Dab Rig vs. Classic Bong: What's the Difference?

When it comes to vaporizing concentrates or smoking dry herbs, two popular choices are the dab rig and the classic bong. But what exactly sets them apart? Let’s dive in! 🔍

1. Purpose

  • Dab Rig: Designed for consuming concentrates like wax, shatter, or oils. You’ll use a heated nail to vaporize the concentrate.

  • Classic Bong: Primarily for smoking dry herbs (flower). Water filtration cools and filters the smoke for a smoother hit.

2. Heating Mechanism

  • Dab Rig: Requires a torch to heat the nail, which vaporizes the concentrate when you apply it.

  • Classic Bong: Simply lights the flower with a lighter or matches—no torch needed.

3. Water Filtration

  • Dab Rig: Smaller chamber with less water for quicker cooling of vapor.

  • Classic Bong: Larger chamber, more water, perfect for filtering smoke from flower.

4. Size & Portability

  • Dab Rig: More compact and portable, usually designed for concentrates.

  • Classic Bong: Bulkier in size, available in various shapes and sizes for smoking flower.

5. User Experience

  • Dab Rig: Vaporized hits are smooth, flavorful, and more potent due to the high concentration of cannabinoids.

  • Classic Bong: Produces smoke with larger hits that can be harsher, but still provides that classic experience with dry herbs.

6. Cleaning

  • Dab Rig: Requires more frequent cleaning, especially the nail or banger, to prevent concentrate residue buildup.

  • Classic Bong: Needs regular cleaning to avoid resin and tar buildup from flower.

Bonus Tip:

Did you know you can convert your classic bong into a dab rig? There are adaptors available that allow you to fit a nailor banger onto your favorite bong, making it versatile for both concentrates and dry herbs. Perfect for those who want to switch things up! 🔄


In short, dab rigs are all about efficient vaporization for concentrates, while classic bongs focus on delivering smooth, filtered smoke from dry herbs. Whether you’re after a potent hit or a traditional experience, both have their place in the world of smoking and vaping! 🌿

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