Bongs

This bong buying guide breaks down everything you need to know before buying online, covering how bongs work, how to care for them, and what sets MJ Arsenal’s premium glass pipes apart.

A bong, sometimes called a water pipe, is a smoking device that pulls smoke through water before it reaches your lungs. The water cools the smoke, filters out some of the harsher particles, and helps deliver a smoother, more consistent hit compared to dry pipes.

Bongs have a rich history across the world. They have likely been used for smoking substances for hundreds of years. Archaeologists have even found similarly shaped water pipes in Eastern and Southern Africa.

The term itself may have come from the Thai word “baung,” meaning a cylindrical piece of wood with a hole and a water chamber, used for smoking all kinds of substances.

Partly based on its global influences, you can find plenty of bong styles out there. You’ll see glass bongs, beaker bongs, straight tube bongs, silicone bongs, and compact designs built for everyday setups.

Some versions are made from acrylic, bamboo, or ceramic. Each material gets the job done differently, but not all of them deliver the same experience.

Glass bongs are the most popular for a reason. They preserve flavor, are easy to clean, and don’t interfere with airflow or taste.

That’s why MJ Arsenal exclusively sells borosilicate glass bongs. This type of glass is designed to handle heat and regular use while keeping airflow smooth and consistent. With basic care, a well-made, durable glass bong can perform for years.

If you’re looking for smoother pulls, better flavor, and a setup that feels intentional, an MJA glass bong is hard to beat.

Using a bong is an excellent way to enjoy your smokeables. And while the process is pretty straightforward, even for beginners, getting that delectably smooth hit takes a bit of practice.

Here’s the rundown:

1: Add Water

Trust us: You don’t want to forget this step.

Water cools and cleans the smoke as you inhale, turning your hits from hot and harsh to smooth and flavorful.

When filling your bong with water, make sure the water level is just right. Too little water and the smoke won’t be filtered properly. Too much water and it can spill out from the bottom of the bong (you might even get a mouthful of dirty bong water).

A few tips?

• Start with a clean, smooth-hitting bong.
• Use distilled water for the best taste. If you only have tap water on hand, filter it first.
• Change your bong water after every session.
• Test the draw before taking a hit. You may need to adjust the water until you get a perfect balance.
• Larger bongs need more water than small bongs.
• Straight tube bongs and water pipe bongs usually require less water, while glass bongs and ice bongs call for more. Dab rigs use the least water of all because they are designed for concentrates instead of dry herbs.

Once you find the right amount of water for your bong, you’ll be ready to enjoy your smoking experience.

2: Add Smokeables

Got the perfect amount of water in your chamber? It’s now time to add your smokeables!

This determines the flavor and intensity of your hit.

For a traditional bowl piece, you’ll need to add a smoking material, such as flower or herb. If using concentrates, you need a dab nail to properly melt down and smoke them without any dribbling into your water chamber. Find quality dab accessories from MJA.

If it’s your first time using a bong, keep these things in mind:

• Grind your material before packing helps it burn evenly and lets the water filter more effectively.
• Don’t add too much material, or it won’t filter properly.
• Leave a little room at the top of the bowl to help air flow smoothly. This improves flavor payoff and makes hits easier on your throat.

3: Light Up!

Now that you’ve got your smokeables and bong set up, it’s time to light up!

Light the herb in the bowl and slowly draw the smoke up through the chamber. As you inhale, the smoke will start to bubble up through the water. With a little practice, you’ll be a bong-smoking master in no time!

If you’re searching for your next best everyday hitter, MJ Arsenal is here to deliver. Whether you’re an experienced bong user or a novice, you’ll never have to worry about performance with MJ Arsenal’s lineup of high-quality glass bongs.

Our borosilicate glass is highly durable and built to last. Customers also rave about how portable, stylish, and easy to use our high-quality bongs are.

