How to Choose the Best Dab Rig for Your Needs
Updated October 2026 · Shatter Kitchen
For most people, the best dab rig is a compact glass rig with a 14mm female joint, a quartz banger and one simple percolator. From there you fine-tune by how big your dabs are, whether the rig lives on a table or travels, and how much flavor versus cooling you want. Here is how we walk customers through the choice at Shatter Kitchen.
What size dab rig should you get?
Dab rigs are usually smaller than bongs, and for a good reason. A bong is built to hold a big volume of smoke before you clear it. A dab rig works best when vapor travels a short path and you clear it with one steady breath. When vapor sits in a large chamber, it cools and condenses back onto the glass and into the water. That sticky film you see inside a well-used rig is reclaim, and it is concentrate you did not get to enjoy.
A good rule: pick a rig you could clear two or three times over in a single breath. Smaller rigs are easier to clear, keep more flavor and travel better. Larger rigs give you more room for diffusion and suit people who take bigger dabs at home. Our full dab rig size guide breaks down mini, mid-size and large rigs in detail.
If you want a small starting point, the Encore Mini 5" Color Fab Egg is a 5" rig with a 14mm female joint at 90 degrees, a showerhead perc and a 14mm quartz banger included.
Which joint size is best for a dab rig?
Glass joints come in three common sizes, 10mm, 14mm and 18mm, each in male or female. On dab rigs, 14mm is the everyday standard, and most rigs have a 14mm female joint that takes a 14mm male banger. If you are not sure what you have, here is how to measure a glass joint size in a couple of minutes.
| Joint size | Where you see it | Good for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10mm | Very small rigs | Small dabs, maximum flavor, travel | Small banger buckets fill up fast with bigger dabs |
| 14mm | Most dab rigs | Nearly everyone | Widest choice of bangers, caps and accessories |
| 18mm | Larger pieces, mostly bongs | Big rigs and bong conversions | Rare on dedicated dab rigs |
45-degree vs 90-degree joints
A 90-degree joint points straight up and is usually found on rigs with a wide, flat base meant to sit on a table. That frees both hands for your dab tool, carb cap and torch. A 45-degree joint angles back and shows up on smaller, rounder rigs that you can lean back or hold. Bangers are made for both angles, so the main thing is matching your banger to your rig's angle and joint.
Do you need a percolator in a dab rig?
On a dab rig, less is usually more. Every stage of diffusion cools the vapor a little more, and too much cooling means more condensation and muted flavor. A popped-hole stem, a showerhead or a simple matrix is plenty for most people. If you take large dabs, a bit more diffusion helps spread out a big pull. We go deeper on this in how much diffusion is too much.
A good middle-of-the-road example is the 7" Matrix Puck, which pairs a clear showerhead perc with a 14.4mm female joint and comes with a quartz banger.
What about recyclers?
Recyclers and incyclers send water and vapor through a loop that keeps moving while you inhale. They are fun to watch and give a smooth, even draw without stacking a lot of percs. Here is how a recycler dab rig works if you are curious.
What banger should you pair with your rig?
Quartz is the most common banger material because it heats quickly, cleans up well and keeps flavor neutral. Within quartz, you will see flat tops, deeper buckets, thermal (double-wall) bangers and terp slurpers. Each heats and holds temperature a little differently. Our guide to banger styles covers the differences.
Whatever style you choose, match three things to your rig: joint size, gender (male banger for a female rig joint) and angle. Browse quartz bangers by size, then add one of our carb caps that fits the banger's bucket.
Does glass thickness matter on a dab rig?
Most quality rigs are made from borosilicate glass, which handles heat well and is easy to clean. Wall thickness is usually listed in millimeters. Thicker walls add weight and durability, which is nice for a rig that lives on a table. The 9" Encore Barrel Matrix rig, for example, uses a 50mm tube with 5mm walls, a 14mm female joint and a matrix barrel drop down.
Silicone and acrylic pieces exist and travel well, but glass gives you the most choice in shapes and percs and stays the easiest to keep clean and tasting neutral.
What else do you need to start dabbing?
- A banger that matches your joint, if one is not included.
- A carb cap to control airflow and let you dab at lower temperatures.
- A dab tool for loading. See our dab tools.
- A torch sized for bangers, plus cotton swabs and isopropyl alcohol for cleaning.
Take your time with the choice. A rig that fits how you actually dab will reward you every time you pick it up. You can see everything in one place in our dab rigs collection.
Keep reading
- What size dab rig should you get?
- Banger styles explained
- Percolators and diffusion: how much is too much?
Frequently asked questions
What is the best joint size for a dab rig?
14mm is the most common and most flexible joint size for dab rigs. Most rigs have a 14mm female joint that takes a 14mm male banger, and it has the widest choice of bangers and accessories.
Should I get a 45-degree or 90-degree dab rig?
Choose 90 degrees if the rig will sit on a table and you want both hands free. Choose 45 degrees if you prefer a smaller rig you can lean back or hold. Just make sure your banger matches the angle.
Do dab rigs need a lot of percolation?
No. Too much diffusion cools the vapor so much that more of it condenses inside the rig. A simple showerhead, matrix or popped-hole stem is enough for most people.
Can I use a bong as a dab rig?
You can fit a compatible banger to a bong with the right joint, but a large bong usually gives up flavor and leaves more reclaim. A dedicated dab rig is smaller and built for a short vapor path.
Do dab rigs come with a banger?
Some do and some do not. Check the product listing. When a banger is included it will be matched to the rig's joint size and angle.
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