The bong is a well-known accessory for cannabis consumers, and there’s no shame in using one if your goal is simply high. Many cheap models with water filtration report smoothness ratings higher than other, more expensive brands such as Grav Labs or Yoda-trained glass pieces because they’re made out of plastic instead!
We’ve all heard about bong-smoking celebrities, but it’s time to get a little more practical for the rest of us. There are plenty of cheap and affordable ways to buy your piece of mind-bending heaven—even if you’re not that great at smoking weed yet.
In the world of smoking paraphernalia, bongs are definitely at the top. They produce an incredible amount of smoke compared to a cigarette or joint, and they’re also extremely versatile and allow for endless customization.
There’s nothing like hitting up your local headshop and picking out new accessories that’ll enhance your experience in ways you never thought possible.
In the world of smoking paraphernalia, bongs are definitely at the top. They produce an incredible amount of smoke compared to a cigarette or joint, and they’re also incredibly versatile and allow for endless customization.
There’s nothing quite as liberating as having your cloud factory on your kitchen countertop. However, there is something about finding a decent piece of pipeware that will make all the difference in quality, durability, and overall performance.
It may not seem so at first glance, but it doesn’t take long before you realize how much better this makes everything feel.
That said, we’ve already discussed what goes into making a great bong, which is pretty impressive. We even created our guide on building your custom DIY bong (which I wrote).
So now I’d like to shift gears slightly and discuss where to find these awesome devices and how to pick them apart once you have them in hand. With that in mind, let’s get started!
Find The Right Bong
Finding the perfect bong can sometimes be difficult, especially if you live somewhere without any good headshops nearby. Luckily, Google has made things somewhat easier by providing a list of places to look based on location.
This should help those who don’t know where to start looking. If you are still unsure, check out my article detailing what separates a regular bowl from a true “proper” bong.
Once you see which type fits best, getting yourself hooked up with whatever you need shouldn’t be hard.
What To Look For In A Head Shop?
Many different bongs are available today, ranging from simple bowls to large water/air vaporizers.
Some people prefer using their lungs, while others use various methods such as bubblers, whip attachments, etc. These days, however, most people fall into the category of smokers who use either a traditional bowl style or a smaller version known as a “nail.”
Regarding styles, there are several popular designs that you might want to consider when looking around head shops.
Most of these include:
Straight Water Pipes
Straight water pipes are classic bongs that consist of two separate chambers separated by a small hole called the “frisbee valve,” through which air passes between both sides.
Since the bongs usually come straight, meaning no bends whatsoever, the diameter of each side varies greatly depending on the size of the person holding it. One end typically contains the mouthpiece, while the other acts as the stem.
While these setups offer excellent airflow due to their straightforward design, they often lack proper filtration because of how the holes work. This means that the user of such bongs takes in less clean air than someone who uses dedicated waterpipe.
Still, serious smokers consider these kinds of bongs the most affordable option.
Conical Bowls
Conical bowls are another basic form of bong generally characterized by their unique shape. Instead of vertically coming straight out of the ground, conical bowls feature wide bases that gradually taper down toward the bottom.
Often, these kinds of bongs will also contain multiple holes along the length of the device, allowing for increased surface area. Depending on the model, you may notice differences in the number of holes present, their sizes, and their shapes.
Speaking conical bowls are designed to maximize the efficiency of the smoke passing through the device by maximizing contact time and diffusion. They work well with almost every material used for construction, including plastic, metal, acrylic, wood, etc.
Unfortunately, since conical bowls rely heavily on diffusers instead of filters, they won’t provide adequate filtration unless additional measures are taken.
Whips
When talking specifically about larger models, wicks, or “whips,” refer to anything constructed with bamboo or similar materials rather than aluminum or steel.
Wires and tubes are included here, although they act as part of a larger unit rather than individual parts. Whips are oversized waterpipes intended to hold and carry smoke rings directly to the users’ mouths.
