The Ultimate Guide to the Best Filter Tips for Pre Rolls
Posted by DaySavers Team on Oct 14th 2024
Nothing spoils a sesh like a pre rolled cone or tube without a filter. The filter-less experience can feel a little like eating a taco without a shell – messy, unpredictable, and you’re probably going to regret it halfway through.
There are annoying 'Scooby Snacks' to deal with - those rogue bits of flower that spill out of the end of a joint and into your mouth. There can be excess heat. Wasted weed. Lip and finger burns. Harsh taste. Bad draw. Raw throat hit. Coughing fits...
The list of unwelcome sensations that some users claim to encounter with unfiltered joints can simply go on…
Thankfully, today, paper filter tips (also known as crutches) with "w" shaped filters are standard on pre-rolled cones, but they are no longer the only option.
Premium filter tips, like wood filter tips, glass filter tips and ceramic filter tips are an easy and inexpensive way to elevate your pre roll sessions. Whether they come as part of your pre rolled cone or on their own and added later, a premium filter tip is a must-have accessory to ensure every puff is smooth, clean and pleasant, without any bits of weed getting in the way.
But which filter tip is the right one for your perfect stoner kit?
Let’s do a deep dive into all of the different filter tips and filter tip options out there.
Table of Contents
- Classic Paper Filter Tips
- Spiral Filter Tips
- Wood Filter Tips
- Glass Filter Tips
- Ceramic Filter Tips
- Dual Filter Tips
- Other Pre Roll Filter Tip Options
- Filter Tips to AVOID in Pre Rolled Joints
- Final Thoughts on Premium Filter Tips for Joints
Classic Paper Tips
Therse days, most pre rolled cones come with a paper filter tip included as part of the design. There are two standard sizes for paper filters, 26mm and 21mm, with most cones having a 26mm filter tip.
The paper filter is so ubiquitous these days that most of us don’t even think about when we fire up a pre-roll; we simply expect there to be filter on our cones.
The classic W paper filter is also pretty versatile and found not only available on pre-rolled cones, but pre rolled blunt cones too, like the hybrid hemp wrap pre rolled cones available in our mini tower boxes, for example.
But because of that, a paper filter can become a palette for personalization. There are assorted color options available for filters, as well as ways to highlight the things you care about, such as through the Cones For a Cause line.
The Cones For a Cause highlights different charitable issues and a percentage of all profits on each sale is donated to a cannabis-related charity. For example, the American Flag cones pack donates 10% to the Weed for Warriors project, dedicated to expanding veteran access to medical marijuana. A purchase of the Pride Flag cones sends 10% to the Drag Defense Fund, dedicated to supporting drag performers and the LGBTQ+ community from threats all across the country. And each pack of 40 Tons cones that is bought means 10% of profits goes to the 40 Tons Foundation, which fights for the rights of cannabis prisoners all across the country who are still incarcerated.
Spiral Filter Tips
Also made of paper, but providing a step up as far as cooling and Scooby Snack blocking, are spiral filter tips. They’re usually a little wider than the tradition “w” paper filter and, well, made with a spiral.
What makes them stand out is that simple spiral design. Not only does it look cool, but it stops smaller particulates from sneaking past. These also offer more firmness to the base of any Pre-roll than your standard "W" tip.
The wider design and spiral filter also allow for more cooling of the smoke, which can lead to bigger hits for everybody.
DaySavers uses spiral filter tips in its Artisan pre rolled tubes, to give a distinctive look and feel. There is also a Fill-A Blunts variety with spiral filter tips so blunt smokers can experience their unique cooling power.
Wood Filter Tips
For smokers looking for a step up from paper filters, wood filter tips provide the first truly premium option. And the first one that can be added to a pre-roll after purchase.
Whether part of the pre-rolled tube or purchased individually, wood filter tips add a further level of cooling and protection against Scooby Snacks. When purchased on their own, premium wood tips can be used either in a joint you roll yourself or as an add-on, with pre-rolled cones fitting inside like a classic, Penguin- or FDR-style cigarette holder.
The filter provides a nice bit of weight, giving the pre-roll a more luxurious feel that can turn any pre rolled cone into a premium product. Most importantly though, the wood filter tip changes the draw of the pre roll and cools down the smoke. Unlike a paper filter tip, the wood tip has a smaller cavity for air to flow through, so the smoke gets cooled down as it is pulled through this narrow opening. Additionally, the change in opening creates a smoother draw.
Many smokers report that wood tips help deliver cooler, more flavorful smoke. Wood doesn't interfere with the flavor of cannabis. Instead, it allows the natural terpenes and aromas to shine through.
