5 Things to Look for in Quality Glass
If you’ve ever picked up a piece and thought, “This looks cool, but is it actually good?” — you’re not alone. Whether you're shopping online or browsing your local smokeshop, knowing what makes a bong worth the money can save you from wasting cash on something that rips like garbage.
So let’s break it down: Here are 5 things that actually matter when you're sizing up a new glass bong.
1. Wall Thickness (It’s Not Just Hype)
Let’s start with the obvious thick glass = longer life.
Pieces made with 5mm or thicker walls are less likely to chip, crack, or shatter if you accidentally bump them. Our Heavy Pounders feature 9mm thick tubing with a base so solid it can hold its own in any collection.
What to look for:
- 5mm for standard durability
- 7mm+ if you want something you can toss in your bag with confidence
- 9mm = top-tier tank
2. A Clean, Well-Fitted Joint
The joint is where your bowl and downstem meet the body. If it’s uneven or poorly shaped, you’ll deal with airflow issues, loose connections, or worse—breakage from poor heat resistance.
Encore tip: All our glass bongs feature clean, precision-ground joints with a snug fit. No wiggly slides, no guesswork.
3. The Right Percolation (Not Just “More” Percs)
Some people think more percs automatically means better hits. Not always true. The goal of a percolator glass bong is diffusion—breaking up your smoke into bubbles to cool and filter it. If it's poorly designed, it just adds drag and doesn't do much.
Popular options:
- Matrix percs (like on our Mini Diamond Pounders) = smooth airflow & easy pulls
- Tree percs = dense diffusion for cooler, milkier hits
- Cut or diffused downstems = simple and effective
What matters most? Smart placement and smooth airflow—not stacking a bunch of percs just to look busy.
4. Stable Base + Balanced Height
A good glass bong should feel sturdy in your hand and solid on a flat surface.
Beaker bases offer more stability than straight tubes, and a heavier bottom helps keep it upright during seshes or cleanings.
Too tall? You’re risking tip-overs. Too small? You lose airflow. Aim for that 8"–16" sweet spot, depending on your style.
Want stability you can feel? Try our Encore Glass Beaker Bongs with reinforced bases.
5. Ice Pinches, Clean Welds, and Functional Details
It’s the little things that set a good piece apart:
- Triple ice pinches help cool smoke even more
- Smooth welds where the neck meets the base show attention to detail
- Proper airflow (not too tight, not too loose) makes every pull just right
We design every Encore piece to look clean, hit clean, and last a long time—no overdesigned gimmicks or flashy glass that doesn’t function.
Final Thoughts
A “good glass bong” isn’t just about price or hype. It’s about how it’s made, how it feels, and how it hits.
When you know what to look for—thick heavy glass, clean percs, stable bases, and solid joints—you’ll spot quality from across the shop.
Looking for that next great piece? Start with the ones designed to deliver.