Our Guide to Bangers: What to Know Before You Buy

Dabbing has changed the game for concentrate lovers, delivering bold flavour and high performance when done right. At the heart of every session is the banger—a crucial piece that can make or break the experience. From heat retention to airflow control, choosing the right banger isn’t just about preference—it’s about getting the most from your setup.

Here’s what you need to know before picking your next banger.

What is a Banger?

A banger is the heated surface on your dab rig where concentrates are vaporized. It typically looks like a bucket or dish and is torched until it reaches the ideal temperature. Once heated, your concentrate is applied, creating vapour for inhalation.

Design, material, and thermal performance all factor into how well a banger works—especially if you want to unlock the full flavour and efficiency of your concentrate.

Common Banger Materials

Quartz Bangers:
Quartz bangers are known for their fast heat-up time and clean taste. They’re the go-to for anyone chasing terpene-rich flavour and a responsive cooldown window. Our collection includes everything from classic flat-tops to more advanced styles like Slurper and Pillar bangers.

Titanium Bangers:
Titanium is extremely durable and holds heat well, making it a solid choice for travel or frequent use. It’s worth noting that improper cleaning or overheating may affect flavour, so routine maintenance is essential.

Types of Banger Designs

Different designs offer different results. Whether you prefer slow, flavourful hits or dense clouds, there’s a banger built for it.

	Flat-Top Bangers	Compatible with a wide range of carb caps. Clean lines and simple airflow control make these a staple.
	Opaque Bottom Bangers	Engineered to heat evenly and stay hot longer. Great for cold start sessions and ensuring you’re not wasting product.
	Round-Bottom Bangers	Easy to clean and designed to keep concentrates moving toward the heat source. Fewer corners mean less waste.
	Slurper Bangers	Slurpers use directional airflow to pull concentrate into a lower chamber, where it’s vaporized efficiently. These are not compatible with cold starts—you’ll want to fully heat the banger and drop in your concentrate. Best used with terp pearls or pillars for maximum rotation and saturation.
	Pillar Bangers	A variation of Slurpers, Pillar bangers use vertical airflow and a central spinning pillar to maximise heat retention and flavour output. These are designed for hot-load sessions and work well for those chasing bigger clouds and full usage.
	Thermal Bangers	Double-walled to hold temperature longer. Reduces the risk of overheating and helps preserve terpenes during lower-temp dabs.

What Is Cold Starting?

Cold starting is a technique where your concentrate is placed in the banger before heating. Typically done with flat-top or opaque bottom quartz bangers, it’s ideal for preserving delicate flavours, reducing waste, and avoiding chazzing.

Cold starts allow for smoother vapour and better terpene retention by heating your product gently and evenly.

Important: Slurper and Pillar bangers are not suited for cold starts. These styles should be fully heated before your concentrate is introduced.

Want to try it? Read our Cold Starting Guide.

Choosing the Right Banger

To find your ideal banger, consider how it fits into your current setup and dabbing preferences:

• Material – Quartz for flavour, titanium for resilience
• Joint Size and Angle – Match your rig’s joint: 10mm, 14mm, or 18mm; 45° or 90°; male or female (innie or outie)
• Carb Cap Compatibility – Some bangers need specific carb caps to perform properly
• Heat Retention – Thermal and opaque designs hold heat longer for lower-temp sessions
  
• Design Style – Are you after flavour, clouds, or a mix? Choose the design that fits your session style

Need help pairing a banger with your rig? Explore our dab rigs collection.

Care and Maintenance

Keep your gear in top shape with a few easy steps:

• Clean after every session using 99% isopropyl alcohol and cotton swabs
• Store smart - use a padded case or safe zone in your space to avoid chips or cracks
  Check out our storage solutions.
• Avoid overheating - overheating can degrade quartz or cause irreversible damage to your banger

Dabbing Tips from The Next Level

Beyond selecting and maintaining your banger, here are some extra tips to elevate your dabbing:

• Use a temperature gauge or timing method to improve hit quality and avoid waste
• Experiment with terp pearls or pillars for better vapour saturation
• Upgrade your setup - sometimes the right banger and carb cap combo can make all the difference
• Use a Butane Torch - Butane torches provide clean, consistent heat that’s ideal for quartz bangers. Unlike propane, butane burns at a more controlled temperature and won’t overheat or crack your glass as easily. Avoid kitchen torches—they’re underpowered and often lead to uneven heating or chazzing.
• Stay current - Our blog and product pages are always evolving with the latest gear and techniques
  Visit our blog for more.

Final Thoughts

A banger isn’t just an accessory—it’s the engine of your whole dab rig. Whether you prioritise terpene flavour, durability, or efficiency, the right banger can transform your session into something smoother, stronger, and more satisfying.

Choose smart, dab better, and always level up your gear—with quality products from The Next Level.