A banger is where your cannabis concentrates go when using a dab rig. It is a type of dab nail, shaped like a deep cup or bucket. This bucket design prevents dabs from spilling over and promotes deeper vaporization by giving concentrates a hotter surface area to touch.
Dab bangers are usually made of quartz which absorbs torch heat and spreads the heat evenly, which converts dabs into vapor when they touch the hot glass.
In this guide, we break down every type of banger and go over exactly how to use each design while using your dab rig.
Dab nail vs Banger
A dab nail is like the bowl of your cannabis concentrate on a dab rig. Dab nails come in dish or bucket shapes. Bangers are a type of dab nail exclusive to the bucket shape and popular for being easier to use than dishes. While “dab nail” can mean any shape, a “banger” always refers to the bucket style.
Think of it like this: all bangers are dab nails, but not all dab nails are bangers. Both are heated with a dab torch to vaporize your concentrates in a dab rig, but bangers are the most common and popular dab nails
90° vs 45° bangers
The main difference between 45° and 90° bangers is the joint angle, which is the hole where the banger fits into the dab rig. If the joint hole in your dab rig faces straight up, use a 90° banger. If the hole slants diagonally, use a 45° banger.
90° banger
A 90° banger has a right-angle joint, designed for dab rigs with a joint (the hole where the banger slides in) facing the ceiling. This right angle keeps the banger's bucket perfectly level, so the concentrate stays flat and evenly heated.
45° banger
45° banger
A 45° banger has a slanted joint made for dab rigs where the joint (the hole where the banger slides in) points diagonally rather than straight up. This 45° angle keeps the banger’s bucket level, so your concentrate stays flat and evenly heated. Since most bongs have angled joints, a 45° banger is perfect for converting bongs into dab rigs.
Different Types of Bangers
Flat top banger or “Beveled edge” banger
A flat top banger has a level surface on top of the bucket. This design works perfectly with carb caps, spinner caps, and marbles, which sit flush on the flat top, creating a tight seal. When dabbing, the carb cap traps vapor (preventing loss) and heat inside, slowing down cooling, which helps vaporize more of your concentrate.
How to use a flat top banger
- Torch the banger, focusing on the bottom and corners
- Add your dabs to the bucket and cap the top of the banger.
- Inhale and rotate the cap for a more productive hit.
Slant cut banger
A slant cut banger has an angled top edge, creating a diagonal opening. This design makes it easier to add concentrates without smearing them on the rim. The slanted cut allows more air to enter, increasing airflow. This extra air moves heat around the bucket better, vaporizing your concentrate more fully for richer hits.
How to use a slant cut banger
- Torch the banger, focusing on the bottom and corners
- Add your dabs to the bucket and cap the slanted top with a compatible carb cap.
- Inhale and gently rotate the cap to direct airflow for an efficient hit.
Opaque bottom banger
An opaque bottom banger has air injected into its base, creating insulation. This keeps the center cooler while the walls heat up more. Your dabs pool in this cooler spot in the center, and when capped, the air pushes them to the hotter sides for even vaporization without burning your dabs.
How to use an opaque bottom banger
- Heat the opaque bottom evenly, focusing on the base and lower walls of the banger.
- Let the banger cool briefly, then add your concentrate to the opaque surface.
- Cap the banger with a carb cap and inhale, rotating the cap to distribute heat.
Thermal Banger
A thermal banger is a quartz bucket with a smaller bucket suspended inside it, creating an insulating air pocket between the two layers. This design traps heat in the air pocket, keeping the dab temperature consistent. This prevents quick cooling, which can lead to harsh, partially vaporized hits.
How to use a thermal banger:
- Torch the banger, heating the outer walls to build heat in the internal air pocket.
- Add your dabs to the inner chamber, and cap the banger.
- Take your time inhaling, the heat stays trapped in the air pocket to prevent temperature drop-offs.
Core reactor banger
A core reactor banger is a quartz bucket with a puck-shaped core at the center bottom, where you place the dabs directly on. This puck absorbs and retains heat from your torch, spreading it evenly through the center of your concentrate. The puck’s intense heat, sitting right in the dabs, promotes complete and smooth vaporization.
How to use a core reactor banger:
- Torch the banger, heating both the walls and the central puck evenly.
- Place your dabs on the heated puck (terp pearls optional), and cap the banger.
- Inhale as the puck’s direct heat fully vaporizes your dabs for smooth and potent vapor.
Round bottom banger
A round bottom banger is a quartz bucket with a smooth, rounded base that prevents concentrates from getting trapped in corners. The curved shape prevents waste by guiding your dabs to the center for full vaporization. It pairs well with terp pearls and is one of the easiest bangers to clean.
How to use a round bottom banger:
- Torch the rounded bottom, heating it evenly across the surface
- Add your terp pearls, and dabs, and cover with a carb cap.
- As you inhale, the round shape guides your dabs to the center for full vaporization (zero waste).
Auto spinning banger
An auto spinner banger is a quartz bucket with two 45° angled holes at the base, creating air currents in the bucket as you inhale. This design works with terp pearls to create a vortex that spins your pearls with little effort, boosting heat distribution across your dabs for maximum vaporization and smoother hits.
