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How Much Does a Bong Cost: The Complete Pricing Guide

by Angel Ferrer 9 min read

bong pricing guide

Bong costs from $20 for basic acrylic models to over $300 for high-end glass bongs with advanced features like multiple percolators and artistic designs. Mid-range options, such as silicone and simple glass bongs, typically cost between $30 and $150, depending on size and percolator.

Depending on the type of bong and its features, prices can vary significantly. Bongs have various parts, features, and add-ons that impact the overall experience, ranging from harsh coughing hits to ultra-smooth inhales rich in flavors. In this article, we’ll cover all the factors that influence bong prices, from the most affordable to the priciest options.

Short Answer:

  • Cheap bongs (acrylic, silicone, mini bongs) are $20 - $40
  • Mid-range/average bongs (7-11 inch are great beginner bongs)
  • Expensive bongs usually feature powerful filtration, and cooling, and are much taller
  • Material, height, filtration, and cooling impact bong prices the most
  • The more you pay for a bong the smoother, cleaner, and tastier the bong rip is!

 

Bong prices from cheapest to most expensive

Material

Price Range

Pros

Cons

Acrylic

$20-$30

Affordable, lightweight

Very cheap, harsher hits

Silicone

$30-$50

Travel-friendly, indestructible

Less smooth hits, weaker percs

Mini Glass Bong

$30-$60

Affordable, compact, powerful

Harsh hits, frequent cleaning

Glass Bong

$50-$100

Relatively smooth hits preserve terpene flavors

Fragile

Ceramic Bong

$40-$120

Heat-resistant, beautiful

Fragile, avoid porous surface

Ice Bong

$60-$150

Cooler smoke, smoother hits

Requires ice, frequent water changes

Glass Bong + Perc

$100-$200

Enhanced filtration, smoother hits

Higher cost, percs are harder to clean

Tall Bong

$150-$300

Superior cooling, larger hits

Bulkier, more expensive

Steel Bong

$100-$200

Very durable, long-lasting

Can affect flavor, more expensive

Artistic Bong

$100-$300

Unique designs, collectible

Very expensive, fragile and intricate parts

Tall Bong + Multi Percs

$200-$400

Maximum diffusion, ultra-smooth hits

Very expensive, complex design is hard to clean

Glycerin Bong

$100-$300

Excellent cooling, smooth hits

Needs freezing,  delicate detachable parts

Recycler Bong

$200-$500

Continuous filtration, smoother hits

Higher cost, learning curve to use

Custom Glass Blown Bong

$300-$1000+

Unique, high-quality, collectible

Very expensive, limited stock

 


What Impacts Bong Prices?

Bong prices are influenced by materials, height, filtration, and cooling features. Borosilicate glass and steel are pricier, while silicone and acrylic are cheaper. Taller bongs cost more due to smoother rips. Advanced percolators and cooling features like UFO percs and glycerin coils enhance the experience and prevent coughing but raise the cost.

Below we’ll take a look at all four factors that affect water pipe prices the most:

 

1. How bong material shapes your spending

bong material price

 

When choosing a bong, the material it’s made from plays a huge role in both cost and how it performs. Glass bongs, especially those crafted from thick borosilicate glass, tend to be on the pricier side because they offer top-notch quality and the purest flavors you can inhale. If you’re looking for something a bit more rugged and travel-friendly, silicone bongs are a great low-range price option while being durable, flexible, and perfect for traveling.

Ceramic bongs offer excellent heat resistance and aesthetic appeal, typically landing in the mid-range price but can cost more for custom pieces. Steel bongs, known for their durability and longevity, often come at a higher price but can come in insulated models which let you keep your bong water icy cool. Acrylic bongs are usually the cheapest bongs with low heat resistance, meaning the bong rips will be much harsher.

Summary: The most expensive material will be borosilicate glass and steel bongs, mid-range are ceramic and silicone bongs, and the cheapest is acrylic bongs.

 

Material

Price Range

Pros

Cons

Acrylic

$20-40

Cheap, not fragile

Harsh hits, coughing

Silicone

$30-75

Travel-friendly, shatterproof

Distorts flavors, weaker percs

Ceramic

$40-100

Heat resistance, artistic

Can break easily, porous surfaces

Glass

$50-$300+

Smooth hits, high quality, powerful filtration

Fragile, more expensive

Steel

$100-$200

Very durable, long-lasting

Expensive, can impact flavors

 

2. Why bigger bongs come with a bigger price tag

tall vs small bongs

 

The height and size of a bong significantly impact its price and your smoking experience. Taller bongs, usually between 12 - 18 inches or taller allow for more cooling time for the smoke, which results in smoother, tastier hits. Larger bongs are more expensive because they require more materials and have upgraded percolation systems. The increased height of an XL bong also gives hot smoke more time to cool off before reaching your lungs, which is why larger bongs usually provide a much smoother bong rip.

