Spending your hard-earned money on a new bong, only to have it crack after a few uses or realize it doesn’t hit the way you expected, is frustrating. Some bongs are too fragile, while others don’t filter smoke well, making hits harsh. Cheap plastic bongs might last longer, but they can affect the flavor.
Glass gives the cleanest taste, but it can break if it’s too thin. Size also matters—a tall bong delivers bigger hits, but a smaller one is easier to carry. With so many options, finding the right balance between durability, smoothness, and convenience is the key to getting the best experience.
What is a Bong?
A bong, also called a water pipe, is a device used for smoking cannabis or other herbs. It works by filtering and cooling the smoke through water, making it smoother and easier on the throat and lungs. Bong shapes vary, but a typical bong has a few main parts. The water chamber holds water, which helps filter and cool the smoke.
The bowl is where the cannabis is packed and lit. The downstem is a small tube that carries the smoke from the bowl into the water. Finally, the mouthpiece is where the user inhales the filtered smoke. Different types of bongs may have unique designs, but they all work in a similar way to provide a smoother smoking experience.
What are the Different Types of Bongs?
Bongs come in many styles, each offering a unique smoking experience. Some focus on smooth hits with extra filtration, while others are compact and easy to carry. There are different kinds of bongs, from classic beaker bongs to high-tech dab rigs.
1. Beaker Bong
The beaker bong is a classic choice for herb smokers and one of the most popular styles of bongs. Its wide base makes it stable and less likely to tip over. Because of its bottom-heavy shape, it can be taller, allowing for bigger hits. Many glassblowers also add percolators to improve filtration.
One big advantage of a beaker bong is that it's easier to attach an ash catcher without making it unbalanced. You can also add a diffused downstem to filter the smoke, even if the bong doesn’t have percolators. Many beaker bongs also have ice notches, so you can cool the smoke for a smoother hit.
2. Straight Tube/Cylinder Bong
The straight tube, or cylinder bong, is another common design. As the name suggests, it has a simple straight shape. This makes it one of the more affordable bong types, and you’ll find it on most bong websites.
Despite its basic design, many brands enhance straight tube bongs with percolators and ice catchers. They come in different sizes and materials, including silicone. Most straight tube bongs use a downstem, but some have a stemless design.
3. Multi-Chamber Bong
A multi-chamber bong is any bong that has two or more percolators. Percolators, or "percs," are small glass parts that hold water to filter smoke. They help cool and clean the smoke, making each hit smoother.
There are many types of percolators, each with a unique design, but they all work to improve filtration. More percs mean a smoother hit and create that familiar bubbling sound when smoking. With so many options available, smokers can choose the perfect percolator setup for their needs.
4. Mini Bong
Size does matter, but bigger isn’t always better. Mini bongs are a smaller version of the classic water pipe, offering a compact and convenient way to smoke. These bongs usually range from 6 to 10 inches tall and use water to filter the smoke. They come in different materials, and some even have features like ice catchers and percolators to make hits smoother.
When choosing a bong, different bong sizes affect portability and smoke quality. The biggest benefit of a mini bong is its size. It’s easy to carry, making it a great choice for smokers who like to take their bong on the go. Plus, mini bongs are often more affordable than larger ones since they require less material to make.
5. Bubblers
Bubblers are a type of water pipe, but they are smaller and more portable than bongs. If a mini bong is like a bong’s little brother, then a bubbler is the baby sister.
Bubblers are one of the easiest water-filtered smoking options to carry around. They need only a small amount of water, and if you don’t have water, you can still use them like a regular pipe. They are usually affordable, simple to use, and come in many different designs.
The downside is that bubblers are often too small to fit percolators or extra accessories like an ash catcher. Since they use very little water, it gets dirty fast. Bubblers can also be hard to clean, so it's best to change the water after each use to keep them fresh.
6. Dab Rigs
Dab rigs are for smoking wax concentrates, which many find tastier and stronger than dry herbs. They work like bongs but use a quartz banger or dab nail instead of a bowl. Heat the banger with a torch, let it cool briefly, then add your concentrate to create vapor for inhaling.
Since concentrate vapor can be harsh, many dab rigs have extra percolators to make the hit smoother. There are many types of dab rigs, which is why they have their own section on our site. If you already own a bong, you can turn it into a dab rig by adding the right dab accessories.
7. Percolator Bongs
Percolator bongs, or "percs," have built-in glass filters that create bubbles as smoke passes through water. These bubbles help cool and filter the smoke, removing harshness and making each hit smoother. If you're looking for the best bong for weed, percolator bongs are a great choice because they enhance filtration and improve the overall smoking experience.
Designed for smoother hits, percolator bongs reduce throat irritation and make inhaling easier. Some models have multiple percolators for extra cooling and filtration, giving even cleaner and cooler hits. They come in different styles, including tree, honeycomb, and showerhead percs, each offering unique filtration benefits.
What Bongs Are Made Of?
Bongs come in different materials, each with its own benefits. While glass is the most popular, there are other options like silicone, ceramic, and acrylic. Choosing the right material depends on durability, ease of cleaning, and smoking experience.
1. Glass Bongs
Glass bongs are the most common because they come in many shapes and sizes. Many consider them the best type of bong since they allow for extra features like percolators, diffused downstems, and ice notches to cool the smoke. However, glass can break and gets dirty fast. Thick glass is more durable, and carrying cases help prevent damage.
2. Scientific Glass Bongs
Made from borosilicate glass, these are stronger and more heat-resistant than regular glass. They often come with extra features like percs and diffused downstems for a smoother experience. Scientific glass is more expensive but built to last.
3. Silicone Bongs
Silicone bongs are nearly indestructible, flexible, and dishwasher-safe. They're great for travel, festivals, or anyone worried about breaking a glass bong. Some come with metal bowls, which can affect flavor, but high-quality ones use glass bowls for a cleaner taste.
4. Ceramic Bongs
Ceramic bongs have been around for centuries. They’re durable and allow for unique designs and hand-painted details. However, they are heavier and opaque, meaning you can’t see the smoke inside. While not as common as glass or silicone, they offer a stylish option.
5. Acrylic Bongs
Acrylic bongs are cheap, lightweight, and hard to break. They’re simple, usually featuring a plastic tube and metal bowl. However, silicone bongs are a better alternative, offering more durability and a better smoking experience without costing much more.
Each bong material has its benefits. Glass offers the best experience, scientific glass is stronger, and silicone is nearly unbreakable. Ceramic adds style, while acrylic is the cheapest option.
Smoke Smarter, Choose the Best Bong
Listen, choosing the right bong isn’t just about picking the coolest-looking one. It’s about finding what fits your smoking style, what lasts, and what gives you the best experience. A bong isn’t just a piece of glass or silicone—it’s something you’ll use again and again, so it’s worth thinking about what works best for you.
A strong, well-made bong can last for years, while a cheap one might crack after a few uses. A percolator bong cools the smoke for smoother hits, while a mini bong is easy to carry around. If you travel a lot, a silicone bong is nearly unbreakable. If you love the classic feel, glass is always a solid choice.
Gatorbeug has high-quality designs built for every smoking style. If you want a durable glass piece or something unique, we've got you covered. Check out our collection and upgrade your sessions today!
