Dab Straws

At DankGeek, we’ve handpicked an extensive collection of compact Dab Straws that combine simplicity, style, and solid performance. Whether you're a seasoned dabber or just testing the waters, our collection of Dab Straws is built to make every hit smoother, tastier, and more enjoyable.

Designed with portability and efficiency, Dab Straws let you enjoy your concentrates in seconds. No bulky setup. No complex process. Just heat the tip, dip it into your favorite wax, and inhale. It’s that easy.

Prefer flavor? Go with quartz tips. Want longer heat retention? Titanium tips are your best bet. Our collection of dab straws come in all shapes and sizes, you can get them made from silicone, wood, or glass, so whether you're dabbing at home or dabbing on the go, you’ve got options that look good and feel even better in your hand.

What is a Dab Straw?

Dab straws emerged in the early 2010s as concentrate use became more popular and people wanted something smaller than bulky rigs. The “nectar collector” was one of the first branded versions and introduced the concept of vertical dabbing. Over time, this design inspired many other forms—simple, sleek glass straws, silicone-wrapped hybrids, and even battery-powered e-straws.

Technically, a dab straw is a vapor path tube with a heated tip. The tip, when heated and applied to concentrates, vaporizes the extract instantly. The vapor travels through the straw to your mouth. Materials like quartz and titanium are used at the tip for their heat resistance and ability to handle high temps without degrading.

Unlike traditional dab rigs—which involve a glass water pipe, nail, and dome—dab straws are much simpler in design and easier to use, especially for quick, on-the-go sessions.

The Pulsar Quartz Deco Dab Straw is a 6" dab straw made entirely of quartz, with a diffusion chamber to ensure smoother hits every time. It’s a must-have for anyone looking to get the most out of their dabbing experience. Its sleek design and quality construction make it the perfect addition to any dab setup. Plus, its compact size and portability make it easy to take with you wherever you go!

These usually have a heat-resistant tip made of quartz or titanium and a mouthpiece on the opposite end. To use it, you heat the tip with a torch, let it cool slightly, then touch it directly to your concentrate while inhaling. The heat vaporizes the concentrate instantly, allowing you to inhale flavorful hits without needing to load or assemble anything complicated.

Because of the direct heating method and open vapor path, dab straws deliver powerful, flavorful hits with minimal loss. Therefore, making them ideal for quick, efficient sessions.

What is another name for a dab straw?

Dab straws go by many names depending on the brand, format, or cultural usage in the dabbing world. While they all serve the same essential function, they each carry a unique backstory or design nuance.

• Honey Straw - This name comes from the way dab straws are used, much like sipping honey through a straw. It’s a descriptive, casual nickname that visualizes the act of dabbing from a dish, especially when concentrates resemble sticky, golden honey.
  

• Nectar Collector - Originally a trademarked brand name, a nectar collector is now a general term for a handheld, straw-like dab tool with a heated tip used to vaporize concentrates directly from a dish. It’s designed for portability and ease of use—just heat the tip, touch it to the concentrate, and inhale through the mouthpiece. Some models include added features like water filtration, but all follow the same basic principle: direct, efficient concentrate consumption.

• Dab Pipe - This term merges the traditional concept of a smoking pipe with the modern concentrate use of a dab straw. It reflects the crossover between older dry herb smoking culture and the newer concentrate culture. A dab pipe usually refers to a small, pipe-shaped dab straw, emphasizing ease of handling and a familiar shape for users transitioning from pipes.
  

• Portable Dab Gear - Although this refers to all sorts of dab gear, a lot of people refer to their dab straws as ‘portable dab gear’ because that’s all they need to carry for an on-the-go sesh.

 

What is the difference between a dab straw and a nectar collector?

A dab straw and a nectar collector are closely related tools used for dabbing concentrates, and sometimes the terms are used interchangeably. However, the key difference lies in design and sometimes function. A nectar collector originally referred to as a modular device with a water filtration system, often with interchangeable parts like a glass body and a titanium or quartz tip, designed to cool the vapor and provide a smoother hit. 

Like how bees collect nectar, the Waxmaid 7.09 inch Airship Nectar Collector Kit comes with an airship nectar collector, titanium nail, glass jar, and Octopus Silicone Concentrate Container. It is designed to be used with concentrates and wax. It perfectly provides you excellent filtration and ensures you get a very clean hit every time, allowing you to get the most out of your concentrates.

Meanwhile, a dab straw is usually a simpler, straight or slightly curved tube without water filtration, often made entirely of glass or metal, used for direct dabbing by heating the tip and touching it to the concentrate.

In short, all nectar collectors can be considered dab straws, but not all dab straws have the water filtration or modular design that many nectar collectors feature. Nectar collectors tend to offer cooler, smoother vapor, while dab straws are more straightforward and portable.

Here’s a quick reference table summarizing all the names commonly used for or associated with dab straws: what they are, and why they’re often linked.

 

What can you smoke with a dab straw?

