Dry Bong vs Water Bong: The Great Smoking Debate!

What comes to mind when you think of a bong? Probably water, right? Well, not for everyone. This is where the dry bong vs water bong debate comes into play. 

A bong is meant to be smoked with water inside it. But sometimes you’re on the go and don’t have water on hand. Or maybe you just want a different sort of vibe and want to hit your bong without water in it. 

Learn more about the differences between a dry bong and a water bong below and which best suits your personal preferences. You can find either style here at Badass Glass - the #1 selection of glass bongs for sale online!

Key Takeaways

• Water bongs filter smoke to reduce harshness and trap extra particulates.
• Dry bongs deliver unfiltered, direct hits with maximum flavor but harsher, hotter smoke.
• You’ll have to clean a water bong more often than a dry bong, and it takes a little more work to do so. But the payoff is worth it for most people.
• Want to take your bong on the go but travel light? You can hit it without water and use it as a “big pipe.”
• Smoking a bong with water in it is almost always the way to go. 

Benefits of Water Bongs

There’s nothing quite like a big, milky bong rip. These pieces pack a serious punch - yet, it doesn’t feel like it. That’s all thanks to water filtration. 

The smoke has to pass over water before it gets up the neck of the bong and into your lungs. That cools it down quite a bit. It also traps some of the heavier particles that would otherwise end up in your throat/lungs. Translation: smoother, cooler, cleaner rips.

Certain bong styles take this even further, such as the percolator bong or recycler. These deliver maximum filtration for the smoothest experience possible. This does strip a little bit of the flavor away, but some people prefer that trade-off. You can even put ice cubes in many bongs!

The amount of water a bong holds can vary quite a bit. For instance, a beaker bong holds a larger volume of water in the base than a simple straight tube bong. This also changes how the bong hits, though. It’s easier to clear a straight tube than a beaker. 

Whatever the case, a water bong is the best way to enjoy herb for the vast majority of people. So, what’s up with the other half of the water bong vs dry bong debate? 

What is a “Dry Bong?”

A dry bong isn’t actually a thing. It’s just a phrase people use to describe hitting a bong that doesn’t have water in it. But the fact of the matter is that every bong is meant to be a water bong. Hitting the bong dry is selling the piece short of its main purpose!

You will see some people refer to other types of pieces as “dry bongs,” though. One that comes to mind is the steamroller - a really unique piece. It’s like a pipe, but not quite the same. It’s a hollow tube with a bowl on top. Obviously, one end is the mouthpiece. You cover the other end with your hand to create a sealed chamber, allowing smoke to build up as you light and inhale. Remove your hand from the far end and clear the chamber.

The case for dry pieces is portability. You can bring your herb, a lighter, and the piece. You don’t have to bring water. And you don’t have to deal with as much of a funk since water can leave a musty smell. No stressing about spills, either.

Personally, though, we prefer water in our pieces. We’d take a bubbler (basically a mini bong - like if a bong and a pipe has a baby) over hitting a dry bong of any sort. 

Nevertheless, there’s a case to be made for dry bongs. Some people want the strongest possible flavor hit. Water won’t strip anything away, so you get the full character of your flower. It can just be a little harsh for our taste.

Dry Bong vs Water Bong: Choosing the Right Piece

Only you can decide which side of the dry bong vs water bong debate you fall on. We feel pretty strongly that water bongs are inherently better than their dry bong counterparts, but you be the judge. We’ll compare and contrast the two styles below. 

Cooling and Filtration

There’s no doubt a water bong outperforms a dry bong as far as the smoothness factor goes. Water absorbs heat from the smoke as it passes through, so you don’t get as harsh a hit. You’re less likely to cough up a lung when you hit a water bong. 

Like we said earlier, you can take this as far as you want by putting ice in the neck of the bong, getting a piece with percolators, and adding an ash catcher. You can make a water bong ultra smooth. 

Dry bongs are much harsher, since there’s obviously nothing filtering or cooling the smoke. Whatever combusts at the bowl enters your throat and lungs, pretty much at the temperature it was ignited at. Super hot. Not the most enjoyable experience by any stretch of the imagination.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Credit where it’s due - cleaning a dry bong is certainly less work than cleaning a water bong. That’s because water creates a much stickier resin, which can coat the walls of your piece and be very difficult to clean.

Stale bong water can easily become a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. You need to change it out after every session, and even then, you’ll have to make time for regular bong cleaning. That will require isopropyl alcohol and potentially even some epsom salt. 

Flavor Differences

Flavor is the one category where dry bong vs water bong doesn't have an obvious winner. It’s something you have to arrive at your own conclusion on.

Some of the terpenes get stripped away by the water along with the harshness when you smoke out of a water bong. It’s not a huge difference, but flavor chasers may notice some of the nuanced notes from their flower are missing.

In contrast, dry bongs let every little note come through. You get the full, unfiltered flavor profile. Of course, the harshness of the combusted flower comes through as well. Dry smoke doesn’t taste quite as good as filtered smoke to us, but that’s something you should decide for yourself. 

Portability and Convenience

Dry bongs are more portable and convenient for sure. It’s one less thing to worry about. You can pack your piece up and take it on whatever adventure you want, be it a trip out of town or a journey through the park. 

Water bongs need water, obviously, but they’re also just less convenient to travel with because there’s a risk of spilling. They can still be quite travel-friendly - especially something like a silicone bong that’s less vulnerable to shattering. But you’ll have to remember to bring some extra water along for the ride!

Why Water Bongs Are the Way to Go

At the end of the day, we feel that the dry bong vs water bong debate is quite lopsided. Water > dry, every time. You get a smoother, more enjoyable hit. Less coughing, more chill. 

And we’ll be honest - there’s something about watching the water function and hearing the bubbles as you hit a bong. It’s so much fun. Whether it’s a small, simple piece or a big bong with a complex perc system, you can’t go wrong with a water bong!

The Case For a Dry Bong

Don’t get us wrong, we recognize that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the dry bong vs water bong thing. There will be cases where hitting a dry piece is the only option - and that’s okay! It’s just not the default for us. And it probably won’t be for you, either, once you experience the water bong firsthand. Going dry feels like settling for less after that. 

Find Your New Favorite Piece at Badass Glass

We have a piece for every preference here at Badass Glass. Whether you’re looking for the latest and greatest water bong or you want a simple dry pipe for smoking, shop our catalog and see what catches your eye. You won’t go home empty-handed!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you smoke a dry bong?

Yes, but you’re selling the piece short. It’s meant to be used with water. You’re just holding a big, complicated pipe at that point - totally defeating the purpose. Water filtration is where it’s at!

Is a water bong healthier than smoking?

It’s hard to say smoking anything is “healthy,” but water does cool the smoke and filter some impurities out for a smoother, more comfortable rip.

Where can I buy smoking pieces online?

Your search ends here at Badass Glass, the #1 online headshop. We stock all the top brands and styles at the lowest prices, with world-class customer service every step of the way.

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