How to Choose a Bong

Discover what to look for in a bong before you buy with these expert bong shopping tips.

How to Choose a Bong
West Coast Gifts

Written by West Coast Gifts

Wholesale Smoking Accessory Distributor

West Coast Gifts is Canada's largest distributor of award winning glass pipes, vaporizers, and wholesale smoking accessories.

Choosing a bong comes down to finding the right balance between performance, durability, ease of use, and personal preference. With so many styles, materials, and features available, it helps to break things down into a few key decisions so you can narrow down what actually fits your needs.

This guide walks through everything you should consider before buying a bong, from materials and size to shape, features, and maintenance.

1. Choose the Right Material

The material of a bong has the biggest impact on durability, flavour, and ease of cleaning.

Borosilicate Glass Bongs

This is the industry standard for most high-quality bongs. It offers a clean, neutral taste and handles heat well. Glass is also easy to clean, especially when it’s clear.

For durability, thicker glass (around 5mm or more) is generally more resistant to breakage.

Silicone Bongs

Silicone bongs are flexible, nearly unbreakable, and great for travel or accident-prone users.

They’re typically more affordable and easy to store.

Ceramic Bongs

Ceramic bongs are often chosen for artistic or decorative designs.

They offer good performance but tend to be more fragile and less practical for frequent cleaning or heavy use.

2. Determine the Right Size

Size plays a big role in portability, cooling, and overall experience.

Small (Under 10 inches)

Compact and easy to handle, small bongs are ideal for portability and discreet use. They typically deliver more direct, intense hits with less filtration.

Medium (10–14 inches)

This is the most versatile category and a popular choice for everyday use. Medium bongs offer a solid balance between smoothness, cooling, and convenience.

Large (15+ inches)

Larger bongs provide more water capacity and chamber space, which can result in cooler, smoother hits. The trade-off is that they are less portable and require more effort to clean and store.

3. Select the Shape

The shape of a bong affects stability, airflow, and how the smoke is filtered.

Beaker Bongs

Beaker bongs have a wide base, making them very stable and less likely to tip over. The larger water chamber allows for better filtration and smoother hits.

Considered the industry standard bong shape and the best bong shape choice for beginner bong smokers.

Straight Bongs

Straight tubes are simple, classic, and easy to clean. They often deliver faster, more direct hits and have fewer internal structures to maintain.

Laid Back Bongs

The laid back bong shape offers many of the same benefits as a standard beaker bong. The added benefit is the ergonomic tubing design that angles the mouthpiece towards the user.

Great for when you want an even more laid back smoke sesh!

Bubble Bongs

The rounded bubble base chamber design allows for a larger water capacity while retaining a classic compact shape.

Some users report the larger surface area of the water adds a cooling effect to the smoke for smoother hits.

Gravity Bongs

Uses air pressure and water displacement (gravity-based function) for powerful, fast hits. More of a specialty style.

... and Many More!

Check out our full collection of bongs and use the Shapes filter (logged in customers only) to see the assortment of shapes available.

Additional bong shapes include:

  • Bell Bongs
  • Canteen Bongs
  • Diamond Bongs
  • Donut Bongs
  • Gooseneck Bongs
  • Hex Bongs
  • Novelty Bongs
  • Pyramid Bongs
  • Skull Bongs
  • Zig-Zag Bongs

4. Consider Features & Accessories

Modern bongs often include additional features that change how they perform.

Ice Catchers

These are small notches in the neck of the bong that hold ice cubes. The ice cools the smoke, making each inhale feel smoother and less harsh.

Percolators (Percs)

Percolators add extra diffusion by breaking smoke into smaller bubbles through water. This increases filtration and smoothness but can make cleaning more time-consuming.

You can check out our full article To Perc or Not to Perc for more information.

Pull-Outs & Downstems

Removable pull-outs and downstems are highly recommended. It makes cleaning easier and allows for quick replacement if either one becomes damaged.

Certain designs will include small variations such as a built-in screen for a pull-out or diffuser slits in the base of the downstem. The most important factor, however, is the size of the replacement parts.

The industry standard is a 14mm pull-out, so if you value mixing and matching accessories or easily finding replacement parts this would be your best bet.

5. Best Options for Beginners

If you’re new to bongs, simplicity is usually the best approach.

A medium-sized beaker bong is often the most recommended starting point. It offers stability, ease of use, and smooth performance without being overly complicated.

Beginners are usually better off avoiding complex multi-percolator setups at first, as they can be harder to clean and maintain.

Clear glass is also a smart choice because it makes it easy to see when cleaning is needed, which helps maintain better hygiene and performance.

6. Maintenance & Quality Considerations

A bong performs best when it is properly maintained.

Regular cleaning prevents residue buildup and keeps airflow smooth. Many users prefer to clean their bong frequently to maintain flavour and reduce buildup inside the chamber.

When evaluating quality, look for:

  • A stable, well-balanced base
  • A comfortable mouthpiece
  • Thick, durable glass (if applicable)
  • An easy-to-clean design

Extra features are always nice to have, but if you never plan on using them sometimes simplicity is best.

Final Thoughts

The best bong for you depends on how you plan to use it. If portability matters most, smaller silicone or simple glass designs work well. If smoothness and performance are your priority, a medium to large glass beaker with added filtration features may be a better fit.

By focusing on material, size, shape, and maintenance, you can confidently narrow down the right bong without getting overwhelmed by overly complex designs or unnecessary features.

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How to Choose a Bong FAQ

What size bong should a beginner buy?

A medium-sized bong (around 10–14 inches) is often the best choice for beginners because it offers a good balance between stability, cooling, portability, and ease of cleaning.

Smaller bongs are more portable but typically offer less filtration, while larger bongs can be more difficult to store and maintain.

What is the best bong material?

Borosilicate glass is considered the standard material for high-quality bongs because it provides a clean flavour, handles heat well, and is easy to clean. Silicone bongs are a popular option for durability and travel, while ceramic bongs are often chosen for their artistic designs.

Are glass bongs better than silicone bongs?

It depends on what you value most. Glass bongs generally provide a cleaner taste and a specific set of shapes and features, while silicone bongs are more flexible, durable, and travel-friendly. Both can be great options depending on your lifestyle.

What is the best bong shape for beginners?

Beaker bongs are one of the most popular beginner choices because the wide base provides stability and the larger water chamber helps cool and filter the smoke. Straight bongs are another simple option that are easy to use and clean.

What is the difference between a beaker bong and a straight bong?

Beaker bongs have a wider base that allows for more water capacity and increased stability. Straight bongs have a simple tube design that is typically easier to clean and offers a more direct experience.

Are percolators worth it on a bong?

Percolators add extra filtration by breaking smoke into smaller bubbles through water, which many people prefer for a smoother experience. The trade-off is that more complex designs can take longer to clean and maintain.

What bong features should I look for?

Useful bong features include ice catchers for additional cooling, removable downstems for easier cleaning and replacement, and percolators for added diffusion. The best features depend on how you plan to use and maintain your bong.

What size downstem or pull-out should I choose?

Many bongs use a 14mm downstem or pull-out, which is a popular size because replacement parts and accessories are widely available. Always check the exact size compatibility before replacing parts.

How do I keep my bong clean?

Regular cleaning helps maintain airflow, flavour, and overall performance. Choosing a bong with removable parts and a simpler design can make maintenance easier, especially if you plan to clean your piece frequently.

How much should I spend on a good bong?

The best bong depends on your priorities, but quality materials, durable construction, and practical features are usually more important than choosing the largest or most complicated design. A well-made bong can offer better long-term value than a cheaper option with difficult-to-replace parts.

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