How to Choose Your First Bong

Your First Bong Is Going to Set the Tone

Here's the thing that no one else is telling you: your first bong is probably going to inform how you look at bongs for the next few years. Pick up some flimsy little thing that tips over when the cat runs by, and you'll loathe bongs. Find something that really fits your life - how you smoke, where you smoke, and how lazy you are about cleaning - and you won't understand why you ever bothered with papers.

You don't have to turn geeky glass nerd to find a good one either. You just have to know what actually matters, and what's just marketing. So let's get into it.

Find a Shape That Fits How You Live

Each bong different. Each shape smokes a bit differently. How much it wobbles when you set it down. How easy it feels to hit. Whether it's a pain to clean. So, to be honest:

Beaker Bongs

Looks like something from the chemistry lab. Wide base. They're the default recommendation one, for a reason. Hard to knock over, they hold plenty of water, and clean out easily. The wide base means that there's that much more chamber volume to fill up with smoke, and the trade-off is a little more lung power to clear it out compared to the straight tube. If the coffee table you smoke at is going to be shaky, or your nightstand, or the beaker's low center of gravity is at all relevant, that's your safest bet. The Honda Civic of bongs. Boring? Maybe. Reliable? Definitely.

Straight Tubes

Straight tubes clear faster than anything else. Less chamber volume means the smoke doesn't have time to get stale before you pull. You pull, it clears, and you're done. They're also the easiest shape to clean — it's just a cylinder, no weird angles to worry about.

The downside is stability. A narrow base on a tall tube combined with an unfortunate bump means water on your lap or doing a deep search in the couch cushions. If it has a dedicated place on your desk or shelf, it'll hit great. If you're setting it down on the carpet in front of the TV, maybe reconsider.

Recyclers

Recyclers send water and smoke through multiple chambers over and over while you inhale for a smoothness you'll never take from a bong again. They look cool, they hit cool, and they're popular with dabbers.

They're harder to clean (that internal tube loves to collect gunk), they're pricier in general, and you're better off getting something simpler first, and getting one of these later.

Great second or third bong. Hard first bong.

Mini Bongs

Anything under 8 inches. Minis sacrifice some smoothness since there's less water, and the smoke has a shorter path to travel and cool down. But they're easier to throw in a drawer and travel with, and honestly? The flavor is enhanced since the smoke path is so short.

If you're in a small apartment, have roommates, or just want something you can stick in a drawer when your mom comes around, a mini does just fine.

Size Actually Matters Here

Bong height affects three things: how smooth the hit is, how easy it is to store, and the odds that you break it.

6-10 inches: Compact. Hitting a smaller piece is warmer and harsher because the smoke doesn't have far to go. Great to stash. Good if you have a small space, or if you want it to be low-key.

10-14 inches: The sweet spot. Tall enough that the smoke cools noticeably before it hits your lungs, but short enough that it can fit on a shelf and not feel like you're handling a science experiment. If you're getting your first, go here. A 12-inch beaker is about as "can't miss" a choice as it gets.

14+ inches: Hitting the smoothest, biggest presence, most likely to get knocked off the counter by literally anything. These are "dedicated shelf spot" bongs. Perfect once you know what you like. Risky as a first purchase.

Percolators: You Probably Don't Need a Fancy One

The percolator (or perc) is a pretty simple concept. When smoke passes through the water, and is broken into smaller bubbles, that means a larger total surface area, and cooler smoke. More medium to cover equals smoother hits. That's the theory, and it's correct. But here's what most guides gloss over: each perc you add makes the bong harder to clean and increases drag (that resistive force you feel when pulling a hit). A stylish triple-stacked honeycomb setup looks cool on a shelf, but you're going to curse yourself in the middle of a scrubbing session. Pulling through three layers of filtration can feel like your sucking a milkshake through a coffee straw.

For your first bong, a basic diffused downstem is all you need. You know the type—it's the tube with several little slits near the bottom that gets submerged in the water. It's about as simple as it comes, effective, easy to clean, and cheap to replace should you break it. You can always upgrade to fancier styles of percolation later once you figure out if you value maximum smoothness or maxim airflow while inhaling. For a closer look at what's out there, refer to our percolator types guide.

Joint Size: Just Get 14mm

The "joint" is the glass-on-glass connection at which your bowl and downstem mate and fits into the rig. There are three standard sizes: 10mm, 14mm, and 18mm.

14mm is the size you want. It's far and away the most popular standard size, meaning there's a bigger selection of bowls, downstems, and ash catchers when you want to accessorize down the line. 18mm shows up on the larger pieces and moves more air. 10mm is mostly for mini rigs and dab setups.

Joints also come in male and female styles. Most bongs have a female joint (the opening on the bong) that accepts a male bowl (the piece that slides in). Joint Size: 14mm, 18mm, or 10mm, oh my! Just make sure it's the same size as your bong and opposite an opposite gender. Looking for a 14mm male bowl to go with that 14mm female bong? You got it. Our joint size guide is perfect if you want to explore this stuff visually.