 

Dab straws are intended for smoking cannabis concentrates such as wax, shatter, live resin, and oil. Though some users try dry herbs, these tools are specifically designed for sticky, high-potency extracts.

Unlike traditional pipes or joints that burn flower, dab straws are specifically made for vaporizing the concentrated extracts, which produce intense flavor and strong effects.

How do you dab with a dab straw?

To dab with a dab straw, follow these simple steps:

• Heat the tip — Start by heating the tip of your dab straw: this is usually the quartz, titanium, or ceramic end. Most people use a butane torch for manual heat control, but if you have an electronic dab straw (e-straw), just follow the device’s heating settings.

• Quartz tips heat quickly and offer clean flavor.

• Titanium tips take longer to heat but retain heat longer.

• Ceramic tips give a smoother, more consistent hit but need more time to heat up.

Heat the tip until it’s visibly hot—typically glowing slightly red—especially if you're using a torch.

• Let it cool briefly — Allow the tip to cool for about 10 to 20 seconds (depending on the material) so it’s hot enough to vaporize but not so hot it burns the concentrate.
  

• Touch the tip to the concentrate — Place your concentrate in a heat-safe glass or silicone dish. Gently touch the heated tip of the dab straw to the edge of the concentrate, not all at once. You want to vaporize a little at a time.

Don’t dip the entire tip into the wax—this wastes product and clogs the straw. Instead, just graze the edges of your dab, letting it vaporize as you inhale.

• Inhale, exhale, and enjoy — As the concentrate vaporizes, inhale slowly through the mouthpiece of the straw. Once you’ve taken your hit, simply exhale and enjoy. Most users describe the effect as quick, clean, and potent, with the added benefit of full flavor from the concentrate. Dab straws are great for microdosing or quick solo sessions, especially when you're on the go.

 

The science behind airflow, vaporization, and how different tips affect the hit.

When the heated tip of your straw touches the concentrate, cannabinoids like THC and CBD rapidly convert into vapor. This process is called flash vaporization—it happens fast and at high temps, usually between 350°F and 450°F.

Quartz offers clean flavor and quick heat-up, but it loses heat fast. Titanium retains heat better, making it more forgiving for slower inhales. Ceramic delivers a balance—smoother but slower to heat.

The airflow design also matters: wide straws give you more vapor but may reduce flavor intensity. Narrow straws or those with water chambers (like nectar collectors) create more resistance but smooth out the vapor. That’s why the same concentrate can taste and hit differently depending on the straw you use.

How hot should you get a dab straw?

The ideal temperature for heating a dab straw tip depends on the material, but generally, it should be hot enough to vaporize the concentrate without burning it. For quartz or titanium tips, heating until they glow red and then allowing a 10-20 second cooldown usually works well. This cooldown ensures the temperature is around 350°F to 450°F (175°C to 230°C), which is optimal for flavor and potency without harshness.

Avoid overheating the tip of your nectar collector. If you see it glowing orange, that’s a clear sign it’s too hot. When this happens, pause and let the tip cool down until the glow fades—usually within 3 to 5 seconds. Since glass doesn’t hold heat for long, it cools quickly and will be ready for smooth, flavorful hits in no time.

How do I clean my dab straw?

Cleaning a dab straw regularly ensures the best flavor and prolongs its lifespan. Here’s an easy way to clean it:

1. Soak — Place the dab straw in a container filled with isopropyl alcohol (at least 90% purity) and soak for 30 minutes to dissolve residue.

2. Scrub — Use pipe cleaners, cotton swabs, or small brushes to remove any remaining buildup inside the straw.

3. Rinse — Thoroughly rinse with warm water to remove all alcohol and residue.

4. Dry — Let it air dry completely before your next use.

If you don’t clean your dab straw after every use, you’ll also notice a sticky, amber-colored buildup inside your straw—this is called dab reclaim. It’s a natural byproduct of repeated dabbing, and while some users collect and reuse it, it’s important to know what it is and how it affects your sessions.

For tougher buildup, repeating the soak or gently heating the dab straw after cleaning can help loosen stubborn residue. 

Smooth airflow ensures that vapor moves efficiently from the tip to your lungs. When residue builds up inside the straw, it restricts airflow, making your hits feel harsh or stale.

Regular cleaning prevents clogging and ensures pure, tasty vapor hits.

What is Dab Reclaim?

When using dab straws, you might notice a sticky, amber-colored residue building up inside the straw after multiple sessions. This leftover material is known as dab reclaim, and it’s something many concentrate users come across, especially if they dab regularly.

Dab reclaim is the residual concentrate that remains after vaporizing your wax, shatter, or oil. As you dab, not all of the concentrate gets fully vaporized—some of it cools down and collects along the inside of your dab straw, particularly near the tip or in any attached reclaim catcher. While it might look like burnt gunk, it actually contains leftover cannabinoids like THC and CBD, meaning it still has some potency.

