Many cannabis connoisseurs, new and veteran alike, enjoy exploring the range of smoking gadgets and gizmos in their search for the best smoking devices.
Of course, the real benefit of trying all the different types of smoking devices is improving your cannabis experience. Having the best tools available can certainly optimize the user experience. In fact, some great cannabis hardware, along with all the delights cannabis has to offer, can help reveal the true purpose of cannabis.
If you’re just starting your cannabis explorations, refer to our guide to the hardware and devices used to enjoy cannabis.
Vape Batteries and Pens
The batteries used in the different types of smoking devices are not at all like the batteries used in your TV remote. Swapping out the batteries in a TV remote may make your remote work better, but it does not change the user experience—but it does just that in cannabis hardware. Whether the device is a vape, an electronic dab rig, or some other electric-powered device, the battery you choose is almost as important as the cannabis you select to go along with it.
A vape or e-rig battery is the power source for the heating element that vaporizes the cannabis for inhalation. While some proprietary pod systems have their own battery and shape, the majority of vapes are powered by a 510-thread battery. This universal battery fits any standard cannabis cartridge, and when attached via screw threads to the bottom of the cartridge, it makes for an elongated system in the shape of a pen. This shape is why vape devices are often referred to as vape pens. However, not all 510-thread batteries are alike.
The most important components of the 510 battery are voltage, MAH, and the push-button/auto-draw option. The voltage of a good vape battery should be anywhere from 2.5 to 4.8 volts. The higher the voltage, the thicker the vapor—but too-high temperatures can damage the terpenes in the extract and cause a loss of flavor.
For that reason, higher voltage batteries do best on ceramic cartridges with thicker extracts because they are more heat resistant, which will preserve flavor. Cannabis users who like to experiment with various cartridge brands and concentrates will want to invest in a variable voltage battery that can be adjusted to match the diverse types of extracts.
A good vape battery will be in the 200-900 milliampere-hour (MAH) range. The higher the MAH, the longer the charge will last, but it will use more energy, so a higher voltage will be necessary. Push-button batteries give more control over temp and battery life, while draw-activated batteries initiate the heating element when the user inhales from the mouthpiece. The latter are lower-voltage devices and work best for novices thanks to the easy-to-use experience they offer.
Bubblers
Bubblers can be considered a compromise between a pipe and a water bong. Like a bong, bubblers incorporate a water chamber, though they also have a stem, fixed mouthpiece, and a carb, like a pipe. Bubblers offer the portability of a pipe and a bong-like water filtration element that delivers a smoother hit. These are great for new smokers because they are durable, lightweight, portable, and easy to use.
Bubblers come in a variety of shapes and styles, suitable for consuming different forms of cannabis. Some are designed for smoking flower, while others are designed for consuming oils and concentrates. As a result of this diversity, consumers who like the bubbler experience will have endless options to find their perfect experience.
Hand Pipes
Hand pipes are an ancient art form, and smoking from one is a common means of consumption for nearly every culture that ever combusted tobacco or cannabis. The user holds a flame to crumbled or ground cannabis flower held in the bowl portion of the pipe. The bowl has a small hole in its bottom, and the smoke travels from the bowl through the stem, into the mouthpiece, and directly into the mouth of the smoker.
Hand pipes are still the most common pipe used to smoke cannabis. They are small, discreet, simple to use, and can hold a decent amount of flower before needing to be refilled. Today, hand pipes are available in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and styles. In fact, the creativity of many of these devices means they are often the beginning of a beloved collection for veteran smokers.
Bongs
Get creative and customize your smoking experience with a bong! The essential parts of the bong are the bowl, downstem and base. From single tubes to beaker-shaped or spherical bases, there are an infinite amount of ways to design your own water pipe. You can even make your own bong with any vessel that is both airtight and watertight by adding a stem, bowl and carb apparatus. Neck pinches and gravity chambers can also add to the customizability of the smoke.
Our friends at Eight Vape have a huge variety of bongs – from glass water bongs to easy-to-clean silicone pieces, they really have it all.
Dab Rigs
Dab rigs are the primary device used to smoke small quantities of various types of cannabis concentrate, referred to as dabbing. The concentrates used in dab rigs are typically much higher in THC than flower and must be vaporized rather than smoked. The dab rig looks remarkably similar to a water pipe, but instead of a bowl and stem, they use a dab nail in its place. The dab nail itself looks much like the small bowl and stem of a pipe, but instead of a depression to pack cannabis flower, the surface is flat.
