The Roll

Pre-Rolled Cones vs. Rolling Papers

Rolling papers have been around for centuries. Over the years, innovations have changed the smoking experience for millions of people around the w...

Rolling papers have been around for centuries. Over the years, innovations have changed the smoking experience for millions of people around the world. Pre-rolled cones are a relatively new and exciting innovation. As the name suggests, pre-rolled cones have been pre-rolled. They are essentially empty joints that require filling but no rolling. But what makes them so unique? What are the benefits of pre-rolled rolling cones? You may also be wondering if they are the right choice for you.  

When deciding between pre-rolled cones or rolling papers, it is best to remember that the best product comes down to personal preference. Both rolling papers and pre-rolled cones have excellent benefits, but they also have their drawbacks. If you are looking for a comprehensive overview of pre-rolled cones vs. rolling papers, stay with us.

Why Choose Pre-Rolled Cones

The main reason you may want to choose pre-rolled cones is for convenience! Pre-rolled means that the rolling part has been done for you! The most challenging aspect of rolling a joint is the rolling part when you are shaping the joint to your liking. 

Rolling the perfect joint involves dexterity and finesse. While rolling a perfect joint is possible, it does take time. Furthermore, to become a master joint roller, one needs a lot of practice! However, it should not stop you from giving it a try as there is some satisfaction to be enjoyed in rolling a joint using rolling papers!

As a beginner, it is not uncommon to waste an entire booklet while trying to master the art of joint rolling. Let's face it, sometimes rolling can be a drag and often seems like too much of a chore. This is where the pre-rolled cone becomes your best friend! Let's take a deeper look into why you would want to choose pre-rolled cones.

Pre-Rolled Cones are Ideal for the Novice 

We're going to let you into a little secret. No one rolls a perfect joint the first time! The road to rolling the perfect joint is fraught with torn and crumpled rolling papers. You may be new to the world of joint making and want to skip the rolling part entirely, and this is where pre-rolled joints shine. The pre-rolled joint is a shell of a ready-made tapered joint, meaning that all you need to do is grind up your herb and fill the cone. 

Once your cone is complete, you can tamp the herb down gently and close the top by twisting the opening like a piece of candy! Ease of use is what makes pre-rolled cones ideal for the beginner. It is the perfect entry point to making your joint. 

Often beginners will opt to purchase pre-rolled joints. However, by doing this, you have little control over the quality of the filler. When you choose to buy pre-rolled cones, you have complete control of the quality of the herb that goes into the joint.

Pre-Rolled Cones are Ideal for Rolling Quickly

From grinding the herb to creating the tip to rolling, shaping, licking, and sealing, rolling a joint by hand can be time-consuming. Using a pre-rolled cone will allow you to skip some of these steps. 

Most pre-rolled cones come with a pre-installed filter tip. They have also been perfectly shaped and sealed for your convenience. These features make it possible to halve the time it takes for you to create a joint! So if you're in a rush or don't feel like spending time crafting the perfect joint, pre-rolled cones will get the job done quickly.

Pre-Rolled Cones are Available in Different Sizes and Materials

Pre-rolled cones have experienced a spike in popularity in recent years, leading to rolling paper companies bringing out different sizes to suit every occasion. You will be able to find the classic 1 ¼ size in a pre-rolled cone as well as the much loved King Size and a few others! 

Moreover, pre-rolled cones are available in 100% hemp, which is an ultra-sustainable crop. They are also available in ultra-thin paper with little to no influence on the flavor of your joint. When it comes to pre-rolled cones, they will spoil you for choice, thanks to their popularity!

Drawbacks of Pre-Rolled Cones

While there are benefits to pre-rolled cones, there are some drawbacks that you may want to consider. Firstly, pre-rolled cones are far more expensive than regular rolling papers because there's more manufacturing process with pre-rolled cones than rolling papers. 

Pre-rolled cones are usually sold in much smaller quantities than rolling papers. While you might get three to six pre-rolled cones in a pack, you can get up to 50 rolling papers in a booklet. Another drawback is that they can be crumpled or torn easily. While rolling papers in a booklet remain relatively safe, pre-rolled cones remain susceptible to damage.

Best Pre-Rolled Cones

If you have decided that pre-rolled cones are the product for you, it's time to select a brand. Zig-Zag is a trusted name in the world of rolling papers. They have been in the game for over 140 years and have kept up with their customers' demands. Zig-Zag's range of pre-rolled cones is of the highest quality. 

They are available in 1 ¼ and king size! They also come in ultra-thin and unbleached varieties. These pre-rolled cones are made from 100% natural fibers and offer a premium slow-burning smoking experience that Zig-Zag is famous for. Zig-Zag package their pre-rolled cones in a crush-proof box which will protect them from being torn and crumpled unnecessarily!

Why Choose Rolling Papers

The humble rolling paper has been around for centuries and is still extremely popular today! Rolling papers have stood the test of time. Some of this has to do with the fact that using rolling papers is very economical. A single booklet of rolling papers can hold up to 50 sheets. 