Cache

One of our most popular glass bongs, the Cache features:

• An 18 mm joint and a 14 mm bowl
• 6.5-inch height for easy transport and storage
• Three-prong ice catchers for chilled, smoother hits
• Compatibility with other glass accessories and pieces

This pipe is:

• Suitable for a variety of smokers, from beginners to experienced users
• Easy to clean and maintain
• Affordable and effective at $59

It includes:

• Cache Mini Water Pipe
• 10mm Cache Bowl
• Cork

Iridescent Cache – Limited Edition

Our limited edition pearlescent bong has:

• All the same features, plus an incredible iridescent electroplated borosilicate finish

Saturn

Looking for an out-of-this-world smoking experience? Or perhaps even a little aesthetic magic with your sesh?

The Saturn glass bong offers:

• A distinct ring-like design
• 5-inch tall waterpipe with a 14.4mm joint size
• An inverted inline perc
• An ice-catching impression along the natural curve of the mouthpiece
• Removable bowl for easy cleaning and maintenance
• Ergonomic and straightforward design

The Saturn includes:

• Saturn Mini Water Pipe
• 10mm Flower Bowl

Iridescent Saturn – Limited Edition

This limited edition Saturn mini pipe has:

• A one-of-a-kind iridescent electroplated borosilicate finish

Gold Saturn – Limited Edition

For a more regal experience, you can try the Gold Saturn Mini Pipe, which has:

• Our most coveted Electroplated Gold glass

Palisade

Who says your bong can’t also be a statement piece? The Palisade pulls so smoothly that even beginners will feel like pros using it!

This sophisticated bong features:

• Milled black walnut accents
• An exceptional smoke filter
• Removable parts for easy, thorough cleaning
• A unique, modular design

The Palisade includes:

• Palisade Bong
• 14mm Flower Bowl

Hippie Hitter

Elevate your sessions with a piece that looks great, feels great, and performs even better. The Hippie Hitter delivers style and substance in every pull.

You’ll get:

• LED puck with remote-controlled illumination
• Distinct lava lamp-shaped throwback design
• Silicone base for storage and stability
• Universal 14mm connection for your preferred smoking accessories

This MJA fan favorite includes:

• Hippie Hitter Bong
• 14mm Flower Bowl

Summit

The Summit Bong is built for cooler, smoother draws and everyday performance, all in a clean, stable package that’s easy to use and even easier to enjoy.

Here are just a few of its features:

• Powerful water filtration for flavorful draws
• Exquisite design for elevated smoke sessions
• Beaker base for steady use each time you light up
• Straight tube for reliable airflow and easy cleaning

This mini bong includes:

• Summit Bong
• 14mm Flower Bowl

Widowmaker

Celebrate in style with MJ Arsenal’s 8th Annual Limited Edition Widowmaker bong! Add a finishing touch to your Halloween costume or enjoy a scary movie night with this one-of-a-kind piece.

What you should know before buying:

• Spider-themed bowl and pipe, perfect for Halloween hits
• A fun, fully functional spider-shaped perc
• Built-in web-like ice catcher
• Straightforward pipe for consistently solid pulls

This limited edition mini bong includes:

• 1 x 8th Annual Limited Edition Widowmaker Bong
• 1 x 8th Annual Limited Edition Spiderweb Bowl (14mm)

Mini Bong Bundles

What’s included:

• One of our premium-quality bongs, such as the Nexus, Spire, Summit, or Palisade (valued from $59 to $98)
• Your choice of flower bowls from any piece (ranging from $10 to $14)
• Your choice of travel pouch for safety and portability

The pack is valued at $102, but you can get all these products in a bundle for $102!

What makes our bongs so popular? Aside from the obvious (seriously good hits), every bong in our lineup is easy to clean, so you can focus on the fun part.

Now, keeping your bong in clean working condition is key to a smooth, enjoyable smoking experience. Regular cleaning helps your water filtration work as intended and prevents residue buildup that can affect airflow, flavor, and overall performance.

Here are a few simple tips to keep your bong clean and working properly:

• Use a combination of isopropyl alcohol and hot water to clean your bong. This will help break down any residue inside and outside the bong.
• Make sure to rinse your bong thoroughly after cleaning to remove any alcohol residue.
• Avoid using anything to force smoke through the bong, as this can damage both the glass and the water filtration system.
• Rinse your bong and change the water after every session (or daily) to keep things fresh. Perform a thorough “deep clean” once a week using a solution of isopropyl alcohol, salt, and water for best results.

