Before knowing “how to use a bong?”, learn, “what to look for before buying a bong”. Because no matter how nicely you use your bong, if it’s not made up of the right materials or is of very poor quality, you’ll never get that authentic chilling experience. So better learn to buy the right bong first. This cannabis market is crowded with so many retailers & wholesalers selling bongs of different shapes, sizes & functionalities. But, very few sellers genuinely care about smokers’ experience. 

2026 Bong Buying Guide: What to look for before you buy a bong?

1. Glass quality

Always look for high-quality borosilicate glass, while buying a bong. Borosilicate is designed to handle high heat and rapid temperature changes without cracking. This is why trusted & well-recognised retailers like IC Glass use premium borosilicate glass in manufacturing their bongs. However, few low-end retailers use very thin or cheap quality borosilicate glass. Hence, you should cross-check the glass thickness & its quality before buying a bong. 

2. Material of your bong

Check out the material of your bong – whether it’s glass, silicone, ceramic or anything else. Mostly glass is used, because it gives out the best flavor retention, performance and well-defined aesthetics. 

3. Size & Shape

Definitely look for the size & shape of your bong. Because these define your bong type & its functionality. If you want something portable, yet can give stronger hits, go for a compact bong (6-10 inches). 

Some of the best mini bongs are listed below – easy to carry, portable, yet no compromise on flavor & other functionalities:

1. IC Glass 8 Inch Matrix Perc Mini Dab Rig with Colored Base 

2. IC Glass 5 Inch UFO Mini Dab Rig with Among Us Character

3. IC Glass 6 Inch Donut Hole Mini Recycler Rig 

4. IC Glass Thumb Puppet Mini Dab Rig with Built-In Banger

For a balanced smoking experience, go for a medium size bong (10-16 inches). Here’re some of the top picks in medium size glass bongs, specially curated for you:

1. IC Glass 10 Inch Fab Egg Recycler Bong | Fab Egg Disc Perc Recycler

2. IC GLASS 16 Inch Beaker Water Pipe – Heavy Base, 9MM Thick Glass

3. IC Glass 16 Straight Shooter Bong | Corona Virus Perc Straight Pipe

4. IC Glass 11 Inch Clear Glass Recycler Bong | Matrix Waffle Perc Recycler

For massive hits, maximum filtration & cooler inhaling, go for something like 16 to 20+ inches. However, the medium size bongs are mostly popular because of their balanced approach. Here’re some of the best huge bongs/big bongs listed for you:

1. IC Glass 20” Fab Egg Perc Waterpipe V3 – 2-in-1 Bong & Dab Rig with Banger and Bowl

2. IC Glass Morpheus Beaker Bong | 18" UV Reactive Long Beaker

3. IC GLASS 18” Beaker Bong – 9MM Thick Glass Water Pipe with Heavy Base

4. Functionality 

Functionality of a bong is defined by how well it blends smoke and water to create a smooth hit. You should prioritize pieces with advanced percolation systems like Swiss Perc Bong, which break smoke into thousands of tiny bubbles. This process drastically increases the surface area of the smoke, allowing the water to cool it down instantly. 

How to properly use a bong?

Before you learn how to use a bong properly, you need to know your bong parts well. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro-smoker, being able to use a bong properly is more of an art than just casual hits. Your everyday sesh turns into a more wonderful experience when you know how to use your bong the right way !

Know your bong

This is the anatomy of your bong:

The Mouthpiece: The opening at the top where you place your mouth.

The Chamber: The main body that holds the water and smoke.

The Downstem: The glass tube that carries smoke from the bowl into the water.

The Bowl: The removable attachment where you place your cannabis stuff.

Step 1: Add Fresh Water

Pour clean water into the mouthpiece or the downstem opening. Remember this “Green Flag Rule” – Continuing filling the water until the bottom of the downstem is submerged by about 1/2 inch to 1 inch.

• Pro Tip: Test the water level by inhaling through the mouthpiece without the bowl. If you get water in your mouth (splashback), you’ve filled it too high.

