Ordering a bong online sounds easy. Click, ship, smoke — right?
Not always.
Whether it’s your first piece or your fifth, there are a few things you should know before adding one to your cart. Because what might look good on a product page can end up hitting harsh, being impossible to clean, or worse — not even fitting the accessories you already own.
Here’s what to look out for (and what to skip) when buying a glass bong online.
1. Don’t Just Look at the Photos — Read the Specs
Sure, you want something that looks good. But that’s not enough.
Before you buy, check:
- Height & diameter — tells you how big the piece actually is
- Wall thickness — ideally 5mm or higher for durability
- Joint size — most common is 14mm female, which fits standard bowls and bangers
- Joint angle — 45° and 90° are not interchangeable
- Stem type — open, diffused, or fixed? It changes the hit
At The Encore Collection, every bong includes detailed specs so you know exactly what you’re getting.
2. Make Sure It Fits What You Already Own
Nothing kills a sesh like realizing your bowl doesn’t fit your new piece.
If you're using your own slides, ash catchers, or quartz bangers, check:
- Male or female joint
- 14mm vs 18mm
- Joint angle
- Stem length (if it’s a downstem piece)
Most of Encore’s flower bongs use 14mm female joints with standard angles so they’re compatible with nearly every accessory out there.
Want to play it safe? Stick with Encore slides + accessories — they’re made to fit our glass bongs with zero guesswork.
3. Over-Engineered = Overcomplicated
A lot of imported glass looks cool online — multiple percs, bent chambers, flashy colors. But in real life? Most of that glass isn’t built to be used.
Here’s what that means:
- Weird percs that add drag but no function
- Hard-to-clean shapes that trap water and resin
- Thin glass that chips or cracks on day one
- Joints that aren’t aligned (your bowl leans sideways)
Encore glass is made to be smoked daily, not just displayed. Our designs are simple, smart, and cleanable — especially if you’re new to all this.
4. Extra Features Should Work — Not Just Look Cool
Look for features that actually matter:
- Triple Ice Pinches — cools your hit without blocking airflow
- Matrix Percs — smooth diffusion without clogging
- 18mm thick Pounder bottoms — helps your piece sit heavy and stay stable
- Diffused downstems — improve airflow and smoothness
Every Encore beaker or heavy pounder is built with these details in mind — because design should make your smoke better, not just more complicated.
5. Make Sure It’s Packed Right
Ordering glass online is always a little risky — unless you’re shopping from a brand that knows what they’re doing.
The Encore Collection ships all our pieces in-house, with professional packaging, no dropship shortcuts, and quick fulfillment. That’s the difference between waiting 4 weeks for a broken piece… and getting a clean, ready-to-smoke setup delivered to your door fast.
Final Hit: Know What You’re Buying
A bong is more than a good photo. When you shop online, you want to know:
✅ It works right
✅ It fits your accessories
✅ It’s easy to clean
✅ It won’t break in a week
✅ And it ships from someone who actually cares
Whether you’re grabbing your first piece or looking to add a reliable daily driver to the rotation, Encore Collection glass is made for real smokers who actually use their glass.