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Dab Rig Vs. Bong: What’s The Difference?

If you're an everyday smoker, you know how serious choosing the right device can be. The wrong one can mean unsatisfying hits, higher costs, and slower water filtration without you even recognizing it. At MJ Arsenal, we aim to bring you that smooth, flavorful session you want each time you sit to puff and pass.

We have a wide selection of colorful, functional, and easy-to-use devices like our flower bongs that lend themselves to your skill level. If you're unsure which device you need as your go-to, first consider the classic. While bongs tend to be the simplest way to learn, dab rigs offer the layered flavor profile that experienced smokers want.

Before you waste time on a device that doesn't fit your needs, let's explore the key differences between a bong vs dab rig in this MJA guide.

What Is A Dab Rig?

A dab rig is a specialized device that turns concentrates into vapor. The key here is having a dab nail or other weighted accessory that can close off the main chamber. Both bongs and dab rigs have a glass construction and produce vapor. It's just the way that they do it that makes all the difference.

For the perfect rig combination, choose one of our MJA dab rigs and an accompanying dab nail to make sure you get the vapor quality you'd like. Our best-selling Infiniti Mini Dab Rig or Claude Mini Rig are perfect on-the-go options for those who like to smoke with friends or discreetly.

Note that dab rigs are specifically designed to vaporize concentrates, while bongs are best suited for dried flower. Find the right attachment for you with one of our smoker-favorite dab tools:

What Is A Bong?

Similar to dab rigs, bongs use water to produce smooth vapor by heating dry flower directly instead of waiting for the water chamber to do all of the work (like with a rig). Herbs, tobacco, and other dry substances work perfectly with a bong. 

Both dab rigs and bongs offer users a clean way to enjoy vapor, but within different mechanisms that make the devices different experiences. For a complete bong setup, you need a few essentials. MJA stocks a wide range of bongs and bong accessories made for longer, enjoyable hits such as:

The Difference Between Dab Rig and Bong

Your sessions should be for you. They should feel like something fun, creative, and enjoyable, something that's only possible with the right device. While an accessory or mechanism may not necessarily be 'wrong' for you, it may be indirectly holding you back from your best sessions.

Check out the key differences between dab rigs and bongs to pinpoint which device will best match your session preferences: 

Design

Bongs have the classic long mouthpiece with attached water chamber, while dab rigs can differ in shape, size, and design. If you're a fan of creative or themed accessories, one of our MJA exclusive dab rigs might be your best bet.

Check out options like our Plasma Core Dab Rig or the Infinity Mini Dab Rig for a fun twist to your usual smoking hangout, gathering, or solo-sesh. For the most classic example of a bong, go for our Summit Bong, which features a beaker-style body and a durable borosilicate glass finish.

Heating Method

When heating a dab rig, you need either a nail or an e-torch to pull vapor. Because bongs pull smoke rather than vapor, you can use a lighter directly on the bowl. One of the positives of using an e-nail or dab torch is that you can get the exact device temperature you'd like, which means a more personalized vapor.

Most people who use their bongs for daily smoking use a simple or household lighter, although they struggle at times to get the device heated correctly the first time. It may take a couple of tries and an 180-degree angle to heat correctly.

Smoke vs Vapor

To state it simply, bongs produce smoke while dab rigs universally create smooth vapor for whoever uses one. In bongs, the herb is directly set to flame with a high temperature, instantly creating usable smoke. 

For dab rigs, the goal isn't to burn concentrates but simply to heat them enough to pull vapor. While flavor may vary, dab rigs tend to create smoother hits than bongs.

How To Choose the Right One for You

Start by deciding what your must-haves are. Do you need a strong, memorable flavor every time you take a hit? Or, are you a fan of dry flowers and won't have it any other way? These small yet impactful choices can mean the difference between a hit you love and one that's just okay.

You can smoke concentrates out of a traditional bong, while a dab rig is exclusively compatible with MJA concentrates. So, will you choose a borosilicate glass bong, or will you go with a fun-designed dab rig and an accompanying hot nail?

Consider the following characteristics before you choose your next go-to:

  • Accessibility: You can't really pull out a bong in public or with you on the go. If you're someone who needs a compact smoking device, a dab rig should be your next purchase.
  • Plant Material: You might strictly smoke dry herbs. That right away is a reason to choose a bong as your everyday device. If you prefer flavorful vapor as opposed to smoke, go with a dab rig.
  • Size: Most bongs need to be placed down on a surface to use, as they're usually between 12 and 16 inches in height. Dab rigs, especially our mini dab rigs, are small enough to fit in a bag or pass around.

Shop MJ Arsenal's Full Dab Rig & Bong Collections

Don't leave smoother hits for hangouts and group sessions. Take your hits to another level with MJ Arsenal elevated dab rigs and bongs, all crafted with borosilicate glass and shaped to fit any space you put them in.

If your dabber tool isn't living up to your standards, you can get that here, too. We've made our dab, bong, and other smoking accessory collections universal enough to get you the flavor, strength, and texture you'd like, while still offering fun colors, shapes, and designs. Shop today to start elevating hits no matter the device.