Glass Bongs vs. Glass Bubblers: What’s the Difference?

Breaking Down Smoking Glass: Bubblers & Bongs

Glass bongs vs. glass bubblers: what’s the deal? They both seem similar and to be honest, even some of us regular smokers get it twisted.

As if the many sizes, shapes, colors, configurations and technical terminology isn’t confusing enough, there are in fact, overlapping similarities among these pipes that can leave just about anybody bewildered.

Take glass bongs and glass bubblers, for example. Two of the most widely used glass pipe styles. Both are water pipes, as in they have a water chamber to diffuse and filter the smoke. What’s the difference then? Why are bongs and bubblers often placed at two opposite ends of the price range?

In all fairness, even many experienced smokers also do not have the faintest idea of what separates these two. They may buy one or the other just because they saw it in use and thought that it looked cool. But ask them for specifics and they’d struggle to find words or just shrug it off.

Well, today we will talk about the similarities and the differences in bongs and bubblers.  

What are glass bongs?

Bongs are cylindrical water pipes that have a very simple design, at least in its most basic form. Their setup generally consists of a bowl, a water-filled chamber at the base, a down stem, a neck and a mouthpiece.

When prepping for use, you simply pack the herbs in the bowl (not too tightly), fire up your favorite torch, burn it & inhale the smoke through the mouthpiece.

Combusted smoke passes through the water, then bubbles up into the chamber and subsequently into your mouth; smooth, cooler and filtered removing some of the dangerous particulates, tar and chemicals that would otherwise end up in your lungs.

Throw a percolator into the mix and you have smoke that is filtered multiple times and a lot tastier than what you would get with a normal bong. Not to mention a heck of a lot easier on the lungs, which is a big benefit for those who are newer to smoking or who are sensitive to smoke.

Glass bongs are bongs made of borosilicate glass that is more durable than normal glass.

Which means that the possibility of it crashing to pieces if you accidentally (read stoned) bang it on the counter is reduced a wee bit. Just a wee bit actually.

Having said that, glass bongs are not the ideal choice for someone who wants to smoke on the go.

The pros and cons of glass bongs

Glass bongs are considered to be the masterpieces of the smoker’s toolkit.

Almost like artwork. They are irreplaceable and despite your fascination for discreet and palm-sized devices, you’ve got to own one of these if you are a serious smoker.

They come in an incredibly diverse range of sizes, colors and styles to suit a gamut of preferences.  

And the perks of owning one definitely go beyond the aesthetics.

Pros

• Glass bongs produce the cleanest tasting smoke. Borosilicate glass is non-porous and taste-altering residue does not cling on to the surface or percolate it. Every hit will be consistent and taste equally good.
  
• They are reusable.
  
• They can be cleaned easily
  
• They have a “cool” factor. There’s nothing more appealing than seeing swirling clouds of dense smoke form in the see-through chamber of a glass bong. Blows everything else straight out of the water.

Cons

• They are pricey. The more complex the design the more you can expect to pay for it. Ditto with the filters. More the filters, more expensive the bong.
• They aren’t discreet. Are you the smoker who likes to get a small fix without sounding an alert to the rest of the people around you? The glass bong might not be the best of options for you. It is better suited for in-home use.

All said and done, every bubbler is a glass bong. But not every bong is a bubbler.

Confused? Let us explain.

What is a glass bubbler?

Bubblers works exactly like glass bongs in design but are typically smaller and therein lie the benefits that make them so appealing.

Smokers who like to sesh on the road prefer devices that can be palmed and pocketed without drawing too much attention.

The bubbler fits the bill perfectly.

It resembles a pipe more than an actual bong with mouthpieces of different styles, a carb, a bowl and a neck.

The downstem is fixed and you ride the carb to build up the smoke depending on how deep a hit you prefer.

Pros

• The diffusion is simpler. Most bubblers have simple percolators with two or three holes that deliver a unique chug, unlike the more refined chug of a glass bong with multiple honeycomb percolators.
• The hit is considered to be the middle ground between a dry piece and a water pipe. Not as smooth as a bong, but not as harsh as a dry piece either.
• The bubbler can be carried without the risk of damage. The smaller size makes it more portable and these are typically made of denser glass.
• It’s a one-piece design. You do not need to add accessories. Not unless you are looking to dab.

Cons

• The one-piece design makes them more difficult to clean
• Bongs are customizable. You can tailor everything down to the T, right from mouthpieces to diffusers. Not bubblers. Bubblers usually are non-customizable. There are exceptions of course for the right price.
• They get dirty a lot sooner.

Closing thoughts

A glass bong is a more complex water pipe that usually has a stationary, vertical design with the ability to be customized. Check out 5 types of glass you may want in your collection.

Bubblers are simpler, compact devices that are styled like handheld pipes.

That sums up what we just explained. Learn how to choose your next bong.

We hope that this helps clear the air and allows you to make an informed choice while choosing between a bubbler and a glass bong. Need something quick and affordable? Then read about the bongs we carry for less than $100.