Smaller bongs, typically 4 - 6 inches, are more budget-friendly and easier to store, however, they can provide much harsher hits and require more frequent cleaning because of the smaller water chambers. Standard bongs, 7-10 inches, balance affordability and quality with smoother hits while not being too bulky.

Summary: Taller bongs feature more water filtration, more time for hot smoke to cool, and typically have stronger filtration systems so will cost more then smaller bongs. The more expensive your bong the smoother and cleaner the hits.

 

Height

Price Range

Pros

Cons

4-6 inches

$20 - $75

Affordable, easy to store, portable

Harsher hits, frequent cleaning needed

7-10 inches

$60 - $120

Smoother hits, cooler smoke, better flavor

Bulkier, more expensive

12+ inches

$100 - $300+

Optimal cooling, superior taste

Very bulky, very expensive

 

3. The financial upside of advanced bong filtration

percolator bong prices

 

Percolators are essential for filtering and cooling the hot smoke in bongs, resulting in smoother and cleaner hits. Bongs deliver intense hits by pushing a large volume of smoke in one go, which can be relatively harsh and uncomfortable. A powerful percolator diffuses, cools, and smooths out the smoke, making bong rips more comfortable.

However, bongs equipped with advanced percolators, such as honeycomb, tree, or matrix percs, offer superior smoke diffusion and cooling. These enhanced filtration systems increase the bong’s price due to the percs complexity and design, but they significantly improve the overall smoking experience.

Summary: The stronger the percolator the pricier the bong. Percs clean and cool hot smoke for a much gentler and smoother bong rip so the more you pay the smoother and gentler bong rips will be which prevents coughing.

 

Percolator Type

Example bong prices

Features

Diffused Downstem

$40-70

Basic filtration, affordable

Circ Perc

$40-100

Improved diffusion, moderate cooling

Inline

$40-100

Even smoke distribution, good cooling

Showerhead

$40-100

Great cooling, smoother hits

Honeycomb

$60-120

Excellent diffusion, very smooth hits

UFO Perc

$70-150

Unique design, superior cooling

Matrix Perc

$70-200

Maximum diffusion, ultra-smooth hits

 

4. Investing in cooling features for a no-cough experience

smooth hitting bong

 

Cooling features play a significant role in reducing the heat of combusted smoke, decreasing irritation to the lungs, and preventing coughing, and can influence the overall price of the bong. Ice catchers, for instance, allow you to add ice cubes in the neck of the bong, which helps to cool hot smoke significantly while also being the most affordable option for cooling.

If you want a cough-free experience and can invest, glycerin coil bongs feature winding coils that are encased in frozen glycerin. Hot smoke is forced to travel through these coils while being cooled up to 300 degrees, reducing or potentially eliminating coughing! Advanced bongs can include recycler functions and multiple percolators, such as a combination of stock percs with a UFO or Matrix perc, giving multiple stages of cooling.

Summary: Cooling features in bongs help to reduce temperatures of hot smoke, helping to prevent harsh hits and coughing. Paying for these upgrades helps to reduce the chance of coughing and provides a much gentler experience.

 

Glass Matters: How much is a glass bong?

Glass bongs range from $50 to over $300. Basic models with simple percolation start at $40-$75. Mid-range bongs with features like ice catchers and upgraded percs cost $75-100. High-end bongs, with artistic designs or multiple advanced percolators, or frozen glycerin coils can range from $200-300.

Many factors impact the price of a glass bong, including the thickness and type of glass used. Below we’ll explore both in detail and how these factors increase or decrease the price of a glass bong.

 

1. Thin vs thick glass glass

The quality and thickness of the glass in bongs can drastically affect both durability and cost. Lower-priced bongs usually are made with thinner glass, around 1 mm thick, which can easily break, especially at vulnerable points like the joints. Bongs made from thicker glass, between 1.55 - and 4 mm, are much sturdier and less likely to break. The increase in thickness not only adds to the total cost but also adds weight to the bong making them much more sturdier preventing accidental tip-overs.

