Ask ten cannabis enthusiasts and you'll get ten different answers. And maybe a lecture.
But no matter what u/PretentiousWeedBro on Reddit says, he's really missing the point.
These pieces aren't really competing. Each is designed for a different moment. The workshop, the trailhead, the back of a festival crowd.
The real question is which piece fits which part of your life. Let's break it down.
Bongs & Bubblers
What are bongs and bubblers?
Bongs and bubblers (sometimes called "water pipes") use water filtration to cool smoke for smoother hits.
Bongs are larger water pipes, like full-sized tubes, beakers, and multi-chamber pieces. Some bongs can be held in your hand when you smoke, but the bigger ones usually sit flat on a table or countertop for stability.
Bubblers (sometimes called "mini bongs") are smaller water pipes. They offer the same water filtration as their big siblings, but they're more portable and easier to pass around.
How do bongs and bubblers work?
Whether it's a glass bong or a bubbler, the basic function is the same.
Both styles start with a removable bowl that you'll pack with ground dry herb. The bowl connects to a downstem, which carries the smoke from the bowl down into the chamber. The downstem ends in cuts or holes, which should sit below the water line when you fill your piece.
After packing the glass bowl, you'll light the flower while inhaling. When you draw through the mouthpiece, you'll pull the smoke from the bowl, through the downstem and into the water. The smoke cools and mellows as you pull it through the water and into the chamber. Then remove the bowl and inhale again to clear the chamber.
Some bongs have extra features, like an ice pinch to hold ice cubes for further cooling. Others have percolators which break smoke into tinier bubbles, increasing the surface area for more water contact and filtration.
The size and additional complexity of bongs and bubblers make them a bit more challenging to keep clean, as tar and resin buildup can stick to downstems and percs. Pour some Grunge Off into your pieces and let it soak for 20-30 minutes to dissolve sticky gunk and keep your glass sparkling.
- Smokers who want the coolest, smoothest hits
- Smokers who want an elevated weed ritual
- Smokers who don't mind a little extra effort to keep their glass clean
Glass Hand Pipes
What are hand pipes?
Hand pipes are dry herb pipes that prioritize simplicity and portability.
When you think of a traditional pipe, you're probably thinking of a dry hand pipe. They come in a wide variety of styles, from Sherlocks and Gandalfs to steamrollers and classic glass spoon pipes.
How do hand pipes work?
Hand pipes keep things simple. One end of the pipe has a built-in glass bowl (unlike the removable bowl of a bong/bubbler). The other end is the mouthpiece.
Pack the bowl end with ground herb, light it up, and draw through the pipe to pull smoke from the bowl end to the mouthpiece end.
Some hand pipes also have a carb hole to control airflow. In this case, you'll cover the hole with a finger as you light the herb and inhale gently, allowing smoke to build up in the pipe's chamber. Then remove your finger and inhale, so air will flow through the pipe, mixing with the smoke for a little air cooling.
Thanks to their small size, hand pipes are pretty easy to clean. Just submerge the whole thing in Grunge Off to melt away residue. Or shake it up in an isopropyl alcohol and sea salt mixture. The alcohol softens resin and the salt scours it away.
- Smokers who want a simple smoking experience
- Smokers who value portability
- Smokers who want pieces that are easy to clean
One Hitters & Dugouts
What are one hitters?
One hitter pipes (also called a Taster® or a bat) are simple, straightforward cylinders, about the size and shape of a cigarette. They're called one hitters because the small bowl end has just enough space for a single hit's worth of weed.
These glass tube pipes are perfect if you just want a little chill without getting completely faded. They help you dose while still conserving your weed, since you won't be tempted to overpack and clear a big bowl.
A dugout maximizes the one hitter's portability by combining the taster and weed storage in one package.
How do one hitters work?
Pack the bowl end of your one hitter with just a pinch of dry herb. Light the flower with a flame (lighter, hemp wick, etc.) and inhale. That's all there is to it.
When you're ready for round two, just knock out any leftover material, repack, and you're good to go.
