Short answer: rolling papers are flat sheets you roll yourself, pre-rolled cones are papers already shaped into a joint you just fill, and tips (also called filters or crutches) go in the mouth end to hold the shape and keep your lips off the ember. Rice papers burn slowest and taste cleanest, hemp is the easy all-rounder, and wood pulp is easiest to roll. Beginners usually do best with cones.
The rolling aisle is weirdly confusing for something that's basically paper. Twelve brands, four materials, sizes with names like "1 1/4" and "98 special," and tips that range from a strip of cardstock to a piece of quartz. This guide breaks down what actually matters so you can buy once and roll happy.
Already know what you want? Shop our full Papers, Cones and Tips collection, or save up to 15% on repeat orders with The Re-Up Club.
Rolling Papers vs Cones vs Tips at a Glance
| Rolling papers | Pre-rolled cones | Tips / filters | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Flat sheets with a glue strip | Paper already rolled into a cone, tip included | A mouthpiece for the end of a joint or cone |
| Skill needed | Some practice | Almost none: fill, pack, twist | None |
| Cost per joint | Lowest | A bit higher | Paper: pennies. Glass: one-time buy |
| Control | Total: size, shape, tightness | Fixed shape and size | Changes airflow and comfort |
| Best for | People who like the ritual | Beginners, consistency, speed | Everyone |
Rolling Paper Materials: Rice vs Hemp vs Wood Pulp vs Flavored
The material changes three things you'll notice: how fast it burns, how much it tastes like paper, and how easy it is to handle.
| Material | Burn | Flavor | Ease of rolling | Good pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice | Slowest, thinnest | Cleanest, barely there | Hardest: thin, slippery, shows every mistake | ASH Classic Rice Cones, Blazy Susan Ultra Thin Rice Cones |
| Hemp | Medium, even | Light, slightly earthy | Easy: a little grippy, forgiving | RAW Organic Hemp Cones |
| Wood pulp | Fastest, thickest | Most noticeable paper taste | Easiest: stiff and holds its shape | Organic King Slim Papers, GRAV Quartz Tip Cones |
| Flavored | Depends on the base paper | Fruity or sweet on the first few pulls | Same as the base paper | Juicy Jay's, Hemper Flavored Hemp Cones |
Rice papers
Rice papers are the thinnest option, so you taste your flower instead of the paper, and they burn slowly. The catch: they're delicate, a little slippery, and hard for first-timers to roll tight. Looking for rice paper but don't want to fight it? Get it pre-rolled. The ASH Pre-Rolled Cones Classic ($14 for 32) are unbleached rice paper in king slim size, about 1 gram each.
Hemp papers
Hemp is the all-rounder. It's a touch thicker and grippier than rice, which makes it easier to roll, and it burns evenly with only a light earthy taste. If you're not sure where to start, start here.
Wood pulp papers
Wood pulp papers are the thickest and stiffest, so they hold their shape while you work, which is why a lot of people learn on them. They burn faster and you'll taste more paper. The Organic Medium papers ($3.50) are made from organic wood pulp and come with 50 papers and 50 tips.
Flavored papers
Flavored papers add a fruity or sweet note, strongest on the first few hits. They're fun for a change of pace, but if you care about tasting your strain, stick with plain rice or hemp.
Bleached vs unbleached
Unbleached papers are brown or tan and skip the whitening step. Bleached white papers are fine too, but if you want the most natural option, look for "unbleached" or "chlorine-free" on the pack.
What Are POP Cones?
POP Cones are unbleached pre-rolled cones with a twist: each one has a terpene capsule you squeeze to release flavor when you want it, instead of the paper being flavored the whole way through. Flavors include Super Sweet, Banana Cream, Tropical Mango, Strawberry Jam and Wild Grape. They come in 1 1/4 and king size. Heads up: we currently carry them as a 25-pack display, which is great for stocking up or splitting with friends.
Rolling Paper Sizes Explained
| Size | Roughly holds | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Mini / shorts (53 to 70mm) | A small personal smoke | Quick solo sessions |
| 1 1/4 | About 0.5 to 0.75 g | The everyday personal size |
| King slim / king size | About 1 g | Sharing or a longer session |
| 98 special and up | More than 1 g | Groups |
For reference, the Organic Medium papers (44 x 76mm) hold about 0.5 g, and the Organic King Slim papers (44 x 110mm) hold about 1 g. Exact capacity varies by how tight you pack.
Pre-Rolled Cones vs Papers: Which Is Better?
Choose cones if you're new to rolling, want the same joint every time, or just don't want to spend five minutes rolling. You fill, pack, and twist the end closed. That's it.
Choose papers if you like the ritual, want to control size and tightness, or want the lowest cost per joint.
The honest answer for most beginners: buy cones. Learning to roll is great, but you'll waste less flower while you figure it out.
How to fill a pre-rolled cone
- Grind your flower to a medium-fine, even texture. Big chunks cause uneven burns.
- Fill a little at a time and tap the cone filter-side down so it settles.
