
Beginner or expert; no matter your experience with bongs, purchasing a new bong can be a daunting process if you're not exactly sure what to look for or what kind of bong suits your needs.
There are a multitude of bongs out there that serve different purposes and fulfil different needs, so it's really beneficial for your own satisfaction (and the weight of your wallet) to pick out a bong you'll fall in love with on your very first purchase.


Today we'll fully break down all kinds of different bongs and how to know which one is best for you depending on your experience and what you're hoping to get out of a bong.
Understanding Bongs
What is a Bong?
A bong is a type of water pipe used for smoking cannabis, tobacco, or other herbs. It consists of a water chamber, a tube, and a mouthpiece. Bongs are designed to filter and cool the smoke, providing a smoother and more enjoyable inhalation experience. The water in the bong helps to remove some of the harmful substances and cools the smoke, making it less harsh on your lungs.
Anatomy of a Bong
A typical bong consists of several components, each playing a crucial role in the smoking experience:
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Mouthpiece: This is where you inhale the smoke. It’s the top part of the bong and is designed to fit comfortably against your lips.
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Neck Chamber: The neck chamber connects the mouthpiece to the water chamber. It’s the pathway through which the smoke travels.
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Water Chamber: This is the main body of the bong that holds the water. The smoke passes through the water, which filters and cools it.
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Drop Pipe: The downstem (or 'drop pipe') is a small tube that connects the bowl to the water chamber. It allows the smoke to travel from the bowl into the water.
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Bowl: The bowl is where you place your ground material. It’s usually removable and can be packed with your desired amount of herbs.
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Base: The base is the bottom part of the bong that holds the water chamber. It provides stability and ensures the bong stands upright.
How do I hit a bong?
Hitting a bong might seem complicated at first, but it’s quite simple once you get the hang of it. Follow these steps for a smooth experience:
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Fill the Water Chamber: Pour enough water into the chamber to cover the bottom of the drop pipe by about an inch. The water level should be just right to filter the smoke without splashing into your mouth.
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Pack the Bowl: Grind your material and pack it into the bowl. Don’t pack it too tightly, as you want good airflow, packing a bowl is easier than you might think.
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Place the Bowl: Insert the bowl into the downstem.
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Light the Bowl: Use a lighter to ignite the material in the bowl while simultaneously inhaling through the mouthpiece. The smoke will travel through the water and into the tube.
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Inhale: Once the chamber is filled with smoke, remove the bowl from the downstem and inhale the smoke through the mouthpiece.
Why Does the Size of a Bong Matter?
When it comes to bongs size does matter, and very much so. Look, we know the huge bongs look awesome, but the last thing you want to be doing is ego ripping, that is to say using a larger bong without being able to get the most out of it to show off in front of your friends; bong size is a really important aspect of purchasing bongs online.
Small Bongs
A small bong is going to produce a quick and small hit that will still get the job done but won't come with all the bells and whistles of a big bong. The hit will likely be quite hot and harsh because the smoke only has to travel a short distance between the red hot herbs and your lungs, so probably not for those with sensitive lungs.
Small bongs have pros and advantages that are often overlooked; they are discrete owing to its size and won't produce massive clouds of smoke, so perfectly ideal if you have nosy neighbours. They are also within pretty much any stoner's bong budget, almost all are easy to clean and produce a harsh smoke that many smokers enjoy.
Medium Bongs
Medium bongs are a good all-round option for pretty much any bong enthusiast and the image your mind produces when you think of a medium bong is probably reminiscent of that classic beaker base bong shape that's become an iconic image amongst stoner culture.
Compared to smaller bongs a medium sized bong will have a longer smoke path, what this means is that the smoke will travel for longer and is therefore cooler and smoother before it hits your lungs. Beaker bongs, with their larger chamber size, allow for greater smoke inhalation, making them potent and appealing to both beginners and seasoned users. The hits also have the potential to be far greater than a smaller bong if you decide to pack the bowl. You can't really go wrong with purchasing a medium sized bong, no matter your experience.
Large Bongs
Larger bongs are more suited to bong users with more experience. Boasting the most bong features, a larger bong is going to have a hugely extended smoke path for cooler hits, most have ice traps so you can suspend ice which give sub-zero cool hits and many have percolators (more of that later) and other cool features that massive enhance your smoking experience.