- Smokers who want a single hit at a time, instead of clearing a big bowl
- Smokers who like to smoke on-the-go or in public settings
- Smokers who value affordability
How to Choose: Where Do You Like to Smoke?
Where you light up will impact how you light up.
Chilling At Home
Smoking weed is how you unwind at the end of the day and on weekends. You prefer to keep your sessions private and relaxed, while you sink into your hobbies or your favorite TV show.
If that's you... The world is yours. You're in no rush, so you can ease into your ritual with your bong or bubbler. Hand pipes are great, too — relax with a Sherlock while you binge-watch your new YouTube obsession. And if you just want a little lift while you paint Warhammer miniatures in your workshop or write your novel, then a one hitter is just right.
In a Crowd
Smoking is a community activity for you. Every concert, festival, or sporting event starts with a trip to the dispensary, so you can open up your senses and make the most of the experience.
If that's you... You want pieces for discreet use, designed to tuck into a pocket or small bag. Affordability is key, too — in the jostling of a crowd, drops are all too common.
A dugout is a perfect solution, combining weed storage and a one hitter in a compact package. GRAV® offers aluminum and silicone-wrapped options, making them both concert-ready companions.
In Nature
You're not happy unless you're outside. Bugs? Bears? Ha. You laugh in the face of mosquito bites and maulings. Or maybe you just like a nice nature hike and some s'mores by the campfire. That's cool, too.
If that's you... Bear Grylls-style rugged or upscale glamping, you want pieces that will fit in your bag next to the hiking boots and birding binoculars.
Silicone-protected glass is an excellent choice, with much-needed protection from drops out on the trail. The Silicone OctoTaster lets you pre-pack the bowl and cap it with the silicone cover, so it's ready to go once you find a scenic overlook.
If you prefer to save your sesh for the campfire, you're not limited to a dry hand pipe. The Mini Hammer Bubbler is a hand pipe/bubbler combo that packs flat and smooths smoke with just a splash of water.
And Pocket Bubblers are tiny pieces you can fill from a water bottle and easily pass around after dark while telling ghost stories or ruminating on the meaning of the universe.
In a Group
You firmly believe that flower is better with friends. All your favorite folks passing the pipe around? That's your idea of a good time. You're generous with your stash and your glass collection, and social gatherings are your happy place.
If that's you... There are so many ways to share the love.
When you want a bong to pass around, look for one that's got a sturdy neck and a stable base, like the Small Wide Base Water Pipe. It's hefty and durable, but the wide footprint and modest height make it hard to tip over.
If your friends are heavy hitters, break out the Monarch Gravity Bong. It's an Art Deco-inspired beauty that will get the whole crew faded.
Or go the opposite direction — affordable Taster® multipacks let everyone have their own personal piece... kind of like giving everyone their own red Solo cup. But this is a party favor they'll actually like.
On the Road
The romance of the open road calls to you. Or maybe you travel a lot for work... that industrial district in Gary, Indiana wasn't on your bucket list. Business or pleasure, you have strong feelings about hotel ice machines and loyalty programs.
If that's you... You want a piece that's easy to pack and easy to hide away if the occasion calls for it.
The GRAV® Sandblasted Pebble Spoon is a travel favorite. It's super low profile with no protruding stem or mouthpiece, so it's easy to tuck into a bag. And the sandblasted texture gives it a grippy feel in your hand.
A Mini Steamroller is just as discreet and just as easy to pack. It's a simple tube like a taster, but a bit larger and has a bowl on the top, instead of right at the end.
Water filtration is still an option on-the-go! Try a Pocket Bubbler like the Hourglass. It's tiny, smokes smooth, and fits in your car cupholder for those long road trips. (Smoke responsibly.)
Build a Complete Collection
Good news: this was never really a competition.
The bong holds down the coffee table. The one hitter disappears into your festival fit. A hand pipe rides shotgun on an epic road trip. Each piece earns its spot in different corners of your life.
So start with the piece you'll reach for most, and let the collection grow from there. The best setup isn't a single piece — it's a versatile kit that's always ready for anything.
