Walking into a smoke shop today is like stepping into a neon jungle of glass and accessories. The options are overwhelming—colors, designs, sizes, percolators—it’s easy to get lost in a dazzling array of choices.
In this age of infinite variety, decision fatigue is the modern plague. We’re bombarded with decisions daily, until the only sane response seems to be either choosing nothing or ending up with something you’ll regret later.
Bongs, with their intricate designs and scientific-sounding features, can seem intimidating, complicated, and downright impractical. But the buying process doesn’t have to be.
Here’s a guide on what to look for in a bong, so you end up with the perfect one for you.
1. Material
Bongs are made from a variety of materials ranging from glass, metal, quartz, ceramic, silicone, acrylic, and in times of desperation, different fruits.
Ultimately, borosilicate or scientific glass is by far the best material for bongs. It is highly heat resistant, non-reactive to most chemicals, and is stronger than regular glass. Boro glass is what makes up all chemistry beakers and flasks. If it's good enough for real science, it's probably good enough for stoner science, right?
Borosilicate glass is the best.
Don't use plastic bongs. Heat and plastic don't mix and can create toxic fumes.
How thick?
Depending on your preference, anywhere between 5-9mm thick glass. Glass thickness impacts the feel and durability of a bong. Too thin and the bong will be brittle and can flex during use. Too thick and the bong can become unnecessarily bulky and heavy.
Generally speaking, thicker is better and much more durable. However, if you like more complex (multi-perc) pieces, opt for at least 5mm glass thickness. If you're a serial bong breaker 9mm thick bongs are unbelievably durable and can double as clubs.
5mm-9mm glass thickness.
2. Size
For most individuals, an 8 inch tall bong is the perfect size. A 12-14 inch is preferred among daily tokers. 16-18 inch is great as a pass-around bong for groups or bong enthusiasts.
8" for beginners.
12"-14" for individuals.
16"+ for heavy tokers/groups.
3. Downstem
For standard bongs that use removable downstems, it is the main percolator and can be the single most important part of the bong.
Standard downstems have improved over the basic tube. They have three slits on opposite sides which work reasonably well. However, the design requires you to orient the downstem for it to work best.
A proper downstem can completely transform the smoothness and pull of a bong. So much so, that a cheap bong with a great downstem can hit smoother than a more expensive bong with a basic one.
What to look for:
High amount of diffusion/bubbles
Good airflow
Unlikely to clog
Not overly fragile
No positioning needed
4. Slide (Bowl)
Single-hole martini slides are the most common. They work, but have poor airflow, clog often and require you to sacrifice the bottom of your lighters to burn everything in the bowl. To make things worse, the single-hole suction ensures that the burning ember gets sucked into the water—wasting some of your hit and dirtying the bong.
Multi-hole or diffused slides solve these issues. The multiple holes in these types of bowls increase airflow allowing the contents inside to burn evenly without clogging. Diffused slides give you better air flow and less ash pulled into the bong.
The size of the bowl is up to personal preference. Single pack bowls are great for a fresh hit every hit, or larger bowls for those who like multiple or the fattest hits possible.
5. Percolators
“Percolator” is a fancy word for a water-filter. In standard bongs, the downstem serves as the main percolator. Additional percolators provide additional chambers for the smoke to filter resulting in smoother hits.
There are tradeoffs, however. More percolators increase drag making the bong harder to pull and also take away some flavor. They’re fragile and can easily break in the event of a drop or bump. However, the Achilles’ heel of percolators, more than one extra perc can make cleaning a giant chore.
One extra perc is great.
In the end, choosing the perfect bong comes down to understanding the key factors: material, size, downstem, slide, percolators, and your personal preferences. Whether you're a casual smoker or a seasoned enthusiast, investing in the right piece will make all the difference in enjoying your bong. So, take your time, explore your options, and find the one that’s right for you.
