Rolling Guides
What Should I Use as a Filter?
When rolling up, there are many options for what to use as a filter. The best filters provide structure, catch loose bits, don’t add interfering tastes, and stay well in the roll. We have seen all sorts of different types of filters, from using the paperboard of rolling papers to beautifully crafted glass filters and even the bold Twizzler filter. The options and opportunities for creativity are endless, so we will hit on some of the best filters for you to utilize in your rolls.
What can I use as a filter?
For a solid filter, easy to roll reusable filters provide the most stable structure, consistent airflow, and long-term durability.
To organize the best filters for your rolls, we will go through and rank various categories that we believe are important to a high-quality roll. We included an explanation at the bottom of this page about each category for your reference.
The best filters, ranked
- Schtips
OVERALL: 8.7/10
Schtips are by far our favorite reusable option. Our three size reusable filter sets are designed for easier rolling, stable structure, and balanced airflow. They have the benefits of glass filters, but they are exceptionally easy to roll with and stay in the roll without breaking. Schtips are heat-resistant, have the ideal airflow, keep your hands clean and odor free, and they last indefinitely.
The designs are precisely made and tested to ensure proper airflow and filtration.
- Self-rolled paperboard filters
OVERALL: 5.2/10
Self-rolled filters are the original go-to for many smokers. It can be made of a business card or a chunk of the paperboard from your rolling papers. The main benefit is that these are versatile. As long as you have paperboard on hand, you can use these. They do have a couple of drawbacks. They are tougher to roll with and make rolling take longer. Self-rolled filters can also get quite soggy, and it’s tough to roll an XL filter with just paperboard. Likewise, they are easily littered, which we hope to discourage; the majority of smoking deaths are caused by improperly disposed of smoking material. These are at the top of the list because of their convenience.
- Glass filters
OVERALL: 7.3/10
Glass filters are also a great choice. They are fully reusable, easy to clean, and the designs often ensure smooth hits and no loose bits. If you are an avid roller, there is a good chance you have tried rolling with glass filters. They aren’t the easiest to roll with because of their rigidity and slippery surface. They unfortunately slip out of rolls quite easily because of their slippery surface, and it’s a bummer to drop them because the high-quality glass filters are not inexpensive, and they can crack or shatter pretty easily. Overall, they are one of the best options for reusable filters in the market.
- Pre-rolled paper filters
OVERALL: 5.4/10
Pre-rolled paper filters are a relatively common option. They work well, and you can buy a large pack of them without spending too much money. They are not as high of quality as Schtips or glass filters, and they are not reusable. Also, they don’t slip out as easily as glass filters, but they get soggy easily and add the taste of paper to your rolls. When you use these filters, make sure that they do not have any ink on the filter itself, as ink can leach into smoke.
- Cigarette filters
OVERALL: 4.5/10
- Twizzler filters (use a short Twizzler as a filter).
OVERALL: 4.2/10
There was one time that I was with a friend and we wanted to roll up a big one. We experimented with different paperboards, finding that it was tough to get a large filter with paperboard unless we combined multiple smaller filters, which took quite a while. We happened to have some Twizzlers, so we decided to try that out. They were pretty large, and with king-sized papers, we were able to roll a king-size roll packed full. We stuck a couple of toothpicks across one side of the opening to keep loose bits from coming through, and it smoked wonderfully. I don’t recommend eating the Twizzler portion that you use as a filter. It tends to have a bit of a smoky aftertaste.
- 3D-printed filters
OVERALL: 5.7/10
Some people have spoken about 3D printing filters. While the customization and use make these filters phenomenal, they could be a bit risky. Most likely the safest option would be to use a PLA-based filament, which is polylactic acid. While it is biodegradable, it is still plastic, so we recommend against 3D printing your filters.
Explanation of categories
Since some of these categories are not self-explanatory, here are the descriptions that explain how we ranked each. Loose-bit filtration refers to how well filters prevent little pieces of your blend from slipping through the filter. Customizability is a reference to the options for having smaller filters versus rolling up big rolls, and it references the ability to change colors or add designs to the filter. Ability to stay in roll refers to whether or not the filter is likely to slip out. Heat dissipation is a measure of how well the filter handles heat without letting your fingers get burnt. Safety is a check on whether the filter is a healthy option that won’t add extra chemicals to the smoke, and it includes whether the filter is at risk of being disposed of in a way that could cause a fire. I think the rest are pretty self-explanatory, so roll with your gut with those.
