What Is a Bong? Parts, Types and How It Works
A bong is a water pipe: a glass, silicone or acrylic device that pulls smoke from dry herb or tobacco through water before you inhale it. The water cools the smoke and catches ash, which is why bongs feel smoother than a dry hand pipe.
This guide covers how a bong works, the parts you will see, the main styles, and how to pick your first one.
How a Bong Works
You pack dry herb into the bowl, light it, and inhale from the mouthpiece. Your inhale pulls smoke down the downstem and into the water in the base. The smoke bubbles up through the water, fills the tube, and then you clear it by pulling the bowl out (or lifting off the carb hole) and taking one final breath.
That trip through the water is the whole point. It cools the smoke and traps ash and loose plant material before they reach you.
Parts of a Bong
- Bowl (also called a slide): the small glass piece that holds your dry herb. Bowls come in 10mm, 14mm and 18mm sizes. See bong bowls.
- Downstem: the tube that carries smoke from the bowl down into the water.
- Base (or chamber): the bottom section that holds the water.
- Tube (or neck): where smoke collects before you inhale.
- Mouthpiece: the opening at the top.
- Percolator (optional): an extra glass piece inside the bong that splits smoke into smaller bubbles for more filtration.
- Ice catcher (optional): small glass pinches in the neck that hold ice cubes.
Main Types of Bongs
Beaker bongs
A wide, flared base shaped like a lab beaker. It holds more water and is hard to tip over, which makes it the most popular first bong. Shop beaker bongs.
Straight tube bongs
One straight cylinder with a flat base. Simple, easy to clean, and quick to clear. Shop straight tube bongs.
Percolator bongs
Bongs with one or more built-in percolators (honeycomb, tree, showerhead and others). More filtration, more glass to clean. Shop percolator bongs.
Recycler bongs
Water and smoke cycle in a loop between two chambers. Popular for both dry herb and concentrates. Shop recyclers.
Mini bongs
Usually under 8 inches. Easy to store and travel with. Shop mini bongs.
Silicone bongs
Flexible and very hard to break, with a glass bowl. Good for travel or outdoor use. Shop silicone pieces.
Bong vs Bubbler vs Hand Pipe
A hand pipe has no water. A bubbler is a hand pipe with a small water chamber. A bong holds the most water and gives the most filtration, but it is bigger and stays at home. Read our full comparison: Bong vs Bubbler vs Hand Pipe.
How to Choose Your First Bong
- Pick the material. Borosilicate glass gives the cleanest taste. Silicone is the toughest.
- Pick the size. 8 to 12 inches is the easiest size to use and clean.
- Pick the base. A beaker base is the most stable.
- Check the joint size. 14mm is the most common and has the most bowl options. See our joint size guide.
- Set a budget. You can find solid glass in our bongs under $100.
Keeping It Clean
Change the water after every session. Once a week, clean it with isopropyl alcohol and coarse salt, then rinse with warm water and let it dry fully before using it again. Step-by-step: How to Clean a Bong. Supplies: bong cleaners.
Bong FAQs
What is a bong used for?
A bong is used to smoke dry herb or tobacco through water. The water cools the smoke and catches ash.
How much water goes in a bong?
Fill it until the downstem sits about 1 to 1.5 inches under the water. Too much water causes splashback.
What is the difference between a bong and a water pipe?
Nothing. "Water pipe" is simply another name for a bong.
What size bowl does my bong take?
Most bongs take a 14mm bowl. Some smaller pieces use 10mm and some larger ones use 18mm.
Can you use a bong for concentrates?
Yes, if you swap the bowl for a quartz banger with the same joint size. A dedicated dab rig is smaller and better suited to concentrates.
Ready to shop? Browse all bongs and glass water pipes.
All products are intended for legal use with legal tobacco and herbal products only. Must be 21+ to purchase.
