Best Glass for THCA: How to Choose a Bong or Dab Rig

How to Choose the Right Bong or Dab Rig for THCA

Whether you’re sparking up some THCA flower or taking a low-temp dab of Crysp concentrate, the gear you’re using can seriously make or break your sesh. Some people still think glass is glass — but there’s actually a lot to consider depending on what you’re smoking, how often you smoke, and where you’re smoking. This guide is here to help you pick the right setup for your situation — with some links to gear I think is actually worth checking out (especially if you’re using THCA products like the ones I review).

Bong vs Dab Rig: What’s the Difference?

If you’re new to THCA or just haven’t upgraded in a while, here’s the quick breakdown: • Bongs are generally used for flower (like THCA flower from brands like August). • Rigs are designed for concentrates (like Crysp) and usually have tighter airflow and smaller chambers to make dabs more efficient and flavorful. That said, you can use a bong for dabs (with a banger instead of a bowl), but a proper rig is just better for flavor and heat control. If you’re doing both, there are hybrid pieces too.

I’ll link DankStop throughout this article, since they’ve got a wide selection and I’ve got an affiliate setup there — so if you end up grabbing something, it helps the blog out.

What to Look for in a Piece

Percolators

These are those little filtration add-ons inside the bong or rig. They cool and smooth your hit but too many can create drag — where it feels like you’re pulling air through a milkshake. If you mostly smoke concentrates, a single perc is probably enough. For flower, a double perc or even a tree perc setup can be fire if you want buttery smooth rips.

Size

• Bigger pieces are better for home use. Cooler hits, more airflow, but not portable.

• Smaller pieces (mini rigs, handheld bubblers) are better if you’re trying to stay discreet or keep cleanup low-key.

Material

Borosilicate glass is the standard — durable and heat-resistant. But silicone and hybrid options exist if you need something more portable or drop-resistant.

Best Rigs for THCA Concentrates

If you’re dabbing Crysp or anything with a solid terp profile, you want something that preserves flavor. That means tight airflow, smaller chambers, and a clean banger. Here’s what you want:

• Recyclers for extra smoothness and visual flair

• Mini rigs if you want portability with full flavor

• Electric options if you’re tired of torches and want built in temp control with more portability.

Click here and check out the dab rigs at DankStop!

Best Bongs for THCA Flower

THCA flower is regular weed — it just hasn’t been decarbed yet. If you’re smoking it, it’s converting to Delta-9 in real time, and it hits just like you remember. So treat it like it deserves. If you’re lighting up something like August flower, a good piece can bring it to life. Look for:

• Ice catchers to cool harsh hits

• Mouth piece size and the distance from the bowl (longer distances are better for not burning long hair and generally more comfortable, but this is preference based as well). For straight bongs and beaker bongs, small tube mouth pieces can be awkward.

• Beaker bases for extra stability and less frequent water changes

• Straight tubes are my preference, depending on the perc(s), they're generally easier to clean and keep fresh. Consistent smooth big pulls.

Click here and check out the glass bongs at DankStop!

Should You Go Electric?

Electric rigs are game-changing. I’ve been using the Puffco Pivot lately (I wrote about it here), and it’s made dabbing at work, outside, or wherever I am a thousand times easier.

They’re not perfect for big group sessions — the Pivot overheats if you’re doing back-to-backs — but for solo use or small group stuff, it’s a quality dab on demand. If you want a Pivot or something similar, you can find them here at DankStop

Where to Get Them (and What to Use With It)

It’s not the easiest thing to find in stock, but I grabbed mine from a smaller headshop that happened to have it. If you’re looking for gear or products to use with it, here’s what I recommend:

• For flower: August offers high-quality THCA flower that burns and feels just like top-shelf bud. click here or use code DANNY at checkout for a 15% discount!

• For concentrates: Crysp makes cold-cured THCA rosin and resin that’s flavorful, smooth, and surprisingly potent. click here AND use code DANNY for 10% off

•Dankstop Smoke Shop – A solid spot for Bongs, Dab Rigs, and E-Rigs. click here or use promo code DANNY at checkout for an extra 5% off!

Final Thoughts + Video Preview

I’m working on a YouTube video to go along with this — basically going through some online stores and showing what all of this looks like and how to make a good choice even if you’re brand new to bongs or dab rigs as well as some more heady glass. I’ll update this post with a link once that’s live, so check back or for updates if that's something you are interested in.

If you’ve got a setup you love, hit me up — always down to see what people are using. I might even make a gallery of your setups below!