Summary: The thicker the glass the more accident-proof and heavier it becomes, which increases the cost of the bong.

Glass Thickness

Cost

Features

1mm

Cheapest

Affordable, fragile

1.5 - 2mm

Mid-range

More durable, better quality

3 - 4mm

Most Expensive

Highly durable, long-lasting

 

2. Soda-lime glass vs Borosilicate glass bongs

The type of glass used to make the bong can significantly impact the price and quality. Bongs made from soda-lime glass (soft glass bongs) are typically more affordable but more prone to breaking because of their lower resistance to thermal heat stress. High-quality glass bongs made from borosilicate glass, offer superior durability and heat resistance.

Borosilicate glass, (scientific glass) which contains silica and boron trioxide, is renowned for its ability to withstand thermal heat shock. Boro glass is more expensive but delivers excellent durability and performance when it comes to preserving the taste of the cannabis strain.

Summary: Borosilicate glass can withstand heat better than soda-lime glass bongs which makes boro glass a much more durable option.

Type of Glass

Cost

Pros

Cons

Soda-Lime Glass

$40 - $70

Affordable, widely available

Less durable, prone to breakage

Borosilicate Glass

$50 - $300+

Highly durable, heat resistant, long-lasting

More expensive

 

Best budget and cheap bongs in the $20-40 range

Affordable bongs made from silicone, acrylic, and mini glass bongs are great for budget-conscious buyers.

  • Silicone bongs are travel-friendly and shatter-resistant.
  • Acrylic bongs are commonly found in smoke shops and are the cheapest in price and quality.
  • Mini bongs offer a good balance of affordability and performance but lack filtration and deliver much harsher hits.


Summary: Budget bongs often lack advanced filtration and decreased heights which leads to less smooth and harsher hits and more coughing.

 

Mid-range and average bong at $50- $100

Bongs priced between $40 and $100 usually are 7 - 11 inches and include standard or slightly upgraded percolators like a shower head perc for smoother bong rips. These bongs often feature affordable cooling options like ice pinches and offer a good balance of functionality and affordability, making them great for a beginner bong. While lacking the advanced features of higher-end models, they still do an amazing job delivering a better smoking experience in filtration and cooling than budget options, without breaking the bank.

Summary: Average bongs have slightly upgraded cooling, filtration, and good height ranges from 7-11 inches, making these bongs amazing for first-time bong buyers.


Expensive bongs that cost $100 and up

Expensive bongs, priced at $100 and up, offer premium features like high-end percolators, advanced cooling systems, and much taller heights. The combination of these three results in a much smoother bong rip even in large volumes, cleaner smoke, and much higher-grade glass quality with excellent thermal heat resistance.

The more filtration and cooling systems added to these bongs, the higher the price of the bong. It’s common to see branded bongs in these price ranges such as Goody Glass and Kryo Freeze Bongs, where you get excellent craftsmanship and amazing customer support.

Summary: Expensive bongs have better cooling, cleaner smoke, and more durable materials giving the ultimate experience in taste, longevity, and the smoothest bong rips.

 

The Art of Glass-Blowing

Glass blowing is an intricate art form that significantly influences the price of bongs. Fumed glass bongs, created with silver or gold, display mesmerizing color-changing effects, while iridescent glass bongs shimmer with a captivating rainbow-like finish. Artistic glass-blown bongs often feature elaborate designs and sculptures, merging functionality with stunning visual appeal. These handcrafted masterpieces are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts, making them some of the most expensive bongs on the market due to the exceptional craftsmanship and unique artistry involved.

 

FAQ:

 

1. Why are bongs so expensive?

Bongs are expensive because of the precise craftsmanship and design needed for the bowl, joint, downstem, and percolator to work together to deliver a powerful bong rip while cooling the hit for comfort. The more expensive the bong the more durable, smoother, and more comfortable the bong rips are.

 

2. How much are bongs at smoke shops

Bongs at smoke shops range from very cheap $20-$40 (Acrylic and silicone bongs) to much higher quality branded glass bongs ranging from $50-120, and custom glass blown bongs from local artists that can cost $200 or more.

 

3. How much is a small bong

Small bongs, or mini bongs, can cost anywhere from $30-60. Smaller bongs deliver harsher rips, so many tiny models are equipped with upgraded filtration systems which will slightly increase the price.