I've been selling glass online since 2017 and dab rigs are one of the categories that frustrates me the most when I walk into a headshop. A basic dab rig that costs anything from $8–$10 to manufacture will sit behind a glass case with a $120 price tag on it. Usually the shop owner doesn't know anything about the product. All our items are vetted to ensure, if we put it up on our website, its functionality and price point is unbeatable. We make sure it's borosilicate glass and all of the bangers we sell are quartz. Quartz bangers can stand temperatures much higher than borosilicate glass. We make sure you get set up correctly for under $50 and have a setup that will last!
— Rahul Lavingia, Founder of Stoned Genie | Selling glass since 2017 | Riverside, CA
Shop our full collection of cheap dab rigs under $50, with prices starting at just $20. Whether you're new to concentrates or looking for a reliable backup rig that doesn't break the bank, our selection covers everything from mini dab rigs and recycler rigs to scientific glass setups — all shipped direct from Riverside, CA. As a family-owned shop that goes factory-direct, we cut out the retail markup so you get the same borosilicate glass quality at a fraction of the headshop price. Free shipping on all domestic orders over $125. Browse our full collection of affordable dab rigs below and find your next setup.
How to Choose the Right Dab Rig for Your Setup
Finding the right dab rig comes down to three things: size, percolation, and what you're planning to dab with. Dab rigs work differently from bongs — they're designed for concentrates like wax, shatter, and oil rather than dry herb, and that changes what you want from the piece. The goal with a dab rig is flavor preservation and smooth delivery, not maximum filtration. Too much water filtration on a dab rig actually dilutes the terpenes and reduces the flavor of your concentrate. That's why most quality dab rigs are smaller and more compact than bongs. However, at Stoned Genie we make sure you get a dry bowl with each setup, so you can use it as a bong when you need to.
Start with size. Smaller rigs — anything under 8 inches — are generally preferred by experienced dabbers because the shorter vapor path preserves more flavor. A large bong-sized rig will cool the vapor too much and you'll lose a lot of the taste your concentrate has to offer. If you're new to dabbing, a 6 to 8 inch mini dab rig is the ideal starting point — compact, easy to use, and easy to clean. My personal favorite starter rig is our Octopus Dab Rig.
Next, think about the joint size and type. Most of our rigs use a 14mm or 18mm female joint. We include a quartz banger in each dab rig purchase to ensure you have the perfect fit. We also have some advanced attachments such as a terp slurper and reclaim catcher.
Finally consider percolation. A simple inline or showerhead perc gives you enough diffusion for smooth hits without over-filtering the vapor. A recycler rig — which continuously cycles water through two chambers — is the smoothest option we carry and a favorite among regular dabbers. If smoothness is your top priority, a recycler is worth the small step up in price.
Exploring the Different Types of Dab Rigs Under $50
Understanding the different styles helps you find the right rig for the way you dab. Here's a breakdown of what we carry and who each style suits best.
The mini dab rig is the most popular style in this collection and the one we recommend most often to new dabbers. Small, lightweight, and easy to clean — a good mini rig under 7 inches hits smoothly and preserves flavor better than a larger piece. We stock mini dab rigs starting at $20 in a variety of shapes and colors.
The recycler dab rig is the smoothest option we carry. A recycler uses two connected chambers — water and vapor cycle continuously between them, filtering and cooling the hit without over-diluting it. The result is a noticeably smoother pull with better flavor retention than a standard single-chamber rig. If you dab regularly and want the best experience from your concentrates, a recycler is the upgrade worth making. We carry several recycler rigs under $50. I personally alternate between the mini rigs and recycler dab rigs — keeping one of each is great for anyone's collection. Luckily with Stoned Genie, that can still be very affordable.
The beaker dab rig brings the stability of a beaker base and ice catcher to a concentrate setup. The wider bottom holds more water and sits securely on any flat surface — a good choice if you tend to session at a desk or table and want something that won't tip. Beaker dab rigs are also straightforward to clean, which matters more with concentrates than with dry herb since reclaim builds up faster. There is one caveat on the type of banger that fits correctly — you want a 45 degree banger rather than a 90 degree banger. Due to where the downstem sits, the 45 degree banger will provide a more comfortable feel to the setup.
