A pre-rolled cone is a ready-made joint paper with a filter tip already formed, making it one of the easiest cones for smoking and making pre rolled cones a simple option for anyone who wants a consistent session without learning to roll from scratch. They matter because they offer convenience, predictable burn, and an easy way to focus on what you want to put inside – whether you are comparing strains, potency, or aroma. If you are completely new to the world of weed, A First-Timer’s Guide to Cannabis is a helpful place to start.
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Empty cones are different from dispensary pre-rolls: with empty cones, you choose and fill your own flower, while dispensary pre-rolls come ready to smoke. If you would rather compare ready-made options, browse our Cannabis Pre-Rolls in Torrington, CT.
Pre-Rolled Cones vs. Rolling Papers: Which Is Better?
First off, I used to be a purist who believed that real cannabis enthusiasts should learn to roll their own joints. This is a skill that has been elevated by some to an art form. However, as I have gotten older, I realized I just don’t care about my rolling skills. As cannabis becomes more mainstream, rolling your own joint feels like trying to craft your own beer can. There’s just something really convenient about cones and how well they burn. It’s a dependable, consistent experience every time.
But I get it, some of you will always prefer to roll your own for the sake of it or because it is still the cheapest way to produce joints. For those of you who are into cones, let me break down some of the different types along with the pros and cons of each. Then I will recommend a couple of my favorite brands. Pre-rolled cones can also make it easier to portion personal sessions instead of sharing a single joint, and for more on that side of the experience, see Cannabis Smoking Etiquette Post-COVID: Is It Time to Stop Passing the Dutchie?.
Types of Pre-Rolled Cone Papers: Hemp, Wood Pulp, and Bamboo Compared
These paper types can change flavor, strength, airflow, and burn rate more than many people expect. Rice paper cones also deserve a mention here: they are usually very thin, often have a slow burn rate and light flavor impact, and can be a good fit if you want a more neutral smoking experience, though some brands may feel more delicate during packing.
Bleached or Unbleached wood pulp paper cones are the OG cones. Companies like RAW realized that you could prepackage papers rolled into cones with cardboard filters and sell 6 papers for the same price as 24. Eventually, other big rolling paper brands like Zig-Zag caught on and started selling their own cones. Bleached cones have the standard white color we’ve always associated with joints and cigarettes. Rather than assuming every bleached paper is automatically worse, it makes more sense to look at whether a brand uses bleaching agents, dyes, or other rolling paper additives and whether it clearly labels them. In my experience, there’s no real difference between these when it comes to taste or how they burn.
The pros of bleached or unbleached cones are that the paper tends to be a bit thinner, which gives them less harshness than many alternatives. Their lighter paper weight, moderate porosity, and familiar tensile strength usually support steady airflow and a balanced burn rate. The cons are that the production process is harmful to the environment.
Hemp paper cones are, of course, made of hemp instead of standard paper, which is made from trees. This is much more environmentally friendly and sustainable than using wood pulp. While it is not any healthier to smoke hemp, you’re already smoking cannabis—so, I guess the logic is it’s a little more of the same rather than introducing wood pulp toxins into the mix, too.
Cons are that some hemp paper is thick and harsh, although I have found this varies by brand. Depending on paper weight, porosity, and additives, hemp can have a slightly slower burn rate and a more noticeable flavor than very thin wood pulp papers, but its tensile strength can also make hemp cones feel sturdier during filling.
Bamboo paper cones would probably be my favorite wood-pulp alternative if not for the considerable downside. Bamboo burns great, is super thin but strong, and you can’t taste it at all when you’re smoking. Its light paper weight, clean flavor profile, and strong tensile strength usually translate to quick packing and an even burn rate. For me, the main question with bamboo is less about performance and more about how the material is sourced and processed, so I generally lean toward brands that offer hemp options when the smoking experience is close.
How to Choose the Right Cone Size for Your Session
If you mostly smoke solo or just want an easy starting point, a 1 1/4 size cone is usually the safest bet. It commonly holds about 0.5 to 0.75 grams, depending on your grind and how tightly you pack it.
King-size cones usually hold closer to 0.75 to 1 gram and make more sense for longer sessions or sharing. Smaller cones are useful for lighter sessions and portion control, while larger cones are better when you want fewer reloads.
As a general rule, match the cone to the session. Beginners usually do better starting smaller, while experienced smokers may prefer a wider or longer cone once they know how much flower they actually want to burn.
What to Look for in a Pre-Rolled Cone: Paper Weight, Additives, and Burn Quality
Before getting into the rankings, it helps to evaluate cones by material, burn quality, filter tip construction, airflow, size options such as 1 1/4 size, price, and environmental considerations. Those details often matter more than branding alone because they affect how easy a cone is to fill, how evenly it smokes, and whether the paper adds anything noticeable to the flavor.
