Collection: Buying a Bong: What to Look for?

How many Types of Bongs are There

There are 3 main varieties of the bong. The beaker bong, the straight-tube bong, and the recycler bong. All additional bong styles tend to be a variant of those different bong shapes. Percolators can also be added to those glass shapes, which let bongs generate extra bubbles and help to filter the smoke. In fact, there are many different types of percolator bongs to choose from!

Percolators Bongs

A Percolator bong is a subclass of bong which uses slits or holes to produce bubbles that help filter the smoke for a smoother rip. Percolators create drag (the amount of force needed to inhale smoke) and the visuals of certain percolators can be quite memorizing. 

It is common to find smaller percolators on smaller bongs, but bigger bongs may sometimes chain many smaller percolators for a multiplier effect on the number of bubbles your bong can produce. 

Note: Increased Percolation tends to diminish the flavor of the hit. If the flavor is what you crave, it is best to go with less percolation and more recycling. 

Bubblers

While not a "true" bong,  bubblers are the fusion of a bong and a hand pipe. Bubblers carry water like a bong but are also portable like a hand pipe. There are advantages and disadvantages to the bubbler, bong, and hand pipe. 

Recyclers Bongs

Smoke is recycled through the water reducing drag, preventing smoke from getting stale, and resulting in a smoother cooler hit. Recyclers can be combined with Percolators for an overall compound effect. Recyclers are generally more expensive, but have some of the craziest, coolest designs and offer the best value. 

Bong Size

Our Bong Shop carries both Small and Large Bongs. The optimal size will depend on its use

Small bongs

Small bongs compress the smoke into a smaller volume and offer less filtration - which can make one cough more from the increased harshness of the smoke. However, a small bong's portability is a plus and they also tend to be cheaper in price.

Large bongs

Large bongs spread the smoke over a larger volume and have more room for the smoke to cool -  for a deeper, smoother hit. Larger bongs tend to be more expensive and are more difficult to transport. Large Bongs offer the most value for their price. 

Bong Joint Type

Our Bong Shop features a wide variety of joint types. The joint refers to the size and width of the glass connecting the bowl or nail to the bong.

A Larger Joint will allow more cannabis/tobacco smoke to enter the bong. 10mm, 14mm, and 18mm are the most common joint sizes which can be a male or female connection. Dab rigs are typically Male jointed and Bubblers are typically Female jointed; however, both can be interchanged for different joint adapters.

A downstem is a long rod that connects your bowl or banger to the bong. Not all bongs are designed for downstem use but taller bongs might come with a downstem. Downstems can also come with a diffuser for added percolation

Bowl, Nails, Bangers, and Dab Rigs:

Our bongs and water pipes can come with a bowl or a nail/banger. Most of our bongs will always include a nail or a bowl with the purchased bong ( depending on the option selected at checkout). Bowls can be used for burning tobacco or other legal substances, while nails/bangers are used for concentrates and "dabs". We have dedicated dab rigs that come with a banger/nail. We are not authorized to sell cannabis, but there are nice delta 8 wax substitutes. 

A side note: Many smokers like to customize their bongs and the Bowl or Banger nail is one of the easiest components to upgrade. Bowl designs can be intricate, with crazy designs such as our dragon claw bowl.

 

Bangers and Nails also come in a range of styles, with ceramic, metal and quartz offering different heating benefits. Users typically purchase these with a dabber to handle the wax easier. You can even get carb caps to trap more smoke! Discover more in our bong accessories.

Bong Material

Our Bong Shop uses different materials for the construction of bongs which have their own unique characteristics

Glass

Easier to Clean, more varieties are available, generally more expensive, and easier to break.

Silicone

Silicone bongs are made from a malleable and flexible material that is shatterproof and heat resistant. This makes it an ideal material for smoking, as silicone can withstand high temperatures and won't break if you accidentally drop it. It also makes it easy to store and carry around, as it is lightweight and bendable.

Bong Glass Quality 

Our Bong shop is keen to ensure that the best quality of glass is provided. The strength of the glass will be determined by the quality and durability of the bong. The quality of the bongs manufacturing determines the strength of the joint welds with higher quality bongs being made from higher quality glass such as borosilicate. A higher price point generally coincides with better glass quality

Bong Price

Bongs can come at many prices but the price doesn't necessarily mean better.  There are different price points for every variety of smoker, including our Expensive Bongs.

Bongs Under $200  - offer a wide selection of shapes, percolators, sizes, and larger-sized bongs. In the 200-dollar price range, you will find bongs with many intricate designs and some of the top features. 

Bongs Under $100  - offer a mid-range level of features that are good for the enthusiast smoker that is pleased with more minimalistic features. Don't get me wrong though, you can find many of the best features at this $100 price point. 

Bongs Under $50  - these bongs are mostly made of silicone but you can also find smaller-sized bongs that are great for portability. These $50 bongs are the best for value and also offer some cool features. 

The pricing of bongs at a smokeshop will be similar. 

Bong Glass Thickness

Our bong shop contains a wide variety of glass thicknesses. Glass thickness affects the weight and durability of the bong. Glass thickness is measured in millimeters typically ranging from 3mm to 9mm. Thicker glass makes for a more solid bong which is harder to break. 

 Tips for Bongwater Level

The correct bong water level ranges between bongs. The correct water level will be that optimal level that hits just right when you take that drag!

A higher water level will reduce the volume of smoke that can build, so it's generally advised to put just enough to cover those bottom percolators.

Cover them first percs!

Certain users prefer warm water to build up moisture, which can lead to a cleaner hit.

Some would recommend adding a few ice cubes to produce a cooling effect. Ice Notches can be incorporated into bongs to hold the ice, it's basically a small indentation to hold the ice above the waterline.

Every bong is unique and has its own character.

Fill er up. cover them percs. And bong will tell you what works best.  

Conclusion: Which Bong Will You Buy?

In the great world of smoking, there are many features to select when buying a bong.

You need to pay attention to the bongs percolators, size, material, price, and glass quality. Bongs can come in different configurations, so you must also pay attention to the joint types if you plan to do upgrades.  Just remember whether you want a Dab rigs,  cheap bongs, Unique Bongs, or girly bongs there is something for everyone to buy :)

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