Wood filter tips are also a great, eco-friendly option because they can be biodegradable, sustainable, and made from renewable materials. While DaySavers wood filter tips are all made with American Birch, wood filters also come in a variety of other wood types such as bamboo, cedar, or oak, allowing smokers to choose based on both functionality and visual preference.
Premium Flavored Wood Tips
For smokers looking for something a little different, flavored wood tips can provide an nice step up from a natural wood tip. They provide the same cooling and particle-stopping powers, but add in the subtle addition of flavor to enhance the smoking experience.
Infusing a premium wood tip with the sweet taste of sugar or a delicious hint of vanilla provides a little kick with each hit, but because the filter tip is infused with the flavor instead of the paper or with a flavor pearl, the taste stays on the lips and never overpowers the flower itself.
It’s an easy way to take your session to the next level, whether you buy your pre rolled cones and tubes with a flavored wood tip rolled right in or use the filters as a holder for your pre-rolls or joints.
How To Clean Wood Filter Tips For Joints
Wooden filter tips can also be reused. However, because they can accumulate resin, tar, and other residues from the cannabis smoke they require cleaning to ensure that the filter maintains airflow and provides a clean, smoother hit each time you use it.
Use warm water and a mild soap or dish detergent to give your wooden tips a thorough clean. You can use Isopropyl alcohol (70%-90%) for deeper cleaning.
Before soaking the filter tip, scrape off any large, visible deposits of resin or tar that may have accumulated on the surface or inside the filter with a toothpick or small brush.
But be careful how long you soak your tips. Soak the wooden tips for 15-30 minutes only in the warm, soapy water to loosen any stubborn residue inside the filter. Extended soaking can cause the wood to absorb too much water, potentially warping the tip or weakening it. Finally, after a thorough rinse, make sure that you let the tips air dry completely.
Glass Filter Tips
A step up from wood, premium glass filter tips are small cylindrical pieces of glass that act as a mouthpiece and can be placed at the end of a joint, blunt or spliff. The additional weight and smooth feel of the glass immediately signal a luxury pre-roll and the additional structural support keeps the end from becoming soggy or deformed during use, making any pre-roll more pleasant to pass around during group sessions as well.
Because glass is not an efficient conductor of heat, glass filter tips further help cool the smoke before it reaches your mouth. As smoke passes through the glass tip, the cooler temperature of the glass absorbs some of the heat from the hot smoke, gradually lowering the temperature of the smoke, allowing for bigger hits with each pull.
As a neutral material, glass filter tips also preserve the flavor of your cannabis, providing a clean tasting hit each time, allowing users to enjoy the full terpene profile of the cannabis without interference.
Glass filter tips can also further help reduce "Scooby Snacks" or other particles from getting through, particularly those with a twist or other built-in shape change that allows air (and smoke) to pass through but not your flower.
But there are a variety of shapes available, offering a little something for everyone. There are flat-mouth tips that have an ergonomic design to fit in the lip, bullet shaped filters, cone shaped filters and the most common, cylinder-shaped glass filters that have a twist built in to snag particles as they pass through.
And again, home-rolling pros can seal a glass filter tip into hand-made joints or cones prior to rolling by licking the paper and pressing it directly to the glass or they can be used by pre-roll fans as an additional filter and touch of luxury by simply stuffing the crutch end of a pre roll into the filters to create a premium filter at a home-roll price.
Or you can purchase pre-rolled tubes with glass filters already built in.
How To Clean Glass Filter Tips For Joints
Glass tips can be cleaned and reused, making them more cost-effective in the long run, and an easy and eco-friendly way to upgrade any smoke session.
With proper cleaning, glass tips can last you a very long time.
Stick to warm, soapy water or isopropyl alcohol (70%-90%) and salt, as other cleaners may leave harmful residues. Leave the tips in the cleaning liquid to soak overnight.
Once clean, leave the glass tips to air dry on a paper towel or soft cloth. Ensure it is completely dry before using it again.
Ceramic Filter Tips
Ceramic filter tips are small, reusable tips made from high-quality ceramic material. Like glass or wood filter tips, they can be rolled into the end of a pre roll or used as an after-market add-on to give your session an extra pop of luxury.
For cannabis enthusiasts who care about flavor, ceramic filter tips for joints offer a cleaner, purer experience. Ceramic is neutral in taste, meaning it doesn’t interfere with or alter the flavor of the cannabis. You’ll notice a more pronounced terpene aroma and taste in each hit and fully enjoy the complex notes of your chosen strain.