The dab nail is heated with a torch. Once it reaches the proper temperature, the concentrate is placed on the surface, where it vaporizes and is funneled through the various chambers to the mouthpiece. The resulting vapor is inhaled by the user at the mouthpiece of the rig.
E-Nails and E-Rigs
These products are also used to vaporize cannabis concentrates, or dabs. Unlike manual dab rigs, which require the use of a torch to heat the nail, e-rigs have an electric heating element. These self-contained devices function much like a bubbler with an electronic element.
An e-nail is an attachment you can use in place of a traditional dab nail in a regular dab rig. Whether the entire unit or just the nail is electronic, this technology allows you to precision-set the temperature, making for a controlled dab at the ideal temperature to experience the full terpene profile. These products are perfect for the cannabis enthusiast who enjoys dabbing socially or on the go.
Terp Pens
We love the Boundless Terp Pens!
Boundless has revolutionized the wax pen genre since the introduction of the CF-710 concentrate vaporizer in 2016. Over the years with continuous improvements and innovations in vape technology, Boundless has released two more versions of the dab pen, presenting their users with superior quality and craftsmanship. The smaller iterations – the Terp Pen and Terp Pen XL – are evidence of their dedication to excellence.
Dry Herb Vape Devices
Vaporizing cannabis products has quickly become the fastest-growing means of consumption among cannabis users. While most vapes heat cannabis concentrates, herb vapes are capable of vaporizing dried, cured cannabis flower. These devices use a heating element powered by a battery or a convection heating device to vaporize cannabis flower held within a chamber.
This convenient means of consuming cannabis requires no flame, and the cannabis vapor produced is not nearly as pungent or long-lasting as cannabis smoke. The devices used to vape herb range from simple 510-thread batteries screwed onto herb cartridges to elaborate, proprietary tabletop systems that require specific fittings. Herb vapes come in both disposable and reusable styles, and the most you’ll need to do is pack the chamber with your desired flower to begin your cannabis experience.
We recommend the Dry Herb Devices by Boundless.
Boundless has the perfect vaporizer for everyone, no matter their budget or needs. From simple and cost-effective models that are ideal for beginners, to high-end offerings with unique features.
Chillums and One-Hitters
Chillums are a variation of hand pipes that may be the original smoking devices for flower. Used in the ceremonial traditions of India, they are essentially larger versions of one-hitters and are typically made from glass, clay, or ceramics. Larger versions of chillums include steamrollers and glass blunts, and all feature a tunnel running between a mouthpiece and a flower chamber, or “dugout.” These hand pipes have existed for centuries, but the most well-known modern variation of the chillum is the one-hitter.
While one-hitters are more modern than chillums, they are certainly not new to the scene and have been a popular means for smoking flower for decades. Their portability and discreet design make them perfect for use on the go. A one-hitter is about the size of a cigarette and, thus, needs to be repacked after one or two hits, giving the one-hitter its classic name.
Nectar Collectors
Go portable with the Nectar Collector! A dabbing device also known as a honey straw or dab pipe, this handheld rig is perfect for vaping cannabis concentrates, sometimes referred to as “nectar”. The Nectar Collector consists of a tube with a mouthpiece at the top and a “straw” on the bottom that can be heated up. Enjoy effortless and hassle-free dabbing with the Nectar Collector!
Cones
Cones offer an easy way to make your own joints at home. Sometimes called “bats” due to their shape, they start out thin and gradually get larger towards the end, like a cone.
Cannabis cones are popular for a variety of reasons. They’re easy to use, offer a mess-free smoking experience, and provide smokers with an even burning cone without having to deal with rolling papers or blunts. The conical shape also helps create a steady draw so that you can enjoy your flower perfectly every time. Plus, they offer the same potency as rolling papers, but with added convenience!
We recommend the Classic RAW Cones.
Rolling Papers
Specialized rolling papers are made of very thin material that is used to roll or wrap ground-up cannabis flower into joints or pre-rolls. They are also used to roll spliffs, which are a combination of tobacco and cannabis. Blunts are rolled with a specialized blunt rolling paper, more akin to that used in cigars.
Papers can be made from a variety of materials, including wood pulp, rice, flax, and hemp. They are also available in many assorted sizes and thicknesses to cater to the preferences of old-school cannabis enthusiasts who enjoy rolling their own joints and blunts. As an added note of intrigue, many rolling papers can be infused with flavors, enhancing the sensory experience.