Because of their massive nature, whips can produce significantly higher quantities of thick fog than other bongs. Of course, whipping isn’t limited solely to wooden items, as a few companies sell high-quality stainless steel versions.
Whips are also highly durable and easy to maintain, provided that they receive occasional cleaning and maintenance. Just remember to avoid touching hot surfaces whenever possible.
Air Vaporizing Devices
Air vaporization is any method of creating clouds of vapored marijuana products via forced currents of heated air. Unlike typical bongs that pass the smoke through the same chamber repeatedly until it eventually reaches the consumer, air vaporizers create huge volumes of dense mist within minutes after activation.
They achieve this effect by heating the surrounding air and forcing it through specialized passages. Many of these units utilize powerful fans to increase airflow velocity through the system. This allows heaters to operate at relatively low wattages to prevent overheating and burning sensitive electronics.
As a result, these kinds of vape pens are commonly referred to as “low voltage” systems.
These devices function similarly to conventional tobacco cigarettes, except that they deliver substantially cleaner hits.
Because the smoke does not repeatedly cycle through the whole system, the user receives fewer harsh effects associated with traditional smoking techniques. Additionally, the volume produced is significantly greater than that of a normal bong of comparable capacity.
Finally, because air vaporizers rarely run hotter than 200 degrees Fahrenheit, they pose virtually zero threat to health hazards normally linked to secondhand smoke. Despite the numerous benefits offered by these machines, it must be noted that they’re not entirely safe for inexperienced consumers.
Users should always follow safety guidelines posted on product packaging and ensure that power supply cords remain away from open flames to prevent accidental fire damage.
So now that you know what a bong is and how they differ, let’s discuss some important factors to remember during your shopping process.
Check Your Local Laws Before Buying Online Or From Anywhere Else
If you happen to live in a state where recreational pot usage is illegal, chances are that you would face legal repercussions if caught trying to purchase your bong(s) online.
As a general rule of thumb, laws vary across states and territories regarding cannabis possession, cultivation, distribution, and consumption. You could easily become entangled in a situation that involves hefty fines or even jail time.
Although purchasing your bongs online probably poses less risk than going to a dealer, it’s wise to double-check your local laws before doing so. Fortunately, Marijuana Policy Project maintains a handy map showing where certain jurisdictions stand on drug legalization.
You must click on your region and search for “cannabis” under prohibited substances.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you found this information useful enough to help you decide whether or not a bong is right for you. Now that you know what to expect, creating your dream setup is time.
Remember, if you ever have questions related to specific brands or models, please drop me a line below, and I might be able to answer them for you. Happy travels!
Molino Mini Bong
Molino comes again with another fantastic Bong. The design of this Water Bong is almost ecstatic with its great glass and wonderful cobalt dots, which make it look even tastier.
This Glass Bong is small and portable, yet it gives you some great smoke, perfect filtration, and looks cool! Its design makes it look like a glass with a nice drink and a straw, so tell your friends not to drink from it. By the way, smoking is better.
Size: 12cm
Glass Bong Wood Feet
It’s all-natural: wood, glass, and the ornaments of Green Cannabis Leafs. Wooden foot makes this Bong stand firmly on the table or the ground. The filtration of smoke is very good, thanks to a long water chamber.
Five Pot Leaves make a nice decoration, suitable for the destination of this Water Bong. Smoking from it is pure pleasure; the more puffs you take, your life becomes more natural and easy.
Size: 26.5cm
Acrylic Ice Bong Blue
A thick and bent tube makes you feel comfortable smoking and inhale more smoke at once. The simple but effective and interesting design of this Water Bong makes smoking even more enjoyable.
This Acrylic ice bong is cheap, and its smoking conditions are great thanks to the effective design and use of ice. Bong looks interesting with its transparent blue tube and red accents. Have a good smoke!
Size: 30cm Diameter: 45mm
