Hey there, bong lovers! Ready to learn more about the wonderful world of water pipes? As you likely well know, there are plenty of types of bongs out there, and here at One Stop Pipe Shop, we want to make sure you know all about them! Let’s get started!
Bong Materials – What are Bongs Made of?
When it comes to bong materials, there are a few options to choose from. The glass bong is the most common, as it provides a clean taste, but metal and silicone bongs are also available.
Two Key Factors: Material and Style
When selecting a bong, there are two key factors to consider: material and style. Be sure to choose one that is made of quality material and has a design that appeals to you. After all, smoking should be enjoyable, not frustrating!
In your search, you’ll come across ceramic bongs, silicone bongs, plastic bongs, metal bongs, and many other different types of bongs. So be sure to compare their features and functionality before making your purchase.
Glass Bongs Are the King of the Block
When it comes to bongs, glass is king. Glass bongs provide a classic look and offer an unaltered flavor that can’t be matched by other materials. The variety in terms of looks, sizes, and features blows other options out of the water.
Metal Bongs Designs
Think metal bongs are too harsh and industrial-looking for the modern smoker? Think again! Many metal bongs feature sleek designs that look great in any setting. Plus, they’re incredibly durable, making them a great option for those who are rough on their pieces.
Different Types of Bongs Designs
The days of a straight tube bong or straight shooter are long gone. Now, there are more styles and bong designs that anyone can keep track of. You have the classics, which we’ll talk about next, but you also have some seriously unique and funky pieces or styles as well. After all, who can categorize the Empire Glassworks Rocketship in any one category or our 1STOP Glass Round Globe Bong? We haven’t figured out a way to do that yet… So, we’ll start with the most basic designs, cover them, and work our way up.
One of the most popular and classic types of bongs around is the beaker bong. If you don’t know what a beaker bong is, chances are you have seen one before—it looks similar to a chemistry beaker! Sometimes you’ll hear them called scientific bongs or scientific beaker bongs because they look like they just came out of a lab.
Beaker Base Bongs
Very similar to the classic beaker bong, the beaker base bong has an even wider base, much like its traditional counterpart. However, the difference lies in the base—it’s much more pronounced than a standard beaker bong. The beaker-shaped bong is one of the most popular designs on the market today. This type of bong features a wide base and a straight or sloped neck, providing a steady base to rest on and allowing for greater water volume. This type of bong is great for those looking for extra stability, as the wide base prevents it from tipping over easily. These bongs typically come with additional features such as an ice pinch or a percolator.
Ok, so you want a classic bong right? Then the straight tube bong, also called a straight shooter, is a good one to check out. I mean, if you don’t have one of these in your collection, you really don’t have what you could call a collection. These pieces are exactly as the name says, a straight shot tube on a (hopefully) solid base. They can come clean like that or have an ice pinch to cool down those hits every time or a variety of different percs to really amp up those hits.
Straight tube bongs are the most basic type of bong—it’s just a tube with a joint and a mouthpiece. This type of bong is great for those who are looking for a simple, straightforward piece that’s easy to use and clean. Plus, a straight tube bong is usually made from durable materials like glass or silicone.
The waterfall gravity bong is a unique and fun piece that utilizes the power of gravity to create a potent hit. This type of bong uses a bottle filled with water and a bowl to trap the smoke.
The smoker then lights the bowl while slowly lifting the bottle out of the water, creating a vacuum that draws the smoke into the bottle.
Round base bongs are a great option for those looking for an extra stable piece. This type of bong features a wide, rounded base that prevents it from tipping over easily, making it ideal for outdoor smoking sessions or clumsy stoners.
Percolator bongs are actually a whole other story and category unto themselves! They can be a feature on most styles or bong looks. This type of bong is great for those who want a smooth and flavorful hit. When it comes to percolator bongs, it’s a heady world! Yes, we did that intentionally! 😉 Some work for one type of bong better than they do for another, but that’s an in-depth discussion for another day. The basic info you need now on percolators bongs is the following – they come with a chamber that is filled with water, which helps to filter and cool the smoke before it reaches the mouthpiece. This type of bong is great for those who want a smoother hit with less harshness. You can check out our posts on percolator bongs Here, Here and Here (and there are more….)
But let’s hit on (Sorry, couldn’t resist….) a few of them like inline percolators, showerhead percs, honeycomb and tree percolators are some popular ones that you are likely to see pop up on bongs and pipes that you are considering.
The tree perc bong is a fun and popular option that features an array of spouts. This type of bong has from 1 to 3 tree percs, each that helps to filter and cool the smoke. At One Stop Pipe Shop, we’ve got several options like THIS ONE.
And with our wide range of color options, this bong is sure to stand out in your collection.
The honeycomb bong is an advanced piece that features a unique design. It uses a series of tiny holes, or percolators, to filter and cool the smoke for a smoother hit. It’s perhaps one of the more classic perc bong styles for novice to pro users.
An inline perc bong is a great option for those looking for a smoother hit. This type of bong is similar to the tree perc bong but with one single line of spouts rather than multiple arms. This allows for more efficient filtration and cooling, resulting in a smoother hit.
Multi-Chamber Bong
As their name implies, multi-chamber bongs are advanced pieces that feature more than one chamber. This type of bong utilizes two separate water reservoirs to filter and cool the smoke for an extra smooth hit.
Carburetor Bongs
The carburetor bong is a unique design that features an adjustable slide bowl. This type of bong allows you to control the amount of smoke you draw in, making it great for those who want to take massive hits.
Homemade Bongs
If you’re feeling crafty, homemade bongs are a great option. With some simple supplies and a bit of creativity, you can create your own unique smoking device in no time.
Accidents happen, it’s just part of life! That’s why silicone bongs are such a great option for those who are prone to breaking their pieces. These bongs are virtually indestructible, making them the perfect choice for clumsy stoners or those who like to take their pieces on the go.
Plastic Bongs – Yeah, but no…
Yes, options exist for plastic bongs, but with the potential health risks or issues, it’s a line of bongs we prefer to leave alone.
FAQs: Types of Bongs and Different Water Pipes
Why do glass bongs have an edge over other materials?
Glass bongs are the preferred choice for many smokers due to their superior flavor and lack of toxins. Other materials, such as metal or silicone, can alter the taste of your smoke or leach unwanted chemicals into your glass piece.
What bong design gives the smoothest hit?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to finding the perfect bong design. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which type of bong is best suited for your smoking needs.
However, we recommend opting for a bong with percolators or multiple chambers if you’re looking for the smoothest hit possible.
What’s the Difference Between Scientific Glass and Heady Glass?
Scientific glass bongs are designed to be more durable than heady glass bongs. Moreover, scientific glass is typically used for more expensive pieces. Heady glass, on the other hand, tends to be more ornate and decorative in nature.
What’s the Difference Between a Bong and a Hookah?
It’s easy to confuse a bong with a hookah, but there are some major differences between the two. A bong is a single-stemmed piece, while a hookah is made up of multiple stems and is designed for multiple users. If you plan on hosting a smoking sesh, the latter should serve you nicely.
What kind of bong is the best value for my money?
When it comes to finding the best bang for your buck, glass bongs are usually the way to go. Not only do they offer a superior flavor and experience, but they tend to last longer than other materials.
And besides all that, they just look awesome! Plus, there are plenty of affordable glass pieces at OneStopPipeShop, so you don’t have to break the bank to get a quality bong.
