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Pre-Rolled Cones vs Rolling Papers: Which Should You Use?
Should you choose pre-rolled cones or classic rolling papers? This guide breaks down how each option impacts burn rate, flavour, draw, cost, and rolling style, so you can choose the perfect fit for your next session.
Contents:
Pre-rolled cones offer speed and simplicity, making them ideal for inexperienced smokers looking to build fat joints without actually knowing how to roll. Regular rolling papers, on the other hand, are cheaper, more portable, and offer maximum control to rollers willing to learn the timeless craft of rolling the perfect jay.
Key points:
- Pre-rolled cones are ideal for beginners or those seeking efficiency.
- Rolling papers come in many different sizes and materials, giving you complete control over your smoking experience.
- Rolling paper and cone materials affect the airflow, flavour, and burn rate.
- Which one you choose comes down to preference, but many smokers carry both!
What Are Pre-Rolled Cones and Rolling Papers?
Pre-rolled cones are the perfect all-in-one solution for rolling a joint on the fly, even if you’ve never rolled before. They consist of a pre-shaped tube formed out of rolling paper and a built-in crutch (filter tip). Using one is as simple as filling it with ground herb, sealing the end, and lighting up!
Pre-rolled cones come in many different sizes; at RQS, we stock both small (84 mm) and king size (109 mm) cones, perfect for both solo sessions and passing around at parties.
Rolling papers, on the other hand, are regular flat sheets of paper that need to be rolled (either by hand or using a rolling machine) to form a joint. They come in a variety of sizes and don’t include pre-attached tips.
Common Uses & Decision Factors
Choosing between rolling papers vs pre-rolled cones largely depends on how you use cannabis, and how much you value efficiency over control.
Pre-Rolled Cones: The King of Speed & Convenience
If you’re new to smoking and don’t know how to roll, pre-rolled cones make building a joint almost foolproof. Just grind up your herb, load it into the cone, pack it gently to ensure proper airflow, and you’re ready to go.
But cones aren’t just for rookies; even veteran smokers like to keep them on hand, either for when they’re feeling lazy or want to roll multiple joints quickly. Filling cones is super easy and fast, making them ideal for parties or large group sessions. In any situation that calls for a quick, hassle-free roll, pre-rolled cones are the perfect solution.
Rolling Papers: For Ritualists and Lovers of Control
Rolling papers are the equivalent of a white canvas for those who value the ritual of rolling and want full control over their smoking experience. If you see something special in the act of sitting down and crafting the perfect smoke from a collection of raw materials, you won’t find much (if any) satisfaction in scooping weed into a pre-rolled joint. So invest in rolling papers instead.
However, just like pre-rolled cones aren’t just for rookies, rolling papers also aren’t reserved just for veteran smokers. They are much easier to transport than pre-rolled cones (which can easily be crushed unless you keep them inside a container like a savarette). Also, if you’re new to rolling and want to develop your skills, you’d best keep some papers handy to practise with!
| Rolling papers | Pre-rolled cones |
| Require rolling skill | Don’t require rolling skill |
| Offer more control over the smoking experience through different materials and sizes | Fewer ways to tailor the smoking experience due to fewer choices between materials and sizes |
| More expensive outright, but cheaper in the long run | Seem cheaper outright, but are more expensive in the long run |
| Easy to transport, won’t get crushed | Easily crushed, need to be transported in a container |
| Perfect for extended sessions and ritual-like smoking | Ideal for large sessions or any time you need to roll up quickly |
| Rolling papers | |
|---|---|
| Require rolling skill | |
| Offer more control over the smoking experience through different materials and sizes | |
| More expensive outright, but cheaper in the long run | |
| Easy to transport, won’t get crushed | |
| Perfect for extended sessions and ritual-like smoking | |
| Pre-rolled cones | |
| Don’t require rolling skill | |
| Fewer ways to tailor the smoking experience due to fewer choices between materials and sizes | |
| Seem cheaper outright, but are more expensive in the long run | |
| Easily crushed, need to be transported in a container | |
| Ideal for large sessions or any time you need to roll up quickly | |
How Cones and Papers Change Burn, Flavour & Draw
Pre-rolled cones and rolling papers affect the burn, taste, and airflow of your joint differently. That’s because the thickness and porosity of a rolling paper, as well as its gum, directly impact how well it smokes.
With pre-rolled cones, you don’t get much choice regarding rolling paper material or filters. That said, buying cones from a respected manufacturer helps to ensure a good-quality smoke.
