What is a Dab Rig?
A dab rig is a water pipe purpose-built for concentrates. Where a standard bong is designed for flower, a dab rig is engineered specifically for oils, waxes, and extracts, delivering a cleaner, more flavorful experience than any other method. The setup is straightforward: a heat source (torch or electronic nail) brings the banger or nail to temperature, you apply your concentrate, and the rig's water filtration cools and smooths the vapor before it reaches you. The result is rich, full-flavored pulls that showcase the true character of your concentrates in a way nothing else matches.
At BOOM Headshop, we carry a curated selection of glass dab rigs from the brands that actually know what they're doing, from compact mini rigs built for flavor to full-size pieces engineered for serious sessions.
Types of Dab Rigs
Not all rigs are built the same, and the right one depends on how and where you dab.
Traditional dab rigs are the classic setup: a glass water pipe paired with a quartz banger and a torch. They give you total control over temperature and deliver some of the cleanest, most flavorful vapor you can get. If you're dialing in your technique and want to taste every terpene, this is the format serious enthusiasts keep coming back to.
Mini rigs, also called mini bubblers or oil rigs, are compact versions of the traditional rig. The smaller chamber means less air diluting your vapor, which actually translates to more concentrated flavor per pull. They're also far more portable and easier to store, making them a popular choice for enthusiasts who want performance without the footprint.
Recycler rigs use a two-chamber system that continuously cycles water through the piece, keeping the vapor cooler and smoother from the first pull to the last. If smoothness and filtration are your priorities, a recycler is worth the upgrade.
Silicone rigs trade glass for food-grade silicone, making them nearly indestructible and travel-ready. They're not as premium as glass in terms of aesthetics, but if portability and durability matter more than display-case looks, they're a practical choice.
Electronic dab rigs, or e-rigs, remove the torch from the equation entirely. Devices like the Puffco Peak Pro and Dr. Dabber Switch 2 use precision heating elements and digital temperature control to deliver consistent, repeatable results without the guesswork of a torch. They're the fastest-growing category in concentrates for good reason.
How to Choose the Right Dab Rig
Size matters more than most people expect. Smaller rigs preserve terpene profiles better because there's less air between the nail and your lungs. If flavor is the priority, go smaller. If you want bigger, smoother pulls with more filtration, a taller rig with a more complex percolation system will deliver that.
Glass quality is the difference between a rig that lasts years and one that doesn't survive the first session. Look for thick borosilicate glass, clean welds, and joints that fit snugly. Brands like GRAV and Empire Glassworks are held to a different standard than budget glass, and you feel it in every pull.
Joint size and gender determine what bangers and accessories are compatible with your rig. The most common sizes are 10mm, 14mm, and 18mm, with 14mm being the most widely supported across accessories and upgrades. If you're buying bangers or additional attachments, always check that the joint size and gender (male or female) match up before ordering.
Percolation style affects both the smoothness and the flavor of your vapor. Inline percs, showerhead percs, and honeycomb percs each filter differently, and personal preference plays a big role. As a general rule, more filtration equals smoother vapor but can slightly mute flavor. Less filtration keeps the flavor sharper and more intense.
Budget is worth being honest about upfront. A $40 rig will get the job done but may compromise on glass thickness, joint quality, and longevity. A $100 to $200 piece from a reputable brand is where performance and durability really start to align. If you're serious about concentrates, it's an investment that pays off in the quality of every session.
What to Look for in a Quality Dab Rig
Borosilicate glass is the standard for any rig worth owning. It's heat-resistant, durable, and doesn't affect the flavor of your vapor the way cheaper glass can. Any rig we carry at BOOM is built with it.
Quartz bangers are the preferred nail material for flavor-conscious consumers. Quartz heats evenly, retains temperature well, and doesn't impart any off-flavors into your concentrate. Ceramic and titanium nails are alternatives with their own characteristics, but quartz is the go-to for good reason.
Water filtration quality separates a smooth, enjoyable experience from one that's harsh on the throat. Look for rigs where the downstem and percolation system create consistent, fine bubbles throughout. Bigger bubbles mean less filtration surface area. Smaller, more numerous bubbles mean better cooling and a smoother pull.
Accessories and compatibility matter especially if you plan to grow your setup over time. A rig with a standard 14mm female joint opens up a wide ecosystem of aftermarket bangers, carb caps, and attachments. It's worth thinking about where you want to take your setup before you commit to a piece.
Dab Rig Accessories Worth Knowing
A rig is only part of the equation. A quality quartz banger is the most important accessory you'll pair with your piece, and it's worth buying a good one. Low-temp dabs through a clean quartz banger produce the kind of rich, flavorful vapor that makes concentrates worth the investment in the first place.
Carb caps control airflow over your banger and let you dab at lower temperatures without losing vapor. Directional carb caps and bubble caps help move terp pearls around the banger for more even heating and extraction.
Terp pearls sit inside the banger and spin with airflow from a carb cap, distributing concentrate across the entire surface of the banger for more efficient, even vaporization. They're a small upgrade with a noticeable difference.
A dab tool is how you load your concentrate into the banger without waste or mess. Titanium and quartz dab tools are the most durable and easiest to keep clean.
A torch is required for any traditional setup. Butane torches are the standard, and a quality torch with consistent flame output makes a real difference in how repeatable your sessions are.
Shop Dab Rigs Online at BOOM Headshop
Every rig in our collection is handpicked by people who actually know concentrates. We carry glass from brands like GRAV and Empire Glassworks alongside the best e-rigs on the market from Puffco and Dr. Dabber, all backed by our price match guarantee and fast, discreet shipping. Whether you're building your first setup or adding to a collection, you'll find the right piece here.











