Glass Thickness: This is Where the Clumsy People Need to Listen Closely

Measured in millimeters, the thickness of the glass basically tells you how long your new bong is going to survive life in the wild.

3mm — Budget glass, as light as a feather, cheap to buy, and about as likely to start crushing your dreams as your self-esteem on Monday morning. One friendly bump with the kitchen counter and boom—whoops, there goes another glass buddy. Cool if you are super careful, not cool if you have pets, roommates, or occasionally fail at depth perception.

5mm — This is what most people should go for. A nice sturdy thickness that allows for normal use without coddling it, but not the kind of thing that feels awkwardly heavy in your hand. If I just said "pick a thickness," you could say, "5mm, please."

7mm and up — These are the tank bongs. They can take a bump or two. They are generally heavier and tend to have a higher quality feel in your hand. If you don't bang it on a door frame on accident, it's likely to last you many, many years. If you're getting a daily driver that's going to get lots of love, and you have the budget to back it up, these are the way to go.

Note on glass type: You want borosilicate glass, the same stuff used in lab equipment and Pyrex. It doesn't affect flavor, and stands up pretty well to heat, etc. A listing that says "soft glass" or "soda-lime glass" is on the lower quality side and chips more easily.

Glass or Silicone?

There's no 'correct' on this one; just ask yourself if you need to clean the house more often. Glass tastes better. It's true. There's a brightness to a clean, glass hit that silicone can't provide. If you smoke at home, care for your stuff and want the best experience, glass is best.

Silicone won't break. Drop it, fold it, toss it in your bag for a camping trip. Most silicone bongs still use a glass downstem and bowl so the smoke path stays glass where it counts. It's the "I can't afford my life without this" option.

Many people wind up with both; a glass piece for home and a silicone when they're on the go. Not a bad plan.

How Much Should I Spend, Really?

Under $30: Tiny minis and simple silicone fill this range. Functional, nothing fancy. Thin glass. Good to see if you even like bongs before throwing down real bucks.

$30-$80: This is where first bongs get their start and it isn't even close. A lot of beakers, and diffused downstems with 5mm glass and ice catchers hang out in this price point. Don't spend much more than this if you're looking to pick up a piece that will serve you well for a long time.

$80-$150: A little thicker glass, nicer percolators, better aesthetics. Worth it if you already know you're going to be using it regularly, and you want something with a little more heft.

$150+: Heady glass, scientific designs, name brands. Truly amazing pieces collectors would kill for, but overkill for your first bong. Come back to this tier once you know exactly what you care about.

The Quick Checklist

Shape: Beaker. It does everything well and nothing poorly.

Height: 10–14 inches. The range where you get smooth hits without the storage headache.

Glass: 5mm borosilicate. 7mm if you've got butter fingers.

Joint: 14mm female. Widest accessory compatibility.

Perc: Diffused downstem. Simple, effective, easy to clean.

Budget: $40–$80 gets you something genuinely good.

Day-one accessories: A grinder and some cleaning supplies (isopropyl alcohol and coarse salt). Grab these with your bong so you're all set from day one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size bong should I get as a beginner?

Look for something that's 10–14 inches as that range gives you smooth, cooled hits while still being easy to handle, clean, and store. A 12-inch beaker is the go-to starting point for most people—it's the right balance of performance and practicality without being awkward to use.

Is glass or silicone better for a first bong?

Glass tastes nicer and has a more satisfying feel to use. Silicone is basically unbreakable and great for travel or if you're accident prone. If you smoke mostly at home and can be reasonably careful, go glass; if your lifestyle is rough on things, silicone has you covered. Lots of people end up with one of each.

How much should I spend on my first bong?

$40–$80 gets you a legitimately good piece. In that range you'll find quality beakers made from 5mm glass, usually with a diffused downstem and maybe even an ice catcher. Avoid anything under $30 unless you're just dipping your toes in the water—usually the glass won't be thick enough to last. Don't go over $100 on your first one, either. Save the premium stuff for when you know what you actually care about.

What does 14mm or 18mm mean on a bong?

That's the joint size—the diameter of the glass connection where your bowl and downstem connect. 14mm is the most common and gives you the widest selection of compatible accessories. 18mm shows up on bigger pieces where there's more airflow. 10mm is mainly for mini rigs. Just make sure your bowl matches your bong's joint size.

Do I need a percolator in my first bong?

Not really. A diffused downstem is all you need to deliver solid filtration and smooth hits, for the price of a little extra water in the bong. They're also easier to clean compared to built-in percs. If you do want something built in, stick with something simple like a single showerhead. Skip the multi-perc settings for now—they just add drag, and cleaning them is way more annoying than it has to be.

How often should I clean my bong?

Clean it with fresh water after every session and that'll make a huge enough difference. To keep your hits tasting crisp, give it a real clean with isopropyl alcohol and coarse salt at least once a week, and expect it to take five minutes. Leave it for too long and you'll end up dealing with build up that's ten times harder to scrub out. Check out our full guide for the real scoop.