Like glass, ceramic filters help further cool the smoke, reducing the harshness of each puff to deliver a smoother smoke. And even more so than glass, ceramic provides a smooth, luxurious feel on the lips.
Plus, ceramic filter tips are made with a ceramic screen built right in to block flower particles and resin from getting through.
Ceramic filter tips come in a variety of sizes of shapes, from small, conical designs that fit perfectly inside a pre rolled cone to straight cylinders that turn any pre rolled tube into a premium pass-around. There are even larger, formed ceramic filters shaped with indents for the lips, also with built-in screens
All together, premium ceramic tips provide the smoothest, coolest hits and are the height of luxury on a pre rolled cone or blunt tube.
Ceramics are also an eco-friendly choice, made from natural materials and completely reusable if cleaned properly.
How To Clean Ceramic Filter Tips For Joints
Ceramic filter tips are easy to clean because of their non-porous surface, which prevents resin and debris from being absorbed into the material. Additionally, their smooth surface allows for easy removal of buildup using simple cleaning methods, such as soaking in isopropyl alcohol or warm soapy water.
This ease of maintenance not only enhances the smoking experience by ensuring clean airflow but also contributes to the longevity of the tips, so they’re always ready when you need them.
But treat your ceramic filter tips with care. Do not use harsh or abrasive cleaning agents, as they can scratch or damage the ceramic surface and never use a scouring pad, which can scratch the surface and ruin the experience.
After cleaning, it’s important to dry your ceramic tips completely to prevent any mold growth, but remember not to not dry the ceramic tip in direct sunlight, as prolonged exposure can lead to warping or discoloration.
Dual Filter Tips
If one filter is good, two is even better, when used properly.
For example, our Fill-a Blunts pre rolled blunt tube with premium wood, glass or ceramic filter tips use a dual filter to ensure that each hit is as cool and clean as possible.
First, the smoke passes through a paper spiral, stopping any large particles and stripping some resin out of the hit. Then, the smoke passes through the additional premium filter tip for further cooling before it gets to your lips.
It’s the smoothest blunt you’ll ever hit.
Other Pre Roll Filter Tip Options
There are, of course, other filter tip options available, from bio-cooling filters made of biodegradable, plant-based fibers that further cool the smoke without harming the environment to high-flow filters, hollow tips and hemp paper and even metal and charcoal filters that truly do help filter harmful bits out of the smoke.
Filter Tips to AVOID in Pre Rolled Joints
Finally, while a premium filter tip can enhance any experience, not all filter tips are created equally. In fact, some can even be harmful.
Corn Husk Filter Tips
A natural alternative to the plastic cellulose acetate filters, corn husk filters provide a similar feel and thickness, though they do allow for more airflow than their cigarette cousins.
Found in many commercially available filters, including many palm leaf blunt wraps, the corn husk filter do an excellent job in keeping small particles from getting through and will keep out more resin than a paper filter.
However, because they are made of a natural material – corn husks – these filters must be monitored to ensure their moisture content is not too high. Corn husk filters have been found to hold moisture, making them potential breeding grounds for microbials like aspergillus and potentially not the best choice for a pre-rolled cone or tube.
Cellulose Acetate or Cigarette-Style Filter Tips
Made from plastic cellulose acetate fiber, filters were first introduced into commercial cigarettes in the 1950s to cut down on the tar and other harmful ingredients found in cigarettes. By the 1960s, they were standard and required by law.
The filters are made by combining bleached cotton or wood pulp with acetic acid and are designed to change color with use, giving the illusion that they are better at filtering out harmful materials than they actually are.
And while the filters are available commercially and there are brands that pack pre-rolls into cigarette-style tubes that feature cellulose acetate filters, the truth is they are not very good for cannabis smoke. They don’t remove any harmful chemicals that may be in the smoke and, in fact, often make the pre-roll joint more difficult to pull a hit through because the resin from cannabis is stickier than tobacco and clogs the filters faster than in a cigarette.
Final Thoughts on Premium Filter Tips For Joints
If you haven’t tried a premium filter tip on your pre roll, what’s stopping you? By blocking Scooby Snacks and cooling the smoke, a filter tips elevates any pre rolls session whether your passing a cone, a tube or a pre rolled blunt.
However, with so many options available it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when trying to choose the right one.
But for the best filter tips for your pre-roll cones, stick with the best-tested products on the market and check out the DaySavers collection of filter tips to decide how best to Enjoy Your Day.
Join the Conversation!
We want to hear from you! Have you used a filter tip for joints yet? If you have, which is your favorite type? Share your stories in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this article with your friends who need to level up their smoking game!
In the modern cannabis industry, one of the primary features of the pre rolled cone or tube is a filter.