Last year Canadians spent almost $908 million on legal cannabis. Just about three-quarters of cannabis consumers stick with good old-fashioned dried cannabis (flower).
There are many ways to consume dried cannabis. You can roll it into joint papers or blunt wraps, vaporize it, or use a pipe or a bong.
Out of all the paraphernalia, bongs seem to be one of the most popular smoking tools. They come in a wide variety of materials, shapes, and sizes.
So how much does a bong cost on average, and how much does a glass pipe cost? Bong cost depends on the type of bong and its quality.
Keep reading for a guide to bong pricing and what bong could be best for your smoking needs.
Types of Bongs by Material
There are two main ways you can categorize bongs: by their shape and the material they’re made out of. To start out, we’ll talk about all the different materials bongs can be made out of.
The first and most popular is glass. Glass is easy to blow in many different shapes for great design and functionality.
Glass bongs allow for the best accessories, like percolators and ice catchers. Because glass can be easily manipulated, glass bongs have the most variety of any material bong.
Silicone bongs are on the rise of popularity amongst smokers. The best part about silicone bongs is that they never break (unless you try to break them.)
They’re also extremely clean and come in a wide array of sizes and colors.
Unfortunately, most silicone bongs are kind of small which makes for a rougher smoke. They also don’t have a lot of roof for percolators, which make your hit smoother and cooler.
Metal is another material used to make bongs. Metal bongs aren’t as popular for a few reasons.
The first reason is taste. Metal bongs tend to give a metallic flavor to your hit, which some smokers don’t enjoy.
The other reason is the fact that metal is completely opaque. You’re liable to accidentally rip a huge hit when you aren’t able to see the smoke you’re pulling through.
A great thing about metal bongs is their durability. You’d actually have to try to break your metal bong.
The last material we’re going to touch on is acrylic. Though there are other materials like bamboo, wood, and plastic, they aren’t as widely available.
Acrylic bongs are kind of like silicone bongs in that they’re meant for the clumsy stoner. They were made to solve the problem of shattering glass.
It was a great concept but a bad idea. The hard plastic still cracks easily and you don’t really know if the acrylic used is safe to smoke from.
Acrylic bongs are usually the first kind to pop up when googling ‘cheap bongs near me.’ The price doesn’t really make up for the poor quality.
Types of Bongs by Shape
Of course, there is an endless amount of possibilities when it comes to the design of a bong. Some are shaped like elephants, some look like science equipment.
When it comes down to it, there are a few main basic shapes that bongs follow.
The smallest bong you’ll find is called a bubbler. These are the size of a dry pipe, but allow you to use water to make the hit smoother.
These are good for smokers who don’t partake too often. They’re easy to keep in a drawer or closet until you want to smoke.
Another shape is a beaker base bong. This is the classic bong shape that looks like a scientific beaker.
Beaker base bongs great entry-level bongs for someone who smokes often but not every day. Their long neck allows for the smoke to cool enough for a fairly smooth hit.
Straight-tube bongs are exactly as they sound. The bong is one long tube with a mouthpiece at the top and the down stem at the bottom.
Straight-tubes are typically taller to allow for more water and their glass is usually thicker. This makes them super durable and great for casual smokers.
Round based bongs are almost the same as beaker base, but the bottom is a rounded bulb. Again, this is great for smokers who aren’t too serious about their sessions.
Now we can get into bongs with accessories. These bongs are perfect for someone who smokes multiple times a day and is serious about their flower.
You can have a bong with a single percolator, which cools down the smoke and filters it for a smooth hit.
One step up is a multi-chamber bong, which uses different sections of the bong to cool your smoke down even more. Along the same lines is a recycler bong, which runs your smoke through the same chambers multiple times.
All of these specialized bongs are worth it if you spend a lot of time smoking. They’ll help ease the tightness in your lungs that can happen after one too many hits.
How Much Does a Bong Cost?
How much do bongs cost? By now you realize just how many variations of bongs there are.
The answer to ‘how much is a bong’ isn’t simple, so here is a rough outline of cost based on size, materials, and shape.
- $5-$20 – This lower price range will buy you a really good bubbler if you’re looking for something small. Smaller silicone bongs can also cost around 20 bucks, but any glass bong at this price will be small and fragile.
- $20-$80 – This price range will get you a medium-sized, high-quality bong. You may be able to find one with a single percolator for this price, depending on where you shop.
- $80-$300 – This price range is where you’ll find big bongs and lots of accessories. Multi-chamber bongs, recycler bongs, and intricate glasswork will be amongst this price range.
- $300+ – If you’re paying more than $300 for a bong, you’re likely adding a ton of accessories or buying from a well-known glass artist. If you’re an avid smoker who likes smooth hits and eccentric designs, a high-priced bong may be for you.
Which Bong Will You Choose?
We’ve answered your question of how much does a bong cost depending on the type you choose. Now it’s time to evaluate the size, shape, and material that fits your needs.
Visit Purple City 420 to get a bong that’s perfect for you. Visit our website or one of our stores and we’ll get you set up in no time.