Best Pre-Rolled Cone Brands Ranked: RAW, OCB, EZ Wider, and More
When people ask me about the best cones for joints, these are the brands I come back to after comparing material, burn, filter design, and common size options such as 1 1/4 size. These are also the best cones to smoke in my rotation when price and consistency both matter.
| Brand | Paper Material | Common Size | Approximate Fill Capacity | Burn Rate | Filter Tip Quality | Price | Best Use Case |
| RAW | Unbleached wood pulp | 1 1/4 | 0.5-0.75 grams | Moderate | Basic | About $3-$4 per 6-pack | Widely available everyday cones |
| Zig-Zag | Bleached wood pulp | 1 1/4 | 0.5-0.75 grams | Even | Standard | About $3-$4 per 6-pack | Dependable classic smoke |
| JOB | Unbleached wood pulp | 1 1/4 | 0.5-0.75 grams | Steady | Standard | About $3-$4 per 6-pack | Sturdier wood pulp option |
| OCB | Hemp | 1 1/4 | 0.5-0.75 grams | Slightly slow and even | Good | About $3-$4 per 6-pack | Thin hemp cones with reliable performance |
| EZ Wider | Hemp | 1 1/4 wide | About 0.75 grams | Even | Very good | About $8 per 32-pack | Budget-friendly bulk buy |
#5 Best Pre-Rolled Cone: RAW Unbleached Wood Pulp Cones
They get points for being the brand that made cones a popular trend, but they’re honestly sleeping on their competition at this point. If a cone comes apart in my hands while I’m smoking, I can bet you it’s a RAW cone. That said, they’re still ubiquitous and burn well when they’re not falling apart. Their common 1 1/4 size usually holds about 0.5 to 0.75 grams, and six-packs are generally in the $3-$4 range.
#4 Best Pre-Rolled Cone: Zig-Zag Bleached Wood Pulp Cones
Honestly, you can’t really go wrong. They’re dependable and smoke really nice. My main caution is the packaging, which can slide open more easily than I’d like, so I prefer to move them into a case or sturdier container for storage and travel. A common 1 1/4 cone holds about 0.5 to 0.75 grams, and six-packs usually cost around $3-$4.
#3 Best Pre-Rolled Cone: JOB Unbleached Wood Pulp Cones
JOB doesn’t have a lot of brand devotees, but they’ve always made a quality paper. These remind me of RAW cones but feel a bit sturdier and well-made. If I am going to smoke wood pulp papers, it’s probably going to be JOB. Their typical 1 1/4 size holds about 0.5 to 0.75 grams, and they are usually priced around $3-$4 for a six-pack.
#2 Best Pre-Rolled Cone: OCB Hemp Cones
OCB makes two types of cones I enjoy: hemp and bamboo. As I stated before, the bamboo undoubtedly burns better, but once I learned about the ecological impacts of bamboo harvesting, I decided the difference wasn’t all that important or even noticeable. For that reason, I usually reach for their hemp cones. A typical 1 1/4 cone holds about 0.5 to 0.75 grams, and these cones always deliver, making them my favorite offering in the $3-$4 range.
#1 Best Pre-Rolled Cone: EZ Wider Hemp Cones
I think I might be alone here, but I absolutely love EZ Wider cones! They’re always uniform, sturdy, and I think their filters actually work better than other cones because they keep the airflow more open and provide a more even burn. They’re a tad wider, which I am convinced delivers better hits. They are hemp, which can be harsh, but these are not, probably because they are super thin for hemp papers. A common cone in their wider 1 1/4-style range holds about 0.75 grams. The best part? Whereas most cones go for $3-$4 a six-pack, I score a 32-pack of EZ Wider cones for only $8 at my local smoke shop. They perform the best and their price is unbeatable.
If you’d rather buy ready-to-smoke pre-rolls than fill empty cones yourself, order cannabis products online or schedule a consultation.
FAQ
What is the best pre-rolled cone for beginners?
For beginners, a 1 1/4 size cone is usually the easiest place to start because it is manageable to fill and does not require as much flower. If you are also new to cannabis in general, A First-Timers Guide to Cannabis is worth reading before you buy.
Are hemp cones better than paper cones?
That depends on what you value most. Hemp cones can feel sturdier and may appeal to shoppers looking for an alternative to wood pulp, while paper cones are often thinner and can feel a little lighter when smoking.
What size pre-rolled cone should I buy?
A 1 1/4 size cone is usually the most versatile choice for solo sessions or beginners. If you want a longer session or plan to share, king-size cones may make more sense.
Do pre-rolled cones burn better than hand-rolled joints?
They often burn more consistently because the shape and filter tip are already set, which removes some of the inconsistency that comes with hand rolling. That said, a well-rolled joint can still smoke great.
Are bleached rolling paper cones bad for you?
The more useful question is whether the paper includes bleaching agents, dyes, or other additives and whether the brand clearly identifies them. Shoppers who want a simpler paper often choose unbleached options, but checking the label matters more than color alone.
Still not sure whether to try pre-rolled cones? Contact us with your questions about medical or recreational marijuana in Connecticut, or stop by our dispensary and let us help you in person! You can also schedule a consultation for help with medical marijuana.
Use Cannabis Responsibly! T-Town Terps does not promote or endorse illicit or underage use of cannabis. Consult your local laws and ordinances to ensure you are using lawfully and be sure to always keep all cannabis products away from children.