How to use an auto-spinning banger:
- Torch the auto-spinner banger, warming the walls of the bucket.
- Place your dabs and terp pearls in and cover the banger with a solid lid (marble).
- Inhale and the 45° holes funnel air into the chamber to spin the terp pearls.
E-nail Banger
An e-nail banger is a quartz bucket like a flat bottom banger but with a small support post on the neck to hold the e-nail heating coil which is wrapped around the bottom of the banger. This post keeps the coil stable, removing the need for a torch and providing precise temperature control for consistent dabs, unlike traditional torch dabbing.
How to use an e-nail banger:
- Attach the e-nail coil to the support post on the e-nail banger.
- Set the e-nail to your desired temperature to vaporize your dabs.
- Place your dabs in the heated banger, cap, and inhale for precise and smooth hits.
Diamond Knot Loop
A diamond knot loop is a quartz banger that sends your concentrate on a looping journey before you inhale. Special channels draw any unvaporized oil out of the main bucket, guide it through a recycling loop, and then drop it back onto a hot surface for another run. This continuous cycling extracts every last drop of flavor and potency.
How to use a diamond knot loop:
- Heat the banger’s bucket and recycling channels with a dab torch, making sure the loop warms thoroughly
- Place your dab inside and cap it so the oil can travel through the channels and return to the hot zone
- Inhale slowly, observing your concentrate cycle through the loop as it builds rich, layered flavor in each pull
Titanium Banger
A titanium banger is an indestructible metal bucket for your dabs. It heats up slowly, which is great for cold start dabs, and gives you time to watch your concentrate melt and bubble, helping you time your hit just right. Once hot, titanium holds heat well for stronger hits and also cools down fast so you can take back-to-back dabs.
How to use a titanium banger:
- Heat the titanium banger with a torch evenly focusing on the bottom and corners
- Add your dab and after it bubbles cap it
- Begin inhaling and rotate the carb cap gently for a steady flow
Ceramic Banger
A ceramic banger is a matte white bucket for your dabs that preserves flavor. It heats up slowly and evenly, which helps protect delicate terpenes. Ceramic excels in heat retention meaning your dabs vaporize consistently, and its white surface makes it easy to see your concentrate melt, helping you gauge your timing with your torch and hits.
How to use a ceramic banger:
- Torch the ceramic banger slowly (they are more delicate) focusing on the bottom corners and floor.
- Drop your dabs in and wait for it to melt before capping the top
- Inhale and rotate the cap to evenly distribute the heat through the dabs.
Terp Slurper
A specialized banger that flips the traditional banger design upside-down. Instead of dropping concentrates into the top, they go into a tray at the bottom. When capped, it creates a vacuum effect that pulls your concentrate upward through the chambers, working like an elevator. Your dabs will swirl up, which helps vaporize your dabs much more even at lower temps.
How to use a terp slurper:
- Heat the terp slurper, focusing on the bottom dish and tube. Be patient, it takes longer to heat evenly.
- Add your concentrate to the bottom dish and wait for it to start bubbling before capping.
- Inhale steadily, letting the slurper pull the vapor up. Use terp pearls for extra vapor and flavor.
Insert Banger
An Insert Banger is like a banger within a removable cup banger. A quartz bucket holds a smaller quartz, ruby, or sapphire cup. Instead of putting your dabs directly to hot quartz, you heat the empty banger first, then drop in your loaded insert for cleaner, more controlled temp dabs.
How to use a insert banger:
- Heat your empty banger until it’s hot but not scorching
- Carefully place your loaded insert inside using tweezers
- Drop your dabs in the insert, cap the top, and inhale, enjoying smooth hits.
Hourglass Banger
An hourglass banger is a quartz bucket with a slick narrowed waist that forms an hourglass shape. Tiny holes are placed just below the waist so when you inhale it creates a spinning vortex of vapor. This whirlwind motion spreads heat evenly, intensifies flavor, and cools each inhale, making every dab smooth and tasty.
How to use an hourglass banger:
- Heat the waist and bottom with a dab torch, focus on the floor, wall, and the area around those tiny holes
- Drop your dab inside, then cap it, watching the vapor twist through the narrowed center
- Inhale slowly, rotating the cap to keep that vortex going, enjoying richer hits
Lowrider Banger
A lowrider banger is a quartz bucket designed with a deeper, elongated chamber and a 45° angled neck. This setup keeps your concentrate sitting lower, letting you load larger dabs without overflow. Angled airflow ports spin vapor at the bottom, giving you thorough, stable, and flavorful hits.
How to use a lowrider banger:
- Heat the elongated bucket and lower chamber with a dab torch
- Drop in your dab, then cap it, allowing the angled airflow to swirl vapor within
- Inhale deeply to pull the vapors up the lower bucket through the stem
Channel Slurp Banger
A channel slurp banger is a quartz bucket with carved grooves in its bottom disc. When heated and capped, these channels guide your melting concentrate upward, creating a dynamic, swirling flow. Each inhale pulls the oil through the channels, producing thicker, tastier vapor.