Unlike ash or tar from smoking flower, reclaim is a byproduct of vaporization, not combustion, making it cleaner and reusable in various ways

Now, can you reuse the reclaim from a dab straw? Yes, you can reuse reclaim, and many users do! While it won’t match the flavor or smoothness of fresh dabs, it can still get the job done if you're in a pinch or want to avoid waste. Some common ways people use reclaim from dab straws include:

• Redabbing it with your dab straw (especially with quartz or titanium tips)

• Infusing it into edibles like butter or oil

• Putting it into capsules for discreet consumption

• Adding it to topicals for localized relief

But is a dab reclaim safe to use?

Reclaim is leftover concentrate that’s already been heated, meaning it may contain degraded compounds or unwanted byproducts that weren’t in the original wax. The flavor will be harsher, and the effects less potent.

Some people do use reclaim—especially in edibles—but if you’re considering it, strain it properly and decarb it if needed. That said, it’s not the cleanest option, and for your health, it’s best to stick with fresh concentrates when possible. 

Note that reclaim can build up quickly and may contain leftover impurities if your dab straw isn’t cleaned often. To keep your sessions smooth and safe, make it a habit to clean your dab straw after every use.

FAQ:

How do I know when my dab straw is hot enough?

Dab straws are ready when the tip is heated just enough to vaporize your concentrate without burning it. If you’re using a torch, the tip—especially quartz or titanium—should glow faintly red. For quartz, wait about 10–15 seconds after heating; for titanium, wait 15–20 seconds to let it cool slightly. Too hot and you'll burn the concentrate, losing flavor and producing harsh vapor; too cold and you won’t get any vapor at all.

If your straw isn’t producing vapor or it tastes burnt, the temperature likely needs adjusting. A simple IR thermometer can help if you want more precision, but most users go by color and timing.

What differences should I expect between using titanium or quartz tips?

The difference between titanium and quartz tips on a dab straw comes down to heat, flavor, and durability. But ultimately, both quartz and titanium are chosen for their ability to withstand high temperatures without breaking down or releasing toxins. 

Titanium tips are known for their excellent heat retention—they take longer to heat up but stay hot longer, making them ideal for longer sessions or outdoor use. However, some users notice a slight metallic aftertaste when using titanium, especially if it's not seasoned properly.

To season a titanium tip, heat it up until it glows red, then dip or coat the tip in a small amount of concentrate (or a neutral oil like coconut oil) while it’s still hot. Let it burn off, then repeat this 2–3 times. This creates a thin layer of carbon that neutralizes the metallic taste and improves flavor with future dabs. Just be sure to let the tip cool before touching or using it.

On the other hand, quartz tips heat up quickly and offer a much cleaner, more flavorful hit. They're perfect for flavor-focused users who prefer short, controlled dabs. The downside? Quartz cools down fast and is more fragile—it can crack or shatter if dropped.

If you're after durability and heat retention, go with titanium. If flavor is your top priority and you're okay with being a bit more careful, quartz is the way to go.

Can you heat a dab straw with a lighter?

Technically, yes: you can heat a dab straw with a regular lighter, but it’s not recommended. Most lighters don't produce enough consistent heat to bring the tip (especially quartz or titanium) to the proper temperature needed to vaporize concentrates. You may end up wasting product or getting low-quality hits.

For best results, use a butane torch or an e-nail attachment that offers controlled and even heating.

How do you heat a dab straw without a torch?

If you don’t have a butane torch, you can still heat your dab straw using an electronic heating element. Many modern dab straws, especially electric nectar collectors or e-straws, come with built-in batteries and coils that heat the tip at the push of a button. These devices allow you to set your preferred temperature and offer a safer, more portable alternative to using an open flame.

Another option is using a heat gun, although this method takes longer and isn’t as precise. Simply hold the tip of your dab straw in front of the heat gun until it reaches the desired temperature. But be cautious, as overheating or uneven heating may affect performance.

While it's possible to use makeshift heat sources like a stovetop coil or candle in a pinch, they’re not recommended due to inconsistent heat and safety risks. Since portability is a key benefit of dab straws, it’s better to invest in a reliable torch or an electric dab straw for a safer, more consistent experience.

Are silicone dab straws safe?

Yes, silicone dab straws, especially ones with a quartz or titanium tip, are safe for dabbing, as long as they’re made from food-grade, BPA-free silicone. The silicone body is heat-resistant and won’t burn during normal use since the tip is the only part that gets hot.

However, don’t try to heat the silicone itself. Always make sure you're applying the flame to the insert tip only, not the silicone mouthpiece.

Bonus: Silicone dab straws are lightweight, unbreakable, and easy to clean, perfect for beginners and travel sessions.

Can you dab with a glass straw?

Yes, glass dab straws—often called honey straws or dab pipes—are a popular choice for their clean flavor and sleek look. Made from heat-resistant borosilicate glass, they deliver a pure, untainted taste when vaporizing concentrates.

Just remember: glass can break if dropped, and doesn’t hold heat as long as titanium or ceramic. For added durability, some dab straws are silicone-wrapped to protect the glass body, combining portability with protection. These often feature a titanium or quartz tip, striking a balance between flavor, safety, and function.