There are a ton of larger bongs online ready to purchase but you should carefully consider if a water pipe of this size is right for you, they require a greater lung capacity and work most efficiently when the bowl is packed with herbs so your tolerance should also be considered.
Different Materials
There are 4 main types of bong materials; glass, acrylic, ceramic and silicone. Each one has it's own benefit and advantages and should be carefully considered when choosing a bong to purchase.
Glass Bongs
By far the most popular choice of bong material, glass bongs boast the best tasting smoke because it's much cleaner than other materials and it doesn't release any chemicals when heated above a certain temperature.
Borosilicate glass is extremely heat resistant and is a tell-tale material of top quality bongs because it can handle extreme temperatures without being damaged, this is also why even on bongs of other material the bowl is usually still glass.
Quality glass bongs are also thick and dense, you may often find that the cheaper priced bongs have far thinner glass; you really get what you pay for when shopping for a bong! Thinner glass isn't necessarily a massive deal breaker but it will break much much easier, so if you're scrimping and saving be sure to be extra careful.
Acrylic Bongs
Acrylic Bongs are the second most popular choice of bong material. Acrylic bongs are favoured for their value for money, durability and portability. Even if you have a very small budget, an awesome acrylic bong will be available to you and that's one of the beauties of plastic bongs; the lower price point.
An acrylic water pipe will for sure stand the test of time. Dropping most glass pieces from a very small distance will usually result in a break, but acrylic bongs? You won't have that problem; they really do handle all the knocks and bumps a clumsy stoner is bound to induce so if this sounds like a trait you share then an acrylic water pipes is the right bong for you. Pretty much all acrylic bongs have a carb hole too, so controlling your airflow and your hits is really simple and easy.
Silicone Bongs
When silicone bongs first hit the market there were many dubious smokers who questioned the safety of smoking from them but all of our silicone bongs at Ali Bongo are BPA-free, non-toxic and heat proof (they're even dishwasher safe).
Silicone bongs are basically indestructible, you can throw them, squish them, bend them; you won't be able to break them. There are also so many extremely portable silicone water pipes, you can easily squish them up and tuck them right at the bottom of your bag and they are super easy to clean.
Ceramic Bongs
There are so many unique and beautiful choices when it comes to ceramic pieces, these hardy bongs actually date back thousands of years which is testament to their functionality and usefulness.
these bongs are very simple, no-nonsense and most bongs made from ceramic have a carb cap for air control, due to the huge range of different designs (some really funny, some just straight up weird) they also make excellent gifts.
Different Types of Bongs
Now we've identified the different materials and sizes of bong to consider, there are also different types of bong, or rather different features that you should look out for that will make a large difference.
Gravity bongs are known for their unique features and potent hits. These devices are constructed to utilize water and gravity to create a powerful smoking experience. The benefits of gravity bongs include their ability to deliver strong hits, making them appealing to new users seeking a more intense experience. However, they also come with drawbacks such as safety concerns and potential challenges for beginners in using these devices effectively.
Ice Bongs
Ice Bongs provide an exceptionally cool and smooth smoke and has an ice catcher in the central chamber (or neck) of the bong that suspends ice. The smoke travels through the water and up through the central chamber where it is filtered and cooled through ice cubes lending to a luxurious feeling smoke that feels cool and crisp.
Ice Bongs are ideal for beginners in our opinion because they are much less harsh compared to a bong without ice notches and have a far smoother smoke. Many of our chongz bongs have and ice pinch and are a very popular choice for those looking for a cool smoke.
Beaker Base Bongs
The beaker shape bong is reminiscent of the iconic image most people have in their head when they think of a bong, or just think beakers from a laboratory.
These glass bongs have a large base which brings many benefits:-
- Excellent water filtration
- Large capacity for water
- Stability when standing
- Lots of space for larger hits
- Larger range of suitable drop pipe lengths
Most pieces used for dry flower have a beaker base and are probably the most popular type of bong. Suitable for beginners and experts, beaker base bongs are suitable for any bong enthusiast.
Percolator Bongs
A percolator bong has its own filtration system. There are many benefits to using a percolator bong because of these filtration systems, you get a really clean smoke and a smooth hit because the smoke path is extended and the perc will catch lots of tar, other nasty bi products and harmful chemicals of your herbs.
It's important not to get too confused with all the different types of percolators, they all pretty much do the same thing on the surface. One thing to consider when buying a piece with a perc is that they require
Here are a list of some different types of percolator bongs:-
Tree Percs


