Bongs are a classic way to enjoy cannabis. Variations of water bongs or pipe bongs have been used since ancient times. They offer a clean taste of the cannabis flower's terpenes without the resin and contaminants that come with smoking joints and bowls.

A solid draw or pull from a water bong will result in a delightful flavor and effect. Although you do not have to spend much to buy a quality bong, spending around $100 gives you a greater selection of well-crafted options. Some can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, but you can get a solid bong that will last for a while by spending much less.

We have compiled a list of the top bongs under $100 to help you decide which water pipe would be best for your smoking needs. When shopping for a bong, consider the glass thickness, percolators, joint size, and add-ons. The list highlights the unique strengths and disadvantages of each bong. Read on to see which bongs appeal to you in terms of design and performance:

1. Grav Labs 8" Beaker Water Pipe - Clear

Grav has been making premier glass bongs in Austin, Texas, since 2004, and the 

Grav Labs 8" Beaker Water Pipe is one of their most popular items. It is a moderately-sized bong that is perfect for single or sharing use.

The borosilicate glass makes this water pipe incredibly durable, and the beaker base offers stability. It is difficult to knock over. Its small to moderate size means it will not make passing the bong a clumsy experience.

The design on the glass features clear accents and fits with modern decor. Its size makes it big enough for convenient passing to another smoker and producing a powerful pull of smoke, but not so big that it is awkward to handle and difficult to store. It includes a 14mm cup bowl.

What Makes the Grav Labs 8" Beaker Water Pipe Different?

Grav's patent design pressed pinch acts as an effective splash guard and ice catcher. Many smokers swear that cooling the water is the key to a great hit, so those folks will love this feature.

What's Great About Grav Labs 8" Beaker Water Pipe

The Grav Labs 8" features a fixed downstem for those users who prefer not to chance the risks of misplacing this part or possibly dropping it and breaking it.

Grav is known for superior glass bongs. The glass gives a pure taste of the cannabis flower, so users say the terpene flavors are intensified when using a glass bong.

The design and thick glass of this bong make it especially durable. Many customers have described how they have accidentally dropped their bongs with little or no damage.

Pros:

• Quality craftsmanship
• Thick borosilicate glass
• Geometric ice pinch

Cons:

• Somewhat small bowl
• It can be challenging to clean

2. Famous Brandz - 12" Aquarius - Water Bubbler

The 12" Aquarius is handcrafted and made from 5mm thick borosilicate glass. Its artsy appearance is what will catch your eye. The Aquarius has vividly colored geometric shapes on the water pipe, and the base has a matching-colored star design on the bottom.

What's Great About the Aquarius?

The UFO percolator diffuses the smoke more evenly and makes hits smoother and cooler. The 14.5mm herb bowl has a handle for easy removal, and this removable bowl can also serve as a roll stopper.

What Makes It Different

The Aquarius has ice notches that enhance filtration and chill the smoke. It is also known for intensifying the flavor.

Pros:

• UFO percolator is highly efficient at cooling the smoke
• Built-in ice notches
• Durability
• Comes with the herb bowl and downstem

Cons:

• Geometric pattern may not have general appeal

3. Dopezilla-Hydra-Water Bubbler-16 Inch

This multi-headed water bubbler is made from thick, borosilicate glass. The bullet hole ice catcher and a tree percolator are additional bonus features. The removable downstem and herb bowl make it easy to clean, and it has an 8mm ground joint and slitted diffuser for increased filtration and cooling. This bubbler bong has two tree arm percolators which make a hit doubly smooth. The hit is so chilly it almost has a menthol-like taste.

What's Great About the Dopezilla Hydra Water Bubbler?

This is a very durable bong with 5mm thick glass. It comes in several mouthpiece accent colors on the mouthpiece, bowl, base, and percolator. Additionally, the bowl with a handle makes for easy and safe removal. 

What Makes the Dopezilla Hydra Water Bubbler Different

The Dopezilla Bubbler has an ideal downstem length of 3.34 inches (55cm), making for easy use and handling. In addition, it has a slitted diffuser which provides additional filtration.

The fact that it is an ice cast and creates an ice bong is novel, but this method also is efficient for chilling the smoke.

Pros:

• Bullet-hole ice pinch
• No carb hole
• Ideal downstem length: 3.34 inches/55 cm
• Removable downstem and herb bowl

Cons:

• It requires preparation to make the ice bong, so you must anticipate when you want to use this bong to smoke and plan accordingly
• Silicone is not as effective at enhancing flavor as glass

4. EYCE 2.0

EYCE 2.0 is the perfect affordable water pipe for a socially active life on the go. It has a comfortable mouthpiece and an easy to hold stand with a finger grip for additional stability. This bong offers a smooth and clean smoke for a silicone model. It was designed by engineers, and it has done well in the cannabis market over the past four years.