Treat your investment well, and it will reward you with hype-worthy hits every time.

There’s a bit of science behind the smooth, consistent pulls of glass bongs, and it comes down to filtration and percolation.

Filtration is the process of pulling smoke through water, where heavier particles like ash and residue are captured before they are inhaled, protecting your lungs.

Percolation focuses on breaking smoke into smaller bubbles, which cools it down and softens the draw.

Together, they create a cleaner, more comfortable experience compared to dry smoking methods.

MJA bongs use a variety of different perc and cooling methods:

Filtration and percolation can be taken further with built-in features or add-ons like percolators, ice catchers, ice pinches, or ash catchers. These improve cooling and help keep the main chamber cleaner, leading to less cleaning and maintenance and better performance from your bong.

It all comes down to filtration and cooling. Water helps trap plant material, ash, and other particles that would otherwise be pulled through the piece and inhaled, reducing the potential for harm. It also cools the smoke before it reaches you, making each pull smoother and more comfortable.

That combination — filtration plus cooling — is why many people prefer using water pipes or bongs. It doesn’t change the experience itself, just how smoothly it gets you there.

The water in bongs filters smoke, cooling it down and making each pull smoother. Because the smoke is less harsh, it’s easier to take fuller, more controlled hits compared to dry pipes.

The water also helps capture tar, ash, and heavier particles, keeping the airflow cleaner and more consistent.

Ice is commonly added to a bong to cool the smoke, which can make each pull feel smoother and more pleasant to inhale. Many glass bongs include an ice catcher to hold ice cubes above the water line, cooling smoke before it reaches the mouthpiece.

That said, moderation matters. A few ice cubes are usually enough to make a difference. Overloading the ice catcher can make the smoke uncomfortably cold, taking away from the experience rather than improving it. Ice is a simple add-on, but when used sparingly, it can improve how smooth a hit feels.

Choosing the right bong can feel daunting at first, especially with so many materials, shapes, and sizes available. The “right” bong usually comes down to how you like to smoke and what you value most in a piece. Look at four key factors: filtration, flavor, convenience, and budget.

Filtration dictates how smooth each pull feels, while flavor can be influenced by the design of the piece and how the smoke travels to the mouthpiece. Convenience matters when it comes to size, portability, and maintenance. Larger bongs typically offer more cooling and airflow, while smaller pieces are easier to carry, store, and clean. Simpler designs are often quicker to clean and easier to keep performing well over time. Investing in a high-quality piece or bundle makes the most of your budget.

Still feel stuck and need help deciding? We’ve got you. Reach out to our support team, and we’ll do our best to point you in the right direction.

Yes. MJ Arsenal bongs are designed with beginners in mind. For those who want smoother pulls without oversized or complicated setups, compact glass designs are easier to handle, clean, and feel less intimidating than large, traditional bongs.

Because these bongs use water filtration, the smoke is cooled before inhalation, helping new users ease into the experience. Intuitive airflow and simple chamber designs mean there’s less guesswork about water levels and technique. You don’t need expert knowledge to get a good pull. Just a little practice. Fill it, pack it, and you’re good to go.

MJ Arsenal bongs are made from borosilicate glass, the same heat-resistant material used in lab equipment. They hold up better to daily use and temperature changes than standard glass.

Design matters too. Compact builds, balanced bases, and reinforced joints reduce points that commonly break. While no glass piece is indestructible, smart engineering makes a real difference. With basic care, a well-made percolator bong can stay in regular rotation for years.

It really comes down to filtration, size, and how smooth you want each pull to feel.

Bongs use water and a larger chamber to cool smoke more effectively. The result is smoother, more consistent pulls, especially if you prefer a relaxed, sit-down session.

Bubblers fall somewhere in between. They use water like a bong, but are smaller and more portable. You still get some cooling, without committing to a full-size setup.

Hand pipes keep things simple. There’s no water involved, which makes them easy to carry and easy to maintain, but the smoke is warmer and more direct.

If smoothness is the priority, bongs are the clear choice. If portability matters more, bubblers or hand pipes make sense. It’s all about how much filtration you want and how you plan to use it.