How to use a channel slurp banger:
- Heat the bottom disc’s edges with a dab torch, focusing on the channels
- Apply your dab to the disc’s inner rim, then cap tightly to seal airflow
- Inhale slowly, watching the concentrate ride the channels upward, delivering dense, full-flavored hits
Terp Blender
A terp blender is a quartz banger that focuses heavily on the movement of your dabs. Instead of simply flowing through, they’re spun and whipped by a unique valve system, like a mini blender at the bottom of your banger. Terp pearls assist by twirling and mixing with your oil, creating thicker, tastier clouds.
How to use a terp blender:
- Heat the blending chamber and sides with a dab torch, focusing on the valve area.
- Drop in your concentrate and terp pearls, then cap tightly to set the mixing in motion.
- Inhale steadily, rotating your carb cap as the pearls spin.
Cold Start Banger
A cold start banger is a quartz bucket you load before heating. Instead of preheating the banger, you drop your concentrate in first and then apply low, steady heat from below. This gentle warm-up lets your oil melt gradually, preserving delicate terpenes and delivering smooth, flavorful hits without scorching.
How to use a cold start banger:
- Place your dab into the cool banger before you heat it
- Gently heat the bottom with a dab torch until you see your oil begin to bubble and melt
- Cap the banger and inhale slowly, savoring the pure flavor as you fine-tune the heat for the perfect pull
Terp Tower Blender
A terp tower blender is a thin and tall quartz banger with a vertical mixing tower extending from the floor of the banger. Tower blenders feature angled airflow channels (holes in the center) designed to spin terp pearls when you inhale. Dabs move around the surface area of the “tower” getting hit by continuous heat for powerful vaporization.
How to use a terp tower blender:
- Heat the bucket and tower column with a dab torch, warming all contact surfaces
- Add your concentrate and terp pearls, then place a cap to direct airflow around the tower
- Inhale steadily, allowing the pearls to spin and mix the oil as it vaporizes evenly
Terp Feeder Banger
A terp feeder banger is a quartz banger featuring an integrated slide that allows you to drop concentrates directly inside, guiding oil onto a heated dish below. Its tall, open design increases heated surface area, while slanted slots introduce spinning airflow. This controlled movement helps you thoroughly vaporize larger dabs without puddles or wasted oil. Each hit delivers richer flavor and smoother pulls thanks to balanced heating and efficient airflow distribution.
How to use a terp feeder banger:
- Gently heat the main bucket and feeding dish with a dab torch
- Place your concentrate in the lower dish, then cap the top to guide oil into the heated section
- Inhale slowly, watching as the oil moves upward, fully vaporizing for rich, smooth hits
Color Changing Cadmium Banger
A color-changing cadmium banger is a quartz bucket infused with cadmium that visibly shifts color as it heats. This change helps you identify when it’s at the ideal temperature to load your concentrates, reducing scorching and delivering better-tasting vapor with more consistent results.
How to use a color-changing cadmium banger:
- Heat the banger with a dab torch until its hue shifts, signaling it’s ready
- Add your concentrate at the color you’ve identified for peak flavor
- Cap and inhale, using the color shift as a guide for steady, enjoyable hits
Quartz Dish and Whip (DabVac style)
A quartz dish and whip setup, often called a DabVac style, uses a separate heated quartz dish and a flexible hose. Instead of lifting a hot banger, you press your dab tool directly onto the warmed dish and inhale through the whip. This design simplifies loading, improves control, and preserves flavor.
How to use a quartz dish and whip:
- Heat the quartz dish evenly with a dab torch until it’s at a suitable temp
- Touch your concentrate onto the warm dish using a dab tool
- Inhale through the whip slowly, adjusting your pull to achieve smooth, flavorful vapor
8 mm Female Quartz Banger
An 8 mm female quartz banger is a compact quartz bucket designed to fit a small male joint size. This smaller format offers efficient use of concentrates and quick heat-up times. Its snug fit and reduced chamber size can enhance flavor, helping you get the most from your dabs.
How to use an 8 mm female quartz banger:
- Attach the banger to a matching male joint on your rig
- Heat the quartz evenly with a dab torch until it’s at dabbing temperature
- Apply your concentrate, cap, and inhale steadily to enjoy a concentrated, flavorful hit
Final Thoughts
When it comes down to it, picking the right banger for your dab rig isn't as complicated as it might seem. First, check if you need a 45° or 90° angle - this is just about matching it to your rig's joint. From there, it's all about your dabbing style. Want something simple and reliable? A flat top or slant cut banger will get the job done nicely. Looking for perfect temperature control?
Consider an e-nail banger or try out a thermal or core reactor design. If you're all about getting every last bit of your concentrates, the round bottom or terp slurper might be your best bet. The beauty of modern bangers is that they've evolved to solve pretty much every dabbing challenge out there, from heat retention to even vaporization.
Just remember - no matter which style you choose, they all need proper heating and care to give you those smooth, flavorful hits you're after. Start with the basics, and as you get more experienced, you can explore some of the more specialized designs to really dial in your perfect dab.
