Bong Thickness: What is a Good Thickness For a Bong?

Bong thickness is among the most important variables to consider when shopping for a new piece. So, what is a good thickness for a bong? That depends on what matters most to you - is it affordability, durability, or lightweightness? 

We’ve found that 5mm tends to be the sweet spot. It’s thick enough to be resilient to bumps, but not overly heavy. You’ll find cheaper glass bongs as thin as 2-3mm and super heavy-duty bongs that are 7-9mm thick.

It’s important to distinguish between base, joint, and wall thickness, though. The type of glass matters as well. There’s a lot to consider, so follow along as we walk through everything you need to know about good bong glass thickness.

Just know your search for the thickest unbreakable bong lineup ends here at Badass Glass. All our glass bongs for sale are handpicked from trusted brands that use premium borosilicate glass, so you can rest assured you’re getting the quality you deserve.  

Glass Bong Thickness Chart

What is a Good Thickness For a Bong?

Bong thickness dictates the way a piece feels in your hand while using it, how vulnerable it is to breaking, and of course, how much it costs. 

Thicker glass is stronger and more stable, but heavier and more expensive. It also handles heat better. Thinner glass tends to be cheaper upfront, but may cost you more in the long run as far as replacement goes. 

The goal is to find the sweet spot where you feel confident using your piece, clearing a hit, and cleaning it without feeling as if it needs to be babied.

So, what is a good thickness for a bong? Let’s start by talking about the different ways in which a brand will rate its bongs’ thicknesses.

How is Thickness Assessed (Joint, Wall, or Base)?

Part of the confusion surrounding what glass thickness is best for a bong comes down to the different ways in which glass-blowers can assess thickness.

Wall thickness dictates how sturdy the chamber feels as a whole. Joint thickness matters because it takes stress from bowls and downstems - thicker joints handle knocks better. Base thickness influences stability, with thicker bases having a lower tip risk.

This is to say you need to look at the full picture - not just a single spec. A bong with thick walls but a thin base or joint can still be vulnerable. The strongest pieces balance all three aspects of bong thickness.

Common Glass Bong Thickness Ranges

So what is a good thickness for a bong? Most fall into a few standard ranges:

• 3-4mm glass feels light and costs less, but it needs careful handling. We see these pieces get replaced due to cracks or full-blown shattering all the time.
• 5mm is the most common choice for everyday use. This is the middle ground we talked about earlier.
• 7mm steps into premium territory with stronger durability and stability.
• 9mm and up creates very heavy pieces built for home use where the bong stays put and rarely moves. 

At a certain point, you’re not getting much extra durability. A 9mm bong is not that much more durable than a 7mm bong - yet it’ll be priced as if it is. That’s why you need to balance thickness with weight, durability, and cost. 

Balancing With Weight, Durability, and Cost

There’s a direct correlation between how thick a glass bong is and how much it costs and weighs. Yes, there’s also a link between bong thickness and strength. 

A 9mm bong feels nearly indestructible, yet some people find it cumbersome to clean or move. Most of our customers end up settling somewhere in the middle. A well-made 5-7mm bong, crafted from quality borosilicate glass and featuring a wide base, will usually offer all the performance you need without costing too much or being too heavy to move around. 

Other Factors to Consider Besides Bong Thickness

We know you came here wondering what glass thickness is best for a bong, and it’s definitely not something you want to take lightly. But there are so many other moving pieces to consider as well. These can have a bigger impact on the bong than an extra millimeter of glass.

Glass Quality

Not all glass is equal - but you probably already knew that. Borosilicate glass handles heat changes better, and it’s more resistant to cracking than cheaper soda-lime glass. Two bongs with the same thickness can feel very different depending on the quality of the glass itself.

Joint Construction

Like we said earlier the joint is one of the most stressed areas on a bong. Reinforced joints and clean welds are less prone to cracking when bowls or downstems are removed. Thin or sloppy joint work causes failures faster than thin walls ever will.

Base Width and Stability

A wide, well-weighted base keeps the bong upright. Even thick glass can tip if the base is narrow or poorly balanced. Stability matters most for pieces that stay out on tables or get passed around. 

On that note, you may want to consider the difference between a straight tube vs beaker bong.

Overall Engineering

How the bong is designed and manufactured affects durability and function. Straight tubes, beakers, and well-supported percs distribute stress better than awkward angles or unsupported chambers. Good engineering keeps weight where it helps instead of where it strains the glass.

But perhaps more importantly, it makes sure the bong actually hits the way you want it to. It can be the difference between perfect airflow and effortlessly clearing hits and feeling like you’re fighting just to take a normal-sized rip.

Percolation Design

More percs don’t always mean better performance. Simple, well-placed diffusion often outperforms complex builds that add drag and cleaning headaches. But whether you’re looking for a percolator bong or a standard water bong for sale, your search ends here at Badass Glass!

Shop Thick Glass Bongs at Badass Glass!

The details matter when you’re shopping for a thick glass bong. We know that better than anyone. Everything in our lineup, be it a mini bong or a giant bong, has been handpicked from a trusted brand after careful inspection. So, you can trust you’re getting the quality you deserve.

You’ll find bongs made from quality borosilicate glass, with reinforced joints, wide bases, and designs that make sense beyond just looking good in photos. What you won’t encounter are those cheap flimsy imports most online headshops are notorious for. Only the good stuff.

Orders ship fast, packaging is secure, and our selection covers everything from clean straight tubes to heavy beakers and multi-perc builds. With world-class customer service from A to Z, what more could you ask for? 

Final Thoughts on What Glass Thickness is Best For a Bong

So, what is a good thickness for a bong? Hopefully our bong thickness guide has left you feeling clear on how to interpret ratings. The sweet spot for most smokers is between 5-7mm. Anything thinner is too fragile, anything thicker is overly expensive and extra heavy.

Our blog has more resources on bong sizes, or you can check out our acrylic bong vs glass bong or dry herb vaporizer vs bong comparisons. But whether you’re looking for the best portable dab rig or a thick glass bong, there’s something waiting for you in our lineup.

Take a look and see what’s available today - we’re confident you won’t go home empty-handed!