- Pack gently with a packing stick or the end of a pen. Firm, not crushed, or it won't draw.
- Leave a little room at the top, then twist the extra paper closed.
Filling a lot of cones? A Ongrok Cone Loader ($14.99 for 1 1/4, $16.99 for king) holds the cone steady and has a built-in measuring guide. It's also great if rolling is hard on your hands.
Rolling Tips and Filters: How to Use Them
A tip goes in the mouth end of your joint. It keeps the joint open so it draws well, stops loose flower from getting in your mouth, and keeps your fingers and lips away from the heat when it burns down. Despite the name, a paper "filter" tip doesn't filter much. It's really a support.
Paper tips (crutches)
Cheap, simple and biodegradable. Fold the end in a small W or zigzag, roll the rest around it into a tube, and place it at one end of your paper before you roll. Many paper packs include tips, and a RAW Tip Book ($6) gives you 480. Prefer to skip the folding? RAW also makes pre-rolled tips (200 for $12).
Glass and quartz tips
Reusable glass tips give a cooler, smoother draw, let you smoke closer to the end without burning your lips, and don't add paper taste. Clean them in isopropyl alcohol and reuse them for months. Try a Hemper Glass Filter Tip ($2.99) or a Jane West Glass Joint Tip ($6), which has a 6.5mm opening that fits cones and hand rolls. Want the tip already in place? Hemper Glass-Tipped Hemp Cones ($3.99 for 4) and GRAV Short Kings Quartz Tip Cones ($4.99 for 6) come with them built in.
Our Picks
- Best for beginners: RAW Organic Hemp Cones ($2.62 a pack). Unrefined hemp, built-in tip, six 1 1/4 or three king cones per pack.
- Best rice cones: ASH Pre-Rolled Cones Classic ($14 for 32). Unbleached rice paper, about 1 g each.
- Best for daily smokers: Blazy Susan Ultra Thin Rice Cones ($21 for a 50-count jar). Blazy Susan's thinnest paper, vegan and non-GMO, and eligible for subscribe and save.
- Best for showing off: Blazy Susan Pink Cones (from $17.50 for 50 shorts). Slow-burning pink paper in sizes from 53mm shorts to king.
- Best budget papers: Organic Medium Rolling Papers ($3.50). 50 papers and 50 tips in one pack.
- Best flavor: Hemper Glass-Tipped Hemp Cones ($3.99 for 4) in Grape, Blueberry, Honey, Mango and more, or POP Cones if you want to control the flavor yourself.
- Best upgrade: a reusable glass tip ($2.99). One tip replaces hundreds of paper ones.
Never Run Out: The Re-Up Club
Papers and cones are something you'll buy again and again, so we made it automatic. The Re-Up Club lets you subscribe to eligible items and save 15% with monthly delivery or 10% every two months. Eligible picks include the Blazy Susan Ultra Thin Rice Cones, Pink Cones and the Green Cones 50-count jar ($19.99, or about $16.99 a month subscribed). Choose the subscribe option on the product page at checkout.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use to roll weed? Rolling papers, pre-rolled cones, or hemp and palm-leaf wraps. Skip improvised paper like notebook pages, receipts or printed paper: inks, coatings and bleach aren't made to be smoked. Unbleached rice or hemp papers are the cleanest everyday option.
What are the best rolling papers for weed? For tasting your flower, thin rice papers. For easy, even rolling, hemp. Beginners usually do best with pre-rolled hemp or rice cones like RAW Organic Hemp Cones or ASH Classic Cones.
Are pre-rolled cones better than papers? For beginners and anyone who wants consistent joints fast, yes. Papers win on cost and control once you know how to roll.
What are POP Cones? Unbleached pre-rolled cones with a squeezable terpene capsule, so you choose when to add flavor. See POP Cones.
Where can I buy rice paper? Right here. We carry rice cones from ASH and Blazy Susan, and you can browse everything in our Papers, Cones and Tips collection.
Do hemp rolling papers taste different? Slightly. Hemp has a light earthy note that most people stop noticing after a hit or two. Rice is more neutral; wood pulp tastes more like paper.
How do I use a rolling tip? Put it at the mouth end before you roll (or slide a glass tip onto a finished joint or cone). It keeps the joint open, stops flower from getting in your mouth, and keeps the heat off your lips.
Are glass tips worth it? If you smoke regularly, yes. They're reusable, give a cooler draw, and let you finish the joint without burnt fingers. Clean them with isopropyl alcohol.
Where can I buy trusted pre-rolls for consistent burn and flavor? We don't sell filled pre-rolls. Those come from licensed dispensaries where cannabis is legal. What we do carry is the next best thing: empty pre-rolled cones that give you dispensary-style consistency with your own flower. Start with RAW Organic Hemp Cones and a cone loader.
Ready to restock? Shop Papers, Cones and Tips or join The Re-Up Club and save on every delivery. Prices and product details come from each listing on hornystoner.com as of October 2026. All products are intended and sold for legal purposes only.