Good news! There are tons of different water pipes and bongs you can purchase depending on your preferences, the type of grass you like to smoke, and other factors. You can find just about every type of bongs online. Let’s break down the different types of bongs by style and materials. Bong Styles Bongs come in all shapes, sizes, and design styles. Here are a few of the common configurations. Beaker Bongs Classic beaker bongs are the traditional water bongs you might be familiar with from appearances on many shows and movies featuring cannabis. They have wide bottoms that provide a smooth smoking experience and extra stability when holding your water pipe. Perhaps more importantly, beaker bongs are usually a little sturdier and more durable than basic tube bongs. For example, you can set a beaker bong on a table and not have to worry about it rolling off the table and crashing to the floor as easily. Lastly, beaker bongs are preferred by many since they hold extra water and smoke in their bases. That means you can take longer, harder hits once you build up some experience. Gravity Bongs Next up are gravity bongs. These come in a variety of different shapes, but they all share one core functional aspect: they use their water content to make a vacuum and draw smoke up for inhalation. They use a trick of gravity, in other words, to create an intense hit each time you inhale. A gravity bong is best enjoyed if you have some experience smoking, so you aren't overwhelmed with the sudden flush of sensation. Take it slow! Dab Rigs Then there are dab rigs: water pipes that are specifically meant to be used with marijuana dabs and concentrates. Think of dabs as concentrated squares or rectangles of MJ that you inhale a little differently from typical bong water. In a nutshell, dab rigs filter their water and carry the vapor through a narrow chamber that ends close to the mouthpiece. This then releases the vapor for the user to enjoy; since the chamber is very narrow and concentrated, it maximizes the flavor. While you can use dab rigs with flowers and herbs, you should really stick to using these unique water pipes for concentrates. You can even get new electric dab rigs from brands like Puffco and G Pen! Mini Bongs Lastly, there are mini bongs: smaller-than-average water pipes that you can potentially carry in your pocket or purse. These are perfect for enjoying a quick hit while on the go, provided you are lucky enough to live in a state with legal smoking. However, miniature bongs don’t provide the same smoking experience or intensity as other bong types. Furthermore, they can be a little fragile, especially if they aren’t made with high-quality silicone. Of course, there are other types of bongs than these. Ultimately, any type of water bong will get the job done if you choose the right type for your preferences and needs. Percolator Bongs Percolator bongs, or bubblers, have a piece of glass intended to dissipate smoke before passing through water. This causes a percolating effect or bubbling, and which results in cool smoke that is more comfortable to inhale. Straight Tube Bongs Classic straight tube bongs or straight neck bongs feature easy-to-clean designs and shapes. Because of their tall and narrow shape, some styles of straight-tube bong are easy to knock over, so store them somewhere where they won’t accidentally be knocked down! Bong Materials Consider materials as it relates to affordability, safety, and just personal preference. Glass Bongs A glass bong is a classic choice. Glass is one of the most common materials used for bongs due to its aesthetic appeal and relative affordability — depending on the style of bong you choose, of course! Glass bongs deliver a premium smoking experience in all shapes and sizes, and even the type of glass varies. Borosilicate glass bongs are especially resistant to thermal shock, making them a great choice for the hot-cold duality of the water in your bong against the heat from your flame. Ceramic Bongs As their name suggests, a ceramic bong is made from ceramic material rather than other choices like glass or silicone (which we’ll cover next). While ceramic looks great, keep in mind that it can be very fragile! Silicone Bongs Silicone bongs are relatively new to the bong market, but they’re fantastic for a variety of reasons. For one, high-quality silicone is frequently used as a material for cooking and baking, so you know it’s safe when ingesting or inhaling substances. For another, high-quality silicone can easily withstand the high temperatures needed to vaporize water in a water pipe. As an added bonus, silicone bongs are a little more durable than glass bongs; they’re much less likely to break compared to glass bongs. Even better, silicone bongs are typically cheaper than high-quality glass bongs, so they’re excellent entry-level water pipes, to boot.Try a silicone bong or straight tube bong if you're new to bongs. They filter smoke well, often have an ice pinch to help with cooling smoke, and are some of the best bongs in terms of quality and performance.