What's Great About the EYCE 2.0?

The price of this water bong is reasonable and a good option for new smokers. It is innovative, and the process of using the mold to make an ice bong is fun and engaging.

It has a very fast and low cooling response, and it can cool smoke to -3 degrees Celsius.

What Makes the EYCE 2.0 Different

EYCE 2.0 offers innovation and functionality and features a large silicone mold for making an ice bong. The company claims to have the scientifically proven coldest smoke on the market. Once the bong is filled with water and then allowed to freeze, it can be removed as a fully functional pipe completely made of ice.

The EYCE 2.0 is easy to use and portable. It's an affordable water pipe that comes with a lifetime warranty even though it is well made.

Pros:

• Comes in three color accents (blue, green, and red)
• Lifetime warranty
• No high maintenance and difficult cleaning like with water bongs
• It does not shatter like glass bongs, so it is good for travel

Cons:

• Need access to a freezer to use
• Less bubble production than other bongs
• Smokers may prefer more traditional glass bongs

BONUS: Snoop Dogg Pounds LAX Water Bubbler

Ok, we know this one isn't under $100, but we couldn't publish this list without mentioning the Snoop Dogg Pounds LAX Water Bubbler. So, if you're willing to pay a bit over $100, this is a great bong to add to your collection.

This fabulous water bubbler is the collaborative work of Snoop Dogg and Famous Brandz. The Snoop Dogg Pounds LAX Water Bubbler features a unique contemporary design with an upside-down beaker base design and a 456-degree bent mouthpiece.

The flared base provides stability when set down on a surface after use. The bubbler also comes with a matching 14mm bowl and a custom collector's box with a Snoop Dogg signature decal.

This bubbler comes in assorted colors (black, purple, and white), and it is an ideal size at 11" high and has a base diameter of 4.25". It is just the right size for easy use and storage.

O.pen 2.0 Variable Voltage 510-Thread Battery

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What Makes the Snoop Dogg Pounds LAX Different?

This bubbler has an inline ruffle showerhead percolator that generates many tiny bubbles. The advantage of many smaller bubblers is a more even and efficient cooling of the smoke.

The bubbler reflects fine craftsmanship in the finished joints, and the tilted mouthpiece provides greater control and makes this a comfortable bubbler to use.

Pros:

• Produces solid vapor cloud
• Aesthetically pleasing design

Cons:

• A little more expensive than bongs with comparable features

How to Choose a Bong Under $100

When shopping for moderately priced bongs, you still have plenty of options that can offer you many features found in a premium bong with a higher price tag. With moderate prices, you tend to get a product that possesses many but not all the quality features you seek.

As bong prices increase, so do the number of functions and overall product quality. Sticking around the $100 price point ensures you balance economic value with the features that matter most to you.

For example, it may be important to you to have a removable downstem to facilitate cleaning, or you prefer the thickest glass possible because you tend to drop things or may knock over the bong. Vapor cloud production is one of the most important factors and staying around $100 ensures satisfying vapor quality. 

How to Use a Bong

Using a bong may look intimidating for some, but they are easy to use. One of the most important steps is to fill the bong chamber with the optimal amount of water for that particular bong. Most bongs require about 1 to 1 1/2 inches of water in the chamber, so novices quickly learn the optimal amount of water to add.

Pour cool or cold water into the downstem, so it travels to the chamber. The water should be high enough to cover the downstem but not so much that it causes splashback when you take a hit. You can add ice if you have an ice catcher.

Place the finely ground flower in the bowl evenly and get ready to heat the flower using a lighter or a lighted hemp wick. If your bong has a carb, cover it with your finger, light the flower, gently inhale, and pull the smoke into the chamber.

When you are ready to inhale the smoke, lift the removable downstem if your bong has one, or remove your finger from the carb. Inhale and hold the smoke for several seconds and then exhale.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Main Parts of a Bong, and How Do They Work?

Understanding the different bong parts and how they facilitate the smoking process will help you pick the right bong for your needs and budget.

The neck on a bong can be straight or angled. Both neck styles allow the vapor to travel from the chamber through the neck to the mouthpiece. A bong with a straight neck design has a neck that is at a roughly 90-degree angle.

Other bongs may have a neck that curves at a 45-degree angle, allowing the smoker to assume a more comfortable position for inhalation. Another advantage of an angled mouthpiece is that you do not have to look down when using it. The face is positioned further away from the fire, making for a more pleasant and safer smoking session.

Although it is best to hold the bong by the base when carrying or using it, many people often grab the neck in addition, to securely holding the base. However, carrying a bong by the neck should be avoided.

The herb bowl holds the ground flower. Select a bong with a bowl that can hold a substantial amount of bud. If you are the only one using the bong, a smaller bowl will be sufficient. However, if you occasionally or regularly share a bong, you may want to shop for a bong with a larger bowl.

