Types of Bongs Explained | Shapes, Sizes & Percs Guide
Bongs have been around longer than most people realise. Early versions popped up in bamboo tubes and clay pipes, gradually giving way to glass creations with intricate designs.
Today, you’ll find everything from simple tubes to colourful novelty rigs that double as conversation starters. Each step in that journey reflects how smokers look for smoother pulls and smarter designs.
Aussies in particular have embraced bongs because they’re affordable, easy to share at gatherings, and deliver a clean, cool session without fuss. Whether you’re chasing a quick solo hit or setting up a party centrepiece, there’s a style out there that fits.
Cloudy Choices can be your guide on your journey, as we’ve been helping locals pick the right gear since 2020. Our shop has become a go-to for anyone wanting variety, quick shipping, and packaging that doesn’t raise eyebrows at the front door.
In this article, you’ll meet the main players:
- Straight tubes – simple and fast-clearing
- Beakers – stable bases with smoother hits
- Percolator bongs – extra filtration for cooler smoke
- Novelty & gravity bongs – party favourites with a twist
We’ll walk through materials, shapes, percs, novelty designs, and how size changes the game. To wrap up, I’ll share what really matters before you buy, so your next piece matches your style and keeps you happily cloudy.
Most Common Bong Materials
The material a bong is made from changes how it performs, how long it lasts, and how much fun you have with it. Some materials are better for flavour, others for portability, and a few are perfect for those who like a bit of personality in their gear.
Picking the right one means balancing the way you like to session with the level of care you are willing to give. Here’s a closer look at the four most common materials you’ll encounter online and in the local head shops.
Glass – The Gold Standard
Glass has set the benchmark for decades because it provides unmatched clarity and purity.
Borosilicate glass in particular can handle quick temperature changes without cracking and is strong enough to hold elaborate features like percolators, diffused downstems, and ice notches.
Watching smoke move through a clear chamber lets you judge airflow and cleaning needs at a glance. The main trade-off is that glass will break if dropped, but those who keep their piece in a steady spot rarely have issues.
A solid option for anyone who appreciates classic design with a bit of flash is the Agung Bubble Gold Lustre Medium Bong 25 cm.
Silicone – Drop It, Don’t Break It
Silicone has become a festival favourite because it is virtually indestructible. You can throw one in a backpack, take it on a trip, and even clean it in a dishwasher.
The flexible body makes it ideal for clumsy moments, share-house living, or anyone who doesn’t want to stress about a knock sending their piece to the bin. Some smokers notice a difference in flavour when using metal cones, which is why pairing silicone bongs with glass cones is recommended for a cleaner taste.
The Skulls Styled Silicon Beaker Bong 19 cm mixes durability with bold design and includes a glass cone for a smoother pull.
Ceramic – Retro, Funky, and Tough
Ceramic bongs carry a nostalgic feel, often linked with classic Aussie bonza styles. They can be hand-painted or glazed in vivid colours, and the solid weight gives them a sturdy presence on a table. Unlike with glass, you cannot see the water line inside, so filling requires a bit of practice.
Once you get used to that, ceramic rewards you with durability and unique styling. If you like gear that doubles as decoration, ceramic delivers. The Agung Ceramic Jamaica Rasta Coloured Pistol Grip Bong 25 cm offers a comfortable pistol grip and bright Rasta colours that make it stand out in any collection.
Acrylic – The Old School Cheapie
Acrylic was once the default choice for beginners because of its low price and hardiness. The plastic body resists cracks and pairs with a metal downstem and cone for reliable function.
Acrylic still has a place for casual use or those who want a backup piece, but its performance is limited compared to glass or silicone. Flavour can feel harsher, and the material tends to age quickly with heavy use.
Shapes That Define Your Session
The shape of a bong does more than decide how it looks on your shelf. It controls airflow, water capacity, ease of clearing, and even how steady it feels when you set it down between pulls.
Some shapes move smoke fast with very little drag, while others create more surface area for cooling. Two of the most trusted styles among Australian smokers are straight tubes and beakers, each of which brings unique advantages to the table
Straight Tubes – Fast and Furious
Straight tubes are the definition of direct. Smoke moves in a single line from the cone to the mouthpiece, creating an immediate pull that clears with speed. This shape appeals to people who like a no-nonsense design that hits as hard as it looks.
Maintenance is also easy, because a brush or pipe cleaner can travel from top to bottom without curves in the way. One thing to keep in mind is splashback, which can happen if a straight tube is too tall or filled with too much water.
A dependable example is the Agung Straight Bonza Tube Bong 24 cm. Built from Pyrex glass, it includes a Bonza stem and cone, a rubber base for grip, and a shot hole to fine-tune airflow.
Beaker Bongs – Unmatched Stability
Beaker bongs focus on balance and cooling power. Their conical bases create a lower centre of gravity, which makes them resistant to tipping even in lively settings. The larger chamber holds more water, giving smoke more time to cool and mellow before it reaches you.
Beakers tend to feel smoother and more forgiving, which is why they appeal to first-time users and long-time smokers alike. They also allow for longer sessions without needing to refill water as often.
A standout option is the Pyrex Stars Glow in the Dark Glass Beaker Bong 20 cm. Its mid-size design makes cleaning and carrying straightforward while still delivering satisfying hits.
Percolator Bongs: Next-Level Smoothness
Percolator bongs take the regular water-filtered experience and crank it up a notch. The trick lies in breaking smoke into hundreds of tiny bubbles, which gives it more contact with water. More contact means cooler, smoother pulls that are easier on the throat.
Percs also change the vibe of a piece, adding a visual show as the water moves in unique ways. Go too far with stacking though and you end up with heavy drag and a cleaning routine that feels like a chore.
