Get The Best Percolator Bongs for Smoother Hits

Using the process of percolation, percolator bongs (and water pipes) encourage you to slow down and draw in creamier, luscious hits. This design forces smoke to pass through holes (or slits) before rising through the neck up to the mouthpiece. What happens along the way sounds more technical than it is – the percolator component pressurizes bubbles in a separate chamber that filters and cools down the vapor.

Looking for something that packs a bit more punch than a percolator? Check out our guide to the best gravity bongs.

There’s no shortage of variety when it comes to glass percolator bongs or water pipes. It all depends on your personal preference and style. Here are the most common designs you’ll find in online headshops (Warning: Some may be wackier than others)

• Diffused downstem: This one is considered as the simplest perc design, it features diffused downstems that are either detachable or fixed to the bong’s base. The thin pipe percolates smoke through narrow slits beneath the water.
• Disc: As one of the more popular designs, disc percs filter smoke through a small hole-studded, circular disk. Honeycomb percolators also fall under this category, given the high rate of diffusion you get from dozens of tiny holes. The distant cousin to these types is the circ perc, which resembles a hockey puck with slits for diffusion, not holes.
• Swiss: Swiss percs make the bong’s base look dented, but these “Swiss cheese holes” cool the vapor around the vertical discs. Similarly, donut percs push smoke into an o-shaped hole, adding to the bong’s aesthetic appeal.
• Turbine: Also called cyclone or vortex percs, this style creates a whirlpool effect when you draw the smoke up to your mouth. Turbine percolators are often stacked on top of the honeycomb design for smooth hits.
• Tree: This perc follows the anatomy of a tree, pushing smoke through a central tube (trunk) before falling into the attached, slitted tubes (branches). You’ll often see bongs with double or triple-tree percolators.
• Showerhead: Kind of like the one in your shower, except inside your bong. The smoke pushes up into a rounded chamber then goes down and out the holes/slits.
• Inline/Matrix: Inline percolators include a slitted, horizontal tube, jutting out of the base (but sometimes welded inside). This style goes beyond your standard bong design with its submarine-like build. A matrix percolator is another wow-factor style that whips a frenzy of bubbles and smoke above a circular matrix. The vertical and horizontal slits create a mesmerizing “dancing” water effect.

Again, it’s a preference thing. So from the types we’ve mentioned, pick the one that tickles your fancy.

Ranked at number one, Glasscity’s double-tree beaker perc is one of the best percolator bongs on the market. If you’re new to percs, adding this piece to your glass collection is an undeniable upgrade from the old-school, beaker-only design.

Easy on the eyes and the lungs, the high-quality double-tree perc pushes smoke through twelve arms before billowing upwards to the mouthpiece. One rip and you’ll notice the difference the tree perc makes.

As an added perk, Glasscity throws in a keck clip with your purchase, so you don’t accidentally pull apart the joint from the downstem during use.

Product Specifications:

• 13” tall
• Beaker base
• Slitted splash guard to keep water from overflowing
• Sold with keck clip to prevent joint and downstem detachment

The Purr honeycomb perc comes from an American glass company and smokes its way right to the top of this list for its easy-going design, height, and tip-resistant base.

People enjoy the honeycomb perc design because it filters smoke through several holes, which means sweeter, milkier rips. Plus, reviewers can’t stop talking about the sturdiness of Purr glass, just in case you have clumsy hands.

Product Specifications:

• 10” tall
• 14mm male joint size
• 30-day money-back guarantee
• Made with thick German Schott glass

As the name suggests, the Pop Rocks Perc provides an explosive taste that can’t be matched by any other bong featured on our list.

Upon your first hit, you’ll notice the perc crackling. This allows the smoke to filter so that by the time it hits your lungs, it’s as smooth as butter.

Product Specifications:

• 17″ tall
• 18.8mm female joint
• 18.8 male slide/bowl
• Made in the USA

Here’s a glass percolator bong for those who need an added layer of protection. The Puffing Bird tree perc is swathed in an unbreakable silicone coat, so you don’t have to worry about breaking another precious glass piece.

For maintenance, detach the tree perc when it’s time for some elbow grease and then reattach to rip away. This perc is about as inexpensive as it gets, without sacrificing glass quality or design. Also, it provides you with maximum filtration for cool smoking.

Product Specifications:

• 15” tall
• Features 18mm female joint size
• Currently listed at a discounted price

Dopezilla perc bongs are the popular kids on the block. You’ll often see this brand sold out in most online headshops, but luckily, the 16” honeycomb perc glass bong is still available.

Triple-stacked honeycombs and a useful handle make this perc great for group settings. Just for kicks, the bong comes with dope Cerberus artwork, satisfying your inner Greek mythology geek with each bong rip.

Product Specifications:

• Catch ice in the bullet-hole notch
• 16” tall, but 12” option when in stock
• The product description includes a useful video of the packaging

Simple and elegant, the Diamond Glass mini perc is suited for small living spaces or on-the-go use. The diffused downstem perc gets the job done without costing you a fortune.

Over one hundred reviewers say they enjoy the discretion of the 8” height (covers less surface area) and quality of the borosilicate glass. If you’re not interested in the bells and whistles of percolator bongs, this is a convenient piece to keep you company at home or on trips.

Product Specifications:

• 8” tall
• Made with 5mm borosilicate glass
• Blue mouthpiece adds a pop of color

LA Pipes sells a fantastic double-showerhead perc compatible with dry herbs and concentrates (must-purchase add-on accessories). In terms of diffusion, this perc takes the trophy since smoke passes through a diffused downstem before rising to the showerhead chambers. Reviewers constantly brag about LA Pipes’ glass quality and upscaled percolator design.

Product Specifications:

• 14” tall
• Ice notches
• Beaker base
• Free US shipping
• 14-18mm joint size

Looking for a fancy little piece for your glass collection? Look no further than the Straight Tube 12″ Turbine Perc! Upon inhalation, you’ll notice the turbine perc spin, allowing your smoke and water to cool down. On top of that, it’s built with a long neck to ensure no water gets into your mouth.

Product Specifications:

• 12″ tall
• Comes in blue or green glass accents
• 14mm male joint
• Includes dry herb bowl

What’s your excuse for not buying Famous Brandz’ Cheech and Chong perc? Superfans will appreciate this themed piece because every rip makes you feel like you’re time-traveling back to 1978.

The mini-size and diffused downstem perc keep things laid back and simple, just like Cheech and Chong would have wanted. This perc is the perfect reason to rewatch the legendary stoner classic.

Product Specifications:

• 7” tall
• 14.5mm female joint size
• Made with borosilicate glass
• Bent neck and rounded mouthpiece

Standing at just 8” high, Diamond Glass sells an insanely cool showerhead perc. This piece allows you to happily step outside of your comfort zone with an angled tube, and may even give your neck a much-needed break from straight tube bongs.

Reviewers mention the simplicity of this feature since you don’t have to fool around with fragile downstems. Feel free to watch the showerhead-style perc in action in the video demo.

Product Specifications:

• 8” tall
• Features female 18mm joint size
• Bonus: comes with an 18mm martini bowl