The mouthpiece provides an opening where you inhale the smoke.

The downstem connects to the bowl and runs down into the chamber. As your weed is heated, the smoke travels through the downstem and passes over the water. Some downstems are removable, and others are fixed.

Downstems have one joint to hold a bowl filled with weed, and another joint connects to the pipe chamber. Many designs are variations of the simple traditional design, such as the diffused downstem. These downstems feature small holes or slits at the base, which increases the number of tiny bubbles and therefore diffuses the smoke more effectively.

A showerhead downstem has multiple slits along the downstem's base, which creates hundreds of small bubbles necessary for quickly cooling smoke in the chamber. Many smokers believe that the showerhead downstem is the most effective design.

The chamber is located at the base of the bong. The chamber holds the cool water, and the base usually is designed to provide greater stability.

The percolator is a piece submerged under the water line. Percolators come in various designs, including diffused downstem, slit downstem, inline ruffle, showerhead, tree, and matrix. The number of small holes in a percolator impacts the number of bubbles and thus the efficacy of cooling the smoke. 

How Much Should You Pay for a Bong?

Bongs can range from $30 to $300 or more, depending on the materials, design, and labor involved in making the bong. Some require skilled glass blowing artisans, so you can expect to pay several hundred dollars for custom-made bongs.

If you do not have much to spend on a bong, you can start with a less expensive model. If you are unsure if using a bong will work for your needs, it is also good to start with a cheaper bong. However, if you already know that you like bong hits and have additional money to spend on a higher quality bong, do it! The quality and design will be worth the extra dollars, and it most likely will be a more durable model.

Are more expensive bongs better?

Many weed-smoking enthusiasts would say that you get what you pay for, so budget for a bong wisely. If you are on a strict budget or new to smoking, a moderately priced bong, around $100, will offer standard quality design and function.

A price range of $80-$120 will get you a well-constructed and durable bong. After using it for some time, you can research other bongs and determine if you need an upgrade. Getting a higher-quality bong is a smart move if you like to take bong rips regularly or daily. A finely made bong may cost you more, but it will save you the money spent on rolling papers and other smoking accessories!

Do more expensive bongs last longer?

Proper care and careful handling will help you get the most out of any bong for a long time. Usually, more expensive bongs are made with higher-quality materials that are more durable. In addition, they typically feature thicker glass and are manufactured with the latest technology.

Many bongs are made by glass blowing artisans who use precision glass heating to customized colors and features. Some extremely expensive bongs are really more of an artistic masterpiece than a daily tool.

What bongs hit the smoothest?

Bongs will hit smoother if the downstem has specific features like a slit percolator, UFO percolator, or showerhead percolator. These designs produce millions of little bubbles that efficiently filter and cool the smoke as it passes over the cold water in the bong's chamber.

Generally speaking, the larger the bong, the more the percolation. However, small and moderate bongs with specialized percolator designs produce the smoothest hits. Therefore, any bong with a percolator designed to cause numerous small bubbles will most likely produce a smooth hit. 

What bong material is best?

Bongs are made from silicone, plastic, and other materials, but most people prefer the look and effect of a borosilicate glass water bong. Many people believe that glass offers the cleanest and most flavorful taste when consuming cannabis, and they are easy to clean.

Glass bongs can be more expensive than bongs made with other materials, but they are durable. On the other hand, metal and silicone are inexpensive and better for travel.

Learning more about the advantages and disadvantages of different bong materials will help you decide which bong material will work best for you. 

How Do I Clean a Bong?

Changing bong water frequently is critical because the water will get murky and smelly, and resin will quickly build up on the glass. Daily or regular cleaning makes maintenance much easier, so changing the water every day is ideal.

The steps for cleaning a glass bong are simple. Some people like to use solutions like Formula 420, made specifically to clean smoking devices. Still, you can also achieve the same results using a solution of 99% rubbing alcohol diluted with water and a pinch of kosher sea salt. The salt acts as an abrasive to loosen stubborn resin.

Empty the bong by pouring out the dirty water into a sink. Remove resin and ashes from the bowl, and then rinse the base and downstem with water. If your bong has a removable downstem, remove it and place it in a plastic Zip-Lok bag filled with rubbing alcohol and salt solution. Let it sit.

Pour the solution into the bong and add salt. Pick up the bong, cover both the mouthpiece and downstem opening with your hands and shake carefully.

If you have resistant buildup, let the solution sit in the bong for several hours to loosen the stubborn residue. You can also use a gentle brush or pipe cleaner to scrub resin off.

When ready, rinse your bong and downstem with fresh water to make sure all alcohol is removed, and let the water bong dry. Make sure to always add fresh cold or ice water before each use.

It is ideal to clean your bong after every use or at least every few days to make regular maintenance easier.