Over the years, brands such as Zig-Zag have perfected the manufacturing process and are creating rolling papers of the highest quality. They select natural fibers from sustainable sources and produce organic, GMO-free, and vegan rolling papers. 

If you practice and learn to roll joints by hand, you will never have an issue sourcing rolling papers, as they are readily available! There are a ton of other benefits to using rolling papers. Keep reading to find out more!

Rolling Papers Give you More Control

Choosing rolling papers over pre-rolled cones will give you more control over how your joints will turn out. While pre-rolled cones have already been shaped, rolling papers require you to do the shaping yourself. As we mentioned earlier, this takes some great skill! The more time you put in practicing joint-rolling, the greater control you will gain! Soon you will be able to roll fat tapered joints as well as small and slim single servings! While pre-rolled cones come in different sizes, rolling papers come in a more comprehensive range of shapes and sizes!

Not only will you find rolling papers in the popular 1 ¼ and king size, but you will also find that they are available in single and double-wide sizes. Rolling papers are also available in king slim size. You will even be able to find a long sheet of rolling paper on a roll! The variety of sizes and shapes available will contribute to the degree of control you have when opting for rolling papers. If you are looking for greater control and creative freedom, rolling papers are for you!

If you are just starting to roll joints, you will have better luck in avoiding ultra-thin rolling papers. These papers can be difficult to roll with as they don't offer much substance for your fingers to grip and roll. Furthermore, small rolling papers such as the 1 ¼ size will be more difficult to roll than the king-size papers. Larger rolling papers will offer more material to work with and thus easier to roll joints with, especially for the beginner.

Rolling Papers Offer a Wide Variety of Materials

While pre-rolled cones come in different forms and shapes, they can't compete with the wide variety of rolling paper materials! Not only will you find hemp and flax rolling papers, but you will also be able to find flavored and transparent cellulose rolling papers!

Hemp is becoming extremely popular because of its mild natural taste and well its ultra-sustainable status. Zig-Zag Organic Hemp rolling papers are the perfect example of high-quality hemp rolling paper. The hemp used in these rolling papers is sourced from farms that utilize sustainable organic farming techniques.

Flax is another sustainable natural fiber that has been popular for decades! Flax has a tactile texture which makes it easy to grip and roll with. It also has little influence on the taste of your joint. Flax rolling papers offer a slow-burning experience!

Rice rolling paper is also considered sustainable. It has very little influence on the flavor of your joint. However, rice rolling papers tend to be ultra-thin, meaning they can be difficult to roll with compared to hemp and flax rolling papers. 

Cellulose rolling papers are considered a novelty rolling paper, much like flavored rolling papers. Cellulose rolling papers are entirely transparent, offering a visually exciting smoking experience. Flavored rolling papers come in a white variety of flavors, from strawberry to chocolate!

Drawbacks of Rolling Papers

While rolling papers may be economical, there are some drawbacks. Choosing rolling papers over pre-rolled cones will require skill and fine motor control. If you are new to rolling joints, you can expect to waste heaps of rolling papers before you manage to roll your first joint, and it's normal. Even a beginner can master the art of rolling by hand. It just takes practice! 

Generally speaking, ultra-thin rolling papers like rice papers are more prone to damage than thicker papers. Furthermore, ultra-thin rolling papers are more difficult to roll with. If you are a beginner, there are a few ways to counter these drawbacks. Opt for thicker rolling papers. These will offer more material to grip with your fingers. Small rolling papers can be finicky to manipulate. King-sized rolling papers are more beginner-friendly than smaller papers as they provide more workable surface area.

Best Rolling Papers

If you have decided that you value creative control above convenience, then rolling papers are for you. You may be feeling a bit overwhelmed with the number of options available. The best thing you could do is support a reputable brand like Zig-Zag.

If you are looking for a balance between ease of use and mild taste, you can't go wrong with Zig-Zag's French Orange King Size rolling papers. This classic rolling paper has been a best seller for more than 100 years! The weight and texture of these papers make them easy to roll with. They offer a natural taste and a premium slow-burning experience.

Conclusion

When it comes to pre-rolled cones vs. rolling papers, it's all about personal preference. However, there are some significant differences that you may want to consider before deciding which one is best for you! The main benefit of using pre-rolled cones is convenience. Because they are pre-rolled, they do not need any shaping. All that you need to do is fill the empty shell with ground herb, making pre-rolled cones ideal for the beginner. 

On the other hand, rolling papers offer you more control and creative freedom because they require shaping and rolling. They also come in a wide variety of sizes. These sizes add to the control and freedom that rolling papers give you. The downside is that rolling papers require skill to roll. It can take many failed attempts before a beginner can roll a perfect joint. When deciding between pre-rolled cones or rolling papers, you are, in effect, choosing between convenience or creative control.