For many of us, there’s really nothing as satisfying as smoking with a bong. Bongs offer amazing filtration and can deliver powerful, smooth, and tasty hits.

But, as you’ve probably noticed, not all bongs are the same. Bongs mainly come in four materials: acrylic, silicone, ceramic, and glass. Each material has its own unique features and characteristics. In this article, we’ll show you the pros and cons of each one, and let you know where they shine, and where they don’t.

By the end of the article, you’ll know exactly how to choose the right bong for you.

Let’s get started.

1. Acrylic Bongs

Acrylic bongs are usually the most affordable bongs out there. These bongs are made in colorful designs and multiple shapes. Plus, they’re super light and are not likely to break if they fall.

However, acrylic can interact with the smoke, especially during long smoking sessions. This can add a bad odor to the smoke, and may be a bit harder on your lungs.

Choose an acrylic bong if:

You are a smoker on a budget, are looking for a temporary bong, or want to get an affordable backup.

2. Ceramic Bongs

Unlike acrylic bongs, high-quality ceramic bongs do not interact with smoke. They instead provide an experience that’s as pure as glass, allowing you to enjoy the flavor of your smoke.

Since ceramic is more versatile and easier to shape than glass, ceramic bongs tend to feature more elaborate or artistic designs, and may even look nothing like a regular bong. Ceramic is also more durable than glass, although they’re just as likely to shatter, if not more.

Budget ceramic bongs are also more creative and affordable than their glass counterparts. However, the lack of visibility into the chamber may make it difficult to ensure a thorough cleanup.

Choose a ceramic bong if:

You're looking for a bong that  can also double as a piece of decor, or if you're looking for pieces more affordable than glass pieces. 

3. Silicone Bongs

The newcomer, the silicone bong, is a relatively new addition to bong materials, and a very popular one too.

Since silicone is easy to clean (dishwasher safe) and doesn’t interact with the smoke, it can provide pretty smooth sessions. Plus, fully silicone bongs are virtually indestructible and quite affordable.

You can also find silicone/glass hybrids that feature glass parts, like a glass water chamber or mouthpiece. These hybrids can give a lot of the benefits of glass in a more sturdy piece that’s easier to pack. However, keep in mind, you should only get a bong made out of "food-grade silicone". Many cheaper bongs are out there that are not made out of food-grade materials and may release harmful substances into your smoke.

Choose a silicone bong if:

You're looking for a portable, affordable and indestructible bong or if you're looking for a cute unique piece of design. 

4. Glass Bongs

Glass, especially borosilicate glass, is the best material for bongs when it comes to the smoking experience. Since glass doesn’t interact with smoke at all, glass bongs offer the purest smoke.

Glass bongs will often feature percolators, ice catchers, diffusers, and other filtration systems to separate and cool down the smoke. Smaller and cheaper glass bongs may not be as good at filtering smoke, but can still offer a better experience than low-quality acrylic bongs. Plus, you can find exotic glass bongs made by talented glassblowers and artists with unique designs.

Glass however is obviously fragile, and a simple crack can ruin the piece along with your smoking session, so they’re not made for clumsy hands. They’re usually the most expensive pieces, so the best glass bongs will likely not be budget-friendly pieces.

Choose a glass bong if:

You're looking for the purest smoking experience or if you're looking a reliable go-to piece that's likely to last for a long time with the right care. 

The TL;DR

Each bong material is different, and each material has its pros and cons. Hopefully, we’ve demystified the features of each one. Here’s a simple rule of thumb:

• Glass: Expensive but offers the purest smoke.
• Ceramic: Cool designs, good smoke, not as expensive.
• Acrylic: Super cheap, not great smoke.
• Silicone: Affordable, easy to clean, and acceptable smoke.

Still don’t know which one to get? Take a look at our bong collection and see what catches your eye.