Different Types of Bongs – The Definitive Bong Guide

Water Bongs have been the chosen favorite amongst herb enthusiasts for many years. These popular water pipes are loved for their beautiful designs, usability, and sturdiness. 

Bongs work by filtering smoke through water. From the moment you light the bowl and inhale, smoke travels through the downstem, a tube that runs through the chamber of your bong, creating suction that causes smoke to bubble through the water. 

As these bubbles rise and burst, the chamber and tube which you inhale from fill with smoke. The result is a less harsh, cool, and clean smoke. Some bongs feature percolators or percs, which provide additional diffusion for an even cooler, bigger rip! 

Glass bongs have been well-loved for nearly a century for their enjoyable smoking experience! We know there are many options out there when choosing your perfect bong. Choosing between glass and silicone, small or large, or to include a percolator or honeycomb, can be difficult. That is why we have included the below guide to assist you in getting the most out of your new toker’s best friend! 

Choosing your bong – What works for me? 

First, it depends on what you’re smoking! Glass bongs, also known as water pipes, work best for flowers, dry herbs, and tobacco. The cool, white-cloud smoking experience is best suited for glass bongs and can be enhanced by the size, and addition of percolators. 

You’ll want to be sure your new piece fits what you’re looking for in a bong. You’ll want to consider these four major factors: 

• Size. Though waist-high bongs are legendary, they’re not able to travel and can be easily mishandled in a crowd of friends. Luckily, bongs come in many sizes. Smaller bongs, about your arm’s length or less, are more practical while still providing that wow factor after a massive rip. 
• Materials. Glass can withstand high heat and will offer the cleanest smoke. If you plan to take your new friend on a hike or are looking for something more durable silicone or acrylic bongs may be for you. 
• Style. A bong reflects your style and aesthetic but needs to be able to deliver when the time comes to let it rip. What do you want your smoking experience to be? If you want advanced filtration, a percolator should be included. If you’re looking for something more straightforward, our wide variety of standard glass bongs are excellent choices as well. 
• Cost. While accessories are always nice and we offer all of them, don’t worry – we have a great selection at a variety of price ranges. Check out our bongs under $100 here. If this is your first time, remember: glass can break. You’ll want to shop for something that you know will fit your lifestyle. 

What does it all mean? Which bong is for me?

Below we will guide you through each type of bong and bong accessory. We’ll help you get to know bong terminology so that when your unique choice arrives in your hands, you’ll have all the knowledge to brag! 

Glass Bong – Glass bongs are made from borosilicate glass which can resist high heat and repetitive high-stress use, making them the ideal and go-to choice for many tokers. Typically, water is the only filtration and is enough to provide for a cooled-down rip. 

Water Bong – Like glass bongs, water bongs use water filtration to assist with cooling the temperature of the smoke for cooler and cleaner ingestion. These typically include a percolator to create more bubbles, further filtering and cooling down the smoke. 

Dab Rigs – Bongs are best suited for flower or herb whereas dab rigs are designed to be used with concentrates. Dab rigs use high heat to light the concentrate, usually with a blow torch, and then vapor is inhaled. These are for more experienced smokers and include several additional parts. 

Silicone Bong – For the smoker on the go or working with a tight budget silicone bongs provide a transportable and accident-proof alternative to the glass or water bong. Available in a variety of sizes, the silicone bong offers the same water diffused rip but with half the hassle of worrying if it will break in your backpack while on your hike. 

Acrylic Bong – Pretty and affordable acrylic bongs are the resilient alternative to silicone and glass. They can still break but at their affordable price and unique variety of colors and sizes, acrylic bongs offer the same benefits of water diffused rips, just with a bit more style. 

Heavy Bongs – Every stoner’s dream. A bong that cools rips in no time and can sustain the occasional topple without breaking. Heavy bongs are usually of excellent quality and therefore can be a bit more expensive. If you think this is the choice for you our selection of heavy bongs is offered in a range of prices. 

Ice Bongs – Ice bongs are designed to benefit from the use of ice cubes. Small spaces, or notches are included near the rounded base of the bong and cool the smoke in a swirl of white clouds. The space designed to hold the ice cubes ensure that the ice does not fall into the inner chamber of the bong. 

Accessorize your Bong 

Improve filtration and cooling with percolators. Buy a bong adapter to fix any fitting issues. Maybe you need an ash catcher to ensure a cooler, smoother rip? Whatever your needs are, we have the accessory for you and the below will explain what each accessory is and can be used for. 

Bowls – An essential for using almost any bong, the bowl is where you load your flower or herb. Typically made from metal or glass, most new bongs come with a bowl. Whether you’re looking to increase capacity or looking for something more aesthetic, we have a variety of bowls available. 

Ash Catcher – Ash Catchers act as a secondary water filtration system. Sitting just before the inside of your bong the ash catcher captures ash and particles before they enter the bong itself ensuring added filtration and a cooler smoking experience. 

Splash Guard – Splash guards assist in preventing water from the inner base of your bong from hitting your lips as you inhale. Useful and necessary for preventing the unfortunate experience of tasting bong water. Splash guards include spaces for the smoke or vapor to pass while shielding you from the splash with their dome shape, ensuring water falls back into the inner base of the bong. 

Bong FAQs

How to care for your Bong 

Clean water means clean rips. You’ll want to ensure you change the water in your bong regularly. It will taste better and is better for you, the user, over time. Read our step-by-step guide on bong cleaning.  

How do Bongs work? 

Water bongs include a bowl, base, tube, downstem, and card. First, you’ll want to put clean water into the base of the bong, about a half an inch above the base of the downstem. The downstem should be slightly submerged in water. Next, you’ll want to grind your herb or flower and place it in the bowl, sometimes referred to as the bowl head. We recommend inserting a screen so that small pieces of herb or flower don’t end up in your bong water. As easy as that! You’re ready to light the bowl, and inhale the clean, cool filtered smoke. 

How to clean your new Bong 

We offer several cleaning accessories for your bong. The best way to keep it clean is to change the water every day, and never leave bong water sitting for too long in your bong to prevent, mold or mildew and other harmful bacteria from growing in your new piece. 

A thorough once a month cleaning is recommended using one of our products or your average isopropyl alcohol. Soaking your bong in these solutions will take care of any residue build-up and keep your bong looking sparkling clean!