One of the most popular and common types of percolator, its essentially lots of arms that attach to a central tube that goes straight up through the middle, so the smoke has to travel up, then down, then through some very small diffusers (which are the little slits) meaning the filtration levels are off the chain! Generally speaking, these are only found on a glass bong.
Honeycomb Percs


One of the most popular and common types of percolator, its essentially lots of arms that attach to a central tube that goes straight up through the middle, so the smoke has to travel up, then down, then through some very small diffusers (which are the little slits) meaning the filtration levels are off the chain! Generally speaking, these are only found on a glass bong.
Showerhead Percs


Resembling a showerhead (obviously), this perc has holes and slits at the bottom of a vertical tube which diffuses the smoke and makes the hits much easier and smoother to inhale. these types of diffusers are really simple, effective and will provide enhanced filtration for sure.
Inline Percs


Simply put, these percs sit inside the water chamber and work together with water filtration to create a really satisfying hit via lots of holes in a horizontal tube of glass; the more holes (diffusers) the more filtration.
Disc Percs


These percs feature a disc with 5 angled holes in them that allows smoke to be filtered through; really simple but highly effective. Depending on the size of the angled holes these percs don't affect air control and pull too much so if you're looking to find bongs with good pull but excellent and open draws then these are highly suitable.
What bong should I buy if I'm a beginner?
Beginners looking to purchase a new bong would be most suited to something simple. We would recommend a water pipe that's medium sized, has ice traps and a regular size bong bowl (included with every bong order at Ali Bongo). These pieces are suitable for beginners:-
- Ali Bongo 7mm Scientist Glass Ice Bong
- Ali Bongo Glass Flask Ice Bong
- Easy Clean Scientist Silicone Bong
- Chongz Jules Vern 40cm Acrylic Bong
- Classic Flask Glass Ice Bong
What is the best bong for an expert?
If you've been building your lung capacity and tolerance over the years and feel ready to take on the best bongs for an iron lunged red-eye jedi we'd recommend taking on a large borosilicate glass bong with an 18.8mm gauge, percolators and ice traps. Check out the list below to find your perfect smoking device today:-
- Ali Bongo Big Green Bastard Glass Double Perc Bong
- Jasmine's Jewel Recycler Bong
- Jellyfish Swirl Glass Percolator Bong
- Phoenix Star Frozen Planet Freezable Coil Glass Bong
- Two Tone Trevor Glass Ice Bong
Whichever you decide to go with, you can instantly enhance your smoking experience by adding an ash catcher. Not only will an ash catcher reduce the time spent cleaning your bong (and money spent on isopropyl alcohol) it adds an extra layer or filtration and really does add a little something more to your premium pieces. It attaches to the end of your drop pipe and your herb bowl will just slot on top.
Where to buy bongs online
If you're looking to order the best bongs for you, then come and browse Ali Bongo's full range, whether you're buying your first piece or this is your tenth, with over 30 years experience in providing stoners with the best smoking devices available we're exceptionally well placed to give you advice on the best bong deals.
Buying on a budget? You can check out our bongs that have a special price here together with all your other headshop needs, we stock everything from rolling papers, scales, ashtrays all the way to extraction gear and that dab rig you've been dreaming of.