The best material for a bong depends on your priorities—

whether you value taste purity, durability, ease of cleaning, portability, or aesthetics.

Here’s a breakdown of the most popular bong materials and their pros and cons:

Glass

Best for: Flavor purity, aesthetics, and customization.

Pros:

Clean, pure taste (non-reactive)

Easy to clean with alcohol and salt

Compatible with accessories (percs, ash catchers, etc.)

Transparent—easy to see residue buildup

Cons:

Fragile (can break if dropped)

Usually more expensive

Verdict:
Best overall for at-home use and flavor quality.

Silicone

Best for: Portability, durability, and travel.

Pros:

Nearly indestructible

Dishwasher-safe and easy to clean

Affordable

Often comes with detachable glass bowls

Cons:

Slight plastic/silicone taste over time

Doesn’t offer the same smooth hit as glass

Not as aesthetically pleasing

Verdict:
Best for on-the-go or clumsy users.

Acrylic

Best for: Budget users.

Pros:

Cheap and widely available

Durable compared to glass

Cons:

Harsh smoke and taste (can leach chemicals)

Hard to clean

Not long-lasting

Verdict:
Not recommended unless budget is your only concern.

Ceramic

Best for: Artful, unique pieces and occasional use.

Pros:

Heat-resistant

Unique and artistic designs

Maintains good flavor

Cons:

Opaque (can’t see resin buildup)

Fragile

Harder to clean

Verdict:
Great as a showpiece or conversation starter.

Metal 

Best for: Durability, novelty

Pros:

Virtually unbreakable

Unique designs

Cons:

Can alter taste (metallic)

Heats up quickly

Hard to clean