Bongs have long been an integral part of smoking culture, popular for their ability to filter and cool the smoke through water.
These water pipes come in various shapes, sizes, and designs, each offering a distinct experience to enjoy cannabis flower.
Whether buying your first bong or your new to the smoking scene, you’ve probably wondered, Why do bongs get you higher? and What kind of bong gets you the most high.
Worry not my friends, you're in the right place. Choosing the right bong does matter.
Whether you're looking to buy a bong that is most tailored to your needs or if you want to have a more in depth understanding, we've got you covered.
Bongs (Water Pipes), dry pipes and rolled joints are 3 most popular ways to smoke weed. But bongs present a unique smoking experience, offering advantages over other 2 ways.
Bongs get you higher than pipes or joints because they hold more smoke in their water chambers, letting you take a single and powerful hit of THC in one breath.
This intensifies the high, making bongs a preferred choice for a stronger, faster-acting cannabis experience.
Onthe other hand, to smoke the same amount of THC from a pipe or joint, you need to take multiple hits and some of the smoke drifts away.
Pipes and Joints are much smaller and portable but have worse filtration. That leads to harsh, hot, and unpleasant hits.
Bongs offer a cooler, smoother smoking experience than joints and pipes, even with larger hits.
The water filtration in bongs helps to remove 98% or more of the harsh irritants and cools the smoke before it reaches your lungs.
This significantly reduces throat and lung irritation, making for a more enjoyable and comfortable smoking session.
The material, size and design style of your bong influence your smoking experience.
Here’s a bong breakdown by material, size, and design styleto help you figure out which water pipe best suits your needs.
Materials:
Popular bong materials include glass, acrylic, ceramic and silicone.
Glass bongs are the most popular bong material on the market since they provide the cleanest and purest taste without affecting the flavor of the weed.
They also come in various artistic designs and are generally more durable than their counterparts.
Bongs made from borosilicate glass has many benefits, including its resistance to thermal expansion, chemical durability, and high melting point. This means it’s incredibly durable and will not crack under extreme temperature changes like regular Soda-lime glass.
Silicone bongs are durable, pliable, portable, and easy to clean. One of the main drawbacks is the potential for a rubber taste or odor, especially when the bong is new.
Acrylic bongs are the cheapest and virtually indestructible. However, it alters the flavor of the smoke, and may carry a risk of toxic fumes or microplastics.
Ceramic bongs are durable, can be extremely beautiful and are only just behind glass for providing the tastiest hits. However, They lack as many customization options as glass bongs do.
Sizes:
The size of the bong affects both the smoking experience and its portability.
Small bongs, often under 8 inches, like mini bongs or bubblers, are more portable and discreet, making them ideal for on-the-go smoking sessions.
However, their filtration and cooling features are less advanced than those of larger bongs.
Medium-sized bongs, ranging from 9 to 14 inches, strike a balance between portability and the quality of the smoking experience.
They offer cooler, smoother hits than small bongs due to increased water and air volume.
They also have room for additional percolators and ice catchers, which can significantly improve the smoothness and cooling of the smoke.
This size is the most popular among regular smokers for its combination of convenience and functionality.
Large bongs that exceeding 14 inches offer more space for smoke to accumulate, and longer distance the smoke travels, allowing you to take bigger and cooler hits.
Highly compatible with multiple accessories for customization, allowing users to tailor their experience.
They are perfect for seasoned smokers seeking a premium experience.
Design Styles:
Different design styles of bongs offer unique benefits and can impact your overall experience.
Straight tube bongs are a classic choice. They feature a simple design with a straight tube connecting the bowl to the mouthpiece.
These bongs are easy to clean and produce direct, hard-hitting smoke. They are ideal for users who prefer a quick, intense high.
Beaker bongs, on the other hand, have a broader base that resembles a beaker. This design creates a large water chamber, thus more filtration and cooling.
Beaker bongs are great for users who prefer smooth, cool hits and a more gradual, longer-lasting high.
Percolator bongs take filtration and cooling to the next level. These bongs feature additional chambers or discs with small holes, known as percolators, which further diffuse the smoke as it passes through the water.
Tree percolators, honeycomb percolators, and showerhead percolators are popular options that offer excellent filtration and a smoother smoking experience.
If you're looking for the coolest, most filtered hits, a percolator bong is the way to go. Generally speaking, the more percolators, the better.
Recycler bongs are another advanced option, designed to constantly cycle the water and smoke through multiple chambers for maximum filtration and cooling. These bongs are perfect for users who want the smoothest, most refreshing hits.
While smoking in any form isn't without health risks, bongs are often considered a healthier option than dry pipes or joints due to their filtration capabilities.
By trapping a significant amount of tar, ash and contaminants, water bongs reduce the amount of these substances entering your lungs.
This cleaner and cooler smoke allows someone to imbibe more without coughing and thus exposes the critical surface area in their lungs to more THC which gets them “higher”.
There are a multitude of bongs out there that serve different purposes and fulfil different needs. No matter what kind of stoner you are, there is a perfect bong for you.
If you prefer smooth, cool hits (and budget allows), go for large borosilicate glass bongs with multiple percolators. This kind of bong will also get you the most high.
Additionally, Remember that bongs require regular cleaning to prevent mold and residue buildup, which can affect the flavor and cleanliness of the smoke.