RQS Pre-Rolled Smoking Cones, for example, are made from natural unbleached paper and offer a smooth, consistent burn.
However, there’s no customising the paper or filter tip to match your preferences. And even though they’re engineered to burn evenly, even the best-quality cones can canoe (i.e. burn unevenly down one side) if they’re not packed properly. Also, as they burn, cones taper and deliver less smoke, making for smoother hits towards the end of the joint. To fix canoeing or uneven joint burning, consistent packing is key.
When you roll your own joint using rolling papers, on the other hand, you have much more control. Thicker papers tend to burn slower but can impart a heavier taste, while thinner papers burn faster but highlight more of your herb’s natural flavour.
Moreover, more porous papers (like those made from hemp or esparto) offer more airflow, bigger draws, and a faster burn. Meanwhile, less-porous rice or flax papers offer more constricted airflow and a slower burn. Whether you choose hemp vs rice vs wood pulp rolling papers depends on your preference.
Choosing the Right Size, Material & Format
Both cones and papers come in various sizes and materials. Cones are simpler but less customisable, while papers offer full control for those who want to experiment.
Pre-rolled cones generally come in three sizes:
- Mini (30–70 mm): Ideal for quick solo sessions
- 1¼ (76 mm): Standard size, ideal for solo sessions or sharing with a friend
- King size (100–110 mm): Ideal for extended solo sessions or group sessions
Rolling papers, on the other hand, come in many sizes that vary in both length and width. Generally speaking, wider papers are easier to work with for beginners. However, they also work great for rolling cone-shaped joints.
Here's the most common rolling paper sizes (1¼, king, king slim) explained:
- Single wide (68–70 x 34–36 mm)
- 1¼ (76–78 x 45–48 mm)
- 1½ (76–78 x 60–62 mm)
- Double wide (76–78 x 63–88 mm)
- King size (100–110 x 55–60 mm)
- King slim (105–110 x 42–46 mm)
Traditionally, rolling papers were made from wood pulp (like regular paper). Today, however, most pre-rolled cones and rolling papers are made from “rag fibres” (i.e. non-wood pulp) derived from either:
- Hemp
- Rice
- Flax
- Esparto
Note that the cost of cones vs papers also varies. Typically, pre-rolled cones might seem cheaper than the sum of having to buy both the papers and filters (which are sometimes sold separately). However, a pack of papers and filters can make several joints and is always going to be cheaper in the long run than buying pre-rolled cones.
Application Methods and Best Practices
Cones and papers require different approaches. Here’s how to use each one efficiently, plus tools to make your smoke smoother.
Stuffing a Cone
Using pre-rolled cones is super simple. Here's a step-by-step walkthrough.
- Remove the cone from its packaging. RQS pre-rolled cones come in unique crush-proof packages, meaning you can keep them in your pocket or bag without ruining them.
- Grind your herb.
- Pack your cone with your herb. Regularly tap it on the table as you fill it to ensure the herb compacts gently and evenly, ensuring a smooth burn.
- Twist the tip to seal it, and enjoy!
Rolling a Joint in 4 Simple Steps
Opted for papers? Here’s how to roll a joint with them:
- Grind your cannabis and make a filter.
- Hold the paper with the gummed edge facing up and towards you. Sprinkle the ground herb along the crease in the middle.
- Place the filter on one end, pinch the paper between your fingers, and roll it back and forth to gently compact the ground herb into a cylinder. Tuck the unglued edge under the cannabis and roll upwards until only the glue strip is showing.
- Lick the glue strip, seal the joint, and twist the tip. Then light up and enjoy!
Tools & Accessories
Ready to take your joint rolling game even further? Whether you choose pre-rolled cones or rolling papers, these accessories will make your rolling experience a breeze:
- A grinder, to mill your herb to the perfect consistency
- A rolling tray, to hold all your smoking gear and catch any bud as you roll (rather than letting it spill onto the floor)
- A saverette, for transporting your joint wherever you go!
Final Thoughts on Cones vs Papers: Which One Is Best for You?
Choosing between pre-rolled cones vs rolling papers isn’t a matter of right or wrong; it’s all about preference, experience level, and efficiency. Cones are better than joints in terms of simplicity and convenience, making them a top pick for rookie rollers or anyone who wants to enjoy the perfectly rolled joint in a matter of seconds. Meanwhile, rolling papers offer freedom and creativity to smokers who want to enjoy a ritual rather than a quick puff.
Whichever you choose, get the best quality papers, cones, and other smoking accessories at the Royal Queen Seeds headshop.
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