it cool 30-60 seconds. Aim for 315-440 degrees. Lower = flavor, higher = clouds.
Check the joint. Sticks outward = male (needs female banger). Hollow opening = female (needs male banger).
Carb cap, dabber tool, torch, and cotton swabs. These are must-haves alongside any of the best dab rigs for beginners. Add a quartz banger too - it’s worth it.
