Pre-Rolls vs. Rolling Your Own – What’s Better?

The Big Question: Should You Buy Pre-Rolls or Roll Your Own?

Everyone has their preference — some love the ritual of grinding, packing, and rolling the perfect joint. Others just want something quick, consistent, and ready the moment they walk out of the dispensary.

So which is actually better?

The answer depends on what you value: convenience, control, flavour, or cost.

Here’s a breakdown to help you decide which option fits your smoke style.

What Are Pre-Rolls?

Pre-rolls are ready-to-smoke joints made by licensed producers, using milled cannabis flower. They come in singles, multi-packs, infused options, craft batches, and even live resin–enhanced varieties.

For many people, they’re the easiest and fastest way to enjoy cannabis.

Benefits of Pre-Rolls

1. Convenience

No grinder. No papers. No mess.

Pre-rolls are effortless — just light and enjoy.

2. Consistency

Producers roll with machines or precision tools, so the airflow, density, and burn are usually uniform. No canoeing or loose ends.

3. Great for Beginners

If you’re new to rolling or don’t smoke often, pre-rolls take away the guesswork.

4. Perfect for On-the-Go

Easy to toss in a pocket, take on a walk, or smoke socially without prep.

5. Variety

You can try different strains without committing to a full bag of flower. Many pre-roll packs offer mixed varietals or rotating drops.

6. Premium Options Exist

Craft pre-rolls, live resin-infused joints, and hash-blended rolls offer effects and flavour you might not be able to replicate at home.

Why Some People Prefer Rolling Their Own

Rolling your own still has its loyal fans — and for good reason.

1. Full Control

You decide the amount, shape, tightness, and strain.

Perfect for people who know exactly how they like their joint to burn.

2. Freshness

Grinding your flower right before smoking gives a stronger aroma and terpene expression.

3. Cost-Effective

Buying flower and rolling your own can be cheaper long-term, especially if you smoke often.

4. Custom Blends

Add hash, kief, live resin, or mix strains — something pre-rolls can’t always replicate.

5. The Ritual

Some people love the process. For them, rolling is part of the experience.

What’s Actually Inside Pre-Rolls?

This is one of the most common concerns.

Today’s market has changed — many brands now use:

• Quality milled flower

• Craft-grown inputs

• Single-strain batches

• Infused options using live resin, rosin, or diamonds

While “shake rolls” still exist, licensed pre-rolls typically list whether they contain whole flower, blend, or infused ingredients.

Check the label for:

• Inputs (“whole flower,” “milled flower,” “shake”)

• Potency

• Terpene percentage

• Strain lineage

This gives you a clearer idea of what you’re buying.

Pre-Rolls vs. Hand-Rolled: The Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Pre-Rolls	Rolling Your Own
Convenience	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐
Cost	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Freshness	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Control	⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Variety	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Burn Consistency	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Depends on skill
Infused Options	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Lots of DIY flexibility

Who Should Choose Pre-Rolls?

Choose pre-rolls if you:

• Want something fast and ready

• Don’t enjoy rolling

• Want a consistent burn

• Like trying different strains

• Smoke socially or casually

• Prefer infused options without the hassle

They’re perfect for low-effort sessions, nights out, or when you don’t want to roll in the cold.

Who Should Roll Their Own?

Roll your own if you:

• Love the ritual

• Want to control everything about your joint

• Prefer maximum freshness

• Blend your own strains or add-ins

• Smoke regularly and want to save money

• 
  

Hand-rolled joints offer customizability pre-rolls can’t match.

So… What’s Better?

There’s no universal winner.

It comes down to your lifestyle and smoking preferences.

Pre-rolls are unbeatable for convenience and consistency.

Hand-rolled joints shine in freshness, customization, and cost.

Most people end up enjoying both, depending on the moment.

Next time you’re ordering from Steady Eddy’s, try grabbing a pre-roll pack alongside fresh flower — you might find your perfect match is a mix of the two.