So, it’s official. You’re buying a bong. Maybe it’s your first, maybe it’s your fifth, or maybe you’re just tired of sharing that one sad plastic bottle contraption your mate swears “works just fine.” (It doesn’t.).
Either way, buying a bong should be fun, and dare we say it, a little bit strategic.
Think of it like buying shoes.
- Wrong size? Painful.
- Wrong material? Regret.
- Forgot the additional accessories? Got to dish out more dough!
Here’s the Zootly guide to buying a bong in 2025.
Size Matters When Buying a Bong!
Different-sized bongs produce unique experiences. This experience can vary dramatically! Because bongs can be temperamental little bitches! There I said it! .
Right! Enough weird life story sharing, back to talking about bong sizes!
Mini Bongs
Perfect for on-the-go smoke sessions, like a weekend in the mountains or bouncing between SA’s best backpackers.
Downside? Less airflow, harsher rips. These harsher hits are down to the fact that the air can’t circulate in the chamber.
A pro tip is to chuck some ice in the neck to smooth things out and irritate the throat less.
Medium Bongs
If you’re wondering, what’s the usual size of a medium-sized bong? The answer is between 25 and 35cm tall, with enough chamber space for smoother hits.
This size makes it easy enough to travel with on a weekend to the seaside! Yeah! Beaches!
Big Bongs
For those who always super-size their fast-food meals at the counter, yes, you can get the big bong. In fact, we only deal in big old bongs!
When it comes to buying a bong, the big boys are where the action’s at.
Think of them as the SUVs of the bong world: oversized, powerful, and not exactly subtle. These towering beauties give you maximum airflow and filtration, which translates into some of the smoothest, coolest, and most flavour-packed rips you’ll ever take.
Every hit feels like a luxurious lungful of herbal glory.
But (and this is a big but) big bongs aren’t always beginner-friendly. With their larger chambers, they deliver a substantial amount of cloud and tend to catch first-timers off guard.
Many noobs will find themselves coughing like they just ran a marathon. For seasoned smokers, though, that’s the point. It’s a faster, heavier high that hits you with precision and efficiency.
Another thing to keep in mind: big bongs aren’t exactly discreet. Forget slipping them into your backpack or hiding them behind the laundry basket when your mom unexpectedly drops by.
They become part of your home decor, so choose one that either blends in or proudly announces: “Yes, I’m a serious bong enthusiast.”
Anyway, the next point to consider when buying a bong!
Bong Materials!
There are loads of different materials your bong can be made of.
Currently, Zootly only stocks glass bongs with an assortment of colours for the ceramic downstems.
Anyway, each material offers benefits. There are three primary bong materials:
Glass Bongs
When buying a bong, glass is the timeless go-to. It’s the classic choice for purity of flavour. Every hit is smooth, clean, and exactly how your herbs are meant to taste, with no extra “plastic vibes” sneaking into your lungs.
The true king of glass bongs is borosilicate glass (make sure to check if your glass bong is made from this), the same heat-resistant material used in lab beakers and cookware.
Why does this matter?
Bongs deal with sudden changes in heat. One moment it’s ice water in the chamber, the next it’s hot smoke rushing through. Cheap glass can crack under that stress. Borosilicate, however, handles it like a champ, meaning your bong won’t shatter mid-session.
Another major plus? Design freedom. Glass is the canvas for some of the wildest bong creations. Tall and sleek, twisted like modern art, or stacked with percolators.
If you can dream it, a glassblower can probably make it. For those who see their bong as both a tool and a statement piece, glass bongs are unmatched.
Of course, here’s the flip side: fragility.
Glass is beautiful, but one wrong move and it’s a trip to Heartbreak Hotel. Watching any glass bong shatter is enough to make a grown stoner cry. That’s why many smokers reserve their fancier glass pieces for home use, while relying on silicone or ceramic for travel.
Still, if you’re buying a bong and want the best flavour, the most iconic look, and an endless variety of shapes and styles, glass remains the undefeated classic.
Ceramic Bongs
Ceramic bongs have a certain old-school charm. They’re retro, sturdy, and built to last, with a weighty feel that makes every session feel a bit more… ceremonial.
Unlike glass, ceramic doesn’t scream “fragile”. After all, it’s not your right-wing uncle…
You’re not holding your breath every time you set it down on the coffee table. They can take a knock or two, which gives them a reputation for being one of the tougher bong materials.
One of the biggest perks?
Heat resistance.
Ceramic handles temperature fluctuations like a pro, so whether you’re stacking ice in the chamber or ripping through hot smoke, it won’t warp, melt, or crack.
It also delivers smooth, flavourful hits that rival glass! Many smokers swear that ceramic gives you a clean, balanced taste without the faint after-notes that sometimes come with silicone.
That being said, ceramic does come with some drawbacks.
It’s heavier than glass or silicone, making it less travel-friendly, and while it’s tougher than glass, it can still break if you treat it like a rugby ball.
Cleaning can also be a mission: unlike glass, where you can easily see the grime building up, ceramic keeps the dirt hidden inside.
Great for aesthetics, but not so much for scrubbing. You’ll want to invest in a good bong cleaner to keep it fresh.
Silicon Bongs
If you’re buying a bong and want something you can treat like a rugby ball (look at us with that natural callback!) without the heartbreak, silicone is the answer.
These bongs are basically indestructible:
- Fold them,
- Stuff them in a backpack,
- Or accidentally knock them off a balcony,
And they’ll bounce back ready for the next session. For clumsy smokers, festival-goers, or anyone who travels, silicone bongs are the ultimate low-stress option.
Another major win is how easy they are to clean.
Silicone doesn’t trap grime the way ceramic does, and it doesn’t demand the careful handling that glass requires. Just bend it, twist it, rinse it, or even throw it in the dishwasher (yes, some smokers actually do). Within minutes, it’s back to looking brand new.
Now, for the critics: some smokers argue that silicone doesn’t give the same pure flavour as glass.
We’ll be honest… there’s a slight difference in taste, it’s minimal, but you can taste it. Some notice, others don’t, and at the end of the day, it’s all personal preference.
Accessories and Features!
Just like any outfit you pull out of the wardrobe, the accessories matter. If you don’t have any, is it even an outfit? Are you just a basic person?
Are you a basic bong fan? No!
You want accessories! With our Zootly Glass Bong, you can easily swap out the bowl or ceramic downstem to suit your needs.
These guys are super-sized, so if you want to lose all control of your motor skills, or use them at a party with a big group.
Also, additional features like pinches in the neck allow you to stack loads of ice.
Anyway let’s conclude.
Buying a Bong: Conclusion
While we’ve discussed the intrinsics of the bongs, we haven’t addressed other contributing factors, such as cost. Like, how much can you afford in the current world’s economic environment?
Currently, the entire team has cashed in their rewards points for Vida, Clicks, Pick’n Pay, and other places. What we can’t list them all!
So, before going mad, make sure to check your bank balance. And if it’s healthy, buy a new bong!
