There are many great ways to consume cannabis, but smoking a joint tops the list. Of course, that’s only true if you’re using the best rolling papers–some that provide a smooth smoke, burn evenly, and allow you to enjoy the natural flavor of your fresh, fragrant bud. So whether you’re a joint-rolling expert or still learning, we’ve got you covered in this guide.
Not all rolling papers are made equal, though. Some burn too quickly, give a chemical flavor that ruins the taste, or just don’t roll and stick well enough for you to pearl the perfect joint. The thing is, everyone has different preferences for the size, flavor, and style of joint they want to smoke. That means that choosing the perfect rolling paper is a matter of individual preference, too.
Hopefully, we’re about to make it easy! Below, we’ve weeded out all of the shabby papers on the market and left you with this list of the ten best rolling papers you can get your hands on. First, let’s take a look at what makes different rolling papers unique and why there are so many options to choose from:
Characteristics To Look for in a Rolling Paper
There are five main characteristics to consider when choosing the best rolling papers, including:
Material and Ingredients
The material the rolling papers are made of is easily the most important thing to look out for because it affects every aspect of the joint smoking experience. The ingredients in a rolling paper impact the flavor, how fast or slow a joint burns, whether or not they stay lit while smoking, and how “safe” the smoke is to inhale.
Perhaps the most important thing to look out for when shopping for the best rolling papers is what they’re made out of as it’s the materials that play a vital role in how they’ll taste, how fast or slow they’ll burn, whether or not they can stay lit, and how hard they are to roll.
For instance, papers that have been bleached or contain other whitening chemicals can be toxic to smoke. These papers are generally thick and white, almost like a soft copy paper consistency, and they rarely make for a very good smoking experience.
Great rolling papers can still be made from many different materials, and the type of paper you choose depends on the smoking experience you prefer. Here are some of the most popular materials used and how they may affect your toke session:
- Hemp: Easier to roll, slow burn, mild taste.
- Wood pulp: Stay lit well, burn faster than hemp papers, but have a smokier taste
- Rice: Harder to roll, but entirely flavorless and slow to burn.
- Flax: Thin with good airflow, easy to roll, no flavor.
Size
It seems obvious, but the size of your rolling paper directly correlates to how big your joint will be. You can, of course, attempt to understuff or overstuff a paper. In truth, though, that’s just asking for trouble, like a joint that’s too tightly packed for good airflow or one with an off-balanced paper-to-weed ratio.
The key to rolling the perfect J is choosing the best paper size to begin with. In general, you have six main sizes to choose from:
- Single Wide (68-70mm long, 34-36mm wide)
- 1 1/4″ (76-78mm long, 45-48mm wide)
- 1 1/2″ (76-78mm long, 60-62mm wide)
- Double Wide (76-78mm long, 63-88mm wide)
- King (100-110mm long, 55-60mm wide)
- King Slim (105-110mm long, 42-46mm wide)
You should also pay attention to the thickness of the paper. Super thin papers are sometimes lower-quality and may tear while rolling or burn too quickly. Super thick papers are more difficult to roll neatly and burn much more slowly, sometimes leaving behind a stronger “smoke” flavor. Usually, you’ll want your rolling paper to fall somewhere in the middle, but you can lean one way or the other depending on your smoking preference.
Glue
The traditional adhesive for rolling papers is gum arabic, a type of gum derived from the Acacia tree that can also be referred to as sugar gum. It’s the same type of adhesive used on stamps.
Other types of glue can be used that you may want to watch out for. For instance, some brands may use glue made from animal products, which vegan and vegetarian smokes may want to avoid. Just make sure that the glue is made from natural, safe ingredients (which shouldn’t be a problem if you’re buying your rolling papers from a high-quality brand).
Flavors
There are a lot of choices when it comes to the flavor of your rolling papers. Of course, not everyone wants a flavored rolling paper (in which case, RAW papers or another clean hemp, rice, or flax paper is your best bet!).
If you are looking for a paper that spices up your J, you can find papers laden with fruity flavors, mint, and even decadent dessert flavoring. Juicy Jay’s are one of the most popular examples, but you can certainly find others in nearly any flavor profile you desire.
Sustainability
If sustainability is important to you, there are plenty of brands focused on reducing their carbon footprint by using natural energy and recyclable, plant-based materials. Two great sustainable options are RAW and Element brand.
What type of rolling paper burns the slowest?
Both hemp and rice papers are known for burning slow, but ensuring that you don’t roll your joint too loosely will also help you enjoy a slow-burning smoke.
How much do rolling papers cost?
Rolling papers typically cost between $2 and $10 a pack, although some brands may charge a little more for especially items.
What’s the difference between bleached and unbleached rolling papers?
Bleached rolling papers use an oxygenation process, or sometimes even chemical additives like chlorine, to remove any type of natural residue from the paper. Bleached papers will be pure white. Unbleached papers skip this step and may be brownish, yellow, off-white, or even dyed. Typically, unbleached papers are considered the healthier option since there are no extra chemicals left over from the whitening process.
The 10 Best Rolling Papers of 2023
1. Best Overall: VIBES Fine Rolling Papers
VIBES Papers are some of the highest quality papers that you can buy. These papers are handcrafted in France and come in a variety of sizes and material blends including Hemp, Rice, Ultra Thin, and Organic Hemp. Each is designed to offer a smooth smoke with little to no flavor interference. For the serious cannabis connoisseur, the option to buy a case comes in handy. For smaller orders, you can grab VIBES singles or cones. VIBES is an easy choice when it comes to the best rolling paper of 2023.