Step 2: Grind and Pack Your Herb

Use a grinder to break down your flower into a medium-fine consistency. Place your herb into the bowl loosely. Do not pack it too tight, or you’ll restrict airflow, thereby making it harder to draw smoke. Just aim for a "springy" feel when you light it.

Step 3: The Position

Sit or stand comfortably. Hold the bong firmly by the neck with your hand and rest the base on a flat surface (like a coffee table) if you’re a beginner. Ensure your lips are placed inside the mouthpiece to create an airtight seal, not around it like a bottle.

Step 4: The Light and Draw

Use a lighter or hemp wick to touch the flame to the edge of the herb. As you light the bowl, start inhaling gently. You’ll see the chamber fill with "milky" white smoke as the water bubbles.

Step 5: Clear the Chamber

Once the chamber is full of smoke, slide the bowl piece out of the downstem. This allows fresh air to rush in, pushing the smoke into your lungs. Take a slightly deeper breath to clear all the smoke from the glass.

Step 6: Exhale and Clean

Exhale immediately ! There’s no need to hold the smoke in for more than a second or two. After your session, always empty the "bong water." Stagnant water can grow bacteria quickly, leading to a "lava cough" and a ruined flavor for your next sesh.

How to use a water bong?

To use a water bong, fill the downstem with fresh water by about half an inch. Next, pack your ground herb into the bowl, and create a seal with your lips inside the mouthpiece. Light the herb while inhaling slowly. Once the glass gets smoky, pull the bowl out to release the vacuum and inhale the remaining smoke.

How to use a small bong?

Fill the bong with enough water to cover the downstem opening. Pack a small amount of your stuff loosely into the bowl, & place your mouth on the mouthpiece. Light the bowl while inhaling and let the chamber get filled with smoke. When you are ready, lift the bowl or release the carb hole and start inhaling the smoke slowly. Start with a very small hit, avoid holding smoke in your lungs, use clean water, and clean the bong regularly. Small bongs get dirty very quickly because of their small chambers and lesser air space. So, it’s important that you clean your small bong everyday after use. 

How to use a beaker bong?

Add water until the downstem slits are submerged. Loosely pack a small amount of your weed into the bowl. Then, place your mouth on the mouthpiece. Light the bowl while you inhale and then pull the bowl out to clear the chamber. Like small bongs, start with a small hit, do not hold the smoke in, replace the water often, and clean the bong regularly.

How to use a mini bong?

Same here, start with adding a small amount of water so that the downstem is slightly submerged. And the process is the same as beaker bongs & small bongs. 

FAQs

1. How do I properly set up a modern bong for first-time use?

Start by assembling all parts (bowl, downstem, and glass). Fill the base with water until the downstem is slightly submerged (about 1–2 inches). Make sure all joints are snug and airtight before use.

2. How to properly fill a water pipe for optimal filtration?

Add enough water to cover the downstem slits or percolator holes without overfilling. The goal is smooth bubbling—too little water reduces filtration, while too much can cause splashback.

3. How to use a bong?

Fill with water, pack the bowl with ground material, light it while inhaling slowly, and let the chamber fill with smoke. Remove the bowl and inhale fully to clear the bong.

4. How to use a gravity bong?

Fill a container with water and place a bottle with a bowl on top. Light the bowl while slowly lifting the bottle to draw in smoke. Remove the bowl and push the bottle back down while inhaling the smoke.

5. How often should I change the water? 

Every session. Fresh water provides the best filtration and flavor. If the water looks dirty or smells bad, it’s time to change.

6. Can I use ice cubes in my bong? 

Yes, if your bong has "ice pinches" (small indents in the neck). This cools the smoke even further and gives you an ultra-smooth hit.

Using a bong properly is all about choosing the right piece, setting it up correctly, and maintaining it well.  Whether you prefer a mini bong, beaker bong, recycler, or a larger smoking gear, the key is to start slow, use fresh water, and treat your bong with care. With the right technique and the right bong, every session can feel fresher, smoother, and more satisfying.