Rolling Devices
Rolling a perfect joint can be a challenge for even experienced cannabis smokers, but rolling machines make it easier! Enjoy picture-perfect joints with every use and save your time and energy for more important things. A rolling machine is the perfect way to take the hassle out of joint-rolling.
From electric to manual, there are a range of rolling machines for every cannabis smoker. Different types of machines vary in form and working mechanisms, so you can choose the one that best fits your needs and preferences.
We like the Afghan Hemp Rolling Machine by Hakuna Supply
Enjoy easier joint-rolling with this affordable and simple roller! Made from sustainable materials, this rolling machine fits 1 ¼ Rolling Papers, providing you with picture perfect joints every time. The roller is easy and smooth to use, making it perfect for cannabis smokers of all skill levels.
Grinders
Grinders are an essential cannabis tool that is used to grind dried flower into smaller pieces more conducive for burning in a joint or pipe. Most grinders consist of an inner chamber lined with sharp metal teeth that crush the flower when caught against the teeth. Some grinders have a screen and second chamber that collects the kief, which consists of potent cannabis trichomes that fall off the bud as it grinds.
Most grinders are manual, in that the user must manually twist or turn the device to grind the flower. Sophisticated electric grinders use battery power to grind the flower quickly and uniformly. While grinders are not a necessity for smoking, cannabis that has been processed through a grinder burns more evenly and completely than cannabis loosely crumbled by hand.
Rolling Trays
A rolling tray may not be considered a cool smoking gadget, but it can be extremely useful to both seasoned and novice cannabis smokers. While this is a diverse category, the basic rolling tray is a rectangular tray or plate with a flat bottom for easy joint rolling, as well as upward-curved edges to prevent the loose flower from falling off the tray. Rolling trays are typically made of lightweight metal like aluminum or tin, but some are made of plastic or bamboo. Even if you aren’t a joint connoisseur, rolling trays are an excellent way to organize cannabis and accessories, so you don’t misplace your tools.
Ashtrays
Ashtrays are convenient places to ash your joint but are also a good way to preserve joints for smokers who don’t smoke the whole joint at one time. Many people who prefer hand pipes, one-hitters, and water pipes like to offload cannabis ash into an ashtray after smoking. There are many novelty ashtrays that feature unique designs and themes—we suggest purchasing a cannabis-ready ashtray with storage compartments for the various cannabis tools and products you use.
Cannabis Storage Options
Many new cannabis consumers don’t realize the benefit of the proper storage of cannabis products, but flower can stay stable and usable for up to two years when properly stored. While plastic zipper bags are the cannabis storage many of us grew up with, they are not considered proper storage today. Modern technology has even advanced the glass jar, with vacuum seals and lock-tight variations.
Light, high temperatures, moisture, and even oxygen can degrade the quality of cannabis products, and there are storage options that protect your cannabis from all these dangers. For example, an opaque container will prevent harsh UV rays from breaking down the terpenes and cannabinoids, which are the most beneficial components of cannabis flower.
Similarly, terpenes begin to break down when the temperature rises, and mold and mildew start to grow between 78 and 86 degrees. Meanwhile, extreme cold temperatures can add moisture and cause trichomes to burst, diminishing their potency. Humidifying capsules are one answer to combat high humidity and moisture in flower stashes, while an airtight container is the best way to prevent oxygen exposure.
Stash Jars
Stash jars are containers, vessels, or receptacles specifically designed to store cannabis products such as marijuana, edibles, and other consumables. Stash jars can either keep your supplies hidden or help maintain their freshness and usability. To prevent oxygen, heat, light, and moisture from damaging your stash, it's best to get an airtight jar and store it in a cool environment - like a refrigerator - but avoid the freezer.
Stash Boxes
There are an array of stash boxes available, each providing a unique combination of practicality and style. Whether you prefer the rustic charm of wood, the sleek appeal of metal, or the affordability of plastic, there's a perfect stash box waiting to keep your cannabis products safe, discreet, and odor-free.
Finding the Right Cannabis Devices and Accessories
Trying different types of smoking devices is essential to finding the best cannabis experience for you. Cannabis is a very versatile substance that can be consumed in a variety of ways. As more research is conducted on new and different forms of cannabis and new discoveries are made regarding the many cannabinoids that exist within the cannabis plant, more consumption options are sure to come. In the meantime, if you enjoy cannabis, now is the best time to continue your personal cannabis journey with a few cool smoking gadgets.
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