Pros:
- Order by the case
- Plenty of material and size options
- High-end smoking experience
Cons:
- One of the more expensive options available
You can grab Vibes Papers by the case for $96-$105 per box, or you can grab the 3-pack cones for $3.50.
2. Runner Up: Raw
RAW Organic Hemp Papers have made a name for themselves thanks to their organic and chlorine-free formula. These papers offer unique thinness that allows the smoker more control over how much they consume, but the papers are sturdy and don’t tear easily while rolling. With these papers, you’ll taste every terpene in your fresh flower with no smoky interference.
Pros:
- Well known as one of the cleanest papers on the market
- No flavor interference
- Cost-effective
Cons:
- Thinner paper could be more difficult for beginners to roll.
3. Best Looking Rolling Papers: Eddie Parker Flower
If you’re a fan of the slow burn, flavorless smoke offered by high-quality rice paper, these Eddie Parker Rainbow Flower Rolling papers are a perfect pick. The rainbow flower print (printed with 100% soy-based ink that’s safe to smoke) is appealing, but even more appealing is the thin, sturdy paper that helps your pearl the perfect joint with ease. Each pack comes with 40 high-quality flower-printed rice papers.
Pros:
- Easy to roll
- Unique design
- No flavor interference
Cons:
- Higher cost per pack than some brands
You can grab these rolling papers at $10 per pack, a fair price to pay for the added flair of the unique rainbow flower print.
4. Best for Creative Rollers: Blazy Susan
If you’re looking to roll a joint with flair, Blazy Susan offers some premium rolling paper options. The King Size Pink Rolling Papers not only offer 50 pink papers per booklet, but are big enough to get really creative with your joint rolling process. If you think of joint rolling as an art, this is the way to go.
Pros:
- Large paper options
- Low price
- Unique pink, vegan rolling papers
Cons:
- No other color or design options
You can grab a sleeve of 50 King Size papers for only $2.99.
5. Best Hemp Rolling Papers: OCB Organic
OCB is a classic rolling paper brand, and their Organic Hemp line is a no-brainer for anyone looking for an affordable, high-quality hemp paper. These are GMO and Chlorine free, sustainably made, and Certified Organic.
Pros:
- Slow, smooth burn
- Multiple size options
- No flavor interference
Cons:
- Lighter on the glue than other papers which may make rolling more difficult.
6. Best Wood Pulp Rolling Papers: Bugler
Bugler Rolling Papers have been in production for almost a century, so they’re a great option for anyone looking for a classic wood pulp rolling paper. These offer the benefits of wood pulp (like being thicker and easy to roll, but are blended with flax to reduce the overall smoky flavor. Plus, they come 115 leaves to a pack, so there’s plenty here to get you through.
Pros:
- Medium thickness for an easy roll
- Mixed with flax fiber to reduce flavor interference
Cons:
- Still may produce a smoky flavor
You can grab a case of these (24 booklets) for $27 on Amazon.
7. Best Thin Rolling Papers: Elements
If you’re looking for a thin roll from a highly sustainable company, Elements papers are a great option. Elements offers an Ultra Thin Rice Paper available in multiple different sizes and an option to purchase with included tips. The company is highly sustainable, using only natural earth materials and wind power to power their production.
Pros:
- Flavorless
- Thin roll and slow burn
- Sustainable company
- Less glue than other brands for less flavor interference
Cons:
- Less glue may mean they are more difficult to roll
You can grab 50 packs for just $20.69 on Amazon
8. Best King Size Rolling Paper: OCB
These King Size Rolling Papers are ultra-lightweight and ultra-thin for an easy roll and even burn. Plus, these are made of pure flax so there’s no flavor interference at all, other than maybe the caramelization of the Arabic gum (used for adhesive) as it burns.
Pros:
- Large size perfect for large joints or creative rolls
- No flavor interference
- Fair cost
Cons:
- Typically you need to buy these by the case unless you find singles in stores.
9. Best Flavored Rolling Papers
There are not many brands with a reputation and authenticity that compare to Juicy Jay’s Flavored Rolling Papers. You can buy one flavor at a time or grab a multi-pack to try them all. The flavor profiles range from Blueberry or Watermelon to Absinthe and Menthol, so there’s truly no shortage of options. Each paper is printed with a unique design too, so you’ll get a smooth smoke that’s flavorful, aromatic, and aesthetically pleasing, too.
Pros:
- Natural Flavors
- Triple Dipped for Taste
- Slow-burning
Cons:
- It will definitely mask the flavor of your weed
You can grab a 24 pack of assorted flavors (768 sheets total) for $58.00 on Smoke Cartel.
10. Best for Rolling Papers for Special Occasions
The Shine 24K Rolling Papers are sure to impress a crowd, and there’s not much more you can do to add this much flair to a perfectly rolled joint. The papers feature a hemp blend base for a smooth, slow smoke, and you’ll get a Certificate of Authenticity so that you know the bling is the real deal.
Pros:
- Regular 1 ¼ size is versatile
- Low flavor interference
- Real gold leaf paper
Cons:
- Maybe a bit more difficult to roll
- Only available in 2-packs
These come two to a pack and cost less than $13 on Amazon.
FAQ
Do you have to be 21 to buy rolling papers?
No, you don’t necessarily have to be 21 years old to buy rolling papers, but many stores that sell cannabis accessories and paraphernalia do require customers to be at least 21 years old.
Where to buy rolling papers?
You can buy rolling papers at pretty much any gas station or smoke shop, but you may be stuck choosing between a few low-quality brands. We recommend checking out the brand above and ordering directly from their online stores.
What are the best rolling papers to roll joints with?
The best rolling papers depend on your preference, but any high-quality paper that’s unbleached and free of added chemicals could be a good choice. Our top pick is Vibes Papers.
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