How to upgrade your smoking kit for under $100

Years ago, when the legacy market was still in full swing, you had to travel to specific headshops to find what you needed to smoke some ganja. But these days things could not be more different. Now, there are a plethora of smoking accessories online and available at your fingertips to help you build the kit of your dreams

Building a smoking kit with all the essentials is easy once you’ve identified your budget and the basic items you need. But for some weed enthusiasts, basic just isn’t enough.

Here, we’ve compiled a few ways you can upgrade your smoking kit or your smoke sesh without breaking the bank – or in this case – without spending over $100.

Upgrade your grinder

Expected spend: $35 – $75 USD

A grinder’s function is to make it quick, easy, and very efficient to break up your favorite flower. They can also come with kief catchers that collect the kief that falls off of the ground flower. The kief can be reused later as a special sprinkling on a new bowl or joint, or to condense down to smoke on its own as a concentrate.

When selecting a grinder, there are a few things to consider asking. What is it made of? How long should it last? Can I rely on it for function over form?

There are a lot of beautiful–and I mean beautiful–grinders out there, but at the end of the day a grinder is a tool, and what it looks like is far less important than how it performs, so look for function first and fabulousness second.

While staying under a budget of $100, you can definitely start to look beyond the common (and controversial) aluminum grinders, and consider some alternatives like zinc, steel, or even biodegradable wood.

Two great upgrade options include:

VelvetToke Rose Gold 4-Piece Grinder

A more affordable option, this beautiful grinder features four magnetic compartments for a truly unique design that eliminates the chance of squeaky or gunky threads.

Notably, this grinder is described as being made of steel – which is a great sturdy metal – but it doesn’t say how much of it is steel or what kind. Still, it seems like a great option and is definitely easy on the eyes, making it a nice choice for those who always have aesthetics in mind.

BoardThing Recycled Skateboard Wood Herb Grinder

If you’re looking for a grinder that is unique, eco-friendly, and biodegradable, you just hit bingo. These 2-piece wood grinders are made from recycled skateboards and are 100% Canadian maple wood. The wooden teeth inside are reinforced with metal to ensure their strength. As you can imagine, they each look pretty unique, and the company also encourages people to reach out to collaborate with them on your own design ideas.

Start smoking in style

Expected spend: $13-$80 USD

From bowls to bubblers to bongs to joints, there’s something for you when you’re ready to upgrade your sesh or smoking kit.

For example, maybe you like to smoke joints but hate rolling – time to invest in pre-rolled cones. If you’re really feeling bougie, you could even spring for some gold papers — but don’t go crazy because we don’t exactly have studies on the effects of smoking gold yet.

On the other hand, if you prefer smoking out of glass, make sure you’re selecting nice, thick pieces. Thin glass does not indicate a well-made pipe and risks cracking mid-toke.

Also, look for decently sized mouthpieces and carbs to maximize airflow and help reduce clogging. Read the reviews of the piece you’re looking at to be sure the glassblower is legit, or opt for a well-known, tried, and tested brand like GRAV. You won’t find that one-of-a-kind touch on your piece, but you’ll be getting a solid, well-made piece that’s guaranteed to hit like a champ.

Get some gorgeous gorgeous glass

UniqueGlassArtShop Golden Fumed Glass Chillum

A chillum is the perfect choice for solo smoking. Not only that, but it’s easy to use; all you have to do is pack the top, light up and inhale from the mouthpiece.

Since it’s one straight tube, cleaning it is a breeze as well. This is gorgeous golden fumed glass that will change color as you smoke and go back to its original colors each time you clean it.

GRAV 6” Sherlock

There’s something about smoking a Sherlock pipe that just makes you feel sophisticated. This one by GRAV is sure to hit well and be sturdy, and it also comes in an array of colors so you can find one that suits you best.

Keith Haring bubbler pipe

Bubblers are the perfect middle ground between a bowl and bong. Reasonably sized like a bowl, they can theoretically go anywhere you do and are easy to pass around. Like a bong, you can still enjoy the benefits of water cooling down and cleaning your hit before you inhale. This one from GRAV is a great first choice and sure to be a loved piece.

Boost your kit with special touches

Expected spend: $5 – $40 USD

With the essentials taken care of, it’s time to think about the little details. Pokers, stash jars, and even ashtrays can all contribute to the vibe of your kit and further complement it by ensuring everything has been given thought.

Poke it

For example, perhaps you’ve chosen a hand-blown glass bowl; why not select a hand-blown glass poker to match it while emptying your pipe?

Perhaps a little glass bee poker or maybe a cactus poker is more your vibe. Not feeling that cute? At least look into Toker Pokers to help you out.

Stash it

How you stash your weed can be uniquely you as desired, too. From airtight storage for your bud with groovy designs to classy wooden cases to keep everything safe and tidy.

There’s even accessories for your accessories – for example, this eco-friendly mason jar sleeve that will keep your flower in the dark where it belongs while still stored in a classic.

Ash it

Even the arguably most unglamorous accessory – the ashtray – can be upgraded to suit your aesthetic. From faceted rainbow crystal, to lidded glazed ceramic, to stylish ashtrays with debowlers, there truly will be something out there for everyone.

Just as it’s nice to have a fine set of dinnerware or a shoe rack to keep your kick’s organized, a handpicked, well-thought-out, and aesthetically pleasing smoking kit can highlight the joys of combining form with function.

Maybe it’s part of growing up, or maybe being able to upgrade your collection is a privilege not to be taken for granted. Whatever the reason, it’s undoubtedly a treat to upgrade your smoking kit to one that “sparks joy” as much as you’re sparking one up.