The sweet spot is choosing one or two percs that match the way you like to session.
Popular Perc Types to Explore
Each style of percolator brings its own flavour to the table. Some are designed for silky smoothness, others for speed, and a few just look amazing in action. Here are the main ones you’ll come across:
- Tree: Branch-like arms that multiply diffusion, smooth but fragile.
- Showerhead: Slitted disc that spreads smoke evenly in all directions.
- Honeycomb: Flat disc with dozens of holes for dense micro-bubbles and minimal drag.
- Matrix: Cross-cut slots for a 360-degree bubble storm that looks wild.
- Inline: Horizontal slit tube that pushes smoke sideways before it rises.
- Turbine: Angled slits spin water into a tornado, giving cooling power with style.
A great way to try percs without overcomplicating things is the 710@420 Arctic Honeycomb Glass Bong 25 cm. It pairs durable borosilicate glass with a honeycomb disc and a silicone base that detaches for easier cleaning.
Novelty & Party Bongs: Smoke With a Twist
Novelty and party pieces exist for moments when you want the session to feel like an event. They bring bright finishes, unusual silhouettes, and clever tweaks that change how you handle, clean, and show off your setup.
Think of them as conversation starters that still deliver real performance when built with the right materials.
Gravity Rigs & Big Session Pop
Gravity rigs use water displacement or a rotating chamber to load dense smoke before you clear it in one breath. The payoff is intensity and spectacle. They need more bench space, a steady hand, and a quick rinse after use.
They shine at house hangs, where one rip can be passed around without constant packing. If you prefer smaller sips, choose shorter chambers and a narrower mouth to tame volume.
Use colder water and a shorter draw to soften delivery until you learn the chamber timing. Keep towels nearby for quick drips afterward.
The Wild Side: Creatively Designed and Fun-Themed Pieces
This lane celebrates colour and personality. Glow finishes help you find your gear in low light. Silicone hybrids shrug off drops and often disassemble for deep cleaning. Gripper handles and pistol grips improve control during longer sessions.
Bonza stems keep parts easy to replace across many pieces.
For a flashy, functional example, the 710@420 Rasta Saxophone Bonza Bong 28 cm pairs painted borosilicate with a food grade silicone base that disconnects for cleaning.
For party proof durability, the Adjustable Pink & Blue Gas Mask Clear Straight Bong sets you up with a sealed mask and a straight silicon bonza bong that straps in comfortably.
Size Considerations: Picking the Right Bong Height
Height changes the personality of a bong just as much as material or shape. A small piece feels snappy and discreet, a mid-sized tube feels balanced and versatile, and a tall beaker feels like a heavy hitter built for big nights.
Size also affects how often you’ll clean, where you can store it, and whether it travels easily.
Small Bongs (15–20cm): Pocket Rockets
Compact bongs in the 15 to 20 cm range are the most discreet. They’re quick to clear, easy to stash, and a solid choice for beginners who don’t want to handle a bulky piece straight away.
Smaller chambers mean smoke reaches you faster, which can feel harsher compared to bigger rigs, but they shine when portability and convenience matter most.
For a fun option that glows under low light, check out the Pyrex Baby Glow in Dark Bong 15cm.
Medium Bongs (25–30cm): The Everyday Hero
Medium bongs are often considered the sweet spot. With a chamber size that balances airflow and cooling, they’re versatile enough to handle solo or group sessions without being a hassle to store or clean.
These are the pieces many Aussies end up relying on as their daily drivers. If you want a durable and colourful option with a stable base, the MWP Fluorescent Bubble Bong 25cm is a strong pick.
Large Bongs (35cm+): Heavy Hitters
For those who like lung-busting rips and a centrepiece that stands out, large bongs are the way to go. With taller chambers and more water capacity, they give smoother hits despite the volume of smoke.
These glass monsters double as display pieces, making them ideal for mates’ nights, though they do take more time to clean and a steady shelf to live on. A reliable choice is the Pyrex Glass Ice Catcher Spiral Filter Beaker Bong 40cm.
What to Consider Before You Buy
The difference between a good bong and a great one often comes down to the small stuff.
Once you’ve locked in your preferred material and shape, the finer details decide whether your piece feels solid in the hand, stays balanced when the table gets rowdy, and holds up over months of use.
Paying attention here means your bong won’t just look the part, it’ll keep delivering smooth sessions long after the novelty wears off.
- Glass Thickness: Thicker walls bring sturdiness you can feel. They resist small knocks, add weight in your grip, and usually hold heat better. If you plan on making one bong your daily driver, thicker glass is worth the investment.
- Weight & Stability: A heavier base makes a big difference once you’re sharing around. Slim, light pieces can tip if someone bumps the table, but wide bases and solid builds stay planted even during long nights.
- Cleaning Convenience: Removable bases, silicone joints, and simple curves cut down on scrubbing. Using a product like Leaf Chief Purple Potion restores glass to crystal clear without leaving residues, which keeps flavours clean.
- Splashback Risk: The height of the neck, the type of percolator, and how much water you pour all change splashback. Beakers handle it well with their extra space, while tall straights need more careful filling to avoid unwanted water hitting your lips.
Stay Cloudy, Stay Smooth
Picking a bong should feel less like homework and more like building your perfect kit. The real joy comes when the piece in your hands matches the way you like to relax, share, or celebrate.
Some people chase smoothness, others want durability, and plenty of us just want something fun that sparks a grin every time it comes out. That’s what makes bong culture so varied and worth exploring.
Cloudy Choices keeps that spirit alive with a lineup that covers every angle, from classics to wild cards. When the time is right to get a new billy that fits your lifestyle, our diverse bong collection is the right place to kick off your search.
