Puffco Budsy Review

Background

US-based brand, Puffco, created the heavyweight wax pen, the Puffco Plus (review). They're also credited for making the first dab rig on the market – the Puffco Plus. A device that could be held in your hand like a bong and provide a powerful vaping experience.

All this said Puffco’s newest product is a complete 180 from the tech and minimalist design of most Puffco products. The Puffco Budsy (buy) is a water pipe disguised as your everyday water bottle. It’s also the brand’s first product designed for the consumption of dry herb and is an homage to the roots of an e-nail – the bong. The Budsy is made with BPA-free Tritan plastic which is food-safe and shatter-resistant and features a ceramic bowl that’s inconspicuously hidden underneath the “straw” / mouthpiece, which is under a screw cap.

Compatibility: The Budsy may be used for dry herb only. I tested the Budsy with Sour Glue CBD from InHemp and THC herb from my local dispensary.

Design and Features

The Puffco Budsy’s outer design isn’t new – it’s a water bottle with an opaque cap and a transparent body, a lot like a Nalgene bottle. It’s what’s going on in the Budsy that’s interesting.

• Ceramic Bowl with silicone tab: Underneath the top cap is the straw which is actually the mouthpiece, and lifting that exposes the ceramic bowl which is conveniently snug in a storage spot. There's also an attached silicone tab on the bowl for better handling.
• Shatter-resistant BPA- Free Tritan Construction: A plastic material free of harmful additives and strong and sturdy enough to survive falls and bumps – making it the perfect companion for outdoor trips
• Easy Cleaning: All of Budsy’s plastic components are all dishwasher safe and are also easily cleaned with soap and water.

Regarding its portability – it both is and isn’t exactly portable. On one hand, it's made with a pretty heavy-duty plastic and, it looks like a bottle, making it easy to take anywhere. But, on the other hand, you do need to have a lighter ready to use the Budsy, and it’s a 1000mL water bottle. Which means it’s both tall and quite heavy when filled. It’s larger than even the largest dry herb vaporizers – the Mighty (review) or the Arizer Solo 2 (review)

Performance and Ease Of Use

To use the Puffco Budsy, fill the bottle with 420mL of water and replace the main lid. You can then opt to fill the ceramic chamber and light up, or keep it hidden under the mouthpiece to be used later. You can also take smaller hits throughout the day and just place the tab in storage. Since the Budsy is made of plastic, I highly recommend using a regular lighter and not a torch.

The vapor quality on the Budsy was as expected – flavorful, dense, made even better with water filtration. One of the main draws of the Budsy is being able to discreetly consume, with the added bonus of water filtration – any time, and anywhere. Water filters out ash, tar, and other impurities that might be inhaled. It also instantly cools down the vapor, which makes for smooth and fuller draws.

Also, for an even better experience, always grind your herbs. The SLX (review) grinds your dry herb into an even, fluffy consistency that’s great for whether you’re vaporizing or doing it the old-fashioned way.

Puffco Cupsy

Seems like Puffco has found a niche market in making water pipes disguised as everyday objects. The Puffco Cupsy (buy), released in 2022 – is a water pipe that’s made to look like a reusable coffee cup – and it might just be the perfect pick-me-up you need every day.

It features a stainless steel body with a white exterior and a rubber grip (you know, because coffee is “hot”). The leak-proof silicone lid is similar in functional design as its predecessor, with the same foldable mouthpiece/ straw and ceramic cup that may be pre-filled and tucked away. The Cupsy is clearly smaller than the Budsy, but due to its stainless steel construction – is priced a bit higher at $59.99.  

Bottom Line

The Puffco Budsy is different from the usual Puffco products – their product line is filled with sleek, stylish, geometric devices. All with the latest in vaporizer tech and other interesting features. The Budsy is no doubt high in novelty value but is surprisingly also delivers excellent vapor, and is no doubt discreet enough to take anywhere.

At only $49, it’s the cheapest Puffco product available and would be a fun addition to anyone’s water pipe collection. Although, I’d highly recommend vaping your herb as opposed to combustion. If you’re looking for a vaporizer that’s just as discreet – and doesn’t require 420mL of water, check out our list of the best dry herb vaporizers of 2024.