Pipes vs Bongs

There are many ways to smoke the green, but what is the difference between smoking with a pipe or a bong? If you’re just getting started and not sure which way to go, let’s go through the differences and the pros and cons of each, so you can make an informed decision.

Pipes:

Pipes are a dry smoking method, where the herb is packed in the cone, lit and inhaled proficiently and easily.

There are many different types of pipes made from different materials – glass, aluminium, steel, brass, wood, silicone, etc.

They all pretty much do the same job, however glass pipes are easier to clean, and have a purer taste, as the glass adds no additional flavour - unlike metal, wood, or silicone.

Here’s the pros:

• Lower investment
• Durable
• Portable
• Discreet
• Low maintenance
• Easy to use

Pipes are generally a lower cost than bongs, (unless you go for a premium model) so they are cheaper & easier to replace. They are basic and easy to use – pack your herb in the cone, light and inhale. It’s a fast effect, and great for on-the-go convenience.

Cons:

• Drier & hotter smoke
• Not very smooth
• More likely to inhale ash and hot particles

Most of the cons can be alleviated with the premium models, such as the Budbomb, which has an internal spiral helix, to make the smoke travel further, cooling and smoothing it, while reducing the chance of inhaling ash and particles. Longer or larger pipes can also reduce the harshness of the smoke and allow for a cooler inhale. Glass pipes offer better flavour and are easier to clean back to natural state.

Bongs:

Bongs are pipes with added water filtration. You pack the cone and light it, inhale, the smoke travels down the stem, into water, where it bubbles through, removing impurities, ash & hot particles, leaving you with a cooler and smoother smoke.

They come in a variety of materials - glass, acrylic, silicone, ceramic, wood & metal.

Pros:

• Filtered and cleaner smoke
• Smoother smoke
• Cooler smoke
• Great for home use
• Many different filtering options
• Multiple design options

There are so many options for bongs, from the basic stem in the water style, to external chambers with secondary water filtration, to inbuilt diffusers and percolators, which provide additional filtration, ensuring a smoother and cooler inhalation of smoke.

Cons:

• Larger implement, less discreet
• Not as easy to hide
• Requires regular cleaning
• Bong water is smelly
• Less portable

For an everyday or regular smoker, bongs are a more popular option, because they are a smoother and cooler delivery method, whereas pipes are a more occasional, or portable way of smoking.

So, which is better?

Whichever way you go, they both have a place, depending on your needs at the time. For regular home use, a bong is going to be a smoother way to go for more frequent use. For less frequent or portable use, the pipes are very convenient. Why not have both?