Glassblowers are getting increasingly more creative when it comes to bong shapes and designs. From elaborate iridescent dragons to simple straight shooters, looks aren’t everything. Just like the common saying to never to judge a book by its cover, the outward appearance of a bong doesn’t matter as much as what’s inside. In other words, the shape of your bong matters!

All water pipes function the same way. A large chamber base is filled with water, which filters out unwanted contaminants and cools down the smoke. The smoke will accumulate and concentrate in any free space within the base and neck. Different bong shapes can hold different amounts of water and smoke, while causing various amounts of drag. This affects the way your bong will hit (i.e. direct versus indirect hits) and depends on factors like how big the chamber base is and how far the smoke has to travel before reaching your lips. Here’s how some of the most popular bong shapes influence the smoking experience.

Straight Tube

Sometimes referred to as a straight shooter,  straight tube bongs are the most classic and easy to use styles out there. It’s common for this basic bong style to include useful features like percolators, ice catchers, and ash catchers, but that’s not always the case. Straight tube bongs are known for clearing very quickly, giving the smoker the most direct hits possible so you can get baked easier. The simple design also makes it one of the simplest pieces of glassware to clean. The downside is that this design holds less water than other styles out there so hits will be harsher and the water will get dirty more frequently.

Recommendation: For giant, yet filtered hits, try the 25-inch  Quadruple Jellyfish complete with four jellyfish percs.

Beaker

Scientists and stoners may actually have something in common, their use of beakers. This style of water pipe has always been a favorite because it allows for better filtration, less water changes, and improved stability. It’s all thanks to the wide base shape, which holds more water than other styles like the straight shooter. Beakers also offer more controlled rips so you can decide exactly how big a toke you want to take.

Recommendation: If you’re looking for a small bong but still want percolated hits, the six-inch  Green Goblin  is a good option and features a decent-sized matrix perc. Those who want to take their bong on the go should choose the larger  rainbow silicone beaker.

Recycler

If you want a piece that will stand out from the rest, look for a recycler to add to your bong collection. All the tubes and water cyclones are exciting to watch, even if you’re not the one hitting it. Though more fragile than other styles because of its many tubes, recyclers look awesome and utilize the power of water to the fullest. Recyclers are typically a two chamber system with one or more tubes circulating the smoke-filled water up and down the piece for more filtration and diffusion. The longer the water stays with the smoke, the more time it has to chill the smoke and take out any ash or other irritants. The result is extra smooth and comfortable hits that don’t hurt your throat or lungs so you can keep taking bong rips all night long.

Recommendation: Turn heads with the insane appearance of the inline perc and twisting tubes of the shiny  Chalice Bong.

Zong

Zig zag plus bong equals zong! The only thing that makes a water pipe a zong is its distinct aesthetics. But the unique neck shape isn’t just there to look cool, though it definitely accomplishes that too. The wavy design gives the smoke more time to cool down since it has to travel a longer distance. Smaller bongs might have just one z-shaped kink, but there are styles that have four or even five of this iconic feature all stacked on top of one another. Another perk is that zongs have virtually no splashback because the dirty water is trapped by the kinked neck shape and will always stay where it belongs, which is definitely not in your mouth. The main chamber of a zong can vary, but beakers and round bases are some of the most popular.

Recommendation: For an awesome looking bong with a pop of color, try out the  10 inch zong.

Percolator Bongs

Any style of water pipe is essentially a  percolator bong as long as it includes some type of perc. Many smokers nowadays won’t even think about using a bong that doesn’t have a perc, but that’s totally up to your preferences. If you need more clarification on the different types, check out our  beginner’s guide to percolators. Percs are bonus features used to generate as many bubbles as possible, but are non-essential to the function of the bong. Since more bubbles mean additional aeration and filtration, you’ll be able to take smoother and bigger hits if your bong has a perc. Some of the more common styles are diffused downstems, inline, jellyfish, matrix, and showerhead percs, but there are many other types out there. Most percolator bongs have a mix of a few types of percs or multiple percs of the same style. Keep in mind that some percs are more delicate and prone to breaking than others, and some may cause added drag to your hits. You’ll just have to weigh out the pros and cons to find the right combination that’s perfect for you.

Recommendation: Blast off with the  Rocketship Bong, which combines four percs with an external recycler for ultra diffused hits. The 10-inch  Highlander is a smaller beaker-style bong and comes with a diffused downstem, built-in ice catcher, and a tree perc.

Now that you know about the different kinds of bong shapes that are available, why not take one for a spin? Check out our ever-changing  bong collection to find a unique piece that fits your personality and smoking style.