The scientific glass dab rig is for anyone who wants a cleaner, more lab-style aesthetic with precision percolation. These pieces typically feature a straight tube design with a built-in perc — showerhead, honeycomb, or inline — and clear borosilicate glass so you can watch the vapor path. A good choice for anyone who cares as much about how a rig looks as how it hits.
Finally, our dab rig kits are the best starting point if you're new to concentrates entirely. Each kit includes the rig, a quartz banger, and the basics you need to start dabbing right away. No guessing which accessories fit, no ordering separately — everything ships together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a dab rig?
A dab rig is a water pipe designed specifically for vaporizing cannabis concentrates — wax, shatter, oil, rosin, and similar extracts. Unlike a bong, which is designed for dry herb combustion, a dab rig is used with a heated quartz banger or nail. You heat the banger with a torch, apply a small amount of concentrate, and inhale the vapor through the water chamber. Dab rigs are typically smaller than bongs because a shorter vapor path preserves more of the flavor from your concentrate.
What is the difference between a dab rig and a bong?
The main difference is what they're designed for. A bong is built for dry herb and uses combustion — you light the herb directly. A dab rig is built for concentrates and uses vaporization — you heat a banger or nail and apply concentrate to it without a flame touching the material. Dab rigs are also generally smaller, since less water filtration is better for concentrate flavor. You can technically use a bong as a dab rig by adding a banger, but a purpose-built dab rig will always give you a better result.
What do I need to start dabbing?
To start dabbing you need 6 things: a dab rig, a quartz banger that fits your rig's joint size, a torch to heat the banger, your concentrate, a dab tool, and a carb cap. Our dab rig kits include the rig, banger, torch, tool, and carb cap so you have everything in one order. If you already have a torch and banger, you just need the rig.
What size dab rig is best?
For most people, a 6 to 8 inch dab rig is the sweet spot. Small enough to preserve flavor and easy to clean, but large enough to hold sufficient water for smooth hits. Experienced dabbers often prefer even smaller rigs — 4 to 6 inches — for maximum flavor. Larger rigs over 10 inches are better suited for dry herb than concentrates.
How do I use a dab rig?
Fill the rig with enough water to submerge the downstem. Heat your quartz banger with a torch until it's hot, then let it cool for 30 to 60 seconds depending on your banger's thickness — this is called temperature control and it's the most important skill in dabbing. Apply a small amount of concentrate to the banger using a dab tool, cover with a carb cap, and inhale slowly. Low temperature dabs in the 350–450°F range give the best flavor. High temperature dabs above 600°F produce more vapor but harsh hits and wasted terpenes.
How do I clean a dab rig?
Clean your dab rig more frequently than a bong — reclaim from concentrates builds up faster than resin from dry herb. After each session, pour out the water and wipe the banger with a cotton swab while it's still warm. For a full clean, use isopropyl alcohol (91% or higher) and coarse salt, shake well, and rinse with warm water. We also carry 420 cleaning solution in our accessories section for a deeper clean. A clean rig always tastes better and performs better. We also have a guide on how to clean your dab rig for under $5.
Are cheap dab rigs worth buying?
Yes — if they're made from borosilicate glass and have a proper joint size for a quartz banger. The rig itself is the simplest part of a dab setup. What matters most for flavor and smoothness is the quality of your banger and your temperature control technique. A $25 borosilicate rig with a good quartz banger will outperform a $150 rig with a cheap banger every time. At Stoned Genie, every rig in this collection uses borosilicate glass and comes with a quartz banger.
What joint size do your dab rigs use?
Most of our dab rigs use a 14mm female joint, which is the most common size and compatible with the widest range of bangers and accessories. You'll need a 14mm male quartz banger to fit. Some smaller mini rigs use a 10mm joint. The joint size is listed in each product description — check it before you buy if you're matching existing accessories.
Want to learn more? Read our full guide to cleaning your dab rig for under $5 on the Stoned Genie blog.
Ready to get into concentrates without overpaying for your setup? At Stoned Genie we're a family-owned shop that delivers factory-direct value — so you always get the best prices on dab rigs without the retail markup. If you're looking to expand your collection, check out our full range of dab accessories, browse our quartz bangers, explore our nectar collectors, or take a look at our dab rig kits if you're starting from scratch. Grab your next setup today or contact us if you have any questions — we actually answer.
— Rahul Lavingia, Founder of Stoned Genie | Selling glass online since 2017 | 250,000+ customers served | Riverside, CA
