Percolator Bong vs Regular Bong: What’s the Difference?

Glass bongs are great, but percolator bongs are even better. Well, most of the time. Not everyone loves bongs with percolators, which is why we put together this percolator bong vs regular bong comparison. 

A percolator bong gives you even more filtration by breaking the smoke down into tiny bubbles as it moves through the water. This cools the hit and takes some of the bite out of bigger rips, so you don’t have quite the coughing fit you otherwise would.

The downside is that more glass means more drag, and they take a little longer to clean, but the trade-off is worth it if you want a smoother pull. We’ll walk you through all the differences between a bong with percolator vs without below to help you figure out which is right for you.

Just know that either way, your search for the best glass bongs for sale ends here at Badass Glass. We’ve handpicked all the glass in our collection from the most trusted brands in the industry, and back them up with exceptional customer service every step of the way. Shop now!

Percolator Bong vs Regular (Fast Facts)

How a Regular Bong Works

Whether it’s a straight tube vs beaker bong, this is the classic way to enjoy your herb. 

You fill the base with water and pack a bowl. Spark it up while inhaling, and the smoke will travel down the downstem and get pulled through the water before working its way up the main chamber into your lungs. This process cools the smoke down dramatically. 

They may not be quite as exciting, but regular bongs do have their place. Even people who can afford percolator bongs sometimes prefer the more traditional style. Here are all the reasons regular bongs are still one of the best choices at your fingertips:

• Wide, open airflow that feels natural and easy to clear
• Stronger flavor since the smoke passes through fewer chambers
• Fairly low-maintenance cleaning
• Fewer pieces to worry about breaking

But let’s face it - sometimes, regular bongs can be too harsh. That’s where the other half of our percolator bong vs regular bong comparison comes into play.  

Benefits of a Bong With Percolators

A percolator is a feature found in bongs and dab rigs that breaks smoke into smaller bubbles as it moves through the bong. It’s like a bong within a bong. That extra movement increases the water contact, cooling the hit and softening the harshness before it reaches your lungs.

There are quite a few different types of percolators you’ll find in bongs, each of which works a little differently. The most common styles include:

• Tree perc: Multiple thin arms that spread the smoke into many small paths
• Showerhead perc: A round disk with evenly spaced slits for strong, even diffusion
• Honeycomb perc: A flat disc full of small holes that create a rapid, bubbly pull
• Matrix perc: A cylindrical grid that gives balanced airflow and smooth cooling
• Inline perc: A sideways tube with slits that fires bubbles horizontally

The appeal of perc bongs is obvious. They cool the smoke much more than a regular bong can, softening big rips and letting you enjoy a session with less coughing. They just create a smoother experience. 

There are considerations as well, though. The percolators can increase drag, so clearing the chamber will take a little more lung capacity. The percs can also mess with the flavor of your flower a little, sort of diluting it since there is more filtration.

Cleaning can be a bit more of a hassle since it’s hard to reach inside the percs, and low-quality glass bongs often have cheap percs that are prone to breaking at the slightest bump. But this can be avoided by shopping with a trusted brand, like Badass Glass.

Bong With Percolator vs Without: Key Differences to Consider

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer about which is better between a percolator bong vs regular. Both have their pros and cons. It all comes down to the type of experience you’re looking for in your daily sessions. Here’s a closer look at a bong with percolator vs without.

Smoothness

A percolator bong will always feel easier on the throat because the extra glasswork breaks the smoke into finer bubbles, giving the water surface area to cool things down. This is extra noticeable when you take massive rips.

That’s not to say regular bongs don’t cool down or smooth out the smoke. They absolutely do - but not nearly to the same extent as a bong with percolators. You can always rely on a regular ice bong for extra cooling capacity.  

Drag and Airflow

The smoothness perc bongs provide comes at the cost of drag. A standard beaker or straight tube has wide, open airflow that clears with very little effort. Newer smokers or people with lower lung capacities like that open draw because it feels responsive and less restricted.

In contrast, percolator bongs have more resistance. Sometimes just a little, other times, a lot. It all depends on how many percs the bong has and how complex the design is. More drag doesn’t mean worse hits, just more effort on your part to clear the bong. 

Flavor Strength and Vapor Density

Regular bongs keep flavor punchier because the smoke travels through fewer chambers and has less water contact. That can be a determining factor for you in choosing between a percolator bong vs regular if you like tasting the nuanced terpene notes in your strains.

Percolator bongs still taste good, but the extra filtration rounds off the edges a bit. The result is a smoother, cooler hit, but it can feel slightly lighter in the flavor department. It’s kind of like going from regular soda to diet soda. Flavor notes just feel a little more muted.

Ease of Cleaning and Maintenance

This is an often overlooked but really important distinction between the percolator bong vs regular bong. Those percolators can sometimes be a hassle to clean. Slits, arms, discs, and stacked chambers trap residue, and you’ll need more soaking time to get them spotless.

Our advice is to constantly replace the water after each session. The more preventative maintenance you do, the less intensive cleaning has to be. We also highly encourage you to pair your bong with an ash catcher.

For comparison, regular bongs rinse clean quickly because there are fewer spaces for residue to build up. A couple shakes with ISO and salt usually takes care of everything.

Durability and Risk of Breakage

For the most part, durability comes down to how the bong is made and the type of glass it’s crafted from. High-quality boroscillate glass is always going to be your best bet.

That said, percolators within bongs can be a frustrating point of failure. They tend to be really delicate, and even a minor bump or drop can cause irreparable damage. This is something you have to keep in mind if you’re clumsy, share your bong with friends, or want something to travel with.

In contrast, regular bongs tend to be sturdier because there’s less going on inside. Thick beakers and straight tubes can take small bumps without cracking.

Price Differences for Each Style

You’ll also find different prices in looking at a bong with percolator vs without. So to some extent, you can narrow it down to one style or the other based on your budget.

A plain beaker or straight tube costs less because it requires less glasswork. You can get a solid, reliable regular bong without spending much. Some of our high-quality bongs start as low as $30!

On the other hand, a percolator bong costs more - especially if it has multiple diffusion stages or intricate scientific-style designs. You’re paying for more glass, more labor, and of course, better performance. 

Is it worth it? Only you can decide! Either way, Badass Glass has your new favorite piece waiting to be discovered. Whether you want a basic mini bong or a sophisticated honeycomb percolator bong, shop now!

Shop Bongs With and Without Percolators Here at Badass Glass!

Badass Glass carries both styles so you can pick the exact kind of hit you want. Shop our full line of beaker bongs or straight tube bongs for clean flavor, thick glass, and that straightforward pull. Or, get extra diffusion with a percolator bong, be it an inline perc bong, tree perc bong, or any other style available. 

Everything in our lineup is hand-picked for sturdy glass, real function, and the kind of airflow that actually feels good to clear. We ship everything from our Southern California warehouse, packed tight and ready to use the moment it arrives.

You can shop with confidence knowing your order is backed by our satisfaction guarantee and world-class customer service. Take a look and see what catches your eye!

Parting Thoughts on the Percolator Bong vs Regular

That concludes our percolator bong vs regular bong comparison. As you can see, each brings something special to your sessions - be it the cooling power of a perc bong or the unfiltered rips of a regular bong. It all comes down to what you prefer from your smoke!

Whether you’re looking for a bubbler vs bong, your search ends here at Badass Glass. Pick out your next piece from our collection and bring home a bong that actually hits the way you like.